Special Report - Texas DeMolay Conclave



By: Douglas J. Van Griner, PDSMC
Amy L. Gonzales, Past State Sweetheart
Patrick W. Crocker, SMC, PSIKC
Brandy L. Williams, Past State Priory Queen
James A. Rodriguez, PSMC, PSIKC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Basketball Tournament

The Basketball Tournament took place during the day on Thursday. Teams from Albert Pike, H. Malvern Marks, Reagan, Farmers Branch and Nederland competed for the championship in the Senior A Division. Competition was fierce and very close. Both teams from Albert Pike ended up playing for the championship. Albert Pike White, "the old guys", beat Albert Pike Black in a very close game. In the Junior A Division, there were only two teams that competed and they were both from Albert Pike Chapter. Amarillo Chapter defeated Houston Chapter to take the Junior B championship. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to everyone who competed.
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Official Opening

The Official Opening of the 69th Texas DeMolay State Conclave took place on Thursday evening. The night began with a Slide Show recapping the past years events. Then SMC Blain Koenning, II gave his official report to the State. In it, he explained what exactly happened over the past year. Among the highlights, H. Malvern Marks Chapter was instituted in January at the Masonic Home & School. This year’s Government Day was better than ever and attendance at the Masonic Youth Weekend doubled from last year. Once the SMC finished his report, the Executive Officer in Texas made a special presentation the State Officers. Finally, the State Officers in Texas have metal collars to wear to designate their office. The collars for the Texas DeMolay Association are gold in color and the ones for the State Priory are silver.

Afterward, all Distinguished Masonic Guests were introduced and had the chance to speak. We had greetings from the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar, Grand Chapter of Eastern Star; Grand Lodge of Texas, Order of Rainbow for Girls and Job’s Daughter’s. Each person who spoke brought words of thanks and encouragement. Then, all past State Officers of ether the DeMolay Association or State Priory were introduced to the audience. After introductions, it came time for the highlight of the evening. All of the Chapter Sweethearts in Texas were introduced to the audience, then it was came time for the competition. State Sweetheart Amylynn Gonzales asked each sweetheart a question. Judges in the audience would then weight the answers and choose five finalists. The new State Sweetheart would be announced on Sunday morning.

Finally, nominations for next year’s State Officers took place. Patrick Crocker from Albert Pike Chapter was nominated for the office of State Master Councilor. Raymond "RJ" Morlock from Houston Chapter was nominated to the office of Deputy State Master Councilor. James Barron was nominated to the office of State Senior Councilor and Bryan Plocheck was nominated to State Junior Councilor. Each of these individuals will be installed on Sunday Morning. Once the festivities were over, the SMC declared the Conclave to recess until Sunday morning.
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Softball and Volleyball Tournaments

On Friday, teams from several chapters gathered at Gateway Park to compete in the Softball Tournament. The chapters that competed included H. Malvern Marks, Grand Prairie, Reagan, Farmers Branch, Amarillo and defending champs, Albert Pike Chapter. The games started at 8:00 AM and concluded about noon. Most of the games were very close, but some did have outrageous scores. In the first round, Farmers Branch beat Amarillo and Grand Prairie defeated H. Malvern Marks to move to the next round. Farmers Branch played Albert Pike in the 2nd round and lost. Grand Prairie ended up playing Reagan in the next round and lost. The final game was set. It would be the defending champs, Albert Pike, against perennial contender, Reagan. Both teams fought hard in the championship game. It went 7 innings with neither side giving an inch. Three home runs were hit in total by both sides. In the end, Reagan Chapter would upset 7-time champion Albert Pike Chapter to claim this year’s trophy.

After lunch, we all gathered back at the Home & School to compete in this year’s Volleyball Tournament. Teams from H. Malvern Marks, Reagan, Amarillo, Grand Prairie, Farmers Branch, Nederland and Albert Pike gathered to compete. AP Black beat Marks to move on to the 2nd round and AP White beat Nederland to move on. In the 2nd round, Reagan beat AP Black to move into the championship round against AP White. Both teams fought hard in the championship game. Reagan beat AP White to once again claim the championship in Volleyball. Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks to everyone who competed.
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Sweetheart Luncheon

The Sweetheart Luncheon was held at the Care-A-Lot Inn in Ft. Worth. It started promptly at noon as guests made their way to seats. When everyone was seated Mom Becky Koenning gave greetings as well as Blain Koenning, II the SMC, Shauna Mclean, Grand Worthy Advisor, and Kristen Gregg, Miss Texas Job’s Daughter. After all the welcomings were said and distinguished were presented, Dorothy Reynolds said a prayer to bless the food as well as everyone in attendance. We all sat and began to enjoy the lunch served to us. It was a salad plate with fruit and pasta salad.

We finished our lunch only to be presented with a program by Dena Koenning. It was a slightly different interpretation of fashion. It included a string bikini, a tea length skirt, bell-bottoms, a bag dress and much more. It proved to win everyone over by making them laugh and smile. This concluded the Sweetheart Luncheon and we all said our good-byes and took ample pictures.
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56th Annual Meeting and Dinner of the Texas State Court of Chevaliers

The meeting of the Texas State Chevalier Court was held on July 16, 1999, at the Care-A-Lot Inn. Dinner was chicken fried steak, though not worth $20. Dad Crickard is now the State Commander in the West and, with a five-minute nominating speech, Dad Shearer is now the Grand BS, as well as the State Commander. The Heathen (Mark Williams) is again the Grand Chaplain and Dad Scholwinski is the Grand SB.
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Swim Party / Dance and Picnic

Friday night was rockin’ with music from Senior Albert Pike DeMolay, Pete Alanis, at the Swim Party & Picnic on the tennis courts of the Masonic Home & School. Everyone who attended had an opportunity to swim, to dance or to just hang around and visit. Food and refreshments were provided. Later on in the evening, DeMolays gathered at the Recreation Hall to take part in this year’s Billiard’s Tournament. About participants competed against each other. Everyone had a great time.
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Ritual Competition

This year’s competition took place on Saturday during the day at the Ft. Worth Scottish Rite Building. DeMolays from all over the state competed in the Initiatory Degree, DeMolay Degree, Chapter Proficiency, Fourth Section, and Individual Ritual Competitions. In addition, we had competition in the Flower Talk and Ceremony of Light. Awards were given to first and second places as well as medals to all the team members. This year’s winners in the team degrees are listed below:

Initiatory Degree
1st: Reagan Chapter
2nd: Albert Pike Chapter

DeMolay Degree
1st: Reagan Chapter
2nd: Farmers Branch Chapter

Chapter Proficiency
1st: Richardson Chapter
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50th Annual Convocation of the Texas State Priory Order of Knighthood

The convocation of Texas State Priory was convened on July 17, 1999. Five new Sir Knights were invested. Following the investiture, Walter Blain Koenning II and Paul Busby were elected by vote of acclamation to the offices of State Illustrious Knight Commander and Deputy State Illustrious Knight Commander, respectively. Both Sir Knights are from Houston Priory.
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6th Annual Meeting and Dinner of the Texas State Preceptory Legion of Honor

The Texas State Preceptory of the Legion of Honor met for dinner at the Care-a-Lot Hotel on Saturday night. Newly elected Active Legionnaires from Albert Pike Preceptory Jay McCracken and James Rodriguez were present, as were a large number of other active and honorary legionnaires from AP Preceptory.

The main order of business was the creation of a Texas State DeMolay Foundation. Donations to the Foundation, a 501c(3) charitable organization, will be tax-deductible and will help ensure the financial future of Texas DeMolay. Reese L. Harrison, Jr., Dean of Albert Pike Preceptory, will be one of the organizers and principal officers of the new Foundation.
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Texas DeMolay Sock Hop

Saturday night at the Masonic Home & School gym was the 50’s Sock Hop. We had a limbo contest and The Pink Ladies won the costume contest. Dad Pete Alanis played music. Food and Refreshments were provided by the members of the State Mother’s Circle. Only one question remains – Has anyone seen the Alberta?
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2nd Business Session

On the Sunday morning, everyone gathered back at the Home & School Auditorium for the second and final business session of this year’s State Conclave. The first of business was to certify every Chapter for their votes. After that, we proceeded with election for the 1999-2000 Corps of State Officers. Patrick Crocker was elected by acclamation to the office of State Master Councilor. Raymond "RJ" Morlock ascended to Deputy State Master Councilor and James Barron was elected State Senior Councilor. Finally, Bryan Plocheck was elected to the State Junior Councilor.

After the elections, Dad Koenning proceeded with the installation of officers for each group. The officers of the State Priory and State Court were installed first and then the District Deputy State Master Councilors. Next, the officers of the State Association were installed. Each councilor took his obligation and promised to work hold heartily with one another. Finally, the State Master Councilor-elect Patrick Crocker was ready to be installed. At the altar, he knelt in front of everyone and took his solemn obligation to perform the office of State Master Councilor to the best of his ability.

Afterward, we once again had visitation of distinguished Masonic guests. Each person brought greetings and was very happy to be a part of the Conclave. They wanted to let each person know that their respective organization is here to help in any way possible. After the visitation, the 1999-2000 State Sweetheart was announced. She is currently the Chapter Sweetheart of H. Malvern Marks Chapter. Finally, the last order of the business for this year’s State Conclave was the Awards Presentation. All the winners in Athletics and Ritual were presented with their trophies.
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