Starting
on Easter Monday, April 16, 2001, and ending on Saturday
April 21, 2001, was “Initiation Week” for Albert
Pike Chapter. Three weeks following an overwhelming Rush
Party, Albert Pike Chapter initiated 22 new members on Monday
and on a special Saturday Initiation. Included in this week
was the reinstitution of Stephen F. Austin Chapter after
approximately 15 years of being in the dark.
A few weeks earlier, Pike DeMolays, accompanied by State
Master Councilor R.J. Morlock and Dads Pat Crocker and Jared
May, traveled up to Austin to Hill City Lodge to give the
first Rush Party in 15 years to Austin Chapter. Although
there are only 5 members initiated, we believe that in the
ensuing months, Austin Chapter will grow by leaps and bounds.
The
beginning of “Initiation Week” started on Monday,
where Pike Initiated the largest class in recent memory,
with 19 initiates having the degrees conferred upon them
and witnessing the Flower Talk. A helping initiation was
made on Thursday at San Antonio Chapter with Brothers Pandziks,
Cornyn, Maddox, and one of the new initiates, Lee Harris.
Finally,
Saturday was the big day. Austin Chapter’s reinstallation
occurred. Accompanied by Dad Scrappy King, parents and future
advisors (Some of whom are Senior DeMolays from both Austin
Chapter and Pike Chapter), these 4 new brothers are on their
way to creating one of the greatest chapters in the state.
At the Rush Party, Jared May said, “I envy you guys,
you are at a historical moment where you can create your
own chapter and do whatever you want for tradition.”
In addition, another 3 new Pike’ers were initiated
in a special Saturday Initiation service at the Cathedral.
In one
of the last issues of DeMolay News, an article was written
about the largest chapter in DeMolay, being in Nebraska,
initiating approximately 15 new members, while others boasted
about a dozen. With our quota nearly met for the year, Pike
has initiated the most number of members in one class, in
my opinion, in DeMolay International thus far this year.
Brothers, let’s keep up the good work!
