Awards, Awards, Awards
By the Editor
Several awards of recognition were presented at the May Regional Meeting held at Tewksbury-Wilmington Lodge.
Two Lodges distinguished themselves during this year’s Hoop Shoot contest. Leominster Lodge led the State in participation, with over 3,400 kids participating. Bill Barry and Jim McCusker brought Woburn Lodge back into the program after an absence of several years. They ended up with over 2,500 kids taking part. Presenting plaques of appreciation and recognition are State President Lou Connolly and State Hoop Shoot Director Bill Ferrick. Accepting for Leominster’s Director Bill McDonald is junior PER Elbert Burdett, pictured with Brothers Bill and Jim.
Brighton Lodge No. 2199 led the State in membership gain last year with a whopping 4.8%. Accepting a plaque of recognition from State President Lou and State Membership Chairman Ernie Brown is DDGER Tom Hogan of Brighton Lodge.
National Soccer Shoot Third
Place Winner
It’s a long journey from the Lodge to the National Championship, Jennifer Hayward the Elks Soccer Shoot® Under 12 National Champion can attest to that. Jennifer entered competition last September at Marshfield Lodge No. 2494 and became that Lodge’s U12 Champion. Throughout the month of October this young lady and her family traveled to the Circle District the State and Region 1 Competitions. Jennifer’s season culminated on October 21st at the Grand Lodge Region 1 Championship in Danbury, Connecticut where she was crowned the U12 Girls Champion. That’s where the competition ended and the waiting began. You see, the National Championship is not determined by direct competition. At each of the ten regional championship the Champions must kick an additional 25 tiebreaker kicks in groups of five kicks. The National Champion is determined by highest regional score and ties being broken by the tiebreakers. Needless to say in January, Jen, was notified that she prevailed and became a National Champion.
At
the Regional Meeting of May 5, 2002 the assembled members greeted Jennifer and
her dad where she was presented with the Grand Lodge National Championship
Soccer Shoot plaque, the Association also presented her with an embroidered
National Champion soccer warm-up suit. Though
all this hoopla she still maintained a shy demeanor and quietly expressed her
thanks to the Elks for all that we had done for her and her family.
Pictured from left to right are State President Lou Connolly, State Soccer Shoot Co Directors Patrick Kimmett and Thomas Tobin, National Under 12 Girl Soccer Shoot Champion Jennifer Hayward and her dad. Tom.
