Allentown DeMolay Chapter Celebrates Centennial Year, Takes Home Multiple Honors and Awards from Pennsylvania DeMolay Convention
Allentown Chapter of DeMolay International, a Masonic youth group for young men 12-21, recently celebrated its Centennial as an active DeMolay chapter in Pennsylvania with ceremonies at the Allentown Masonic Temple and a picnic at the Allentown Rose Gardens on Saturday, June 13.
More than 100 people attended both events, including J. Michael Larkin, Executive Officer of Pennsylvania DeMolay, and Robert D. Brink, Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which is the sponsor of Pennsylvania DeMolay.
Chapter Advisory Council Secretary Ingrid F. Green served as the Chair of the Chapter’s Centennial Planning Committee, and Max Caliolio, a two-time Past Master Councilor of the Chapter and Regional Master Councilor for Pennsylvania DeMolay Region G, presided over the formal program.
Caliolio recently received the Past Master Councilor’s Meritorious Service Award from DeMolay International for his outstanding term as Master Councilor last year, during a ceremony at the Allentown Masonic Temple in May conducted by officers from the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, which sponsors the award in Pennsylvania.
During the program on June 13, Advisory Council Chairman Garrett Rhoads presented the Chapter’s Golden Gavel Award for 2026 to Sir Knight David Evans, Eminent Commander of Allen-Beauceant Commandery No. 20 of the Knights Templar of Pennsylvania, the Chapter’s sponsoring body, for its ongoing support of the chapter.
Larkin recognized long-time Advisor Ed White, Past Chairman of the Chapter’s Advisory Council, Deputy Executive Officer for Pennsylvania DeMolay Region G, and Deputy Member of DeMolay International, as the recipient of the DeMolay International Guild of the Leather Apron Award as the DeMolay Advisor of the Year for 2026 in Pennsylvania.
White recognized four Senior DeMolays and longtime former Advisors of the Chapter for their service to DeMolay with certificates and pins: William M. Glose III and Wade H. Cruse II were recognized for their 75 years in DeMolay and Robert E. Leh and Homer B. Wentz for their 70 years in DeMolay.
This past weekend, at Pennsylvania DeMolay’s annual statewide convention, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Downtown Reading, Allentown Chapter was recognized by Pennsylvania DeMolay as the Most Outstanding Chapter in Pennsylvania for the Large Chapter Division.
The chapter also took home awards as the winner of the annual statewide competitions for DeMolay Month (held annually in March of each year) and Visitations.
Previously, during DeMolay Month in March, Allentown City Council presented current Master Councilor Alfredo Pelia Jr. with a proclamation recognizing March as DeMolay Month in Allentown and also recognizing the Chapter’s Centennial in June.
In addition to the Chapter awards, Caliolio was named the Rising Star of Pennsylvania DeMolay by outgoing State Master Councilor Chris Misko, for his service to the State Master Councilor, Pennsylvania DeMolay, and Region G during the past year. The new State Master Councilor, Logan Johnston, also appointed Caliolio as the Regional Master Councilor for Region G for the new DeMolay year.
White was also recognized by the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania with the HODEGOS Award for his more than 40 years of service as a DeMolay Advisor.
In addition, Advisor Amanda Best, the Chapter Advisor who works most directly with the young men of the Chapter, was recognized by the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation, the governing body for Scottish Rite Masonry in Pennsylvania, as the Masonic Youth Advisor of the Year in Pennsylvania for 2026 for her service as an Advisor for both DeMolay and the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, a Masonic Youth organization for girls 11-20 that has assemblies in Bethlehem and Macungie.
Allentown DeMolay is a Masonic youth organization open to young men between the ages of 12-21 who are of good moral character, believe in a Supreme Being, and are recommended by a member or Mason and who live within the greater Lehigh Valley area. The Chapter also has a Squire program for boys 9-11.
The Chapter is sponsored by Allen-Beauceant Commandery of the Knights Templar of Pennsylvania and meets on most Monday nights in the Commandery Asylum on the first floor of the Allentown Masonic Temple, which is located at 1524 Linden Street in Allentown.
For more information on Allentown DeMolay or the King Arthur Manor of Squires, please check out the Chapter’s website at http://www.atowndemolay.org/ or email Mom Best at allentownchapterdemolay@gmail.com.
Information & Images provided to TVL by:
Ed White
