Wapashuwi Lodge hosts Order of the Arrow winter banquet

Staff report

WARREN

Members and guests of Wapashuwi Lodge, Order of the Arrow, Greater Western Reserve Council, Boy Scouts of America, recently met at DiVieste Banquet Hall for its annual and final winter banquet. The lodge will close in May. More than 300 Boy Scouts representing more than 90 troops are members of Wapashuwi Lodge.

Since 1915, the Order of the Arrow has been the national honor society for scouting with a focus on leadership development, membership extension, adventure programming and increased service to the community. It has more than 180,000 members in lodges throughout BSA councils.

After the dinner, 2016 officers and advisers of the lodge were recognized for their service by John Schlobohm, interim council executive, and Brett Gensburg, lodge staff adviser. J.J. Conklin, Section C-4A chief, installed 2017 officers. Officers are Joshua Johnston, Wapashuwi Lodge chief; Andrew Pleso, immediate past lodge chief; Riley Sullivan, executive vice-chief; Ryan Johnston, secretary; Jonathan Feigert, treasurer; Jacob Hockensmith, Neatoka Chapter chief; Ben Elmore, Stigwandish Chapter chief; Jarred Miller, Tapawingo Chapter chief; Connor Crowley, T’sisgoli Ama Chapter chief; Seth Welch, vice-chief of camping and service; Trevor Ulrich, vice-chief of communications; Nathan Steadman, vice-chief of membership; and Conner Orr, vice-chief of Native American Heritage.

• The Gary Waldorf Native American Heritage Award was presented to Conner Orr, a member of Troop 4075 in Bristolville. He is a vigil member and former Tapawingo Chapter chief who has demonstrated exemplary enthusiasm and dedication, and contributed to Native American Heritage and ceremonies of the lodge.

• Wapashuwi Lodge Stewards of the Shadow Award was presented to Jarred Miller of Troop 4143 in McDonald who is a brotherhood member. He gave extensive behind-the-scenes service for lodge ceremonies.

The 2016 Vigil Honor candidates are Connor Deluga of Troop 4083 in Mineral Ridge; Benjamin Elmore of Troop 55, Madison, Ohio; Joshua Johnston of Troop 86, Southington; Nathan Steadman of Troop 11, Jefferson, Ohio; Riley Sullivan of Troop 4008, Leavittsburg; Trevor Ulrich of Troop 75, Bristolville; Seth Welch of Troop 115, Canfield; Mitchell Babej of Troop 102, Chagrin Falls, Ohio; Eric Grabman of Troop 46, Boardman; and Andrew Welch of Troop 115, Canfield.

• The 2016 Wapashuwi Lodge Arrowman of the Year award is presented to one youth and one adult each year for outstanding service to the lodge and for exemplifying the spirit of Order of the Arrow. The youth award was presented to Seth Welch and the adult award was presented to his father, Andrew Welch, both of Austintown.

• The Founders Award, the highest award given at the lodge level, was introduced in 1981 at the National Order of the Arrow Conference after the death of Dr. E. Urner Goodman, one of the founders. It honors members for selfless service beyond their normal duties. It also is presented to a youth and adult. The youth award was presented to Joshua Johnston, who is serving his second term as lodge chief and has served in several other positions. The adult award was presented to Terri Andrews of Willoughby Hills, Ohio, who serves on the Headwaters District Committee.

The Greater Western Reserve Council closed Dec. 31, 2016. It served families and scouts in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Mahoning and Trumbull counties and a portion of Portage County. The northern half of the former council will merge with the Greater Cleveland Council and the southern half will join the Great Trail Council, which is based in Akron. Wapashuwi Lodge will also split, with northern counties joining Cuyahoga Lodge and southern counties joining Marnoc Lodge.

For information about Wapashuwi Lodge or Order of the Arrow, go to www.wapashuwi.org or www.oa-bsa.org.

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SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR: Jonathan Feigert, member of Troop 100 in Hubbard, left, recipient of the Wapashuwi Lodge 2015 Gary Waldorf Native American Heritage Award, presented the 2016 award to Connor Orr of Troop 4075, Bristolville.

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SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR: Connor Orr, member of Troop 4075 in Bristolville, left, recipient of the Wapashuwi Lodge 2015 Steward of the Shadows Award, presented the 2016 award to Jarred Miller of Troop 4143, McDonald.

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SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR: At top left, the 2016 Wapashuwi Lodge Arrowman of the Year awards were presented to Seth Welch, left, and his father, Andrew Welch, both of Austintown. They are members of Troop 115 in Canfield. At top right, Conner Orr, left, member of Troop 4075 in Bristolville, recipient of the Wapashuwi Lodge 2015 Steward of the Shadows Award, presented the 2016 award to Jarred Miller of Troop 4143, McDonald. Above left, Jonathan Feigert, left, member of Troop 100 in Hubbard, recipient of the Wapashuwi Lodge 2015 Gary Waldorf Native American Heritage Award, presented the 2016 award to Conner Orr of Troop 4075, Bristolville. And above right, Terri Andrews, left, member of the Headwaters district committee, Willoughby Hills, and Joshua Johnston of Troop 4086, Southington, received the 2016 Wapashuwi Lodge National Order of the Arrow Founders awards for adult and youth.

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SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR: Terri Andrews, left, member of the Headwaters district committee, Willoughby Hills, and Joshua Johnston of Troop 4086, Southington, received the 2016 Wapashuwi Lodge National Order of the Arrow Founders awards for adult and youth.