DeMolay service group celebrates 70 years

A local youth mentoring organization with ties to the Masons celebrated its platinum anniversary last month with a banquet at Baldwin Masonic Hall.

Past and present members of Wantagh chapter, Order of DeMolay International, celebrated the group’s 70th anniversary on Feb. 6. The Wantagh chapter is the first in DeMolay International history to receive a citation marking 70 years, the group said in a news release.

A highlight of the event was the recognition of Advisor Vincent Celentano of East Meadow, who was awarded the Cross of Honor for his five years of service to the Wantagh chapter. An advisor is an adult volunteer. The rare recognition is among DeMolay’s highest. In 2015, only three adults in New York received this honor.

The chapter name is a holdover from when the group met in the Bellmore-Wantagh area, said Kristina Brandt, communications advisor for New York State DeMolay. But when the Wantagh headquarters was sold about 10 years ago, the organization began to meet in Baldwin. Members include residents of Baldwin and Queens, among others.

At the anniversary dinner, chapter Advisor Nathaniel Liberty of Syosset provided a brief history of the group. Also, the group received a proclamation from Town of Hempstead Supervisor Anthony Santino, commending the chapter for its contributions.

Special guests included State Master Councilor Zack Williams, a high school senior in upstate Ballston Spa, and Bill Sardone of New Jersey, executive officer of New York DeMolay.

The Order of DeMolay was founded in 1919 in Kansas City. The nonprofit organization for young men ages 12 to 21 teaches leadership skills centered on seven main lessons, or virtues. They are: filial love, reverence for sacred things, courtesy, comradeship, fidelity, cleanness in thought, word and deed, and patriotism. From these values, members believe, young men learn to become leaders and contributing members of their communities and their country, the organization said.

Wantagh chapter was formed in 1946 and has helped over 600 young men to become public speakers and leaders.