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Hickory Elks honor students, public servants, veterans

Hickory Daily Record - 2/26/2018

HICKORY - Hickory Elks Lodge held its annual Americanism Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Feb. 3. The event, sponsored by the lodge's Americanism Committee, honors a select few in the community who have demonstrated love of country and community through their actions, deeds, and selfless service.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) - with more than 2,000 lodges - promotes the concepts of Americanism and patriotism, and is nationally recognized for its support of military veterans. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of BPOE, this year's awards and recognition ceremony served to highlight the purpose and mission of Hickory Elks and Elks nationwide.

Honorees in the ceremony included middle school students who participated in the Hickory lodge's annual Americanism Essay Contest, a national event sponsored by the BPOE national headquarters in Chicago. This year's essay theme was, "Why Our Veterans Are America's Heroes."

More than 200 essays were submitted by students from Northview and Grandview middle schools. Each was judged by criteria established by the national headquarters. Winners in Division I, which features students in the sixth grade, were Nora Miller, first place (Grandview); Laken Powe, second place (Grandview); and Adrian Chavez, third place (Grandview). Winners in Division II, which features students in the seventh and eighth grades, were Sage Derr, first place (Grandview); Olivia East, second place (Grandview); and Daniel Brendle, third place (Grandview). Each of the winners received a plaque and cash award. Honorable mentions were awarded to Neveah Weedman and Maurice Bradley, both of Northview. Each received a cash award.

The ceremony also recognized the exceptional service of Hickory firefighter Battalion Chief Mike Cates, Hickory Police Officer James "Bo" Mathis, and a North Carolina State Highway Patrolman, Master Trooper Corey M. Trouille of Troop F, District 5. Each was nominated by his departments based on exemplary job performance and service to church and community. Plaques and cash awards were presented. Assisting in the presentations were Battalion Chief Matt Hutchinson, Hickory Fire Department; Chief Thurman Whisnant, Hickory Police Department; and Sgt. Jody Martin, N.C. State Highway Patrol.

Five military veterans, each representing one of the four military branches and the U.S. Coast Guard, were recognized as the Hickory Elks Exceptional Military Service Person of the Year. Each of the five awardees was selected by five of the area's high school JROTC programs.

Selection was based on the veteran's exemplary service consistent with the tenets of duty, honor and country as described by Gen. Douglas MacArthur in his 1962 speech at West Point to the Corps of Cadets.

The U.S. Army honoree selected by Army cadets of Hickory High School was Specialist 4th Class Nathan Pena, now a teacher at the school. The U.S. Navy recipient selected by Navy cadets from St. Stephens High School was Capt. Robert Hall, a retired Navy aviator. The U.S. Marine Corps honoree selected by Marine Corps cadets of RS Central High School in Rutherfordton was Lance Cpl. Johnathan Carlisle. Col. Sherry Hamrick, U.S. Air Force, a retired Air Force pilot, was selected by the Air Force cadets of Maiden High School. The Navy cadets at Newton-Conover High School selected Cmdr. Jim Loften, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary as this year's exceptional Coast Guardsman. Each recipient received a commemorative plaque and cash award. Assisting in the presentations were Army Cadet Staff Sgt. Robert Hullett, Hickory High; Navy Cadet Petty Officer 2nd Class Hayden Benfield, St. Stephens; Marine Corps Cadet Staff Sgt. Issac Salyers, RS Central; Air Force Cadet Capt. Kaelah Weaver, Maiden High; and Navy Cadet Lt. Noah Porter, Newton-Conover High.

Cadets from the participating high schools opened the ceremony with the presentation of colors. Patriotic music was provided by Nathan Hefner, a Hickory Elks member and noted performer.