Wabash Elks Lodge No.471 members Don Keller (second from left) and Joseph Slacian accept their awards for winning the 11 O’Clock Toast and Flag Presentation contests, respectively, during the Indiana Elks Association spring convention in Indianapolis on Saturday. Presenting the awards is Grand Exalted Ruler Ron Hicks (left) while Brian Rawding, Ritual Contest co-chair, looks on. Photo provided.
INDIANAPOLIS,Indiana — For the third time in four years, the Wabash Elks Lodge won the Indiana Elks Association Ritual Contest.
Wabash Lodge No.471 defeated Hobart Elks Lodge No.1152, 95.7173 to 93.3961 in the state finals on Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis.
With the victory, the team earned the right to represent the state of Indiana during the national competition at the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Grand Lodge Convention in Houston, Texas, on July 2.
Team members and their positions on the team are Exalted Ruler Joseph Slacian, Leading Knight Jennie Terrell, Loyal Knight Russ Abell, Lecturing Knight Wendy Frazier, Esquire Sue Keller, Chaplain Keith Walters, Inner Guard Jana Slacian and Candidate Maureen Music. The team is coached by Don Keller and Mike Chester. Each of the team members won their individual seats.
Members of the Wabash Elks Lodge No.471 Ritual Team are (from left) Don Keller, Maureen Music, Joseph Slacian, Russ Abell, Wendy Frazier, Jennie Terrell, Sue Keller, Jana Slacian and Keith Walters. Photo provided.
During the competition, the team simulates an initiation ceremony.
In addition to winning the state competition, several team members received individual honors as well.
Jana Slacian received the award for having the highest score in the competition among all the competitors.
Meanwhile, Don Keller won the 11 O’Clock Toast competition, and Joseph Slacian won the Flag Presentation competition.