Elks Lodge honors flag, scholarship recipients
In American fashion, more than 20 recent high school graduates received scholarships following a Flag Day ceremony at the Butler Elks Lodge on Sunday.
“It’s a great organization, and at some point, I’ll definitely be joining,” said Kalleigh Miller, a Slippery Rock High School graduate who will be attending Kutztown University to study cinema, TV and media.
Miller was one of 22 young women and men who each received $1,000 scholarships. Winners graduated from many Butler County school districts, including Butler Area, Karns City, Moniteau, Slippery Rock Area and South Butler.
Miller said she was familiar with the lodge because her father was a member. She said she was thankful to the lodge for the scholarship which she will use it toward her tuition, or any other school-related expense.
“It was very nice to see some of the Elks members, because I grew up here,” said Miller.
Rikki Woodling, the organization’s scholarship chairwoman, presented the awards.
Woodling said the scholarships are generated from Wednesday morning bingo, a family-friendly staple event.
She said she received 50 applications this year, all of whom had to write an essay about how they can serve their communities through actions and service.
“It’s always so hard to pick and narrow it down,” Woodling said. “There are too many great kids in this community.”
Casey Zurzolo, a Butler graduate, was another recipient. She will be attending Drexel in the fall to pursue a career as a physician’s assistant.
“I love taking care of people,” Zurzolo said.
Zurzolo said she also liked the Flag Day presentation before she received the scholarship. She said her mother works with at VA Butler Healthcare.
“I’ve been around veterans my whole life,” she said. “I try to appreciate veterans as much as I can.”
The Butler High School JROTC performed shortly before the ceremony, which involved other songs and traditions, such as the singing of “God Bless America” and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Elks member Will Guitteau read a history of the flag that began with the colonies, through the hands of Betsy Ross and beyond.
Another highlight came from a the recognition of the Americanism Essay Contest, hosted by the lodge. All three winners were sixth-graders from Butler Middle School.
Alexandra Melnick won first place, Cooper Barber won second place and Addalyn Cyphert won third place in the local lodge contest.
Alexandra’s essay also placed second out of 13 other lodges in the district contest.
Alexandra and Cooper read their essays aloud to the crowd.
“I believe liberty is what sets us apart from other countries,” Cooper said.
Toward the end of the ceremony, the lodge also handed out $1,000 checks to two notable veterans organizations.
The first was Folds of Honor of Western Pennsylvania, a nonprofit organization that provides education scholarships for the children of soldiers killed or severely wounded in the line of duty.
The second was Veterans in Need of Butler County, a local nonprofit that helps veterans pay for essential bills and services, who are struggling to do so through no fault of their own.
The organization also operates a local warehouse where veterans in need may select and receive essential furnishings.
Those from the organization speaking at Sunday’s presentation estimate they have donated roughly $65,000 to veterans’ expenses and $200,000 in furniture from the warehouse since it began in 2016.
The full list of scholarship recipients includes: Kalleigh Miller, Samantha Frazier, Tory Hinchberger, Bryn Krason, Casey Zurzolo, Alli Morrow, Daylen Mavrodis, Rachel McGregor, Lauren Gonda, Alexander Pindel, Breanna Becker, Daniel Orsborn, Emily Porneluzi, Piper Geibel, Abagayll Bergbigler, Kylee Surrena, Jared Chantz, Guineas Brown, Stephen Diehl, Braden Young, Nick Benee and Griffin Holcombe.
