East Brady boy, 11, first to win state award
Jonathan Dahl Jr., 11, of East Brady, made history on Jan. 6 when he became the first member of the Order of Squires in Pennsylvania to win the Past Master Squire Meritorious Service Award.
The Order of Squires is the junior order of the DeMolay, which is the junior organization of the Freemasons.
Squires are young men ages 9 to 11 who join DeMolay at age 12. They can remain DeMolay members until age 21.
When Jonathan was 10, he planned and organized several service events carried out by the club, including raising $1,200 for Butler County Children and Youth Services.
Jonathan was surprised with the award at the meeting of the William C. Graham Manor, or Butler chapter of the Order of the Squires.
Members of Tall Cedars of Lebanon Masonic organization, of Westmoreland County, conferred the medallion pin on the young man and presented him with a membership card with the date of the honor.
The occasion marked the first Meritorious Service Award ever given to a member of the Order of the Squires in Pennsylvania.
Jonathan is the son of April and Jonathan Dahl Sr. of East Brady.
Jonathan’s fellow Squires member, Jameson Curran, has completed the requirements to earn the same award, and he hopes to be the second recipient in Pennsylvania. He is the son of Sarah and Ben Curran of Butler.