Joseph Newton receives his Deputy State Master Councilor collar from William Sardone, Past Grand Master of DeMolay International.

It is often stated by many adults these days, that our youth have no direction, and no sense of leadership. One young man from Dunkirk is proving that mantra wrong. Joseph Newton, a 2021 graduate of Dunkirk High School, and a junior at the State University of New York at Fredonia with a double major in music education and composition has taken his talents and drive to new heights.

At the age of 13, he joined DeMolay. DeMolay is an international youth organization for young men, ages 12 to 21, focused on character building, and leadership. The young men learn to run their own local chapters, under the mentorship of trained advisers. At meetings, they are taught basic rules of order, planning and preparing events, overcoming obstacles, fund-raising and charity support, community service, and respect for each other’s ideas and ideals. They are also taught to have fun while doing all of these things.

When Newton was 17, he was elected by his peers to be the leader, or master councilor of Meridian Sun Chapter out of the Ismalia Shrine Center in West Seneca. After leading that chapter, and getting ready to start college, Newton reached out to his advisers about starting up a Chapter in Fredonia. After some other young men in the area expressed an interest as well, the Chapter of Chadwick Bay DeMolay was formed. The Chapter was sponsored by and held at the Masonic Lodge in Fredonia.

At the start of the local chapter, he was appointed as Master Councilor of Chadwick Bay. With new Chapters formed by members in Tonawanda and Olean, the area was expanding. Joseph was soon after elected as the Region Master Councilor of the Lakes Region, which encompasses all of Western New York.

With Chadwick Bay off to a good start, and more members joining, and now at the age of 19, Newton decided to take a leap of faith and run for the office of deputy state master councilor, the second highest office in the New York State Chapter of DeMolay.

At the New York DeMolay state convention, held at the Masonic Home Camp in the Adirondack Mountains, Newton was elected and installed as Deputy State Master Councilor, alongside another Lakes Region member, Gavin Johnson of Olean Chapter, who was elected as State Master Councilor. In a big surprise presentation at the installation ceremony, Newton was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, one of the highest awards for active DeMolay. This award recognizes outstanding service and leadership to the community, school, and chapter.

Joseph continues his education at SUNY Fredonia, now while travelling around the state to visit, inspire, and challenge the youth of NY DeMolay to fulfill their leadership potential. Joseph is also active in many aspects of local music and theater.

For more information on becoming a DeMolay, and details on all of the potential for members, please visit www.BeADeMolay.org.