By Eric A Thomas
Since July 2023, one local teenager has served as Illinois DeMolay State Sweetheart. She will be passing on that title in July of this year.
Serving in this capacity has been Audrey Lowe, the 19-year-old daughter of Tedd and Melissa Lowe of Jacksonville. She is a graduate of Routt Catholic High School and currently is a student at Lincoln Land Community College. Audrey Lowe is a member of both International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and Job’s Daughters International.
DeMolay is a youth organization for young men ages 12-21 within the Masonic body. This group teaches leadership, team building and how to be good men that are involved in their community. This worldwide organization teaches seven primary virtues: filial love, reverence, courtesy, comradeship, fidelity, cleanness and patriotism. “DeMolay may be an organization for young men; however, it also has a place for young women as their sweethearts,” stated Lowe. “We are there to help support the young men, help plan events and serve as hostesses at these events.”
Each of the 19 chapters of DeMolay throughout Illinois can have a chapter sweetheart, and once a year at the annual convention, one on the sweethearts is chosen to serve in the state position. “As state sweetheart, I am to be a role model for chapter sweethearts, as well as support, encourage and inspire the young men of Illinois DeMolay,” Lowe continued. “I work closely with the State Master Councilor. This year it is Jay Sanders from the Alton chapter.”
Lowe has been traveling throughout the state visiting other chapters as well as attending events hosted by other Masonic bodies. In addition, she has helped with fundraising and serving as a liaison to other Masonic organizations.
“As of now, I am mostly focused on trying to complete my year with as much enthusiasm as possible,” reflected Lowe. “I will continue to support the Masonic youth organizations and will continue to be involved in Eastern Star.” Currently, in addition to serving as Illinois Sweetheart for DeMolay, she is serving as Grand Drill Leader for Illinois Rainbow. Although she does not have a major in mind, she will be continuing her collegiate studies.
Having been involved with Masonic youth organizations since the age of 6, she comes from a Masonic family. Her parents and grandparents were both affiliated with various organizations. “One of my favorite memories from this year was being able to attend the Ansar Shrine Circus in November [2023] as State Sweetheart,” she concluded. “I remember going to that circus with my grandfather, Kenneth Wellenreiter, a member of the Ansar.” During her year as Illinois DeMolay State Sweetheart, she attended with her dad, “Bullseye,” one of the Ansar Shrine clowns.
The nearest chapter of DeMolay is the Stephen A. Douglas Chapter out of Springfield. This fraternal organization has 73 jurisdictions throughout the world.
