SOUTH PORTLAND – The 84th annual Maine Elks Association convention was held May 3-5 where new officers were elected and awards were presented to individual lodges, members and student contest winners.

Dwayne Guy of the Rockland Lodge will serve as state president for the next year.

One of the highlights of the convention was the presentation of a check for $186,026 to MCCP Board President Mike Turcotte from outgoing State President John Nicholson. This brought the Maine Elks Association’s total contributions to the program to more than $3.4 million.

MEA Scholarship Chairman Donald Dow of the Sebasticook Valley Lodge also announced that more than $173,000 in scholarships would be awarded to students in Maine this year through various Elks programs and individual lodge contributions.

Drug Awareness Program awards were presented to local students Haley Leavitt, Rumford Lodge, poster contest, and Eathan Woods, Rumford Lodge, coloring contest.

The All-American Lodge awards, based on the membership size, went to the Lewiston, Farmington and Waterville lodges. This is one of the most prestigious honors, and given to lodges that excel in community service, youth activities, support of veterans programs and charitable causes.

Another major honor, the Community Service and Image Award, went to the Rumford Lodge.

Other local lodge winners were: Lodge Bulletin Contest, Division 1, Rumford; and Elks National Foundation Awards, Highest Per-Capita (301-500 members), Farmington.

Individual awards presented were: MEA Justin Ingersoll Citizen of the Year Award, Claris Ranger, Farmington Lodge; J. Richard Yankura Ritual Coach of the Year Award, Philip O’Brion, Farmington Lodge;  MEA Vice-President’s Award – Outstanding Exalted Ruler, Central District, Duane “Kip” Clark, Farmington.