HARTFORD, Vt. – For the third year in a row, the Maine Elks Association Past Exalted Ruler’s Ritual Team, led by Coach Phil O’Brion of Farmington, won the Area I Interstate Relations Past Exalted Ruler’s Ritual Contest. The Maine team edged out second-place New Hampshire in the competition with a score of 96.6697 out of 100.

The Area I contest was held on April 24 at the Hartford Elks Lodge. Six teams competed, representing states from across New England and New York. The purpose is to promote excellence in the performance of the initiatory ritual of the Elks and to foster better relations between state Elks associations.

The contest, open only to past exalted rulers, is particularly difficult, as each state sends their best ritualistic teams to compete. During the contest, five judges evaluate each team’s performance based on the following criteria: impressiveness, pronunciation, word accuracy, movement (deportment) and appearance.

Earning recognition as Area I Past Exalted Ruler Champions are: Exalted Ruler Sharon Pray, Sanford; Leading Knight Roger Normandeau, Sanford; Loyal Knight Rick Williams, Biddeford-Saco; Lecturing Knight Wayne Cotterly, Lewiston; Esquire Bruce Brunelle, Sanford; chaplain, David Strand, Bath; Inner Guard Robert Drisko, Augusta; Candidate Debbie Hamblen, Portland; and Coach Phil O’Brion, Farmington. Also contributing to the win were assistant coaches Harry Desjardins, Biddeford-Saco, and Frank Ricker, Sanford.

Several members also received recognition for winning their individual chairs: Sharon Pray, performing as exalted ruler; Bruce Brunelle, esquire; and David Strand, chaplain.