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TKF To Recognize Six Outstanding Individuals
At The Annual Meeting March 7, 2020
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The Key Foundation Inc. established the Craig Ryder Award as part of its mission to "Encourage, Inspire, & Empower. This award recognizes leaders in our community who are making valuable contributions and provide leadership to outdoor programs for children and young adults.
The award is named after Craig Ryder, a former Lodge Chief and Director of Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation. He was known as an inspired leader. He led, not by authority or command, but by example. He was soft-spoken, gentle person who embodied the words, "by inspiration lead them."
Craig was passionate and faithful to his beliefs but always was respectful of those who believed differently. He nurtured friendships and consider those who he worked with a part of his family. Those bonds he forged are still alive with those who knew and loved him.
As Lodge Chief, Craig Ryder chose the theme; "Catch The Higher Vision". This award recognizes those who do. The Key Foundation is proud to present the 2020 recipients who each have demonstrated leadership and exemplify the spirit of Craig Ryder.
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2020 Craig Ryder Excellence Award Recipients
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When the outcome is uncertain, change and growth are risky. By nature a leader moves things forward by assuming that risk. Michael Cook is a leader who moves forward in times of challenge and adversity. He is an Eagle Scout from Troop 25 in Dracut and a Vigil Honor member for Pennacook Lodge.
He is an outstanding and long serving ceremonialist in the Lodge. He is a leader of the teams not only in title but in how he approaches his own performances. He is methodical and works hard to make the ceremonies come to life. By inspiration he leads them. Hundreds of Scouts and Scout Leaders have been inspired.
Mike has served on the Wah-Tut-Ca Staff and has also been a volunteer working weeks at a time. He currently serves as the Lodge Secretary of Pennacook Lodge. As it is said in the words of the ceremonies, his journey is just beginning.
Hannah Davis
In a changing world we will need Hannah Davis. This young woman is from Quincy Massachusetts and is currently studying Wildlife Management at The State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill. The program that she is enrolled in believes that, "Education is the hope of the world" and "teaches by doing, forging pathways, thinking globally cultivating sustainability, and embracing and supporting our community will improve the world." These values are translated and delivered by Hannah at New England Base Camp in Milton.
Her passion is expressed as an enthusiastic staff member of NEBC. She most often focuses on STEM based programs and has been a leader in that regard. She has also provided significant leadership as the Camp's Commissioner. She greets hundreds of Scouts and family members with warm smiles, patience and enthusiasm.
The United States is falling short of its needs for women in science. It is also in need thoughtful people who understand the importance and fragility of the planet. Hannah sees those needs and is preparing to meet those challenges with intelligence and commitment. Yet she not only seeks to be a scientist she also is a committed and inspired teacher. Hannah Davis can change the world.
Alex Rogoff
Some leadership roles are difficult and few people are willing to step forward to do them. Alex sees a need and meets a challenge. He is an Eagle Scout from Troop 7 in Lowell and a member of The Key Foundation's Venture Crew 4371. He is a positive person who accepts "heavy burdens" cheerfully.
Alex is a brotherhood member of Pennacook Lodge who often takes on jobs that no one else wants. He served as the Unit Elections Chairman. This job is difficult. It requires commitment leadership and organizational skills. Praise for doing this essential task is rare, however there is always criticism in every detail that goes wrong. He has also served as and Ordeal project leader and is currently the Inductions Sachem.
A Wah-Tut-Ca Staff member, Alex worked in the kitchen. Not the most glamorous job at WTCSR. In all things he does Alex is a faithful friend and brother who works gladly not begrudging. He is an example of an indispensable leader who holds the fabric of our community together. Craig Ryder was another example.
Franciso Guzman
We often hear talk about making Scouting available to every youth person who wants it. The consulting class talk the talk about "what we ought to do". Francisco Guzman does what we need to do- and works hard at it. He is the Cubmaster of Beacon of Freedom's Pack 109, serving Chelsea, MA. It is here that Francisco gains his most satisfying experiences in Scouting. The Pack and Troop has 35 Scouts in the program. It is a diverse group encompassing Scouts from many countries races, religions, financial abilities and languages. He works diligently to provide the program to children and young adults who need it the most.
Francisco is also a Program Specialist for Beacon of Freedom's Scoutreach programs. He trains new Cub Scout and Scout leaders entering the programs, giving them the ability to gain the diverse youth management skills needed necessary to work with these young people. He also serves as a Camp Master for New England Base Camp STEM Camp. With his wife he developed the achievement-based programs now offered in multiple locations.
Like Craig is an advocate for the cause of young people. Franciso is a member of the Spirit of Adventure Council's Diversity Committee. This committee develops the guidelines to improve Scouting in communities of color and areas were traditional family support is no always readily available.
Stephen Marchacos
Legends endure. Scholars, Scouts and Scout Leaders who study the Wah-Tut-Ca map are aware of a rock with the name "Chaco". Somewhere in these six decades of tales, conjured by the reservation's story tellers, is a greater truth. The real saga is bolder and wider than those campfire yarns. A young Scout from Lowell, Stephen Marchacos went to Wah-Tut-Ca in the early 1960s. He would work at the Waterfront, the Rifle Range, and as Camp Director.
He served his country as a US Marine and traveled the world. Later he worked for Department of Homeland Security and FEMA. The adventures he lived only add to the legend. No matter where he traveled he always took every opportunity afforded to him to returned home to Wah-Tut-Ca to strengthen his resolve and to kindle his spirit.
Like Craig Ryder, he calls little attention to himself while quietly engaging himself in projects large and small. He takes time to encourage those who are on the reservation. He asks them to revere the opportunities and the blessings available in the land for friends and brothers. He is a living legend.
Tom Burns
He grew up in Billerica MA and lives in Lowell, but if you ask Tom he will tell you he's from Wah-Tut-Ca. He has the decades to prove it. He began as a Scout, became a staff member and joined Wannalancit Lodge. His story is common with many members of our community.
He is a decent man who asks little more than the opportunity to serve others. He is happy to work un-credited and unnoticed. However he provides the quiet positive leadership that is comparable to Craig Ryder. Like a candle or a fire, we notice the light and the warmth but rarely think of who tenders the blaze. He is a keeper of the flame.
Tom is a keeper of the flame. He supports not only his own three children in Scouting but all who gather by the fire for the warmth and comfort it brings. One example of his character is expressed this past year. With the passing for George Kouloheras last year there was a hole in the Lodge's ability to provide food services for events. Tom often worked quietly with George. When George died, he simply said, "I'll take care of it". That is how Craig would have handled it.
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Help Us Honor Those Who Keep The Spirit Alive
Join Us On March 7, 2020
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