2016 Thunderbird Award Press Release:
On February 27, 2016 Wagion Lodge 6 announced the 124th and 125th recipients of the Thunderbird Award. Congratulations to youth recipient Caleb Maddas and adult recipient Bill Bush!
A copy of the 2016 Thunderbird Award pamphlet (PDF) can be found HERE.
Brief History of the Award:
The Thunderbird Award is an award that is unique to Wagion Lodge 6. It was founded in 1957 by Dwayne Welling and was presented to the first recipient, K.T. Williamson. The following year it was presented to seven Arrowmen, including Dwayne Welling, as a committee was established for future selection of the award. Since then, the Thunderbird Award has traditionally been presented to one youth and one adult each year and is recognized by the national Order of the Arrow committee.
The Thunderbird Award is primarily an award given by Wagion Lodge 6 to recognize outstanding service rendered in connection with meaningful leadership capacity within Wagion Lodge 6 over an extended period of time.
Recipient Biographies:
Youth Recipient – Caleb Maddas
Our youth recipient is Caleb Maddas. Caleb joined the Scouting movement by becoming a Cub Scout in 2004. He received the Arrow of Light Award in 2007 and crossed over into Boy Scouts. After serving in a variety of troop leadership positions he became an Eagle Scout in 2014.
Caleb was called out into the Order of the Arrow and completed his Ordeal in 2009. He completed his Brotherhood in 2010 and became the Ordeal Chairman. After serving as a chairman on the Lodge Executive Committee (LEC) for two years, he was elected Lodge Treasurer, a position he held from 2012 to 2014. In 2013 he was selected to become a Vigil Honor member of the lodge. Finally, Caleb was elected the 77th Wagion Lodge 6 Chief in 2015 and was reelected to serve as the Lodge Chief for the 2016 lodge year.
As a member of the Order of the Arrow, Caleb attended the National Leadership Seminar (NLS) and the 2012 and 2015 National Order of the Arrow Conferences.
In addition to being active in the lodge, Caleb served
on summer camp st
aff in 2013 and was recognized with the Uncle Ben Award. As a youth in Scouting, he earned the World Conservation Award (2010), Leave No Trace Award (2010), Snorkeling Award (2012), and 50 Miler Award (2014). Last year, he was selected as one of nine members of Wagion to receive the Order of the Arrow Centurion Award.
Caleb graduated from Connellsville Area Senior High School in 2015 and is currently attending
Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC) where he is studying Welding Engineering Technology.
Congratulations to the 2016 youth and 124th recipient of the Thunderbird Award, Lodge Chief Caleb Maddas!
Adult Recipient – Bill Bush
Our adult recipient is Bill Bush. Bill began his Scouting career by volunteering with his local Cub Scout pack in 2000. After his son crossed over into Boy Scouts, he became an Assistant Scoutmaster in 2005.
Bill has completed Basic Leaders Training (2000), Weather and Hazards Training (2011 & 2015), and The Troop Committee Challenge (2013). He also serves as a merit badge counselor for the Westmoreland-Fayette Council.
In 2007, Bill completed his Ordeal and became a member of the Order of the Arrow. He sealed his membership in 2008 by becoming a Brotherhood member of the lodge. Bill has held several adviser positions in the lodge, including Ways and Means and Adviser, NOAC 2015 Adviser, and Program Vice Chief Adviser. He has also served as an Associate Lodge Adviser since 2013. At Eberly Scout Reservation, he was an integral part of the construction of the retaining wall at Barclay Campfire Circle, maintenance of the Order of the Arrow Training Center, and many other campwide service projects.
Bill was recognized for hi
s contribut
ions to the lodge and Scouting when he was selected to become a Vigil Honor member in 2011. As a member of the Order of the Arrow, he has attended the National Leadership Seminar (NLS) and the 2012 and 2015 National Order of the Arrow conferences.
Bill graduated from Norwin Senior High School as a member of the Class of 1973. He studied Landscape Design and Transportation Technology and is the owner of Bush Landscaping.
Congratulations to the 2016 adult and 125th recipient of the
Thunderbird Award, Bill Bush!