State Officers

State Master Councilor - Kyle Villanueva

Kyle Villanueva
State Master Councilor

Kyle William Villanueva was born on February 4, 2006, in Houston, Texas to Marlon and Djoanna Villanueva. He is currently a Senior at Glenda Dawson High School in Pearland, Texas. For many years of his early life, he participated in learning how to play the piano as well as taking after-school classes at Kumon to improve his math and reading skills. Furthermore, he took Taekwondo classes from Eternal Martial Arts starting at age 4 and at just 8 years old, he earned his black belt and shortly thereafter, he earned his 1st degree black belt. During his junior high years, he was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.

Currently, Kyle spends most of his time partaking in both school and DeMolay activities. He is actively participating in UIL speech and debate, the YMCA's Youth and Government program, Interact, which is a school sponsored community service organization, and DECA. He was also in marching band as a tuba player. In his junior year of high school, Kyle was inducted into the High School National Honor Society and has maintained membership up to the current time. This year he earned a 5, the highest score possible, in his AP exam. He also enjoys engaging in many DeMolay activities, such as visiting chapters across Texas, presiding as the Installing Officer during installations, and helping initiate new members. He also enjoys quality memories with his family and friends.

Brother Villanueva was initiated into John Wayne Chapter No. 3667 on June 16, 2018. He earned numerous merit bars and was awarded his Lamp of Knowledge for completing all five of his LCCs. He was installed as Master Councilor of his Chapter in May of 2019 and served two consecutive terms. He has earned both his PMC-MSA as well as his Representative DeMolay award. Moreover, he was recently designated as a Chevalier. His love for the order is conveyed through his many performances of Flower Talk, Fourth Section, and Magnificent 7. He has repeatedly won the Fourth Section competition, presiding as Master Councilor, at State Conclave and at the Frank Marshall Championship Tournament. Furthermore, he was the state champion in Flower Talk competition and the 3-peat state champion in the Magnificent 7 competition. In the Conclave of 2023, he won 1st place in both Ceremony of Light and Father Talk. He also placed 2nd on Shield Talk.

Brother Villanueva was invested in the Order of Knighthood in November of 2022 and was elected to serve as the Squire Commander of San Jacinto Priory shortly thereafter. He also assisted with the state investiture which was held at the Conclave 2023.

He was appointed to serve as District Deputy State Master Councilor of District 5 under then State Master Councilor Justin Hancock. In t2021, he was elected by the Texas DeMolay to serve as the State Senior Councilor. On July 9, 2022, he was elected and installed as the Deputy State Master Councilor of Texas DeMolay. On July 15, 2023, Kyle William Villanueva was elected and installed as the 94th State Master Councilor of the Texas DeMolay Association.

    Deputy State Master Councilor - Peter Luke

    Peter Luke
    Deputy State Master Councilor

    Peter Deming Luke was born on July 31, 2006 in Houston, Texas. Peter is currently attending Pearland High School where he is a member of the Pride of Pearland Marching Band. He plays clarinet in the band and is going to Indianapolis this year for a marching contest.

    Brother Luke was initiated into John Wayne Chapter on August 25th, 2018. He served as Master Councilor from May 2020-November 2021, ultimately serving two terms, one of which lasted a year. Brother Luke had the honor of serving as District Deputy State Master Councilor for District 5 in 2022-2023. He was invested into the Order of Knighthood at Mid Winter 2022. Brother Luke has competed in several team competitions, such as fourth section, DeMolay Degree, Chapter Proficiency, and Initiatory Degree.

    Brother Luke has the privilege and honor of serving as your Deputy State Master Councilor for the ensuing year, and was installed on July 15th, 2023 in Fort Worth.

    State Senior Councilor - Christopher Burt

    Christopher Burt
    State Senior Councilor

    Christopher Burt was born in the Woodlands, Texas on April 7th, 2006 to Darryl and Michele Burt. He currently lives in Magnolia, where he attends Lake Creek High School in Montgomery ISD.

    Brother Burt is active in Lake Creek High School’s “Big Blue” Band, where he marches with a mellophone, and plays the French horn and the trumpet. He has been privileged to follow his school’s football team far into the 5A playoffs, and has been able to go to UIL State Solo & Ensemble for one solo and one ensemble. Brother Burt also bowls on the school’s bowling team, and has participated in the school’s UIL Social Studies Team.

    Brother Burt has received first place in First Preceptor and Master Inquisitor at State Conclave ritual competitions.

    He has earned his Founders Award, collected two gold merit bars, and has earned his Representative DeMolay award. Brother Burt enjoys all state events, particularly Government Day, and performing public ceremonies, such as the Ceremony of Light.

    Brother Burt was initiated into Lionheart Chapter No. 4396 on June 9, 2018. He was installed into his first term as Master Councilor on February 1st, 2019, and has served twice. He was invested into San Jacinto Priory on July 14th, 2023 (at the state investiture that year). He was elected and installed as State Senior Councilor for 2023-2024.

    State Junior Councilor - Shae Low

    Shae Low
    State Junior Councilor

    Kevin Shae Low Jr., commonly referred to as Shae, was born in Port Arthur, TX to Wendi and Shae Low Sr. He has one sister, Kaila, one brother, Kyle, and his cousin Perry, who are both also DeMolays.  He is a recent graduate of Little Cypress Mauriceville High School in Orange, TX.  He is preparing to attend Lamar State College Orange and is pursuing a degree in Electro Mechanical Technology. As part of the degree program, Shae is participating in the Fame USA program where he interviewed with four local industry leaders and was “drafted” by Industrial Service Solutions where he will be employed and learn how to repair industrial motors. Once he completes his studies he plans to pursue a career in the Electro Mechanical field with one of the local plants in Southeast Texas.

    From a young age, Shae has had a love of sports and outdoors. He played football for many years and was on the high school fishing team for four years. He most recently competed in the Major League Fishing High School World Championship where he and his partner placed 69th out of 396 teams in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

    Shae was initiated into Two Rivers Chapter on Feb 9 2017, and is a charter member of that chapter.  He is twice a PMC, earned his Blue Honor Key, PMC-Meritorious Service Award, Representative DeMolay, several Merits Bars, and completed all 5 LCCs. Shae has competed twice in the Magnificent 7 and place first and second respectively each year. He was elected and installed as State Junior Councilor for 2023-2024.

    State Sweetheart - Mariah Denton

    Mariah Denton
    State Sweetheart

    Mariah Denton was born on January 3, 2006, in Arlington, Texas. She currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas with her parents Joshua and Laura Denton, and her younger sister, Allison Denton. She is 17 years old and has just recently become a Senior at Lawrence D. Bell High School. She was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society in eighth grade, and she has participated in multiple after-school activities such as Volleyball, Soccer, etc. 

    She joined the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls in October 2020, and this upcoming October will be her third year as a Rainbow Girl. Prior to becoming State Sweetheart, she served as the Chapter Sweetheart for H. Malvern Marks Chapter in Fort Worth Texas.

     

    State Illustrious Knight Commander - Layton Richards, PDSMC

    Layton Richards
    State Illustrious Knight Commander

             

    Layton Richards was born on February 26, 2004, in Nederland, Texas. He was homeschooled for most of his education before attending Harmony Science Academy in his sophomore year. As a junior, he enrolled in Sabine Pass High School and has a strong passion for music. Having attended Tonalta School of Music, he has become skilled in guitar, ukulele, and mandolin. His preferred instrument is the guitar and has played lead, rhythm, and acoustic. Since attending Sabine Pass, he has competed in UIL Academies and One Act Play competitions as well. Layton attends Life Point Church in Beaumont and is involved in the Worship Team.

    Brother Richards was initiated into Nederland Chapter No. 3616 on March 21, 2016. He was installed as Master Councilor on March 27, 2017, and has earned the Representative DeMolay award. He has since served two more terms as Master Councilor, His love for DeMolay is expressed through performing various portions of the degree work. He has repeatedly won state competitions for Master Councilor in the Initiatory Degree, Ceremony of Light, and several other individual competitions.

    He served as State Junior Councilor for the 2020-2021 year. His brothers honored him once again when they elected him to serve as Deputy State Master Councilor and was installed on July 17, 2021. Sir Knight Richards continued his DeMolay experience by joining Golden Triangle Priory on March 11, 2020. He is an elected officer and active on several committees.

    State Priory Queen - Halle Arnold

    Halle Arnold
    State Priory Queen

    Halle was born on December 19, 2003 in Honolulu, Hawaii but she has lived in Nederland, Texas for most of her life. Halle is entering her sophomore year at Lamar University where she is studying nursing. On the weekends, she loves to travel, macrame, yoga, shop, longboard, and run.

    Halle has been participating in events with Nederland DeMolay since 2018 and has been an active member of Port Neches Rainbow Assembly since 2015. She is a Past Grand Floor Officer for the Texas Rainbow Girls after serving three years on the floor as Grand Chaplain, Grand Love, and Grand Choir Director. Now, she is eager to explore the Order of DeMolay even more through Knighthood.

    At the 2023 Conclave in Fort Worth, she became the 39th State Priory Queen of the Texas State Priory.

    District Deputy State Master Councilor - District 1 - Connor Bates
    District Deputy State Master Councilor - District 2 - August Markle
    District Deputy State Master Councilor - District 3 - Eugene Medlock
    District Deputy State Master Councilor - District 4 - Layton Richards, PDSMC

      District Deputy State Master Councilor - District 5 - Zachary Miller

      District Deputy State Master Councilor - District 6 - Matthew Juarez
      District Deputy State Master Councilor - District 7 - Vacant
      State Senior Deacon - Christian Russell
      State Junior Deacon - Mikel Yap
      State Senior Steward - Martin Reyes
      State Junior Steward - Bradley Nielson
      State Orator - Jonas Berry
      State Sentinel - Gavin Soefje
      State Chaplain - Spencer Dupree
      State Marshal - Ethan Clark
      State Standard Bearer - Brady Priddy
      State Almoner - Spiro George
      State Organist - Slate Bowden
      State 1st Preceptor - Jacob Heffernan

        State 2nd Preceptor - Alex Smith
        State 3rd Preceptor - David Reyes
        State 4th Preceptor - Noah Checkman
        State 5th Preceptor - Ozzy Arman
        State 6th Preceptor - Garrett Priddy
        State 7th Preceptor - Daniel Millan