MYRTLE BEACH—The S.C. State Council of the Knights of Columbus celebrated its 90th anniversary at its convention held April 29 to May 1.
During the event, the council presented awards to individuals who best exemplify the principles of the organization.
John G. “Jack” Urbanic of Council 9475 in Mount Pleasant was named Golden Knight of the Year. He has been a Knight for 20 years, and served in most council and assembly offices including Grand Knight, faithful navigator and district deputy for the state council.
Stephen and Aimee Miller and their 10 children, of Council 6076 in Spartanburg, received the Family of the Year award. They are members of St. Paul the Apostle Church. Mr. Miller is a field agent for the Robert Boni Agency of the Knights of Columbus and serves councils in the upstate. Mrs. Miller homeschools their children.
The Knight of the Year was Kevin Krivacsy of Council 13713 in Blythewood. He is the council lecturer and involved with the Adopt-a-Highway clean-up, Jack D. Oliver blood drive and food chairman for council socials. Krivacsy is also an extraordinary minister of holy Communion at Transfiguration Church where he is director of altar servers, a member of the parish council and the building committee.
The Youth of the Year, submitted by Council 13713, was Daniel Clements, son of James and Christine Clements. Daniel is a sophomore at Spring Valley High School and maintains a grade point average of 4.93 in the Discovery Magnet Program. He is working on his Eagle Scout badge and has received the Pillar of Faith, Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII medals.
The Catholicity Award of the Year was given to Delores Rodriguez, submitted by Council 12263. She is a member of St. Gregory the Great Church in Bluffton. Rodriguez has been one of the main organizers of a Hispanic Mass at her church. She transports families each week using the parish minibus for Hispanics who otherwise would not be able to attend Sunday services, and has helped increase attendance from 30 to over 600 people each week.
The Charity Award was presented to James A. Harrelson of Council 3067. He has been an active Knight since he joined in 1987.
Harrelson attends St. Mary Our Lady of Ransom Church in Georgetown. He prepared and served purlieu plates at St. Mary’s fall festival, which raised over $12,000 this year for the parish’s major projects.
The state council also recognized the best service program in six service areas. The Pro-Life Service Program Award was presented to Council 7289 on Hilton Head Island and Bill Krepfle, pro-life chair, for 2010-2011. The council sponsored a community fundraising drive that collected over $28,000 for a new ultrasound machine for The Pregnancy Center and Clinic of the Low Country.
During the convention, the delegates re-elected the following state officers for a second term: Thomas M. Monahon, state deputy; Richard A. Gabriel, state secretary; Richard J. Stachelek, state treasurer; Richard A. Marino, state advocate; and Robert L. Cox III, state warden.