Clan Keith USA

What is the A.J. Marshall Clansman of the Year Award?

In 1988 the Clan Keith Society decided to honor the passing of an influential clan member; Aquila Jackson ‘Bud’ Marshall in a way that reflected respect for all his work in the society. The award has two physical parts, the plaque, which holds the names of those honored as recipients of the award by the Clan Keith Society USA since 1988, and the “cup” (medallion) which is passed on to and worn by the honoree at all events for the full year after receiving the award.

When selecting an awardee, the clan is looking for a member who is judged to have made significant contributions in the advancement of the society’s objectives of educational assistance, perpetuation of Scottish traditions and culture and in providing genealogical assistance. The honoree must typify the Clan traditions of fraternal assistance, hospitality and good cheer toward fellow Keiths and all Scots and has fostered the same in all whom he/she has come into contact.

The Clan Keith Society USA, Inc’s Clansman of the Year 2011 is Bradley D. Marshall of Hewitt, TX. This award was presented at the Annual General Meeting at the Glasgow Highland Games. Bradley D. Marshall or “B.D” as we affectionately refer to him has worked, for over a decade, in many different activities of our Society. He supported Texas Conveners David Slack and Doug Keith, and then became a local Convener for the Houston, TX games. Later he became the Texas Convener and as such, B.D. has not only worked three to four games per year but also represented Clan Keith at other functions throughout Texas. He has also served as our Quartermaster for over five years. Bradley D. Marshall has not only distinguished himself in these areas of service for The Clan Keith Society USA, Inc but this year he took on the additional duties as Chairman of the Nominations Committee. His performance has been exceptional in all of the activities listed above, and therefore has been selected as our Clansman of the Year.

The Clan Keith Society USA, Inc’s Clansman of the Year 2010 is Jonathon Austin of Madison, GA. (Pictured left to right are Vicie Motz, winner of the award in 2009, Jonathon Austin, winner 2010, and Clan President James Keith.) Vicie participated in passing the award Medallion to Jonathon as James presided over the ceremony at Founder’s Day during the Stone Mountain Games. Jonathon has been a great asset to the clan thru his hard work and as President Keith stated, “is truly deserving of the highest honor that we bestow.” Jonathon has excelled in the position of Convener for Georgia for just over five years and currently also serves as the Assistant Vice President coordinating activities with all clan Conveners nationwide. Jonathon was born in a small Scottish village and moved to the USA at the age of five where he has served in the military as a helicopter pilot among many interesting career points. We hope you will read all about Jonathon in the Winter Issue of the Keith and Kin found in the members section. According to President James Keith, it has been a pleasure to work with Jonathon and the entire clan congratulates him on this well-deserved honor.

The Clan Keith Society USA, Inc’s Clansman of the Year 2009 is Vicie Motz of Greeneville, TN. This award was presented at the Annual General Meeting at the Gatlinburg Scottish Festival and Games. At this special ceremony, many previous recipients of the award were also gathered to witness the presentation and give thanks for Vicie’s sixteen years of dedicated service to Clan Keith.

The Clan Keith Society USA, Inc's Clansman of the Year award for 2008 was awarded to Stephen J. Cribari of Minneapolis, MN

Clan Keith Society USA, Inc's Clansman of the Year 2007

Paul & Zachary Taylor
Canton, NC

"Throughout the past year,
several members have conducted themselves and their activities in
an exemplary manner. Their activities have been a great asset
to the growth of Clan Keith and the promotion of our organization. Based on this criterion, it is my pleasure to award, for the 22nd time . . . Clansman of the Year Medallion. . . The 2007 medal winner is Paul & Zachary Taylor of NC. Founders of the Youth Chapter of The Clan Keith Society, USA, Inc," stated President Hattenbrün.

"Thank you for your kind words and your great support. When I called Zachary and told him, he was speechless. It took a couple of seconds, but all he could say was 'Cool!' He was very surprised as I was. We are very humbled with this honor. We also will strive to continue and do
better next year."

The Clan Keith Society USA, Inc's Clansman of the Year 2006 was awarded to Alton L. Cooke of Virginia, VA.

Clan Keith Society USA, Inc's Clansman of the Year 2004

James Keith
Huntsville, AL

James Keith has actively served our Society since joining in 1999. For the past two and a half years he has been Editor-in-Chief of our award-winning newsletter, Keith & Kin. This was his first real experience in publishing, but he readily accepted the task when it was vacated.

For his hard work and dedication to building our Society, James C. Keith of Huntsville, Alabama was recognized as Clansman of the Year 2004 during the Annual General Meeting at Loch Norman, NC.

What is the William Burnam Keith, Ph. D. Award for Meritorious Service?

In 2010 the Board of Directors established this honor which will be presented every other year to a member who has provided five or more years of meritorious service to the Society. The recipient of this award is granted a Life Membership thru funds provided by the family of William Burnam Keith, PH.D. Call for nominations are published in Keith & Kin, and can be made by any Society Member. Selection of the awardee is made by a committee comprised of a member of the William Burnam Keith family, the President of the Society and one other member from the Board of Directors.

Charles Austin, FSA Scot was selected as the first winner of the William Burnam Keith, Ph. D. Award for Meritorious Service.

Charlie has served the Clan Keith Society USA as a previous Director and Vice-President of the Society as well the Convener for Virginia for many years where he represents the Society at multiple games annually. In 1995, he was host to the 13th Earl and Countess of Kintore during his first visit to the United States and the Virginia Highland Games. Charlie, who is always known as the life of the party donning his famous red wig at social events is not only a staunch supporter of Clan Keith but has also been active in and devoted to the Scottish community in many other ways. He is a member of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (FSA Scot), past President of the St. Andrews Society of Tidewater and the Scottish Society of Tidewater. He has been Tenor Drummer of Canadian Legion Pipes & Drums and Portsmouth Sheriffs Pipes & Drums. He has served as the scholarship Fundraiser for Burns Nite St Andrews Society of Tidewater and as the Alexandria, VA Coordinator for the Clan Keith Christmas Walk.”

Members of Dr. William “Bill” Keith’s family - son Dr. John Keith, daughter Dr. Margaret Keith and wife Dr. Elizabeth Keith with President James Keith - displaying the certificate that goes to Charles Austin. He will receive a Life Membership paid by the family.

1^st Place
Robert J. Keith for “Ackergill”
in
Winter Issue 2009

2^nd Place
Mary Malmborg for “Report on the 2009 Dunedin Highland Games”
in
Summer Issue 2009

THE 2006 HARVEY LITERARY PRIZES

By Professor Stephen Cribari
University of Minnesota Law School

"The 2006 Harvey Prizes, given for the best writing in Keith and Kin, were awarded at the Annual General Meeting held on October 27 during the Richmond Highland Games.

The prize of $100 went to Ann Marshall for "Walking the West Highland Way" (summer 2006). Ann wrote with stylistic grace and polish, and drew the reader into a multi-day all-weather trek along this historic highland route."

AYE, BUT WAIT! There's more . . .

Let's Also Congratulate . . .

Darrell Keith
FSA Scot &
Lieutenant to the Chief
Second Place Winner!

"The $50 prize was given to Darrell Keith, FSA Scot and Lieutenant to the Chief, for 'For they shall soar on wings of eagles . . .' (Fall 2006). Darrell's eloquent and sensitive account of a sad, yet beautiful occasion, allowed all of us to celebrate the life of Mary Keith, the late Dowager Countess of Kintore and our Clan Matriarch."

Congratulations to Anita Davis our current Web-manager and roving Convenor for receiving the Best Clan Tent Award on behalf of Clan Keith at Silver Springs Nature Park on October 8, 2011.

In spite of some truly Scottish liquid weather, the games were generally well attended.

The judges said that they were well impressed with the friendly atmosphere, the amount of visitor traffic to the Clan Keith tent and the fact that there were activities at the tent to interest the children as well as the adults.

The Clan name will be added to the permanent games trophy and the prize is a full clan space with tent, tables and chairs included for next year’s event.

Congratulations !! Best Clan Tent won Sept 24th 2011 by Randy Keith at the Dixon Scottish Cultural Association Scottish Games and Gathering in Dixon, CA.

The games were better than ever with all the pageantry we have come to expect, but we had the most fun when our tent, which was located next to Clan Gunn's, won Best Clan Tent!

Congratulations Mimi Smith, Co-Commissioner and Convenor for North Carolina. Below is what the judges had to say:

The Clan Keith Society, USA, Inc., was awesome. It was attractive, well-thought out...with a place for genealogical discussions or business...and a place for fun and lunch.

The most creative thing that The Clan Keith has done...is to put real carpet on the floor of the tent...and on that carpet...to place a "throne" for honored members of the group - such as James Keith who was awarded the Clansman of the Year Award on Saturday night.

Brand new members are ceremoniously seated upon the throne to fill out their membership papers!

They had books and flowers and horse armor...and art and pictures and displays of Keith lands in Scotland. Everything was arranged artistically and beautifully.

The people were friendly and having a wonderful time with friends old and new. They were also active in the Loch Norman Games - as they were in charge of the Ladies Athletic Events - the tossing of the broom, the haggis toss...and tattie race, etc.

Our clan scholarship committee, headed by Elizabeth Keith, PhD selected Victoria Webster, granddaughter of Carol Faulkner Peck and student of Elon University Greensboro, NC as the 2010 recipient of the Kintore Academic Scholarship.

There were no applications received for this scholarship and therefore no awards for 2010.

Please note: This is an unrestricted $250.00 cash prize which will be presented to a member, or child (grandchild) of a current society member who is between 10 and 21 years of age and has shown outstanding skill or promise in Scottish dance or music. 2011 Applications can be found under the Celtic Arts Scholarship tab under the Society heading on this website.