CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
Presented by Ted Lizotte
As most of you know, the Chairman’s Award is one of the only decisions that is made without the need for a committee of at least three to five people. I will admit that I almost let this newfound freedom go to my head, but Teresa was quick to bring me back to earth.
The Chairman’s Award was first presented by Jon Jones in 1981, when I was a freshman in high school. Realizing this fact sent me on the path for this award. So here we go: Teaching.
It stands as one of humanity’s most noble endeavors, and it is truly the life blood of square dance callers. Whether coaching other callers, educating a new class, or delivering a smooth and entertaining dance routine; our ability and desire to help others be better always shines through. As much as we concentrate on trying to get more dancers into the activity to help grow it, the reality is that all the callers in this room can only give seven days a week. I call four local clubs in my area, from basic to challenge. The best way for my area to get more dancers is to find more people with a desire to learn the craft of calling and to help them get clubs of their own going. None of us can do it all. We need more callers, and they need an education.
This brings us to this year’s recipient. This teacher will receive their 50-year calling certificate next year, and has been a CALLERLAB member since 1983, my junior year. They have attended 30 conventions, they are a member of over 12 committees, and have chaired several of them. They have served this organization as a board member for 18 years, and during that time served on the EC for 8 years as well as taking a turn at Vice, and yes also as Chair. One would think that that dedicated service to the organization would warrant an award in and of itself, and it certainly earns my respect and gratitude, but that’s not the reason for the award tonight.
Ken Ritucci learned the craft of calling from some of the greats in our activity; Jack Lasry, Lee Kopman, Ed Foote and Jim Mayo to mention a few. After attending numerous caller’s schools with Al Brundage and Earl Johnston from 1975-1982, he was asked to join the staff in 1983. In 1992 he took over the school and ran it until 1998. For those keeping score, that’s 15 years, which is a good run by any measure.
In 1991 Ken earned his Accredited Caller Coach designation and is currently the chair of that committee.
In 2004, he began his own caller’s school, the Northeast Callers School, in my hometown of Manchester, NH. This coming October the school will be celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Ken has started schools across the country, and across the world. He has taught callers in Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Russia. You name it, Ken’s been there.
But enough about the statistics. Let’s talk about the man.
A lot of us teach, but Ken has a true passion for helping new callers. I’ve seen it in action, firsthand. He’s in his happy place when he sees that light go on with a new caller, and he loves to watch them mature and grow. They come back to his schools year after year.
And he’s trying to make new caller coaches as well. Ken was the first person to ask me to make a presentation at his school, back when I didn’t believe anyone would care about anything I had to say. He invited me back year after year, and eventually put me on as a staff member. He politely forced me to be better than I thought I could be.
He was instrumental in me earning my own accreditation in 2020, basically kicking me in the butt and making this lazy caller do what needed to be done.
Ken helped bring out the best in me, just like he’s been helping to bring out the best in new callers and caller coaches for over 35 years – and we’re lucky he has.
Ladies and gentlemen, this year’s Chairman’s Award recipient – Ken Ritucci