In North Carolina atleast, you can. But, you definitely get looks from the older advisors as to why. That's what I'm going through now since I'm 19 , a MM, and am wanting to go through the DeMolay Degrees before I go to college next year . As a MM, you can attend their meetings AND degrees already, hence why I think it's frowned on.
But in my case, I think my going though the degrees is a means of filling a gap.
You see, when I was 12 , I petitioned a chapter ( out of state). They voted on me favorably. But I never was told the date of my Degrees. I was furious as were a few Mason's ( my step dad being one of them) since I didn't know the reason why, fast forward to 2014 and I email the guy I sent my petition to. His reply was " we informed your mom of the information but you guys never got back to us" . I think this is NOT being 100% honest as to the reasons why since my mom is a Elementary School Special Education Dept. Chair, she checks email EVERY hour . Plus, she knew how much I wanted this, I live 5 hours from the closest in state chapter, so I had to get ISC to mail me one when I was 11 so I could send it in when I was 12. This year when I went to Grand Lodge Annual Communication I spoke with our states EO. He told me if I lived within a reasonable distance to a chapter I could re petition and go through the degrees. So, I'm hoping this works out. My Ohio uncle who raised me a MM was a DeMolay and was the one who peaked my interest into all things masonry at 11 years old. I'm going to a college next year that's a 35 min. drive to the nearest chapter. I've already been told by the guys over at the chapter that if I needed a ride, it wouldn't be a issue ( I'm visually impaired so can't drive).
Do any of you guys think this is a bad decision ? I've spoken with the Chapter Dad of the chapter I'm petitioning and he has 0 problem with it. I'd love for any Senior DeMolays or Advisors to chime in with their take on this.