Masonic Lodge honors student leaders
Old River Masonic Lodge No. 1442 Worshipful Master Elect TJ Taylor (center) awards scholarships to graduates Hunter King (left), Shane Turner, Abigail Richardson and Landon Guarnere.
Order of the Eastern Star No. 1142 Worthy Patron Kevin Turner (center right) and Worthy Matron Dusty Turner (center) award scholarships to graduates Sadie Edgar (left), Shane Turner and Malorie Danley.
Old River Masonic Lodge No. 1442 Senior Steward Bruce Reed (center) awards Barbers Hill Independent School District teachers Leslie Mulkey (left) and Jessica Vass the Lamar Award.
Old River Masonic Lodge No. 1442 Junior Steward Matt Massey gives the Community Builder Award to Rev. Paul J. Riley of Got Your Six Veterans Ministry.
MONT BELVIEU— Last week, Old River Masonic Lodge No. 1442 held a ceremony to commend students for their efforts in school and community leaders for being a guiding light.
The lodge held the ceremony and fish fry on Saturday, June 21.
The Old River Masonic Lodge Scholarship recipients include Landon Guarnere, Hunter King, Abigail Richardson and Shane Turner.
Richardson not only graduated high school but also earned an associate's degree in general studies from San Jacinto College.
"I appreciate all the effort that y'all put in throughout school. We really support you, and we hope that you continue your strong heart, steadfast mindset," Worshipful Master Elect TJ Taylor said. "You'll be the future."
Recipients of the Order of the Eastern Star Scholarship include Malorie Danley, Sadie Edgar and Shane Turner.
"I'm proud of all of our scholarship recipients, every last one of them," Worthy Patron Kevin Turner said.
Scholarship recipients from both organizations were chosen for their academic accomplishments and were required to submit an essay detailing the contributions of Freemasons in Texas.
Mont Belvieu Mayor Joey McWilliams shared a few words with the scholarship recipients.
"It's just getting started for you. Take care of yourself," McWilliams said. "Remember where you're from. We're always here for you."
Recipients of the Old River Masonic Lodge Lamar Award include Barbers Hill Independent School District teachers Leslie Mulkey and Jessica Vass.
The award was named after Mirabeau B. Lamar, a former president of the Republic of Texas who is known as the "Father of Texas Education," for being a main contributor to establishing a public education system in the state.
For the award, BHISD teachers made recommendations to the lodge, and a committee chose the recipients.
During the ceremony, while each scholarship recipient recognized their parents, Guarnere pointed towards Vass and noted the influence she had on him, which made Vass shed a few tears.
"That's the best teacher I've ever had," Guarnere said. "She's the reason why I'm going to college."
Rev. Paul J. Riley received the Old River Masonic Lodge Community Builder Award for his service to the local community.
Riley leads the Got Your Six Veterans Ministry, which meets at the Crawfish Hideaway once a month, providing worship opportunities for veterans.
Lodge Senior Steward Bruce Reed noted the comradery and brotherhood between the veterans that meet each month.