FOLSOM – The Folsom based Natoma Lodge #64, Free and Accepted Masons of California annual Celebration of Public Schools 2024 Scholarship Awards recently came to a close as the local lodge awarded scholarships to 15 local students out of 25 submitted applications.
The scholarship criteria had qualification requirements with applicants being graduating seniors from specific local area secondary schools, attending their first year of an accredited two- or four-year post-secondary institution of higher learning or an accredited vocational or technical school as a full-time student entering the summer or fall semester of 2024. Applications are due by April 1 each year and subsequently reviewed by a committee selecting candidates based on specific criteria.
The intent of the scholarship awards is to recognize and support well-rounded students from Folsom and nearby areas determined by several factors, including candidates who demonstrate civic pride, leadership, community service, a short essay on a selected topic, their leadership abilities, recommendations, a financial need and a grade point average of 2.5 or higher with all applicants being a United States citizen and current resident of California for at least one year before the submission deadline.
The scholarship winners are from the Folsom-Cordova Unified School District: Hitha Varganit, Krystal Lambert, Mira Mateo, Phong Nguyen, Gavin Martinez, Wafa Suharto, Mischa Mal, Sierra Pna, Olivia Cohen, Julia Guglielmo, Camden King, Meadow Castaneda, Shelley Mason, Sydney Murphy and Woden Chompff. Each applicant received $1,000 for college tuition, books, supplies or miscellaneous college expenses.
Natoma Lodge Scholarship Committee member Master Mason Arthur Walasek, said, “We are proud to help support this great community and to help students achieve their goals through continuing education. This year was particularly difficult in deciding which students should receive one of the 15 scholarships available. All who applied really exemplified what characteristics we were looking for. Tough decisions had to be made on who were awarded based on 25 applicants and their responses.”
The award winners and families were invited to the lodge on May 2, recognizing each applicant at their annual scholarship dinner, providing them acknowledgments with checks and certificates. Lodge members were invited to each school’s awards ceremony honoring the Natoma Scholarship winners among their class peers last month.
Photo and press release: Natoma #64 Lodge