The North Carolina Mason

Page 8 The North Carolina Mason July/August 2018 Photos by Beth Grace Cathey Scholarships awarded to 15 recent graduates Fifteen North Carolina high school seniors have won a 2018 Cathey Scholarship, a Masonic award honoring academic achieve- ment and community involvement. e $1,000 scholarships are named in honor of past Grand Master Charles Cathey, who initi- ated a drive to help deserving students pay their college expenses. Fellow Masons generously supported his call for help and named the scholarships in his honor. ey support the honor to this day through donations to the Cathey Scholarship fund administered by the North Carolina Masonic Foundation. About 200 applications are received every year. A committee of brothers reviews applications and makes final selections. To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, or the equivalent average under the school's grading system, and be enrolled in an accredited North Carolina high school. e scholarship committee also considers other factors. Scholarship awards may be used only for tuition, fees, room, board and/or books. is year's winners are: #Olivia C. Benton of Millers Creek; West Wilkes High School #Reese E. Buie of Lillington; Harnett Central High School #Cailey G. Byrum of Camden; Camden County High School #Brett F. Cox of Goldsboro, Southern Wayne High School #Lauren E. Dodd of Four Oaks, South Johnston High School #George E. Fragos of Wilmington, Eugene Ashley High School #Daniel J. Freeman of Summerfield; Northern Guilford High School #Kyra L. Gensel of Clarkton; Harrels Christian Academy #George Knight of Stokesdale; Dalton McMichael High School #Justin L. Le of Cary; Athens Drive High #Amara L. Leak of Murphy; no high school designated #Holden Owens of Columbus; Polk County High School #Briana N. Richardson of Saluda; Polk County High School #Daniel S. Ross of Clyde; no high school designated #Kaylee A. Tackett of Lincolnton; no high school designated A Day in the Life of the Traveling Gavels By Richard Gelsomino Senior Warden, Steele Creek #737 is year, the lodges of North Carolina have been very busy initiating, passing, and raising new brothers to the Fraternity. However, there has been some added incentive for lodges to visit not only other lodges throughout their district, but throughout the state as well. e Statewide Trav- eling Gavel is a new addition to the traveling gavel family, joining the likes of the many District Traveling Gavels throughout the state. It is very rare, though, that the gavels ever cross paths, until now. On Monday, June 18, the State- wide Traveling Gavel made a stop at Steele Creek #737 to attend the passing of two brothers to the degree of Fellowcraft. While attending, the Gavel ran into a fellow traveler, the 32nd Masonic District Traveling Gavel. e two enjoyed the degree together, witnessing it from the East. ey shared their stories of the road, the lodges they had visited, and the brothers they had met. ey finished off the night with the closing charge, and took photos with eager brothers, as they often do. e Master filled out their ledgers, cementing their visits. And then it was over. e Statewide Gavel had to return to Mooresville #496, from whom it was borrowed and happily welcomed. e District Gavel, on the other hand, would remain with Steele Creek until another lodge from the 32nd Masonic District would be desirous enough to come and take it home with them. Sharing the story There may be other events out there like the annual Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star meeting. But it would be hard to imagine any other sparkling quite as much, bringing so many longtime, dear friends together, or creating so many meaningful moments shared by the sisters (and brothers) of OES. Hundreds of women told their stories and heard heartfelt tales from longtime friends, visi- tors and associates when they gathered in June for the 113th session of the Grand Chapter of North Carolina Order of the Eastern Star. Women young and old celebrated a year of work well done, made plans for a new year, installed new officers, welcomed distinguished guests and hon- ored sisters who have passed. See listing of new officers on Page 13

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