Masons award scholarships to Mat-Su Valley students

MAT-SU — Matanuska Masonic Foundation awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships this month to Mat-Su Valley high school seniors.

Mat-Su Career and Technical High School graduates Chelsea Pardo received a $1,000 and Makayla Gallagher received $1,500.

The group awarded three $100 “Book Scholarships” to Palmer High School seniors Erin LaMere, Morgan Lundt and Nancy Means.

Wasilla High School graduate Amanda Ostrom received $1,500.

In the six years the Masons have been awarding scholarships to Valley students, the group has contributed more than $30,000 to deserving seniors.

The annual scholarship program began in 2006 after a 2002 land donation to Matanuska Masonic Lodge No. 7 in Palmer.

The money received from the sale of the land was invested, and in 2006 the Masons presented their first educational grants to deserving graduating Mat-Su Borough School District high school seniors.

Selection of recipients for a scholarship is based on completion of an application, including a copy of the applicant’s high school transcripts and an essay describing personal goals after graduation.

The applicants are evaluated on academic achievement, involvement in extracurricular activities within their school, support of their community through involvement in activities or organizations outside of the school environment and quality of the essay.