The 49th Annual Masonic Outstanding Student Awards Program was held April 29 at the Kenai Central High School Auditorium. Students representing 33 schools from across the Kenai Peninsula and one from Nome were honored for their achievements and dedication.

The goal of this event is to give these students the public recognition they deserve for their dedication to learning, participation in school activities and their strength of character. The Masons hope these Awards will encourage students to become productive, positive members of their communities.

Outstanding Students were each introduced by a school representative, honoring the student. Student awards included a personalized certificate signed by Governor Bill Walker, a one ounce solid silver eagle coin, a book published by the Scottish Rite called, “Dynamic Freedoms” and an individual certificate from the Masonic Lodges of the Kenai Peninsula. The student’s schools were also given an engraved name plate for the Outstanding Student Award Plaque at the school.

The National Sojourners put on a history demonstration with flags used for our country from 1775 to present day. Shriner’s, Mason’s and Star of the North, Chapter of the Eastern Star No. 17 served as ushers, escorting students and their presenters. Ladies of the Shrine provided refreshments.

Scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to 8 graduating high school seniors. Thirty-three of the finest seniors on the Peninsula applied for these scholarships. The applications were submitted to the review committee and awarded based on the Lodge’s established criteria.

Master of Ceremonies was Greg Russell, Secretary of Kenai Lodge No. 11. Invocation was given by VW Bill Roberts, Sterling Lodge No. 22. Kenai Peninsula Borough School District was represented by John Pothast and Mayor Pat Porter represented the City of Kenai. Grand Master Carl J. Lindstrom also joined us from Grand Lodge F & AM of Alaska. Ken Owens and Kennaty Kerley were co-chairmen of the event. John Strother, Master Kenai No.11, VJ Nickolas, Master Seward No. 6 also were among those officiating.

Scholarship Awards

Andrea Bryant, Connections School

Nolan Bunting, Homer High School

Evelyn Burnett, Soldotna High School

Annamarie Cythlook, Soldotna High School

Kayla Haeg, Soldotna High School

Rayne Lie, Nome High School

Jayce Miller, Connections School

Lindsey Wong, Soldotna High School

Outstanding Students of the Year Award Winners

Aurora Borealis Charter School, Alexandra Juliussen

Champman School, Jonathan Bice

Cooper Landing Elementary, Hunter Harrison

Cooper Landing Middle, Linnaea Gossard

Homer Middle School, Kelli Bishop

Homer High School, Sarah “Malina” Fellows

Homer Flex High School, Duncan Hall

West Homer Elementary, Casey Otis

Hope Elementary/High School, River Skaaren

Hope Elementary/High School, Rebecca Wesli Dykstra

K-Beach Elementary, Brock Wilson

Kachemak Selo, Kesnia Reutov

Kenai Alternative High, Kody Vaught

Kenai Central High, Allison Steinbeck

Kenai Middle School, Veronica Budyanu

Mountain View Elementary, Malerie Nunn

Nikiski Middle/High School, Nathan Carstens

Nikiski Middle/High School, Kaitlyn Johnson

Nikiski North Star Elementary, Braedon Porter

Nikolaevsk School, Fedora Mametieff

Ninilchick School, Naomi Hess

Razdolna, Isavra Basargin

Redoubt Elementary, Quinten Cox

River City Academy, Dakota Edin

Seward High School, Mandy Rea

Skyview Middle School, Whitney Benson

Soldotna Elementary, Nathanael Johnson

Soldotna High School, Daisy Alex Nelson

Soldotna Prep, Haley Buckbee

Sterling Elementary, Montana Fischer

Susan B. English School, Aidan Blake Philpot

Tustumena Elementary, Korbin Carter

Voznesenka, Faeena Martushoff

Masonic Scholarship award winners.