Two Denham Springs High School students were honored for their character, leadership, and commitment to honesty and integrity during an Oct. 22 awards ceremony hosted by Denham Springs Masonic Lodge 297.
Masonic officer Randall Youngkin served as master of ceremonies and noted that the award is a “unique initiative” in Louisiana, established during the Grand Lodge session of Master Masons in Lake Charles in 1977.
According to Youngkin, the award's primary objective is “to recognize and acknowledge high school students who possess the exceptional qualities that will make them future leaders and role models.”
The “administrators, teachers, and community members who see them every day” selected students for the award after witnessing their dedication to living by a code of honesty and integrity.
The first student, Kate Dentro, has a 4.46 GPA and has taken 18 Advanced Placement classes and seven honors or dual enrollment classes. The National Major Club selected her as a National Leader Ambassador and Louisiana Leadership Representative. She also serves as the Denham Springs High School chapter president, May Alpha Tribe vice president, and debate secretary. Dentro has completed 250 hours of volunteer work at North Oaks Medical Center and was selected by the P.E.O. International chapter as a nominee for the National Star Scholarship.
The second student, Huntley Glover, has a 4.45 GPA, has completed 11 AP courses, and is currently enrolled in five more. He also served as National Honor Society secretary. For five summers, Glover has volunteered at Camp Innovations, his former elementary school, and tutored five students in math and reading. He captains the men’s swim team and is a member of the powerlifting team.
Each student received an award certificate, a $100 gift card, and a golden key. The certificates came with an application form for the Masonic Educational Foundation Scholarship Program and two letters of recommendation from Masonic brothers, which the scholarship requires.
Denham Springs High School Principal Wesley Howard noted that “we work very hard at Denham Springs High School to raise our next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, thinkers, scholars, and scientists, and it’s the recognition from you guys that provides the motivation to continue that work.”
“Thank y’all so much for the opportunity,” Dentro told the Masonic brothers, with Glover adding, “I really appreciate… the opportunities that you give our community.”
