We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
(l-r) Junior Grand Deacon Bill Murphy, representing the Montana Masonic Foundation, presents a grant check to Chinook music teacher Levi Williams. The Foundation grant, plus a donation from the local Chinook Masonic Lodge, will be used to purchase new performance folders for band and choir members. Also attending the presentation ceremony were CHS music students (l-r, second row): Chris Barfett; Sidney Chafin; Rochelle Chafin; Cera Nobles; and Garrett Lowham. On the back row, representing Chinook Masons at the check presentation, were (l-r) Terry Grant, Jack Mattingly, Ben Hall and Frank Pehrson, Sr. Several Mason from Havre, who also attended the ceremony, are not pictured.
Thanks to the generosity of the Montana Masonic Foundation and Chinook's Masonic Lodge #50, band and choir students at Chinook High will soon receive new music folders to be used during performances. CHS music teacher Levi Williams, also a Mason, wrote the successful grant application that resulted in the $1000 grant award from the Montana Foundation. The grant and a nearly $300 donation from the local Masonic organization will be used to purchase the new folders.
Williams explained the grant and donation "will allow Chinook Jr/Sr High School to purchase 30 choral folders for the high school, 20 choral folders for the junior high, 24 band folders for the high school, 15 band folders for the junior high and folders for the music teacher and the choral accompanist." He added, "Using these new folders will give pride to our music students and will also protect the sheet music so other students may enjoy it in the future."
Chinook Schools Superintendent Darrin Hannum said of the grant and donations, "The gifts will help our music students keep their materials together and give a professional appearance when they perform. I appreciate Mr. Williams efforts to procure the funds and thank the Masons for their financial support."
The Montana Masonic Foundation supports, encourages and promotes free public education and schools through endowments, grants, scholarships and fellowships. The grant awards are made through a competitive application and review process. Through the support of its donors and members of the Freemason fraternity, the Foundation addresses many pressing needs across the state with emphasis on issues relating to hunger, housing and education.
CHS Principal Matt Molyneaux was notified by letter of the grant award in late January. Last week the official presentation was made at the Chinook Mason Lodge. Junior Grand Deacon Bill Murphy, from Billings, was on hand to make the grant presentation on behalf of the Montana Masonic Foundation. Several officials and members of both the Chinook and Havre Masonic Lodges also attended the presentation. Some members of the Chinook High band and choir attended the presentation ceremony to express their appreciation, on behalf of the music students, for the grant and gifts from the Montana foundation and local Masons.
