Elks Lodge 223 Issues Grants for 2011

On the evening of February 8, the Lodge announced the recipients were Dwayne L. Demby Jr., Tevin Kyler, Mallory McMahon, Tiara Molock, Brandon Ralph, Jana Robinson, Jordan Sturgis, Lauren Thompson, Nicole Tilghman, Jamesha L. Williams, Tykerra Wilson, Everett Young, Gary Young, and Jaleesa Young.

Below is a picture (Image by author, Copyright 2011 Peter P. Macinta) from that evening.

Left to right in front are the recipients or their representative: Gary Young, Michael McMahon for Mallory McMahon, Jana Robinson, Catherine Johnson for Nicole Tilghman, Tayma Wilson for Tykerra Wilson, Jaleesa Young, Cynthia Sturgis for Jordan Sturgis, and Ladonna Young for Everett Young. Not available for the picture were Dwayne L. Demby Jr., Tevin Kyler, Tiara Molock, Brandon Ralph, Lauren Thompson, and Jamesha L. Williams. Behind them from the left are Dorchester Elks Lodge 223 members Exalted Ruler Carlton W. Stanley, Danny Chester, Derek Wongus, Jimmy Cornish, Daughter Ruler for Progressive Dorchester Temple 224 Gloristeen Pinkett, Greg Meekins, and William Wallace. In back from the left are Lodge members James Chester, Rudolph Stanley, John Marine, Jerry Brown, Glenn Ford Sr., and Lonzie Reese. 

Applications for these grants are made available in Dorchester Maryland high schools by the end of each April through the guidance counselor of the schools. Students may also come to the Lodge to get applications. Students are to fill out the applications and provide references.

Lodge member William Wallace said, “It is a need based academic system award. Students must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA while they are in high school.”

“Our purpose is to help students to achieve their goal and dreams in life. So we kind of pull back a little bit on the GPA, but we want you to do your very best,” he said.

To the recipients he said, “I applaud you for your endeavors, because leaving home and going to college is a challenge. It is a whole new different world.”

Exalted Ruler Carlton W. Stanley congratulated all the recipients. He said it was part of the Lodge’s responsibility to meet the educational needs of area students.

Recipients or their representatives were presented with their checks during Tuesday’s public meeting of the Lodge. All expressed their gratitude for the grants issued by the Lodge.

William Jackson who attended the event said, “We greatly appreciate all the things the Elks do for the community especially when they are helping young people to obtain higher education.”

After the meeting, Michael McMahon whose daughter was the Cambridge-South Dorchester High School salutatorian for the class of 2010 and a recipient of the grant from the Elks said, “We greatly appreciate receiving this grant. Every little bit helps. It is commendable when any organization helps young people.” Mallory is attending the University of Maryland at College Park.

This fall’s oratorical contest sponsored by the Lodge for students in grades 11 and 12  was also mentioned. The Karen L. Wilson grant is available for Dorchester Maryland vocational students.