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Continuing a Long Established Masonic Tradition
Montana Masonic Foundation At Work In Our Public Schools
Masonic Foundation provides grants for county schools

On Jan. 28, the Montana Masonic Foundation’s
Educational Grant Program presented awards to both
Superior School District and St. Regis School District.
Th e program provides teachers, or school administration
in Montana’s public schools an opportunity to apply for
grants to assist under-funded educational fi elds in the
areas of music, drama, science and library.

Bill Merriman, Master of Superior Masonic Lodge #110
on behalf of the Montana Masonic Foundation presented
the check to Mr. Quinlivan. During the presentation
Masonic Lodge Secretary, Kelly Dillon stated, “Th is year
we are giving out $100,000 to various Montana schools,
and between the grants for Superior and St. Regis schools,
Mineral County is getting 10 percent of those awards. I
think that’s pretty great.”

Later on, that day Dillon reiterated these same
accomplishments to the Administration, board members,
and music teacher Derek Larson at St. Regis School for
their grant for a new tuba. Dillon said, “I think it says a
From left , are Bill Merriman, Kelly Dillon, and Ed
Heppe from the Mountain Lodge #110. School Board lot about the administration and the staff at both schools
members Stephanie Todd and Amber Leenhouts, band to have received these grants, so keep up the good work!”
student Demor Hostetler, Music teacher Derek Larson
and Superintendent Joe Steele were all present during Larson has spent the last several years fundraising for
the award of St. Regis' grant money from the Montana various instruments for his music department but always
Masonic Foundation’s Educational Grant Program. put off the purchase of a new tuba because of the heft y
(Amy Quinlivan/Mineral Independent) price tag. St. Regis School was awarded a $4,000 grant from
Montana Masonic Foundation, the new tuba is expected
Superior Science Teacher Christopher Quinlivan received to arrive at the school within the next two weeks. Music
a grant of $5,400 to help renovate his science lab and student Demor Hostetler was present during the awarding
install a new hood vent for experiments. Since beginning of the grant and he will be the fi rst band member with the
his teaching career in 2012 at Superior High School, the opportunity to play it.
outdated and ineff ective laboratory in his classroom has
caused frustrations. Schools that received grants from the Montana Masonic
Foundation’s Educational Grant Program are eligible to
Quinlivan noted, “It’s been diffi cult not being able to do reapply each year, and Dillon stated, “I recommend all
certain labs that I’d like to, or dissections without worrying the schools in Mineral County to take advantage of these
about stinking up one whole wing of the school.” funds, I can’t think of a better place to put our money to
good use.”
He expressed his gratitude to the Masonic Foundation
presenters, Kelly Dillon, Ed Heppe, and Bill Merriman,
“I look forward to being able to use these funds to get
my students doing more hands-on learning and have the
chance to fully use the lab from now on.” Article and photo reprinted with permission by: Amy
Quinlivan, Mineral Independent.
Superintendent Scott Kinney helped apply for the grant
to provide upgrades to the science lab. Th is is the second
time that Superior School District has been awarded a
grant through the Montana Masonic Foundation.

Montana Freemason Page 25 Jan/Feb 2021 Volume 97 No. 1