The 2025-2026 school year was another year filled with accomplishments, creativity, and opportunities for Oklahoma public school students and educators. The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma is proud to support programs that recognize dedication, hard work, and achievement throughout the school year.
Join us as we look back on last year's school programs and celebrate the people who made the 2025-2026 school year special.
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR ESSAY CONTEST
Our High School Senior Essay Contest was established in 1966 to provide graduating students with an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion on current events. This contest is open to any high school senior student enrolled in an Oklahoma Public School.
Each year, a new topic is selected to challenge seniors to consider the impact of culture on our everyday lives. By engaging them in this writing exercise, we hope students will demonstrate proficiency in logically and professionally expressing observations, thoughts, and conclusions.
Our 2025-2026 High School Senior Essay Contest had 80 schools participate, resulting in 539 essays submitted. Local winners placing 1st-5th received certificates; a total of 113 local certificates were awarded. The top 15 statewide winners received a certificate and a cash prize. The 1st place winner, representing Shawnee High School, received $2,000!
Click the link below to our website and scroll down to view the winning essay!
https://mcfok.org/programs/for-public-schools/senior-essay-contest.html
STUDENT OF TODAY & TEACHER OF TODAY
The Student and Teacher of Today award has been around for sixty years. The idea first came to bear in 1959 through the Education Committee, led by Brother Ferman Phillips, and it was designed to be a program of support for public schools in conjunction with American Education Week.
An excerpt from a letter penned by then Grand Master, Ray K. Babb: “Our purpose is to get ourselves, our friends, and our neighbors into the schools so that our citizens may see and understand for themselves. This is more than a Masonic project. It is an American program in which masons are asked to participate. Who better than Freemasons to take the lead? Masons built this country with their toil and with their blood.”
A letter was then sent to all Masons explaining each step to this process and the why. In 1960, it came to be determined that one boy and one girl, who exemplified citizenship, leadership, and scholarship, would be recognized as the winners. One teacher would also be chosen who demonstrated a commitment to the principles of loyalty, dedication, and helpfulness. “If Masonry is to continue to exercise an influence for a greater tomorrow,” said Brother Phillips, “free institutions such as public schools must be understood, must be improved, must be protected, and supported.” In 1962, it was decided that local lodges would take over the distribution and award ceremonies for their area schools.
The 2025-2026 Student of Today & Teacher of Today reached 569 schools across Oklahoma, awarding 1,915 student certificates and 682 teacher certificates. A total of 51 Masonic lodges participated, presenting 869 student certificates and 368 teacher certificates. Oklahoma schools presented an additional 1,042 student certificates and 318 teacher certificates. Overall, the program recognized students and teachers for their achievements and contributions throughout the school year.
WINTER HOLIDAY CARD VISUAL ARTS
The Winter Holiday Card Visual Arts Contest was created in 2024, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education (OAAE). This program is similar to the High School Senior Essay Contest and allows us to acknowledge students with diverse skills and provide financial support, specifically for arts education in the state. Students are invited to create a winter/holiday design, and the winning design from each grade group is turned into holiday cards for the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma. The winning students receive prizes, and the 1st place winner’s school’s Art Program/Teacher also receives a cash prize!
The contest is open to all public schools in Oklahoma. Students from Pre-K to 12th grade may participate. The students are divided into 5 grade divisions:
1. High School Seniors (12th)
2. High School (9th – 11th)
3. Middle School (6th-8th)
4. Elementary II (3rd – 5th)
5. Elementary I (Pre-K – 2nd)
In the 2025-2026 school year, the visual arts contest received 346 pieces of artwork. Entries included 93 from Pre-K – 2nd grade, 133 from 3rd – 5th grade, 46 from 6th – 8th grade, 46 from 9th – 11th grade, and 28 from seniors. A total of 3 lodges and 46 schools participated, with winners representing 14 schools across the state.
Click the link below to our website and scroll down to view the winning holiday cards!
https://mcfok.org/programs/for-public-schools/visual-arts-contest.html
