Nominations accepted March – May
Many students are recognized for their performance in athletics, but there is often little recognition for those whose scholarship, leadership, and personal and academic development make them truly outstanding men and women. Let us recognize your exceptional students and teachers!
History of the Student and Teacher of the Day Awards:
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 then went out 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 adopted that local lodges would take over the distribution and award ceremonies for their area schools. For many years Student and Teacher of Today has had a positive impact not only on local communities but with our lodges as well. The first full year of inception, 1961, saw a total of 584 students and 183 teachers win an award. In 2019 a grand total of 2,451 students and 869 teachers received the Student and Teacher of Today certificates.
ONLINE NOMINATION FORM
Password is required please contact our office at 405-348-7500.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the password? Please call our office at (405) 348-7500 for the password.
How many students/teachers can I nominate? The program guidelines ask that you submit one (1) male student and one (1) female student, however there is no limit to the number of nominations per school.
How are winners selected? Your school may select winners based on any criteria, including: GPA, citizenship, activities, etc. We will generate a certificate for every valid nomination form received.
When is the deadline to submit nominations? Nominations can be submitted at any time, however we ask that two (2) weeks be allowed for processing.
When is the award ceremony? Your school determines when and where it wishes to present the certificates. The nomination form requires that you provide us that information so that a representative of your local Masonic lodge may participate in the ceremony, if desired.
Where are my certificates? Please allow two (2) weeks for processing and mailing. Some certificates are mailed directly to the participating school; some certificates are mailed to the local Masonic lodge for presentation by a lodge representative. You should have received a mailed letter containing contact information for your local Masonic lodge. You may contact our office at (405) 348-7500 to confirm when/where your certificates were mailed.
What is the cash prize? The Masonic Charity Foundation does not grant cash prizes for Student of Today or Teacher of Today nominees. Some local Masonic lodges present honored students or teachers with a cash award. Only your local Masonic lodge can tell you if they grant a cash award to Student of Today or Teacher of Today nominees.
The name is misspelled on my certificate! What should I do? The confirmation email you received contains a link that will allow you to correct your submission form. The system automatically notifies us when a change has been made. Please allow two (2) weeks for processing of corrected certificates.
I don’t have my confirmation email. How do I correct errors? Please check your Spam/Junk folder for an email from information@mcfok.org. Or contact our office at 405-348-7500.
My awards ceremony is tomorrow and I don’t have any certificates. What should I do? Please contact our office to confirm your nominations were received. If a lodge representative is planning to present the certificates, we will help you get in touch with him to confirm the presentation date, time, and location. You should have received a mailed letter containing contact information for your local lodge.