Juniors and seniors in the Marion County high schools can enter Advance Lodge 114’s essay contest and compete for over $12,000 in prizes statewide.

The best essay from each high school will be invited to a celebration banquet in Florence April to receive recognition. The best essay overall will be awarded $100 from Advance Lodge.

Each winning essay will be forwarded to a statewide contest this November with the best essay in the state being given a scholarship of $4,000. Second, third, and fourth place winners will receive $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 respectively.

The topic for the essay is based on the following information.

For over 300 years, the basic purpose of Freemasonry has been to make good men better. There is an emphasis placed on the individual man strengthening his character, improving his moral and spiritual outlook, and broadening his mental horizons; hence the focus on the tenets of brotherly love, relief, and truth. Explain how you can apply these qualities to benefit your neighbors, school, community, and/or self.

Each entrant should download a fillable pdf from www.kansasmasonic.foundation/program/kansas-masonic-foundation-scholarships.

Contestants must follow contest rules as to topic, number of words, etc.

Essays must be mailed or delivered to Advance Lodge 114 c/o Les Allison at 1071 Xavier Rd., Florence KS 66852, or call (620) 382-7310 by Nov. 5.

Florence Lodge will select winning essays from each high school and forward them to the statewide contest no later than Dec. 1. Statewide winners will be notified prior to March 1, 2019.