Congratulations to the Class of 1999! I am Patrick Bailey, the Master of Los Altos Lodge for this year. Freemasonry is one of the largest men's organizations in the world, and it can trace it's roots in England all the way back to the 1500's. There are also affiliated Masonic organizations that include women.

Freemason's principal tenants are: Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

The members of Los Altos Masonic Lodge (over on Main Street) are proud to establish and present our first Educational Scholarship Award to a graduating senior who has been accepted to a college of their choice, with teaching as their primary career interest.

Masons in the USA alone contribute about $2 Million dollars A DAY to various charities.

We are asked: "What is the motivation for Masons to foster and promote the numerous school awards programs and scholarships that we have?"

The answer is this: "Freemasonry wishes to build better people and better tomorrows. Freemasonry is firmly committed to building a better community and a better world. For these reasons, we feel the nurturing of the leaders of tomorrow's society is vitally necessary!"

Now - we feel that many of tomorrow's leaders WILL COME from Los Altos High School -

Here is the Scholarship - and the Envelope says:

"Masons around the world place a high value on education because AN EDUCATED POPULACE is a nation's primary safeguard to maintaining a democratic society - and the individual's freedom. Masons therefore are assisting your education with the trust - you will become, in due time, a responsible citizen upholding the freedom of all."

And: The Masons of Los Altos are proud to present this year's Los Altos Masonic Educational Scholarship:

In the amount of $1,000.00 - cash;

To: Mike J. Friedman

[while walking to the speaker:] Mike has an outstanding scholastic record here at Los Altos High School, and is planning to attend UC San Diego, with teaching as his primary career interest.

As he already was "Computer Science Student of the Year" in 1996, perhaps he could also look into teaching the "Higher Educational Aspects Of Surfing" while at UCSD!

Congratulations Mike!

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