Manning Lodge awards six scholarships

The Manning Masonic Lodge awarded six scholarships equaling $3,400 on Aug. 9.

The funds used for the scholarships were from the Lodge’s oldest member who died two years ago.

Fred Chewning donated $50,000 towards scholarships and the Lodge uses his money to fund the awards annually.

There are typically five applicants for the scholarships, but this year they decided to award an additional one.

“We are presenting six scholarships,” said Chaplain Carl Farley. “We do this annually. Normally, we present five, but since we had six candidates we decided to give all six of them scholarships. The money was donated to us about 12 years ago by Mr. Fred.”

The applicants are selected based on several facets of their academic standing but the main ones are GPA and family income.

Recipients were also graced with the presence of the Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina MW Barry A. Rickman.

“We are honored that MW Rickman is here paying us an official visit,” Farley noted.

Some of the students were heading to college later this year while others were already enrolled.

They received the funds and may use them for any use they deem necessary said Farley.

Kristin Steele and Courtney Holladay each received a $700 scholarship and both will be going to USC-Sumter. Hanna Seitz also received a $700 scholarship and will attend USC-Sumter or the College of Charleston. Bryan Stanley received a $450 award and will attend East Carolina University. Caitlyn Phipps received a $450 scholarship and will attend Wingate University. Patrick Ballard received the Eli Vassar Scholarship of $400 and will go to Coastal Carolina University.

“We give the Vassar award each year and sometimes we give it in addition to one of our scholarships,” said Farley. “This year, since we had six candidates, we just thought we’d go ahead and give them that one and that way all of our applicants this year would get a scholarship.

“Normally we have eight, 10 or 12 applicants, but this year we had six so we wanted to be fair and give every one of them.

“They can use it for college; they can make a car payment with it. They can use it for whatever they need to use it for going to college. It’s a joy to give them.”