Central Masonic Lodge Celebrates Dyslexia Class Graduates

Submitted by Central Masonic Lodge
Graduating Class of 2017:  Hope Aucoin, Adrianna Jackson, Dy'nicia Ruffin, Nalyssa Stanley, Braden Gaines, Trevor Gaines.    
    On May 5th, Central Masonic Lodge 442, in partnership with Trinity Union Lodge of Baton Rouge, held the much anticipated graduation of their latest dyslexic students’ class.  These students completed two plus years of classes and achieved outstanding results.  All saw their grades improve, along with their reading and spelling skills. 
    A great deal of sacrifice went into this program from both the students and their parents. This was an especially difficult year owing to the floods of last August and their aftermath.  The students had to forego many after school activities, and their parents had to make certain they got to classes each day, rain or shine, and working around strained schedules.  Classes lasted an hour and fifteen minutes, Monday through Thursday.  This challenge was met by students and parents, and the results speak for themselves.   
    The ceremony was held at Central Masonic Lodge on Sullivan Road, with diplomas and awards handed out by Central Lodge Worshipful Master Tim Falke, Trinity Union Worshipful Master Glenn McMahon, State Deputy Grand Master Guy Jenkins, and program director Ted Powell.  The invocation and prayers were offered by Blackwater Methodist Church pastor, Dr. Johnathan King.  This year's teacher, Mrs. Sharon Gaines, was honored with flowers and special remarks for her dedication to the students during this especially difficult year.  A dinner was shared by parents, students, friends, family, and members of the lodge before the ceremony.  After the meal, the program was held that honored the students with their diplomas, trophies, awards, and gift certificates.  The smiles of satisfaction and comments of the students gave everyone in attendance the feeling that it was certainly worth the effort placed into this project. 
    This was the fifteenth class that the Central and Trinity Union Lodges have sponsored, in partnership with Blackwater Methodist Church, who graciously donates the class rooms and their campus.  Both lodges are very grateful for Blackwater's cooperation and support to see this endeavor through. 
    A new class will soon begin for the coming school year.  Applications are being taken and interviews and testing will begin this summer.  If you know of, or have, a student that might need help in school and is thought to be dyslexic, you can contact Ted Powell of the Central Lodge for more information and an application at 225-654-3615, or 225-236-2718.