by Winston Chua
The San Marino Masonic Lodge hosted their annual School Appreciation Night Wednesday evening, continuing their yearly tradition to celebrate San Marino schools that began all the way back in 1944.
Lodge members dined at the catered event with family, other members and guests in a night designed to recognize a select group of students and the teachers who make it possible for students to reach their full potential.
The Masonic Lodge awarded the following people with their Most Improved distinctions: Annie Hinako Sano, Carver Elementary School; Harry Olivar Jr., Valentine Elementary; John “Jack” Hornberger, Huntington Middle School; and Trenten Kaufeldt-Lira, San Marino High School.
This year’s Teacher of the Year is Cynthia Chubbuck.
The San Marino Masons and their families also paid special recognition to outgoing Superintendent Loren Kleinrock, who will be leaving his position at the end of the school year. Mr. Kleinrock is retiring after spending 39 years with the San Marino Unified School District.
Each of the four San Marino schools also receives $500 which goes toward whatever is needed. Every April, the Masons of California and communities throughout the State celebrate Public Schools Month.
Freemasons have championed California public schools since 1850, when California first became a State, including the creation of the first annual Public Schools week in 1920.
The San Marino Masonic Lodge was issued its charter on October 11, 1944 and enjoyed rapid growth in membership. At one time, many leaders in the community were members of the Masonic Fraternity, including William Lucas Valentine, who was the second Mayor of San Marino and the namesake of William L. Valentine Elementary School, one of the four schools we honor.
The Masons live by the motto “make good men better.”
