By Marilyn Miller

“Honesty and integrity are rare, rare commodities,” according to Justice Jay McCallum of the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Last week, Justice McCallum visited with the Minden Masonic Lodge No. 51 and the Temple Lodge of Bossier City to present the annual “Honesty & Integrity” awards to a young man and young woman from each secondary school in south Webster Parish.

The award winners are selected from among the Junior classes by adults (teachers, church people, business people) who “are so impressed by you that they only say good things about you,” the judge said. “They also select a student who wants to only set a good example in life. At the end of life there are only two destinations. You will set a good example and be destined for eternal life.”

“I encourage you to set that example for others.”

Justice McCallum then presented the awards to each student on behalf of the lodges and the parents and families, to Doyline students Beverly Perez and Maxwell Marcantel, Lakeside students Riley Bates (not in attendance) and Gage Williams, Minden High students Matthew Anderson and Maggie Pesnell, and Glenbrook students Landry Merritt and Mollie Thurman.

Pointing to the Bible which is permanently on display in the Masonic Hall, Justice McCallum stated that “true light and true wisdom come from here.” He encouraged them to read the Bible, and to know that Jesus did it for us, lived a subsidiary (supplementary) life for us.” He set the example.

Each award winner was also given a $100 bill on behalf of the Temple Lodge.