Salina Post
The Kansas Masonic Foundation has selected the state winners of their annual essay contest. Two of the state winners were from this area.
Grant Rice, senior at Minneapolis Jr./Sr. High School placed fourth, and Ellie Riekhof, a senior at Salina Central High School, received an honorable mention.
The students and their parents were honored at an awards dinner at the Salina Lodge #60 on March 2nd.
Bob Shively, CAE, CFRE, the Executive Director of The Kansas Masonic Foundation, told the group, “The Essay Contest has been in existence for 60 years. The contest is open to juniors and seniors in Kansas tax-supported public high schools. Each year, the Masonic Foundation donates $12,000 to deserving high school students for their essays.”
The theme for 2025 was to write about what it means to be a Mason. The students had to interview a Mason and write about what they learned. Both students read their essays for the ceremony.
Grant Rice, son of Jamie and Dana Rice, talked about the brotherhood of Masonry. He has played basketball and baseball for four years and lettered all four years. For six years, he has been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and served on the Leadership Team for four years. He was a member of Future Farmers of America for four years and participated in Extemporaneous Speaking contests. He played summer baseball and coached a youth summer travel baseball team. Grant plans to attend Fort Hays State University and get a degree in Applied Technology for business and industry. He was presented with a $1,000 check.
Ellie Riekhof, daughter of John and Dr. Alison Riekhof, discussed the Masons’ charitable work. She has been involved with the book club, softball, choir, and orchestra for four years. She is a soprano and has been involved with several of the Salina Center for Theatre Arts productions. At the 2025 Kansas Thespian Festival, she received an Excellent Thespys rating in the solo musical contest. Recently, she and several Central High students performed at Carnegie Hall. She plays first base and right field in softball. Ellie plans to attend St. Olaf College in Minnesota to pursue softball and choir. She was presented with a $500 check.
Lincoln Wilson, Kansas Masonic Foundation President, told the group that the essay contest is the organization’s effort to let the next generation learn about Masonry.
Last December, the Minneapolis Lodge consolidated with the Salina Lodge. One of their upcoming joint events will be sponsoring Free Cancer Screenings. They will work KU Medical Center and the Tammy Walker Center to provide these free screenings on October 10th and October 17th.