By DEBRA HAIGHT

Special to Leader Publications

You have to put in the effort to get the reward. Buchanan Middle School students learned that lesson recently as the Buchanan Masonic Lodge gave out bikes to nine students who won a reading challenge over the last few months.

As Principal Karla Hurlbutt told students at last week’s school assembly where the bikes were presented, it is important to take advantage of opportunities when they come up.

“A program like this doesn’t come up every day,” she said. “When they come around, embrace them.”

BMS media assistant Trinity Young organized the effort for the school and echoed Hurlbutt’s words.

“When you’re offered the opportunity to do something where you can rewarded for it, try it, do it,” she said. “Of 360 students, we only had nine students who participated.”

Last week’s presentation is part of the Michigan Masons’ “Books for Bikes” program, which the Buchanan lodge is participating in for the first time this year. The goal of the program is to encourage reading among children and youth and start them on a lifetime of reading.

At BMS, participating students began reading books in February and finished up earlier in April. Students kept track of the books they read — each read at least five books — and then answered questions about what they’d read.

Students who received bikes were fifth graders Madison Mullen, Abigail Polly and Alyssa Samuel as well as sixth graders Kayla Baich, Serena Radde, Autumn Ropp, Seth Bromley, Quinten Ruff and Michael Wentworth. Students originally were told that only three of them would win a bike, but found out at the assembly that each of the nine would get one.

Last week’s assembly and presentation featured remarks from Hurlbutt, Young and Buchanan Masonic Lodge members.

“The Buchanan Masonic Lodge is the reason we have these awesome bikes here today,” Young said.

“We want to thank them for promoting reading and teachers for taking part in the program,” she said. “It’s important to read every day. We read every day, whether it’s traffic signs or menus. Reading helps develop our minds. Try to read 15 to 20 minutes every day.”

Young encouraged students to read whenever they can.

“Reading helps us become more creative,” she said. “You can grab a book and be in another world. Words are the building blocks of life, words define who we are and what we will become in the future.”

Lodge member Brian Payne also emphasized the importance of reading in his remarks.

“What if we lived in a world where nobody could read?” he asked. “We’re bringing this program to you to inspire you to to read. You are our future, our next doctors, lawyers and teachers.”

The lodge not only provided all the bikes, they also gave gift certificates from Meijer. to each of the nine students so they can buy a bike helmet.

Lodge member Dudley Nelson said the local lodge plans to continue participating in the “Books for Bikes” programs in future years. “We will be doing this from now on as one of our community service projects,” he said.

The Buchanan lodge is active in the community throughout the year in several projects. They award scholarships to the Miss Buchanan winner each year as well as to other Buchanan High School students and they take part in the Child ID program at the annual Faith & Family Day each August.

Last year, lodge members gave $2,000 to the Buchanan Police Department so the department could provide bullet-proof vests to the department’s reserve officers.

The Buchanan lodge, which is officially Lodge No. 68, first met in June 1853, and was officially chartered less than a year later in January, 1854. Special celebrations have occurred on the 100th anniversary in 1954 and then on the 150th anniversary in 2004.

Freemasonry dates back to the middle ages and the work of craftsmen and cathedral builders in Europe. The Masonic fraternity’s teachings include understanding and charity for all mankind, brotherly love, relief and truth. Freemasons pledge to preserve the moral fiber and quality of life and to act in a spirit of helpfulness toward all mankind.