About Our Scholarship
Dear Families,
In a quiet corner of Hyattsville, Maryland, there stands a lodge that for over 25 years has been more than a building—it's been a beacon. A place where men from all walks of life gather, not to boast or to compete, but to reflect, to serve, and to build. This is Shelton D. Redden Lodge #139, and we are Freemasons.
If you've never heard of Freemasonry, or only heard whispers of what it might be, allow us a moment to illuminate. Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest fraternal organizations, rooted in the values of brotherhood, integrity, self-improvement, and service to others. We are not a secret society—we are a society with secrets: lessons and traditions passed down for generations that teach men to be builders—not of monuments or towers, but of character, of families, of stronger communities.
For more than two decades, Shelton D. Redden Lodge #139 has taken those values and lived them out in Hyattsville and beyond. Our efforts stretch from sponsoring school supplies and mentoring young people to visiting senior homes and supporting families in crisis. We don’t do these things for applause. We do them because it is the right thing to do—because that is what it means to be a Mason.
In offering this scholarship, we are not just providing financial aid. We are planting a seed. A seed of potential. A seed of legacy. And we are looking for young people who have already begun to till the soil—who are striving to be excellent in mind, strong in character, and bold in heart.
To the parents reading this: We recognize the sacrifices you’ve made to raise a child with these qualities. We hope this scholarship honors your investment. And to the young men and women reading: This is your moment. Share your story. Show us what you stand for. And if our path resonates with you, know this—Freemasonry is a door you may one day choose to walk through. To the young man who may one day desire to join our ranks: We are not perfect men, but we are men committed to becoming better every day. If that sounds like a journey you wish to take, you will not walk alone.
We thank you for considering this opportunity and for allowing us to stand beside you, even for just a part of your journey.
Fraternally,
The Brothers of Shelton D. Redden Lodge #139
Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons of Maryland