The Lion’s Roar

On October 15th, 2024, President Lion Thom Canfield opened our weekly meeting of the Mason Lions Club at Nacho’s Cafe. Our opening invocation was led by Lion Pastor Mark Kirby.

We were blessed by Margot Morquecho, Mason Lions Club 4th Grade Student of the Month presented by Lioness Dr. Teresa Wade. Congratulations Ms. Morquecho!

Our program presentation today was given by the Mason ISD Junior High Cooking Club led by graduate students Angel Quintero, Kaymie Alba and Kelly Antunez. These fine students were accompanied by Stephanie Pierce, Mason Elementary & Junior High School Counselor, Jennifer Moneyhon, RN, Mason ISD Nurse and Jessica Holbrook, Mason County Family and Community Extension Agent Health.

The MJH Cooking Club is an organization supported by Agrilife Extension, 4H, and various private donors without whom they could not continue this program where students in 8th grade can learn to cook simple, healthy meals for themselves and their families. Students apply for the program in the spring of their 7th grade year, and the lessons begin in September.

At each of their meetings, volunteers from our wonderful Mason community (all of whom have passed a background check) teach a brief lesson on food safety and basic cooking skills before students prepare a meal to take home to share with their family. Students also receive groceries at each session for cooking a second meal at home in a slow cooker (which will be provided to students at the first meeting). In addition to the slow cooker, students will be given a variety of other cooking tools and supplies to take home and keep.

Each year, they also take the Cooking Club members on two field trips to Lowe’s in Mason to learn how to shop for groceries. Each student receives $30 with which they must buy all of the ingredients needed to prepare a meal at home. Community volunteers once again are essential on these outings, as each student is paired with an adult to learn about shopping on a budget, how to read food labels, the difference between ‘sell by’ and ‘best by’ dates, etc. The culminating event of each Cooking Club year is when the students prepare a meal for the Mason ISD school board prior to a school board meeting in the spring semester.

Angel Quintero uses the skills he learned in Cooking Club to continue to help cook meals for his family. Kaymie Alba shared what she learned in Cooking Club with her younger brother, Kristian, who then became a member of the Cooking Club last year. Kelly Antunez used the food handler’s certification she earned in Cooking Club to get a job at Nacho’s.

They are always grateful for donations. If you are interested in making a donation, you can stop by the Mason ISD administration office on the square.

We had two outstanding seniors, Mitchell Underwood and Rylan Todd, from Mason High School.

Mr. Underwood’s parents are Matt and Fara Underwood. Mitchell participates in Football, Track, UIL and FFA. After graduation he plans to attend Texas A&M University.

Mr. Todd’s parents are Billy and Brandy Todd. Rylan participates in Football, Baseball, Track, One Act Play, Band, Debate and UIL Academics. After graduation he plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin and major in kinesiology.

Congratulations to both of these outstanding families as they are surely a credit to the Mason community.

If you know of someone that would benefit from eyeglasses and vision assistance, please reach out to one of us at our Hamburger Fundraiser on the Square Friday, November 1st between 11:00am and 1:00pm.