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Golden Ark Masonic Lodge honors Taylor esports coaches as students describe program’s accessibility and scholarship pathways
Summary
The Golden Ark Masonic Lodge presented the Edward A. Guest Award to Taylor esports coaches on June 17. Student speakers highlighted esports’ accessibility and growing college scholarship opportunities while coaches received recognition for volunteer support.
Rich Pratt of the Golden Ark Masonic Lodge presented the Edward A. Guest Masonic Award for Community Service to Taylor School District esports coaches on June 17, praising the program’s accessibility and the volunteer work of the coaching staff.
The award, named for Edward A. Guest and given by the Grand Lodge of Michigan, was presented to coaches Justin Moore, Catherine Helton and Richard Posiak. "We came into the relationship with the esports sort of weirdly," Pratt said, but added he was struck by how the program reaches students who are not in other extracurriculars and that coaches have absorbed many costs out of pocket.
Student representative Justin Moore Jr. said esports can open college doors for students who cannot participate in physical athletics. "Out of the 15 public colleges and 30 private colleges, over 25 of them have an esports program and are willing to give scholarships to these kids," Moore said, urging recognition of esports as an access point for students seeking postsecondary support. Ryan Pratt, a student player, added that esports teaches "the same kind of strategic quick thinking that chess does," and builds teamwork and bonds comparable to traditional sports.
Pratt (the presenter) noted the lodge has sponsored the program for three years, attended awards banquets and will provide custom varsity letters to players. He described the Edward A. Guest Award as the Grand Lodge’s highest award presented to non-Masons for community service.
Why it matters: Board members and community supporters framed the recognition as acknowledgment of volunteers' investments and the district’s expanding extracurricular offerings for students who might otherwise lack access to athletics or other activities. Board members encouraged students and coaches to bring concerns to the board as the program grows.
The district did not take formal action on the program during the meeting; the recognition and student remarks took place during the 'good news' portion of the agenda.
