kids Hom e ’ s Grown
Life
Three Cheers FOR BRIDGET
Bridget, a senior at the Masonic Children’s Home, recently received a leadership award for her involvement with the Elizabethtown Area High School varsity cheerleading team.
As one of three co-captains of the team, Bridget, 17, received the trophy and honor at a banquet in December. “There were five or six awards given, and I was the last name to be called,” she said. “I was really surprised. I didn’t think I would get it. Besides being a co-captain of the team, I think I’m good at helping people, and I’m very encouraging, so maybe that’s why I won.”
Bridget began cheering in the 10th grade. She had been playing field hockey since elementary school but decided to pursue cheerleading after a recommendation from a friend.
“My friend, who was a cheerleader, said it’s a sport you can start from scratch and pick up easier than other sports,” Bridget said. “It’s actually a lot of hard work, but I like learning new skills.”
Bridget participates in cheerleading competitions with other schools in the fall and winter. She cheers for the local Elizabethtown football, basketball and wrestling teams the rest of the year. The cheerleading team was scheduled to compete in the state championships at the end of January.
Bridget said she loves the sense of community in cheerleading and how it’s both an individual and a team sport.
“In cheer, you put all your work into the three minutes you have, and you have to give it your all,” she said. “The crowd is so supportive. We do a lot of tricks like holding each other up or throwing people in the air. I usually help catch people.”
Bridget said she may want to cheer in college, but as a hobby, not competitively. She plans on attending Widener University this fall and studying psychology.
Bridget has lived at the children’s home since the summer before fourth grade and said it
will be hard to leave her friends and the house parents she has grown to know and love.
“I don’t even know how it’s going to be when I have to leave this place and all the connections I’ve made,” she said.
“I’ve been with some of these people since I was a child.”
At the children’s home, Bridget said she learned how to be independent, since she’s away from her family. She also learned patience, especially from living with other girls in close quarters.
“Because we live together, we’re like sisters, and we talk about our day, but we don’t have to hang out all the time to feel that connection,” she said. “I usually hang out with people from school, except on the weekends.”
Bridget said she’s excited, not nervous, for what comes next for her after graduating high school.
“I feel like I’m really used to change, so I’m not scared or nervous, but more excited and ready for something new — a new chapter,” Bridget said.
Bridget was also named Homecoming Queen this past fall at Elizabethtown Area High School.
Siblings and Friends for Life
Winston, 7, lives at the Masonic Children’s Home with his sister, Rosie, 10, and he wouldn’t want it any other way.
“It makes things easier,” he said. “I feel better about being here because I have her with me, so I don’t have to do stuff by myself.”
Winston, who has lived at the children’s home for about six months, spends time with his sister at a siblings’ group recently created by social worker Ms. Becca. He also enjoys taking art classes at the Twisted Easel in Elizabethtown, the chance to go to Hersheypark and going out for cheeseburger.
Rosie said she enjoys playing games with Winston, and that he often makes her laugh. “It makes me feel good to have him here,” she said.
Rosie also enjoys art lessons, playing with her best friend, Celine, and participating in dance in town. “I’ve learned how to work hard [at
Winston and Rosie
the children’s home] and to use my manners and all that,” she said. “I like all the house parents.”
Winston and Rosie are one of nine pairs of siblings currently living at the children’s home, the most that Executive Director Mark Kurzenknabe has seen in the 20 years he has worked there.
“Some of them [siblings] have been here for a while, other ones are new,” he said. “Some facilities don’t have the capability to keep siblings together or only accept girls or boys, or siblings might get split up in foster care. With us, we can hopefully accommodate everyone if we have room. It’s a big advantage for us.”
“Some of these children have been through a lot to begin with, so it’s a good support system [to have your sibling there]. It can make the adjustment period in a new place a lot easier.”
Jacob, 16, came to the children’s home three years ago and was followed by his sister, Savannah, 16, this past August. They are fraternal twins.
“It’s so nice having my sister here,” Jacob said. “It’s fun to have somebody to do things with and to see her and talk to her every day. We talk about how we’re doing in school and other things.”
Jacob enjoys the house parents and the other children who live with him. “Everyone comforts me when I’m down,” he said. “They support me and treat me nice.”
He enjoys playing basketball and is a member of the swim team at Elizabethtown Area High School.
Savannah hopes to play softball this spring at school. Before moving to the children’s home, she only saw Jacob on breaks from school, of which there were four a year. Now, she sees him almost every day.
“We like playing board games, Xbox, going outside and playing basketball,” she said. “I like talking to him.”
Savannah said she enjoys living at the children’s home because it feels like a community where everyone gets along and cares about each other.
“I’m learning to be more responsible and independent,” she said. “These are skills that will help me when I’m older.”
Jacob and Savannah
FALL FAVORITES
From Halloween to the first day of school, to relay races and Veterans Day events, our youth continue participating in activities that bring them joy and enrichment.
or
Announcing a New Logo
For the Masonic Children’s Home
We are excited to unveil new logos for each of the Masonic Charities, including the Masonic Children’s Home, to be implemented throughout 2025. The new design is reflected on the cover of this issue.
The rebranding aims to create cohesive, modern logos that reflect each charity’s unique mission while strengthening their collective identity. The new designs
share common visual elements to enhance recognition and consistency across all the Masonic Charities.
The rebranding process was conducted by Masonic Charities staff and involved gathering input from stakeholders through surveys, focus groups, competitor analyses and leadership feedback.
LOGO MEANING: The “tree house” theme represents childhood. The home illustrates a sense of safety, protection and belonging, while the heart signifies love and charity. The trees represent growth, and the calm color scheme exemplifies security, abundance and new beginnings. The font is youthful. The “A” in “Masonic” is comprised of the square and compasses symbol, representing the Masonic fraternity.
A “PHAN-TASTIC” DAY!
Many of our youth were able to experience a trip to a Philadelphia Phillies game in June at the ballpark. Thanks to Christenson Investment Partners, Boyd Watterson Asset Management, National Investment Services and Mill Creek Capital Advisors for providing this incredible opportunity!
