Valley News
50 year Members
In celebration of our fraternity’s 50th anniversary, we honored three distinguished members who have dedicated their lives to our organization. Each recipient received a commemorative 50-year cap, a Member Card, and a Certificate of Recognition.
At our 2026 May Stated Meeting, we honored Bro. Robert Simmons, 32°, while in our 2025 October Stated Meeting, we recognized Bros. John C. Taylor, 32°, and George Ingle Jr., 32°.
The photograph on the left depicts, from left to right, Ill. Jim Mendoza, 33°, the Personal Representative of the Deputy of the Orient to Tacoma; Bro. Simmons’ wife; and Bro. Robert Simmons, 32°.
The photograph on the right shows, from left to right, Bro. John C. Taylor, 32°, Bro. George Ingle Jr., 32°, and Ill. Jeremy Yielding, 33°, who delivered the presentation.
Celebrating Our Scholarship Recipients
During our August Fellowship Dinner, the Valley of Tacoma had the privilege of recognizing and honoring the achievements of the recipients of the Scottish Rite Scholarships within our region. As a member of the Scottish Rite Scholarship Board, Bro. Michael Rawls, 32° KCCH, had the honor of presenting these distinguished students with a certificate Michael Rawls, a distinguished member of the 32nd Kansas City Chapter of the Civil Air Patrol (KCCH), presented these esteemed students with certificates and extended our heartfelt congratulations. From left to right, Bro. Michael Rawls, Ms. Aarianna Wooten, Ms. Adeline Riggle, Ms. Amanda Beckett, Mr. Trevor Johnson, Ms. Nicole Chang, and Mr. Love Oluwaleye. Congratulations to all!
Our Newest Masters of the Secret
During the Orient-Wide Class Reunion, the Valley of Tacoma was privileged to witness the conferring of the final degree of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry upon several of its members. In the accompanying photograph, from left to right, are Ill. Jim Mendoza, 33° Personal Representative of the Deputy of the Orient to Tacoma; Bro. Brian Kerley, 32°; Bro. Andrew Currier, 32°; Bro. Caleb Dodge, 32°; Bro. William Clark, 32°; and Bro. Daniel Siau, 32°. Absent from the ceremony that day were Bro. Christian Lindsey, 32°, and Bro. Robert Thompson, 32°.
The Valley of Tacoma served as the setting for the 32°-degree ceremony of our newest Master of the Royal Secret, Bro. Gary Dodge, 32°. The cast performed exceptionally well, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to them and our stage crew. Additionally, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to our Degree Coordinator, Bro. Jonathan Davenport, 32°.
Brethren, join us in congratulating Bro. Gary Dodge as our newest Master of the Secret.
Donation to DeMolay
During our August Fellowship Dinner, the Valley of Tacoma generously donated to the DeMolay Golf Tournament. The donation was graciously accepted by Bro. Kevin Reid, 32°, State Finance Director of Washington DeMolay (on the left in the photograph). Bro. James Nero, 32°, KCCH, Master of Kadosh (on the right in the photograph) made the presentation of our donation.