The Hiram Award is the single highest honor a Master Mason may receive.
It cannot be sought or applied for, but is awarded at the request of the individual’s Lodge.
What is the Hiram Award?
The following are recipients of this high honor:
1988 Leo D Castillo
1989 Richard W Huggett
1990 Eric Hunter
1991 James E Brown
1992 Philip F Nylin *
1993 Mark D Williams*
2001 Nelson O Aquino
2002 Jesus D Carpio
2003 Leslie E Snavely
2004 Marc A Ignacio
2005 Gregory Kovsky
2006 Henry V Fletcher III
2015 Philip F Nylin *
2016 Donn E Castro
2017 Mark D Williams *
2021 Earl J Lara *
2023 Virg Prodigalidad
2025 Earl J Lara *
*Recipient of multiple awards
The recipient can also be found in our lodge on the following plaques.
Mark became a Master Mason on October 11, 1979 at West Gate Lodge #128 (Bellevue, WA).
In 1993 he was a recipient of the Hiram Award.
In 2003 he became a he became Worshipful Master of his home Lodge. This would be the 100th Anniversary of the Lodge having been founded in 1903. Also during his term, he also held the as a Deputy to the Grand Master of Washington.
In 2007 he received the one of the most coveted awards of Washington State, Grand Masters Award.
In 2010 he held a 2nd term as Worshipful Master.
In 2017 he again received honors as a Hiram Award recipient by his Brethren.
Earl Lara became a Master Mason in 2011 at West Gate Lodge #128 in Kirkland, WA. His father Mario Lara was a Past Master of West Gate in 2008, coincidentally the same year Earl began his journey into Freemasonry.
In 2016, he became Worshipful Master of his home Lodge while it was in Bellevue, and held office until 2021 where the Lodge moved to the city of Everett. He served as the longest serving WM of West Gate, during a time when a pandemic occurred in the United States.
In 2017 he became a plural member of Genesis Lodge #305 (Edmonds, WA) before its consolidation. The Lodge would then be consolidated and he became one of the Founding Members of Mill Creek Lodge #243 (Edmonds, WA). He demitted in 2023.
In 2021 he was a recipient of the Hiram Award by the Brethren.
In 2022 he was a recipient of the Grand Master's Award, one of the most coveted awards in Freemasonry.
Virg became a Master Mason on September 29, 1978 at 09/29/1978 at Chula Vista Lodge No. 626 F&AM (Chula Vista, California).
In 2005 he demitted and affiliated to Yancey C Blalock Lodge #265. This is his Home Lodge and also where he became a Life Member.
In 2008 he affiliated as a plural member to Rainier Lodge #189.
In 2009 he presided in the East as Worshipful Master of Yancey C Blalock Lodge #265.
in 2010 he affiliated as a plural member to West Gate Lodge 128 (Kirkland, WA).
In 2011 he affiliated as a plural member to LuzViMinda Lodge #317.
In 2012 he affiliated as a plural member to Ark Lodge #126 where he also a Life Member.
In 2023 he was a recipient of the Hiram Award by his Brethren.
Also in 2023, he became Worshipful Master of West Gate Lodge #128