Bridge City Masons honor Judice with Community Award
July 10, 2024
TOP: Dr. Michelle Judice, center with her husband Al Judice III and other family members, is pictured during an awards ceremony presented by the Bridge City Masons. Judice, an English instructor at LSCPA, was the Community Builder Award. (ABOVE) Dr. Michelle and Al Judice are pictured with Bridge City Masonic Lodge #1345 Worshipful Master Reese Force, left, and District Deputy Grand Master Dist. 25-A Anthony Bingham. (Photos courtesy Orange Leader)
Dr. Michelle Judice, English instructor at Lamar State College Port Arthur, was honored with the highest award given to a non-Mason, the Community Builder award, at the Bridge City Masonic Lodge #1345 by worshipful master Reese Forse.
Once a year, the lodge committee distinguishes one person who has made an impact on the community. That selection is then passed on to the Grand Lodge of Texas in Waco, where the award is sanctioned.
Judice was nominated for her many years in the teaching profession, not only at Lamar State College Port Arthur, but for her years as a substitute teacher at Bridge City and as a teacher in the local criminal justice system.
"Today we celebrate Dr. Judice not only for her professional achievements but also for her unwavering dedication to serving others and reaching out to our community," said Forse. "Thank you for being a shining example of what it means to be a true community builder."
Judice wasn't sure how she came to their attention, she said she believed it was due to a surprise award she received in May from Texas State Representative Christian Manual, whom she had previously taught. She said it was a back-to-school meeting and they were told there was a guest speaker who wanted to come up and say a few words.
"Manual went up to the podium and started talking about a teacher that he had that made a big difference in his life and I started praying 'please God don't let it be me,'" said Judice.
It was. "His closing was about how challenging the class was and how high the bar was set and then he ended with, 'I remember her closing words to me as I walked out the room,' and I was thinking, 'Oh please God no, let me have said something nice.'"
Manuel said, "She told me that wherever I went for the rest of my life that any writing I left behind or sent to anyone would speak and represent me and say who I was," he said, "and I've always remembered that."