Leigh Ann, Allison and Kile Brown

Leigh Ann, Allison and Kile Brown

The Lake Highlands Exchange Club hosted their annual scholarship breakfast Friday honoring 46 graduating seniors.

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You can see my photos here.

“Today is the culmination of lots of dedication and hard work,” said Adam Meierhofer, long-time Exchange Club member and Richardson ISD trustee. “Today we will be giving away $137,500 in scholarships to add to a total of $1.7 million which the Lake Highlands Exchange Club has awarded over the years. These scholarships are a source of pride, not just for the Exchange Club, but for the entire community.”

“To the honorees,” he added, “Go out and make us proud and then come home and make us better.”

Lake Highlands High School graduate Wade Smith, an NFL player for the Houston Texans, was on hand to see scholarships awarded in the name of his Wade Smith Foundation.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without this tight-knit community,” he said. “I have lots of pride in this neighborhood. I want to thank Lake Highlands on behalf of the Wade Smith Foundation. Congratulations, kids, on your accomplishments.”

“We are honored to get to know each of you, even just a little bit,” said Eric Luck, who awarded scholarships with his wife, Cheri on behalf of the Luck Family Foundation. “You have touched our hearts.

“Listen to the advice you have received,” her urged them. “It is working for you. We are fans, all.”

Exchange Club member Ted Steinke read a letter by Joshua Evans, recipient of a scholarship in 2009. Though he was a Wildcat wrestler, a Wrangler and a member of several other LHHS organizations and activities, Josh said, “none had a bigger impact than the scholarship I received from you. It gave me hope. It taught me to persevere.”

Josh was the first in his family to attend college. He recently graduated from Texas Tech University with honors. He is now living in Fairfax, Virginia, working for Exxon/Mobil. In his letter, he said he plans to start his own scholarship fund someday.

“Folks, that’s why we do this,” said Ted to his fellow members.

And to the seated recipients he added, “I hope, like Joshua, you will pledge to give back to the community.”

RISD Trustee Kim Caston, RISD Trustee Karen Holburn, NFL's Wade Smith, RISD Trustee Adam Meierhofer, RISD Superintendent Dr. Kay Waggoner

RISD Trustee Kim Caston, RISD Trustee Karen Holburn, NFL’s Wade Smith, RISD Trustee Adam Meierhofer, RISD Superintendent Dr. Kay Waggoner

Congratulations to these deserving students:

Frances & Herb Walne Memorial Scholarship:

Ari Solorio, UNT

Exchange Club of Lake Highlands Academic Scholarship:

Paola Blas, SFA

Alison Brown, Baylor

Mackenzie Fugate, UT

Suzie Ghidei, UTD

Kelsey Kaigler, Baylor

Caitlin Klemme, Middlebury College, Vermont

Anastasia Kovanova, UTD

Griffin Milan, Rice

Alex Moser, UT

Eric Speer, Vanderbilt

Anna Starr, UT

Darian Stokes, UT

Chris Truong, UT

Raul Velasquez, UTD

Elizabeth & Strickland Tudor Family Scholarship:

Enrique Garcia Franco, Neumont University, Salt Lake City

Wade Smith Foundation Scholarship:

Lauren West, UT

Kenya Mosley, TAMU Commerce

Morgan Dishman, UT

Kelly Henry, TAMU

Abby Harris, Baylor

Katherine Sutton, UT

Shane Bono, Trinity

The Luck Foundation Scholarship:

Kyle Adams, Arkansas

Paola Blas, SFA

John Bugni, UT

Yalyn Dominguez-Sanchez, Richland

Anastasia Kovanova, UTD

Alex Moser, UT

Kerutheha Nirmalanandha, Richland

Ksanet Seghid, TWU

Ari Solorio, UNT

Darian Stokes, UT

Raul Velazquez, UTD

Kenya Mosley, TAMU Commerce

Hayley Wilhelm, OSU

Potts Family/ Working Student Award:

Muhammad Tirmizey, UTD

Marisol Crisostomo, UNT

Sonia Aikhionbare

Emily Oben

Data Jo Potts Memorial Scholarship:

Peyton Rubin, Texas Tech

Susanna Smith, Texas Tech

Van Mawi

Diana Damian, TWU

Potts Family/Lake Highlands Achievement Award:

Carter Bodell, Baylor University

Jason Oglesby Memorial Scholarship:

Danielle Sullivan, Texas State

Kaylee Sullivan, Texas State

Melinda Ann Lee Memorial Scholarship:

Martin Taylor, Texas Tech

Jeff Kane Memorial Scholarship

Rachel Lander, Texas State

Exchange Club Board of Directors Scholarship:

Rebecca Grunewald, UT

Mary Adegbembo, Tarleton State

Penelope Simons, UNT

Meredith McCown, TAMU

Darian Stokes with his family and LHHS counselor

Darian Stokes with his family and LHHS counselor