For those who may be unfamiliar with the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands, spring is the culmination of many of our community service and youth-oriented activities.
Our Silent and Live Auction Dinner was held in April at the Lakewood Country Club. It is our club’s major fund-raiser, and this year, we raised $27,000, almost double last year’s total.
Much of the money will be distributed as scholarship grants to Lake Highlands High School students who undergo a rigorous application and screening process. Due to the success of this year’s auction, chaired by Don McCoy, $3,000 in additional grants were distributed.
Auction funds are also utilized to underwrite a growing list of community service projects that come before our board for funding during the year.
One of the most inspiring activities in May is our Teacher of the Year Awards. This honor rotates among our elementarys, junior high and the high schools each year.
This year, we recognized one teacher from each of the 10 elementary schools in Lake Highlands area. They received a commemorative plaque and a $500 cash award at a ceremony held at Royal Oaks Country Club May 6 during National Teacher Appreciation Week.
May is also the month we recognize our Youth of the Year honorees and scholarship winners. This year’s recognition breakfast was May 13 at Royal Oaks.
The club honors one outstanding young man and woman from Lake Highlands High School as a Youth of the Month from September through April. These 16 men and women compete for the Youth of the Year Award by writing an essay. Each student’s accomplishments and essay are judged. This year’s winners were Julie Gillis and Fouad Bashour.
The club also recognizes two Youths of the Year from the Vocational Education Program. This year’s honorees were Susan Hughes and Jonathan Shiffer. Each honoree receives a commemorative plaque and a $250 savings bond.
Scholarship recipients are also recognized at this breakfast. This year’s scholarship grants totaled $26,500. The Exchange Club underwrote $13,000 in grants, $3,000 of which was dedicated to Vocational Education students for the first time. The club also administers grants of additional scholarships, which are underwritten by two Lake Highlands businesses: The Henry G. Wichmann Memorial Scholarships funded by Metro Factors, Inc., and the Jason Oglesby Memorial Scholarships, funded by Network Administrators, Inc.
Anyone living, working or interested in the Lake Highlands community is encouraged to join us. The financial obligations of membership come to about $600 a year, which includes breakfast at our Friday morning meetings.
Come join us this Friday, 7 a.m., at the Galveston Island restaurant, Royal Lane at Skillman. You’ll enjoy the company.
