Leigh Ann, Allison and Kile Brown
The Lake Highlands Exchange Club hosted their annual scholarship breakfast Friday honoring 46 graduating seniors.
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
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
