Jacky Russell (center, blue shirt) surrounded by former players and friends
The Lake Highlands High School Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for four awards created in 2023 to honor Wildcats who’ve had a sustained impact on the school and the community. Nomination forms are available online here and are due November 1.
Distinguished Alumni Awards will be given to former students whose achievements, strength of character and citizenship serve as models to inspire and challenge today’s youth. Achievements in the arts, athletics, business, education, entertainment, law, medicine, the military, music, philanthropy, politics, public service, religion, scholarship, science and other fields will be considered.
The Young Alumni Award will honor a man or woman who has achieved great success in their first 20 years after graduation.
The Wildcat Award will go to an individual demonstrating significant commitment to the LHHS community by giving their time, energy and/or resources.
The Distinguished Service Award was created to honor devoted faculty members, and last year’s inaugural recipients were legendary Wildcat coaches Jacky Russell and Jay Higgins. Russell was an assistant football coach under Bill Georges on Sept. 1, 1961, when the Wildcats beat Anna High for the first varsity win in school history. He helped the team earn district championships in 1963, 1971 and 1975, and as cross country and head track coach he won state in 1963, 1964 and 1975. Higgins earned an astounding 798 career wins and 16 district championships. He was inducted into the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2010.
The 2025 Distinguished Service Awards presentation dinner will be held in April.
