Exchange Club of LH scholarship recipients
The Exchange Club of Lake Highlands presented college scholarships to 75 graduating seniors from Lake Highlands High School Friday morning as their devoted family members looked on with pride. The record $162,000 was raised at the club’s signature Oktoberfest Dallas, their annual casino night and auction and gifts from generous donors.
“These are truly exceptional young people,” said Hank Stafford, chairman of the scholarship committee. “Each student that we honor has excelled academically and still found time for extracurricular activities, community service and work. Many of them have overcome significant challenges. They should be very proud of the work they’ve done.”
“This is my first time doing this,” Stafford continued, “and I now understand why many of my peers have said this is their favorite day of the year. This is where we get to see our fundraising efforts come to fruition and make an impact. We can see how these students make our community a better place to live. It’s a great, bright future that we have with these students.”
In addition to the long list of traditional scholarships, three new ones were added. The Reg Baker Memorial Scholarship was presented in memory of the longtime Lake Highlands Automotive owner who graduated from LHHS in 1969 and worked in the neighborhood for more than 50 years. The scholarship is intended to support students pursuing a trade school education in fields such as welding, automotive repair, HVAC, cosmetology or other skilled professions. Reg’s son, Jordon, continues to own and operate the business.
The Northlake Elementary Mary Kellagher Scholarships were established by the PTA to honor Kellagher, who worked for Richardson ISD since 1996 and recently retired after serving as principal at Northlake since 2013. She served the community and supported students and their families with her positive, uplifting attitude and joyous spirit.
The Lake Highlands Elementary PTA Scholarship, created last year, was created to motivate and support alums of the school and help them continue their education.
The Jeff Kane Memorial Scholarship went to Khali Thornton (University of Texas). The Bob Potts Family Working Student Scholarships went to Ki’Lea Boone (Tarleton State University), Francisco De Alba (Texas A&M), Maykel Fajardo Rojas (Dallas College) and Zakiria Tillman (Texas State University). Bob Potts Memorial Scholarships went to Mi’Aira Alozie (Texas State), Kelvin Ejim Chinedu (Tarleton), Ivan Salgado (University of North Texas), Sahil Khan Seddiqi (Texas Women’s University), Sohil Seddiqi (UNT), Kinsley Worthey (UNT).
James Brandon Burris Memorial Scholarships went to Avery Martyn (University of Texas at Arlington) and Laine Smith (University of Arkansas). The Jason Oglesby Memorial Scholarship was given to Samuel Rinck (Oklahoma State University). Syncere Anderson (McMurry University) and Jordan Kondoba (Trinity University) were named Smitty’s Scholars by the Wade Smith Foundation.
Luck Family Foundation Scholarships went to Samara Aletan (TAMU), Sophia Fedoroff (East Texas A&M), Zac Fuller (TAMU), Summer Shaw (UNT), Navier Walder (Baylor) and Betelham Zeleke (UT). Reg Baker Memorial Scholarship presented by Lake Highlands Automotive went to Deborah Abioro. The Northlake Elementary Mary Kellagher Scholarships went to Anahi Alonso (UNT) and Aisha Katabana (Dallas College). Lake Highlands Elementary PTA Scholarships went to Alexandra Wagliardo (UT) and Hayes Wilcox (Auburn University). Austin Silva Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Kelly Beller (TAMU), Ryan Bougie (TAMU), Paige Fowler (Okla State), Peri Howell (TAMU), Jovey Jones (UT), Campbell Kretz (Auburn), Andrew Thompson (TAMU) and Charlotte William (TAMU).
Exchange Club of Lake Highlands Scholarships went to Gabriella Castillo (Tech), Hillary Chacon (St. Edward’s University), Sally Chancey (UT), Caroline Cummins (UT), Kate Duffield (University of Tennessee), Christopher Dykes (UT Dallas), Braxton Ephraim (TAMU), Caroline Gibbs (UT), A.J. Hasse (UT), Mia Herrera (TAMU), Amelya Ho (UT), Baker Holmes (Indiana University), Andrew Howell (University of Missouri), Caroline Krauss (University of Virginia), Rhian McCarty (Louisiana State University), Miriam McClung (Carleton College), Filaim Mebrahtu (UTD), Wright Morris (Tech), Eniola (Olabisi (TAMU), Sarah Petty (UT), Avery Poteet (TAMU), Katherine Pottkotter (DePaul University), Blake Reagan (UT), Banner Roby (UNT), Demri Rynders (Texas State), Dennise Solis (UNT), Reyna Sundmaker (Baylor), Sadie Sweeney (UT), Soliyana Tilahun (TWU or TAMU), Avery Till (Clemson), Anna Turner (Rowan University), Mattie Vietti (Tenn), Nathan Ward (Tech), Virgina Wells (UT), Violet Wibben (University of Wisconsin at Madison), Colin Wiley (TAMU), Benjy Wrightsman (Auburn) and Lila Young (UT).
The Herb and Frances Walne Memorial Scholarship was given to Yireh Rivera (UT). The Exchange Club Board of Directors Scholarship was awarded to Cristal Ramirez-Floriano (TWU).
Congratulations, all.
