Our Impact
2019 Marcus graduate and Marty Kidd Memorial Scholarship recipient Jarrett Brown credits his LISD education for building the foundation of his success. From excelling at Wake Forest University academically and athletically to thriving in his financial career in New York City, Brown’s journey showcases the impact of strong teachers, hard work, and the support of LEF scholarships.
Rocio Cortes, a bilingual teacher at Camey Elementary, was awarded the Scheels grant in the 23-24 school year to enhance her classroom library with Spanish-language books and launch a Buddies Reading Program. Learn how these initiatives fostered literacy, collaboration, and cultural appreciation among her students, highlighting the lasting impact of LEF’s support for education.
Lea Ashcraft, Timber Creek Elementary School’s music teacher, wanted to expand the musical opportunities students found in her classroom. She received an LEF teacher grant to do just that through the implementation of her project, Hands-On Music Literacy.
From LISD to SMU to New York City, 2019 The Colony High School graduate and LEF scholarship recipient Simone Melvin found that the support of the people around consistently left a mark on her. Five years after graduating from LISD, she reflects on the countless educators and community members who encouraged her to pursue knowledge and become a well-rounded individual.
COVID-19 changed numerous aspects of the public-school experience. At Creekside Elementary School, the coding club was no longer possible. As time progressed, campus robotics equipment became obsolete. Creekside’s Gifted and Talented program teacher Erin Swiedom sought to change this by applying for an LEF grant to purchase robotics equipment for her campus.
For 2016 Hebron High School graduate Antonio Montez, playing football was more than a fun activity with friends. It was the culmination of a lifelong dream instilling numerous valuable traits in him.
Polser Elementary School’s littlest learners enjoyed a new addition to their classrooms this year. With the help of an LEF teacher grant, PreK teacher Alice Tremonte implemented her STEM project “Try, Try Again... Ready for STEM” into PreK learning spaces.
Amber Perez, music teacher at Parkway Elementary, launched the "Uke Can Ukulele!" project with a $1650 grant from the Lewisville Noon Rotary and LISD Employee Giving Grants. Fifth graders engage in the "Rainbow Ukulele" unit, progressing through 10 song levels and earning beads for achievements. The program fosters musical skills, creativity, and joy, with plans to expand to all grade levels, enhancing students' overall well-being and education.
A former 2016 graduate of Marcus High School, Landon Plunkett reflects on the unexpected adventure that brought him from Highland Village to his new home halfway across the world in London.
Chloe McNiel, a graduate of Marcus High School, reflect on the meaningful connection between her dream of becoming an educator and the Placke Family who helped make her dream possible.
2018 LHS grad and recipient of the Dr. King Service Scholarship in Honor of Vernell Gregg, Cameron Dockery returned to his alma mater to deliver the keynote address during the 30th anniversary MLK Day celebration. He thanked his mentors and former educators, which included Vernell Gregg herself, former board of trustee and co-founder of the Committee to Commemorate MLK Day within LISD.
Owen Oppenheimer is a 2023 graduate of Marcus High School and recipient of the Lewisville ISD Council of the PTA’s scholarship. He is currently attending American University in Washington D.C and plans to become a diplomat for the United States Foreign Service.
Elena Barnes, 2018 graduate of Hebron High School, took her passion for broadcast journalism and finds an unexpected calling for teaching in her hometown school district.
Heritage Elementary Kindergarten science class got a lot more hands on during 22-23 school year with the funding of their LEF grant titled “Super Fun Science Centers!” The funding provided the classroom with new interactive materials such as microscopes, nets, binoculars, guided notebooks, and experiment kits.
Five LHS alumni and LEF scholarship recipients recently traveled back to Burma on a personally funded mission trip to rebuild schools in Chin State and connect with Chin students and families struggling under the current military junta. “Over a decade has passed since I left Burma, but all of the memories of the school, the uniforms, the teachers and so much more are still glued to me.”
On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, the Lewisville ISD Education Foundation awarded a record-breaking 420 scholarships for a total of $323,495 to graduating LISD senior recipients. This video, featuring 2016 LHS alumna Madison Heggins discussing the impact of what a LEF scholarship meant to her, was the opening video for the special night.
2013 Flower Mound High School graduate, Kylie Capps, fulfilled her life-long dream of graduating from the University of Oklahoma and becoming a local news Meteorologist when she was hired to join KDFW Fox 4 in Dallas. Kylie now focuses her ambitions on inspiring young students to follow their own dreams and help pave the way to watch them come true.
Olivia McCoy, 2014 MHS grad and recipient of the Heritage Flying Hawks Scholarship, always knew she wanted to work with books when she grew up. Nearly a decade later, she is enjoying career success in the book marketing and publishing industry while mentoring undergrads with her experience.
Enson Flores graduated from The Colony High School in 2019 and began his career in higher education that fall at Austin College in Sherman, TX. Since then, he has thrived both academically and personally as he is planning to graduate this spring and attend medical school.
After growing up in LISD and attending college with the help of a LEF scholarship, TCHS alum Michael Fulton is months away from celebrating his 3rd year anniversary as the Assistant Principal of B.B. Owen Elementary.
Class of 2017 LHS graduate, Peng Thang, starts his own scholarship for LHS students through LEF after graduating from United States Naval Academy.
“The students were super excited when we got the LEF Grant. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do each day without it. The students see how their voices can be heard now. Getting this grant and being able to buy the broadcast equipment has made this building a whole lot happier each day and the mood is so different around here.”
In August 2021, the Lewisville ISD Education Foundation funded Gronneberg’s proposal through the CoServ Charitable Foundation Grant and was awarded $2,315. Overcoming a few hiccups such as supply chain issues and reworking her original process to abide by COVID-19 safety protocols, the Timber Creek Elementary “Library Lab” STEM/Makerspace is now fully functional.
"Our Ethridge artists have gone through a variety of life-changing experiences through these unprecedented times. With this project I hope to have taught them to establish skills, self-awareness, confidence, patience, and drive." Learn more about Ethridge Elementary's "Transforming Through Chihuly" Art Exhibit and LEF Grant!
"The LEF scholarship helped me pursue my dream career at my dream school! It’s helping me obtain the best education while also growing my faith!"
“The LEF scholarship helped my family have some breathing room my first semester of college! Being the first one out of my siblings to attend a university, there are a lot of hidden expenses.”
Jordan Smith, a 2021 graduate of Flower Mound High School was among the nearly 300 LISD students who received a scholarship from the Lewisville ISD Education Foundation in the spring. Jordan’s first semester at Oklahoma City University has been full of new experiences for her including an exciting opportunity to follow her acting dreams in a production called Stop Kiss by Diana Son.
"LEF provided me with my entire first semester and summer classes of college, the scholarship I received covered half of my tuition for the year!"
At the age of six, Madison Lopez witnessed the devastation Hurricane Katrina made on countless homes and people when refugees began arriving into the Lewisville and DFW area. This spurred a life-long mission to advocate for human rights and speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. She graduated from LHS in 2017 and is currently attending SMU's Dedman School of Law with a Bachelor's in Political Science and Human Rights.
After dealing with a trying medical experience when she was younger, Hannah Conrad, 2015 graduate of TCHS, knew that one day, she'd become a nurse to help make a difference in children's lives, the same way her nurses once did for her... almost thirteen years later, she is now a pediatric nurse at Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Erin Hisey, a 2015 MHS graduate and previous recipient of the Chester Boyd Honorary Scholarship, has recently had her equine genetics research published, marking the first identification of a genetic variant linked to an ocular disease!
Universities across the country switched to virtual classes only, causing many students in the fall of 2020 to forego moving into their college dorm rooms in order to save money. However, because of the Christa McAuliffe Elementary Scholarship through LEF, Marcus High School alumni Garrett Karbs was able to have the financial flexibility to move into his new dorm at the University of Texas and start his college experience on-campus.
In 2015, Reginald (Reggie) Evans wrote in an application essay “to be a Hebron Hawk means that you are a disciplined, determined, self-motivated young man part of a brotherhood designed to be victorious.” Six years later, he continues to be the embodiment of that which he once wrote, taking every challenge life presents him and turning it into an opportunity to make his dreams come true.
Class of 2015 LHS graduate and LEF Scholarship recipient, Araceli Castillo, turns her passion for service into a career as she relocates to Washington D.C. for an exciting new career opportunity.
For public education to work, it requires a community of educators, businesses, and people who work together to support students. The role of an education foundation is to bring that community together so that students like Anastasia Tucker are provided with every possible opportunity to succeed.
Life Skills Student-Owned and Operated Business at TCHS Finds Great Success With LEF Teacher Grant.
