Lamar CISD’s Educational Awards Foundation Celebrates 25 Years of Community Impact
For 25 years, the Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (LEAF) has been more than a fundraiser—it has been a lifeline of creativity, opportunity, and innovation for Lamar CISD students and teachers. This month, the nonprofit marked its silver anniversary with a special luncheon at Safari Texas Ranch in Richmond, where community members gathered to honor a legacy of giving that has touched nearly every corner of the district.
“Today marks 25 years of impact, innovation, and inspiration,” said LEAF Executive Director Kameela Lewis, reflecting on the group’s founding and its growth alongside the district. Representatives from schools across Lamar CISD were on hand to showcase how LEAF’s signature Grant Express awards have transformed their classrooms—funding everything from robotics programs to hands-on science projects.
Since its inception in 2000, LEAF has awarded nearly 3,000 classroom grants totaling more than $6 million. These investments, powered by the generosity of local businesses, staff, and community donors, have supported not only teacher-led classroom projects but also scholarships for students and professional development for educators. As Lamar CISD has grown into one of the fastest-expanding districts in Texas—now serving over 43,000 students on 56 campuses—LEAF has ensured that opportunities keep pace with need.
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The foundation’s impact can also be seen through its signature community events. From the Golf Fore Greatnesstournament and the Men Who Cook gala to the beloved Surf’s Up Cake Auction—which raised more than $300,000 this past May—LEAF has built a culture of joyful giving that draws families, educators, and local supporters together year after year.
In a moment of reflection, LEAF’s Inaugural Executive Director, Janice Knight, recalled the nonprofit’s early days. “I can remember the first year, I think we awarded $15,000 in grants, and it was like, ‘Whoa, wasn't that a great year?’” Knight said. “The next year it went up, and the next year it went up.”
Lewis shared that the silver anniversary is both a celebration and a call to keep building: “LEAF was built on vision, generosity, and community – and 25 years later, that same foundation continues to make dreams possible for teachers and students across Lamar CISD. While our logo, events, and grants have evolved, our mission remains the same: sparking innovation, inspiring learning, and creating opportunities for Lamar CISD students and staff.”
Lamar CISD Superintendent Dr. Roosevelt Nivens echoed that sentiment, reminding attendees that the foundation’s impact is woven into the district’s success. “Lamar CISD is an elite school system, and you play a big part in that, because every dollar, every dime, every minute that you spend with LEAF has an impact on our young people,” he said.
He also highlighted the heart of LEAF’s legacy: community. “Success does not come in isolation. Success happens in community,” Dr. Nivens said. “And ladies and gentlemen, this is a successful community. This is what it looks like, and the young people are going to benefit from that. So, from the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of our Board of Trustees, thank you so much, LEAF. Thank you for 25 years, and we look forward to another hundred!”
As the foundation looks ahead, its work continues to represent something larger than dollars and cents—it is about turning ideas into opportunities and dreams into realities for Lamar CISD’s teachers and students.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
