The Liberty-Eylau Community honored three community members Thursday morning at the annual LEISD Community Breakfast. Awards were given for outstanding community service, educational service, and school spirit.
Georgia McFaul received the H. E. Markham Community Service Award. McFaul was a long time professor and counselor for Texarkana College. She also implemented the “book buddy” program where community members read books to Elementary students in Liberty-Eylau Schools. In retirement she has worked as a volunteer with CASA and Domestic Violence Prevention. McFaul is a Master Gardener and routinely raises plants and vegetables to donate throughout the community, including all of the floral centerpieces for the Community Breakfast.
The C. K. Bender Educational Service Award honors those who have dedicated years of service to LEISD schools. Karen Tipton, longtime LEISD Kindergarten teacher, is the 2019 recipient. Tipton is a lifelong Liberty-Eylau resident and graduated from LEHS in 1963. She taught in LE schools for over 40 years before retiring. She now teaches preschool at Williams Memorial. Throughout the years she served as PTA President, and Band Booster Club Member. She worked booths at the Fall Festival and was on the Community Education Council.
The Leopard for Life Award recognizes outstanding and unyielding support of Liberty-Eylau. The winner of the Leopard for Life Award is Kenneth Buchanan.
He has been a lifelong resident of the Liberty-Eylau community and a supporter of the district for more than 30 years. He has participated in many different organizations within the Liberty Eylau community including the Athletic Booster Club and Band Booster Club and PTA. He is also a 2012 inductee to the Wall of Fame. He also dedicated 10 years as a sideline reporter and color analyst for radio Leopard football.
In addition to the community awards, LEISD Superintendent Ronnie Thompson shared many of the district’s accomplishments from the past year with residents. This included opening new and renovated campuses, implementing 1 to 1 chromebook programs in elementary grades and outstanding accomplishments in extracurricular events. Three all state band students were recognized including Jakari Holland who was a 4-time All State Band member-the first ever in Texarkana.
