VALDOSTA — The 15th Annual Lowndes Education Improvement Foundation Distinguished Alumnus Celebration and Awards Banquet presented a Lowndes High graduate with its most prestigious award.

Kevin Williams was presented the 2015 Distinguished Alumnus award.

A 1987 graduate of Lowndes High School, Williams is the son of Lt. Col. (Retired) Herbert and Alice Williams of Valdosta. He is married to Amanda and they have three children, Cheyenne, Liam, and Devin. They reside in Waxahachie, Texas.

After graduating with honors from Lowndes High, Williams enrolled in Emory University in Atlanta where he pursued courses in preparation for a career in medicine. He spent three years at Emory before enrolling in Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, where he was elected class president each of his four years in medical school.

He chose a career as an orthopedic surgeon. He initially practiced in Bay City, Texas, before being recruited to work in Ennis, Texas, where he has been since 2005.

He has been recognized in both D Magazine and Mature Texan. He serves as medical director at Baylor Surgicare at Ennis as well as chief of orthopedic surgery at Dallas Medical Center.

Williams is active in his community and gives generously of his time and resources to the Boys and Girls Club, Lights of Ennis, Polka Festival, Bluebonnet Festival and more. He has given back personally to Lowndes County Schools, including significant gifts to Hahira Middle School, where his mother was a teacher.

Thanks to Williams, students have been beneficiaries of classroom sets of novels and school supplies. To advance technology, math and science instruction at Hahira Middle, Williams has funded a classroom set of programmable robots.        

Chick-fil-A of Saint Augustine Road and Lake Park and Cheddar’s were the presenting sponsors, providing dinner for the 270 awardees and guests.

At the banquet, LEIF distributed $10,800 in scholarships to Lowndes High seniors: Burton and Collins – $500 each to Makayla Hoffman, Peyton Bellflower, Jamie Flythe, and Robin Rudd; John and Joyce Feazell – $1,000 to Sarah Farmer; Carlton Jones (CJ) Memorial – $2,000 to Ian Bennett; Milhous Family Scholarship – $500 to Ben Martin; Mary Anderson Memorial – $500 to Kristine Freeman; Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation – $500 each to Ian Bennett, Brianna Thomas, and Katelyn Harrell; local State Farm agents scholarships – $1,400 each to Katelyn Harrell and Peyton Bellflower; and the Brett Reddick Memorial – $500 to Taylor Huerta.

Other students and parents honored included Highest Academic Achievement and Most Improved Student from each school and the Outstanding Parent Volunteer from each school.

Highest Academic Achievement: Morgan Allen, Clyattville Elementary School; Dakotah Young, Dewar Elementary School; Selena Curfman, Hahira Elementary School; Ethan Mac Garrison, Lake Park Elementary School; Kayla Fulton, Moulton Branch Elementary School; Alexandria Wilson, Pine Grove Elementary School; Jon Liu, Westside Elementary School; Adam Shoemaker, Hahira Middle School; Zachary Deacon, Lowndes Middle School; Maria Alvarez, Pine Grove Middle School.

Most Improved Students: Femia Estaban, Clyattville Elementary School; Jasmine Phillips, Dewar Elementary School; Tydreke Thomas, Hahira Elementary School; Rosana De La Cruz-Gomez, Lake Park Elementary School; Cassie Rigg, Moulton Branch Elementary School; Lily Morgan, Pine Grove Elementary School; Ethan McCawley, Westside Elementary School; Zeke Albritton, Hahira Middle School; Kadashia Giddens, Lowndes Middle School; Cassidy Sirmans, Pine Grove Middle School; Koshi Noor, Lowndes High School.

Outstanding Parent Volunteers: Mandy Long, Clyattville Elementary School; Lindsay Faircloth, Dewar Elementary School; Erica Gaskins, Hahira Elementary School; Cristie Spano, Lake Park Elementary School; Deshai Richardson, Moulton Branch Elementary School; Atalie Marshall, Pine Grove Elementary School; Alison Eubanks, Westside Elementary School; Tania Murdaugh, Hahira Middle School; Mary Catherine Peek, Lowndes Middle School; Jessica Olson, Pine Grove Middle School; Tamara Oglesby, Lowndes High School.

Also recognized at the banquet: Teacher Incentive Grant winners. Clyattville Elementary — Channah Galbraith, Jessica Gainey, and Julie Love; Dewar Elementary — Haley Harvell and Sara Wilder; Hahira Elementary — Brian Mainor; Hahira Middle — Christi Clements; Horizon Academy — Loran Lucas Brooks Jr.; Lake Park Elementary — Heather Pettigrew and Teresa Parkerson; Lowndes Alternative Program — Caroline Elkins; Lowndes High — Heather Dorsey and Sherry Bennett, Joy Cowart, and Kristy Cates; Lowndes Middle — Kayla Evans and Melanie Mares Sainz; Moulton Branch Elementary — Glee Rice, Pine Grove Elementary — Heather Epley, Rhonda Griffin, and Paula McKenzie; Westside Elementary — Lisa Herndon, Stephanie Peterson, and Ellen Hess; Pine Grove Middle — Beth Baker. LEIF awarded these teachers more than $10,000 in November to implement innovative projects in their classrooms. 2014-2015 Teachers of the Year.

Lowndes County School System Winner: Amy Broad, Pine Grove Middle School; Barbara Bray, Clyattville Elementary School; Jennifer Copeland, Dewar Elementary School; Tara Weldon, Hahira Elementary School; Catherine McGahee, Lake Park Elementary; Tammy Greenway, Moulton-Branch Elementary; Paula McKenzie, Pine Grove Elementary School; Cynthia Flowers, Westside Elementary School; Wendy Newman, Hahira Middle School; Antonio Wesley, Lowndes Middle School; Christina DiTamasso, Lowndes High School; Craig Barnes, Lowndes Alternative Program.