September 22, 2025 – Rosenberg, Texas – The Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (LEAF) is well-versed at hosting events that celebrate the students and staff of Lamar CISD while raising funds for teacher grants and student scholarships.  

 

LEAF's annual events include the Golf Fore Greatness tournament, the Men Who Cook gala fundraiser, and the long-standing Surf's Up cake auction, which raised more than $300,000 this May. 

 

LEAF and its volunteer board members are dedicated to supporting the district and those it serves while shining the spotlight on others. On Wednesday, Sept. 17, the spotlight was on LEAF itself, as the nonprofit marked 25 years of service to the Lamar CISD community during a special luncheon event hosted at Safari Texas Ranch in Richmond, TX, and made possible by contributions from external partners, including Presenting Sponsor Pfluger Architects. 

  

“Today marks 25 years of impact, innovation, and inspiration,” LEAF Executive Director Kameela Lewis told attendees while sharing stories of the group’s founding and early years in the district. Many current and former examples of the impact of the foundation’s Grant Express awards were on display, where representatives from Lamar CISD schools shared how LEAF had impacted teaching and learning on their campus. 

  

In an interview discussing the group’s early history and growth, LEAF’s Inaugural Executive Director Janice Knight recalled the group’s passionate but humble beginnings and the satisfaction of watching its impact grow while continually reaching more classrooms, teachers, and students across the growing school district. 

  

“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.”  

  

Since its founding, LEAF has awarded nearly 3,000 classroom grants totaling more than $6 million, representing a lasting investment in Lamar CISD students. As Lewis shared, this milestone is not just a look back at 25 years of impact but a commitment to continue investing in the district for the next 25 years and beyond. 

 

“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,” Lewis said. “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.” 

In addressing the foundation’s board members, past and present, as well as external partners and volunteers who have supported LEAF’s efforts over the decades, Lamar CISD Superintendent Dr. Roosevelt Nivens emphasized the power of shared vision and purpose, commending all those who had helped make the foundation successful. 

“Lamar CISD is an elite school system,” Dr. Nivens said, “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 concluded his remarks with a reminder to hold onto the spirit of cooperation that had inspired LEAF’s work from the very beginning. 

  

“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!” 

  

A full list of the event’s sponsors can be found HERE. 

  

To view photos from the event, click HERE.  

 

View Video: https://youtu.be/85nd5Dz_TD4.