The Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (LEAF) once again this year enjoyed blue skies and good weather on Thursday, Nov. 13, when the organization hosted its ninth annual “Golf Fore Greatness” tournament at Black Hawk Country Club in Richmond, raising money for teacher grants and student scholarships. 

Tournament slots sold out again this year, and sponsoring organizations came out in force to enjoy the day and show their support for Lamar CISD students, staff, and schools. After a brief welcoming ceremony, golfers took to the links during the morning hours, coming back together for a lunchtime reception, a raffle, and a live auction, with all proceeds benefiting the foundation. In all, this year’s golf tournament brought in more than $180,000. 

LEAF Executive Director Kameela Lewis explained how the annual tournament not only raises funds that support innovative teaching and learning in Lamar CISD schools and classrooms, but also strengthens essential partnerships between the district and area business and community leaders during a time of continued rapid enrollment growth and expansion across Lamar CISD. 

“Our community continues to show up for our students in remarkable ways,” Lewis said. “As Lamar CISD grows, so does the need for strong partnerships that help us meet the moment. The investments made through this tournament will have a lasting impact in classrooms across the district, and we truly appreciate every organization and individual who helped make today a success.” 

The Fulshear High School Drumline and cheerleaders from high schools across the district helped kick off the morning, along with Lamar CISD student golfers, who offered mini clinics and pointers on the putting green ahead of the main event. Also on hand to help welcome participants was Superintendent Dr. Roosevelt Nivens, who thanked golfers and other guests for their support of the district. 

“Each year, we gather for our LEAF golf tournament, and each year, I’m amazed at the generous support of our donors and district partners, many of whom have been with us through much of the growth in Lamar CISD in recent years,” Dr. Nivens said. “Their partnership has been a vital part of the district’s continued success, and with the passage of our 2025 bond propositions, the work continues. I’m also grateful to the members of our LEAF Board of Directors, who pour so much of themselves into the event every year.” 



As a child of parents who were both educators, LEAF Board Member Lorin Pargoud said he was all too familiar with the challenges teachers sometimes face in funding innovative projects, purchasing classroom supplies, or

providing resources to fuel students’ excitement for learning, making his work with the foundation – which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary and more than $6 million in grants awarded – especially meaningful. 

“I'm a product of two educators, and I have a daughter that's an educator, so I hear the struggle that they have,” Pargoud said. “Being able to help raise money to be able to provide those grants for teachers is exciting for me.” 

Among the approximately 50 event sponsors was Rice & Gardner, an engineering and construction support services firm, which served as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2025 tournament. President Jim Rice has participated in the tournament since its inception, and emphasized the importance of strong public schools and community support for public education in helping to prepare all students for success in life. 

“We had a really great crowd, very energetic,” Rice said, “and they showed their support of public education by participating in this tournament – and by participating in the live auction and the silent auction – and that's really what we need, is public support of public education.” 

“It's something we do for the future,” he added. 

A special thanks to the 2025 LEAF Golf Fore Greatness sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor Rice & Gardner and After-Party Sponsor Stantec. A full list of this year’s sponsors can be found HERE. 

Congratulations also go to the top three participating teams: Colliers, which took first place in the tournament; ImageNet, which took second place; and Envirotech Mechanical Systems LLC, in third place overall. 

To view pictures from the golf tournament, please click HERE.