“It's our signature fundraising event, and we hope to raise about $300,000 Saturday,” says Randy Lewallyn, executive director of the Mesquite ISD Education Foundation. “We use those funds to fund classroom grants for teacher ideas that fall outside of the normal state budget.”
Lawrence, a smooth baritone-voiced honky-tonk singer, was signed to Atlantic Records in 1991 at 23 and has remained in the hearts of country fans ever since. He’s had eight Billboard No. 1 hits, including “Time Marches On” and “Texas Tornado,” and there’s a good chance to hear most of them this Saturday.
The education foundation was initiated 20 years ago to generate funding for innovative programs and initiatives that enrich educational opportunities in Mesquite ISD. It also holds a 5k fundraiser in the fall, but the annual gala and concert is its biggest yearly event. Past performances include big names from the country world such as Scotty McCreary and Diamond Rio and groups Lifehouse and KC & The Sunshine Band.
“We also do a fundraising campaign through employees of the school district, and employees of the district give close to $120,000 annually to the foundation just through their generous support,” Lewallyn says. “We started in 2004 and have funded close to $5 million in grants that fall outside of the state budget. We're committed to helping our great teachers.”
For those concerned about where the money is going, fret not; one of this year’s selected grants will be showcased at the gala and a full list of grants awarded in the past can be found on the foundation’s website.
For Granted
“This year we're highlighting one at Tosch Elementary called When Students Lead,” Lewallyn says. “It was a $15,000 grant that we funded for the school year we're in now, the '24-'25 school year. Basically, students are put into campus groups, and they're given projects to help lead the campus and take control of day-to-day things on the campus.”The students are assigned to crews and given meaningful tasks like leading the morning announcements or making small desk repairs across the school. A video from the Tosch Elementary Facebook page shows off the “Energizer” crew, a group that welcomes students into the school every morning with smiles and high-fives.
“We also funded a program called The Amazing Shake, which is a competition that teaches kids how to use soft skills like eye contact, how to shake hands and how to have a conversation," Lewallyn says. "That program has grown to more than 200 students participating. This year we've funded probably about 50 programs totaling right about $300,000.”
Some of the most recent grants created robotics programs at Vanston Middle School and Range Elementary; programs to reinforce positive behavior at Agnew and Kimbrough Middle School; and several clubs on campuses across the city.
The opportunity to support a great cause while getting something back doesn’t come around too often these days, so seeing a classic country singer while directly supporting local education seems like a deal too sweet to pass on for country fans.
Tracy Lawrence performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at Mesquite arena, 1818 Rodeo Drive, Mesquite. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit mesquitefoundation.org.
