Jami Payne Southard Memorial Endowment

We are proud to announce the creation of the **Jami Payne Southard Memorial Scholarship Endowment**, established to honor the memory of Jami Payne Southard, a passionate supporter of Lake Dallas High School Highsteppers and a cherished member of the Lake Dallas community. This endowment will provide an annual scholarship to a deserving member of the Lake Dallas High School Highsteppers drill team, celebrating Jami's enduring legacy and love for dance, leadership, and education.
**About Jami Payne Southard**
Jami was a proud Lake Dallas alumna and former Highstepper who embodied grace, determination, and school spirit. She believed in the transformative power of teamwork, discipline, and artistic expression. Through her involvement with the Highsteppers, she inspired others to strive for excellence both on and off the stage.
Jami’s contributions extended far beyond her time in high school. Her life left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her, and her memory continues to inspire the Lake Dallas community.
**Scholarship Purpose and Goals**
The Jami Payne Southard Memorial Scholarship is designed to:
**Encourage Excellence:** Recognize a Highstepper who demonstrates exceptional talent, leadership, and dedication.
**Support Education:** Provide financial assistance to help the recipient pursue higher education and achieve their goals.
**Celebrate Legacy:** Honor Jami’s life and her commitment to empowering young women through dance and academics.
**Eligibility Criteria**
The scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior who is an active member of the Lake Dallas High School Highsteppers. Candidates will be evaluated based on their leadership qualities, community involvement, academic achievements, and passion for the arts.
**How to Support the Scholarship**
We invite the community to join us in celebrating Jami’s legacy by contributing to the endowment. Your generous donations will ensure the scholarship continues to make a meaningful impact for years to come.
Donations can be made here.
**Keeping Jami's Spirit Alive**
Jami was a beacon of positivity and strength. Through this scholarship, her spirit will live on, encouraging young women to reach for their dreams and leave a legacy of their own.
Thank you for helping us honor Jami’s memory and support the next generation of leaders, dancers, and dreamers at Lake Dallas High School.

Amy Koch Future Educator Memorial Scholarship Endowment

Friends and colleagues have established the Amy Koch Future Educator Memorial Endowment to honor the memory of Shady Shores Elementary School special education teacher Amy Koch. Amy passed away July 12, 2022 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Her career in education spanned 25 years with 16 of those in Lake Dallas ISD, all of which were at Shady Shores Elementary in the ALE classroom.

“Amy loved with her whole heart and saw potential in everyone she met. By establishing the Amy Koch Future Educator Memorial Endowed Scholarship we are honoring her legacy of spreading love and passion to our Lake Dallas students,” said Shady Shores Elementary counselor, Debbie Gladen.

The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Lake Dallas High School senior who plans to major in Education and specialize in Special Education.

Shady Shores Elementary principal, Jennifer Bryant, said of Amy:

She loved supporting students who struggled behaviorally, or socially and emotionally. Amy believed that every student can be successful as long as they believe that they can be. She instilled those values and a love of learning in her students year after year. She also continuously loved on staff, supporting them with words of encouragement, and praying with them in times of happiness and sorrow.

Amy made a lasting impact on not only her students, but also for the staff and families that had the opportunity and honor to work with her. We want her legacy to live on in future educators making a difference in the lives of students !

LDISD staff can make donations to the endowment through payroll contributions here, or staff and friends of Amy can make one time gifts here