Clays for Classrooms: A Powerful First Year Impact

The Lamar Educational Awards Foundation, in partnership with PBK Architects and Hunton Group, proudly hosted the first annual Clays for Classrooms fundraiser and it was nothing short of exceptional.

From start to finish, the day reflected the strength of community, the spirit of collaboration, and a shared commitment to supporting students and educators across Lamar CISD. 

A Strong Start with Meaningful Impact

Held at American Shooting Centers, this inaugural event brought together an incredible group of players, sponsors, and supporters. With high energy on the course and a clear purpose behind every shot, Clays for Classrooms successfully combined friendly competition with meaningful impact.

Thanks to the generosity and participation of our community, the event generated $138,915 through raffle, sponsorship, and competition sales, a powerful investment in innovative programs, enriched classroom experiences, and expanded opportunities for both students and educators.

Competition, Camaraderie, and Celebration

The day was filled with excitement, sportsmanship, and standout performances. We are proud to recognize our top teams:

1st Place: Traylor Mechanical with 317 points

Shane Rowe, Kyle Kentor, Jason Traylor, Zach Harrison

2nd Place: Deanco with 301 points

Joel Littlefield, Michael Schmitt, Josh Williamson, Greg Funderburk

3rd Place: Drymalla with 207 points

Will Matthews, Logan Stoelke, Seth Smith, Brandon Blount

Top Shooters

• 1st Place Top Shooter: Michael Schmitt, Deanco with 83 % accuracy

• 2nd Place Top Shooter: Kyle Kentor, Traylor Mechanical with 81 % accuracy

• 3rd Place Top Shooters: Zach Harrison, Traylor Mechanical and Todd Dillingham, Dilly Campus Supply with 80 percent accuracy

  
  

These individuals and teams brought an elevated level of skill and enthusiasm that made the competition even more memorable.

Community Generosity on Full Display

In addition to the competition, our raffle was a major highlight of the day. Thanks to generous prize donations and enthusiastic participation, we raised nearly $10,000 in raffle sales alone.

Every ticket purchased and every item donated contributed directly to the success of this event and the impact it will have in our schools.

Gratitude to Our Partners and Participants

To our players, thank you for bringing energy, enthusiasm, and a spirit of friendly competition.

To our sponsors, your investment and belief in this mission made it possible to create a high quality, first class event.

And to our partners, PBK Architects and Hunton Group, your collaboration and leadership were instrumental in bringing this vision to life.

Looking Ahead

Clays for Classrooms is more than a one day event. It is the start of a lasting tradition. We are already planning for next year, with exciting enhancements and new features to make the experience even better.

Sporting clays are a popular and effective way to support education foundations because they combine fundraising, community engagement, and corporate participation and that appeals to a wide audience.  It was very nice to see all of the contractors, sub contractors, engineers, architects, community members, and of course the LEAF board and Lamar CISD come together for an exciting time such as raising money for scholarships and grants.  This was just the first of many Clays for Classrooms tournaments that we will have and I am already excited for next year. - Lorin Pargoud, Vice President

Be sure to follow Lamar Educational Awards Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to view event photos and relive highlights from the day.

Because of your support, we are able to continue investing in classrooms, empowering educators, and creating opportunities for students to thrive.

We look forward to seeing you again next year.

Community members who wish to support LEAF’s mission can make a tax-deductible donation or become a Friend of the Foundation by sending an email to our office at LEAF@LCISD.org. 

To view the web story on the district website, click HERE.