Lamar High School Principal Lesley Maroney got a big surprise when she walked into a classroom earlier this week. Representatives from the Big 12 Conference and the College Football Playoff Foundation were waiting for her inside with a big $12,000 check for the school.
The look of excitement on Maroney’s face was priceless.
“We want to be more than a diploma high school,” Maroney said after recovering from the shock. “This will help us make sure our Vikings have a plan for when they leave here, and that’s what it’s all about.”
With the Big 12 Championship football game here in Arlington tomorrow, the Big 12 and the College Football Playoff Foundation have to come to town to do more than just play football. The organizations partnered this year to expand opportunities for students and teachers In Arlington ISD through funding and hands-on engagement.
At Lamar High School, the Big 12 selected the campus for a donation aimed at enriching student experiences. Maroney said the funding will be used to support college field trips, giving students exposure to higher education opportunities.
Later, the Big 12 visited Peach Elementary to support and encourage students in the Boys & Girls Clubs after-school programming. The school also received a $1,000 donation to strengthen its resources.
Students had the chance to connect directly with college athletes. About 20 Big 12 student-athletes visited Peach, including Baylor University softball player Georgia Lindsey. Lindsey said she was moved by the excitement of the children.
“It’s such an honor to be here,” Lindsey said. “Whenever I showed up and just saw how excited all the kids were, it made me a little bit emotional. If I could give them advice, I would say don’t be afraid to be yourself. There’s no one like you in the whole entire world, so don’t be afraid to be yourself and love the things that you love.”
Peach Assistant Principal Brittany Hudson appreciated the athletes’ visit because she knows that athletics are a powerful motivator for her students.
“So many of our students aspire to be athletes. That’s one of the first things you hear when you talk to our kids,” Hudson said. “It is a huge motivating factor – where they really want to buckle down and stay focused.”
Through these donations and personal connections, Arlington ISD students are gaining access to experiences and resources that help them build brighter futures. From college field trips to sports clubs and mentorship from athletes, the Big 12’s support is ensuring that opportunities extend well beyond the classroom.