Pictured from left to right, Back row; Councilmember Nathan Gaskin, Councilmember Mark Mitchell, Mayor Jim Arrington, & Councilmember Quay Boddie. Front row; Mayor Pro Tem Tom Gore, KaLisa Lynch (LaGrange High School Graduate & LaGrange Youth Council Member), Lilly Lu Johnson (LaGrange Youth Council Member) Councilmember Darby Pippin, and Councilmember Leon Childs. Not pictured: Lillian Norton (Troup High School Graduate) & Tyeisha Mesha Middlebrooks (Callaway High School Graduate)
Four Troup County School Students were awarded the Willie T. Edmondson Memorial Scholarship Tuesday (5/27) evening at the LaGrange City Council meeting.
The late Willie T. Edmondson, former Mayor of LaGrange, sought to host an event that would bring the community together while also raising money for our young leaders. The Mayor’s Christmas Ball was initially held in December 2023, and proceeds from the event went to these scholarships. After Edmondson’s unexpected passing in February 2024, District 2 City Councilman, then Mayor Pro Tem, Quay Boddie hosted the Ride for Willie T. Edmondson, which also raised money for this scholarship fund.
When Mayor Jim Arrington was elected to office in May 2024, he wanted to honor his close friend and colleague and decided to continue hosting the Mayor’s Ball in 2024 and fund the Willie T. Edmondson Memorial scholarships.
Four students will receive a $2,000 scholarship once again. A student from Troup High School, LaGrange High School, and Callaway High School was chosen by their schools, and one student from the LaGrange Youth Council was chosen from a panel of city representatives.
The following students were awarded the 2025 Willie T. Edmondson Memorial Scholarship:
“Willie believed deeply in the importance of investing in our young leaders. I’m honored to continue this tradition in his memory,” said Mayor Jim Arrington. “These four remarkable students represent the best of our community, and we are proud to celebrate them to let them know their city is behind them. I’m grateful for all of the businesses and individuals who supported the Mayor’s Ball in December. This is what it’s all about – supporting our young people. I know Willie would be proud.”
