“Our club believes very much in investing back in our kids and our community.”
Kilgore Rotarian Paige Brewer had the proud task of introducing the club’s 2025 Scholar Athlete Honorees Wednesday afternoon in front of a packed house in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
The group’s accolades for standout students athletes goes back to 1984.
“We wanted to do something to honor scholars, but we also wanted to keep athletics involved,” Rotary Club of Kilgore President Tom Sartor said. “That’s hard to do, to participate in sports and keep your grades up.
It takes a team: “We want to thank the parents, the coaches, the principals who all came to support these students.”
This year’s scholarship students include Kilgore High School‘s Maci McNew and Cade Cox alongside Sabine High School‘s Dakota Wick and Jonah Brenner.
The Rotarians also honored Kilgore College Women’s Basketball Coach Stephanie Williams. Finishing her third year at the school, Williams recently led her players to the “Sweet 16” NJCAA Division National Tournament – the first time since 1993.
“The very first person I give thanks and praise to is God,” Williams told the luncheon crowd April 23, encouraging the students in the audience, as well as the adults, to surrender their success to their creator. “People say, ‘What do you coach for?’ I coach to change lives… I call myself a ‘hope dealer.’
“As long as you work hard and give your best, God is going to bless the rest.”
The Rotarians recognized Williams as a Paul Harris Fellow, an honor previously bestowed on her predecessor and mentor at KC, Evelyn Blalock.
God’s hand is on every person in the room, Williams said, young and old, and each can lean on that.
“Whatever your goal is, keep on pursuing and do not let anybody stop you. I guarantee, God is going to continue to bless you. Whatever your profession, as long as you’re trying to please God,” she said, “it always ends up working out.
“Stay true to who you are. Stay true to your compass and why you’re there. Do let anybody stray you to the left or the right.”
Trust that God has a great design for your life, she insisted.
“Do not take that for granted. Live with a purpose,” Williams said. To the students, “Y’all are at a unique age. Y’all’s generation, anybody who’s focused on what they want to do will be successful,” putting distractions aside and pursing the opportunities God puts on the path. “Do not let self-doubt or negative talk get to you.
“We just made it to the Sweet 16. It hasn’t been done in 32 years. People still say I’m a bad coach,” Williams quipped. “You have to block that out and stay true to your compass. Keep one putting one step in front of the last. Y’all are gonna fail, but you know what else you’re gonna do? You’re going to succeed.”
