LAWRENCE COUNTY— Dedicated members of the Bedford, Fayetteville Community, and Mitchell Lions Clubs once again united their efforts this fall to ensure Lawrence County students received their required state vision screenings. For the 16th consecutive year, the local Lions Clubs volunteered their time and expertise, screening a total of 1,833 students across 18 Lawrence County Schools.
Burch, Gail Burger, and Jan Allen vision screening at the JC’s Christian School
The comprehensive effort was conducted over two weeks in October and one week in November. Trained teams, varying in size from 5 to 12 Lions, efficiently managed a rigorous schedule, visiting one school in the morning and another in the afternoon each day.
Working closely with school principals and nurses, the Lions helped complete the mandated 2025 school year vision screenings required by the State of Indiana.
A total of 32 different Lions from the three clubs volunteered for the initiative, all of whom completed a rigorous certification-training program before performing the screenings.
Students in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 8th grades underwent screenings for both distance and near visual acuity using specialized Optec optical testing machines.
Ruble, Newell Clifton, Lynn Burch, and Julia Terry vision screening at
Shawswick Elementary School
The schools involved in this year’s screening included: North Lawrence Elementary and Middle School, Mitchell Elementary and Junior High Schools, St Vincent de Paul School, Lawrence County Independent Schools, Springville Community Academy, Stone City Christian Academy, JC Christian Academy, and Orleans Elementary School.
The screenings identified a significant number of students who require further professional attention. Out of the 1,833 students screened, 342 students, or 18%, were referred for vision problems and advised to seek additional professional eye examinations.
The tireless volunteer work of the Lions Clubs continues to be a vital service to the Lawrence County school system, helping ensure that students’ visual health is maintained, which is critical for academic success.
