BEDFORD – About 220 people attended the 2026 Bedford Lions Club annual Youth Appreciation Program at the First Baptist Church Christian Life Center. The honored youths ranging in age from middle school to high school were introduced by a representative from the organization, from which they had been nominated, and cited for each of their individual accomplishments such as having high moral character, unselfishness, being aware of the feelings and needs of others, being the first to volunteer, being a good leader, serving as role models for other youth, and being a good solid citizen of whom our community can be proud of now and in the future. The nominating organizations were schools, youth groups, churches, and clubs. Their families were also introduced and applauded for their efforts in raising these outstanding kids.
For the past 31 years, the Bedford Lions Club has conducted this outstanding community project honoring 771 local youths, praising the kids for their many accomplishments, thanking the families for supporting such great children, and challenging the kids to set high goals, always do their best, and continue to help others throughout their entire lives. The Youth Appreciation Project is a great way for the Lions to highlight the fine work done by the youth of our community, and is greatly needed since these dedicated kids rarely get any publicity for the outstanding deeds they do in our community. Each youth was presented with a very nice certificate stating they are “An Outstanding Youth Who Has Unselfishly Given Time and Talent for the Betterment of Our Community,” along with complimentary Pancake Festival tickets by Lion Sam Fields, President of the Bedford Lions Club.
Each recipient is also now eligible to apply for the recently established “Lion Bill Morris Memorial Youth Appreciation Award Scholarship” awarded through the BNL Scholarship Foundation. Lion Morris was in charge of the Youth Appreciation Program for 50 years, first in the Optimist Club and then in the Lions Club, until his death in 2020, when the Lions started contributing to this scholarship fund in his honor.
The following youths were honored: Kason Gulley, Michah Carter, Morgan Conover, and Noah Strauser from Between the Crowd, presented by Nick Mullis; Isabelle Barker and Emmalynn Harris from Lawrence County 4H, presented by Lesley Lodmell; Presley Beeson and Jenna Mullis from North Lawrence Middle
School Soccer presented by Jeff Quyle, Emma Endris, Tate McFarland, Eli McFarland, and Beau Allender from Mundell Christian Church presented by Coen McFarland, Aubrey Lynn and Rylan West from Bedford Middle School presented by Aspen Cottew and Cynthia Terrell, Dean Hillenburg, Isabella Wooster, Sami Strunk, Piper Humphrey, Peyton Martin, Olivia Spoonmore, Logan Hawkins, Silas Walls, Calvin Trezone, and Meleaha Lane from Springville Community Academy presented by Jayme Davis, Audrey Bunch and Sarah Holbrook from First Christian Church presented by Will Brown, Jayella Filler from First Baptist Church presented by Clair Roub, Kyson Huffman from Boy Scout Troop 332 presented by Anita Moore, Abigail Starks and Charles Barr from Scouting America Troop 333 presented by Sarah Freese and Charles sister, Jayvan Brock and Embry Schultz from Lawrence County Independent Schools presented by Greg Baugh, Emma Schuckman and Jack Banks from St Vincent de Paul School presented by Holly Thatcher, Addison Morris from the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County presented by Kristiane Baumgart, Asher Arce, and Delanie Davis from Free Methodist Church presented by Barb Morris, Riley Olson, Aaliyah Tincher, Macy Bush and Reagan Johnson from Cornerstone Worship Center presented by Matt Olson.
To finish off this great evening, the guest speaker, Pastor Jason Filler from the First Baptist Church, praised the parents and grandparents for raising these great kids and thanked the youth for all they do to help others. He also thanked the members of the Bedford Lions Club for conducting this fine program for the community. He then challenged all the kids to continue helping others for the rest of their lives.Photos were taken during each presentation, and a group photo was taken at the end. The program was concluded with a big group” Thank You” led by the Lions Program chair, Lion Barb Morris (Lion Bill Morris’s daughter) followed by her inviting everyone in attendance to enjoy some of the many tasty desserts served by the Lions. The Lions Club motto is “We Serve.”
