The Lansing Educational Foundation (LEF) welcomed students, staff, and community members to Lansing High School on Friday, May 1 for its 20th Annual Honors Breakfast. This event celebrates the people and programs that continue to make Lansing schools exceptional.
The annual breakfast brought together honorees from across USD 469, including high-achieving students, Teachers of the Year, Educational Support Professionals of the Year, and this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Jonnie Brice, Lansing Middle School Drama Sponsor.
LEF President Andrew Cameron opened the morning by reflecting on the impact of the event and the community behind it.
“The LEF Honors Breakfast is a celebration of what makes Lansing exceptional, students working hard, educators going the extra mile, and a community that shows up to support them.”
This year’s milestone event also highlighted the Foundation’s continued investment in classrooms across the district.
“This year alone, LEF invested $50,400 in grants across the district, helping bring innovative ideas to life in classrooms and creating meaningful opportunities for students.”
Over the past 20 years, LEF has contributed more than three quarters of a million dollars to Lansing schools, supporting innovative learning experiences and expanding opportunities for students.
Recognizing Excellence Across Lansing
A central part of the morning focused on honoring the individuals who make a difference in the lives of students every day. The 2026 honorees included:
Educational Support Professionals of the Year: Drew Allen and Holly Kane
Elementary Teacher of the Year: Sara Martin
Secondary Teacher of the Year: Dee Wiley
These awards recognize individuals who go above and beyond in their roles, demonstrating a deep commitment to student success.
Celebrating Student Achievement
The event also recognized outstanding students from across the district for their academic excellence. Students honored at the breakfast demonstrated exceptional performance through state assessment scores, sustained academic achievement, and high ACT scores.
“These accomplishments reflect not only talent and intelligence but also a strong work ethic, personal responsibility, and perseverance,” Superintendent Marty Kobza shared during the program.
State of the District
As part of the morning’s program, Superintendent Kobza delivered a State of the District address, highlighting continued progress across Lansing schools and reinforcing the district’s commitment to supporting every learner. His remarks provided attendees with a snapshot of the district’s momentum and the collective work happening to serve students and families.
Investing in Innovation
Another highlight of the event was the recognition of Educate the Pride Classroom Grant recipients. Through these grants, LEF supports innovative, student-centered learning experiences across all grade levels and buildings.
From classroom resources and field trips to large-scale projects like auditorium upgrades and new equipment, these grants continue to expand what’s possible for students in USD 469.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The morning concluded with the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Jonnie Brice, Lansing Middle School Drama Sponsor. Brice was recognized for her lasting impact on students, the arts, and the Lansing community through years of dedication and leadership.
A Community Celebration
From the National Anthem performed by a Lansing High School senior to a keynote address from Lansing alumnus Kyle Harriss, the event reflected the pride and connection that define the Lansing community.
As Cameron shared in his closing remarks, the success of the event and the continued success of Lansing schools relies on the people who show up to support it.
“Whether you are a teacher, student, parent, staff member, or donor, you are part of this story. Let’s keep doing great things together.”