John Patrick “Jack” Stewart was a 2013 graduate of Lake Highlands High School and Salutatorian of his class. Jack was a member of the LH Wildcat Band as were his parents, Ann and Patrick, who were 1973 graduates of Lake Highlands. Jack met an untimely death in July 2014 after having finished his first year as a Music Education major at Baylor University. Ann and Patrick have chosen to honor the family’s long time association with the LHHS Band program, and Jack’s legacy, with this memorial scholarship fund.
The initial and primary beneficiary of the fund will be a member of the current graduating class who has been a continual member of the LH Band program and who is continuing their education at a four-year university. The recipient will be chosen each year by the scholarship selection committee of the Lake Highlands Area Band Club (LHABC). The amount of the award shall be at minimum equal to the amount of the other scholarships that LHABC awards each year.
In addition to Jack’s scholastic success at LH, he also excelled as a musician. A four-year member of the LH Wind Ensemble, Jack was named principal player as a freshman. Earning a position in the top all-region bands all four years, Jack was named first chair for three years. And Jack earned membership to the Texas All-State Bands for three years. Jack was a member of two honors groups, the Lone Star Youth Winds and the GDYO Philharmonic, winning each group’s concerto competition. Jack was also very successful in the LHHS concerto competition, winning his category all four years.
As successful as Jack was in the classroom and in the band hall, what his parents hold the most pride in are the words written about him after his death by his LH classmates. What is most evident in those messages is that Jack was always available to his classmates and bandmates for help with classwork, music, advice and friendship. A leader with a servant attitude. It is with that continued pride that this endowment fund has been established to help future LHHS graduates in their higher educational plans.