LHS Foundation Scholarship Program
2010 - 2011 Scholar Recipient
Lakeside Foundation Alumni Scholarship ~
Erica Lesia Byas-Smith
To say Erica has been an active student while at Lakeside would be an understatement.
A member of the SGA all four years, she was class president for three years and completed her tenure as Co-President of the
Executive Student Body her senior year. She was an active member of the National Honor Society (2009-2011,
Vice President-2011), Lakeside Legend (Editor-2011, Asst Editor-2010, News Staff Writer-2009), National Latin Honor
Society (2008-2011), Latin Club (2007-2010, President-2010), Beta Club (2008-2010), Media and Technology Committee
(Student Delegate-2011), Dekalb County Student Advisory Board (Lakeside Representative-2011).
Erica has also been active in athletics at Lakeside as a member of the
Girls Track and Field Team (2008-2010, Team Captain-2010, Viking Award-2010), Varsity Softball (2008-2009). And while
focused on her academics and athletics at Lakeside, she also continued with her interest in piano. She participated in
the Cobb County Music Teachers Association Piano Spring Auditions, receiving the Award of Excellence-2008 & 2011,
Outstanding Performer-2008 & 2010, Honorable Mention-2009. Erica was crowned Miss Lakeside-2011, winning the
Achievement Award, Talent Award (tied) and Interview Award (tied). She also was Homecoming Queen, Outstanding Senior,
Senior Prom Court. Her proudest moment was being named Best All-Around Senior Superlative, "to be recognized by my
classmates in this way means the world to me".
Throughout high school Erica has been involved in many community service
projects, Samaritan's Purse (2007-2011), Red Cross Blood Drive (2008-2011), LHS Math Tutor (2009-2011), "The Day Laborer's
Project" (2008-2011), Youth Hope Builders Academy, Middle School Mentor (2009-2010), Sagamore Hills Elementary,
CRCT Tutor (2010). In response to the essay question, "If you were able to devote one year of service to a volunteer
project, what would it be, and what would you hope to accomplish?", Erica expressed her desire to work in a community
to "promote education and a healthy learning environment". She stated, ".I do not want to graduate from college without
knowing that because of my actions, someone's world is a better one. And what better time to take action than during
my upcoming years at Harvard."
Even during the summer months Erica continued to find ways to expand her
educational opportunities by participating in enrichment programs at CNN 21st Century Leaders: Leadership Unplugged (2010),
High School Summer Challenge, University of Chicago (2009), Summer Challenge, Boston University (2008), Literature
Magazine Editor, The Wren's Nest Publishing Company (2008), Program for Talent Youth, Vanderbilt University (2007),
Summer Institute for the Gifted, Emory University (2006), People to People Youth Ambassadors, France & England (2005).
Erica wrote in her essay how her family always stressed the importance
of education, how they believed in putting school and learning above other priorities. Erica obviously took this family
value and ran with it, not only making her course work a priority (maintaining a 4.235 GPA), but also used it in every
aspect of her life.
The Lakeside Foundation is extremely proud to present Erica with $1,000
to go towards her expenses at Harvard University. We look forward to hearing about her future successes and
accomplishments.
2009-2010 Scholarship Recipients
Community Service/Academic Scholarship: Naomi Nicole Robert
The Arts Scholarship: Elyse Hind Mahfoud
The Viking Athletic Scholarship: David Dixon
2008-2009 Scholarship Recipients
Community Service/Academic Scholarship ~ Michael Hatcher Chaney
The Arts Scholarship ~ Khari R. Joyner
The Viking Athletic Scholarship ~ Eleanor Anna Sharp
2007-2008 Scholarship Recipients
Academic/Community Service Scholarship ~ Mohammed Imran Ali
