Lancaster Education Foundation

10/15/2026

School District of Lancaster McCaskey High School McCaskey Alumni Association

MAA Distinguished Alumni Dinner

10/03/2026

LEF is excited to be a part of this initiative!

09/29/2026

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗲… 𝗞𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘆!

Kevin’s career and community impact reflect excellence, dedication, and true McCaskey pride. He has built a reputation for hard work, leadership, and service...consistently showing up for others and making a difference through every role he’s taken on. Please join us in celebrating Kevin, a remarkable leader and an inspiring representative of McCaskey’s legacy.

𝗞𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘆 '𝟭𝟭, is a Capitol Hill Reporter for MS NOW, where he covers Congress and the 2026 elections.

Kevin has spent more than a decade as a journalist. His reporting has taken him across the globe, from Vatican City to Havana, Cuba. Day to day, you can usually find Kevin on Capitol Hill talking to lawmakers and updating MS NOW viewers on the inner workings of Congress.

Before joining MS NOW, Kevin served as Washington Correspondent for Spectrum News NY1, a local TV news station in New York City, where he closely covered New York’s congressional delegation. In addition to being nominated for a number of Emmy awards during his time with NY1, his three-part profile of Sen. Chuck Schumer won a New York Press Club award.

Kevin got his start in journalism as a political reporter for WAFB-TV, the local CBS affiliate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is a summa cm laude graduate of The George Washington University.

Outside of journalism, Kevin also sings in the all-pro choir at St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.

During his four years at McCaskey High School, Kevin was a proud member of the Honors/IB program. He was also a mainstay of the school’s music department, participating in the vocal ensemble, orchestra, band, and annual spring musical.

09/22/2026

We’re proud to introduce 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝘂𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗽𝗵 ‘𝟬𝟯, a dedicated public servant whose career embodies courage, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the Lancaster community.

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝘂𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗽𝗵 ‘𝟬𝟯 began his career in public service in 2007 when he joined the Lancaster City Bureau of Fire after graduating from the HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College's John J. Shumaker Public Safety Center Fire Academy.

Throughout his career, Captain Rudolph has earned numerous professional certifications, including Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B), Hazardous Materials Technician, NFPA 1006 Technical Rescue, and multiple Incident Command System (ICS) certifications.

His dedication to leadership led to his promotion to Lieutenant in 2019. He further demonstrated his commitment to leadership by graduating from Leadership Lancaster as a member of the Class of 2020. In 2023, he made history as the first African American firefighter in the 144-year history of the Lancaster City Bureau of Fireto be promoted to the rank of Captain.

Some notable career achievements include receiving the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award in 2008. He was also honored with the National Medal of Honor for Courage twice, in 2010 and 2023. In 2021, he was named the Lancaster City Bureau of Fire Officer of the Year, and in October 2025, he was recognized as Lancaster City's Employee of the Month.

Beyond the fire service, Captain Rudolph has served as a Lancaster-Lebanon PIAA basketball official for more than 17 years. His dedication and professionalism earned him assignments to officiate the Lancaster-Lebanon League Championship in 2020 and the PIAA District 3 Class 6A Championship in 2025.

Samar's passions include his volunteer work as a youth sports coach and raising his two children, Anaija and Jordan.

09/21/2026

LEF is proud to provide funding for Venture Grants to teachers in the School District of Lancaster for innovative and creative educational ideas for the benefit of students.

Teachers can apply at https://lancastereducation.com/programs/venture-grants/ Our next funding cycle ends October 13th.

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that on October 22, 2026, our entire 2nd-grade class is heading out for an unforgettable field trip to Corn Cob Acres! 🌽🎃

None of this would be possible without the unbelievable generosity of the Lancaster Education Foundation. Thanks to their recent grant, not only is every single student’s admission fully covered, but the funding also pays for one adult per child to join the adventure! 👩‍👧‍👦✨

Field trips like this are so much more than just a day out of the classroom. They provide vital experiential learning, build social skills, and now, thanks to this foundation, they foster family engagement without any financial barrier. Our teachers are beyond excited to see the kids exploring, learning, and making lifelong memories with their loved ones.

A massive THANK YOU to the Lancaster Education Foundation for believing in our students and investing in our school community. We can’t wait to share photos of our fall fun! 📸❤️

09/18/2026

Thanks to Groff's Funeral & Cremation Services for sponsoring the Distinguished Alumni Banquet.

https://mccaskeyalumni.org/programs/distinguished-alumni/

09/17/2026

Many thanks to our sponsor, Kegel's Produce!

https://mccaskeyalumni.org/programs/distinguished-alumni/

09/15/2026

Our Distinguished Alumni recipient reminds us that success is not defined by ease, but by perseverance. Kyle’s story is one of overcoming obstacles, embracing support, and proving that determination can shape a remarkable life.

From his early years at the S. June Smith Center to his time in McCaskey wrestling program and marching band, Kyle has shown what it means to work hard, stay committed, and uplift those around him.

We proudly recognize 𝗞𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗰𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀, whose journey reflects the true spirit of McCaskey.

Our next Distinguished Alumni recipient reminds us that success is not defined by ease, but by perseverance. Kyle’s story is one of overcoming obstacles, embracing support, and proving that determination can shape a remarkable life. From his early years at the S. June Smith Center to his time in McCaskey’s wrestling program and marching band, Kyle has shown what it means to work hard, stay committed, and uplift those around him. Tonight, we proudly recognize 𝗞𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗰𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀, whose journey reflects the true spirit of McCaskey.

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁

𝗞𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗰𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀’𝟬𝟱
I was born in Lancaster General Hospital on September 16, 1985, and became the son of Charles S. and Darlene K. (Bracken) McWilliams. Life was not very easy for me as a child born with Down’s Syndrome.

There were many obstacles to overcome at an early age just to be able to survive. Thanks to the S. June Smith Center, I started a regimen of physical therapy at the age of three months old to learn how to do many tasks that most babies could accomplish on their own.

My mom was an elementary school teacher and was a great trainer to me as I was in my early childhood. By the time I was six years old I was able to attend kindergarten at Wickersham Elementary School, then Lincoln Middle School, followed by McCaskey East, then was a 2005 graduate of JP McCaskey High School. While in school I participated in the wrestling program for six years under Coach Mitchell and played in the percussion pit of McCaskey High School marching band.

My sisters, Melanie and Sharyn, preceded me through my schooling and were of great help in paving the way for their little brother to make a successful completion of each grade until graduation. For the past 22 years I have been employed full-time by the local Home Depot in the paint department. I wish to give my fellow employees and management a big thank you for their consistent encouragement over those years and looking forward to the years ahead with the company.

Thank you to the McCaskey Alumni Association for recognizing me as a Distinguished McCaskey Alumni.

09/14/2026

A social worker, university administrator, fire captain, longtime Home Depot employee and Capitol Hill reporter make up the McCaskey Alumni Association's 2026 class of Distinguished Alumni.

Join us in congratulating:
Lakeesha M. Bair-Myers ’91
Dr. Christina Pantoja Williams ’99
Captain Samar Rudolph ’03
Kyle Charles McWilliams ’05
Kevin Frey ’11

They will be honored during the association’s 30th Annual Distinguished McCaskey Alumni's Awards Banquet on Thursday, Oct. 15.

The banquet will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Imperial Event Center. Read the full announcement in the comments.

Congratulations Tornado!

08/31/2026