RCS Education Foundation

05/13/2026

RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville City Schools Education Foundation honored Dr. Natalie Bendall, Les Bradford and Richard Parker during its recent annual scholarship banquet. Bendall received the 2026 Dan C. Hindman Star Polisher Award, which honors educators who demonstrate integrity, character and...

04/30/2026

What a special evening celebrating the impact of the RCS Education Foundation at the 2026 Scholarship Banquet.

Thank you to everyone who made this night possible. Our Board of Directors, led by Elliott Gordon, Mandy Barksdale, Nina McNatt, and Missy Hargett, along with Dr. Tim Guinn and board members Howard Hillman, Maleia Gist Alexander, Jacob Davis, Chris James, Rex Mayfield, Alana Parker, Richard Parker, Joey Rushing, Jamie Sumerel, Kyle Taylor, Channing Wright, and Dr. Natalie Bendall, continue to make a lasting difference for our students.

We are grateful to our honoree, Les Bradford, for his inspiring story and the example he sets for our students and community.

Congratulations to our 2026 scholarship recipients:

RCS Education Foundation Scholarship
Raney Susanne Stone
Darlene Campos Juarez
Allison Scarlett Valladares Rojas
Dayaimi Valdez
Yaretzi A Alvarez
Marina Moreno
Oscar Cruz
Parker Odom
Cami Beth Carson
Ellie Elizabeth Willis
Connor Weston McFall
Rosa Castro Mendoza

Sloan Hellums Scholarship
Emmy Elizabeth Green

Lanny Norris Scholarship
Malaki Lashawn Walker Groce

Wayne Collum Memorial Scholarship
Audrey Caroline Oliver

Wells/Samuel Scholarship
Lisa Jose Matias
Stacy Hernandez-Flores

Dr. Wayne Ray Memorial Scholarship
Lily Cate Pace

Dr. Faye Wilson Next Step Memorial Scholarship
Cristal Lopez

A special congratulations to Dr. Natalie Bendall, recipient of the Dan C. Hindman Star Polisher Award, and to Richard Parker, who was awarded a Golden Tiger Core Values Challenge Coin. Both are so deserving of these recognitions and the impact they make on students and our community.

Thank you to our generous sponsors, donors, and auction supporters, as well as CB&S Bank, G&G Steel, Rogers, Bowling & McReynolds, PC, and so many others who give faithfully to support student opportunities.

A special thank you to the RHS Marching Hundred Tigerettes for serving and representing Russellville City Schools so well, and to Hilltop Restaurant, Byron Cheek, and the A.W. Todd Centre and Russellville Park and Recreation employees for helping make the evening a success.

04/29/2026

🎓 FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY 🎓

Are you a current college student and a Franklin County, Alabama resident?

You may qualify for the Franklin County To***co Tax Scholarship!

📚 Eligibility Requirements:
✔️ Must be Franklin County resident for the past 2 consecutive years
✔️ Must attend a college within Alabama
✔️ Must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester
✔️ Must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA

📝 Application Requirements:
Submit your application along with:
• Proof of enrollment, coursework and GPA (non-official transcript accepted)

📅 Deadline:
June 30 at 5:00 PM (No exceptions!)

📬 Submit Applications To:
Franklin County Commission
P.O. Box 1028
405 Jackson Ave N
Russellville, AL 35653

📧 Or email: [email protected]

👉 Download the application here: https://franklincountyal.org/franklin-county-tobacco-tax-scholarship/

💰 Scholarship funds are awarded annually based on available funding and number of applicants.

04/06/2026

02/24/2026

🎓 SENIORS – Scholarship Opportunity! 🎓

The Dr. Faye Wilson Next Step Memorial Scholarship is now open for 2026 applications through the RCS Education Foundation!

This meaningful scholarship honors Dr. Wilson’s legacy and supports Russellville High School seniors as they take their next steps after graduation — whether that’s a two- or four-year college program, trade school, certification program, or apprenticeship

💰 Award Amounts: $500–$2,000
📅 Deadline: March 27, 2026
📍 Submit to: RHS Counseling Office

We especially encourage students pursuing vocational or skilled trades pathways — including HVAC, welding, electrical, construction, and other technical programs — to apply! This scholarship is designed to support a wide range of postsecondary goals, and we would love to see strong representation from our CTE students.

To apply, you’ll complete essay questions and submit:
✔️ Two signed letters of recommendation
✔️ A transcript

If you’re planning your next step after high school, this is a great opportunity to help fund your future!

See the linked application for full details, and contact the counseling office if you have questions.

Don’t miss this opportunity — apply by March 27!

04/17/2025

Thank youJared Davis J. Davis Photography!!!

Photo collection by J.Davis Photography

04/15/2025

04/15/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Monica Moon — 2025 Dan C. Hindman Star Polisher Award Winner

We are incredibly proud to announce that Dr. Monica Moon, Principal of Russellville Middle School, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Dan C. Hindman Star Polisher Award.

About the Award
Created in honor of the late Dan C. Hindman, a beloved former RCS principal, the Star Polisher Award was established to recognize educators whose unwavering dedication helps students shine. Inspired by the metaphor of taking students—no matter their starting point—and polishing them into brilliant lights for the world to see, this award is the highest recognition of integrity, character, and educational excellence in Russellville City Schools.

Star Polishers are exemplary educators who lead with honesty, trust, and respect. They are selfless, compassionate, and committed to the betterment of our community. They not only see the needs of children—they meet those needs, often quietly and without expecting anything in return.

Dr. Monica Moon embodies everything this award stands for. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a tireless commitment to student success—meeting social, emotional, academic, and even financial needs with compassion and care. Her leadership style is rooted in integrity and service. She leads by example, uplifts others, and fosters a school culture where students and teachers feel supported, empowered, and inspired.

Dr. Moon is known for building strong, positive relationships with students, encouraging them to grow not just academically, but personally. She teaches and models values like responsibility, respect, and integrity, and her influence is felt throughout every corner of Russellville Middle School.

Students admire her. Staff trust her. And our entire community is stronger because of her.

Previous Dan C. Hindman Star Polisher Award Recipients:

2017: Mrs. Monica Balding
2018: Lt. Col. Norman Lier
2019: Mrs. Stephanie Mayfield
2020: Mrs. Paula Pounders
2021: Mrs. Beth Forsythe
2022: Mrs. Kellie Sturdivant
2023: Ms. Cindy Coan
2024: Mr. Kyle Taylor

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Monica Moon on this well-deserved honor and thanking her for the extraordinary impact she continues to make in the lives of Russellville City Schools students.

04/15/2025

Thank You for Making the 2025 RCS Education Foundation Scholarship Banquet a Success!!!

The RCS Education Foundation extends our deepest gratitude to everyone who played a role in making our recent event truly unforgettable.

To our incredible Auction Donors – thank you for your generous contributions that added excitement and purpose to the evening.

To our devoted Education Foundation Directors – your leadership, vision, and tireless commitment are the heart of everything we do.

To our amazing Scholarship and Table Sponsors – your support opens doors of opportunity for students across our district.

To all our Education Foundation Donors – every gift you give is an investment in our students' future.

To our Honorees - your investment into Russellville City Schools hasn't gone unnoticed

To our Scholarship Recipients - Your accomplishments have already made your school, your family, and your community proud. We can’t wait to see what lies ahead for you. Keep striving for excellence, and know that your RCS family is cheering you on every step of the way.

A special thank you to:

Jared Davis Photography for capturing memories we’ll treasure forever

RHS Cheerleaders for bringing energy and great service

Hilltop Restaurant & Byron Cheek for the delicious meal that brought everyone together

A.W. Todd Centre and Russellville Park & Rec Employees for the beautiful venue

Richard Parker for your dedication and role in helping bring the evening to life with your wit and auctioneering skills.

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not." – Dr. Seuss

THANK YOU FOR CARING A WHOLE AWFUL LOT!