Four elected officials will participate in fundraiser for Birdville Education Foundation

By Jessamy Brown

jessamybrown@star-telegram.com

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS -- Kelly Hancock ran for class treasurer at Richland High School and won.

Wendy Davis was a member of the school's honor society.

Vicki Truitt was a member of the rodeo team there.

And Kay Granger was the faculty sponsor for the Richland High student council.

Decades later, all four are elected officials who represent a portion of the Birdville school district.

They've been invited to lend their support to Birdville at a fundraiser Saturday for the Birdville Education Foundation, which funds teacher grants to support innovative classroom instruction.

"It's kind of unique that all four have rose to the top and they all came from one high school. It's because of what they've done with their life and it's unique," said Kelley Pledger, the foundation's executive director.

Organizers want the Tribute to Leadership to be a chance for former classmates, colleagues and students of the four to reconnect. And they want them to reminisce about their time at Richland High, chatting about their favorite teachers and current views on education, Pledger said.

Officials have gathered snapshots of homecomings, proms and graduations to compile into a video to be shown at the event, giving a glimpse of their school activities.

One photo shows Truitt, a 1972 graduate, posing with the rodeo club and wearing a Western hat and large belt buckle. Truitt, R-Keller, is in her seventh term in the Texas House.

In another picture, Granger is holding cheerleader pompoms while acting in a pep rally skit. She taught journalism and literature at Richland High from 1965 to 1969 and 1973 to 1978. Granger, R-Fort Worth, was elected Fort Worth's first woman mayor and was elected to the U.S. House in 1996.

Davis, a 1981 graduate, is shown assisting with a child's medical exam. She told foundation officials that she took high school classes in the morning, then headed to work at a Bedford pediatrician's office as part of a vocational program. Davis, D-Fort Worth, was elected to the state Senate in 2008.

She is popular with the education community for drawing attention to concerns that the Legislature was cutting school funding while leaving billions of dollars in a rainy-day fund.

Hancock, a 1982 graduate, is shown putting up a poster that says "Elect Kelly Hancock" for his campaign.

"I just did it because I enjoy serving and I do it now because I enjoy it and to make a difference, which is really why I ran for class officer. I wanted to make senior year memorable," said Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, who was elected to the state House in 2006.

Jessamy Brown, 817-390-7326

Twitter: @jessamybrown

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