LISANN PETERS

Lisann Peters’ life-long focus is advocacy, consisting of knowledge, public education and leadership focused on issues affecting youth. As an advocate for children and for education, when she heard of the critical need for school supplies for children from low-income families, she decided something must be done. She started “Supply Train” which is a collaborative effort of the Girl Scouts-Circle T Council and the Arlington Independent School District Council of PTAs. School supplies are collected by the Girl Scouts and PTAs. Peters helped create the initial program including the advertising collection, pick-up, sorting and distribution of school supplies to needy students. This program was created in 1987 and still continues today.

Peters also co-founded the Arlington Will Award and Recognize educational Excellence (AWARE) Foundation in May of 1989. It was created as a way to encourage innovation and excellence among Arlington ISD teachers. Outstanding teachers, nominated by their students, parents or fellow teachers are onserved by AWARE board and community members. Crystal and monetary awards are given to the winners in five different categories.

Peters was instrumental in creating an endowment fund to help ensure the long-term benefit that AWARE brings to the community. This permanent funding source will make a significant impact to the program, which literally reaches 60,000 students through the encouragement of 4,100 teachers who strive for and achieve excellence in the classroom. Former Texas Governor George W. Bush recognized AWARE as an outstanding example of how a community can support its teachers.

Peters was also instrumental in founding Youth Leadership Arlington (YLA). This program was established to provide a program which identifies and develops leadership abilities and potential among high school juniors from diverse social, economic, reacial and geographic backgrounds while encouraging closer ties between Arlington’s schools and fostering a desire to commit individual talents to the community now and in the future. YLA seeks to build students’ self worth and to provide interaction between students, business and community leaders and decision makers. Working with the tenth class, Peters continues to coordinate the program.

Lisann Peters has given immeasurable time and energy working for youth. When she heard about the obstacles that the Girl Scouts-Circle T Council had in trying to provide Girl Scouting at School in at-risk areas in Arlington, her intervention and support of the Girl Scouts at School program were vital. Today, several Arlington schools are actively involved with the program. Peters now serves as President of the Circle T Council and advocates for making girl scouting available to every girl in the Circle T jurisdiction.

Peters continues to be an advocate for youth as she serves on the baords of Tarrant County Child Protective Services, Region 3 CPS Council, Tarrant County Community Partners and Texas Community Partners. She also serves as a HOST Volunteer at Webb Elementary where she works with three students weekly and serves as the coordinator for this program for her Rotary.