Ed Foundation honors students, leaders

RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville City Schools Education Foundation honored Dr. Natalie Bendall, Les Bradford and Richard Parker during its recent annual scholarship banquet.

Dr. Natalie Bendall congratulates Richard Parker.

Bendall received the 2026 Dan C. Hindman Star Polisher Award, which honors educators who demonstrate integrity, character and educational excellence while making a lasting difference in students’ lives.

Stone

The award was named for Dan C. Hindman, who spent 37 years in education as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal, including years as a principal in Russellville City Schools.

Juarez

Bendall recently left her role as curriculum coordinator for Russellville City Schools. She now serves as regional in-service center director at the University of North Alabama, where she works with school systems across Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion, Winston and Walker counties.

Rojas

Her work with Russellville City Schools included supporting teachers from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, coordinating professional learning and helping oversee initiatives such as the Alabama Reading Initiative and the Office of Math Improvement.

Valdez

Parker was awarded the Golden Tiger Core Values Challenge Coin.

Alvarez

The district created the coin as part of its strategic plan to recognize people who embody its core values of respect, integrity, kindness, responsibility, selfcontrol, positive attitude, determination and honesty.

Moreno

Tiffany Warhurst said Richard Parker is a familiar voice at ball games, and elementary students know him for reading Dr. Seuss during school visits.

Odom

“Mr. Richard Parker is much more than just a voice that we hear,” Warhurst said. “He is just a pillar of our community.”

The foundation recognized Les Bradford, a Russellville High School Class of 2000 graduate and co-founder of Youth Ministry 360, as its 2026 honoree.

Willis

During the banquet, Bradford encouraged students to appreciate the people who invest in their lives.

Green

“Take inventory of those people in your life, your family members, your friends, your educators, those who are investing in you, and be thankful for them,” Bradford said.

Oliver

He urged students to value mentors, teachers and family members who help shape their future.

“Pay attention to the people that God has placed in your life, your teachers, your coaches, your family,” Bradford said. “They’re going to help shape your story. Do not take that for granted. Lean in, work hard and be grateful.”

Jose

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

Flores

Emmy Elizabeth Green received the Sloan Hellums Scholarship, and Malaki Lashawn Walker Groce received the Lanny Norris Scholarship.

Audrey Caroline Oliver received the Wayne Collum Memorial Scholarship.

Pace

Lisa Jose Matias and Stacy Hernandez-Flores received the Wells/Samuel Scholarship.

Lopez

Lily Cate Pace received the Dr. Wayne Ray Memorial Scholarship, and Cristal Lopez received the Dr. Faye Wilson Next Step Memorial Scholarship.

Each scholarship recipient received $1,000.

Bradford