Story by Jim Leggett

Bill Foley, a seventh grade teacher at Brame Middle School, was recognized as Teacher of the Year Tuesday, 6/18, by the Kiwanis Club of Alexandria. 

Foley, a first-year teacher, is a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was accompanied to the club’s meeting by his mother, Dorothy Cogburn, whom he said provided his love for education. 

He will teach seventh and eighth grades next year at Carter C. Raymond Middle School in Lecompte. 

His education includes bachelor’s degrees from LSU and Northwestern State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. 

He is part of a unique program which pairs a new teacher with no experience with a veteran teacher to impart life experience and knowledge to young students. 

He said that education has always been a first love in his life even as he spent most of it in nuclear propulsion and nursing, the latter of which is one of his college degrees. 

Foley was introduced by Mollie Fontenot, acting director of Middle, Middle Magnet and Montessori Schools, Rapides Parish School Board. 

Kiwanis International recognized the four generations of the Wellan family in our club with a nice post on their website. Here’s a photo collage showing all four Wellans. Hunter’s great grandfather, Louis, was a charter member of the club from 1937 until his death in 1956.

(Select image to view Kiwanis International post)

Bill Halliburton was honored by outgoing Club President Suzy Halliburton at the Installation Banquet on 9/26/24. Bill participated in every club event during the 2023-2024 Kiwanis year and was the leader for the Annual Fundraiser in the spring and the “Kitchen King” at the Pancake Breakfast. Bill is a loyal Kiwanian, serving our children and the community in so many ways!

Kiwanians of the Year in recent years are:

2023-2024 Bill Halliburton
2022-2023 Darren Green
2021-2022 Richard Broadwell
2020-2021 Suzy Halliburton
2019-2020 Keith Hillman
2018-2019 Bill Halliburton and Darren Green
2017-2018 Dave Curry
2016-2017 Darren Green
2015-2016 David Lind
2014-2015 Kerry LaBauve
2013-2014 Bill Halliburton