The Thomas family proudly announces that the 2025 Pat Thomas Memorial Scholarship winner is Lily Kate Odom. Lily Kate was presented with a one-time $1,000.00 scholarship during the Quitman High School graduation ceremony held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. She plans to attend Louisiana Tech University and major in communications. Lily Kate dreams of being a news anchor one day.
The Thomas family would like to thank those who served on the selection committee this year and in the past. Choosing a recipient each year is a challenging task. We would also like to express our gratitude to Principal Carter and the staff at QHS for the continued support every year during this process.
Following the 2016 death of our mom, Pat Thomas, our family established the Thomas Family Scholarship Fund. We wanted to honor her legacy of service to God, her Church, her community, and to Quitman High School. In addition to the scholarship, our family also makes donations to special projects, an athletic team, an activity, or a club at the school.
As part of the selection process, all scholarship applicants are screened based on the following characteristics that were present in the life of our mom:
• Honor
• Character
• Integrity
• Humility
• Willingness to serve others without the expectation of recognition or personal attention.
The scholarship committee found Lily Kate Odom encompasses all of Mom’s attributes. The committee was particularly impressed by Lily Kate’s humility, compassion, and gratefulness. The letters of recommendation we receive each year on behalf of the applicants always provide great insight.
The comments below are just a sample of the comments written about Lily Kate:
“It is rare to find a young person so well-rounded, not only with their internal strength of character, but by their outward signs of humility and a willingness and desire to serve others with enthusiasm and generosity.”
“Lily Kate’s servant leadership and dedication to making the world a better place are qualities that set her apart as a young woman of great promise.”
“Her Christian values are evident in all areas of her life. She lives with integrity, honesty, and humility, seeking to make a difference in the lives of those around her.”
The Thomas family believes Lily Kate will make a meaningful impact on the world while continuing to add to the legacy of our family and the winners that have come before her.
Lily Kate herself wrote:
“I am nowhere near perfect, and I never will be, but I always try to make a positive difference in other people’s lives.”
Let us all strive to be like Lily Kate, displaying God’s love while serving others with integrity, compassion, and humility.
Congratulations, Lily Kate! We pray God blesses you! – The Thomas family