Sometimes the impact of an investment in a student takes years to see. And sometimes, that investment comes all the way back home.
For Carson Crenshaw, the journey began in kindergarten. His mother, Allison Crenshaw, Speech Language Pathologist at J.L. Lomax Elementary School, remembers a little boy whose teachers poured into him, cared for him and helped him quickly discover that he loved school.
He also LOVED the Wildcats. His Wildcat pride began at Sallas Mahone Elementary School and followed him through years of AR tests, science fair projects, late practices and eventually Friday nights under the lights at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. Along the way, educators and coaches continued pouring into him. That little boy grew into a confident scholar and athlete, a proud VCS student, a varsity Wildcat and, eventually, a Valdosta High School graduate.
Someone Continued to BelieVe
When Carson graduated with the VHS Class of 2022, his connection to Valdosta City Schools didn't end. He received both a Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation Scholarship and a VCS Foundation Scholarship, support that his mother says encouraged him as he continued his education at the collegiate level.
Allison shared:
“Receiving the Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation and VCS Foundation scholarships in 2022 encouraged Carson to continue his learning at the collegiate level. VCS was continuing to pour into him and grow him even after graduation!”
Carson went on to attend Valdosta State University and graduated from the Harley Langdale, Jr. College of Business Administration in May 2026. Then his story took a pretty incredible turn.
Back Where It Started
Today, Carson has begun his professional career as a Project Engineer with JCI Contractors. And one of the projects he's helping lead? The construction of the new Valdosta City Schools Board of Education facility.
As Valdosta City Schools prepares to move into the new facility in October, a former VCS student and VCS Foundation scholarship recipient is helping make sure it's ready.
For Allison, seeing her son return to the school system in this new role brings his journey full circle. “Today, he has begun his career as a Project Engineer at JCI Contractors. He is currently helping lead the construction of the new VCS Board of Education building. He continues to stand as a proud Wildcat! We are so thankful for all the educators who guided Carson through the years and the VCS Foundation that continued to encourage him to achieve his dreams.”
From a little boy wearing black and gold to a varsity Wildcat. From a VCS graduate and scholarship recipient to a college graduate beginning his career. And now, from a student who grew up inside Valdosta City Schools to a young professional helping build its next chapter.
VCS helped build him. Now he's helping build VCS.
Because Someone BelieVed
Carson's story is a reminder that we don't always know where an investment in a student will lead.
A teacher may never see what becomes of the child sitting in her kindergarten classroom. A coach may not know where the lessons taught at practice will show up years later. And a donor may never meet the student who receives a scholarship made possible through generosity. But the investment continues. Sometimes for years. Sometimes for miles. And every once in a while, it comes all the way back home.
Our Next Goal: 250 Monthly Donors
As Carson's story comes full circle, we're asking our VCS family to help make the next story possible.
As of today, 227 VCS employees have committed to monthly payroll deduction, and another 40 employees have participated through one-time giving.
Our next milestone is 250 monthly donors. That means we need just 23 more Wildcats to help us get there.
Your gift doesn't have to fund an entire scholarship or classroom grant by itself. A $5 monthly gift simply joins with gifts from employees across Valdosta City Schools to create opportunities that can continue long after a student leaves our classrooms. Are you one of our next 23?
💛 Monthly Payroll Deduction: Join our next 23 monthly donors
🖤 One-Time Donation: Make a one-time gift
The BelieVe. GiVe. NeVer Quit. Employee Giving Campaign ends September 30.
Because every opportunity begins with someone who BelieVed. BelieVe. GiVe. NeVer Quit.