Darin Lamar (center left) accepts his Legacy of Excellence Award on behalf of the 1982 State Championship Tigers football team. With Lamar is school board member William Brumfield (left), Superintendent Jackie Pons (center right) and Sylvester Peck (far right).
CLICK HERE to see the full four-page spread on Jefferson Tigers Homecoming 2026!
Stories include:
• Tigers celebrate Homecoming spirit week
• Distinguished alumni honored at community tailgate
• Homecoming royalty crowned for PK-12th
• Tigers shutout NFC in Homecoming blowout
Stefanie L. Prevatt
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Jefferson County alumni, students and community members gathered at Tiger Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 16, for the Ultimate Tailgate Rally. The event featured the Legacy of Excellence Awards, the Jefferson County Schools and Howard Academy Alumni Challenge and homecoming activities organized through the Community Leadership Council of the school's Community Partnership School.
The Legacy of Excellence Awards recognized former educators, coaches, student-athletes and musicians for their contributions to Jefferson County schools.
"The Legacy of Excellence Awards testify to someone's lifelong contributions to the county," said Sylvester Peck Sr., a Jefferson County alumnus and one of the organizers of the Alumni Challenge.
Former Jefferson County coach and agriculture teacher Max Bilinski received a Legacy of Excellence Award recognizing his years of service to the school. In addition to coaching football and teaching agriculture, Bilinski maintained the school's football turf and operated its greenhouse. He also received an honorary Jefferson County Future Farmers of America (FFA) membership certificate.
The late Jimmy Grant Wilson, a former Jefferson County Schools band director, was also honored for his contributions to music education. Wilson's wife, Mae Eva Wilson, accepted the recognition on her husband's behalf.
The 1982 state championship football team was also recognized with a Legacy of Excellence Award. Former player Darin Lamar accepted the award on behalf of the team.
Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Jackie Pons presented commemorative plaques to the three honorees, recognizing their dedication, leadership and commitment to the Jefferson County public school system, its students and the community.
The ceremony also recognized the 2026 Jefferson County Middle School football team, cheerleaders and homecoming court. Tosca Williams, Director of the Community Partnership School, explained that recognizing the middle school students was especially important because Jefferson County did not field a varsity football team this year.
"We were really proud, and the community was really proud, that the middle school team stepped up in the absence of a varsity team this year," Williams said.
She explained that organizers wanted to give the younger athletes and cheerleaders a larger stage to celebrate their accomplishments and encourage continued participation in school athletics.
Kiauna Izliah-Nealy, previously recognized as the school's first female head middle school coach, served as master of ceremonies for the awards program.
While the recognition ceremony honored Jefferson County's past and present, alumni and families gathered throughout Tiger Memorial Stadium for an afternoon of entertainment, fellowship and fundraising. The celebration also provided an opportunity to continue the Jefferson County Schools and Howard Academy Alumni Challenge, an initiative established in 2024.
According to Peck, he and fellow alumni Willie "Butch" Barnes and Sandra Saunders established the fundraiser following conversations about the need for greater community support of Jefferson K-12 School.
Funds raised through the Alumni Challenge have already been used to support classes and student organizations at Jefferson K-12 School. For Peck, however, the effort is about more than fundraising.
"Schools don't build communities, but it's communities that build schools," Peck said.
The tailgate also provided an opportunity to reconnect former students with the school and renew a sense of Tiger pride during homecoming.
Jacqueline Seabrooks, Chair of the Community Leadership Council, emphasized the importance of alumni involvement and the pride many former students continue to have in being Jefferson County Tigers.
"There are people that are really proud of being Jefferson County alumni. There's a certain type of pride from being a Tiger," Seabrooks said. "We weren't sure whether we liked being at school, but being in the band and being a cheerleader was a big deal. The spirit and the pride for Jefferson County is still there."
The Community Leadership Council helped organize the event, bringing together community members to participate in the homecoming celebration and support the school's students. Williams said the goal was also to provide a positive event for local children and families.
Williams said the event gave alumni and community members an opportunity to celebrate homecoming while recognizing the middle school students who represented Jefferson County on the football field this season. Organizers hope the celebration will encourage continue alumni involvement and strengthen the connection between the community and Jefferson County K-12 School.