Twenty years ago, Moody City Schools were facing one of many discussions on proration, lack of funding and a desire to provide the best possible education for the children of Moody.

Community members saw many needs in Moody schools, and formed the Friends of Moody Schools Foundation, Inc. was born.

“There were no computer labs, and no science equipment for the middle school. Students were using tin plates and razor blades to dissect worms,” said Laura Armstrong, a longtime member of Friends of Moody Schools Foundation, Inc.

“We had a concern for the schools, and wanted to strengthen the system to ensure all children could advance in education,” said boardmember Tom Lambert, who has been involved in the group since its inception.

The group aimed to get parents, business owners, community leaders and legislators in one room to serve as advocates for education in the area, with the realization that today’s students can be tomorrow’s community leaders.

Over the years, the group has marched for education in Montgomery, provided science labs, libraries, classroom grants and even helped prepare students for their next level of education with $205,250 of scholarships given out since 1993.

While problems today aren’t quite as dire as some that were faced 20 years ago, Moody schools still greatly benefit from the organization, which serves as a mediator between the school and the community to support education by any means possible.

“We work to keep people aware of the needs of the school, but we have come a long way,” Armstrong said. “This group only exists because we have community that backs it. For 20 years, the community has stood by us, and we’d really like to thank the community for helping its students.”

News-Aegis intern Chris McDaniel contributed to this report.