Lady BUGS Serving Up Scholarships

Published 11:11 am Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Hosting their fifth annual LadyBUGS fashion show, the members of this service club organization raised enough money to award four scholarships and more.

“I’m so proud of the success of the show this year,” said LadyBUGS President Donna Coates. “Since venturing out to events like Oktoberfest in Moody and the Creek Bank Festival in Leeds, we have generated more dollars to invest in the schools.”

Describing the symbolism of actual lady bugs, Coates said, “Known by most to be a lucky bug, farmers celebrate them for destroying bad bugs in their fields, other cultures state that if a lady bug lands on you, you are lucky and lady bugs found in your home are a sign of good luck too. Who wouldn’t want to be associated with lady bugs?”

Focusing on the beauty lady bugs embody, Coates added, “We love them for being so stylish as well. What other bug is so dressed up at all time? She is perfectly accessorized with her red cover and dots. She is stylish and useful. We pattern our club after these traits. We are fashion forward minded women that have a mission—to spread good will in our communities through the talents of our members.”

A lady bug’s luck and style have led this group of professional business women to form the acronym and basis for what they stand for, Ladies Believing, Understanding, Guiding and Serving.

“In addition to scholarships, we plan to donate supplies to St. Clair County DHR because they serve students in both our focus areas of Leeds and Moody,” said Coates.

Eager to find four deserving senior high school girls, two from Leeds, two from Moody, the LadyBUGS Scholarship Committee enlists a group of out of the area, non-biased judges to determine which young ladies will receive the LadyBUGS scholarships.

“I have chaired the scholarship committee for two years now,” said Scholarship Committee Chair Lindsey Ryals. “This program means the world to me. It completely opened my eyes to the needs and dreams that these young women have and what potential that our schools have to offer.”

On hand to share their plans for college and beyond, scholarship recipients along with their moms will be the featured guests at the LadyBUGS June luncheon.