In a heartwarming ceremony on Feb. 13, Liberty County Pct. 4 Commissioner Leon Wilson and Richter Elementary School teacher Dana Burress were honored by the Dayton Masonic Lodge 825.
Burress was presented with the prestigious Mirabeau B. Lamar Award for her outstanding contributions in the classroom and community, while Wilson was celebrated with a Community Builder Award for his many years of public service and dedication to bettering the Dayton community, both through his work as a commissioner and former highway patrolman, and as a volunteer for various organizations.
The award given to Burress is named for Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second president of the Republic of Texas. Not only was he a key political figure during a crucial period in Texas history, he also left an indelible mark on the state’s educational system, earning him the nicknames “The Father of Texas Education” and “The Father of the Texas Public School System.”
The Community Builder Award, created by the Grand Lodge of Texas, aims to empower local Masonic Lodges in acknowledging remarkable non-Masons who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their community, government, church or synagogue, or humanity. This award celebrates individuals who consistently, and often quietly, contribute to the betterment of their community and its people, without seeking recognition for their contributions.
Burress was accompanied at the ceremony by her husband, Alvin Burress. Wilson was accompanied by his wife, Amanda; son Leon II, daughter-in-law Amber and two grandsons, Chase and Carson.
