First Priority Area Director and Communications and Event Coordinator Ashlee Lambert and her husband Buddy lost their firstborn son at the end of 2014. Thomas Alexander Lambert V was born on May 22, 2014, and passed away on December 5, 2014. He was born with a very rare skin condition that ultimately took his life. Buddy and Ashlee are committed to educating people about Thomas’ condition as well as to remember and recognize his precious life. After Thomas’ passing, Ashlee knew right away that she wanted to give a scholarship to a First Priority student in memory of Thomas. Ashlee spent the past four months attending First Priority clubs and chose a student for the scholarship she believes best exemplifies the qualities of Thomas.
On Friday, May 15, 2015, Buddy and Ashlee presented the Thomas Alexander Lambert V Memorial Scholarship to St. Clair County High School First Priority Student Brandon Wiggins. The following words were spoken by Ashlee during the presentation: “Thomas may have only lived a short life here on this Earth, but he made a huge impact on many people’s lives all across this world. To be a young baby, he exemplified the qualities of strength, hope and love. Thomas was such a strong fighter. He fought a long, hard and painful battle. He never gave up. Thomas gave us so much hope. Our faith in God was strengthened and we prayed like we had never prayed before. God chose to heal Thomas completely in Heaven, so we now cling to the hope that we will see him again one day soon. An abundance of love surrounded Thomas. He gave and received eternal love.”
“The student receiving this scholarship today exemplifies those same qualities and has made a huge impact on other students’ lives in this school and community. This year’s scholarship is in the amount of $500 per semester, with a total amount of $1,000. We are honored to present the Thomas Alexander Lambert V Memorial Scholarship to Brandon Allen Wiggins for outstanding qualities including strength, hope and love, and for Christian leadership, academic excellence, involvement and leadership in Saints for Christ and commitment to a local church. Congratulations Brandon. Thank you.”
We are very proud of Brandon; and we thank Buddy and Ashlee for awarding a First Priority student in memory of their son Thomas.