Aldine Education Foundation Swings for Student Success at Annual Golf Tournament

Disponible en:

The Aldine Education Foundation (AEF) brought together community members, district staff, and supporters for a fun-filled day on the green at the annual M.B. “Sonny” Donaldson Golf Tournament & Auction, held at Tour 18 on October 23, 2025. The event teed off bright and early at 7 a.m., featuring friendly competition, networking, and a shared commitment to helping Aldine ISD students achieve their dreams.

Now in its 12th year, the annual golf tournament honors the legacy of former Superintendent M.B. “Sonny” Donaldson, whose dedication to education and community continues to inspire. What started in 1991 as the Aldine Scholarship Fund (ASF) — with community members pooling resources to offer small scholarships to Aldine graduates — has since grown into the Aldine Education Foundation, established in 2012. Today, AEF stands as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring every Aldine ISD student has access to higher education and every teacher has the tools to innovate in the classroom.

Investing in education is crucial, and Jana Gonzalez, the newly appointed first-year President of the Aldine Education Foundation (AEF) and former board member for three years, highlights some significant achievements. 

“Each year, we provide approximately 450 scholarships to students who might otherwise lack the means or opportunities to attend college. The golf tournament itself has successfully attracted numerous local business partners who are committed to investing in students within Aldine Independent School District (ISD). These partnerships play a vital role in generating scholarship funds for the future.”

Since 2020, the tournament has provided a crucial financial lifeline, navigating through challenging years and emerging stronger each time. This consistent effort is responsible for contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars toward AEF’s mission. In 2023, the total raised by the tournament since its inception surpassed the $725,000 mark, cementing its legacy as a major source of funding. Most recently, the 11th Annual Tournament in 2024 raised an impressive over $139,000, directly funding scholarships for the Aldine ISD graduating class of 2025. This means every swing, every hole sponsorship, and every auction bid directly translates into college tuition and innovative classroom resources.

Under the leadership of Director Jermani Atkinson, now in her first year, AEF continues to build on that legacy. “I’ve brought a growth mindset.” Atkinson shared. “We secured a new sponsorship from Space Center Houston, expanded our donor base, and started building out our alumni engagement which I believe is an untapped asset. I also focused on systems: streamlining workflows, sharpening our strategy, and building the kind of partnerships that scale long-term.”

Atkinson describes the annual AEF golf tournament as critical not just for fundraising, but for momentum for the school year and beyond. The golf event is the flagship. It brings partners to the table, elevates our visibility, and reinforces why Aldine students are worth investing in. It’s also a moment for us to demonstrate what alignment between business, education, and community really looks like in action.

The AEF golf tournament is a staple for the Aldine ISD community and students who benefit from receiving scholarships for post secondary education. 

Participants enjoyed a lively day complete with a silent auction filled with exciting baskets, unique experiences, and one-of-a-kind items—all contributing to the foundation’s mission. Every swing and every bid directly supports student scholarships and teacher innovation grants. There was also a silent auction with exciting baskets, various experiences, and one of a kind items. 

Auctioneer and retired post office worker, Daniel Lastrape spoke about the impact of this event and giving back to the Aldine community by investing in the students, saying “it means everything.”

“Each generation should help the next generation of students. Anything we as a community can do in our power, we need to be all for it.”

This year’s event made history, achieving the highest silent auction total ever, raising over $11,500, and generating more than $116,000 in total event revenue. The tournament drew 144 players (36 teams), an outstanding turnout that reflected strong community engagement and support for Aldine ISD.

“The continued success of this event reflects the generosity and commitment of our community,” said Jermani Atkinson, director of the Aldine Education Foundation. “Every swing, bid, and sponsorship directly impacts Aldine ISD students, helping them pursue higher education and reach their full potential.”

Since its inception, the Aldine Education Foundation has raised over $4.5 million in scholarships, helping countless students pursue higher education and empowering educators to bring new ideas to life.

To learn more about how you can support AEF’s mission—or to explore the different ways the foundation supports Aldine students and staff—visit AldineEducationFoundation.org.

Together, we’re driving success—one student, one teacher, and one swing at a time.