School District Honors Underwood Family
SUPPORTING EDUCATION A LABOR OF LOVE FOR COUNTY AMBASSADORS
Everyone attending the Heart of Education Banquet on Saturday night came to honor the Underwood family and to hear of their support and generosity to the McDonald County School District. That is, everyone except one. “I am tired of listening about the Underwood family,” Don Underwood, the patriarch of the family, said upon accepting the Heart of Education Award for his family.
The Underwood family became the fourth family to receive the Heart of Education Award. The award is presented by the McDonald County Schools Foundation. In addition to hosting the Heart of Education Banquet, the foundation provides funds for student scholarships and grants to teachers.
The Underwoods have long supported the school district, primarily as a small business when Don’s IGA in Pineville served as “first stop” any time a school organization was holding a fundraiser. Don and his three children, Donna, Kenny and Dalana, all have continued that support since the closing of the store in 2002.
Donna is known for her peanut butter fudge, especially after making 400 plates of the treats for a volleyball fundraiser two years ago.
Kenny has made countless pans of cinnamon rolls for every silent auction held. He also makes dinners for various organizations’ fundraising efforts.
Dalana works for the school district with the Parent as Teachers program. She also donates her time and labor to various school activities, including providing free photography for graduation.
Prior to receiving the Heart of Education Award, state Rep. Bill Lant presented Don and all three kids proclamations from the Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri State Senate honoring their volunteer spirit.
“It is sure a pleasure to be here,” Lant said. “I have a fun job tonight. Don, I haven’t been here all my life
like you and most of you folks here. But the first time I believe I came to McDonald County, you treated me like I had been here all my life, and for that I am eternally grateful.”
Presenting the Heart of Education Award was Randy Smith, secretary of the foundation and former superintendent of the district.
“I think we all agree that McDonald County is a great place to be and live,” Smith said. “McDonald County is the best school system around. Tonight, we appreciate the Underwood family and all they have done to make that so. It is my honor to present the Heart of Education Award to the Underwood family.”
Accepting the award for the family, Don focused on the pluses of McDonald County and its people.
“I can’t imagine living anywhere else because I never have,” Don said. “Think about the strong, determined people living here. We may not have all the assets they have in the big cities, but we work long enough to make a living. We might not make a lot of money, but we make a lot of friends. I thank all of you for the nice things said here tonight about my family. Maybe we deserve some of it, but not all of it.”
I can’t imagine living anywhere else because I never have.
Don said he was proud of his family for their contributions to the school and community. All three of Don’s children and all seven of his grandchildren graduated from McDonald County schools. Three of his three great-grandchildren are currently attending schools in McDonald County.
“A lady down at the store once said, ‘Don, every crow thinks their chicks are the blackest,’ so you have to be careful on how much bragging you do.”
Dr. Mark Stanton, superintendent of the school district, closed the ceremony with his personal thanks to the Underwood family.
“We thank all the Underwood family — all of you for all the commitment and all the wonderful things you do for our students,” Stanton said. “A special thing about McDonald County is it’s about family. It’s about the heart. This place is the very best and the reason that it is the very best is because of your kids, your grandkids and your nieces and nephews and because of you.”
Don Underwood Recipient, along with his family, of the Heart of Education Award