The Russellville City Schools Education Foundation held its annual scholarship dinner Monday with what was determined to be the largest crowd in the history of this benefit dinner.

A special part of the program each year is the honoring of RCS alumni. This year, the Foundation honored two posthumously – Dr. Tim Bishop and Raymond Grissom – as well as the former Superintendent Rex Mayfield, for their “passion, dedication and excellence” according to board member Kristy Gist.

The dinner is the primary method the Foundation raises funds each year to support its efforts in the school system, both in funding scholarship for graduates and in providing technology and other supplies for teachers.

“It provides teachers with the resources they need to engage students in their learning – things they would not otherwise have,” said Dr. Karen Thorn, Russellville Middle School principal, who attended the dinner. “It keeps students up-to-date in their learning … They would not have that otherwise. Our teachers have done really good things with a lot of the resources they have gotten.”

Entertainment for the evening was provided by an ensemble comprising vocalist Lauren Ritter, guitarist Tim Townley, percussionist Gary McNutt and bass player David Goins.