The Daniel Gordon Viking Scholarship - $1,000

The friends and family of Daniel Gordon, with assistance from the LHS Foundation Scholarship Committee, have developed this scholarship in honor of the Impact…the Imprint...the Impression Daniel made on everyone he met.

What can be said about a young man who at 24 years of age filled his life with family, friends, teammates, classmates, coaches, teachers, coworkers, managers, all who have known him…and all use the same words to describe him. “His smile would light up a room.”  Daniel didn’t have to look for a reason to smile and bring that light to those around him, it was just second nature to him. He understood that life can be hard, but it can only get better by finding reasons to smile. He welcomed every day, every job, every task with the same determination and hope.

Daniel grew up in DeKalb County, a student at Henderson Mill Elementary, Henderson Middle School and Lakeside High School, graduating with the Class of 2016. His was involved in sports, playing football and basketball all four years at Lakeside. A Lakeside teacher shared that Daniel was a student known to “always bring an energetic spirit to class”.

After Lakeside Daniel continued his love of sports and learning by attending Fort Valley State University, College of Arts and Sciences on a football scholarship – Jersey #83, Tight End. Daniel had the natural traits to be a good Tight End on any football team. A Tight End must be versatile, doesn’t have to be the best in any one position, but has to know all of the responsibilities of every player and able to carry out their role if needed. A Tight End has to be trusted to block for another player, trusted to fill in where ever needed. This was Daniel – someone you trusted.  Someone who worked hard to be successful in whatever he was involved in. Daniel graduated from Fort Valley State University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice, Summa Cum Laude.

In 2022, Daniel found a chance to work at something he had always enjoyed, working on cars. He may have only been working with Tires Plus–Bridgestone for 8 months, but his managers will tell you they were so impressed with his drive, his integrity, his tenacity, they knew immediately he was an asset to their company.  Every day he greeted his management, his coworkers and the customers with a smile. Daniel has now set the company’s standards for their current and future employees.

Throughout high school and college Daniel also found the time to work for DeKalb County Parks and Recreation and Brookhaven Parks Department as Recreation Leader and Lifeguard at Lynwood Park for a combined ten years (2012-2022). His direct supervisor remembered him as “a great, giving spirit…dedicated to providing great service to the community, especially to other youth and teens in the neighborhood.”

Daniel lovingly made sure his parents were cared for every day, he cooked, cleaned, ran errands, whatever they needed. In fact, everyone who knew Daniel knew he loved them, because he took the time to tell them, even if it was just sending a text or call to say “love you”.

Daniel has had an IMPACT on many in his life. He has left his IMPRINT on all who knew they could trust him. He left us with the lasting IMPRESSION of his love, sense of humor, and especially the light he brought to every room he stepped into.

From the Class of 2016 Valhalla yearbook – Senior Quote under Daniel’s portrait: “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” Ricky Bobby