With each brick for the new commemorative walkway at Eastwood High School, the Deby Lewis Foundation is helping to create a path towards higher education for its students. 

Betty Lewis, the mother of the beloved former Eastwood High teacher Deby Lewis, founded the Deby Lewis Foundation with the support of the Paso del Norte Community Foundation.  When Deby Lewis passed away in 2015, Betty Lewis wanted to create a fund that would enrich the lives of young adults through scholarships for higher education.  The nonprofit honors Deby Lewis’ memory not only as a 36-year educator and tennis coach, but also as an Eastwood alum, Eastwood student activities director and Ysleta Independent School District trustee.

When Eastwood began renovating their campus, Mrs. Lewis saw an opportunity to extend Deby Lewis’ legacy even more.  Her inspiration came from the memory of her daughter bringing home souvenir bricks from the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The idea of commemorative bricks to support the charitable work of the Deby Lewis Foundation then came to life.

In 2018, the Deby Lewis Foundation began selling commemorative bricks to create a walkway at the renovated Eastwood High School. The commemorative bricks immediately sold out when the pathway was first announced and again during a second round of sales.  

There will be a revealing of the commemorative walkway when construction ends in early September.  Lewis urged that you do not have to buy commemorative bricks in order to support the Foundation’s scholarships.

“Purchasing bricks is not the only way you can help the Deby Lewis Foundation,” she said. “It is always open to donations at any time of the year.  There is a large demand for scholarships for graduating Eastwood seniors who need the financial support to take the next step in their education.”

Last year, the Deby Lewis Foundation awarded about 20 scholarships to future college students, helping to ensure that Deby’s impact and legacy lives on with every student and colleague she touched.

“There will be a couple more announcements of available bricks as construction continues. Be on the lookout; we sell out within just a few days,” Lewis said.

Bricks can be purchased for $100 made payable to the Deby Lewis Foundation in the Paso del Norte Community Foundation.  The bricks have room for three lines of engraved text, which can include a name, graduating class, high school legacy, groups, teams or a personal message.

To donate to the fund, click on this link.