Longview ISD will honor three accomplished former students during the annual Distinguished Alumni ceremony and luncheon on Friday, Oct. 18th.
This year's Distinguished Alumni are Anthony McLemore (Class of 1990), Melinda Buie (Class of 1995), and Alicia Stoker Johnson (Class of 2004).
Events are set to begin at 9:30 a.m. on October 18th with the Longview ISD Foundation commemorative brick presentation at the Lobo Foundation Plaza (near the home entrance to Lobo Stadium). At 11:00 a.m. there will be a lunch reception at Lobo Coliseum.
Distinguished Alumni typically have excelled professionally, in addition to serving the communities in which they live. Honorees are nominated at large and chosen by a committee of previous honorees, volunteer Distinguished Alumni Committee members, and the district’s Community Relations office.
Tickets for the luncheon are $20 ($160 for a table), but only limited seating is still available, so make your reservations TODAY! To order, call 903-381-2329 or come by the LISD Education Support Center, 1301 E. Young St.
Anthony McLemore
Anthony McLemore, a 1990 graduate of Longview High School, continued his education at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television in 1995. While at SFA, he began developing the skills that would propel him to a successful career in television.
McLemore started as a news reporter and fill-in anchor, covering major events like the Oklahoma City bombing. He later transitioned to entertainment, creating the Emmy-nominated show Celebrity Homes and producing acclaimed documentaries, including The New York Times Presents: Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson, which won him an Emmy in 2022, and One Child Left Behind, which won Best Documentary Film at the African American Film Festival.
The son of James and Ida McLemore, Anthony was nominated by Laura Coggin Rectenwald. He lives in Valencia, CA, with his wife Sandra and their son, Houston.
Melinda Buie
Melinda Buie, a 1995 graduate of Longview High School, went on to earn both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in 1999. During her studies, she participated in a study-abroad program in Italy, which greatly influenced her artistic career.
Buie became an accomplished artist whose works have been displayed in galleries in New York, Texas, London, Berlin, and Italy. Her large-scale oil paintings, inspired by her East Texas roots, focus on whimsical depictions of cattle and the architectural landscapes of Manhattan. She is also the owner of the Melinda Buie STUDIO in Port Chester, NY, and has served on the Village of Mamaroneck Arts Council.
The daughter of Jim and Linda Buie, Melinda was nominated by Ellyn Cook.
Alicia Stoker Johnson
Alicia Stoker Johnson, a 2004 graduate of Longview High School, continued her education at Stephen F. Austin State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s in Communication Media Studies and a Master’s in Social Work. She has dedicated her career to serving students and families, currently working as the Social Emotional Support Counselor at Foster Middle School.
Alicia co-founded the Queens Academy, a nonprofit organization aimed at helping preteens and teens in East Texas with personal development and leadership. Her work through the Queens United and her role in the community, particularly with Partners in Prevention and Junior League of Longview, has had a profound impact on the lives of many young people.
The daughter of Gary and Rita Stoker, Alicia was nominated by Jasmine Stoker. She is married to Michael Johnson Jr., and they have three sons: Michael III, Garrison, and Eyan.