Goforth Award

Dr. Tom Maddox was a 1961 graduate of Owensboro High School.  Returning to his hometown following his graduation from medical school, he began his ophthalmology practice.  In 1981 he was elected to his first term on the Owensboro Board of Education, where he served for 19 years, of which the last seven as board chairman.  

During his years on the board of education, Dr. Maddox donated countless hours of his personal time providing physical exams to Red Devil student athletes at no charge, as well as encouraging his other fellow medical professionals to do the same.  He was also one of the founders of the Foundation for Excellence, and still to this day serves as the chairman of the Foundation’s finance committee.  

The Outstanding Service Award was created in 2001 to recognize exceptional classified staff in honor of Dr. Tom Maddox’s commitment to the Owensboro Independent School System.

During the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Owensboro Board of Education, Director of Pupil Services Kevin Thompson presented a Tom Maddox Award to Laura Goforth.

Goforth serves as the Administrative Assistant in the office of Student Services at Central Office.

Thompson said of Goforth: "When I came into this role, I was told about how great Laura was handing whatever situations arose. She goes above and beyond in her role and truly helps me in every single area."

Goforth joins Kathi Blanco and Marcus Smith as Maddox Award Winners for the 2023-24 school year.