JOHN KICKLIGHTER SERVICE AWARD

Tom Beuglas, this year’s recipient of the John Kicklighter Award, was hired as the Instructional Assistant Principal at Lakeside in 1980 and became Principal in 1983—a position he held for the next 16 years. During his tenure, Lakeside was recognized in 1985 as a National School of Excellence for the exceptional test scores, graduation rates, school climate, diversity, athletics and inclusive achievements under his leadership. The school won state titles in football (1991), boys soccer (1997), girls tennis (1984) and wrestling (1997) over the course of Beuglas’ time as principal—furthering Lakeside’s reputation of both academic and athletic excellence. In 1995, he was named the DeKalb County Principal of the Year. Beuglas started his career in Education in 1967 as a biology teacher, guidance counselor and wrestling coach in Marietta, Ohio. He also worked in Maryland as a student resource teacher, wrestling coach and assistant principal before helping open a new school, Seneca Valley High School, and stepping in as its first wrestling coach before arriving at Lakeside. He left Lakeside in 1999 to become DeKalb County Director of Athletics. After retirement in 2004, he returned to coaching wrestling with his son Tom. They have now coached together for 18 years at Parkview, Archer and Buford where they have won a combined 20 State Championships. His son Chris is a computer system project manager. Beuglas was recently voted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma.