Dustin Ledford Scholarship Foundation

Live Wide Open.

We support Bradley County high school seniors with over $200,000 in scholarships awarded since 2010, and we're still growing. One $2,000 scholarship every year at Bradley Central, Cleveland High, and Walker Valley.

Help a scholar Apply for the scholarship

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

2 Timothy 1:7

Live Wide Open: the Dustin Ledford story

We established this foundation to honor the memory of Dustin Ledford, who was killed in July of 2010 by an impaired driver. Dustin's parents wanted something positive to come from their only child's death. We award one senior from each of the three Cleveland City & Bradley County high schools with a $2,000 scholarship each year.

To date, we have given away over $200,000 in scholarship money. To be eligible, students must write an essay on the dangers of drinking and driving, and include a story stating if they have ever been affected by the actions of an impaired driver.

This scholarship is funded each year by an annual golf tournament and silent auction.

Annual Live Wide Open Golf Tournament

Scenes from the annual Dustin Ledford Golf Tournament: carts lined up, volunteers, the balloon-letter sign, group shots

$200,000+

awarded in scholarships since 2010

15 years

of educating and blessing students

3 seniors

funded every year

Sponsor or register

Live Wide Open Scholarship

Congratulations to the 2026 recipients of the Dustin Ledford "Live Wide Open" scholarship.

Addie Frazier receiving the 2026 Live Wide Open scholarship at Bradley Central High School — Addie Frazier

Bradley Central High School

2026

Charlotte Dowdy receiving the 2026 Live Wide Open scholarship at Cleveland High School — Charlotte Dowdy

Cleveland High School

2026

To apply, write an essay on the dangers of drinking and driving and include a story telling us if you have ever been affected by the actions of an impaired driver.

Help a scholar Apply for the scholarship

Archive Past recipients

2025

Three $2,000 scholarships

Jaxon ChapmanBradley Central High School
Zane McSpaddenWalker Valley High School
Allie StanfieldCleveland High School

Scholarship presentations across the three Cleveland-area high schools

We are a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.

Our Volunteers

Kim Ledford

Founder & CEO

Angie Bramlett

Tournament Director

Brittani Bednarski

Silent Auction Coordinator

Charleen Avilla

Food Coordinator

Jackson Aseron

Scholarship Coordinator

Michele Gustafson

Photos & Historian

Casi Hodges

Registration Coordinator

Cathy Lewis

Program Coordinator

Donna Carter

Appreciation Correspondent

Kamryn Gray

Social Media / Scholarship Coordinator

Kristi Muhonen

Grant Writer / Social Engagement

Kim Ledford speaks at victim impact panels

Kim Ledford speaking at a victim impact panel

A Bradley County family advocates

Advocates for safe driving after a tragic loss.

Every day, 28 lives are lost to drunk driving, a statistic that became personal for Kim and Danny Ledford in 2010 when their only child, Dustin, was killed by an impaired driver.

Determined to turn their grief into action, the Ledfords now work with the Victim's Impact Panel of Tennessee, sharing their story to educate DUI offenders and the community about the devastating consequences of drunk driving.

Kim's heartfelt message emphasizes the importance of making the right choices, especially during the holiday season, when celebrations are frequent. Through their efforts, the Ledfords hope to save lives and ensure Dustin's death was not in vain. This holiday season, they urge everyone to plan ahead: designate a driver, or call a ride service to prevent another tragedy.

Contact us

Questions about the scholarship, the tournament, or how to help. We read every message.