Dr. Tom Lawton
Tom grew up in Winter Park, and after graduating from WPHS in 1962 went to the University of Florida, where he completed his pre-dental education. He graduated from the University Kentucky College of Dentistry with a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, completing a one-year hospital internship in Boston. Following that, he completed his military obligation with the United States Coast Guard in Yorktown, Virginia, where he was Senior Dental Officer. He then returned to the University of Kentucky, where he completed a three year residency in Orthodontics, graduating with a Masters of Science degree in 1973.
Tom then returned to Winter Park with his wife and one year old daughter, Lisa, and established his Orthodontic practice on Lakemont Avenue, across the street from Winter Park Hospital. Thirty years later in 2003, his son Brett joined Tom's orthodontic practice, and the two of them practiced together for twenty years, bringing smiles to hundreds of Winter Park and other Central Florida patients. In 2008, they established a second office in Oviedo.
One of Tom's most meaningful accomplishments is the Lawton Memorial Scholarship, established by Tom and his brother Bill, to honor their grandfather, who was Seminole County's first elected Superintendent of Public Instruction 1917, and their great grandfather, who was chairman of the Orange County School Board 125 years ago which, at that time, included all of Orange and Seminole counties. The Scholarship was also established in appreciation of the excellent education Tom, Bill, and many of their children have received at Winter Park High School. Tom is especially proud of the fact that his grandson Jack, presently at the Freshman Campus, is a member of Winter Park's 100th graduating Class of 2027.
The Lawton Memorial Scholarship was started in 1989, and since then 37 Wildcat Seniors have received scholarships to help continue their education. The Scholarship is funded by Tom and Bill, and the recipients are chosen by the guidance committee of Winter Park High School. Tom and his wife Emmy have been members of All Saints Episcopal Church for 44 years, and he has been a member of the Rotary Club of Orange County - East Winter Park since 1973. Today, he is proud to be back with a newer, younger class of Wildcat Graduates, and he wishes all of you interesting times and a great future in the years ahead. Go Wildcats!