The Texas State Board of Education announced on September 2 the District winners of the 2021 Heroes for Children awards. The award recognizes the important contribution individuals associated with Texas Independent School Districts make in the lives of the region’s children.
Recipients are nominated by members of the school board. This year’s winners represent 210 years of collective community service according to a press release from the Texas SBOE. The SBOE has recognized 495 individuals with the award since its inception in 1994.
“I am so inspired by the stories of the Heroes for Children. With everything our students have been through the last couple of years, now more than ever, we appreciate how important our schools are to their local communities. These Heroes for Children, and all those like them, are helping our local schools change the lives of our children every day. We are so thankful for these dedicated volunteers,” said SBOE Chair Dr. Keven Ellis in the press release.
The recipients will receive a plaque commemorating the award and a copy of the resolution from the school board members. They will also have their names engraved on the permanent plaque displayed at the Texas Education Agency headquarters and a signed resolution from Governor Greg Abbott. The names of the recipients will be read aloud during the SBOE General Meeting on September 3, 2021.
This year’s award recipients are:
- Stephen Hambric (Socorro Independent School District – SBOE District 1)
- Mayra Lozano (La Joya Independent School District – SBOE District 2)
- Isaiah Riebeling (Yoakum ISD/Dewitt-Lavaca Special Education Cooperative – SBOE District 3)
- Terence Narcisse (Galena Park Independent School District – SBOE District 4)
- Derrick Townsend (Austin Independent School District – SBOE District 5)
- Beki Perkins (Klein Independent School District – SBOE District 6)
- Eilleen Crues (Friendswood Independent School District – SBOE District 7)
- Harvey Oyler (Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District – SBOE District 8)
- Anna Marie Hornsby (Pleasant Grove Independent School District – SBOE District 9)
- Terri Romere (Travis/Williamson Counties – SBOE District 10)
- Randy Cutshall (Weatherford Independent School District – SBOE District 11)
- Jon Boyd (Allen Independent School District – SBOE District 12)
- Opal Lee (Fort Worth Independent School District – SBOE District 13)
- Mary Ann Jack (Copperas Cove Independent School District – SBOE District 14)
- Amy Punchard (Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District – SBOE District 15)
The winners are recognized for their volunteer efforts. Among the accomplishments, SBOE highlighted the launching of a special education parent-teacher organization that supports parents of children with disabilities, securing financial sponsorships to provide critical scholarships, creating a foundation to provide grants for livestock projects, and taking free professional photos of a local school’s special events. Other winners have been instrumental in developing public awareness of the issues facing children of color, establishing vaccination sites during the pandemic, and raising much-needed funds for underfunded arts and athletics programs.
The SBOE created the award in 1994 to recognize Texas residents who render selfless acts of service by offering their time, effort, and support to public schools and students according to the website. The SBOE general meeting reading will be available to the public through live streaming at 9 A.M. on Friday.
