[May 08, 2012]

H-E-B Names Winners in 2012 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

On Sunday, May 6, H-E-B announced statewide winners of the 2012 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards during a banquet at Houston's InterContinental Hotel. At the ceremony, H-E-B Chairman and CEO Charles Butt personally handed out $585,000 in cash awards and grants and congratulated 23 educators, campuses, school districts and one early childhood agency for being among the best in Texas.

H-E-B Chairman and CEO Charles Butt (far right) gave away $585,000 in cash awards and grants and congratulated 23 educators, campuses, school districts and one early childhood agency at the 2012 Excellence in Education Awards. (Photo: Business Wire)

Now in its 11^th year, the program added a new Early Childhood Award to support public and private schools and not-for-profit learning agencies that focus on kinder readiness and the care of children under five.

"H-E-B is committed to supporting K-12 public education, but we also know that the most critical years in a child's learning development come before the age of five," said Kate Rogers, H-E-B's vice president of communications and engagement.

Mark Kelly delivered the keynote address to a ballroom packed with 670 educators, elected officials, community leaders and H-E-B employees. Kelly is an American astronaut, retired US Navy Captain, a best selling-author and an experienced naval aviator who flew combat missions during the Gulf War. Already a celebrated American, Kelly became the center of international attention after the January 2011 assassination attempt on his wife, former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

The 2012 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award Winners Are:

Rising Star

The Rising Star Category recognizes teachers with less than 10 years of experience. Winners received a $5,000 check for themselves and a $5,000 grant for their school.

Rising Star Elementary
Lesley-Anne Balido-Dean, Woodridge Elementary, San Antonio

Rising Star Secondary
Michael Hardy, IDEA Frontier College Preparatory, Brownsville

Leadership

The Leadership Category honors teachers with 10 to 20 years in the classroom. Winners received a $10,000 check for themselves and a $10,000 grant for their school.

Leadership Elementary
Frances Gonzalez-Garcia, Sam Houston Elementary, Corpus Christi

Leadership Secondary
Emily Swoboda, Communications Arts High School, San Antonio

Lifetime Achievement

The Lifetime Achievement Elementary Category salutes teachers with more than 20 years of experience. Winners received $25,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their school.

Lifetime Achievement Elementary
Elaine Leibick, Highland Park Elementary, Austin

Lifetime Achievement Secondary
Beverly Smith, Lovejoy High School, Lucas

School Principal

Winning principals received $10,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for each of their schools.

Principal Elementary
Catherine Bartlett, Hamilton Elementary, Cypress

Principal Secondary
Ramiro Guerra, Edinburg North High School, Edinburg

Large School District

The winning large school district received a $100,000 cash prize.

Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, Houston
Superintendent Mark Henry

Small School District

The winning small school district received a $50,000 cash prize.

Lytle Independent School District, Lytle
Superintendent Michelle Carroll Smith

Early Childhood

The winning early childhood facility received a $25,000 cash prize.

AVANCE-San Antonio
Director Becky Cervantez

Healthy Campus

Each campus received a $15,000 grant to be paid over three years.

Bishop Garriga Middle Preparatory School, Corpus Christi
Converse Elementary, Converse
East Austin College Prep Academy, Austin
H.G. Olsen Elementary, Port Aransas
Harry Shimotsu Elementary, Mission
Missouri City Middle School, Missouri City
Murchison Elementary, Pflugerville
Nora Forester Elementary, San Antonio
Pasadena Memorial High, Pasadena
Rodriguez Elementary, Seguin
Solomon P. Ortiz Elementary, Brownsville
T.A. Brown Elementary, Austin

About the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards:

The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program was created in 2002 in cooperation with the Texas Association of School Administrators as a positive way to support public education and celebrate the accomplishments of teachers, principals and school districts. Since its inception, the program has given away more than $5.5 million. The total awarded this year to semi-finalists, finalists, prizewinners and grant recipients will top $800,000, making it the largest monetary awards program in Texas and one of the largest in the nation.

In order to find the best teachers, principals and districts in Texas, H-E-B asks customers, employees and community members to submit the names of their favorite educators, administrators and districts. Each nominee is sent an invitation to complete an application online. They are asked to describe their professional experiences, educational philosophies and achievements both in and out of the classroom.

This year, HEB added the Early Childhood Award to support public and private schools and not-for-profit learning agencies that focus on kinder readiness and the care of children under five. Last year, H-E-B introduced the Healthy Campus grants program to reward schools that go above and beyond to educate children, parents and staff members about the importance of nutrition and fitness.

A team of judges reviewed the applications, narrowing the field to 239 semi-finalists. From that pool, five regional judging panels comprised of former winners, administrators, and university and community leaders selected 40 teacher and principal finalists. Two separate panels selected the district and Early Childhood finalists, and conducted site visits to determine the winners. Healthy Campus grant recipients were selected by a panel of fitness and nutrition experts from across the state.

Upon being named finalists, teachers receive $1,000 for themselves and $1,000 for their school and principals receive $1,000 for themselves and $2,500 for their school. Finalists in the large district and early childhood categories receive $5,000 and small districts receive $2,500. Semi-finalists receive H-E-B gift cards ranging from $250 to $1,000.

About H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $18 billion, operates more than 335 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrated its 105 anniversary in 2010. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience at everyday low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 76,000 Partners and serves millions of customers in more than 150 communities. For more information, visit www.heb.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50270414&lang=en

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