Resolution Honoring the 2023 Heroes for Children Award Recipients

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS volunteers provide invaluable support to our Texas public schools through selfless giving of their time, talent, and financial resources; and

WHEREAS the State Board of Education has honored outstanding school volunteers with the Heroes for Children award since 1994; and

WHEREAS Delia Medina has been a volunteer for the past 15 years in Socorro Independent School District (ISD) where she currently serves as a volunteer coordinator and vice president of the Robotics Booster Club. She helps her campus by supporting parent and military nights, making costumes and signage for the robotics team, and creating murals; and

WHEREAS Nelida Tapia has been a model parent volunteer at JD Salinas Middle School in La Joya ISD for the past 10 years where she leads parents on various district committees that impact students’ success. She also advocated for parent English classes increasing parent volunteerism and engagement; and

WHEREAS Lisa Fairall has been advocating for students in Northeast ISD in San Antonio for the past 17 years where she started as a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) member and currently organizes three volunteer opportunities each month that include peanut butter drives, Snack 4Kids weekend packing events, and toy drives for underserved kids; and

WHEREAS Melanie Gracia has been volunteering for two years in Galena Park ISD. Serving as PTA president, she works countless hours during games to raise funds for sports equipment and other supplies; and she organizes events such as the fall festival to engage other parents in volunteering and raising funds to support various school initiatives; and

WHEREAS Tonnettia Simms has been volunteering for two years at Harmony School of Endeavor in Austin where she helps in several campus activities, such as hosting book fairs, helping with movie days, assisting in the library, and decorating bulletin boards. Most of all, the increase in parental involvement at the school is attributed to her great example; and

WHEREAS Shannan Reid has been a volunteer for nine years in Montgomery ISD and has led the annual “Get Back to Work Day” activity where community members help prepare the district’s campuses for the school year. Projects from landscaping to organizing library books are all accomplished through her leadership. She also serves on the district’s bond task force; and

WHEREAS Milimo Reed has been a volunteer for seven years in Lamar Consolidated ISD as a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) president where she works to improve school and community relations and her efforts have been instrumental in raising funds for school initiatives and programs. She also serves as a mentor at Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation; and

WHEREAS Candy Todash has been a volunteer in Humble ISD for the past 12 years serving in various roles that extend beyond the classroom. She is the president of the Council of PTAs, a crossing-guard, an advocate for students who do not have a parent representative during ARD (Admission, Review, and Dismissal) meetings, and an avid mentor; and

WHEREAS Debbie Bozeman-Zook has been behind the success of Fran’s Teaching Garden at Toll Elementary in Malakoff ISD. For three years, she led successful fundraising efforts that totaled about $50,000. Her efforts have made it possible for students to enjoy the hands-on lessons of planting, caring for, and harvesting a garden; and

WHEREAS Carlette Eller has been a volunteer at Skipcha Elementary in Killeen ISD for six years where she has served in several PTO positions earning her multi-year volunteer of the year awards for her dedication. She was instrumental in helping raise funds for various projects and most notably, for an “All-Abilities Playground” that was built in the past year; and

WHEREAS Paula Harwell has served Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD for 16 years as a leader in campus PTAs, Council of PTAs, and as president of the PTO that provided nearly $133,000 in scholarships. She also chaired the bond committee and led numerous district fundraisers. Her accomplishments have been very impactful; and

WHEREAS James Bramlett has been a volunteer at Pleasant Grove ISD for the past 16 years. As a member of the Education Foundation board, James helped raise $900,000 to support classroom instruction and offer teacher grants. His remarkable service has left an indelible mark on the Texarkana community; and

WHEREAS Sandra Maria Garcia has dedicated 14 years of volunteer work in Fort Worth ISD where she has encouraged students to reach their goals and dreams. Her mission is to uplift families, especially of immigrant and impoverished populations through education by becoming their voice through advocacy, and by helping the youth envision a better future; and

WHEREAS Doris Patrick turned a dry garden into a vibrant vegetable-producer in Coppell ISD by leading fundraisers, and using grant funds and community donations to build a school garden with seven raised beds, two flowering plants, and a tool shed for students and teachers to enjoy; and

WHEREAS Eddy Morelock has been a volunteer for the past 15 years in Lubbock ISD where he serves in PTA leadership roles. He used funds from grants to install 43 Little Free Libraries throughout district campuses that provided easy access to reading materials for students and families; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the State Board of Education recognizes these outstanding individuals as Heroes for Children and thanks them for their years of volunteer service in their local public schools and communities.

WITNESS our signatures this first day of September, two thousand and twenty-three in Austin, Texas.

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Keven Ellis, Chair                                             Pat Hardy, Secretary