Mrs. Enedelia, affectionately known as Mrs. Eny, has dedicated her life to serving the children and families of Uvalde with compassion and commitment. For nearly two years, she provided free counseling services under the Family Service Association and now serves as the therapist at both Uvalde Elementary and Dalton Elementary. She consistently goes above and beyond for her students, staff, and families.
In the wake of the Robb Elementary tragedy, Mrs. Eny was part of the counselors' crew that offered immediate support. Her impact on the community is profound, with many expressing deep gratitude for her tireless efforts in providing grief and PTSD therapy. Her work continues to bring hope and healing to countless children and families in Uvalde.
Ms. Haynes is a dedicated community leader and advocate for student well-being, recognized for her exceptional initiative in creating the free student food pantry at Southwest Texas Community College (SWTXC) in Uvalde. She is currently expanding her efforts to establish similar pantries in Eagle Pass and Del Rio. Ms. Haynes volunteers her time to secure donations and spread awareness about the pantry among students. Her extensive involvement extends to numerous extra projects both at SWTXC and within the broader community, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to student support and community service. The impact of Ms. Haynes' work is profound, with more students at SWTXC now aware of and utilizing the pantry to combat food insecurity for themselves and their families while they pursue their education. Additionally, her innovative spirit led to the creation of the Cowboy Pantry at SWTXC and the new VIDA resources, fostering significant community awareness and support.
Alex has taken it upon himself to honor Maite and her dream of becoming a marine biologist by ensuring plastics never reach our oceans. He asked his community to donate plastic bags to be recycled in exchange for multi-use bags, raising 2,880 plastic bags and earning his school a $500 gift card and his class $250 for school supplies from HEB. Alex spends every weekend at Galveston beach picking up plastics and trash, and he also grows his own produce, including tomatoes, potatoes, mint, cucumbers, figs, rosemary, onions, and pinto beans, which he shares with neighbors while actively composting and recycling. His community involvement includes helping elderly neighbors, mentoring with Maya's Love, and creating motivational chalk art in his neighborhood. Alex has made a significant impact by promoting sustainable products like bamboo straws and spearheading a recycling program at his school.
Ms. Elina Ybarra is a dedicated and innovative teacher who continually inspires her students and peers. She actively contributes to the community, embodying the spirit of a servant leader. Elina finds creative ways to involve students in community activities and fosters an inclusive environment, believing everyone should have the opportunity to be part of every circle, regardless of their background. She loves her students and ensures that her classroom feels like a safe space in the midst of it all. This year, she painted 21 personalized boxes to honor Mr. Reye's, Mrs. Mireles' and Mrs. Garcia's classrooms during the ceremony honoring the 21. Elina exemplifies the many sacrifices teachers make, often going above and beyond to support their students. She creates innovative programs and participation-based prizes, funded out of her own pocket, to encourage and reward student engagement. Elina is the recipient of the Irma Garcia & Eva Mireles Legacy of Learning Award, recognizing educators who exemplify outstanding dedication, compassion, and commitment to their students and community, reflecting the values and spirit of those who have left us. This award honors teachers who go above and beyond in fostering a positive and impactful learning environment.
We honor Mr. Arnulfo Reyes with the Maya's Love Inspiration Award. Mr. Reyes embodies resilience and strength, having faced unimaginable challenges with unwavering courage. As a former fourth-grade teacher at Robb Elementary, he shielded his students during a tragic event, losing all 11 of his beloved students and deeply feeling the loss of the 21 victims. Despite tremendous grief, his dedication to uplifting others and spreading hope shines brightly. His story reminds us of the profound impact one person can have. Join us in celebrating Mr. Reyes's extraordinary courage, compassion, and commitment to creating a safer, brighter future for our children and future generations. Thank you Mr. Reyes for being an inspiration to us all!
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