Ambassador Awards
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The Ambassador Awards are designed to motivate, recognize, and reward the people who serve as the district’s ambassadors to parents, students, and the community. These outstanding employees consistently demonstrate exemplary performance and dedicated service to Hays CISD. In 2012, the Board set a goal to celebrate district employees who make noteworthy contributions toward creating a culture of extraordinary customer service. To honor these employees, Hays CISD created the annual Ambassador Awards program.
Note: Teachers of the Year, Guest Teachers of the Year, and Volunteers of the Year enjoy separate recognition programs. The Volunteer of the Year luncheon takes place in April. The Teachers of the Year luncheon takes place in May. The Guest Teachers (substitute teachers) of the Year luncheon takes place in the summer.
Ambassador Award Winners 24-25
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It is with tremendous pride that we announce the 25 individuals who have each been named as one of Hays CISD’s 2024-2025 Ambassador Award winners!
Hays CISD will honor all of our Ambassadors, as well as name our District Ambassador of the Year, during a ceremony on May 7, 2025
Congratulations to all of our Ambassadors! Check out the list below.
Administrator of the Year: Dr. Brian Dawson - C&I/Student Services - ASC
Assistant Principal of the Year: Adrian Reyes - Simon MS
Bus Driver of the Year: Niquelle (Blue) Blakely - Transportation
Child Nutrition Employee of the Year: Carey Henson - Dahlstrom MS
Counselor of the Year: Curtis Barker - Lehman HS
Crossing Guard of the Year: Karen Taylor - Negley ES
Custodian of the Year: Darrell Stewart - Hays HS
Instructional Aide of the Year: Terrie Castille - Carpenter Hill ES
Librarian of the Year: Cori Mitchell - McCormick MS
Maintenance & Operations Employee of the Year: Samuel Arredondo - M&O
Nurse of the Year: Jessica Soliz - Uhland ES
Paraprofessional of the Year: Annette Navarro - Fuentes ES
Principal of the Year: Alisa DiPalma - Sunfield ES
Professional of the Year: Anston Shockley - Finance - ASC
Secretary of the Year: Rosalinda Chavez - Cullen ES
Special Education Employee of the Year: Allison Garcia - SPED/Hemphill ES
Technology Employee of the Year: Mito Benavides - Technology
Transportation Employee of the Year: Niquelle (Blue) Blakely - Transportation
High Five Employee of the Year: Darla Peters - Human Resources - ASC
Superintendent's Choice: Shawna Mayerson - Live Oak Academy HS
Safety & Security Champion: Kayci Ramos - Buda ES
Cabinet's Choice: Teresa Salinas - Communications - ASC
Coach of the Year: Sam Carlin - Johnson HS
Fine Arts Employee of the Year: Lory Stewart - Hays HS
Lifetime Achievement: Teri Stapp - C&I - ASC
100% Hays: Jesus Gomez - C&I - ASC
Current Winners
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Past Award Winners
2022-2023 (list)
2021-2022 (list)
2020-2021 (list)
2019-2020 (list)
2018 - 2019 (list)
2018 - 2019 (photos)
2017 - 2018 (list)
2017 - 2018 (photos)
2016 - 2017 (list)
2016 - 2017 (photos)
2015 - 2016 (list)
2015 - 2016 (photos)
2014 - 2015 (photos)
2013 - 2014 (photos)
2012 - 2013 (list)
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Criteria
All Ambassador Award nominees must represent the district well, exhibiting the highest standards of professional conduct and service.
To be considered for an Ambassador Award for the employee categories, nominees must:
- Be a current full-time or part-time Hays CISD employee with no disciplinary actions pending or having occurred for the past year
- Demonstrate a consistent positive attitude and understanding of the value of nurturing good relationships with staff, students, and/or parents
- Demonstrate a commitment to excellent service by going above and beyond normal expectations for staff, students, and/or parents
