Ambassador Awards

Ambassador Awards

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 2024-2025

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

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

Award Categories

  • Administrator of the Year

  • Assistant Principal of the Year

  • Auxiliary Employee of the Year

  • Child Nutrition Employee of the Year

  • Counselor of the Year 

  • Custodian of the Year

  • Hays High Five Employee of the Year

  • Instructional Aide of the Year

  • Instructional Coach of the Year

  • Librarian of the Year

  • Maintenance & Operations Employee of the Year

  • Nurse of the Year

  • Paraprofessional of the Year

  • Principal of the Year

  • Professional of the Year

  • Safety & Security Champion of the Year

  • Secretary/Clerical Employee of the Year

  • Special Education Employee of the Year

  • Technology Employee of the Year

  • Transportation Employee of the Year

  • Superintendent's Choice Award

  • Cabinet's Choice Award

  • Ambassador of the Year

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