February 3, 2025 – Rosenberg, Texas – H-E-B recently announced the five early childhood facilities, five public school boards and eight school districts across Texas that have been named as finalists in the 2025 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program. The list of finalists for the 2025 awards includes the Lamar CISD Board of Trustees, whose current members include Zach Lambert, President (District 1); Jacci Hotzel, Vice President (District 4); Jon Welch, Secretary (District 5); Mandi Bronsell (District 3); Kay Danziger (District 2); Suzanne Box (District 7); and Joe Hubenak (District 6).
“The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards have been a highly respected and sought-after honor for school districts across Texas for more than 20 years, and with over a thousand school districts in the state, being one of just 5 school board finalists is an extraordinary achievement,” Lamar CISD Superintendent Dr. Roosevelt Nivens said.
“I couldn’t be prouder to serve under the dedicated leadership of our Lamar CISD trustees,” Dr. Nivens continued. “I’m excited to see them achieve this statewide recognition that highlights the amazing work they do every day as unpaid elected officials serving our district and our schools while advocating for the success of our students.”
This year, H-E-B will award $90,000 to the total 18 finalists, an award of $5,000 each. Finalists will also go on to compete for additional prizes at the statewide level in May. To determine the winners, a panel of judges will tour each finalist’s campus or district to engage with administration, staff, parents and community members – with the judges’ visit to Lamar CISD already scheduled for mid-February. Winners will be announced at the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards ceremony on Sunday, May 4 at the Hilton Austin.
If selected, one Texas early childhood facility will receive $25,000; one or more school boards will receive prizes of up to $25,000; one large school district will receive $100,000; and one small school district will receive $50,000.
Additionally, 50 Texas finalists including teachers, counselors, and principals will be announced between January and March during a series of surprise visits to schools and classrooms across the state.
“As part of a hypergrowth district facing the incredible range of opportunities and challenges that go along with that growth, our Lamar CISD trustees are in a unique position to impact the lives of young people as well as the future of public education in Texas,” Dr. Nivens said. “They are a group of dedicated volunteers who always keep the needs of our students first, and we are so proud of all that they’ve accomplished while serving our community. This honor is well-deserved.”
Each year, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program awards cash prizes to honor outstanding public school professionals, and to thank them for their dedication and commitment. Through the program, H-E-B seeks to pay tribute to those educators who go the extra mile every day to serve their students and their communities, and who inspire others to do the same.
Since the program’s inception in 2002, H-E-B has awarded more than $14 million in funding to outstanding Texas teachers, counselors, principals, public schools, early childhood centers, school boards and school districts.
For more information about the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program – including a full list of this year’s finalists – click HERE.
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