SAN ANTONIO, TX (May 13, 2016) — On Friday, May 13, H-E-B announced statewide winners of the 15th annual H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards during an awards ceremony at San Antonio's La Cantera Hill Country Resort. At the ceremony, H-E-B Chairman and CEO Charles Butt personally handed out $430,000 in cash awards and grants, and congratulated eight educators, two school districts, one early childhood agency and a public school board for being among the best in Texas. The program has given away more than $8 million in cash and grants since 2002.

Neil deGrasse Tyson delivered the keynote address to a ballroom packed with hundreds of educators, elected officials, community leaders and H-E-B employees. Tyson is a renowned astrophysicist, researcher, author and host for television and radio shows exploring the frontiers of science.

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The following winners were selected from a pool of 58 finalists by judges who include former winners, school administrators, and university and community leaders.

The 2016 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award Winners Are:

Rising Star
The Rising Star Category recognizes teachers with less than 10 years of experience. Winners received a $5,000 check for themselves and a $5,000 grant for their school.

	Elementary Category Hilda Nanez Green Valley Elementary Galena Park ISD, Houston
	Secondary Category Alexandra Edwards Killeen High School Killeen ISD, Killeen

Leadership
The Leadership Category honors teachers with 10 to 20 years in the classroom. Winners received a $10,000 check for themselves and a $10,000 grant for their school.

	Elementary Category Tammy Verstrate LaVace Stewart Elementary Clear Creek ISD, Kemah
	Secondary Category Martha Saucedo Brady High School Brady ISD, Brady

Lifetime Achievement
The Lifetime Achievement Category salutes teachers with more than 20 years of experience. Winners received $25,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their school.

	Elementary Category Laurie Holmes Popham Elementary Del Valle ISD, Del Valle
	Secondary Category Mark Misage Westlake High School Eanes ISD, Austin

School Principal
Winning principals received $10,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for each of their schools.

	Elementary Category Sandy Conklin Samuel Beck Elementary Northwest ISD, Trophy Club
	Secondary Category Delia McLerran Young Women's Leadership Academy San Antonio ISD, San Antonio

Early Childhood
The winning early childhood facility received a $25,000 cash prize.

Sunshine Cottage San Antonio, TX Belinda Pustka, Director

School Board
The winning public school board received a $25,000 cash prize.

Somerset ISD Somerset, TX Dr. Omar Pachecano, Board President

Small School District
The winning small school district received a $50,000 cash prize.

Valley View ISD Pharr, TX Rolando Ramirez, Superintendent

Large School District
The winning large school district received a $100,000 cash prize.

Leander ISD Leander TX Dr. Bret Champion, Superintendent