AUSTIN, TX (May 7, 2017) — On Sunday, May 7, H-E-B announced statewide winners of the 16th annual H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards during an awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Austin. During 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 $8.5 million in cash and grants since 2002.

Robert Gates delivered the keynote address to a ballroom packed with hundreds of educators, elected officials, community leaders and H-E-B employees. Gates formerly served as the United States Secretary of Defense, CIA Director and President of Texas A&M University.

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 2017 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 Ricky Davis Schertz Elementary Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD
	Secondary Category Richard Embrick David Crockett Middle School Fort Bend ISD

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 Raul Munoz George Evans Elementary Corpus Christi ISD
	Secondary Category Jamie Flint Spring Woods High School Spring Branch ISD

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 Rhonda Peña Bryan Elementary Mission CISD
	Secondary Category Michael Bailey Omar Bradley Middle School North East ISD

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

	Elementary Category Dr. Myrtha Villarreal Colonel Santos Benavides Elementary United ISD
	Secondary Category Julie Diaz Travis High School Fort Bend ISD

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

Pre-K 4 SA San Antonio, TX

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

Fort Bend ISD Sugar Land, TX

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

Alamo Heights ISD San Antonio

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

Grand Prairie ISD Grand Prairie, TX