State Board of Education News

Nominate a student volunteer for 2019 Student Heroes Award

The State Board of Education (SBOE) is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Student Heroes Award.
 
The Student Heroes Award program recognizes Texas public school students in prekindergarten through high school who voluntarily work to assist or benefit their fellow Texas students.
 
“Every day in our schools, students quietly perform unselfish acts of kindness. They don’t do so to earn a grade or for public accolades. They do so because they are people of good character who understand that a kind word or action can go a long way to improving someone’s day. These young people make their schools and communities a better place because of their unselfish work,” said SBOE Chair Donna Bahorich.
 
“We hope educators and community members will take a few minutes to nominate the remarkable students in their area,” she said.
 
Action of past recipients include mentoring struggling students, making sure no one eats alone in the school cafeteria, creating a suicide prevention support group, providing stuffed animals to sick children, hosting birthday parties for students living at homeless shelters, providing blankets to students in need, establishing a school drumline, and assisting with disaster relief for hurricane victims.
 
“The Student Heroes Award gives the State Board of Education an opportunity to spotlight these caring students. We hope this will inspire others to perform acts of kindness as well,” Bahorich said.
 
Up to 15 students – one per State Board of Education district – may receive the award each year. Anyone may nominate a Texas public-school student for the award.
 
Award requirements include the following:
 
• The service, assistance or good deed must be voluntary and not part of any curriculum, graduation requirement, class, or community project.
• The service, assistance or good deed must benefit other students in Texas, either individually or collectively.
• The benefit may be to students of one campus, a district, or a community.
 
Nominations will be accepted through 5 p.m. (DST) March 12.
 
Recipients of the Student Heroes awards will be announced in May. A plaque will be awarded to each Student Hero by his or her State Board member.
 
Nomination forms and program guidelines are available at https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/News_and_Multimedia/Awards/Student_Heroes_Award/
or for more information please email heroes@tea.texas.gov.