Leander High School senior Connor Hoglund, recognizing Elizabeth Garcia: "Ms. Garcia has had a huge impact on my life, teaching me both a great deal about the Spanish language and culture, and more so by instilling in me a good work ethic and character. She notably takes great feeling and pride from helping her students; which likely contributes to her amazing attitude towards teaching, learning, and helping others. She will always have a big smile on her face, be it when educating or conversing, and I am convinced if more students had a teacher like Ms. Garcia in their academic lives, school would be a much healthier and happier learning environment."
Leander High School senior Katie Doil, recognizing Shelby Kenyon: "Mrs. Kenyon has greatly influenced my life by starting me off on my Interior Design career. She always gives me feedback on how to improve my work and become more professional. She has taught me to go from a casual high school student to a formal, young business woman. She has been there for me and given me excellent advice in academic, personal, and business situations. She has taken me under her wing."
Leander High School senior Lauren Presley, recognizing Robert Selaiden: "The power of our influence often gets taken for granted. A simple hug, smile or joke for someone else can lead to one selfless act, to another and another. In one day, one could spark so many of these reactions so that the world we wake up in the next day, is one more joyous and positive than the last. Mr. Selaiden is a person who realizes this influence, and chooses to make sure his students feel love, encouragement, happiness and support day after day. The result of which, is an environment where students don’t feel afraid to be wrong, aren’t afraid to fail and can give their best each day, knowing they have a such a strong leader in their corner guiding them. In this environment, I have learned to look at failure as a way to grow, how to be my best in my darkest moments, how to look at differing perspectives as a betterment to my own, how to disagree to find a better solution and most of all, learn to be someone others can rely on. My world, like many others, is forever bettered because no matter the circumstance, I can always turn to Mr. Selaiden for a hug and he will always tell me he believes in me."
