LULAC/Hispanic Heritage of Odessa recognized outstanding educators Tuesday at the Ector County ISD administration building patio.
The emcee was Monica Quintero, public relations manager for the Odessa Police Department. Gerardo Azarte, candidate for Justice of the Peace precinct 3, Erica Belangar, first vice president for Hispanic Heritage of Odessa and manager of Truist Bank, and Richard Herrera, an Ector County Hospital District board member, presented the awards.
The Don Quixote recipient was George H.W. Bush New Tech Odessa Principal Gerardo Ramirez.
Herrera provided some of Ramirez’ biography and said winners of the Don Quixote award are often visionary, courageous dreamers who have taken risks to achieve their goals and impacted their community.
Herrera said former UTPB President David Watts founded the recognition and received it several years ago. He said Watts believed that education is the key to a better life for everyone.
“(Ramirez) is a double graduate of UTPB receiving both his bachelor’s degree in 2010 and master’s of arts in educational leadership in 2014. He completed his superintendent’s certification in 2016 and completed Leadership Odessa in 2022,” Herrera said.
He added that Ramirez is a first-generation graduate.
Ramirez said the honor is a reminder that it’s important to work hard and do right by students and that your hard work will be recognized.
“I’m honored to be the Don Quixote award winner for 2022,” Ramirez said.
He added that he didn’t think he would win one of the Don Quixote awards.
“I know that several of the past recipients are very well respected educators, so it means a lot to me that I was selected,” Ramirez said.
Superintendent Scott Muri offered some remarks.
He noted that 78% of ECISD students are Hispanic.
“Tonight we will recognize some of the adults that are in their lives that serve as role models. That 78% deserve to have high-quality academic leaders that support them, encourage them, guide them, protect them, but most importantly set a standard for them of excellence. And so tonight we will honor and recognize, celebrate those individuals who serve our kids every single day and ensure that they have great role models and examples in front of them,” Muri said.
Christina Acosta, the culinary instructor at New Tech, said her passion is always focused on doing what’s best for students.
“That’s what drives our passion and I was just so very honored for the recognition,” Acosta said.
Other honorees included Lorinda Tercero, director of admissions at UTPB; Stephanie Marin, biology multi-classroom leader at Odessa High School; Ursula Evangelina Vijil, Holy Redeemer CCD; Nat Armendariz, ECISD lead welding instructor; and Nadia Rivas, residence life director at Odessa College.
Gilbert Vasquez gave the prayer; flags were presented by Jesse Porras and Mike Porras; and the pledge and moment of silence were presented by Feliz Abalos of the Abalos Law Firm.
