The Education Committee of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce kicks off the 2019  School Bell Awards Competition.    (L-R) MIguel Conchas, president of the Laredo Chamber, Nicole Werstak, Mimi Valdez, Humberto Trevino , chairman of the committee, Carmen Rendon, Nicole Romanos and Cynthia Conchas.

Mr. Humberto ‘Tito’ Gonzalez, Jr., Chairman of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, officially launched the 2019 School Bell Awards Competition at a press conference held in the Laredo Chamber of Commerce Board Room on February 13, 2019. In making the announcement, Mr. Gonzalez stated that the Chamber annually takes time to honor educators as part of Teacher Appreciation Week.  A special recognition – the School Bell Award – is presented to those educators that are selected by their peers for their performance in and out of the classroom, he said.  The Texas A&M International University College of Education will once again co-sponsor the event along with Family Chevrolet.

Outstanding teachers, from the elementary, middle and high school levels, as well as higher education, will receive the Chamber’s School Bell Award.  Eleven awards will be presented as follows:

Candidates from any field/discipline may apply/be nominated.  To qualify for the School Bell Award competition, candidates must have a minimum 5-years experience, and carry the support of the school principal/administrator (signature on application form).  Deadline for submitting applications is Wednesday, March 20, 2019.  General information on competition rules will be mailed to the principals at local private and public schools, or can be obtained at the Laredo Chamber of Commerce. 

All applications will be reviewed by the Laredo Chamber Education Committee which will select winners of the 2019 contest.  Winners will then be formally announced and presented with the coveted School Bell Award at a dinner ceremony to be co-hosted by the TAMIU College of Education to be announced at a later date. For information on how to obtain an application contact the Laredo Chamber of Commerce at (956)722-9895 or simply download from the Laredo Chamber web site www.laredochamber.com  (under Chamber Events).

The Laredo Chamber of Commerce Education Committee is made up volunteers who give of their time and resources during the year in support of educational initiatives for the local community. The members are representative of both the educational field and the business and public sectors.  They include:

Humberto “Tito” Gonzalez, Jr. (Chair), Civil Engineering Consultants

Adriana Perez, Laredo Job Corps

Alan Webb, Laredo College

Carmen Rendon, UISD

Cynthia Conchas, Retired Educator

Hector Equihua, IBC

Dr. James O’Meara, TAMIU

Mike Pescador, City of Laredo

Mimi Valdez, LISD

Miriam Menchaca, Laredo Chamber

Nancy Herschap, Laredo College

Nicole Romanos, Harmony Science Academy

Nicole Werstak, Texas Community Bank                            

Nydia Garcia, Laredo College

Raj Chekuri, Laredo College

Veronica Castillon, LISD

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