(AUSTIN) — 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.

· Rising Star Elementary: Ricky Davis, Schertz Elementary, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD

· Rising Star Secondary: 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.

· Leadership Elementary: Raul Muñoz, George Evans Elementary, Corpus Christi ISD

Leadership Secondary: 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.

Lifetime Achievement Elementary: Rhonda Peña, Bryan Elementary, Mission CISD

Lifetime Achievement Secondary: 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.

Principal Elementary: Dr. Myrtha Villarreal, Colonel Santos Benavides Elementary, United ISD

Principal Secondary: 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

School Board

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

Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land

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

*For a full list of the 2017 H-E-B Excellence in Education finalists, please visit heb.com/education.