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Hallettsville school principal named finalist in H-E-B Excellence in Education program

Principal 'excellence' finalist, awarded $2,500 for her school from H-E-B
  • Julian Cavazos •
  • Originally published March 29, 2010 at 6:18 p.m., updated March 30, 2010 at 8:15 a.m.

  • Selection Process for H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

    To be selected, Patek had to be nominated. Superintendent Jo Ann Bludau submitted her nomination.

    Patek then was given a packet with essay questions to submit, such as on student achievement, ...

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    • Selection Process for H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

    To be selected, Patek had to be nominated. Superintendent Jo Ann Bludau submitted her nomination.

    Patek then was given a packet with essay questions to submit, such as on student achievement, leadership and community involvement.

    This year, H-E-B received 7,500 nominations and more than 1,200 applications.

    A panel of judges for the Gulf Coast area selected her as a finalist in the region based on her submitted answers and accomplishments with Hallettsville Elementary School.

    On Monday, Patek was surprised with a $1,000 check for herself, and a $2,500 check for her school.

    She will compete May 2 against four other principals in the state for the grand prize. Two principals will be selected as state winners, one in the elementary category and one secondary category.

    If Patek wins on the statewide level, she will receive $10,000 in cash for herself, along with a $25,00 grant for her school.

HALLETTSVILLE - Talk about surprises.

Principal Trina Patek was told her school would be given a presentation by the Hallettsville Police Department about not getting into cars with strangers.

But she was tricked.

What really went down was a surprise of balloons, flowers and cake from H-E-B officials who had an important announcement for her.

Patek, principal of Hallettsville Elementary School, was selected as an area finalist for the "Best in Education" H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards.

Patek did not know H-E-B was there to surprise her with a $1,000 personal check and a $2,500 check for her school.

"I'm shocked but I'm not shocked in a sense because this school and this community does not get recognized nearly enough," Patek said. "It's not about me."

Superintendent Jo Ann Bludau nominated Patek for the award.

"After I found out her campus was exemplary, I told her, 'I will nominate you," Bludau said. "Her application stood out among many others throughout the state."

After H-E-B notified Patek of her nomination, Patek submitted essays on her accomplishments on student achievement, leadership and community involvement.

Karen Kahanek, a first-grade teacher, was also shocked when H-E-B presented Patek with her award. None of the teachers knew about the surprise.

"Trina and I have been friends for a very long time," Kahanek said. "She's very caring, she's a wonderful principal. She puts the kids and the teachers first. She's very excited and enthusiastic about her job, too."

Patek, who has been principal for 10 years, led Hallettsville Elementary School to being an exemplary campus by the Texas Education Agency in 2009.

Patek credits her teachers and students for her award.

"I'm only as good as my teachers, and only as good as the efforts my students give," she said. "I have a staff that gives 100 percent."

Donna Shimek, a teacher who has known Patek for years, said Patek deserves the award.

Patek is always inspiring her staff to achieve their goals, Shimek said.

"I feel like a baby, but I did start crying, because she deserves every bit of it," Shimek said. " She's always doing so much for other people, and she never takes anything back for herself. This time, she deserves it."