Hill Country MS EANESpirations Announced

Congratulations to our Hill Country Middle School EANESpiration award winners!

Heroes Award

Ms. LaDonna French

LaDonna and the other cafeteria workers at HCMS make lunch a treat every day and we all look forward to going to the cafeteria to see their smiling faces. LaDonna, specifically, always smiles and says hello, checking to make sure they find everything they need. The ladies make the BEST salad bar in Austin. No joke.  LaDonna is a special friend, but all the workers are exceptional and pleasant to work with. Under Sylvia Martinez’s direction they are efficient, polite and genuinely care about the children. 

Educational Impact

Ms. Monica Meza

Monica works tirelessly with all of her students to ensure that their experience in choir is as enriching and successful as possible.  Most recently, we had a student of Ms. Meza’s who needed extra help preparing for an audition, because everyone else in the class was learning different music due to their grade level.  Ms. Meza cheerfully worked with the student individually for many days in order to ensure that the student would be successful.  Ms. Meza copied and highlighted her music for her, listened to and sang the audition tracks with her, and even worked with her on a Japanese song!  

This is very clearly above and beyond the scope of Ms. Meza’s professional responsibilities, and her actions show her commitment to her student.  Ms. Meza is an active helper with all of her other students in choir, helping them to focus, singing with them, working with them on dance moves, and helping with theory work.  She is a wonderful resource for the choir department here at Hill Country, and she is certainly Eanespirational!

Ke’tryk Manor

Ke’tryk is described as having a positive attitude and a “can do” spirit that is exemplary.  He approaches all technology challenges with a willing spirit of helpfulness, which goes a long way in easing any trepidations with the increasing demands of the digital age in which we live and teach.  He is highly visible and very available; if he has a moment to spare, he is popping his head into classrooms to see if he can be of any assistance in any way. 

Ke’tryk’s presence at Hill Country has made a significant impact on how teachers can utilize technology in classrooms.  He is always there with help on how to work a program or downloading an app and if a mobile lab is acting up, he is right there, problem-solving the issue. When there are challenges in getting the laptop to work when making presentations in the cafeteria, Ke’tryk is there.  And in each and every one of these times, he is there with a huge smile on his face!

Innovation Award

Sarah Yurko

Since coming to teach at HCMS, Sarah Yurko has brought her smiles, energy and expertise to touch teachers and students alike. She has worked hard to develop a curriculum and acquire computers and cameras to create a film making class for students. She often stays until 7 or 8pm to do what is needed so that her film students get to make their movies in a timely fashion and her positive energy is contagious to all! Because of Sarah’s efforts, Hill Country was one of 10 schools in America recognized by the Kennedy Center for the film program and Sarah still uses techniques she learned through that program.

Sarah has amazingly done all of this work in the film class while also teaching theatre, helping with computers and serving as a cheerleader sponsor. She is an innovative and inspiring teacher making a positive impact to our school and District.

Good Samaritan Award

Sutton Hamlin

“Sure, glad to do it” is the response that always comes to mind when one is around Sutton Hamlin. A mother of five active kids that at any given time are participating in multiple sports, Sutton is always quick to respond “Sure, glad to do it” when asked to help. If she is not delivering meals to teams at the high school or Hill Country Middle School, taking action shots on the sidelines of volleyball games, football games or lacrosse games, shuttling kids in countless carpools or leading a YoBro group for Young Life, you will probably find her volunteering at one of the schools or at a district or campus meeting offering her assistance to a myriad of projects.

Recent wildfires in Bastrop County provide two prime examples of Sutton’s strong drive to serve others not only in the Westlake Community but surrounding areas as well. When the call went out to foster animals from the tragedy, Sutton was first in line to help foster and care for them by taking them into her home. She continues this act of kindness. In addition to reaching out to those in the Bastrop Community, Sutton identified a need in our own community. Hill Country was surrounded by thick underbrush and did not have an adequate fire break. Sutton quickly went to work and organized a group of volunteers to clear the fire hazard. Her quick action and attention to detail helped prevent a possible problem and didn’t cost the Eanes School District a dime. Thank you, Sutton, for all that you do for our schools, our district and our community!