Transportation EANESpiration Winners, 2026
Good Samaritan
One who displays compassion, selflessness, or courage by taking initiative.
Nathan Sims, Shop Supervisor
Nathan demonstrated exceptional courage, attentiveness, and professionalism during the recent fire at the Transportation Department. Through his diligence and situational awareness, he promptly alerted staff, ensured their safe evacuation, and persisted in his efforts to confirm the emergency so that authorities could be notified. His decisive actions were instrumental in mitigating what could have resulted in significant damage to the facility and substantial loss to the district. We are deeply grateful for his composure, leadership, and commitment to the safety of our employees and our district’s assets.
Hilda Aguirre Torres, Bus Assistant
Hilda is being recognized for the incredible care and dedication she shows every day as a bus assistant. She has a genuine heart for the students she serves. What truly sets her apart is the meaningful, individual relationships she has built with the kids—not just on the bus, but also in her role as a cafeteria monitor at HCMS. She takes the time to connect with each student, making them feel seen, valued, and safe.
She goes above and beyond to create a positive and engaging environment on her bus. From bringing stuffed animals and involving the students in picking out names for them, to ensuring every student is engaged during the route, she has created a space where students feel comfortable and excited to be.Her compassion, creativity, and dedication make a lasting impact on both our students and our team. Hilda truly embodies what it means to be a Good Samaritan, and we are lucky to have her on our team.
Heroes
Those who perform an outstanding achievement that brings prestige to Eanes ISD, or do something that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Dan Arispe, Rollingwood Police Officer
Dan has impressed us all with his daily commitment to keeping our buses and students safe while serving the Rollingwood community. Each day, he follows our buses through dangerous areas to help ensure the safety of our students and staff. He consistently goes above and beyond to support our transportation team and help our drivers feel safe while driving. On one occasion, he even took the extra step to ensure a student was safely received at home, showing his true dedication to the well-being of our children.
His dedication, compassion, and commitment to student safety make a meaningful difference every day. Because of his efforts, our children, drivers, and community are safer, and his willingness to go beyond the call of duty is truly appreciated.
Melissa Brady, Bus Driver
Melissa comes to work every day with a smile that's contagious. Her personality draws in her coworkers, and they, too, as a result, start their days with smiles. Melissa is observant, intuitive, and deeply caring. She notices the things others may miss and steps in to support students, staff, and administration often before anyone even has to ask. Whether it is ensuring a student is okay, alerting administrators to a concern, or quietly helping behind the scenes when no one is watching, Melissa leads through action and heart. She creates a sense of safety and connection for students simply through the way she shows up each day. Her impact reaches far beyond the duties of her position and reflects the very best of Eanes ISD. She displays a professional demeanor that rubs off on others. On her route, her student management skills have earned her the respect of her riders who, as a result, follow the "rules of bus ridership. For this and so many other reasons, Melissa is a hero!
Jeffrey Bush, Bus Driver
Jeff is exceptional with students and treats them with respect and care. He is a friendly, trustworthy and dependable person who greets everyone with a smile and a positive attitude every morning. His consistency, kindness, and professionalism create a safe and welcoming environment for both students and staff. As the leader of our bus lane, he is always open to changes, cooperative, and respectful ,ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. His positive attitude and commitment truly make a difference, and he is well deserving of this recognition. Jeff does his job with excellence and shows compassion to all students who he interacts with. His positive attitude sets an example for everyone to follow.
Trevor Davila, Westlake Fire Department
Lt. Trevor Davila with the Westlake Fire Department is a hero for his outstanding support and dedication to our team. Throughout this year, Lt. Trevor has played a vital role in supporting our driver training during both the fall and spring sessions. He generously shared his knowledge, experience, and expertise, helping strengthen our team’s skills and overall preparedness. Because of his involvement, our operation is safer, and our staff is more confident in handling real-world situations. His willingness to step in, give his time, and invest in our team does not go unnoticed.
Lt. Trevor’s dedication to our district and commitment to safety truly set him apart. We are grateful for his partnership and proud to recognize him as a hero to Eanes ISD.
Corey Reyna, Mechanic
Corey consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and unwavering reliability, showing up ready to work regardless of the conditions—rain or shine. He is always willing to go the extra mile, whether that means coming in early, staying late, or stepping up on weekends when needed. Corey is someone we can depend on without hesitation; when an emergency arises, he does not hesitate to drop what he’s doing to lend a hand and ensure the issue is resolved. His dedication, team-first attitude, and dependability make him an invaluable member of our team, and we are truly fortunate to have him.
Christina Torres, Transportation Specialist
Christina Torres is an outstanding teammate who consistently goes above and beyond in everything she does. She keeps everything running smoothly and on time, and her friendly and professional attitude makes a positive difference every single day. Her many years of dedication, hard work, and commitment deserve to be recognized and our department would not be the same without her.
From organizing events and keeping everything running behind the scenes, to stepping in to help clean up without ever being asked, she consistently does whatever is needed. When we’re scrambling early in the morning to figure out route coverage, she’s already on it—sending texts, helping coordinate, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks.She also doesn’t hesitate to step in and drive routes herself when we’re short-staffed, often working long hours to support the team. No matter the task or the time of day, she handles it all with a positive attitude and a smile.
What sets her apart is her selflessness. She always puts the needs of our department and our employees first, making sure everyone feels supported and taken care of. Her reliability, work ethic, and heart for this team make a lasting impact on all of us.