TAHPERD Award Recipients
Honoring outstanding educators, professionals, scholars, leaders, and students whose work advances health, physical education, recreation, and dance.
2025 Awards
David K. Brace Award
Tamara Gilstrap — Coppell ISD (Retired)
Honor Award
Judy Bloomquist — Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Lacreacia Sanders — Tarrant County College-Northwest
Kathleen Shaffer — Arlington ISD (Retired)
Emerging Professional of the Year
Brendan Thompson — Spring Branch ISD
College/University Administrator of the Year
Sharon Carano — Texas Wesleyan University
College/University Dance Teacher of the Year
Amanda McCorkle — Texas State University
Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Melody Caza — North East ISD
Elementary School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Christina Fuller-Summey — Richardson ISD
Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Lauran DeForke — Katy ISD
K-12 Health Teacher of the Year
Linda Nigro — Aldine ISD
College/University Health Teacher of the Year
Lora Cate Bedard — University of Texas at Permian Basin
Scholar Award
Dr. Lorraine Killion — Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Pathfinder Award
Sharon Rice — Stephen F. Austin State University
Student Scholarship
Katelyn Frisbie — Texas A&M University-Commerce
2024 Awards
David K. Brace Award
Dr. Sandy Kimbrough — Texas A&M University-Commerce
Honor Award
Sheree Clements — Lubbock ISD (Retired)
Thomasina Gatson — Houston ISD
Dr. John Smith — Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Emerging Professional of the Year
Jonathan Arrow — Fort Worth ISD
K-12 Administrator of the Year
Helen Wagner — Humble ISD
College/University PE Teacher of the Year
Dr. George Woods III — Del Mar College
K-12 Dance Teacher of the Year
Claire Augustine Hixson — Dallas ISD
Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Nancy Rutherford — Allen ISD
Elementary School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Amber Sladecek — Georgetown ISD
Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Elizabeth Flores — Aldine ISD
High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Steven Nguyen — Dallas ISD
K-12 Health Teacher of the Year
Janet Scott-Carrier — Aldine ISD
College/University Health Teacher of the Year
Dr. John Stewart — Stephen F. Austin State University
Recreation Professional of the Year
Dr. Kent Griffin — Texas State University
Scholar Award
Dr. Eun Hye Kwon — Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Student Scholarship
Klayton Meeks — Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Katelyn Frisbie — Texas A&M University-Commerce
Madalyn Griffin — Stephen F. Austin State University
2023 Awards
David K. Brace Award
Janice Longino — Rockwall ISD
Honor Award
Patty Donaldson — Retired, Angelina College
Francina Hollingsworth — Houston ISD
K-12 Administrator of the Year
Felicia Ceaser-White — Houston ISD
College/University PE Teacher of the Year
Sharon Rice — Stephen F. Austin State University
College Administrator of the Year
Alyssa Locklear — Texas A&M University
K-12 Dance Teacher of the Year
Adia Richardson — Midway ISD
Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Evelyn Tidwell — North East ISD
Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
David Vaughn — Montgomery ISD
Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Melinda Foglesong — Dallas ISD
K-12 Health Teacher of the Year
Aubria Smith — Dallas ISD
Recreation Professional of the Year
Paula Ceasar — Houston ISD
Scholar Award
Judy Sandlin — Texas A&M University
Trailblazer Award
George Woods — Del Mar College
Student Scholarship
Stephanie Gonzalez — University of North Texas
Andrea Longoria — Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Sage Murray — Stephen F. Austin State University
President’s Service Award
Presley W. Donaldson, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)