(Cibolo) — A high school principal in Guadalupe County is being recognized for earning the first ever Community Leader of the Year Award presented by Community Coffee and the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine.
Honored with the inaugural award is Jana Cervantes, the principal at Byron P, Steele High School in Cibolo. Cervantes, a native of Seguin and a 1991 Seguin High School graduate, recently landed the award after beating out nine other top finalists.
During the fall, Cervantes was nominated for the award by, David Saenz, the Knights head football coach. She then became one of the 10 finalists from across the state who advanced to an online competition at TexasFootball.com.
Cervantes, who was showered on campus with a celebration by Community Coffee and the football magazine, says she is grateful for the recognition.
“The only people that were nominated are the 10 finalists so there were 10 of us that won it one a week during football season — the 10 regular (game) season and apparently, I won the whole thing and so, I hadn’t really heard from them and then, they came down last week and I was like ‘oh, my goodness!’ I didn’t know I was the first one ever and I didn’t know that it was such a big deal but it was extremely nice and I felt very honored that they took the time to award me for Texas Community Leader of the Year,” said Cervantes.
The school principal says the award is even more humbling as she draws closer to retirement ending a 30 year career in education — nine of those being at Steele.
“It means a whole lot. What principals don’t realize is that if they have a really strong athletic program whether it’s girls (or) boys — whatever it is — the camaraderie of the school, the culture of the school is positive and from the minute I stepped foot in Steele, I’ve just had so much support from the coaches. I mean like, ‘Boss what do you need? What can I help you with today? Do you need my kids to set up tables?’ I mean whatever it is, they make sure that those kids not only give respect to me but to everyone and it sets the tone for the school and it’s just amazing and for them to recognize me and know that it was my last year, it means a lot. I love Friday nights. I love it. I love it for the band, the dance, the cheer, football — I love all of that and that is such a highlight and I don’t miss a game unless I’m bleeding or one of my sons is hurt and I think I’ve only missed two in nine years,” said Cervantes.
As a prize, Steele High School received a $2,500 check. Community Coffee also provided a lunch for teachers and provided free coffee and tea to students during the school day via its trolley that was parked outside on school grounds.
