Texas State Board of Education Honors Texarkana Volunteer

A volunteer is making a difference in the lives of children in Texarkana.

The Texas State Board of Education will honor Valarie Said, one of Texarkana Independent School District’s own, during a special ceremony today, Sept. 11, 2015, in Austin, Texas. Sixteen Texans were chosen because of their volunteer service to Texas public schools and were presented with the Heroes for Children award. For TISD, this is the third volunteer in five years to be named to this prestigious group of state volunteers.

Said, a district volunteer, has guided fundraisers, special events and been a classroom volunteer for the past 23 years.

“I am just so honored to be recognized for my volunteering,” shared Said. “It was never why I did it but of course it is great to be recognized among these other wonderful volunteers across Texas.”

Said has served as the District Volunteers In Public Schools (VIPS) President and President of the Texas High School VIPS Program. She continues to serve on the District VIPS Board and the Partners In Education Advisory Committee

I began volunteering when my first child entered school and continued until my last child finished this past May. “I have cleaned out closets, fed kids, was a room mother, worked on picture day, teacher appreciation days and field days.

"You name it, I have done it!," she laughed.

The Heroes for Children honorees are selected by the State Board members and recognized for volunteering their time, talents and skills in support of the public schools in their communities. Each hero will receive a certificate of honor, a copy of the resolution scheduled for Board approval and photographs commemorating the ceremony. Each hero will also have his or her name engraved on a plaque that is permanently displayed at TEA headquarters.