May 5, 2026 – Retiring Olsen Park Elementary school secretary Thelma Hays is the 2026 winner of Amarillo ISD’s highest employee honor, the Bob Ashworth Award. The award was presented at the District’s Annual Employee Recognition Banquet on Monday, May 4.

Hays leaves AISD for well-earned retirement with 36 years of service and a legacy that extends far beyond her job duties. She was nominated by Olsen Principal Tammy Nash and teacher Stacy Williams.

In her nomination, Williams wrote, “She has seen generations of students grow up, only to return as parents, finding the same kind face waiting to welcome them back. Thelma Hays is more than an employee; she is the soul of Olsen Park. After 36 years of selfless service, there is no one more deserving of recognition for their lifelong commitment to our district.”

For more than 30 years, the Bob Ashworth Award has been given annually to one AISD employee with an outstanding career of service to students and staff. The award is named in honor of Ashworth, who served as superintendent of AISD from 1958 to 1978. Along with a plaque and a monetary award, Atkinson’s portrait will hang outside the boardroom of the Rod Schroder Education Support Center.

Retiring employees also were honored at the banquet. This year’s retirees celebrated a combined total of 2,305 years of service. Of this year’s retirement class, 25 retirees have 30-39 years of experience.