On Feb. 4, Lubbock Independent School District (Lubbock ISD) and the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce announced four Partners of the Year at the district’s 10th annual Community Partnership Forum. This event provides an opportunity for district staff to thank and honor individuals, businesses and organizations that invest their time, money and efforts into Lubbock ISD’s students, staff and schools.
Each year, awardees are first nominated by school staff who have seen firsthand the impact of the partner’s work on their campus. The nominations are then reviewed by the Lubbock ISD Partners in Education committee, a group of individuals that includes community partners and district staff members. From the nominations, the committee chooses one business, one nonprofit organization and one individual as Partners of the Year.
The 2026 celebration also included Lubbock ISD’s first-ever District Partner of the Year, ALLIANCE Credit Union, a partner that has had a widespread impact at multiple campuses across the district, including the central office.
Partners of the Year
Business Partner of the Year: J&M BBQ, nominated by Roscoe Wilson Elementary
Nonprofit Partner of the Year: Manos Unidas, nominated by Harwell Elementary
Individual Partner of the Year: The Honorable Kara Darnell, nominated by Centennial Elementary
District Partner of the Year: ALLIANCE Credit Union, nominated by Lubbock ISD
The forum gives community partners the opportunity to hear updates about the district from Superintendent Dr. Kathy Rollo and connect with other like-minded individuals who value public education and community engagement.
“It really does take a village to educate a child,” Rollo said. “The impact each of our community partners contribute is one that goes far beyond our classroom walls. We are so incredibly grateful to have such wonderful partners in Lubbock ISD who help us support our students and staff and help us to be a great school district.”
This year, the program also featured Jim and Jodi Hamlin as part of the district’s celebration of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. Through their work with the South Plains Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association, the Hamlins have become dedicated and generous supporters of our CTE students and programs. They spoke of their involvement at the Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center and their deep respect for the district’s educators.
As the forum’s keynote speaker, Lubbock Chamber President and CEO Nick Atwood shared anecdotes from his time as a Lubbock ISD student from kindergarten through graduation. Atwood praised the continuing partnership between the chamber and the district and highlighted the importance of thriving public school districts to the communities they serve.
The 2026 Community Partnership Forum was sponsored by Parkhill, another loyal district partner, and was held at the Texas Tech Alumni Association’s McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center.