2026 Champion Award Recipients: Announced
Our 2026 Champions are living proof of that mission in action. Through extraordinary contributions of time, talent, and treasure, these individuals and organizations have gone above and beyond. They have invested in Dallas students, strengthened school communities, and helped make our vision a reality. With their help, more students are on the path to reaching their full potential.
Please join us in celebrating our 2026 U2L Champions. We look forward to honoring them in person at Cheers for Champions on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Palomino Ranch in Dallas!
Chara Pace | Educator Category
Principal, Clinton P. Russell Elementary
Principal Chara Pace has been a dedicated and transformative leader at Clinton P. Russell Elementary, guiding her campus through remarkable growth and continuous improvement. As a school in need of targeted assistance, Principal Pace leaned fully into U2L programs, including the Prioritizing Principal Project and Team Thrive. Her leadership reflects a steadfast commitment to excellence for every student in her building. Her leadership has fueled rising academic outcomes, a thriving campus culture, and a truly remarkable turnaround: Russell moved from a D- to an A-rated campus in just two years. Principal Pace is a passionate advocate for United to Learn and a champion for her entire school community. Her story is a powerful testament to what is possible through strong leadership, deep collaboration, and an unwavering belief in students.
Francis Robles | Educator Category
Parent Support Specialist, Arthur Kramer Elementary
Francis Robles serves as the Parent Support Specialist at Arthur Kramer Elementary and is an invaluable partner to United to Learn. As a key point of contact for United to Learn programs and volunteers, she helps ensure every initiative runs smoothly and effectively. Her welcoming spirit, creativity, and flexibility create a positive and engaging environment for U2L Liaisons, Teen Fellows, and Teen Corps volunteers. She approaches every opportunity with enthusiasm and a deep commitment to supporting students, families, and staff. Her reliability, responsiveness, collaborative spirit, and dedication make her a standout leader and a bright light within Dallas ISD schools.
Truist Bank | Investor Category
Corporate Partner
Truist Bank has been an extraordinary partner to United to Learn — our top corporate contributor and one of our highest all-time donors, with nearly half a million dollars invested in support of our mission. Their generosity has powered key initiatives, including Aspiring Teacher tutors, library transformations, and financial literacy education, expanding opportunity for students across Dallas. Beyond financial investment, Truist employees actively volunteer in schools and contribute to U2L’s strategic direction: Renda Mathew serves on our Board, DeVon Lang participates in the 2025–2026 Policy Study Cohort, and Keisha Allen provides financial literacy professional development and resources to educators. Truist brings not only resources but a true spirit of partnership to this work — and as Juan Solis shared, they are proud of what they have accomplished together. Truist thoroughly embodies its mission of building better lives and communities through sustained, collaborative impact.
Joseph Cissell | Volunteer / Liaison Category
U2L Liaison, Alex Sanger Elementary
In his very first year as a U2L Liaison, Joseph Cissell has made an extraordinary impact through his initiative, enthusiasm, and commitment to service. Supporting Alex Sanger Elementary, Joseph quickly went far above and beyond his role. He built strong relationships with staff, engaged parent organizations, and created meaningful opportunities for community involvement. Affectionately known as the “Box Top Guy,” he has already generated significant funding for his school while rallying others to get involved. Joseph has also volunteered throughout the broader U2L network, supporting Book Bashes, Community Campus Days, and other campus needs in Dallas. He collaborates with fellow liaisons to share ideas and best practices. His creativity, generosity, and willingness to show up wherever needed make him a standout example of what community leadership can look like.
Renza Diaz | Volunteer / Liaison Category
U2L Liaison & Advisory Council Member
Renza Diaz is an exceptional leader and longtime champion of United to Learn, having supported multiple schools over more than five years of dedicated service. As a Liaison, she goes above and beyond to build meaningful connections between schools and their communities, working closely with principals, educators, and families to create lasting impact. She mentors fellow Liaisons, serves as a trusted partner to school leaders, and acts as a passionate advocate for students — often bridging vital connections with Spanish-speaking families and communities. Renza’s leadership extends well beyond her campuses, including hosting key United to Learn events and contributing to broader organizational efforts. Her dedication, creativity, and commitment to empowering others represent the very best of community investment in education.
Nori Romero | Teen Fellow Category
Teen Fellow, Thomas Jefferson High School AVID Program
As a United to Learn Teen Fellow, Nori Romero leads with confidence, purpose, and a heart for service. She brings a program manager’s mindset to every opportunity, guiding her peers with poise, clear communication, and a strong focus on results. Respected by fellow students and trusted by adults, Nori helps create a culture of consistency, teamwork, and follow-through within her chapter. Through Teen Fellows, United to Learn empowers high school students to grow as leaders while building a lifelong commitment to civic engagement and service. Nori exemplifies that mission through the way she leads and lifts others.
Join Us to Celebrate — Cheers for Champions!
United to Learn invites you to an evening celebrating the educators, investors, and community leaders helping Dallas students thrive. Together, we’ll honor our 2026 U2L Champion Award recipients — the outstanding individuals and organizations who have gone above and beyond this school year, showing up in meaningful partnership with our city’s schools.
Guests will enjoy a cocktail hour, a brief program, and time to come together as a community committed to seeing Dallas students reach their full potential.
Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 5:30 PM
Palomino Ranch
505 North Good Latimer Expressway | Dallas, TX
We look forward to seeing you there!