Donovon DePriest

I am nominating Donovon because he embodies the very best of service, sacrifice, and heart. For 16 years, he served as the “head lunch lady” across multiple school districts, dedicating himself to ensuring that every child, especially those relying on free or reduced lunch, had access to nutritious, dignified meals. For many students, school was the only place they could count on eating each day. Recognizing this painful reality, Donovon didn’t simply do his job; he transformed it. He worked with national food programs and partnered with the Del Valle ISD superintendent to bring breakfast and dinner into the district, expanding access so no child would go hungry. His standard is simple but powerful: the first kid and the last kid get the same. The same options, the same quality, the same experience. He refused to run out of the most-loved entrée, refused to serve food that wasn’t fresh, and refused to give students anything he wouldn’t proudly eat himself. He met with parents, listened to students, and created surveys to understand what they needed, and wanted, most. His leadership didn’t just feed children, it uplifted them and helped them know they were heard in an environment where many felt invisible. Outside the cafeteria, Donovon’s compassion ripples through his community. Known by neighborhood kids as “Uncle D,” he is the neighbor everyone knows they can count on. His home is a safe haven, a place sought out for a thoughtful conversation, a warm meal, or simply a moment of kindness. If someone is cold, he’ll give them the sweatshirt off his back. If someone is hurt, he is the first to show up at the hospital, offering comfort, humor, and unwavering presence. His selflessness persists even in the face of personal hardship. After breaking his L5 vertebrae in an accident, he still showed up to help clean out warehouses full of goods because he had promised he would, and his word is golden. Every movement caused him pain, but he refused to let others down. That is who he is: someone who keeps showing up, even when it costs him. Donovon’s impact is profound, his spirit unmistakably genuine, and his contributions uniquely generous. He has fed bodies, lifted spirits, and strengthened an entire community through quiet, consistent acts of love. He deserves to be recognized because he has spent his life recognizing the needs of others, and putting his heart into every interaction he has.