Surprise!
What began as a normal school day inside the culinary arts classroom at Lamar High School quickly turned into a moment Anyatta Nicole Ward and her students will never forget.
Ward was surprised with a $5,000 classroom grant through powered by , recognizing her commitment to excellence and the life-changing opportunities she creates for students every day.
Students watched in disbelief as representatives from the Dallas Cowboys entered the classroom, joined by Cowboys legend Joe Looney, team mascot Rowdy and Reliant鈥檚 Hugo the Armadillo. Ward was presented with a personalized Cowboys jersey, a commemorative football and the $5,000 grant to invest directly back into her culinary program.
The surprise brought cheers 鈥 and a few tears.
Ward, who brings more than two decades of pastry and bakery experience into her classroom, has built a program that blends technical culinary skills with professionalism, teamwork, and entrepreneurship. A graduate of The Art Institute of Dallas for Culinary Arts and co-owner of , Ward has appeared on the and won the Season 9 Miss America Challenge on in 2013. But in her classroom, her focus is squarely on her students.
鈥淭his is just part of my journey, part of my testimony,鈥 Ward said during the celebration. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a blessing. I just love my kids. This is my passion, and it makes me so happy knowing I鈥檓 making a difference in their lives. I鈥檓 exactly where I鈥檓 supposed to be 鈥 teaching at Lamar High School. I wouldn鈥檛 change it for anything.鈥
Lamar principal Lesley Maroney said the recognition reflects the impact Ward makes daily.
鈥淢rs. Ward lives out our belief of being more than a diploma,鈥 Maroney said. 鈥淭hrough her culinary program, students gain real-world skills, confidence, and pride in their work. This surprise was a powerful way to celebrate a teacher who gives so much of herself to her students.鈥
The $5,000 grant will support classroom equipment, supplies and expanded learning opportunities, ensuring students continue to gain hands-on, industry-relevant experience.
The Cowboys Class Acts powered by Reliant program honors outstanding educators across North Texas with surprise recognitions and classroom grants, investing directly in teachers and the students they serve.