Lamar Academy teacher Vivian Tamez is the recipient of the 2020 Liberty Bell Award from the Texas Young Lawyers Association.

This state-wide award annually recognizes a non-lawyer who has made selfless contributions to their community. In turn, they also strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of justice.  

“Your work is truly exceptional, and it exemplifies the level of dedication recognized by this prestigious award,” TYLA President Victor Flores wrote in a letter of congratulations. “Your willingness to organize and present many TYLA projects in McAllen was noticed by the selection committee, including Your Voice Now! and Vote America Rally Week.” 

Your Voice Now! is a roundtable discussion about student First Amendment rights with lawyers, teachers, administrators and students. Vote America Rally Week provided more than 1,500 high school seniors the opportunity to become registered voters.

In addition, Tamez was lauded for her work with McAllen ISD in assisting students to organize local projects. These include Domestic Violence Awareness March, Young Hearts Matter-Teen Dating Violence and Mental Health Coalition.