Chicken Express and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football are partnering to honor the heroes in your community. Male and female student-athletes that lead by example on the field of play and in the classroom can be honored as Chicken Express Community Heroes and receive scholarship money to continue their education beyond high school.

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Macy Walker, Vega

Macy Walker has basketball in her blood. Her Dad and her uncles played in college and she is on track to follow their legacy as a standout player for Vega High School.

Walker will enter her senior year in the fall and start on varsity for her third straight season. The 5-foot-11 power forward helped lead her team to a 32-4 record last year and has already earned several individual accolades including an invite to the TGCA All-Star game which she played in, in July.

More impressive to Athletic Director Jason Porton than her play on the court is the type of person that she is on a day-to-day basis. Porton says that he wants his daughter to grow up and be like Walker.

“She an outstanding lady — she exemplifies everything that you want in your athletic program as far as being a great student, a great person and she’s probably the most respectful kid I’ve ever been around,” Porton said. “I have a young daughter and I hope she grows up to be like Macy.”

Walker has been a model throughout the community which has shown in her work at a local food bank and through her three years of community service through the National Honor Society.

“I think gaining the respect of your peers is important and doing so by your actions on and off the court,” Walker said. “It means more to me to be a good person than to just be good at basketball. You make more friends and make the community a better place.”

Her service in the community has not only had a positive effect on her community but on herself, too.

“I learned that you can’t take anything for granted. I’m blessed to be able to have a house with food that’s always on the table because there are some kids that aren’t,” Walker said. “I was able to see that when I went and volunteered at the food bank.”

Porton says that putting others first is typical of Walker as she always goes the extra mile to help her peers at school.

“At school she’s helping new girls fit in, if she sees that things need to be done, she’s pitching in and helping whether its moving tables or putting stuff up or cleaning after basketball games,” Porton said. “She’s an awesome individual.”

Walker is not sure what college she will be attending after high school but plans on playing college basketball. She also plans to study physical therapy.

Roland Rivas, Aransas Pass

When Hurricane Harvey struck his community, Aransas Pass High School student-athlete Roland Rivas went out of his way to aid strangers in the community in any way that he could despite having to clean up the damage that his own house suffered. Rivas said that helping out his community was a no-brainer as his family had ample help in saving theirs.

“With the help that we got, we were fortunate enough to fix the damage and get it cleaned up as soon as possible,” Rivas said. “I just felt like I needed to reach out and help others just like those who helped me. I felt moved by those people that helped me.”

Rivas’ willingness to help is just a small testament to the kind of person that he is — always leading by example. The defensive lineman displays that trait on the football field and is a captain of the varsity Aransas Pass High School team.

“He leads by example, he never complains, he works hard and he always tries to build his teammates up,” Aransas Pass head coach Ryan Knostman said. “His work ethic shows in the weight room, the classroom and on the field. He’s just an all-around great kid.”

Rivas earned All-District honors in his sophomore and junior seasons but is more proud of the success he has found in the classroom. Last year, Rivas was the only junior to enroll in the dual credit Instrumentation class where you learn different technicalities and refineries that prepare you for trade school.

“The program puts you on a path to success. You gain so much instead of just learning, I’m gaining so much,” Rivas said. “I have my electricity basic, I have my OSHA 10 card, first aid certificate, etc. there are a lot of things that I gain from that class that prepare me for my future, not just learn.”

Rivas’ dedication to the class is evidence of how serious he takes his education to prepare him for life off the football field.

“Education is the thing that gets you money in the world, its whats important in life. You can’t go anywhere without a degree or a certificate in something to be successful,” Rivas said. “You have to strive to be successful and education is another stepping stone for me.”

After college, he plans to attend trade school and graduate with an associate’s degree in Instrumentation. Rivas says the things that he’s learned through football will translate into his career.

“I’m very excited to go into the profession,” Rivas said. “My Dad and my coaches have really emphasized to do the little things right and that applies to the profession a lot.”