Awards & Scholarships
Every year the Texas Public Pool Council is proud to recognize excellence across the state of Texas in aquatics. Winners are nominated and then evaluated by a TPPC Committee dedicated to honoring the best talents, programs, and efforts in Aquatics.
Deadline for Nominations - Friday, December 19, 2025 by midnight.
Click on the title of the award you are applying for to complete the online application.
Deadline for Nominations - Friday, December 19, 2025 by midnight.
Click on the title of the award you are applying for to complete the online application.
Awards
Awards are presented to the recipient during conference at the Business and Awards Luncheon.
Photo Contest
Do you have a great aquatic photo from your facility, event or special event? Submit today.
Agency of the Year Awards
This award will be given to an agency who is recognized by TPPC as having demonstrated effective, quality aquatics programming. The TPPC Agency Of The Year Award is given to:
Cindy Hallaran Distinguished Service Award
The Cindy Hallaran Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual whose activities best represent unselfish devotion in service to the profession of aquatics as exemplified by Cindy Hallaran. This award will be given to an individual who is recognized by TPPC as having made significant contributions to the mission of TPPC. Nominations for this award should be submitted by someone other than the nominee.
Program of the Year Awards
This award will be given to an agency who is recognized by TPPC as having demonstrated effective, quality aquatics programming or events. This award has two different classes:
University of the Year
This award will be given to a University who is recognized by TPPC as having demonstrated effective, quality aquatics programming and safety standards. A University is an institution of higher education and research which awards academic degrees in various academic disciplines. Universities typically provide undergraduate education and postgraduate education.
Water Park of the Year
This award will be given to a waterpark who is recognized by TPPC as having demonstrated effective, quality aquatics programming and safety standards. A waterpark features water play areas such as wave pools, water slides, splash pads, water playgrounds, and lazy rivers, as well as areas for bathing, swimming, and other barefoot environments. A water park consists of more than 75% play areas and/or more than a dozen water features.
Photo Contest
Do you have a great aquatic photo from your facility, event or special event? Submit today.
Agency of the Year Awards
This award will be given to an agency who is recognized by TPPC as having demonstrated effective, quality aquatics programming. The TPPC Agency Of The Year Award is given to:
- Agency of the Year Award: Class I (population over 75,000, school districts, and private organizations)
- Agency of the Year: Class II (population 40,000-74,999)
- Agency of the Year Award: Class III (population up to 39,999)
Cindy Hallaran Distinguished Service Award
The Cindy Hallaran Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual whose activities best represent unselfish devotion in service to the profession of aquatics as exemplified by Cindy Hallaran. This award will be given to an individual who is recognized by TPPC as having made significant contributions to the mission of TPPC. Nominations for this award should be submitted by someone other than the nominee.
Program of the Year Awards
This award will be given to an agency who is recognized by TPPC as having demonstrated effective, quality aquatics programming or events. This award has two different classes:
- Aquatic Safety - A significant impact on the youth and families of their local community through water safety. Successful implantation of an innovative existing or new safety program.
- Special Event - A significant impact on the youth and families of their local community through arts, crafts, games, entertainment, and fun. Successful implantation of an innovative existing or new special event.
University of the Year
This award will be given to a University who is recognized by TPPC as having demonstrated effective, quality aquatics programming and safety standards. A University is an institution of higher education and research which awards academic degrees in various academic disciplines. Universities typically provide undergraduate education and postgraduate education.
Water Park of the Year
This award will be given to a waterpark who is recognized by TPPC as having demonstrated effective, quality aquatics programming and safety standards. A waterpark features water play areas such as wave pools, water slides, splash pads, water playgrounds, and lazy rivers, as well as areas for bathing, swimming, and other barefoot environments. A water park consists of more than 75% play areas and/or more than a dozen water features.
Scholarships
The Texas Public Pool Council Scholarship is funded by contributions from public and private sectors. This scholarship is available in two categories. It is offered to Texas Public Pool Council members both past and present; and high school seniors and/or college students preferably seeking undergraduate or post graduate degrees in the field of sports sciences, kinesiology, conservation, physical education, recreation and tourism management and/or other related courses of study which may contribute to the field of parks and recreation. A description of each category to be awarded is listed below. TPPC will award up to $1,000.00 per scholarship recipient.
Vera Solis Student Scholarship
Educational assistance available to graduating high school students or college students who are pursuing degree programs in the field of sports sciences, kinesiology, conservation, physical education, recreation and tourism management and/or other related courses of study which may contribute to the field of parks and recreation with the intent to enter the recreation, parks and leisure service field as a career.
Eligibility Requirements:
Graduating High School Student/High School Graduate:
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and considered on the bases of the following criteria:
Educational assistance available to graduating high school students or college students who are pursuing degree programs in the field of sports sciences, kinesiology, conservation, physical education, recreation and tourism management and/or other related courses of study which may contribute to the field of parks and recreation with the intent to enter the recreation, parks and leisure service field as a career.
Eligibility Requirements:
Graduating High School Student/High School Graduate:
- Acceptance to an accredited college or university to be enrolled for a minimum of 12 hours will be required. Preference will be given to those applicants attending a Texas college or university.
- Has a high school class ranking of at least the top quarter or a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale or a minimum of 850-SAT, minimum score of 21 on ACT.
- Currently enrolled at a college or university in an accredited Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral degree program in the field of sports sciences,
kinesiology, conservation, physical education, recreation and tourism management and/or other related courses of study which may
contribute to the field of parks and recreation. Preference will be given to those applicants attending a Texas college or university.
- Maintain a minimum of 12 hours per semester or graduate students must be enrolled full-time.
- Must possess a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or pass on a pass/fail system from the previous semester.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and considered on the bases of the following criteria:
- Honors and awards from and participation in: activities, endeavors, volunteerism and work, etc. related to athletics and/or field of parks and
recreation. - SAT or ACT score
- Grade point average
- Submittal of all requested documentation
- Other objective related criteria determined by the selection committee
Member Category
Educational assistance is available to a past or present Texas Public Pool Council member, seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree, at an accredited college or university, and in an accredited degree program in the field of sports sciences, kinesiology, conservation, physical education, recreation and tourism management and/or other related courses of study which may contribute to the field of parks and recreation. This may also be used for Continuing Education classes in the aquatic field (CPO, AFO, Conference Registration, etc)
Eligibility Requirements
Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and considered on the basis of the following criteria:
Educational assistance is available to a past or present Texas Public Pool Council member, seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree, at an accredited college or university, and in an accredited degree program in the field of sports sciences, kinesiology, conservation, physical education, recreation and tourism management and/or other related courses of study which may contribute to the field of parks and recreation. This may also be used for Continuing Education classes in the aquatic field (CPO, AFO, Conference Registration, etc)
Eligibility Requirements
- Present member of Texas Public Pool Council
- Currently enrolled at a college or university in an accredited degree program. Preference will be given to those applicants attending a Texas college or university (if applicable)
- Must possess a GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a pass on a pass/fail system (if applicable)
- Verification of enrollment or documentation of Continuing Education classes.
Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and considered on the basis of the following criteria:
- Honors and awards from and participation in activities, endeavors, volunteerism and work related to athletics and/or the field of parks and recreation.
- Submittal of all requested documentation
- Other objective related criteria determined by the selection committee.