LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Cindy Boaz was nominated by an anonymous family member.

Ms. Boaz is more than just a daughter, sister, aunt, mentor and friend. She is a LifeChanger. She has been pouring everything she has into the success of her students and athletes for the past 15 years. Ms. Boaz is someone who never accepts the word “can’t”. She’s always thinking, creating and searching for new ways that children can enjoy movement, games, fun and interaction with their peers!

In addition, Ms. Boaz touches many lives through the Special Olympics program at Keller ISD. If a student wants to participate, Ms. Boaz will find a way. She spends countless hours preparing and planning for the Chad Powell Annual Track Meet where athletes from other districts compete. Time, talent and treasure are truly what she pours into these athletes on a daily basis.

Ms. Boaz had a student with limited mobility and medical issues who was not able to go to PE or even participate in a small group. This left the student alone with no interaction with peers and little chance for movement or fun. Ms. Boaz encouraged this student to try bike riding so she could engage in physical activity with her peers and family.

After just one year, the student is riding her bike safely, and she loves to ride through the halls and greet others along the way. This opportunity gave the student a way to be active, social, and move independently through her environment. As a bonus, the student’s family bought her a bike for her birthday. She can now ride in her community with her family to explore nature and get to know her neighbors better.

A true teacher’s work is never done when the school year ends. True to form, Ms. Boaz spends much of her time supporting a non-profit organization called Our Father’s Children, which works exclusively with children who come from homes of abuse and neglect. Every year, she volunteers at their weekly camps as “Coach Cindy”. She not only makes sure the children who attend have fun at their activities, but she also provides words of encouragement and a listening ear. Ms. Boaz brings the best out of each and every one of them. 

After camp, Ms. Boaz works one-on-one with children, serving as a mentor in the Mentoring Club and serving teenagers at the weekend retreats. Lastly, she works tirelessly accumulating items for the annual auction, which allows Our Father’s Children to offer these camps at no cost to the children.

"If she's ever asked if she has any children of her own, her response would be that she has over 100+ children! She truly does love each one of these kids – whether at school or camp – and wants to see each one achieve the best that life has to offer!" her nominator said. "She truly is an inspiration to her school, community, family, and others!"