Pomeroy Elementary volunteer and parent Yolanda Deaquino was recently presented the Texas Association of Business Parental Partner Award at a special ceremony in Austin.

Deaquino was nominated by former Pomeroy peer facilitator and Gardens Elementary assistant principal Vicki Lenio and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. The Texas Association of Business selected Deaquino for the award because her children are thriving academically through her involvement in their education.

Deaquino has four children, Dalia, Christina, Victor and Saul. Dalia is enrolled at San Jacinto College, while Christina and Victor attend Pasadena High School. Saul is a fourth grader at Pomeroy Elementary.

Each of the Deaquino children started their educations in the bilingual program in Pasadena ISD. According to Lenio, Deaquino did not want her children to struggle as she had in school, so she worked with them to help them learn English – tutoring them constantly. She also is heavily involved in all of her children’s schoolwork. In addition, she is a student herself, attending San Jacinto College, pursuing a teaching degree and boasting a 3.8 GPA.

Mrs. Deaquino also feels it is important to be involved in the community and in school activities. She participates in Pomeroy’s Family Literacy Night and the school’s annual fall carnival. At the carnival, she donates all of the supplies and materials for the “Aguas Frescas” booth. In addition, she contributes to the district’s Education Foundation and volunteers in Pomeroy’s CASE afterschool program and the HOSTS program as a reading mentor.

The volunteer spirit is something that Deaquino passes along to her children as all of them volunteer in the afterschool and HOSTS programs at Pomeroy. This year, her oldest son Victor has volunteered more than 1,000 hours.

“Yolanda Deaquino’s hard work and dedication to her children is admirable and their continued success is a direct reflection of her commitment,” Lenio said. “She is most deserving of this award.”