06/04/2025
Yesterday, Hays CISD honored our namesake, Helen Alcala, by dedicating the district’s Child Nutrition building in her name.
Before opening up the first Hispanic woman-owned restaurant in Buda, Helen was a cafeteria worker (lovingly referred to back then as “lunch lady”) at Buda School. Feeding the people of Buda was more than a career to her — it was a passion. One that created a legacy of hospitality and kindness that is hard to replicate in the same way.
We want to send a huge thank you to Tim Savoy and his communication team; Superintendent Dr. Wright; the school board & the naming committee; Mayor Lee Urbanovsky and the City of Buda; Thomas Stone and the entire child nutrition staff for the delicious food and all of their work for our Hays CISD kids; Moses Leos for these amazing pictures from the ceremony; CBS Austin for reporting; to our family for showing up big; and to you, Buda, for loving her as much as you have and still do, and for allowing us to continue saying her name in all the spaces she deserves to be in. We would be nowhere without you and we are so grateful to have been a staple in this community.
Photo Credit Moses Leos for Hays CISD
