TASA Names Recipients of 2026 Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship | Texas Association of School Administrators

TASA has named the 2026 recipients of its Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship, which the organization has awarded annually since 2014 to outstanding doctoral students pursuing careers in educational leadership, with particular emphasis on the superintendency.

The recipients were selected from among a pool of applicants by the TASA Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship Committee, a group of Texas school superintendents and other public school district administrators.

Each of the following recipients will receive a $2,500 scholarship and will be recognized during the 2026 TASA Midwinter Conference, to be held in San Antonio January 25-28.

	Kayren Gray, Chief of Access and Opportunity for Round Rock ISD, is pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership at Lamar University. “I have seen the critical role that superintendents play in dismantling systemic barriers, amplifying community voices, and cultivating environments where students, families and staff thrive together. The superintendency is not merely an administrative position to me — it is a platform for hope, accountability, and bold vision,” she wrote in her application. “Ultimately, I am pursuing this path because I believe schools are the heart of our communities, and superintendents have the privilege and responsibility of guiding them toward a future defined by joy, justice and belonging.”
	Brandy Stanford, Temple ISD’s Assistant Superintendent of Finance, is pursuing her doctorate in education from Baylor University. “The role of superintendent represents the point where vision and systems meet,” she wrote in her application. “It requires someone who can see the big picture, address challenges at their root, and unite a community around a shared mission for students. I am drawn to this role because it provides the opportunity to lead with both head and heart — using financial and operational expertise to strengthen systems, while never losing sight of the individual students whose futures are at stake. Ultimately, I view the superintendency as a calling to serve at the highest level. It is a position that demands courage, compassion and integrity, as well as the ability to inspire confidence and hope.”

Kayren Gray, Chief of Access and Opportunity for Round Rock ISD, is pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership at Lamar University. “I have seen the critical role that superintendents play in dismantling systemic barriers, amplifying community voices, and cultivating environments where students, families and staff thrive together. The superintendency is not merely an administrative position to me — it is a platform for hope, accountability, and bold vision,” she wrote in her application. “Ultimately, I am pursuing this path because I believe schools are the heart of our communities, and superintendents have the privilege and responsibility of guiding them toward a future defined by joy, justice and belonging.”

Brandy Stanford, Temple ISD’s Assistant Superintendent of Finance, is pursuing her doctorate in education from Baylor University. “The role of superintendent represents the point where vision and systems meet,” she wrote in her application. “It requires someone who can see the big picture, address challenges at their root, and unite a community around a shared mission for students. I am drawn to this role because it provides the opportunity to lead with both head and heart — using financial and operational expertise to strengthen systems, while never losing sight of the individual students whose futures are at stake. Ultimately, I view the superintendency as a calling to serve at the highest level. It is a position that demands courage, compassion and integrity, as well as the ability to inspire confidence and hope.”

The scholarship recognizes the leadership of the late Dr. Johnny L. Veselka, who dedicated nearly 44 years of service to the association, including 32 years as TASA’s executive director. Veselka passed away in 2025. The program is facilitated by TASA with the support of its 2025-26 sponsors, Edmentum and PBK.