Whataburger Recognizes Rayburn's Sarah Carnes With Free Vacation

HOUSTON — Texas-based Whataburger isn't just in the business of making a seriously good hamburger, they are also in the business of sharing stories from the communities they serve and recognizing people who make a difference in the lives of others.

That was the case recently for Sarah Simmons-Carnes, a counselor at Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena, who apparently has a knack for encouraging students while braving her own personal storms.

Last year was a hard year for Carnes and her family.

It’s the year her parents’ home was damaged in Hurricane Harvey. It’s the year her mother was diagnosed with vascular dementia and passed away. It’s the year her husband was diagnosed with cancer, went through chemotherapy and radiation - and their family vacation was canceled.

"It's indescribable when you think you can't take one more thing on your plate," Carnes said.

It seemed like every time she was about to get a break, another hit came.

But through it all, friends and family say, Sarah’s unique energy and spirit drove her.

“You would never know she was having a hard time,” says Vanessa Reyes, principal at Sam Rayburn High School, where Sarah guides kids on the college application journey. “She kept taking care of all the students, and she was always smiling.”

Words such as encouraging, selfless, and uplifting have been used by students and staff to describe Carnes and the work she does with a program called Rayburn U, which she created to help propel students to college and beyond.

Sarah believes in these kids even when they don’t always believe in themselves.

“She pushed me to dream bigger,” says Carlos Sotelo, a 2013 Rayburn alumnus who went on to graduate from Princeton University.

Sotelo, who followed in Sarah’s footsteps and is now a college counselor in the Houston ISD, has seen the ways big and small that his mentor has made a difference for students.

She hosts parties to help seniors fill out their financial aid paperwork, continues to counsel students even once they’ve gone on to college, and meets with every single student at Rayburn multiple times to make sure they’re thinking about what they want to do after high school.

“She’s a force of nature,” Reyes says. “Nobody cares more about these students or helping them achieve their dreams.”

Sarah has always been passionate about the power of education.

“Without her, I wouldn’t be going to college,” says Angel Navarrete, a senior at Rayburn High School.

Navarrete was enjoying a Patty Melt at Whataburger this fall when he was asked: “Who is your hero?”

The high school senior didn’t have to think twice.

“Who’s made a difference in my life? Ms. Carnes,” he said. “She has helped so many people. I would love to do something special for her.”

Recently, Sam Rayburn High School and Whataburger teamed up to do something special for Carnes and the Rayburn U during what Carnes believed was a pep rally.

Whataburger donated $5,000 toward Rayburn U, and is sending her and her family on an all expense paid vacation to anywhere they want to go.

"I just didn't think anything like this would ever happen in my lifetime," Carnes said.

Whataburger is looking for more Hometown Heroes in the 10 states we serve – we hope you will share this story and encourage your readers to submit names of exceptional people who do good in their community. Just email us at stories@wbhq.com.

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Image: Whataburger

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