On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Hays CISD will dedicate its child nutrition headquarters in honor of a district cook, who worked for decades in the district before retiring and starting her own iconic Buda restaurant. Helen Alcala worked at the Buda School (all grades at the time) for decades until her retirement in 1980. Following that retirement, she and her husband opened Helen’s Casa Alde on Main Street in Buda, which was the first Hispanic woman owned restaurant in Buda. It remained a central part of life in the district until it closed following Alcala’s death in 2017.
“We are proud to honor local contributors to our school district and community,” said Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright. “The Board of Trustees is committed to recognizing those who have helped create our story and helped shaped our current successes as a school district. Helen was instrumental in solidifying our sense of community, compassion, determination, family, and pride in achievement. She remains an inspiration for the more than 25,000 students who will be served daily from the operations building of our child nutrition department.”
The dedication event will include presentations of ceremonial keys to the building to Alcala’s immediate descendants – eight grandchildren, a son-in-law, and a daughter-in-law.
Read the dedication program online: https://5il.co/3h4mn
Learn more about Helen Alcala and share pictures online: https://www.hayscisd.net/page/helenalcala