LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Dr. Angie Smetana was nominated by an anonymous student.

Dr. Smetana has changed the lives of not only her current and former students, but the lives of her staff, community members, and students of the future. In her five years as superintendent at Grape Creek ISD, she has utilized funding to build new facilities such as a middle school, elementary school, girls and boys field houses, and a new Dome Gymnasium that can help the community take shelter from hazards such as tornadoes and storms. She is working toward building a community park for all community members to have a place to enjoy their families. She always has a smile on her face and is selfless in her work for her "babies," as she calls her students.

Dr. Smetana is a fierce protector and advocate for her students. She stands up and fights for each and every one of them to the bitter end! She even took one of her students into her home to live with her and her family when that student had no place to go in the second grade.

"I was her student when she was a principal, and all of the students loved her," said the nominator. "She played with us at recess, made us live up to our true potential, and proved to us we could do whatever we set our minds to do! She gave low-income kids the confidence and skills to achieve more and pursue their dreams! There is not one person who does not love Dr. Smetana. She is an amazing educator, but most of all, she inspires everyone to reach for the stars and never take no for an answer!"