The San Marcos CISD will honor a man remembered for his generosity, especially where food is concerned, by naming the high school cafeteria after him.
The SMCISD board of trustees voted unanimously to name the San Marcos High School Cafeteria after Tomas Cuevas Jr.
Roland Saucedo, who had suggested naming a facility after Cuevas, spoke during public comments about the agenda item. Saucedo noted Cuevas’ service to the community and contributions to nutrition with his business, Cuevas Produce. Saucedo presented the board with a letter of support from the Cuevas family. He also shared the thoughts of Ralph Gonzales, head of Nosotros La Gente, who was unable to appear in person at the board meeting but who knew Cuevas well.
“He feels that Mr. Tomas Cuevas Jr. should be honored in this way,” Saucedo said.
Saucedo noted that among his acts of generosity, Cuevas used to give all SMCISD faculty and staff fruit baskets to thank them for their work.
“Let’s honor this great man by naming the high school cafeteria after Tomas Cuevas Jr.,” Saucedo said.
On his nomination form, Saucedo highlighted Cuevas’ donations of fresh fruits and vegetables to the school district for after-school programs, fall festivals and extracurricular activities.
“He always wanted to ensure that children had a good balance of nutrition,” Saucedo wrote. “He believed if they aren’t hungry they will learn better and can focus on their studies.”
Saucedo also described Cuevas as a pillar of the community who provided food to families during natural disasters and other times of need, participated in the fight for civil rights and even dressed as Santa Claus to distribute toys to children.
“It is for his love of giving and serving that has made him a hometown hero,” Saucedo wrote.
Cuevas’ family continues operating Cuevas Produce on the corner of River Road and Linda Drive. Before construction began on the district’s new Rodriguez Elementary School in The Trace, there was a drive in the community to name the school after Cuevas.
