Ariana Kay’s favorite time of year at Midwestern State University was always homecoming. From the fish fry and cardboard races to the conversations with alumni returning home, Kay still enjoys the energy of the annual event. The 2022 Spirit Award Winner was involved in making MSU Texas a better place daily in her four years on campus.

Kay, from St. George’s, Grenada, was involved in MSU Biology Club, American Chemical Society Student Chapter, Beta Beta Beta Honor Society, Gamma Sigma Epsilon, and Caribbean Students Organization.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from MSU Texas in 2011 and her master’s degree in learning and technology at Western Governors University in 2020. She is an instructional coach and science teacher in Refugio, Texas.

Kay was named the State of Texas High School Science Teacher of the Year in 2018 and Top Tech Teacher at Crosby High School from 2017-19. She is an executive board member for the Science Teachers Association of Texas.

She recalls taking organic chemistry from Dr. Chris Hansen. "It was the only class in college I didn’t need a textbook for,” she said. It was Hansen’s passion for teaching, and the subject matter, that motivated this Spirit Award Winner to tap into that passion for her career. She says she owes it all to MSU Texas!