Keep Brazos Beautiful (KBB) celebrated its 45th anniversary at its recent awards luncheon.
KBB focuses on partnering with residents, businesses, schools, nonprofits, and local governments in the areas of litter prevention, recycling, community engagement, and beautification.
At the luncheon, KBB presented ten awards and four scholarships and announced the creation of another scholarship that will be presented starting next year.
The luncheon also included KBB being recognized for receiving state and national awards and the recipient of a major grant.
News release from Keep Brazos Beautiful:
Keep Brazos Beautiful hosted its 45th Anniversary Awards Luncheon this week, recognizing outstanding individuals, organizations, and partners who have made significant contributions toward keeping Brazos County clean, green, and beautiful.
The celebratory luncheon marked more than four decades of community-led environmental stewardship and highlighted one full year of fulfilling the organization’s mission to educate and engage residents across the county. Attendees represented a broad range of the community, including youth and senior adults, student organizations, civic groups, environmental departments, local businesses, and municipal partners—all united in their commitment to a healthier, more sustainable Brazos Valley.
“This anniversary reflects not just the history of Keep Brazos Beautiful, but the shared passion of thousands of citizens who care deeply about this community,” said Executive Director J. Brooke Arellano. “Every volunteer, partner, and award recipient is part of a legacy that began in 1980 and continues to grow stronger each year.”
A Legacy Rooted in Community
Keep Brazos Beautiful was founded in 1980 by Jack and Dorothy Miller after witnessing the rising problem of litter in the community. A successful week-long cleanup effort inspired the creation of a long-term organization dedicated to ongoing beautification. The organization became a Keep America Beautiful Clean Community in 1983 and a Keep Texas Beautiful affiliate in 1993.
Today, Keep Brazos Beautiful focuses on litter prevention, recycling, community engagement, and beautification, partnering with residents, businesses, schools, nonprofits, and local governments.
In the past year, the organization received major recognitions including the Great American Cleanup Grant, Keep America Beautiful’s President’s Circle Award, and Keep Texas Beautiful’s Gold Star Affiliate designation.
Honoring a Year of Service and Impact
This year’s ceremony featured the Keepers of the Kingdom Award, the Jack & Dorothy Miller Award, the Green Business Award, and the announcement of the 2026 Keep Brazos Beautiful Scholarship recipients. Awardees represent key contributors from Texas A&M University, the Cities of Bryan and College Station, local engineering firms, youth organizations, and community volunteer groups.
Board President John Burrescia also honored the late Ron Schmidt, a founding board member and longtime community partner, announcing the establishment of the Ron Schmidt Scholarship beginning next year.
The luncheon featured keynote speaker Dr. Charlie Hall, Professor and Ellison Chair in International Floriculture at Texas A&M University, who spoke to the economic and environmental importance of community engagement and green industry leadership.
About Keep Brazos Beautiful
Keep Brazos Beautiful is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and engaging citizens to keep Brazos County clean, green, and beautiful.
Through programs in litter prevention, recycling, community beautification, and volunteer engagement, Keep Brazos Beautiful mobilizes thousands of residents each year to take action for a healthier environment.
Learn more at KeepBrazosBeautiful.org.
KEEPERS OF THE KINGDOM AWARD
1. Keep Brazos Beautiful proudly recognizes Tassie Hermann and the Texas A&M University Department of Environmental Health & Safety with the Keepers of the Kingdom Award.
Tassie and her team have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting our local environment through education, leadership, and hands-on service. Their annual Stream Clean-Up mobilizes more than 60 volunteers to protect our waterways and preserve the natural ecosystems that make Brazos County thrive.
Their efforts exemplify the mission of Keep Brazos Beautiful — empowering our community to maintain a cleaner, greener, more sustainable future. We thank Tassie and the Environmental Health & Safety department for leading by example and inspiring others to take action for our environment.
2. Keep Brazos Beautiful proudly honors Kim Fox and the Texas A&M Community Engagement team for their remarkable leadership in building a culture of volunteerism and service.
Through initiatives like Aggieland Serves and the university’s volunteer management platform, Kim has helped thousands of students connect with opportunities to improve the Brazos Valley through environmental stewardship.
Her work strengthens the bridge between the university and the broader community, reflecting Keep Brazos Beautiful’s mission to educate and engage citizens in keeping our region clean, green, and beautiful. We celebrate Kim Fox for transforming compassion into meaningful action.
3. Keep Brazos Beautiful proudly presents the Keepers of the Kingdom Award to the Texas A&M Scholarships and Financial Aid Department.
Beyond supporting students academically, this outstanding department demonstrates genuine care for the community. Their large-scale cleanup at Legends Event Center mobilized more than 65 staff members who collected nearly 600 pounds of litter — a powerful example of teamwork and community responsibility.
Their actions uphold our mission at Keep Brazos Beautiful: inspiring individuals and organizations to protect our environment and strengthen our community through service.
4. Keep Brazos Beautiful is honored to recognize Texas A&M’s The Big Event for its incredible impact on Brazos County.
This year, through our partnership, volunteers cleaned 14 sites across the region and removed an astounding 3,870 pounds of trash—a testament to the power of Aggie spirit and selfless service.
As one of the largest student-led service projects in the nation, The Big Event reflects the heart of our mission: engaging citizens to care for our shared environments and build a cleaner, greener Brazos Valley. We are grateful for their continued leadership.
5. Keep Brazos Beautiful proudly recognizes Juan Davila of the City of Bryan with the Keepers of the Kingdom Award.
Though early in his career, Juan has quickly become known for exceptional service, compassion, and dedication. Whether working with residents, managing code compliance, clearing homeless encampments, or removing tires across multiple zones, Juan consistently goes above and beyond.
His leadership reflects the mission of Keep Brazos Beautiful — fostering pride, responsibility, and environmental stewardship throughout the community. We thank Juan for his commitment to making Bryan a cleaner and safer place for all.
6. Keep Brazos Beautiful is honored to present the Keepers of the Kingdom Award to Robert Huerta, Commercial Foreman for the City of Bryan Solid Waste Department.
For more than 15 years, Robert has played a key role in preventing litter, improving service, and supporting his team with integrity and dedication. His proactive approach and selfless
leadership directly contribute to cleaner streets and a stronger community.
Robert embodies the mission of Keep Brazos Beautiful: working every day to keep Brazos County clean, green, and beautiful.
JACK & DOROTHY MILLER AWARD
1. Keep Brazos Beautiful proudly presents the Jack & Dorothy Miller Award to Dr. Michelle Kwok and her exceptional Girl Scout Troop for their inspiring leadership in environmental stewardship.
With 16 dedicated volunteers, their cleanup at Wolf Pen Creek removed 180 pounds of litter — demonstrating the incredible impact young leaders can have on their community.
Their work reflects the foundation laid by Jack and Dorothy Miller and continues the mission of Keep Brazos Beautiful: empowering citizens of all ages to protect and enhance our environment.
2. Keep Brazos Beautiful proudly recognizes Jessica Sorensen and Scout Troop 976 with the Jack & Dorothy Miller Award.
Their cleanup at Tanglewood Park gathered an impressive 450 pounds of litter thanks to the efforts of 30 dedicated volunteers. Their commitment shows what teamwork and civic pride can accomplish.
Their leadership strengthens our mission at Keep Brazos Beautiful — building a cleaner, greener community through engaged and empowered citizens.
GREEN BUSINESS AWARD
1. Keep Brazos Beautiful is honored to present the Green Business Award to Genesis Gaona and the Garver Engineering Group.
Their cleanup at Woodcreek Park brought together nine volunteers who removed 90 pounds of litter — including large items like a metal pipe and office chair — proving that businesses play an essential role in community stewardship.
Garver Engineering’s leadership reflects Keep Brazos Beautiful’s mission to promote sustainability, protect our local ecosystems, and inspire organizations to serve the Brazos Valley.
2. Keep Brazos Beautiful proudly awards Traveling Mermaid Productions and founder Megan Blanchard with the Green Business Award.
This year, Megan and her team organized a cleanup around the Bryan Aquatic Center, where 40 volunteers collected more than 300 pounds of litter. Their creativity, passion, and commitment to sustainability set an inspiring example for the entire community.
Their efforts exemplify Keep Brazos Beautiful’s belief that when businesses lead with purpose, they help create a cleaner, greener future for Brazos County.
KEEP BRAZOS BEAUTIFUL SCHOLARSHIP
Keep Brazos Beautiful proudly announces the 2026 recipients of the Keep Brazos Beautiful Scholarship.
These $750 awards support students who demonstrate a passion for environmental stewardship and are pursuing careers that will help protect and enhance natural ecosystems.
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
• Adriana Briggs, TAMU School of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management
• John Engelhardt, TAMU School of Bioenvironmental Science
• Rebecca Krenek, TAMU School of Bioenvironmental Science
• Leah Philip, TAMU School of Bioenvironmental Science
These students represent the future of environmental leadership — a future that reflects the mission of Keep Brazos Beautiful to cultivate a cleaner, greener, more sustainable.