Texas City ISD celebrated six distinguished alumni whose careers, leadership and service exemplify the lasting legacy of Texas City and La Marque schools during the TCISD Foundation for the Future’s Legacy Hall of Honor celebration on Oct. 1, 2026, in Texas City.
The 2026 honorees included La Marque High School graduates La Tasha Gary, Alex Getty and Dr. Robin Rackley, along with Texas City High School graduates Kristian Dietel, Stephen Myers and Barbara White.
Each honoree has made an impact through professional achievement, community service and a commitment to helping others.
La Tasha Gary – La Marque High School, Class of 1981
A passion for computers and programming that began at La Marque High School grew into a career spanning more than 35 years in the technology industry for La Tasha Gary.
A global technology leader, Gary serves as Director of the Sustainable Impact Program Management Office and Digital Transformation. Throughout her career, she has helped open doors for women in technology and has been a trailblazer in fields historically dominated by men.
Gary also remains passionate about developing the next generation of leaders and professionals, using the experience she has gained throughout her career to help others succeed.
Alex Getty – La Marque High School, Class of 1995
Alex Getty has played a significant role in the economic growth and revitalization of his hometown. Since 2009, he has served as executive director of the La Marque Economic Development Corporation.
Under his leadership, the organization received the Texas Economic Development Council’s Economic Excellence Award annually from 2017 through 2025. Through strategic investments and public-private partnerships, Getty has helped revitalize downtown La Marque, attract hundreds of small businesses and facilitate major retail developments.
His community involvement has included service on the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as president of the La Marque Kiwanis Club. He is also a Paul Harris Fellow and has earned Texas Certified Public Manager and Certified Texas Economic Developer designations.
Dr. Robin Rackley – La Marque High School, Class of 1987
Dr. Robin Rackley’s career in education continues a family tradition of serving students. She attended Lake Road Elementary, Bayou Road Intermediate, La Marque Junior High and La Marque High School. She is the daughter of longtime Simms Elementary first-grade teacher Paula Phelps.
Rackley earned three degrees from Texas A&M University, including a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. After beginning her career as a public school teacher, she joined Texas A&M University’s College of Education and Human Development in 2005. Today, she serves as a professor and teacher educator, with work focused on preparing teachers, developing teacher leaders and strengthening educator retention.
Kristian Dietel – Texas City High School, Class of 1997
Kristian Dietel has combined business leadership with a deep commitment to the Texas City community and its schools.
As a fourth-generation leader of Nunez Construction Co. & Piling, Inc., a deep-foundation and marine construction company that has served Texas City for nearly a century, Dietel has led major projects for petrochemical clients, including projects involving what were, at the time, the largest steel pipe piles and bulkhead sheets installed in America.
His commitment to TCISD includes multiple terms on the Foundation for the Future executive board and service as chair of its grant committee, helping award millions of dollars to educators and students. A lifetime member of the Galveston County Fair and Rodeo, Dietel also supports FFA students, his church and numerous community causes.
Stephen Myers – Texas City High School, Class of 2003
Stephen Myers represents the leadership, service, excellence and character that Texas City ISD strives to develop in its students.
Since graduating from Texas City High School, Myers has distinguished himself through his professional accomplishments and commitment to serving others. His leadership has been characterized not simply by personal success, but by a desire to leave the organizations and communities he serves stronger than he found them.
Myers credits his parents, teachers, mentors and experiences growing up in Texas City with helping shape the leader he became.
Barbara White – Texas City High School, Class of 1969
Lifelong Texas City resident Barbara Lynn White has spent decades serving the students, families and community she loves.
Known for her unmistakable Stingaree spirit, determination and commitment to others, White volunteers throughout the year with food programs, school supply drives, the Valero Backpack Giveaway, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and holiday food distributions.
She has also organized the Community Thanksgiving Feast for 26 consecutive years. Her service to the community was previously recognized by the TCISD Foundation for the Future with its Spirit of Education Award in 2015.
The Legacy Hall of Honor recognizes graduates whose accomplishments and service reflect positively on their schools and community while providing current and future TCISD students with examples of what is possible beyond graduation.
Texas City ISD congratulates these exceptional alumni on this distinguished honor and celebrates the lasting impact they continue to make in their professions and communities.