Hawaiian Falls is proud to announce that we will be awarding five (5) $1,000 Ambassador Scholarships this season! All current 2013 college-bound ambassadors are eligible to apply.

Applications must be submitted online no later than Wednesday July 31, 2013.

Anna Patenaude, Mansfield Water Safety

September 3, 2012
Anna Patenaude, Mansfield Water Safety

Anna Patenaude works in our Water Safety department as a lifeguard. The last few weeks Anna has really stepped up and helped our Supervisor. She comes in on her days off and stays late to get things organized. She also volunteers her time in the mornings to help out maintenance when they are short handed. Anna is an outstanding person and we are lucky to have her on our team!!

Elijah Palacio, Mansfield Food & Bev

August 23, 2012
Elijah Palacio, Mansfield Food & Bev

Elijah Palacio works in the F&B department running catering events at Mansfield. Elijah is an extremely hard worker and the epitome of Hawaiian Falls Ambassadors. His eagerness to learn new things has helped us to utilize him in several areas throughout the park. He is a great worker and we can’t wait to watch him soar!

Raymond Ruffin, Mansfield Front Gate

August 17, 2012
Raymond Ruffin, Mansfield Front Gate

Raymond Ruffin always has the right things to say and goes above and beyond. Ray always has a huge smile on his face and knows how to make the guest have the best experience possible. We are going to miss Ray as he goes off to college but we can’t wait to see what he has in store for next summer!!!

Angel Dotsy, Mansfield Food & Beverage

August 9, 2012
Angel Dotsy, Mansfield Food & Beverage

Angel is in Food & Beverage and has stepped up into the Lead position half way through the season. She is a very smart young lady who takes initiative, stays organized and always has a smile on her face! We really enjoy working with her!

Blake Starnes, Mansfield Maintenance

July 28, 2012
Blake Starnes, Mansfield Maintenance

Blake is always smiling and wanting to learn more. He goes above and beyond what is asked of him and is always to work and work hard! He is a great member of our Maintenance team at Mansfield.

Miranda Lindsey, Mansfield Front Gate

July 18, 2012
Miranda Lindsey, Mansfield Front Gate

Miranda is a sweet kind young woman, who is a great example of a Hawaiian Falls Ambassador. Although she may seem shy and timid, she is a wonderful worker who will step up to the plate when necessary.Miranda does not shy away from telling the guests our policies and is the first one to report an issue at Front Gate. Great Job!

Jared Rojas, Mansfield Retail

July 9, 2012
Jared Rojas, Mansfield Retail

Our employee of the week this week is Jared Rojas who works in the F&B department on our Retail team. Jared never hesitates to lend a helping hand where ever it is needed, even as a dispatcher for water safety or showing a new ambassador how to do the Cotton Candy Dance. He always greets every guest with a smile and positive and polite attitude. Jared really shows what it takes to be a Hawaiian Falls Ambassador.

Dallas Torbert, Mansfield Water Safety

Dallas Torbert, Mansfield Water Safety

Dallas is a part of our Water Safety team in Mansfield and deserves to be the Employee of the Week for her outstanding work ethic. Dallas is the first one to pick up shifts even when she is sick. She always has a huge smile on her face and makes sure each guest has a great experience at Hawaiian Falls. Keep smilin’ Dallas!

McKensie Daughtery, Mansfield Food & Bev

June 21, 2012

McKensie Daughtery, Mansfield Food & Bev

McKensie works in Food and Beverage at the Mansfield park. She deserves Employee of the Week because she works extremely hard and does everything asked of her and beyond.  She has been a tremendous help for Sara and works well teaching new employees. Good work McKensie!

Keri Gonzales, Garland Front Gate

September 3, 2012
Keri Gonzales, Garland Front Gate

Keri is always smiling and willing to help wherever she is needed. She has become an excellent cashier as well as one of our most reliable overall employees. Her outgoing personality brings smiles to everyone around her. We look forward to Keri returning next year.

Jalima Willard, Garland Food & Bev

August 23, 2012
Jalima Willard, Garland Food & Bev

Jalima Willard is Garland’s employee of the week. She is always early and always has a smile on her face. She never complains about the long hours and is always willing to do what ever is needed to make Garland food and beverage successful. She is one of Garland’s up and comers and has been a tremendous addition to our team this year.

Shelby Lancin, Garland Front Gate

August 17, 2012
Shelby Lancin, Garland Front Gate

One of the first things you see when you come to the Garland Front Gate is our Front Gate Cashier, Shelby Lancin. Even after four years of working with us, she is always smiling and welcoming to our guests, and she always exudes the characteristics that are looked for in a Hawaiian Falls Ambassador. Her ability to handle customers in a patient and gracious way is why she was named employee of the week.

Jonathan Von Spreecken, Garland Water Safety

August 9, 2012
Jonathan Von Spreecken, Garland Water Safety

Jonathan is a lifeguard for Hawaiian Falls Garland and ever since he started working mid-summer, he has done an outstanding job. He works his hardest every day and works almost every day. Jonathan always has a smile on his face and is eager to do his job. He goes above and beyond to ensure that our guests have a fantastic time! He is a great example of a servant leader.

CJ White, Garland Food & Beverage

July 28, 2012
CJ White, Garland Food & Beverage

CJ started a few weeks ago and made an instant impact in the kitchen. He is already relied upon as one of the leaders of the kitchen. No matter the task, CJ is always prepared and ready to handle it.

Shelby Potts, Garland Water Safety

July 18, 2012
Shelby Potts, Garland Water Safety

Shelby is a rock star! Whenever she is working there isn’t a water cooler that isn’t full, a tube that isn’t stacked, or a guest who hasn’t been helped by Shelby. It is impossible to be everywhere and at all positions at once and yet Shelby somehow manages to do that. Her smile is infectious and her positive attitude is always a breath of fresh air. We all love working with her at the Garland park.

ShaMarkius Turner, Garland Water Safety

July 9, 2012
ShaMarkius Turner, Garland Water Safety

“Shark” as he is known at the Garland Park is actually far from a shark. Shark is very hard working and possesses poise in his everyday duty as a lifeguard. He portrays it so well an observant guest even recognized his stoic behavior after a rescue in the Wave Pool. His calm but vigilant efforts in the save helped earn him this week’s Water Safety Employee of the Week.

Bobby Merriman, Garland Water Safety

Bobby Merriman, Garland Water Safety

Bobby is a new lifeguard this year at Garland.From day one he has always had a smile on his face, is eager to help when needed without being asked and continually shows initiative in his job performance. We continually get compliments from guests about how he takes the time to interact with everyone around him. Bobby is always early and usually the last one to leave. He never hesitates to take it upon himself to seek out the stray piece of trash, straighten up chairs or stack tubes. We are proud that he is a member of our team.

Natalie Hatchett, Garland Front Gate

June 21, 2012

Natalie Hatchett, Garland Front Gate

Being a new cashier at the Front Gate, Natalie has shown she can handle any situation and do it with a smile. She was featured in a great write up from a secret shopper who praised her for being able to fix the problem she had, and Natalie always had a smile on her face. When Natalie is scheduled to work, she is always early, has her workstation ready and is always willing to work extra hours without complaining. Natalie is a great asset to the Garland Front Gate staff and they are very proud to have her on their team.

Kristen Vranich, Waco Food & Bev

September 3, 2012
Kristen Vranich, Waco Food & Bev

Kristen has really stepped up and become a key player in our F&B Department. She always has a great attitude and a smile. Kristen is model employee and leader. Awesome job, Kristen!

Preston Alcarez, Waco Maintenance

August 23, 2012
Preston Alcarez, Waco Maintenance

Preston is a member of our Maintenance team. He has proven to be a hard worker and always has a can-do attitude. Keep up the great work, Preston!

Tabitha Hooten, Waco Front Gate

August 17, 2012
Tabitha Hooten, Waco Front Gate

Tabitha has been a wonderful addition to our front gate team. She is always friendly and has a smile which sets a great example for all employees. Keep up the great work, Tabitha!

Kallie Bryant, Waco Water Safety

August 9, 2012
Kallie Bryant, Waco Water Safety

Kallie is an awesome lifeguard. She is very enthusiastic and a go-getter! She is always interacting with the guests and is very energetic. Keep up the good work Kallie!

Taylor Hooten, Waco Maintenance

July 28, 2012
Taylor Hooten, Waco Maintenance

Taylor is always willing to help out with whatever and stays late to power wash and make sure the park stays clean. He is a hard worker and knows how to get the job done.

Randy Riddle, Waco Maintenance

Jul 18, 2012
Randy Riddle, Waco Maintenance

Randy Riddle works in our maintenance department and is one of the hardest workers we have. If we ever need anything done, we know we can count on Randy!He has really stepped up this past week and he always wears a smile!

Annah Smith, Waco Food & Beverage

July 9, 2012
Annah Smith, Waco Food & Beverage

Waco’s Employee of the Week is Annah Smith. Annah is a cashier in the Food & Beverage department and has really been a star player this past week. She is great with customers and always has a smile on her face no matter what!

Raymond “Wendell” Wylie, Waco Front Gate

Raymond “Wendell” Wylie, Waco Front Gate

Wendell has two kids and a wonderful wife who also works at the Front Gate. Wendall always has a great attitude and is a model employee. Keep up the good work Wendell!

Blake Nobles, Waco Water Safety

June 21, 2012

Blake Nobles, Waco Water Safety

Blake works in Water Safety in Waco and is a Lead in training. He has really stepped up in this last week to help out in the Water Safety Department. He is eager to learn and is always trying to be a better leader. He has earned the title of Employee of the Week for also being a good role model to the other guards. Great job Blake!

Barry Miller, The Colony EMT

September 3, 2012
Barry Miller, The Colony EMT

Barry is an EMT at Hawaiian Falls in The Colony. He is a phenomenal employee who never fails to have a smile and a good attitude. Barry is able to assist both guests and employees across the park, whether he is giving a guest a bandage at the First Aid Station or covering for a lifeguard at the wavepool. Throughout the entire season, Barry has perfectly exhibited the characteristics of a Hawaiian Falls employee. Thanks Barry!

Ed Shank, The Colony Courtesy Shuttle

August 23, 2012
Ed Shank, The Colony Courtesy Shuttle

Ed is TC’s everyday driver and when we say everyday we mean he works seven days a week. Ed brings lots of cheer and great conversation to guests who are catching a ride to the park. Since working at HFalls, Ed has not missed one day of work and always has that “I will do anything you need done today” attitude. Ed takes deep pride in his uniform and loves it here. Every HFalls location should have their own Ed! The Colony is very happy to have him as part of the team!

Drew Williams, The Colony Groups

August 17, 2012
Drew Williams, The Colony Groups

Drew Williams is a model Hawaiian Falls Ambassador. Besides always being on time and being in perfect uniform (including his visor!), Drew has a knack for keeping a positive attitude in the face of adversity and keeping control in high-stress situations. Drew joinedus half-way through the season as the groups cashier for his first year and has already made a huge impression. Keep it up Drew!

Ramiro Garza, The Colony Maintenance

August 9, 2012
Ramiro Garza, The Colony Maintenance

Ram just does not get enough recognition! Ramiro Garza is our miracle man behind the scenes and the backbone of The Colony park. We just want this man of few words to know how much we appreciate all his hard work! Te amamos Ram! Gracias!

Isabel Meijering, The Colony Water Safety

July 28, 2012
Isabel Meijering, The Colony Water Safety

Izzy is one of the hardest working guards at The Colony. Her smile and attitude are outrageously contagious! She is dependable, caring and very friendly. She is a great addition to our water safety family. Shoot for the sky Izzy!

Danbrea Moody, The Colony Front Gate

July 18, 2012
Danbrea Moody, The Colony Front Gate

The Colony would like to recognize Danbrea Moody from Front Gate. Always so cool, calm, and collected, Danbrea is able to answer customer questions with confidence and a smile! She is always prompt, and gives 110%!!

Reid Martin, The Colony Front Gate

July 9, 2012
Reid Martin, The Colony Front Gate

The “I’ll do it” kid…that’s exactly what we hear anytime we need something in the Front Gate area, and Reid Martin is on duty! Sometimes it would seem like he is really going out of his way to get the job done, but actually, he is just being himself, getting the job done, and making people happy. Reid has taken it upon himself to learn everything he possibly can at Front Gate so that wherever there is a need, his first response is, “I’ll do it”!! He is knowledgeable, and courteous to customers and guests. We are honored to have such a promising young man on our staff!

Myles Benning, The Colony Food & Beverage

Myles Benning, The Colony Food & Beverage

Miles has done an excellent job of doing many different positions in the Food and Beverage department. He is always willing to help and goes out of his way to assist his fellow employees. A perfect example of this outstanding behavior was his enthusiasm for filling in as a cabana runner on an extremely busy day. This kind of attitude and servant leadership is what Hawaiian Falls is all about! Lead on Miles!

Angela Hudson, The Colony Water Safety

June 21, 2012

Angela Hudson, The Colony Water Safety

Angela has done an outstanding job of covering shifts for many lifeguards who have been unable to work over the last month. She is always early and prepared to do whatever is necessary to get the park ready and operational.  She takes lifeguarding very seriously as evident by her excellent scores on her audits.  She is well known and admired by her fellow lifeguards as an outstanding scanner.  This is one of the highest compliments you can receive as a lifeguard.

Hope Shrader, Roanoke Grounds

August 23, 2012
Hope Shrader, Roanoke Grounds

Hope Shrader is such a great working in our Grounds department at Roanoke. She always shows up with a smile on her face and works her hardest every day. Keep up the good work Hope!

Garrett Gwin, Roanoke Parking Team

August 17, 2012
Garrett Gwin, Roanoke Parking Team

Garrett Gwin is one of our great parking ambassadors here at Roanoke. He shows up to work every day with a great attitude. He has also taken on some added responsibilities and excelled at them as well. Hitch a ride with Garrett anytime!

Claire and Alise Zerull, Roanoke Water Safety

August 9, 2012
Claire and Alise Zerull, Roanoke Water Safety

These two girls are two of the most amazing ambassadors ever! They are always happy and smiling! Claire and Alise never turn down work and are always the first ones to pick up any piece of trash they see. The Zerull girls take “Here to Serve” to a whole new level. These two are an absolute joy to be around!

Hailey Wren, Roanoke Water Safety

July 28, 2012
Hailey Wren, Roanoke Water Safety

Hailey is one of the hardest working people we have ever met. She is always willing to help out no matter what she is asked to do. Nearly every time Hailey is on her way to break, she will find someone and ask if they need help with anything. She is great with guests and can brighten anyone’s day with her kind words and bright smile that never leaves her face. Hailey is an absolute joy to be around.

Emily Pennington, Roanoke Food & Beverage

July 18, 2012
Emily Pennington, Roanoke Food & Beverage

Emily Pennington is a very friendly, extremely nice, and super awesome girl. She has gone above and beyond expectations in her front gate endeavors, selling 47 souvenir cups in one day and consistently providing excellent customer service! She is definitely “Here To Serve!” Thank you Emily!

Andrew Smith, Roanoke Food & Beverage

July 9, 2012
Andrew Smith, Roanoke Food & Beverage

Andrew is one of our hardest workers in Sharkey’s. He is always polite and answers “yes sir” and “yes ma’am” when spoken to. He is willing to help out wherever he is needed. We appreciate his hard work and dedication greatly!

Jackie Reynolds, Roanoke Food & Beverage

Jackie Reynolds, Roanoke Food & Beverage

Jackie is the definition of a Hawaiian Falls Ambassador. He goes above and beyond to make everyone happy. He truly is here to serve!

Eleazar Gonzales, Roanoke Maintenance

June 21, 2012

Eleazar Gonzales, Roanoke Maintenance

Eleazar is always the first one to get to work and the last one to leave. He never complains and always gets the job done no matter what the situation is. He recently went above and beyond to help save a turtle! Way to go Eleazar!

Hundreds of Hawaiian Falls ambassadors came from all five parks for an “End of Season” celebration at Hawaiian Falls Mansfield August 9. Photos by David Alvey.

Story and photos by David Alvey.

August 20, 2012 - Hawaiian Falls water parks recently selected one employee from each of its five Texas locations to receive a $1,000 college scholarship.

The five ambassadors, as the employees are known within the company, were selected from 58 applicants. One runner up was also selected from each park and awarded a $100 scholarship.

$1,000 scholarship winners included: - Patton Montgomery, Retail Lead – Mansfield, majoring in Business Management at Navarro College

- Christine Jordan, Cash Control – The Colony, pursuing a dual major of Math & Science and Special Education at Texas Tech

- Amy Jobe, Groups Ambassador – Garland, majoring in Education at Blinn College.

- Mary Elizabeth Cline-Ford, Splash Camps Ambassador – Roanoke, is pursuing a degree in Family Studies at Texas Woman’s University

- Kallie Bryant, Water Safety – Waco, majoring in Mass Communications at Texas State University.

“We are blessed to have so many talented and responsible young people working for us every summer,” said Evan Barnett, vice president of Hawaiian Falls.

“These young people worked very hard and demonstrated exceptional leadership, exemplary job performance and commendable community service. There is no doubt these are our future leaders. We’re honored to give them a little help on their road to accomplishing great things.”

Hawaiian Falls also named an Employee of the Year from each of the five parks and awarded each a $100 gift card. Employees of the year included Shelby Lancin, Garland; Megan Patterson, The Colony; Eric Torrbellin, Mansfield; Jackie Reynolds, Roanoke; and Cody Wilson, Waco.

Hawaiian Falls employs more than 1,200 people at five water parks. In 2003, Hawaiian Falls opened its first park in Garland. Two years later, the company opened a park in The Colony, followed by Mansfield in 2008, and Roanoke last year. The Waco park opened this May.

Hawaiian Falls is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Hawaiian Falls Mansfield general manager Randall Hudson awards a $1,000 scholarship to Patton Montgomery, a retail lead at the park.

Hawaiian Falls vice president Clint Hill with Garland scholarship winner Amy Jobe

Hawaiian Falls Waco GM Stephen Foster with scholarship winner Kallie Bryant

Hawaiian Falls vice president Clint Hill with Garland Employee of the Year Shelby Lancin

Hawaiian Falls Roanoke Employee of the Year Jackie Reynolds with GM Don Smith

Hawaiian Falls Waco Employee of the Year Cody Wilson with GM Stephen Foster

Hawaiian Falls Roanoke GM Don Smith with scholarship winner Mary Elizabeth Cline-Ford

Travis Haugen, Hawaiian Falls Intern

August 9, 2012
Travis Haugen, Hawaiian Falls Intern

Travis has been such a blessing to have working across all the Hawaiian Falls parks. The unique aspect about Travis is his ability to adapt and jump head first into any project without question as to why but more as to how. He follows this can-do attitude up with a strong work ethic. Thank you Travis for being solution driven.You have been a great example of what it means to wear the Hawaiian Falls uniform! Keep on serving!

Garland Chaplain Staff

Mansfield Chaplain Staff

Roanoke Chaplain Staff

Rawd B Jones, Connections Co-Creator and EmployeeCare Co-Founder