TERRELL, Texas – Longtime public transit advocate Omega Hawkins was honored by City of Terrell Mayor Rick Camona with the Key to the City and proclaiming Oct. 26 as “Omega Hawkins Day.”
The recognition celebrates Hawkins’ decades of dedication to improving public transportation in the region, particularly her work to make transit accessible and reliable for rural and underserved communities.
“A true champion of public transit, Omega’s advocacy spans over four decades in Terrell and across North Central Texas,” said Mayor Camona.
Hawkins, a DeSoto Area Chamber of Commerce member since 2018, began her career with Kaufman County Senior Citizens Services in 1980.
This eventually led to the Kaufman Area Rural Transit (KART), which later transformed into STAR Transit in 2011.
Hawkins served as STAR Transit’s executive director until her retirement in 2019, after which she contributed to the organization as a board member.
Her influence on public transportation in Kaufman County and surrounding areas has been profound, and her legacy is marked by her commitment to creating a dependable and compassionate transit service.
In the same ceremony, STAR Transit introduced the first annual Omega Hawkins Award, honoring an employee who embodies Hawkins’ safety, reliability, kindness, and compassion values.
The inaugural award was presented to Alice Smith, who has served as a STAR Transit driver for more than 11 years.
Several STAR Transit employees were also recognized for their dedication and service:
- Extra Mile Award: Gary Williams
- Outstanding Customer Service Award: James “JJ” Janicek
- Outstanding Service Award: Felicia Smith
- Rookie of the Year: Johnnie Johnson
- Driver of the Year: Janice McLean
The ceremony not only highlighted Hawkins’ impactful career but also honored current STAR Transit employees who continue to uphold her standards of service excellence.
“Omega has worked tirelessly to expand public transit access for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and rural communities,” said Tommy Henricks, STAR Transit executive director.
“All these years later, STAR Transit offers affordable transit service to people from all walks of life across four counties. We owe this success to Omega’s dedication.”