DALLAS (March 9, 2026) – Dallas-based Hilltop Securities Inc. (HilltopSecurities) has concluded its fifth annual Hilltop Hunt by donating $80,000 to support Texas schools. The statewide online contest invited prekindergarten through 12th grade educators to solve daily Texas-themed riddles for a chance to win donations for their schools’ education foundations and prizes for their classrooms.

“In this milestone fifth year of the Hilltop Hunt, and as we celebrate HilltopSecurities’ 80th anniversary, we’re proud to continue our commitment to Texas educators,” said HilltopSecurities President and CEO Brad Winges. “Teachers play an essential role in shaping strong communities, and this program is one way we give back to those who give so much of themselves every day.”

As in previous years, the contest followed the virtual travels of Hilltop’s mascot, Mo the Buffalo, as he visited iconic Texas landmarks. From Oct. 5 through Oct. 23, educators across the state logged on to HilltopHunt.com to solve daily riddles about Mo’s whereabouts. Each correct answer earned entries into a drawing for a share of the prizes.

Following the conclusion of the Hunt, 18 winners were selected through a random drawing. Eight Gold Prize winners each received a $10,000 donation to their school district’s education foundation, or a comparable eligible teacher support organization, along with a pizza party for their homeroom class. Ten Silver Prize winners received a pizza party for their homeroom class.

Mo the Buffalo and HilltopSecurities representatives visited Gold Prize winners across Texas to present their donations and honor the educators’ contributions to their students and communities.

Gold Prize Winners

Roosevelt ISD, Alaina Golightly
Mo the Buffalo and HilltopSecurities Chief Operating Officer David Holleran traveled to Roosevelt Elementary School to present Alaina Golightly with a $10,000 check for the Roosevelt Education Foundation. Golightly is a fifth-grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary in Lubbock, Texas.

Sharyland ISD, Amy Gonzalez
Mo and HilltopSecurities Chief Administrative Officer Clare Graca honored Amy Gonzalez with a $10,000 check for the Sharyland ISD Education Foundation. Gonzalez is a sixth-grade math and science teacher at John H. Shary Elementary in Mission, Texas.

North East ISD, Brandon Moore
HilltopSecurities Chief Administrative Officer Clare Graca and Mo presented Brandon Moore and his students with $10,000 for the North East Educational Foundation. Moore is a teacher and golf coach at James Madison High School in San Antonio, Texas.

Quitman ISD, Connie Simon
Mo the Buffalo and HilltopSecurities Head of New Business Development Clayton Sheppard visited Connie Simon to present her with a $10,000 check for the Quitman Lake Country Charitable Foundation in support of the Quitman ISD Education Fund. Simon is a special education teacher at Quitman Junior High in Quitman, Texas.

Princeton ISD, Janice Mitchell
HilltopSecurities Chief Administrative Officer Clare Graca joined Mo and students to celebrate Janice Mitchell and present her with a $10,000 check for the district’s teacher support fund. Mitchell is an inclusion paraprofessional at Lowe Elementary School in Princeton, Texas.

Maypearl ISD, Kayle Davis
HilltopSecurities Chief Operating Officer David Holleran and mascot Mo the Buffalo visited Kayle Davis to present her with a $10,000 check for the Maypearl Education Foundation. Davis is a teacher at Maypearl High School in Maypearl, Texas.

Greenwood ISD, Mayra Alvarado-Lopez
Mo the Buffalo and HilltopSecurities Human Resources Director Melinda Fleming traveled to Greenwood Elementary School to present Mayra Alvarado-Lopez and her students with a $10,000 check for the Greenwood Education Foundation. Alvarado-Lopez is an ESL teacher at Greenwood Elementary in Odessa, Texas.

Hutto ISD, Sarah De Amaral
Mo the Buffalo visited Sarah De Amaral to present her with a $10,000 check for the Hutto Education Foundation. De Amaral is a fourth-grade math and science teacher at Veterans Hill Elementary School in Round Rock, Texas.

Silver Prize Winners

• Chantelle Hood, Chico ISD
• Christina Fuller, Richardson ISD
• Jacy Carrillo, Frenship ISD
• Jennifer Allen, Fairhill School
• Joelle Garcia, Plano ISD
• Kay Knebel, Wall ISD
• Kelle Castleberry, Conroe ISD
• Melody Brown, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD
• Mitzie Harris, Pine Tree ISD
• Wendy Birmingham, Fort Worth ISD

About Hilltop Securities Inc.
HilltopSecurities is a full-service municipal investment bank and wealth advisory firm providing a full suite of financial services for public entities, institutional investors, housing finance agencies, broker-dealers, and individual investors. Founded in 1946, its primary areas of focus include public finance, capital markets, structured finance, retail brokerage, clearing services, and securities lending. Hilltop Securities Inc.’s goal is to build long-term relationships to help communities, businesses, and individuals thrive. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hilltop Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTH), HilltopSecurities’ affiliates include Momentum Independent Network, HilltopSecurities Asset Management, HilltopSecurities Insurance, PlainsCapital Bank, and PrimeLending. Learn more at HilltopSecurities.com. Member: NYSE/FINRA/SIPC.

CONTACT: 
Hilltop Holdings Inc.
Ben Brooks
214.252.4047
Ben.Brooks@Hilltop-Holdings.com