COPPERAS COVE – Emotions ran high after a trying year, as the students and staff at Williams/Ledger Elementary School took a morning to say thank you.
Thursday, on the final day of class in Copperas Cove ISD’s 2025-26 school year, Williams/Ledger Elementary held a gratitude ceremony to show appreciation to everybody who helped them succeed without a home campus. WLE spent the entire school year displaced after heavy rains and flooding in July caused widespread damage to the campus.
“We know this year hasn’t been easy for any of the students, parents or team members at Williams/Ledger,” said Superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins. “While it’s never easy for students to be displaced like they were this year, the way these kids responded and then shared their appreciation with everybody involved is truly one of the most heartwarming things I have seen in my 20 years as a superintendent.”
A group of students recorded a set of original songs, which were played for the audience inside the Fairview/Jewell Elementary gym, one of the campuses where WLE students were displaced to this year, included district administrators, maintenance staff, technology services, child nutrition, custodial services, transportation, school board members and other CCISD team members who had a role in making this year a success. Representatives from Crossin Restoration were also part of the ceremony, to thank them for their role in the process.
The students from WLE also took a moment to thank the administrators at Fairview/Jewell and Martin Walker Elementary, the other campus where Williams/Ledger students spent their 2025-26 school year.
“Our students wanted the opportunity to thank everybody involved in the best way they know how — through their voices, artwork, music, writing and creativity,” said Williams/Ledger Elementary principal Jenny Cresswell. “This ceremony was a small reflection of the enormous appreciation we feel for each department and team that helped rebuild our campus and support us throughout the year. While a building can be repaired with tools and materials, a school is truly rebuilt through the hearts of people who care deeply about children and community.”
While at the ceremony, Crossin Restoration presented the campus with a $5,000 donation to help the teachers and students transition back to their home campus in the 2026-27 school year.
“Crossin has been such a great partner throughout this process,” Dr. Hawkins said. “They’ve truly gone above and beyond in their work for our students and this is just another example of that. We appreciate them wanting to make a positive impact on our students here in Copperas Cove and thank them for their help making what could have been a headache much easier.”
Copperas Cove ISD is planning to hold a ribbon cutting celebration at the Williams/Ledger campus this summer.