COPPERAS COVE – Another statewide award for student achievement is heading to a home in Copperas Cove.
Martin Walker Elementary School received the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA) Student Leadership Award for the 2023-24 school year, which recognizes student leadership teams for their work and impact on school communities in Texas.
“I could go on and on about this amazing group of children and their outstanding sponsors, but what I want to convey to you cannot be said in just a few words,” campus principal Breanne Turner said. “Martin Walker Elementary’s Student Council is a group deserving of this great award.”
The campus’ student council earned this award for some of its initiatives around the community and maintaining the “Free Little Library” on campus.
Every Monday during the school year, the Student Council would meet and remove the recycling from each room to place it in the city’s recycle bins, also. The school year started with these students partnering with the high school in the annual Peanut Butter Bowl to benefit two food pantries in Cove.
To end each week, the council would line the halls to greet each student with a smile on “High Five Friday.”
“This enthusiasm brings a smile to everyone who passes and helps start the Martin Walker day off in a positive way,” Turner said.
The group led efforts throughout the year including decorating the campus in orange during Kindness Week in an anti-bullying campaign, it rang the bell to help the Salvation Army of Copperas Cove raise money to benefit families in need, it laid and retrieves wreaths at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, and led efforts with Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful.
When it comes to beautification in Copperas Cove, the group won awards through the Youth Environmental Ambassador! Program on Fort Cavazos, winning the 2023-24 Greater Fort Cavazos Recycle Bowl.
This group of students also helped a Life Skills class with arts and crafts activities, modeling care and inclusivity on the campus.
“They truly embody student leadership,” Turner said. “This enthusiastic group strives not only to be leaders on our campus, but also to make their mark on our community.”
The group will be recognized by TEPSA at its summer conference in June.