Like a royal procession, students at Oveta Culp Hobby Elementary School arrived at school Tuesday, received a string of purple beads from a soldier and walked along a purple runner into the school building.
Celebrating military children is a way of life around Fort Cavazos and Killeen ISD and the middle of April brings an even more intentional and visible recognition.
Globally, military communities throughout the U.S. Department of Defense recognize April as Month of the Military Child. Many of those communities designate a Purple-Up Day to wear the color purple in honor of military children.
Killeen ISD is celebrating Purple Up Day on Wednesday, April 23.
Hobby Elementary Principal Alena Thomas is a military spouse and has embraced the Month of the Military Child and Purple Up Day for many years.
“I come from a military family. It’s very important. My kids were celebrated. It’s dear to my heart and to our staff,” she said as she welcomed students to the school alongside volunteer soldiers offering purple beads to each child.
“It’s a special day to watch their smiles as they come. We’re all one as a campus, celebrating the resilience and strength of our military students.”
Soldiers from Hobby’s adopt-a-school unit, the 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, stood at each entrance to provide the special welcome.
School staff members put together a photo backdrop for military families and other guests. Portraits are officially scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 16
The school is hosting its first Health and Wellness Parent Night from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, with KISD and Army Community Services offering information about parenting, technology, nutrition and community resources.
A “Muffins with Our Military” reception is set to begin the day at Hobby on Thursday.
“We have dress-up days this week, and we talk more in depth with students,” Thomas said. “Counselors talk to our students about what it means to be resilient and to have courage. We go a little deeper this week.”
Hobby counselor Cristina Miranda is one of the planners of the week of activities at the school.
“It's important to recognize our kids,” she said. “They are so resilient. They go through so much. Just having this special event for them so they feel special means a lot. Having the runner, the beads, the soldiers here, it makes them feel unique.
“I’m so proud of all of them, and I’m happy we’re able to recognize them. We try to be creative. They are here a couple of years, and then they’re gone, so we want to make every moment special.”
Photo gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720325117458
