In the past 6 years three Copperas Cove students have won the Texas Educations Agency’s Student Hero award. It’s a prestigious honor highlighting kids helping kids, only 12 out of 5 million students get.
Williams/Ledger Elementary fifth grader Romella Spitzer compliments her older sister, Samantha, on her canvas that she is painting. Romella knows that painting is one of Samanthaâs favorite activities, and the two sisters enjoy the hobby together.
It is those memorable times that Romella has shared with Samantha â who has autism â that led her to plan, implement, and create an event that opened up the world of art to children with disabilities.
Romella hosted Copperas Coveâs inaugural Chocolate Fantasia event as her community service project as the 2020 Preteen Miss Five Hills. Event proceeds purchased sensory classroom equipment for CCISD students with autism.
Former Preteen Miss Five Hills Romella Spitzer, a Williams/Ledger Elementary fourth grader, sits beside her sister, Samantha, as they create artwork together. It is one of the activities that help keep Samantha calm. This inspired Spitzer to apply and receive a $1,500 grant from the Fort Hood Area Thrift Shop to assist Copperas Cove ISD in creating sensory classrooms in every elementary school.
âIn addition to assisting students with their education and helping them learn life skills so that they can be independent as adults, sensory classroom equipment also helps students who are struggling with their emotions like when their parents are deployed,â Spitzer said. âIt allows them to cope and be mentally and emotionally prepared to learn in the classroom and ultimately become productive adults in society.â
Tue, 2021-05-11 08:36 david morris
Special to Leader-Press
Preteen Miss Five Hills Romella Spitzer, a Williams/Ledger Elementary fourth grader, sits beside her sister, Samantha, as they create artwork together. It is one of the activities that help keep Samantha calm. This inspired Spitzer to apply and receive a $1,500 grant from the Fort Hood Area Thrift Shop to assist Copperas Cove ISD in creating sensory classrooms in every elementary school.
“In addition to assisting students with their education and helping them learn life skills so that they can be independent as adults, sensory classroom equipment also helps students who a struggling with their emotions like when their parents are deployed,” Spitzer said. “It allows them to cope and be mentally and emotionally prepared to learn in the classroom and ultimately become productive adults in society.”
If you like chocolate and art, the Copperas Cove Civic Center was the place to be on Feb. 26. The Copperas Cove Five Hills Royalty and the Copperas Cove Independent School District collaborated on the first Chocolate Fantasia.
The evening was like a stroll through an art gallery with artwork created by CCISD Special Education Students. Attendees also got to enjoy various chocolate creations. The chocolate was made by culinary students from S.C. Lee Junior High School assisted by students from Copperas Cove High School.
The event was also a chance to help showcase the many talents of the many special education students that were featured.