Originally published June 4, 2015
The last week of school is supposed to be reserved for senior trips, possibly a few pranks and the fun of basking in four years of hard work. For the Wimberley High School graduating class of 2015, the last week of school started with a natural disaster the likes of which Wimberley has never seen.
This situation was different, but so is this class – one that has grown to be known for their community involvement and volunteerism.
The morning after the flood, some of the first volunteers were high school students showing up at the school.
“Immediately after the flood, seniors were in the parking lot first thing Sunday morning looking for ways to help,” Principal Jason Valentine said. “From sorting donations to shoveling mud, moving debris and cleaning what was hoped to be salvageable.”
There were teachers and classmates affected by the flood. The Senior Class President Henry Wollam was one of those whose house was flooded. He talked about how much work the seniors put in.
“I know you are as muddy as we are,” Wollam said at graduation. “You may not know the person next to you, but I can now promise you they would drop everything to help you.”
The senior class was supposed to head to Fiesta Texas for the senior trip. Representatives for the class went to the administration and told them there was no reason to go. They needed to stay in Wimberley and help.
“They were everywhere,” Superintendent Dwain York said. “Our kids were at some of the greatest hit areas. Out on Flite Acres, I saw a lot of adults but I saw tons of kids. They were out there with our teachers who lost everything. It was amazing to watch.”
The entire school jumped into action. “The seniors went to the aide of classmates, teachers and members of our great community,” Valentine said. “Coach Doug Warren would orchestrate clean-up crews with many of our seniors and athletes to different parts of the devastated areas. Coach Jennifer Bachman worked very hard along with Dana Power to distribute relief from Bridges Gym. The seniors demonstrated resilience, compassion and selflessness through the entire process.”
Further still, the money that was set aside for the senior trip was just sitting there. The seniors had also raised money for their annual gift. Together, it amounted to $5,000, which was donated to the local organization the Barnabas Connection to help flood victims.
The last week will be a defining moment in Wimberley history, for both the terrible destruction and what followed. The senior class will certainly be a part of that legacy.
“Someone told me it was sad that this class would be defined by the disaster,” York said at graduation. “This will not define you as a graduating class, but it will define your legacy. I’ve watched you over the last few days grabbing shovels and chainsaws and going out to help. You would come back covered in mud, but you had a smile on your face. That is your legacy. We talk about Texan Pride. That is what Texan Pride is.”
