According to Carroll Elementary School principal Stacy Wagon, there wasn’t an adult with a dry eye in the place on Friday, January 24, during a special assembly for lead custodian Jenny Lopez.
The school came together to honor and recognize Jenny, who recently found out she earned her citizenship.
“She shared with one of our teachers that she was going to be sitting for her citizenship test, and the teacher let us know that and encouraged her along the way,” Wagon says. “When we learned she passed it, we started to throw things together.”
So all of the school’s students, teachers and a few parents gathered that morning to celebrate Jenny’s hard work. Students waved American flags, Jenny was met with flowers and the whole crowd was able to show its support.
“We tried really hard to keep it a surprise, which is hard with 640 kids,” Wagon says. “When she walked in, she was very surprised. She’s one of those unsung heroes.”
Jenny Lopez told MySouthlakeNews.com that this has been a long-term goal of hers.
“When I walked through the doors, I was so excited,” Lopez says to MySouthlakeNews.com. “I have been working on this for over a year and a half, and today was very special to me.”
After giving her a warm welcome, Wagon was able to describe the citizenship process and lead a quick quiz to see if students could answer a few of the questions included on the test. But the whole event focused on honoring Jenny’s hard work and accomplishments.
“It was one of the sweetest moments that I remember here,” Wagon says. “There wasn’t a dry eye amongst the adults.”
Up next, Jenny will take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States in the next few weeks. But for now, a community that is proud of her dedication surrounds her.
“She loves the kids. She just has a sweet spirit about her,” Wagon says. “This was an opportunity to recognize her for everything she has done and celebrate her.”