Student of the Year

Emma Park • Castleman Creek Elementary

Emma is the daughter of Moises and Hannah Park. Emma was born and raised in Massachusetts but is a Texan at heart, and the oldest of four girls. At a young age, she developed a thirst for travel, with grandparents in Japan and Bolivia. She has a deep appreciation for different cultures and languages, and takes deep pride in her Korean and Hispanic heritage. She is an active member of Korean Church of Waco. Emma is a natural caretaker, eager to serve others in real and meaningful ways. Though seemingly shy and wise beyond her years, she is still a child at heart with interests like K-Pop and anime. Her additional hobbies include baking, reading, writing, violin, and soccer. She is a member of the GT program and participates in UIL. She aspires to be a Special Education teacher, just like her mom.

Meredith Bennett • Chapel Park Elementary

Meredith is the daughter of Douglas and Holly Bennett. She is the third born of four children in the family. She is enjoying her first year as a 5th grader at Chapel Park. She has enjoyed making new friends, participating in the school’s spelling bee, and CPE’s 5th-grade book club. This fall, Meredith was a cheerleader for the Hewitt Broncos, where she won the Good Attitude Award. She has just finished a season of playing basketball with Midway Premier League. As a follower of Christ, she is active in youth ministry and the altar server ministry at St. Jerome Catholic Church. In her free time, she loves modeling, reading, and spending time with friends and family. Meredith is a dedicated student who loves learning, is helpful, and is kind.

Lawson Copp • Hewitt Elementary

Lawson is the son of Jody and Melissa Copp. He was the September 2022 Student of the Month at Hewitt Elementary, 2022 Make-A-Wish Recipient, and February 2019 Student of the Month at Woodway Elementary. He met Chip and Joanna Gaines (and Tim Tebow) as his family was built a fully-accessible home that aired on HGTV’s “Fixer Upper” in January 2018. Lawson is a member of Hewitt Elementary’s 2022-23 Kindness Club, an athlete in Rise Adaptive Sports in Dallas and No Limitations in Waco, and Challenger Little League baseball. He attends Texas Lions Camp and Camp Blessing Texas as a camper during the summers, and attended a basketball camp at Texas A&M University for disabled athletes called “Buzz’s Bunch”.

Berkley Turk • Park Hill Elementary

Berkley is the daughter of Kelsey and Jon Turk. She is a Park Hill recipient of the Respect Award, and multiple Character Awards. Berkeley serves as a School Ambassador and competes in UIL Academics. Her community activities include ballet at Ignite Dance and community service picking up trash.

Jeanelle Hammond • South Bosque Elementary

Jeanelle is a sweet, dedicated and the results-oriented daughter of Harriet Oppong and Oswald Hammond of Woodway. The youngest of the Hammond family, she has been an inspiration since birth. Her focus and commitment in accomplishing tasks is outstanding. A few of Jeanelle’s awards include Spelling Bee, Ready Writing, Honesty, Honor Guard award and more. A longtime member of the GT program (from multiple states), she is leading South Bosque’s “Weave It Wednesday Passion Project” that weaves mats from plastic bags for the homeless. She loves to play the violin, sing, and read challenging books. She is committed to go to Harvard and fulfill her aspiration of becoming a neurosurgeon. Jeanelle absolutely believes in hard work and dedication!

Kaitlyn Lovorn • Speegleville Elementary

Kaitlyn Lovorn, daughter of Allyn and Tonya Lovorn of Waco, is a 5th grader and is involved in the Tech Tribe, Library League, KSPE News Crew, and was a member of four Academic UIL Teams. She is a leader at her school and a straight-A student that loves learning about animals and doing science experiments. She is very inquisitive and is always curious about how the world works. Outside of school, Kaitlyn is involved in the Youth Chorus of Central Texas and has studied piano and music theory since Kindergarten. Last summer, she was selected to be a member of the Texas Choral Directors Association’s Elementary Honor Choir. Kaitlyn is a great big sister to two siblings and is a friend to everyone.

McKenzie Bennett • Spring Valley Elementary

McKenzie is kind, respectful, outgoing, joyful, and a friend to everyone. She enjoys church, sports, agriculture, serving others, and spending time outdoors. She loves showing sheep through Midway Jr. FFA and raising her goats and chickens at home. McKenzie also volunteers with her family’s JMB Fishing Foundation—serving children and families experiencing childhood cancer and other illnesses. She has received SVE’s Kindness Award and the “Purposeful People” Award. McKenzie aspires to be a Game Warden, as she loves all things outdoors! McKenzie is a leader and has a huge heart for others. She is always looking for her next opportunity to help make the world a better place!

Brighton Boyd • Woodway Elementary

Brighton Boyd is the daughter of Lee and Kristy Boyd, and she is pure joy. She lights up any room she walks into with her sweet smile and dimples. She is a leader, kind, caring, and radiates happiness to everyone around her. She has worked incredibly hard to overcome dyslexia and to become a great reader and all-around student. Brighton loves being active and plays select soccer, basketball, and gymnastics. She was chosen for the listening skills UIL team this year and loved competing. She is also a member of the Purposeful Panthers leadership team at Woodway. Brighton loves school, being with her friends and animals. She always gives 100% effort at anything she does and is so honored to be the 2023 student of the year for Woodway Elementary.