SALADO, Texas — Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) and neighboring Texas communities Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Nolanville, Belton, Salado, Gatesville, and Lampasas make up the Cen-Tex Sustainable Communities Partnership.
Lt. Col. Gilberto Escobedo, executive officer, U.S. Army Garrison – Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos), and mayors from each of the communities will gather together from 10-11 a.m. April 24 at the Grace Jones Ballroom at Shady Villa Hotel at 416 S. Main St. in Salado to sign a proclamation recognizing April as Sustainable Environment Month.
The ceremony will include Lt. Col. Escobedo and the Mayors recognizing an individual or organization from each partner community with the 2023 Cen-Tex Sustainable Communities Partnership Environmental Ambassador Award, and for the first time recognizing winning schools for the Youth Environmental Ambassadors! Award. Awardees include community members, staff, and schools for their efforts in fostering community service and promoting beautification, conservation, pollution prevention, and recycling through youth and community initiatives.
The following individuals from their respective communities will be recognized with the 2023 Environmental Ambassador Award:
• City of Belton: Kira Woods
• City of Killeen: Youth Advisory Commission
• City of Copperas Cove: Hettie Halstead Elementary
• City of Lampasas: Wings of Eagles Outreach
• Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos): Arletta Carr-Afalava
• City of Nolanville: Nolanville Lions’ Club
• City of Gatesville: Cheri Shepherd
• Village of Salado: Thomas Arnold Elementary
• City of Harker Heights: Kristina Ramirez
The following schools from Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Copperas Cove, and Belton will be recognized in the following 2023 Youth Environmental Ambassador! award categories:
• Youth Environmental Ambassador! Sustained Excellence: Oveta Culp Hobby Elementary
• Youth Environmental Ambassador! Plastics for a Purpose: Fairview/Miss Jewell Elementary
• Youth Environmental Ambassador! Greater Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) Area Recycle Bowl: Hettie Halstead Elementary
• Youth Environmental Ambassador! Pull Together to Make a Difference: Fairview/Miss Jewell Elementary
• Youth Environmental Ambassador! Lights Out Lunch: Leon Heights Elementary
Media Notes: For more information, please contact Christine Luciano, 254-535-1008 or 254-291-3257.
