By Shane Williams

Katy, Texas has been the subject of national attention as of late. Like the rest of the southern Texas and Louisiana communities, they went straight to work following Hurricane Harvey. Even after Katy Independent School District was closed and had their first week of football cancelled, which was a highly anticipated season opener in a brand new $73 million-dollar stadium, the town was not discouraged.

Katy High School had their doors open for the National Guard following the cancellation of classes. “Our community wanted to make sure the service members were well taken care of, so donations of bedding, clothes, personal hygiene and drinks came pouring in,” said Katy High principal Dr. Rick Hull. Volunteers helping with the National Guard stationed at the school included teachers, staff, and even students of Katy High School. “We also had coaches and parents who wanted to make sure the service members were able to work in clean uniforms, so they set a 24-hour a day schedule of washing uniforms.  It was just our way of trying to thank them the best way we could under the circumstances.” 

But what caught national attention was Katy High School’s picture of National Guard troops sleeping in the hallways after one of their many shifts, which ultimately went viral. It gained an overwhelmingly positive response, even garnering the attention of Fox News. Although, some criticized the school by saying they should not have let them sleep on the floor. In response, some National Guard troops went on social media expressing their gratitude for the high school and their volunteers. Joshua Scales took to Facebook to write, “Hey Katy, I’m not a resident of your amazing city, but I have been living in your high school for a week. I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing help your city has done me and my fellow troops. I’ve never seen this much support! We love every single one of you.” Students from all organizations in the school also took to the community to offer help. “Many of them had sustained losses in their own homes through the flooding, yet they were out there day after day trying to make sure the community was taken care of.” 

After over a week of the National Guard having the high school as their staging area and despite the criticism received by some, the one thing that certainly brings Texans together is slowly making its way back into the community: football. Both residents in Katy and the National Guard have expressed their readiness to get back to normalcy. Photos on Katy High School’s Facebook account show troops taking a break by playing football on the high school’s field.

Now, Katy is scheduled to have their first bit of football action since cancellations over a week ago; and while it isn’t what you might expect, they are more than ready to get back to it. As Dr. Rick Hull put it, “I think the focus now is on recovery and getting back to “normal”, and the most normal thing on a Friday night in September is football.  I know people are excited to be able to come out and gather as a community, even if it is just for a scrimmage.  I believe it will help with the healing process and give the community another chance to come together and provide support for each other.” Katy High School football has two different scrimmages planned for Friday, September 8th. The Katy varsity Tigers will play against Manvel High and the freshman/sophomores will play Paetow High. Katy High School is projected to reopen on Monday, September 11th.  

Q&A with Dr. Rick Hull -Principal of Katy High School

Shane: What has it been like hosting the National Guard and having some of your staff and students volunteering?

Dr. Hull: We were honored to be able to host our military and first responders.  We were all so appreciative of them coming in to our community and supporting us during this difficult time.  Our community wanted to make sure the service members were well taken care of, so donations of bedding, clothes, personal hygiene and drinks came pouring in.  We also had coaches and parents who wanted to make sure the service members were able to work in clean uniforms, so they set a 24-hour a day schedule of washing uniforms.  It was just our way of trying to thank them the best way we could under the circumstances. 

Shane: Did members of all sports teams come out and support? 

Dr. Hull: We had students from all student organizations, teams and others coming out to support our community.  They were out doing demolition on flooded homes, collecting donations at donation sites, and out delivering supplies.  Many of them had sustained losses in their own homes through the flooding, yet they were out there day after day trying to make sure the community was taken care of.  

Shane: What were the reactions to closing Legacy Stadium and cancelling your first game?

Dr. Hull: People were obviously disappointed that we couldn’t play, but the severity of the community’s loss has really overshadowed the loss of a game.  We were fortunate to have the new stadium in terms of our recovery because both stadiums were used for FEMA search and recovery crews and all of their heavy equipment.  

Shane: I know that there are scrimmages planned now, how have the students and parents reacted? 

Dr. Hull: I think the focus now is on recovery and getting back to “normal”, and the most normal thing on a Friday night in September is football.  I know people are excited to be able to come out and gather as a community, even if it is just for a scrimmage.  I believe it will help with the healing process and give the community another chance to come together and provide support for each other.