BELTON, Texas — Col. Lakicia R. Stokes, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Cavazos commander, along with mayors and representatives from the communities of Belton, Copperas Cove, Gatesville, Harker Heights, Killeen, Lampasas, Nolanville and Salado gathered March 6 at the Harris Community Center here. The ceremony was an opportunity to proclaim April as Sustainable Environment Month and present the 2025 Cen-Tex Sustainable Communities Partnership Environmental Ambassador and Youth Environmental Ambassador!, or YEA!, awards.

“By coming together, we can amplify our impact,” Stokes said. “The Cen-Tex Partnership is dedicated to empowering the warfighter, youth, residents and families to become leaders in environmental stewardship through hands-on initiatives and collaborative efforts. When we unite with a shared purpose, we set a powerful example for other communities to follow.”

Stokes and David K. Leigh, mayor of Belton, cohosted the event and presented awardees with a tree cookie — a cross section of a tree and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Rep. John Carter (TX-31).

“We are here to celebrate … the partnerships that we have,” he said. “We have to continue to innovate together, and so we are celebrating that today.”

Recipients of the Environmental Ambassador award included Oscar Bersoza and Belton High School Athletics from Belton; Lynette Sowell from Copperas Cove; Kelly Thornborrow from Fort Cavazos; Keep Gatesville Beautiful from Gatesville; Martín Tavera and Antonio Tavera from Killeen; Brent Hammer from Harker Heights; Kline Whitis Elementary Kindness Kids from Lampasas; Colleen Smith-Fey from Nolanville; and Legacy CTX from Salado.

A military spouse’s dedication to sustainability

Kelly Thornborrow, who was named the Fort Cavazos 2025 Environmental Ambassador, shared how her love for the environment and her desire to give back to the community led her to join the Central Texas Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists and participate in projects with the Adaptive and Integrative Management Team.

“As a military spouse, I always give back to the community that has welcomed us in with each new duty station,” she said. “I’ve been able to combine my passion for the environment and interest in volunteering … helping to make this community a better place both for nature and people, long after we PCS (permanent change of station).”

Since the fall of 2023, Thornborrow volunteered more than 150 hours on Fort Cavazos through education, outreach and service through initiatives like the AIM Trash-Off event, AIM pollinator garden maintenance, integrated monarch monitoring protocol and Nature at Night community event.

The art of stewardship: Meadows Elementary

Meadows Elementary was recognized as a recipient for the YEA! Rising Star award and 13 students were also individually recognized as awardees for the YEA! Recycled Art contest for repurposing recyclables to create gingerbread houses.

Katrina Schoenrock, librarian for Meadows Elementary, who encouraged students to participate in the art contest and Greater Fort Cavazos Recycle Bowl, shared her passion for nurturing the future leaders of the community.

“Children want to save the planet and wish for world peace,” she said. “They are the light of the world, so it is our mission to show them how they can positively impact the environment and their community.”

Reflecting on her students’ enthusiasm for the YEA! initiatives, Schoenrock expressed hope they will move forward sharing their knowledge and lessons learned about recycling.

“Students had a blast working together to collect recycling, and, of course, creating the most magnificent recycled gingerbread houses,” she said.

Youth Environmental Ambassadors!

The YEA! program is a collaborative partnership between the Cen-Tex Partnership and the Fort Cavazos School Liaison Office Adopt-A-School Program that features several initiatives to promote litter prevention, conservation, recycling and beautification.

Notable 2025 YEA! awardees also included Fairview/Miss Jewell as the winner of the Sustained Excellence Award; Hettie Halstead Elementary as the winner of the Greater Fort Cavazos Recycle Bowl, Lights Out Lunch and Sustained Excellence awards; Martin Walker Elementary as the winner of the Pull Together to Make a Difference and Sustained Excellence Award; and Crossroads High School as the Winner of the School Beautification and Rising Star awards.

Antonio Tavera: Student leads the way

Among the most inspiring stories of the day was that of Antonio “Tony” Tavera, a fourth grader from Killeen Elementary School, who has been leading monthly park cleanups with his father Martín Tavera. Tony’s idea for organizing cleanups began when he noticed trash accumulating around a local park.

“There was a lot of trash, and we thought we should do something about it,” he explained.

Over the past year, he and his family have collected over 700 pounds of trash through their community cleanups.

“I want other kids and families to get involved,” Tony said. “If we clean up right now, we can make a big difference in the future.”

His passion for environmental stewardship was evident in his words, and his efforts serve as a reminder even young children can have a profound impact on their communities.

Building a future together

Following the awards presentation, Stokes, Leigh, the mayors and representatives gathered to sign a proclamation declaring April as Sustainable Environment Month.

Leigh concluded the event expressing appreciation to the partner communities and awardees recognized and highlighting the importance of community togetherness.

“Anything we do together…survivable, stewardship – we are all stewards, and if only one of us does it, it doesn’t get done,” Leigh said. “We have to do it together.”