Hundreds of military-connected students and their family members in the Socorro Independent School District dove into summer at the district’s Military Summer Splash event on May 10.
Families had a splashtastic time celebrating the end of the 2024-2025 school year at the SISD Aquatics Center, where they enjoyed pizza, refreshments and each other’s company.
“I'm ready to jump in the pool, have some fun and get the summer started!” said Damien Apodaca, a rising sophomore at Pebble Hills High School. He was among the 600 attendees at the event, which included morning and afternoon sessions.
Dr. Carmen Olivas Graham, SISD director of Administrative Services, said that the event aimed to help military families feel supported and appreciated within the district. SISD serves 5,769 military-connected students and their families districtwide.
“These events are our way in the district of saying thank you for your service to all our military-connected families,” Olivas Graham said.
She emphasized that the Military Splash event also helped military-connected families to bond with one another, especially for those who experience long separations due to military commitments.
“They’re each other's family here, and a lot of them don't live in the El Paso area permanently. So, they don't have families here, but they're each other's family, so it's a fun time for them,” Olivas Graham added.
Forty-six out of 51 SISD schools have received the Purple Star campus designation from the Texas Education Agency due to their strong commitment to providing comprehensive support for students from military families. One of these schools is Benito Martinez Elementary School, where Anke Farrar's son attended fourth grade.
Farrar said these events were particularly beneficial for students from military families who understand the challenges of making friends while frequently changing schools.
“I appreciate every event that they put together and make us feel more included and show us what's available, too, in the district,” Farrar said. “Especially when you move a lot, it takes a while to find out what's out there.”