Uvalde, TX — Three years after a devastating tragedy that claimed the lives of 19 students and 2 teachers, Uvalde has taken an important step forward with the opening of Legacy Elementary School. A ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 10th marked a moment of both remembrance and renewal for the community.
“The path to this ribbon-cutting has been long and deeply emotional in the wake of unimaginable tragedy,” said Ashley Chohlis, superintendent for the Uvalde school district.
The school’s design embodies remembrance and resilience. At its heart stands a large art installation of an oak tree with two main branches and nineteen smaller ones — representing the two teachers and nineteen students whose memories will always live on.
During the ceremony, a handful of former students who survived the shooting and have since graduated to junior high returned with their school mariachi band to perform for the assembly. “Canta y no llores / porque cantando se alegran cielito lindo los corazones,” they sang. (Sing and don’t cry / because singing makes hearts happy, my dear little sky.)
Legacy Elementary also features advanced safety measures such as bullet-resistant windows, new staff access systems, and secure nine-foot perimeter gates. Beyond safety, the school was designed to create spaces for learning, play, and connection — including two playgrounds, a gymnasium, and outdoor courtyards.
Brock USA, together with SynLawn and Preferred Sands, was honored to contribute to the creation of these new outdoor recreation spaces by donating materials. Playground equipment has come a long way, and now so has the surface it relies upon. Legacy Elementary chose Brock PowerBase PLAY as it’s the only complete base system that has been designed and engineered specifically for artificial turf playgrounds and the kids who play on them. With up to 9-foot critical fall heights, the system offers unparalleled impact safety that endures over time. One of the playgrounds on campus was created for children with special needs, a space where the turf’s built-in shock pad system delivers a consistent, accessible surface that cushions every step, helping every child play, move, and grow safely.
“At Brock, we believe play and movement are essential to childhood development,” said Amy Champion, the Gulf States Region Vice President at Brock USA. “If we can help build spaces that bring kids joy and comfort — even in the wake of unimaginable hardship — that’s something we’ll always say yes to.”
As students begin a new chapter at Legacy Elementary, the school stands not only as a state-of-the-art educational facility but as a symbol of healing and hope — a place where safety, compassion, and community come together to build a brighter future.
Photos and videos courtesy of: Daniel Miller – SynLawn Texas
KSAT12 coverage: Uvalde Legacy Elementary School Opening Speeches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbSt029014s
ABC coverage: https://abcnews.go.com/US/uvalde-opens-new-elementary-school-honoring-shooting-victims/story?id=126401163
CBS coverage: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/legacy-elementary-uvalde-school-opening-robb-shooting-memorial/
New York Times coverage: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/us/politics/uvalde-shooting-new-school-texas.html
