Thursday, April 11, 2024, started as a typical school day for the elementary students at Hayes Cooper Center (HCC) in Merigold, Mississippi, until it took an unfortunate turn. According to Cleveland School District Superintendent Dr. Lisa Bramuchi, at 7:25 a.m. that morning, a fire started in one classroom and affected another, injuring two teachers.
“Our students had to be evacuated from the building, which we safely did, and luckily, some buses and staff had not arrived, and there were no students in the classroom,” shared Dr. Bramuchi, “We are very blessed that morning, it could have been a whole lot worse.”
While the details are still under investigation and may take some time before authorities understand what happened that morning at HCC, the City of Cleveland and Delta State University wasted no time jumping in to help the students, faculty, and staff.
Dr. Daniel Ennis, the President of Delta State University (DSU), first heard the news of HCC on social media, like everyone else. “I didn’t see an official report; I just saw parents on social media saying something is going on at Hayes Cooper,” shared Dr. Ennis, “A lot of our DSU faculty and staff have students at HCC, so I got the fill-in and immediately started texting with our executive team on how to help.”
Due to the damage and ongoing investigation, no one can return to HCC until further notice. Dr. Ennis connected with Dr. Bramuchi and offered a solution: bring HCC students to DSU so they could resume some normalcy of classroom learning.
By Tuesday, April 16, DSU welcomed 327 students and 41 staff from HCC to its campus, where they will resume class for the remainder of the academic year. On the first day, car riders and buses were greeted by DSU football players dressed in game-day jerseys, green and white, who handed out high fives.
“To these young kids, these athletes are superheroes, “shared Dr. Ennis. “We wanted parents and kids to get out of the cars and buses and feel protected in a good way, and let them know all these people are here for you. And nothing makes you feel safer than four big linemen walking you to class!”
Dr. Ennis credits the entire DSU campus for making the transition smooth and possible. “I was in constant contact with our executive cabinet trying to figure out everything from logistics to custodians and any repairs that might be needed,” shared Dr. Ennis. The athletic department organized the welcome; the student volunteers helped move furniture, and public safety worked with the City of Cleveland for traffic control. Even parents from neighboring schools stepped in to help with school supplies and meals. “It was all hands on deck,” explained Dr. Ennis. “Everyone who could help grabbed the rope and started pulling.”
“There has been a lot of excitement from parents when the students got off the bus the first day, and the football team was there to greet them and the statesman and the okra,” shared Dr. Bramuchi. “It’s been a phenomenal reception and a great way to return to school.”
DSU currently houses the majority of HCC students and staff in its education building, where it trains K-12 teachers and has student interns available. Students and staff can also utilize DSU’s counseling services to process the situation.
“Dr. Ennis has been our friend since the beginning of the year when we had some air conditioner issues,” said Dr. Bramuchi. “Everything has just been a blessing. And it’s been a great partnership.”
*Photos courtesy of DSU
