HOUSTON — It's already a busy weekend with all sorts of activities and events happening ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship, including the CFP Foundation honoring local teachers.
On Friday, students and staff at Highland Heights Elementary School got a big surprise -- a brand-new art center, and KHOU 11 was there for the big reveal.
HISD students are still on holiday break, but a lucky few got to take part in the celebrations, including 11-year-old Tiana Youngblood.
"I was just surprised because when we left this school for Christmas break this room didn't look like what it does now," she said.
That’s because the school’s art class got a $50,000 upgrade, which Highland Heights Elementary Schools Principal Bettina McKinney said will be a game changer for the students.
"This is fantastic, I'm overly appreciative and gracious for what you have been able to afford our students, and I know these students are appreciative and I know this art space is going be used in a very phenomenal way,," she said.
The classroom now features brand new art supplies, a Clever Touch Smart Board, art stations and teaching area for students to enjoy.
"From the bottom of my heart, I like to say thank you," said Sharon Ford, the school’s art teacher. "It's going to provide them (students) with the materials they need to do their best work."
The newly renovated art learning lab is the second Houston-area classroom makeover out of six scheduled through the spring and is part of the CFP Foundation and its partners ongoing commitment to transforming learning environments in communities across the country.
"Transforming spaces like this are amazing. Without a great learning environment, you're not going to have eager students,” said Britton Banowsky, the Executive Director of the CFP Foundation.
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Students like 10-year-old Hanna Darko and her best friend Tiana described what art means to them.
"Freedom and joy,” said Hanna.
"I like art because it gives me the chance to express what I feel,” Tiana said.
Helping the students create, thrive, and go the extra yard.
CFP Foundation will be recognizing Houston-area teachers all weekend, including holding a free teacher summit at Wortham Theater on Saturday.
Organizers say around 4,000 teachers are set to attend both in-person and virtually.