Copperas Cove H-E-B wins regional spirit stick

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press

Cheers rang throughout the store as Copperas Cove H-E-B employees surrounded by peppy Copperas Cove High School students celebrated. Even Fort Cavazos was in on the festivities bringing a Bradley Fighting Vehicle to roll its way to the front of the store preceded by part of the Pride of Cove Band and followed by CCHS cheerleaders and Copperettes.
Copperas Cove’s H-E-B Plus! was honored Wednesday morning with a presentation of the company’s spirit stick award.
To celebrate and support the store, dozens of CCHS students and staff flooded the store shouting praises and generally having a good time. In addition to the award presentation, the store also invited the students and their own staff members to participate in a variety of fun games.
E.T. Ferris, the store’s general manager, said that Cove’s H-E-B earned the award due to its successful efforts to engage the community. 
Ferris said that each quarter, every H-E-B is asked to do community events which are then evaluated. A winning store is then selected for each region, which then competes at the district level. 
Copperas Cove’s H-E-B is being honored for their Kids’ Day event which was held in August. 
Ferris estimated that there were 350-400 children who visited the store that day and enjoyed the event. The Kids’ Day celebration had a “Storybook Tales” theme wherein all the departments dressed up as characters from their favorite stories and invited the community to play fun storybook-themed games.
“I’ve got a great team and partners,” said Ferris who was excited by the store’s success.
“I think it’s a great example of how H-E-B connects with the community,” said Juan-Carlos Ruck, executive Vice President of the Northwest Food and Drug Division about the spirit stick competition. 
“HEB has a spirit culture. It’s the stores competing to see who has the most spirit.”
Ruck said that he really enjoyed seeing everything that the Copperas Cove store pulled together to celebrate in a big way.
”I’m like a kid in a candy store,” said Ruck.
Jennifer Cotter, Copperas Cove H-E-B’s administrative assistant, said that they wanted to make Wednesday’s event like a big pep rally with a Veteran’s Day flair. She was especially pleased by how many CCHS students attended the event.
“When we call on the community, they always come help,” said Cotter.
“We wanted to help out H-E-B because they help us out a lot. They donate a lot to the high school,” said CCHS activity coordinator Destinee Branch. “This is our first opportunity to celebrate them, so we were more than happy to come. I think we delivered more than what they asked for, but that’s good because we want them to know how much we love them…Every team has at least one person here.”
Branch said that the high school brought the cheerleaders, Copperettes, band students, and at least one member to represent every sport played by the high school as well as several of the athletic trainers.
Branch said that she thought the high schoolers were having a blast and she loved how many of them participated in the games and activities.
“This is really awesome,” said 12th grade assistant principal Megan Kenobbie. She said she loved seeing how much fun the high schoolers were having. “They’re excited and pumped to be here.”