“He poured his soul and his life and every ounce of energy that he had into his students and his athletes.” — Veterans Memorial High School Principal Scott Walker.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Corpus Christi ISD community gathered Tuesday night at Veterans Memorial High School to honor Leyton Hernandez, whose death has left a deep void throughout the district.
“He was an amazing coach. He was an amazing teacher, equally, and he poured his soul and his life and every ounce of energy that he had into his students and his athletes,” said Veterans Memorial High School Principal Scott Walker.
Hernandez was remembered not only for the way he coached, but for the way he connected with students on a personal level.
“He was passionate about teaching,” Head Football Coach and Athletic Coordinator Ben Bitner added, “He was passionate about helping kids and trying to get kids to do the best they could.”
Members of the school’s football team, like Javen Cruz-Levene, said Hernandez made each player feel valued. “Coach was such a special person. Not only was he there for everyone, it made everyone seem like a friend and not just a player.”
“He just meant the world to us,” Brandon Rivera echoed, “You can ask some of the kids around here. They all had deep connections with him and everyone just felt trust in him, his warmth and the smiles and the joy he brought. It means a lot to everyone and we’re just deeply appreciative of him.”
Throughout the evening, the community remembered the close-knit bond Hernandez built with those around him and the way his presence shaped the school community.
“There’s some shock, but I think it’s bringing a bunch of people closer together,” Bitner said. “This is a time that we lean on each other and we’re family… and he was family to us.”
Students also used the vigil to show support for Hernandez’s family, saying the large turnout reflected how much he meant to the program and the campus as a whole.
“It’s truly incredible that we can all connect as a community and come out here and support his family,” Rivera reflected. “We’re always behind them and we just thank them for raising such a good, kind person that’s genuine, and we’re always here for them.”
As the community rallied around Hernandez’s family, it became clear that his influence reached far beyond the classroom and playing field.
“He was loved not just by his athletes, not just by his students, by his colleagues as well,” Principal Walker said. “He had a big footprint on our campus, and he was very, very well loved.”
And for the the students whose lives Hernandez touched, the vigil meant more than saying goodbye.
“I have to live through his legacy and I’ll carry that on,” Rivera promised.