West Tragedy Can’t Stop SOE Student Amy Holecek

As you turn onto Amy Holecek’s street, you immediately notice the wood beams rising in every direction, forming skeletons of future homes. But this isn’t a new subdivision. With just one finished home, Amy’s street is a place where families have lived for generations. In her West, Texas, neighborhood, the sound of circular saws is the sound of people rebuilding — literally and figuratively.

When the West Fertilizer Company exploded April 17, 2013, it claimed 15 lives and uprooted hundreds in the tight-knit town. Amy’s home — where she lives and commutes from — was just 900 feet from the plant. Her grandparents were a block closer. In an instant, Amy and her mother, Toni Holecek (BSEd ’79), along with her grandfather (also a Baylor alum and educator) and grandmother, were homeless.

“We were some of the lucky ones,” Amy said. “We didn’t lose people. We just lost stuff. And it’s a miracle. My mom was standing outside the house watching the fire when it exploded. Our car imploded and our house was destroyed, but she didn’t have a cut.”

That was the first of the miracles Amy describes in the weeks following the explosion. A scholarship student in the School of Education, Amy needed a miracle to stay at Baylor another year. She found that through the Carpenter Family Endowed Scholarship in Education. 

“I wouldn’t be here without it,” Amy said. “We lost everything, and tuition was going to have to take a back seat to rebuilding our home and everything in it.”

“We lost everything, and tuition was going to have to take a back seat to rebuilding our home…” — Amy Holecek

For scholarship benefactor Don Carpenter (BBA ’81), getting to know and support Amy is a joy.

“Janette [Don’s wife] and I are so impressed by Amy and her poise,” Carpenter said. “She’s been very positive in seeing everything as opportunities rather than hardships. Trying to keep on track and move forward, she never portrays herself as a victim. We’re blessed to know her and be in a position to help.”

Even before receiving the scholarship, Amy said, she needed a miracle to finish her sophomore year. “The explosion was right at the end of the semester,” she said. “I couldn’t focus on school.”

Emotional as she remembered, Amy said her professors gave selflessly of their time to help her finish. “One of my professors even took up gifts for me,” she said.

Now that Amy has finished her junior year, she marvels at the journey. The Holeceks have a new home, her mom just retired after 35 years teaching in West ISD, and her grandparents have an apartment in Waco. 

This fall, Amy begins her final year as an undergraduate training to be an elementary teacher — a profession where she will likely perform miracles for many others who need them. — Derek Smith

Your support can make an incredible difference in the lives of Baylor students. 
Consider establishing your own or contributing to an existing endowed scholarship fund at Baylor’s School of Education.

To find out how you can get involved, contact Blake Harris at (254) 710-8475 or 800-BAYLOR-U, option 4, Blake_Harris@baylor.edu or visit baylor.edu/give.