Hunt Independent School District established two annual awards on July 2, 2026, in memory of students who died in the July 4, 2025, floods. The district also dedicated a new gym with the signatures of the deceased students, Renee Smajstrla and Lyle Zunker, placed on its floor.

The July 4, 2025, flood in Kerr County resulted in 119 fatalities, including Smajstrla, who would have entered third grade, and Zunker, who would have entered second grade. The newly established awards recognize students who demonstrate love, joy, and courage.

Incoming Hunt ISD Superintendent Sarah Nichols commented on the initial difficulty of the situation. "It started out extremely hard." Nichols said that "Academics is essentially on the back burner until a student's well-being is taken care of." Educators-in-training from Schreiner University provided assistance to Hunt ISD teachers.

Luci Harmon, the retiring Hunt ISD Superintendent, is concluding a 35-year career in education. Harmon stated that the focus on adults allowed them to maintain instructional efforts. "We took good care of our adults, and they took care of business, just staying focused on instruction and doing what they needed to do to make our kids be successful," Harmon said. She added, "So, it really wasn't a year lost instructionally." She also expressed that she wished other communities could witness the local support for the school: "I wish every community could come and see how this community loves this school." During the last school year, Hunt ISD's student enrollment increased from 195 to 217.