13-Year-Old Survivor Pays Tribute After Camp Mystic Tragedy
In the wake of the devastating flash floods that claimed at least 27 lives at Camp Mystic in Texas earlier this month, one young survivor is turning heartbreak into healing.
13-year-old Skyler Derrington, who miraculously escaped the rising waters that engulfed the beloved Christian summer camp in the Texas Hill Country, has found her voice through music. In a moving tribute, she rewrote Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” to honor the lives lost and the strength of the community left behind.
“Now I heard there was a giant flood / But we were washed in Jesus’ blood / On July the 4th, 2025, the water rose and we went adrift…”
“Your prayers and hugs and love overwhelmed us…”
Her heartfelt lyrics have resonated deeply with families, first responders, and fellow survivors, offering a glimmer of light through unimaginable darkness.
A Camp Forever Changed
Camp Mystic, a century-old girls’ summer camp in Hunt, Texas, was overwhelmed by a sudden, deadly flash flood on July 4. Torrential rainfall—up to 12 inches in just hours—caused the Guadalupe River to rise by more than 22 feet in under two hours, sweeping through low-lying cabins housing some of the youngest campers.
The devastation was swift and overwhelming. Roads, buildings, and lives were torn apart.
Heroism Amid the Horror
Among the tragedy, stories of courage have emerged. One of the most remarkable is that of Emma Foltz, a counselor from Alexandria, Louisiana. As waters surged, she led 14 young girls to safety.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised her bravery, writing:
“She played an instrumental role in helping evacuate 14 of her campers to safety. Please join me in thanking Emma for all her hard work and bravery under immense pressure.”
Skyler’s Song: A Voice of Hope
Skyler’s rewritten version of “Hallelujah” has begun to circulate online, quickly becoming an anthem of remembrance and faith. Her words, drawn from raw experience and childlike courage, have touched thousands. As one commenter wrote:
“It’s the voice of every girl who didn’t come home—and the one who will carry them forward.”
Her tribute, along with acts of heroism like Emma’s, remind us that even in tragedy, grace and love can still rise—like a hymn through the storm.
Emma Foltz, of Alexandria, Louisiana and rising senior at Louisiana Tech has been a camp counselor at Camp Mystic in Texas for three years.
She played an instrumental role in helping evacuate 14 of her campers to safety. Please join me in thanking Emma for all her hard work and… pic.twitter.com/2Fz1kWwzkc
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) July 6, 2025