It’s safe to say everyone in Texas was surprised at the news of a second snow day this year, but what was more unexpected was this innocent snowfall escalating into a statewide emergency. Many people did not know what to do with themselves when faced with below freezing temperatures and ankle-deep snow, and they were not the only ones unprepared for the weather – the Texas power grid took a huge hit from the winter storm, leaving many homes across the state powerless.

Some enjoyed their taste of true winter weather while it lasted, but other families suffered through a hardship that is unfamiliar to a lot of people in the community.

Here is the best and worst of the winter storm from students of Hays.

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"The worst hardship definitely had to be the loss of power for over 26 hours in my house. I loved being able to spend time with my family, though, and cheering by the fire every time the power came back on," Hannah Cook, 12, said.