Today, Tyler ISD fifth-grade students took the field at Lindsey Park for the highly anticipated Copa de las Rosas tournament, hosted by Birdwell Dual Language Immersion School. The unique event blends athletics, cultural learning, and student leadership in a celebration of global connections.
Building on the excitement that began earlier this spring with a country selection event at Birdwell Dual Language Immersion School, students spent weeks preparing to represent their assigned nations. The tournament also aligns with growing anticipation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States this summer.
Copa de las Rosas brought together students from nine Tyler ISD campuses, each proudly representing a different country:
Austin Elementary – Norway
Bell Elementary – France
Birdwell Dual Language Immersion School – Portugal
Bonner Elementary – Belgium
Douglas Elementary – Colombia
Griffin Elementary – Spain
Orr Elementary – Germany
Peete Elementary – Canada
Ramey Elementary – Argentina
Leading up to today’s event, students explored the history, traditions, and cultures of their countries as they prepared to compete on the field. The experience connected classroom learning to a real-world global celebration, allowing students to apply their knowledge in a meaningful and engaging way.
The tournament featured a full day of matches filled with school spirit, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Parents and community members gathered to cheer their team on as they took the field.
In the end, Griffin Elementary earned first place, followed by Ramey Elementary in second place and Birdwell Dual Language Immersion School in third place. Adding to the excitement, City of Tyler’s Main Street Director Amber Varona joined the fun by serving as goalkeeper during the penalty kick shootout.
“Copa de las Rosas is more than a soccer tournament; it is a celebration of our students’ languages, cultures, and global perspectives,” said Birdwell Principal Mina Naranjo. “As the World Cup returns to the United States, this is a meaningful way to connect classroom learning with real-world global events while celebrating bilingual excellence in our community.”
Organizers hope to expand the event in the future to include all Tyler ISD elementary schools.
For more information, contact Jennifer Hines at Jennifer.Hines@TylerISD.org.