Lauren Daigle Surprises 12-Year-Old Camp Mystic Survivor Who Rewrote ‘Hallelujah’ for Those Lost in the Flood

After surviving the tragic flood at Camp Mystic, 12-year-old Skyler Derrington has used her experience, her talent, and her voice to encourage others. Derrington rewrote some lyrics from the song “Hallelujah,” and was invited to sing on “Fox & Friends.” What Derrington didn’t know was that she was about to be surprised by her “favorite Christian singer,” Lauren Daigle.

“I wrote it in honor of all the girls at our camp,” said Derrington. “God has a plan for all of us.”

Turning Tragedy Into ‘Something Incredible’—Lauren Daigle Surprised Camp Mystic Survivor

Camp Mystic survivor Skyler Derrington and her parents joined “Fox & Friends” following the tragic floods that struck camps and sites along the Guadalupe River in Texas. Derrington, an aspiring musical artist, had rewritten “Hallelujah” to speak to what she experienced and to honor the lives lost.

“Throughout my whole life, I’ve always believed in Jesus and going to church,” Derrington said. “Everything I just went through really helped my faith grow.”

Derrinington’s parents, Joe and Lacey, jumped in the car and headed toward the camp when they heard of the flooding and weren’t able to communicate with their daughter. The four-hour drive felt like an eternity.

“People came from all over the United States to help out,” Joe recalled as he spoke of the overwhelming humanity within the local community.

While participating in the immediate rescue and cleanup, the Derrington family was photographed huddled together in prayer amid belongings and furniture strewn about the camp grounds.

Camp Mystic director Richard Eastland died in the flood while rescuing campers. Derrington’s cabin was the closest to the river, and Eastland was able to get the campers to safety on higher ground. With a few still missing since the floods that struck on July 4, Camp Mystic confirmed that a total of 27 campers, staff, and counselors, including Eastland, died.

Derrington captured her emotions and put them to the familiar melody of “Hallelujah.” The lyrics included:

I heard there was a giant flood
But we were washed in Jesus’ blood
And you don’t really care for my news, do ya
On July 4, 2025, the water rose, and we went adrift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Beautiful. This 12-year-old survivor of the devastating Camp Mystic floods sang a tear-jerking song on Fox this morning.

God bless her. pic.twitter.com/ngGIVqntpy

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) July 29, 2025