2022 May Lake Highlands Advocate

LAKE HIGHLANDS

MAY 2 0 2 2

A D V O C AT E M A G . C O M

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m ay 2 2 contents

LAKE HIGHLANDS ADVOCATE VOL.29 NO.5

CLICKWORTHY 8 All the web news PROFILE 10 Parker Twomey DINING 22 Mijas Taqueria FEATURES 14 LHHS grad’s latest novel 28 Book challenges in RISD 32 Three longtime RISD educators COLUMNS 36 Worship: Keep discussing religion and politics

Table at Mijas Taqueria. Photography by Kathy Tran.

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DISTRIBUTION PH/214.560.4203 ADVERTISING PH/214.560.4203 Office Administrator: Judy Liles

214.560.4203 / judyliles@advocatemag.com ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Frank McClendon

214.560.4215 / fmcclendon@advocatemag.com Greg Kinney

214.292.0485 / gkinney@advocatemag.com Michele Paulda

214.724.5633 / mpaulda@advocatemag.com Catherine Pate

214.560.4201 / cpate@advocatemag.com Linda Kenney

lkenney@advocatemag.com Heather Abbott

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214-326-2555 / habbott@advocatemag.com Annette Lentz

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jturner@advocatemag.com Contributors: George Mason, Patti Vinson, Carol Toler, Sam Gillespie, Matthew Ruffner, Eric Folkerth Contributing photographers: Kathy Tran, Emil Lippe, Corrie Aune, Yuvie Styles, Shelby Tauber Chief Revenue Officer: Rick Wamre

214.560.4212 / rwamre@advocatemag.com Advocate (c) 2022 is published monthly in print and daily online by Advocate Media - Dallas Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation based in Dallas and first published in 1991. Contents of this print magazine may not be reproduced. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for the content of all advertisements and sponsorships printed, and therefore assume responsibility for any and all claims against the Advocate. The Publisher reserves the right to accept or reject ay editorial, advertising or sponsorship material in print or online. Opinions set forth in Advocate publications are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the Publisher’s viewpoint. More than 180,000 people read Advocate publications in print each month; Advocate online publications receive more than 4 million pageviews monthly. Advertising rates and guidelines are available upon request. Advocate print and online publications are available free of charge throughout our neighborhoods, one print copy per reader. For information about supporting our non-profit mission of providing local news to neighborhood readers, please call 214-560-4212 or email rwamre@advocatemag.com.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

FEATURED FILMS:

CHECK OUT THE

EarthX

FILM FESTIVAL Films, music, food — at the Dallas Arts District May 12-15 — the only film festival dedicated to the environment and sustainability! The 2022 EarthX Film Festival theme is “A Celebration of the Outdoors” and is the first film festival ever hosted in the Dallas Arts District. The festival highlights films that celebrate nature and outdoor adventure stories exploring the environment, conservation, climate challenges and science while honoring the heroes working to protect our planet. By engaging the audience with spirited and diverse films, we deliver the message that the more time one spends in nature, the more moved they are to protect it. This year’s festival has 24 features and 54 shorts along with an art installation and panel discussions. The festival’s opening night is the world premiere of Ben Master’s film Deep in the Heart, narrated by Academy Award Winner Matthew McConaughey. It’s the first blue-chip wildlife documentary ever produced about Texas and celebrates conservation success stories while discussing some of the most important ecological issues through the eyes of wildlife and wild places. Filmed over two years, it showcases the breathtak-

ing beauty and hidden wilds of Texas and recognizes Texas’ conservation importance on a continental scale. Also, the lineup includes We Feed People, which follows renowned Chef José Andrés and his nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, on their decade’s long campaign to serve meals to disaster affected zones all over the world. It chronicles the evolution of a scrappy group of grassroots volunteers as they become one of the most highly regarded humanitarian aid organizations and is directed by Academy Award Winner Ron Howard. U.S. Military Veteran, Eric Grandon, is transformed when he discovers beekeeping as a way of mending the deep wounds of his PTSD. Eric shares the healing power of beekeeping with other veterans and first responders. The festival features stunning venues with food and beverages in close proximity to the screenings. We are showcasing talented singers and speakers to what will be an amazing and unforgettable weekend.

For more information and tickets, go to earthxfilmfestival.org.

80º North American Scar An Eye for Detail Bad Boy of Bonsai Bastards’ Road Battle for the Heart of Texas Before they Fall Big vs Small Breaking Trail California Natural Camp Yoshi Chasing Ice Chasing the Sublime Coextinction Community Power Arizona: En Nuestrxs Manos (In Our Hands) Deep in the Heart Eric and the Bees Ferngully: The Last Rainforest Finding Gulo Fire of Love From My Window Godspeed, Los Polacos! Going Circular Humanity Has Not Yet Failed I am One of the People If I Tell Them Inhabitants Kāhuli Learning to Drown Life in the Slow Lane Like a River Listen to the Beat of our Images Loon Mission Mountain Mother of the Sea Mountain Revelations Mylo Newtok No Soy Óscar Nuisance Bear One Star Reviews: National Parks Patagonia Provisions: The Ocean Solution Film Raised from the Earth Rebirth of a Reef REEL ROCK: Black Ice Return to Earth Rockies Repeat Saving the Florida Wildlife Corridor Slim Pickins Spirit of the Peaks The Ants and the Grasshopper The Captain The Diamond The Endless Wave The Interconnectedness of all Living Things The Land of Griffons The Last Last Hike The Monster in our Closet The Seeds We Keep The Seeker The Territory The Wilderness Within They Carry Us With Them Thomas Deininger. Trash Artist. Tigre Gente To Live Here (sông ö dây) To the End Wastewater: The Tale of Two Cities We Decided to Become Farmers We Feed People What Remains When It Comes From Earth When it’s Good it’s Good Zero Gravity

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c l i c kwo rt h y

THE WORD It’s election season. At the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands forum, RISD candidates shared their thoughts on student discipline, superintendents and property taxes. Here are neighbors’ thoughts.

MOSS HAVEN FARM CELEBRATED 10 YEARS. In March 2012,

the farm began as a simple patch of grass beside the school’s playground. Today, the farm includes a chicken coop and 23 raised beds growing lettuce, carrots, radishes, herbs and produce of all size and variety. Moss Haven Farm has been recognized as an American Heart Association Teaching Garden and was named a United Way Healthy Zone School. Founder Kim Aman, known as Farmer Kim to the students and parents who love her, has been invited to the White House and recently returned from an all-expenses-paid trip

“Only one has actually worked in education. She gets and understands what teachers need. She has a great relationship with them and knows how hard it is to add an ‘extra’ item in their daily lesson plans. It is proven that it is taking away from learning core subjects like math and reading. This RISD mom of three will be voting for the obvious choice!” —Stephanie Johansen Truly

“She worked in education 30 years ago. She’s not a teacher now and hasn’t been for many, many years.” —Leigh Ann Banks Brown

to Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Habitat. Search “Moss Haven Farm” at lakehighlands.advocatemag.com to read more.

CRIME

The people are not just customers, they also become our friends. So attention to detail is a must, along with making new friends who later become our family members. — WALTER ROSALES, OWNER OF MIJAS TAQUERIA Read more on page 22.

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The Dallas Police Department arrested the mother of a 3-yearold who died recently after being shot in the face. Lacravivonne Washington, 26, brought her child to the emergency room just before 10 a.m. on March 28, telling staff that the boy had been shot in a roadrage incident, but police found no evidence to back up her story. The child died at the hospital.

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p ro f i l e

O L D SOU L On performing worldwide, dropping his first single and what’s next.

›

Story by CAROL TOLER Photography by ANDREW WITCHER

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hen Lake Highlands Advocate sat down with Parker Twomey in 2017, the singer-songwriter, then a high school junior, was already making a name for himself performing at venues like House of Blues, the Kessler and the Winspear Opera House. At the time, Twomey (pronounced “too-mee”) longed to earn his chops with serious artists, producers and fans in the music world. Being an Instagram heartthrob with young female followers wasn’t all he was shooting for. His debut album, All This Life, is expected this year. “It’s hard for people to take me seriously,” he says. “I wish I was older. People’s first thought is Justin Bieber, but I’m going for the alt-country, Americana thing. I don’t think people expect that from a 16-year-old.” Five years have passed, and Twomey has learned the ropes of the music business recording with veteran professionals and performing gigs all over the world. His debut single, “I’d Be Your Man,” dropped April 8 to wide acclaim. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE WE SPOKE LAST?

Back in 2017, I started working at Modern Electric Sound Recorders under Jeff Saenz, Beau Bedford of The Texas Gentlemen and Jason Burt. I’m thankful they took me under their wing. That experience was priceless, and it helped shape who I am. I spent a few years assistant engineering on sessions and playing keys on records throughout DFW while finishing high school at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts. At that time, I’d wake up in the morning, go to school for seven hours a day, learn my craft, write my songs and then would go straight to the recording studio for eight or nine hours studying, watching, observing, getting inspired. Paul Cauthen was recording at Modern a lot at that time, and we hit it off. He asked me to join his band playing keys and auxiliary guitar in 2019, and I’ve spent the last three years touring the U.S. and Europe with him. It’s been a wild ride, to say the least. Over the pandemic, I recorded my upcoming debut album, All This Life, which I’ll be releasing this year. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT RECORDING MUSIC?

Right now, my favorite part of the recording process is seeing each song take a life of its own. I always go into the studio with a clear vision of how I want my songs to sound. I’ve been meditating on the idea that, perhaps, no one’s vision can ever be executed in the exact way they initially imagine. It’s like everything we create becomes a slightly altered reflection of our ideas. Embracing this in the recording studio has been exciting and freeing for me. There’s always an element of surprise and always something to work toward. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO PERFORM LIVE?

Lately, performing has been very spiritual for me. I feel a noticeable shift in consciousness, similar to meditation or

prayer, when I’m in front of a crowd, almost like a dissociation from reality and an ascension to a higher plane. I love feeling that connection within myself and sharing it with the crowd. WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT RECORDING AND PERFORMING?

The hardest part has been allowing myself to be satisfied with subtle imperfections. Nothing can ever be perfect and shouldn’t be. I’ve realized the beauty and authenticity of imperfection. Embracing this has been a challenge I think many perfectionists can relate to. WHAT HAVE YOU MISSED OUT ON WITH YOUR UNCONVENTIONAL LIFESTYLE?

College life and having relationships with people my age. Most of the people I’m surrounded by are a decade older than me, and there are some disconnects that come with that age gap, despite my “old-soul” nature, but there are a lot of blessings that come from that as well. I wouldn’t do anything differently if I had a chance to. I feel that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. WHAT DO PEOPLE SEEM TO LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR MUSIC?

A lot of people tell me that I have a really unique voice. It’s funny because I don’t hear my voice in the same way that other people do, but I think that’s a common phenomenon singers experience. Often, I’m compared to Neil Young, Ryan Adams, Townes Van Zandt and Elliott Smith. I am definitely influenced by these artists, but don’t necessarily think I sound like them. The listeners will have to decide for themselves. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC?

My first album All This Life is very folksy with a country flair. Most of my writing is narrative, about love, pain, reflection and self-discovery. It’s a very vulnerable album. It’s essentially my coming-of-age experience. I think All This Life is nostalgic sounding, but it explores new and fresh territories within the genre. I’m excited for the world to hear it. WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?

“I’d Be Your Man” was just released on all platforms, so check that out. I know I have a wild journey ahead of me going on the road as my own artist, but I know it will be fulfilling and everything I’ve been longing for at this stage in my life because I’ll be following my true purpose. I was lucky to find that at such a young age. I’m so grateful to Paul Cauthen for introducing me to what life is like on the road, for showing me the ropes, and for having me be a part of his band and journey over the last three years. I’m ecstatic to finally immerse myself fully in that lifestyle as my own artist. 2022 is the year.

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GRANNY FLATS & ADUS MOST DALLASITES SAY THEY SUPPORT INCREASING HOUSING STOCK Story by CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB

MOST DALLAS RESIDENTS SAY THEY SUPPORT ALLOWING BACKYARD COTTAGES, DUPLEXES AND TRIPLEXES in residential neighborhoods as a way to help increase the housing stock in our city. That’s true for most of the country, but in Dallas, 80% of renters and homeowners agreed (as do 26 other major metro areas) that allowing modest densification in residential neighborhoods would make housing more affordable and positively impact their communities, according to a survey by Zillow. That puts us in the top five most-accepting-of-accessory-dwelling-unit cities. Allowing ADUs, duplexes and triplexes is often referred to as “modest densification,” creating small to medium housing types that fall between single-family homes and large multifamily apartment buildings. Research has shown that targeted modest densification measures, such as allowing for two units of housing on a fraction of single-family lots in large U.S. metros, could add 3.3 million homes to the nation’s housing stock, helping

12 lakehighlands.advocatemag.com MAY 2022

boost critically needed housing supply in the years to come. The new research found that 77% of all homeowners and renters surveyed nationwide voiced support for construction of either new ADUs, duplexes or triplexes in residential neighborhoods. Support among Dallas renters was even higher, with 93% of renters supporting at least one modest densification measure in neighborhoods to help increase housing supply. Research has shown that modest densification through the addition of accessory dwelling units could yield millions of new homes nationally, helping slow runaway price growth and improving access to public transit. “We are facing a housing crisis that’s touched most communities across the country, pushing housing affordability to the center of the conversation for many,” says Manny Garcia, a population scientist at Zillow. “One of the most effective ways out of this crisis is to build more homes. Modest densification measures, like adding a small apartment in a backyard or

converting existing homes into duplexes, could create millions of new homes.” Zillow’s survey asked homeowners and renters how to best address affordability issues during a red-hot real estate market defined by limited housing inventory, rising interest rates, a steady increase in home prices and climbing rents across the country. These factors are compounded by a lost decade of new home construction that caused a shortfall of 1.35 million new homes in 35 metro areas alone. This latest survey, along with previous research, shows a growing consensus among homeowners and renters that more housing should be created in their own neighborhoods to address affordability. “This survey shows that residents of more than 20 major U.S. metros — including homeowners — understand that building more homes in our neighborhoods is a credible and viable policy tool to increase housing supply and address affordability, while leaving a positive impact on their community in the long term,” Garcia says.

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To find a physician on the medical staff, call 877-637-4297 or visit MethodistHealthSystem.org/Richardson Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Methodist Health System, or any of its affiliated hospitals. Methodist Health System complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

may 2022

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ince graduating from Lake Highlands High School in the 1970s, Kim Wozencraft has seen some horrible, fantastic and incredible things. Fortunately for us, some of her most harrowing experiences have fueled riveting works of fiction. Her latest novel, Neglect, is about a financially struggling mom who joins the Army Reserve. That impulsive decision leads to a tour in Afghanistan, post-traumatic stress, addiction and a woman’s fight for herself and her children inside an infuriating system. Wozencraft’s seventh book is an intense page-turner, but her first, 1990’s Rush, remains the most famous. Its film adaptation stars Jennifer Jason Leigh as an undercover narcotics officer who becomes addicted to street drugs, has a love affair with her partner and lands in prison for falsifying evidence. The story bears strong resemblance to Wozencraft’s real life. From her home in upstate New York, Wozencraft speaks about then, now and why coming back to Texas still makes her nervous.

MS. WRITE The LHHS graduate behind the 1991 hit Rush just published her seventh book, Neglect › Interview by CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB Photo courtesy of KIM WOZENCRAFT

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WHAT WAS IT LIKE SEEING YOUR LIFE PLAYED OUT IN THE MOVIE, RUSH? It was bizarre, but I never saw that as me. I saw that as my character, her own person. It did feel fantastic, gratifying, to see the book made into the movie. It was a long time coming and a lot of work.

YOU MARRIED AND DIVORCED YOUR REAL-LIFE PARTNER — HAD YOU KEPT IN TOUCH? No. I think he died a few years ago.

was the glamor job. But I worked my way up by showing I would wash dishes and bus tables. Finally they let me scoop ice cream.

WAS THERE A POINT WHERE YOU KNEW YOU WERE IN TOO DEEP WITH DRUGS? Yes, and at that point, as I testified in federal court, I went to the chief of police in Tyler, Texas, and told him. And he said to get back out there and make more cases.

BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING AT FARRELL’S WASN’T ENOUGH? (Laughs) I felt there was more out there. I grew up in a Catholic household and had a pretty set idea of what was right and wrong, good and evil. Becoming a police officer felt like a good thing.

WHEN WRITING RUSH, HOW MUCH WAS TRAUMATIC VERSUS THERAPUTIC? At the time, I felt like it was therapeutic. But I struggled with addiction for many years before, during and after the book. I didn’t realize until maybe 12 years ago the degree to which I had PTSD and how it was impacting my life. Also, at a time when I should have been developing my own personality, I was assuming personalities. I suffered from stunted growth in that area for a long time. Even though some of the experiences I had were horrible, I feel like they’ve helped me understand the world in a way that I never would have. That’s true for everyone — we all have our understanding of how we walk on the planet based on what we’ve been through. HOW DID YOU WORK THROUGH THE TRAUMA, VIOLENCE, GUNFIGHTS, THREATS ON YOUR LIFE? Once I was released from Kentucky prison, I had to do a halfway house in Dallas, and as soon as I finished there, I left Texas as quickly as I could. I was scared somebody would try to kill me, and it took me a long time — I still am not completely comfortable coming back. I just have to tell myself, that’s just your ego talking. Nobody wants to kill you. I still grapple with it. For a long time I felt like I should be strong enough to get over the terror I went through — like waking up with a double-barrel shotgun pointing at me. I wondered why I was having flashbacks and panic attacks. Finally, I started therapy. You do the work and hopefully see some improvement, and then at a certain point, it’s time to try to just live a normal life. Humor helps. I like to make the joke that for me the word ‘trigger’ is a trigger. And I’m happy to be sober. Even when it’s painful. HOW DID YOU END UP IN LAW ENFORCEMENT? After high school, I was working at Town East Mall, at an ice cream parlor called Farrell’s. There were two criminal justice majors who came in on weekends and talked about it. When I graduated in ’73, women did not have the options they have today. I could not see myself as a nurse, teacher or homemaker. I think those are all essential, wonderful things. But it’s nice to have more options. Even at Farrell’s, they only let girls work as cashiers or waitresses, not the fountain, which

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WRITING FICTION? The real world can be a difficult place to live in. So it’s nice to escape from it into a fictional world. While the fictional worlds that I escape into are sometimes every bit as difficult as the real world, it is an exploration, a way to try to make sense of the world. WHAT IS YOUR BEST WORK, DO YOU THINK? Neglect. I feel like it was a leap forward for me as a writer. My agent is also an editor, and she made such a difference in this book. I think the prose is the best I’ve written. It was a very difficult book to write, because it is about tough subjects. But I hope it finds people who have been through difficult situations in life and are looking to see that experience portrayed in books. WHERE DOES YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCE FACTOR INTO NEGLECT? There is my own experience of PTSD. Also, I teach college, and I had students who were coming back from Afghanistan, and I saw how they were struggling. Also, between my experience in Tyler and prison, I enlisted in the Air Force. But the FBI showed up and life changed track. I watched a lot of YouTube videos of battle scenes, and I had firsthand experience of being in shootouts. Questions/ answers have been edited for brevity. may 2022

lakehighlands.advocatemag.com 15

RISD HAS STRUGGLED TO FIND SUBS DURING THE PANDEMIC. WHY DO YOU THINK TEACHERS ARE LEAVING JOBS THEY TRAINED FOR, AND WHAT CAN RISD DO ABOUT THAT?

THREE CANDIDATES & THE STATE OF THE DISTRICT OVER HALF-PINT BREWS AND S LICES OF PIZZA, THREE CANDIDATES VYING FOR RISD’S DISTRICT 5 BOARD SEAT, which serves the Lake Highlands area, answered reader-submitted questions in late March at Oak Highlands Brewery. The Advocate’s Carol Toler moderated the event. Candidates Rachel McGowan, Kile Brown and Jan Stell introduced themselves and discussed their goals for Lake Highlands schools and RISD as a whole. There were emotional moments, and some moments brought pause and led to further questioning. At one point during the “agree” or “disagree” portion, where answers were indicated by red or green sides of a paddle, Stell twirled hers, indicating ambivalence related to questions about social emotional learning and mask mandates. She voiced concern about how much time is dedicated to non-academic tasks in comparison to time spent on academics when asked about social emotional learning. B ro w n b r ou g ht u p h is We s t Poin t e d u cation and corporate experience to drive home the importance of diversity and inclusion in schools. McGowan pulled examples from her kids’ experiences at Lake Highlands schools and what difficulties they’ve had or where they’ve excelled and where there’s room for improvement. Here’s how candidates answered a few of the pressing questions, in ballot order.

16 lakehighlands.advocatemag.com MAY 2022

MCGOWAN: “I’ve had teachers talk about the training, the lack of training and things that they feel like they need more training, and they’re not being heard. They’re feeling like they’re not seen and heard from the district-level down. They’re just not feeling like they have been protected and taken care of overall. We’ve got to put the training in for these ladies and young men, and we’ve got to advocate and fight for our teachers. They are our greatest resource. And we’ve got to get creative.”

BROWN: “One of the key things we need to do is get a leader who’s had experience in developing a culture of professionalism, a culture of joy, if you will, if you can call it that as a teacher, but certainly enthusiasm for the job. But it’s also got to provide some structure within that framework to be able to give senior teachers a career path. And what we see from both the private and public sector is that that can make a difference in bigger ways than adding to their salary.”

STELL: “Our principals are key. They set the atmosphere in the classroom, for the teachers, they’ll back them up. Surely we can pay our teachers because, like you say, money talks. I think they need support. We should do surveys to find out; I’m sure each building is a little bit different. They either need more backup in terms of discipline, they need more backup in terms of counselors and not just looking at one size fits all. I think we need to look outside the box and make some hard decisions to take care of our most precious asset, which is our teachers.”

R I S D O F F I C I A L S SAY, “A L L M E A N S A L L AT RISD.” WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU? AND DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

TEST SCORES HAVE DROPPED. WHAT CAN THE DISTRICT DO TO BOOST STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES? MCGOWAN: “RISD does do Saturday school, which I think is a great concept, and we also do peer helpers at the high school level where they actually go to the elementary schools and hang out with the students. I think we could do a lot of those things better in our district. I think there’s nothing wrong with giving our kids a little bit more of an extension of the year after COVID, even if they’re straight-A students.”

MCGOWAN: “I definitely agree with that. W h e n those little people walk into these rooms in these buildings, all means all, I’m going to love these people just like, I want you to, like I love my own, right. And so I’m going to welcome them and take care of them and p ro t e c t t h e m a n d t e a c h them because they are just little sponges and they can become many things they want to become. I want to see more diversity in Lake Highlands.”

BROWN: “Teach the subject as best you can. We’ve got key essential tasks within each subject. Focus on those should be incorporated with whatever our curriculum is itself and help kids understand and be ready to take a test, those that actually work.”

STELL: “We’ve all talked about COVID a lot. I actually went back into TEA and pulled our ISD, not by schools, but by the district. But I think we need to relook at what we’re embracing in terms of where we’re spending our time or energy. If we’ve been dealing with this for 10 years, obviously, we need a fresh eye on that. And we need to look outside the box. I’m concerned. Again, I think we’re a Blue Ribbon School.”

BROWN: “That’s easy to say, h a rd e r to d o. Because when diversity, if this is a journey, diversity m a kes i t a l o t m o re f u n . The equality part of it makes sure everyone gets to contribute along the way. And inclusion means everybody makes it to the final destination.”

WHAT ARE THREE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF AN RISD SUPERINTENDENT? MCGOWAN: ”They know our district, culture makeup and improvement and are financially savvy.” BROWN: “They have experience raising the academic bar, love kids and teachers, and engage in daily tasks uninterrupted.”

ST E L L : “Three little letters: A, L, L. All important letters. We n e e d c o m m i t t e d a d m i n i st ra to rs, we n e e d committed trustees, we need committed principals that bring their children who don’t necessarily speak English, but they want to give them equal access to be the best that they can possibly be.”

STELL: “They are happy to be here, understand the culture and diversity and value the schools’ money, time and energy.”

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE INSIDE A DISTRICT 5 SCHOOL BUILDING? MCGOWAN: “A week or so at Forest Meadow Junior High, helping son and teammates get fitted for basketball uniforms.” BROWN: “At the Espree show a few weeks ago in the Lake Highlands High School auditorium.” STELL: “At Moss Haven Elementary last Christmas.”

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MAKING HISTORY Our neighborhood high school’s first-ever African-American studies program Story by CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB | Photography by JESSICA TURNER

18 lakehighlands.advocatemag.com MAY 2022

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Year-To-Date Sales ‘21 11 26 22 55 20 8 17 11 16 21 4 5 30 4 18 268 17.86

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ry-blonde teacher stands outside the Lake Highlands High School classroom where she has taught history for 24 years. Passing teens pause to chat. She tells one she is sorry, but he’s not eligible for tomorrow’s field trip to a museum Downtown. He hangs his head in mock despair, yet smiles as if he knew what she would say. The curriculum Casey Boland teaches on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons — focused on the history and culture of Black Americans — differs from her other courses. Class starts — today’s lesson is about events leading up to the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi German regime. “Why in the world, as an African American studies class, are we visiting the Holocaust Museum this week?” Boland rhetorically asks the class. “Remember, it’s the Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. The steps that go into producing autocracies and genocides are the steps that also led to situations in America where people of color are treated as second-class citizens. “I want y’all to take some notes. This is going to get deep and heavy today.” In April 2020 the Texas State Board of Education approved the elective African-American history course for grades 9-12. Berkner piloted it in Richardson ISD last year. This is the first time LHHS has offered it. Boland — who has taught college-level history for decades and believes “Black history is history” — was excited to

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lakehighlands.advocatemag.com 19

Casey Boland has been teaching history at LHHS for 24 years. High school student Jonathan Ishimwe Shema sits at his desk.

lead the class, she says. But there was some pushback, because she is not African-American. Student Fathia Fasasi says when she saw a white teacher at the helm, she almost dropped. “Honestly, I was discouraged. I thought she was going to be like other teachers I have had, sugarcoating things. Now, I am so glad. She knows what she’s talking about.” About 100 students, three of them white, are enrolled in Black studies this semester. Fasasi points out that in her other classes, mostly advanced placement, the demographics are the opposite. “Look around this room,” she says. “The only white person is …” “Me!” Boland says, smiling, but adding that the last thing she would ever allow is for this class to become a joke. The reason she is teaching it, she says, is that she is the only qualified teacher available right now to lead the class. “In an ideal world, a Black teacher would teach Black studies class,” she says. “But it came down to, I teach the class or we don’t have the class.”

20 lakehighlands.advocatemag.com MAY 2022

Boland says she has learned as much from listening to her students as they learn from her. “I love doing this because of the importance of race relations and all the stuff going on in the world right now — all of the reasons that I should — but really, intellectually, academically, I am learning an astounding amount of things for someone at this point in her career.” Fasasi and the pupils flanking her, La’Miya Sparks and Keyilah Rowe, have mixed feelings regarding the enrollment of more white classmates. On one hand, they like having what Sparks calls a “safe space” for discussions about hard topics. On the other, they think their white peers, like anyone, could benefit from the material. Fasasi says she is studying the civil rights era in her regular U.S. history class, and this class is different, deeper. Rowe adds that in other history classes she has been led to believe that America was always right, justified and “the good guys.” “At a point, I started to realize that if I was in another country, I know we’d learn different stuff about the United States.”

Sparks adds that, before taking Boland’s class, she would often laugh along when her friends made racially charged jokes or comments. Now, armed with more knowledge, she tolerates it less, she says. When discussions turn to racial inequity, police brutality or systemic injustice, Black studies students say they feel better equipped to engage in intelligent conversation. “This class gives you so much evidence to help you make your case,” Howe says. Olivia Fawkes, one of the white students enrolled in the course says that yes, it can be uncomfortable to be in a class where she learns of atrocities committed against Black people by white Americans, but taking part in educating her generation is worth some discomfort. “ Those are my ancestors, and I do not think the people in my class think that that’s who I am, but it is so important for me to know about it, to be here, to do what I can, when I can, to dismantle those (unjust) systems and beliefs in my community.” Follow the official Instagram of Lake Highlands High School Black history classes at @lhhsblackhistory may 2022

lakehighlands.advocatemag.com 21

fo o d

22 lakehighlands.advocatemag.com MAY 2022

A TASTE OF MONTERREY Mijas Taqueria offers authentic Mexican cuisine Story by TINA-TIEN NGUYEN | Photography by KATHY TRAN

THE SOUNDS OF CUMBIA AND SPANISH ROCK music fill Mijas Taqueria, a new neighborhood Mexican restaurant. “When you come to Mijas, it’s like coming to a part of Mexico where you can try different plates and flavor profiles that you find in Mexico,” owner Walter Rosales says. You won’t find much TexMex at Mijas Taqueria. It’s solely authentic Mexican cuisine and dishes, primarily from Rosales’ hometown of Monterrey. “It seems like there were a lot of taco restaurants, but they were more on the side of Torchy’s and not really on the authentic side,” Rosales says. “So we are trying to bring a little bit of our culture to Lake Highlands.” Customers can select from an array of fillings for street tacos — carnitas, tinga, barbacoa, trompo, shrimp, carne deshebrada, cochinita pibil, tripas, veggies and chicharron. Served on either freshly made corn or flour tortillas, the tacos come with chopped cilantro and onions, and house-made mildly spicy tomatillo verde salsa and a spicier, hot roja sauce made with sesame oil and chile de arbol. For special plates, the restaurant ser ves gringas, campechanas,

sopes and flautas. “We always make everything fresh, but besides the food, we will always focus on personalized service and making everyone feel at home,” he says. “If you take that away, it kind of just becomes another big chain restaurant.” Authentic soups on the menu are frijoles charro beans, caldo de res, pozole and menudo, which is traditionally only served on weekends. The recipes came from Rosales’ mother, who died five years ago. “You know, it’s funny that growing up, every Sunday, my mom used to have barbacoa, menudo or pozole. I grew up eating that soup and it has a lot of sentimental value,” Rosales says. “It’s like I have my mom sitting right next to me every time I eat it.” Rosales started working in restaurants when he was 14 years old. He spent 21 years at Mi Cocina, starting as a dishwasher and working his way to region manager, traveling to different cities and opening new locations. “Being in the restaurant business is something I love to do,” he says. “That’s why if I have to work here seven days a week, I don’t feel it because I enjoy it.” Some of his West Village Mi

Opposite page: Trompo tacos with mildly spicy tomatillo verde salsa and a spicier, hot roja sauce made with sesame oil and chile de arbol.

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Cocina regulars now live in the neighborhood and frequent Mijas. His wife, Erika, manages the original Wylie location. They opened a second location in Rowlett that shuttered last year before opening the Lake Highlands spot. “I’ve only been here for three weeks and never been to a place that is so welcoming,” he says. “It just makes us want to go above and beyond even more to give back to this neighborhood. We’re so blessed to have great people around us.” Craving breakfast items? Mijas Taqueria serves breakfast all day, too. “I’m a breakfast kind of guy,” Rosales says. “So at 6 or 7 p.m., I’m in the back eating breakfast tacos.” Dessert includes Mexican flan, frescas con crema, tres leches cake and the “volcano” — churros served with vanilla ice cream, caramel and chocolate. The restaurant brings in empanadas from local bakery Three Sisters. “If you go to a fine dining restaurant, you’re already expecting great service. But when you go to a taqueria restaurant and get the same exact great service, it kind of goes above and beyond what people expect,” Rosales says. “The people are not just customers, they also become our friends. So attention to detail is a must, along with making new friends who later become our family members. The bigger the family, the better our community.” Mijas Taqueria, 9901 Royal Lane, 469.372.2324, @MijasTaqueria, mijastaqueria.com Above: Tacos tlaquepaque comes with five barbacoa tacos served with housemade sauce.

Right: The taqueria is named after Rosales’ daughters 16-year-old Mia and 14-year-old Mya — mijas is Spanish for “my daughters,” which is reflected in the restaurant’s logo.

24 lakehighlands.advocatemag.com MAY 2022

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WHICH BOOKS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR WHICH RISD STUDENTS? Story by RENEE UMSTED

26 lakehighlands.advocatemag.com MAY 2022

ighth-grader Chloe Clemens told her mom she was concerned about one of her friends as she was getting ready for bed one evening. At Richardson North Junior High that day, Chloe’s friend told their teacher she was worried about a book she was reading that had “so many F-words in it.” The book, All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and B re n d a n K i e l y, w a s a m o n g 10 books that students could choose to read and discuss for an assignment in the gifted and talented English, language a r ts a n d rea d i n g c l a ss. T h e F-word appears in the story 39 times. C h l o e ’ s m o t h e r, S h e r r y Clemens, knew about the assignment because some of the books on the list could only be read with consent from p a re n t s . C h l o e h a d c h o s e n a b o o k t h a t d i d n ’ t re q u i re parent permission, and Sherry assumed the books that came with permission slips explored “hot topics” or were “a little more mature,” she said in an October interview with Blaze Media. (Sherry Clemens, who is running for the RISD District 2 seat, declined to be interviewed for this story.) When Chloe made the co m m e n t a b o u t h e r f r i e n d , Sherry’s curiosity was piqued. S h e b e ga n re s e a rc h i n g t h e books her daughter was exposed to in school, Googled a f e w, a n d t o l d B l a z e s h e “couldn’t believe it.” A former elementary teacher in Forney ISD, Sherry Clemens started asking questions of the Richardson North Junior High and the RISD administration — including Lindsay Mikulas, the director of English language

arts. Eventually she made her concerns public at the Sept. 20, 2021, RISD board meeting. “How is it my daughter could be reading books with major profanity and sexual content that in the end, [Mikulas] said because it was the goal of RISD to reach all students,” Sherry Clemens said at the m e e t i n g . “ I d e m a n d b e t te r for my children. You focus on education. I would tell you to stay in your lane, but guess what, you’re not even in the right direction.” That wasn’t the end of t h e d i sc u ss i o n . Pa re n ts, including Sherry Clemens, started sharing graphics on social media, warning families to avoid books they find pornographic, obscene or traumatic. But other parents take the opposite view. Mother Julie Robinson, who has a seventh-grader in RISD, re c e n t l y s t a r t e d a b a n n e d book club called Fahrenheit 4 5 0. A n y b o o k s t h a t h a ve been banned at some point or another are fair game. “The effects of banning books are catastrophic since it limits knowledge, the right to free speech and freedom of thought,” Robinson says. Sherry Clemens started the discussion that led RISD to eva l u a t e i t s g u i d e l i n e s fo r selecting books at a time when groups throughout the country are wrestling with the same issue: Who ca n de ter m in e w hich books are appropriate for which children. And these debates over what makes it on the library shelves are wrapped up with religious beliefs, political ideologies and social issues.

books in question Earlier this year, a post warning RISD parents to prevent their children from reading 17 books circulated on Facebook: •

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

•

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely

•

Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina

•

Parachutes by Kelly Yang

•

Far From The Tree by Robi Benway

•

Everybody Sees The Ants by A.S. King

•

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George Matthew Johnson

•

Flamer by Mike Curato

•

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi

•

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

•

George by Alex Gino

•

Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison

•

Class Act by Jerry Craft

•

Every Day by David Levithan

•

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

•

How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon

•

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

RISD’s response fter the board meeting, RISD looked at the book list and decided that two of the books, Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina and Everybody Sees The Ants by A.S. King, were inappropriate for junior-high students. They were removed from the classroom, and RISD

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a p o l o g i ze d t h a t t h e y w e re offered in the first place. Mikulas says they also checked t o s e e i f t h o s e t i t l e s w e re available at any other junior high school. “This was not just a blanket, ‘we’re removing books,’” says Tabitha Branum, the interim superintendent of RISD. “It was still allowing those books to be available where we believe that they were either age or developmentally appropriate.” Both titles were supplementary materials and chosen by the teacher. These are different from adopted materials, which are used as the main source of information in courses after a year-long review process, an opportunity for parents to preview and a presentation to the board of trustees. Some books that had been a p p ro v e d b y p a re n t s w e re removed right after the board meeting but were later re t u r n e d . B ra n u m says t h e District followed up with the p a re n t s , w h o c o n s e n t e d t o allowing their children to finish reading the books. “If the parent did give p e r m i s s i o n , w h o a re w e t o take those books out of their hands?” Mikulas says. RISD assembled a committee of educators and pare n t s t o b e g i n d eve l o p i n g a set of criteria that District e m p l oye es s h o u l d co n s i d e r when selecting supplemental materials. “What questions, what things are they thinking about to make sure that those re s o u rc e s a re a p p ro p r i a t e developmentally, in terms of maturity and really are tightly a l i g n e d t o t h e c u r r i c u l u m ,” Branum says. T h e c o m m i t t e e m e m b e rs

28 lakehighlands.advocatemag.com MAY 2022

aren’t creating a c h e c k l i s t ; i t ’s more of a lens for employees to look through, or guardrails to help guide the decisions. They also don’t want this process to b e co m e a way to edit out or remove diversity from materials available to students, Branum says. “We still want to have a breadth of books that reflect the diversity of o u r st u d e n t p o p u l a t i o n ,” B ra n u m says. “We still want st u d e n ts to h ave lots of choice. We want them to have books and characters that they can connect with and relate to.” R I S D wa n ts to m a ke s u re parents have confidence t h a t tea c h e rs h ave t h o u g h t critically about materials they p ro v i d e s t u d e n t s , B r a n u m says, and that the materials are going to be a “good choice” for their children. But parents still have “complete choice,” Mikulas says, and the District has seen that when students select their own texts, they read more.

If the parent did give permission, who are we to take those books out of their hands?

Why people might support book censorship arents in RISD and other places challenge books because of their content. Gender Queer: A Memoir was published in 2019 and received the ALA Alex Award and Stonewall Book Award-Israel

Fishman Non-Fiction Award in 2020. But what some parents may have found problematic are its cartoon depictions of sexual situations, plus discussion about determining gender identity and sexuality. In an interview with NBC, author Maia Kobabe said the book wasn’t m ea n t fo r e l e m e n ta r y- a ge d children but was appropriate for high-schoolers. H o w e v e r, G e n d e r Q u e e r isn’t included in any of RISD’s campus libraries, according to an online search. The F-word appears in Burn Baby Burn 10 times, and the book references intercourse and drug use. Libraries at all fo u r of R I S D’s h i g h sc h o o l s have this book, but no other campuses do. A n o t h e r b o o k , Eve r y b o d y Sees The Ants, deals with suicide and bullying. The question, “If you were going

to commit suicide, what method would you choose” is presented at the beginning, and characters provide answers throughout the book. In another part of the book, a boy is held down in a locker room, stripped of his clothing with his legs held apart and is photographed. Like Burn Baby Burn, it’s only available to RISD’s high-school students. Class Act, the first graphic novel to receive the John Newbery Award, is available at elementary, junior high and high schools across the district. It was written by Jerry Craft, an African-American author who grew up i n N ew Yo r k C i ty ’s Washington Heights neighborhood. Craft said he “wanted to illustrate the things that kids like me had to face on a daily basis — like teachers confusing you with another kid of color, or classmates being afraid to come to your house because they assume you live i n a ba d n ei g h bo rhood.” C ra f t ’s b o o k h a s been challenged in K a ty I S D, a m o n g other places, where some parents were opposed to it b e ca u se t h ey sa i d

it promoted critical race theory (CRT), which they say is “ t ox i c , d a n g e ro u s and should not have a place in our schools at all.” Why people might oppose book censorship eading increases our experiences of others, our emotional exper i e n ces of o t h e rs,” says Ann Batenburg, an associate clinical professor of gifted education at Southern Methodist University. “It helps us to empathize with others who are unlike us.” It’s an idea echoed by RISD parent Jennifer Tidmore, who has a junior at Richardson High School and a sixth-grader a t H a m i l to n Pa r k Pacesetter Magnet. T i d m o re s a y s s h e doesn’t believe any group or individual should be able to dictate which information is available to others. She also says it’s not possible to become a critical thinker without being exposed to opposing perspectives. Neither of Tidm o re ’s s o n s h a v e rea d a ny of t h e 17 books on the list t h a t c i rc u l a t e d o n

“R

HOW BOOKS are chosen

According to RISD’s guidelines, all materials, regardless of where they’re used, including in classrooms or school libraries, should: • Support and be consistent with the general educational goals of the state and district. • Meet high standards for artistic quality and/ or literary style, authenticity, educational significance, factual content, physical format, presentation, readability and technical quality. • Be appropriate for the subject area and for the age, ability level, learning styles and social and emotional development of the students for whom they are selected. • Be designed to help students gain an awareness of our pluralistic society. • Be designed to provide information that will motivate students and staff to examine their own attitudes and behavior; to understand their duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges as citizens participating in our society; and to make informed choices in their daily lives. Library selections: are key to instruction; are appropriate in terms of students’ understanding and reading levels; reflect the interests and needs of the campus community; have literary or artistic value; and convey information accurately and clearly. Supplemental materials: Special attention is required for that address “a sensitive or controversial issue.” These should be examined by school staff and the principal. If there’s a need for a formal review, a committee of an administrator, central subject area specialist, teacher, parent and library & information technology educator should determine whether the material in question is appropriate.

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What’s trending

I f i t s e e m s l i ke b o o k c h a l l e n ge s are becoming more common, that’s b eca u se t h ey a re. The American Library Association recorded 729 incidents where library a n d sc h ool m a te ri a l s a nd se rvi ces we re c h a l l en ge d l a st yea r. Up fro m 156 in 2020, it’s the highest number of challenges since the ALA started tra c ki n g t h e m 20 yea rs a go. Among the 1,597 books challenged or removed, most were by or about Black or LGBTQIA+ people, the ALA found. Gender Queer, Lawn Boy and A l l B oy s A re n ’ t B l u e w e re t h e t o p th ree most- c ha l l e nge d t i t l es. These cases are happening in ci t i es a s c l ose a s M cKi nney, whe re i n Fe b r u a r y a co upl e ca l l e d fo r t he removal of 282 books, claiming they were porno graphic an d had instances of bestiality and sodomy. Questions are coming from elected officials, too. Texas state Rep. Matt Krause sent a list of 850 books about racism, sexuality and gender to superintendents in November 2021, as part of an investigation into w h i c h b ooks sc ho o l di st ri cts have. T h e Te x a s E d u c a t i o n A g e n c y rel ea sed i n Apri l gui de l i nes sc ho o l boards can use to select and review l i b ra r y m a te r i a l s, i n res p o n se to a request by Gov. Greg Abbott to find a way to prevent “pornography and other obscene content” in schools. B a t e n b u r g c i t e s t h e c o u n t r y ’s p o l i t i c a l d i v i d e a s o n e re a s o n f o r th e u p t i c k. “ Eve r y t i m e i n o u r h i s t o r y w h e n th ere’s b ee n a bi g push fo rwa rd i n terms of civil rights, there has been almost an immediate backstepping or backlash,” Batenburg says. “And th i s i s j u st pa rt of t ha t .”

30 lakehighlands.advocatemag.com MAY 2022

Fa c e b o o k , b u t i t ’s not because she has prohibited them from picking up those texts. “ T h ey h ave co m plete freedom to read anything they’d like to read. Always have,” Tidmore says. “If they want to put t h e t i m e a n d wo r k i n t o re a d i n g , t h e y are welcome to anything they’d like to choose.” Book banning i s n ’t n e cessa r y, Batenburg says. Students can del ay rea d i n g ce r ta i n b o o ks u n t i l t h ey ’ re older. Also, parents have the right to ask fo r a l te r n a t i ve m a terials for their children, and schools usually accommod a t e t h a t re q u e s t , unless it’s especially burdensome to the school. In RISD, parents can decide which books their children are able t o c h e c k o u t f ro m school librar ies. And Batenburg says book bans really don’t accomplish their purpose. “Anytime you ban a book, it’s instantly more popular,” she says. Ko ba b e ’s G e n d e r Queer is one example. In an interview with Slate, Kobabe said the book was selling better than ever, though it was being challenged in multiple states.

The legal issue he judicial branch has weighed in when parents, school boards and students clash over who can choose which books students can access and when. In 1975, board members of the I s l a n d Tre es U n i o n Free School District in New York obtained a list of books they believed to be inappropriate for some students. They removed the books from libraries at the high school and j u n i o r h i g h sc h o o l , w i t h so m e pa re n ts saying the books were anti-American, anti-Christian and antisemitic. The school board assembled a committee of parents and school staff to review the 11 books and determine whether they should stay in the libraries. The committee recommended that five books should be in the libraries, two should be removed and one should only be allowed with parent permission. The committee didn’t have an opinion on another and couldn’t agree on one. But the school board decided nine of the books should be removed, one could return to the

libraries, and one could be read only with parent permission. Island Trees students sued the board, and the case made it to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in 1982 that the New York school district and other school boards “may not remove books from school libraries simply because they dislike the ideas contained in those books.” The court also cited the 1943 case West Virginia Board o f E d u c a t i o n v. B a r n e t t e , ruling that school boards ca n ’t “ p resc r i b e w h a t s h a l l be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion or other matters of opinion.” However, the court ruled in Island Trees v. Pico that school boards “might rightfully claim absolute discretion in matters of curriculum by reliance upon their duty to inculcate community values in schools.” Five years after the New York ca se, pa re n ts i n Te n n esse e claimed the contents of a required reading series offended their and their c h i l d re n ’s re l i g i o u s b e l i efs. The court ruled in Mozert v. Hawkins County Public Schools that the school district could require students to use the read i n g se r i es. Exposure to ideas that opposed their faith didn’t mean students had to believe or act on them. State and local school officials have substantial i n f l u e n c e ove r c u r r i c u l u m , which they can use to “transmit community values” to teach students to respect authority and social, moral and democratic ideas. But it’s a different story when it comes to school libraries, w h e re st u d en ts ca n test o r expand on information they l e a r n . I n t h a t c a s e, c o u r t s

have limited officials’ ability to remove books. The exception is that school boards can prevent students from accessing certain books if they contain offensive language or a re psyc h o l o g i ca l l y or intellectually inappropriate for the age group. T h a t ’s w h a t h a p pened in RISD, and the lingering discussion has permeated the school board election. At an April 10 RISD District 2 candidate forum, incumbent Eron Linn said he was against removing books, that he believed a l l st u d e n ts s h o u l d have access to as much information as possible to educate themselves about different topics. “A s a s t u d e n t o f history, I don’t know a n y s o c i e t y t h a t ’s benefited from banning knowledge,” Linn says. Vanessa Pacheco, another candidate for the District 2 spot, says she doesn’t support removing books and that she trusts librarians to select the right materials. “They should be stocked with all kinds of books for all kinds of kids,” she says. When Sherry Clemens addressed the issue at the April forum, she said she is not in favor of banning any books and appreciates the freedom of speech but thinks the RISD board should set guidelines for book selection. “ We h a v e t o k e e p o u r students’ minds safe,” she says.

There is an absolute agreement that we want to have a variety of texts for our students to choose... The issue hasn’t been resolved across the state or country, let alone RISD. But Branum offers some common ground. “The most important thing that I keep hearing i s t h a t t h e re i s a n a bso l u te a g re e m e n t t h a t we wa n t to have a variety of texts for our students to choose,” she says. “We want our libraries to have b o o ks t h a t ref l e c t w h a t o u r k i d s a re ex p e r i e n c i n g , t h a t have characters that look like them, that are materials t h a t re l a t e t o o u r k i d s a n d help foster a love of reading. I think our entire community agrees on that.”

may 2022

lakehighlands.advocatemag.com 31

our celebrities

subhead goes here and here and here THREE OF THE LONGEST-TENURED TEACHERS AT LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL Story by SIMON PRUITT | Photography by SYLVIA ELZAFON

ake Highlands isn’t what it used to be. Our

neighborhood has added new residents, restaurants and streets these past few years, all while addressing plenty of life-changing issues. Throughout it all, three teachers are among the educators who have remained constants in our evolving community — Casey Boland, Kari Gilberston and Tracey Bishkin. Each of the three have taught at Lake Highlands High School at least 16 years: Boland since 1998, Gilbertson since

32 lakehighlands.advocatemag.com MAY 2022

’09 and Bishkin since ’06. Their sense of excitement about the job of teaching the next generation of students is what kept the three women here in our neighborhood. So what’s their perspective on education today? “I’ve been in that same room since 1998,” says Boland, whose Room A106 in the L building has been a hub for thousands of students learning social studies. “For the first 10 years I was here, I could walk into any room, and I would know the people. I credit Dr. Iden for that.”

Kari Gilberston, Casey Boland and Tracey Bishkin.

Dr. Bob Iden was the principal at LHHS from 1997-2008. “To this day, I still call him Dr. Iden, that’s how much I respect him,” Boland says. “I feel like I was raised in this profession by him.” Iden’s 11-year tenure set a standard of consistency for Lake Highlands. There have been five LHHS principals since Iden, a turnover that has had ripple effects within the school and RISD, along with a shift in student demographics. Texas serves as the new home to thousands of refugees every year. The International Rescue Committee lists Dallas as the U.S. city with the thirdhighest refugee resettlement numbers, with about 20,000 since 2002. Multiple humanitarian crises throughout the world have impacted Dallas County’s refugee population, and area school districts have adjusted accordingly. RISD’s solution: the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion program, known as EDI. “EDI is as important as the free and reduced lunch program,” Bishkin says. “If the new students don’t feel included or welcomed, they cannot be educated.”

In another major change, RISD decided in May 2015 to combine its autonomous Freshman Center into the main high school campus. “We used to be a smaller school with just 10, 11 and 12,” Bishkin says. “We had pretty much the same group of teachers all the time, and we all knew each other. Now at meetings, I’m having to look around to find someone to sit with.” In the summer between the 2016 and 2017 school years, about 1,000 new students enrolled at LHHS, resulting in a huge increase in attendance. The increased number of students prompted quick adjustments in staff, budget and architectural expansion plans for the school. What was once an intimate group of administrators now became a revolving door of teaching professionals who often didn’t stay long enough to develop a culture. As if the high school’s change wasn’t enough, a walk through the hallways reveals an even more dramatic cultural shift. “Civility has changed,” Gilbertson says. “Our perception of civility and what’s polite or absurd to say. What you can say and what you should say are different things.” Gilbertson believes the lowering bar of civility is entering the classroom, with some parents and students growing to distrust teachers. “Teaching is both reviled and respected at the same time,” Gilberston says. And of course the COVID-19 pandemic affected schools and education more than almost anything else in society, with students overnight forced to learn virtually and remotely for the first time. Gilbertson says she feared she would never get to see her students face-to-face again. Once she finally got them back, she says the transition back to regular school has been difficult. “It’s about getting back to learn how to do hard things,” Gilbertson says. Bishkin is enthusiastic about finally having some consistency in her classroom for the first time in years. “Amidst all the craziness going on outside, the best thing is when that door closes and the kids are great,” Bishkin says. “Inside the classroom hasn’t changed. Kids are kids.” Simon Pruitt is a journalist and senior at Lake Highlands High School. He’s been writing about culture for various publications since 2020. Simon also runs a concert promotion company that tours music around DFW.

may 2022

lakehighlands.advocatemag.com 33

LEVELING THE REAL-ESTATE FIELD INITIATIVE TO BOOST BLACK DEVELOPERS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Story by CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB

The affordable-housing crisis and widespread reckoning with systemic racism are two areas of great national and local interest today, as we emerge from a pandemic that disproportionately affected Black households. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, real estate developers of color faced significant barriers — lack of access to capital, equity and experience — as a result of generations of structural racism and disinvestment. A new program in Dallas aims to address both housing and equity by making the real estate market more accessible to Black developers, which, in turn, will create more affordable housing for Black Dallas residents, according to an announcement from Capital Impact Partners, a group that created the Equitable Development Initiative. This is about creating a more inclusive economy in Dallas, says Michelle Thomas, executive director and head of philanthropy for JPMorgan Chase, which is underwriting the initiative along with Charles Schwab Bank. “When we think about closing the gap in financing available to developers of color, this is a huge opportunity,” Thomas says. “There is an incredible need for new and affordable housing

across the country, and we’re glad to support our local developers of color who are working to address this issue in their communities.” Since its 2018 inception, the Equitable Development Initiative has trained nearly 200 developers of color in three major metropolitan areas — Detroit, Washington and San Francisco Bay. Dallas is next. “There are so many talented developers of color who are ready to work with local neighborhoods to create housing solutions that uplift and support communities,” says Ellis Carr, president and CEO of Capital Impact Partners and CDC Small Business Finance. “Systemic barriers have prevented developers of color from accessing capital and achieving their potential in helping communities across the country. Our EDI program will begin to build a more equitable real estate development ecosystem here in Dallas.” Many of the participants from other metros have since gone on to create their own organizations, build local developments, and foster peerto-peer networks, according to Carr. The Dallas cohort will provide some 20 emerging real estate developers of color with assistance to help them grow their busi-

34 lakehighlands.advocatemag.com MAY 2022

nesses in an industry where they are severely underrepresented, he adds. The lack of equitable representation in Dallas has affected not only developers of color but also communities of color, according to the announcement. Communities of color in Dallas are suffering, they note, pushed farther out of the city due to rapidly rising home costs, a lack of housing inventory and gentrification. Dallas reportedly has a 20,000-unit shortage of affordable homes. This new program prepares emerging developers of color to pursue affordable housing projects and play a larger role in shaping Dallas’ development landscape, the organizers note. Selected applicants will receive broad-based training — in areas such as project budgeting, real estate finance, project and contractor management, legal services and community engagement — as well as local mentorship, network building, and pathways for them to access funding. The EDI application window runs through May 6. Capital Impact will select participants based on the following guidelines. Developers should: Identify as racial or ethnic minorities Be actively working to further careers in real estate development with some real estate development experience Live in or near the primary metropolitan area of the program, and have a strong connection to the city/region in which they are working Demonstrate a commitment to their city/region’s revitalization Be interested in responding to requests for proposals for real estate development opportunities with or without a development partner in the next 1-2 years

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WORSHIP

By GEORGE MASON

On fools and angels

WORSHIP

Le t ’s ke e p ta l k i n g re l i g i o n a n d p o l i t i cs

BAPTIST

t’s said there are two topics to avoid for the sake of politeness: religion and politics. For nearly a quarter-century now, I have flouted that advice and flaunted the adage “fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” You have been gracious to hear me out in this space and seek me out in other places to keep the conversation going. Truth is, we need more, not less, talk about religion and politics. These will always be related as both deal with visions of how our lives together should be arranged for the common good. To that end, this column has been an exercise in public theology. Throw in the arts and sciences, entertainment and sports, education and business, and you have a fuller sense of the public aspect of public theology. The theology part is always tricky in a pluralistic and democratic society. If one religion dominates public discourse and mutes the voices of other views, we move closer toward theocracy. If all religions are required to keep their spiritual perspectives to themselves in the interest of reason-based democracy, citizens find themselves divided between their public and private selves. My first column in October 1998 set the tone. It was titled “The Spirit of Halloween.” Halloween has its origin in pagan tradition but was “baptized,” so to speak, by Christians into All Hallows Eve, a time to face fears with faith. Eventually, Halloween became more secular than a spiritual for most people — a way to give and receive across class lines and neighborhood boundaries. It brings people together. Whether you capitalize or lower-case it, the

Spirit/spirit of Halloween typifies the communal aims of chasing darkness with light, evil with goodness, and fear with faith. Religion and politics should make us better. Too often the impulse to get our own way wins out over “the better angels of our nature,” as Lincoln put it. At Paul Quinn College, their motto is “We over Me.” It may not be grammatically correct, but it is poetically and spiritually perfect. As you might have surmised by the vector of this column thus far, this will be my last regular offering in these pages. I want to thank my friends at The Advocate for giving me this outlet for so long, especially Rick Wamre, and my longtime editor, Keri Mitchell. They have given me wide berth to maneuver these words around the White Rock Lake harbor community. Having repositioned myself in the work I do (not exactly retired yet), I have determined it is the right time for a shift in my writing for The Advocate, too. The first part of the compound word deadline is the part I am ready to avoid. That includes sermons and columns both. Going forward you may hear from me amid a cohort of other contributors in this space during the coming months. It’s hard to quit you cold turkey, so let the weaning begin. See you now and then, here and there. Thanks for being a good neighbor. GEORGE MASON is pastor of Wilshire Baptist Church, president of Faith Commons and host of the “Good God” podcast. The Worship section is underwritten by Advocate Publishing and the neighborhood

PARK CITIES BAPTIST CHURCH / 3933 Northwest Pky / pcbc.org

Bible Study 9:15 / Worship Services 10:45 Traditional, Contemporary, Spanish Speaking / 214.860.1500 WILSHIRE BAPTIST / 4316 Abrams / 214.452.3100

Pastor George A. Mason / Worship at 9 & 11 a.m. Sunday School at 10 a.m. / wilshirebc.org

BIBLE CHURCHES NORTH HIGHLANDS BIBLE CHURCH / nhbc.net / 9626 Church Rd.

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DISCIPLES OF CHRIST EAST DALLAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH / 629 N. Peak Street / 214.824.8185

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Worship: Sat 5:30 pm, Sun 8 & 10:30 am / Christian Ed Sunday Morning & Weekdays, see calendar on website / 214.321.6451 / 848 Harter Rd.

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9555 North Central Expressway / 214.363.5457 / northparkpres.org / Welcoming Seekers, Thinkers and Doers. NORTHRIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH / 6920 Bob-O-Link Dr. 214.827.5521 / www.northridgepc.org / Sunday Worship 10:00 am Church that feels like church and welcomes like family. PARK CITIES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH/ 4124 Oak Lawn Ave Sunday Worship 9:00 & 11:00 A.M. To all this church opens wide her doors - pcpc.org

businesses and churches listed here. For information about helping support the Worship section, call 214.560.4202

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38 lakehighlands.advocatemag.com MAY 2022

214-631-8719

HOUSE PAINTING BENJAMIN’S PAINTING SERVICE Professional Work At Reasonable Prices. 214-725-6768 MANNY’S PAINTING HOMEWORKS. INT/EXT. Carpentry, Drywall, Reprs, Fence, Deck. 20 Yrs. Exp. 214-334-2160 RAMON’S INT/EXT PAINT Sheetrock, Repairs. 214-679-4513

www.allsurfacerefinishing.com LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES #1 WHITE ROCK TREE WIZARDS Professionals, Experts, Artists. Trim, Remove, Cabling, Bracing/Bolting. Cavity-Fill Stump Grind. Emergencies, Hazards. Insd. Free Est. 972-803-6313. arborwizard.com A BETTER TREE MAN Trims, Removals, Insd. 18 Yrs Exp. Roberts Tree Service. 214-808-8925 Lawns, Gardens & Trees

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WHERE C AN I FIND L OC AL ...? LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

PEST CONTROL

ROOFING & GUTTERS

SERVICES FOR YOU

CHUPIK TREE SERVICE Trim, Remove, Stump Grind. Free Est. Insured. 214-823-6463

MOSQUITO SHIELD 972–850-2983 Imagine A Night Outside Without Mosquitoes

DALLAS K.D.R.SERVICES • 214-349-0914 Lawn Service & Landscape Installation

NATURE KING PEST MANAGEMENT INC. • Residential/Commercial • Over 30,000 Squirrels, Racoons, Skunks, Snakes, Possums, etc. roofs completed • Seven NTRCA “Golden Pest & Termite. Neighborhood Resident Hammer” Awards • Free Estimates 30+ Yrs.exp. 214-827-0090

MAYA TREE SERVICE Tree Trim/Remove. Lawn Maintenance. Resd/ Commcl.Insd. CC’s Accptd. mayatreeservice.com 214-924-7058 214-770-2435 MONSTER TREE SERVICE DALLAS Certified Arborists, Fully Insured 469.983.1060 NEW LEAF TREE, LLC Honest, Modern, Safety Minded. 214-850-1528 PAT TORRES 214-388-1850 Lawn Service & Tree Care. 28 Yrs. Complete Landscape Renovation. New Fence Install & Brick Repair. Concrete Removal and Gutter Cleaning. RED SUN LANDSCAPES • 214-935-9779 RedSunLandscapes.com TAYLOR MADE IRRIGATION Repairs, service, drains. 30+ years exp. Ll 6295 469-853-2326. John WALTON’S GARDEN CENTER Stop in for home decor, candles, house plants, succulents and more. It’s time to plan for spring. Call us for design, prep and plantings! 8652 Garland Road 214-321-2387

DALLAS KDR SERVICES • Lawn service • Landscape Installation 214-349-0914

”WE CARE ABOUT YOUR TREES”

On Staff: • 4 - Certified Arborists • 1 - Tex- Tech Degreed Ag • 1 - Tex A&M Degreed Forester • 3 - Certified Applicators www.holcombtreeservice.com

214-327-9311

FULLY INSURED

Commercial/Residential

LEGAL SERVICES A WILL? THERE IS A WAY! Estate/Probate matters.maryglennattorney.com 214-802-6768

PEST CONTROL MCDANIEL PEST CONTROL Prices Start at $85 + Tax For General Treatment. Average Home-Interior/Exterior & Attached Garage. Quotes For Other Services. 214-328-2847. Lakewood Resident

Family owned and operated for over 40 years

www.bertroofing.com

214.321.9341

LICENSED

INSURED

LOCAL

"Keeping Children & Pets in Mind"

Termite Specialist - Mosquito Mister Systems Licensed · Insured · Residential · Commercial · Organic

214-350-3595 • Abetterearth.crw@gmail.com

abetterearth.com

Roofing • Windows • Siding • Gutters

Joe Clifford www.exteriorscc.net

PET SERVICES

469·291·7039

WINSTON ABBEY PETS Loving Care for Your Fur Babies, Dog Walking, Pet Sitting, etc. Insured & Bonded, winstonabbey.com, 214-808-8993

PLUMBING AC PLUMBING Repairs, Fixtures, Senior Discounts. Gary Campbell. 214-321-5943

PLUMBING ISSUES? We’re the Experts!

30 Years of Excellent Service • Water Heaters • Water Leaks 24/7 On-Call • Sewer Backups • All Plumbing Repairs ASK ABOUT DISCOUNTS!

972-379-4000

staggsplumbing.co

SERVICES FOR YOU ALOE CARE HEALTH medical alert system. Most advanced medical alert product on the market. Voiceactivated! No wi-fi needed! Special offer w/code CARE20 for $20 off Mobile Companion. 1 -855-521-5138 ATTENTION ACTIVE DUTY & MILITARY VETERANS.Begin a new career & earn a Degree at CTI! Online Computer & Medical training available for Veterans & Families.To learn more, call 888-449-1713

CERULEAN POOL SERVICES Family Owned/ Operated. Weekly maintenance, Chemicals, parts & repairs. CeruleanPro.com 214-557-6996 AT&T INTERNET. Starting at $40/month w/12-mo agmt. 1 TB of data/mo. Ask how to bundle & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply.1-888-796-8850 C.A.S. BOOKKEEPING SERVICES BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE Personal/Small Business. Payroll, Accounting, DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Organizing, Consult. Cindy 214-577-7450 Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & FORMER LWOOD DISD INSTRUCTOR Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725 Guiding Your Child. Time Mgmt, Classroom Focus, DENTAL INSURANCE-Physicians Mutual Homework Assist. enlightenathome@gmail.com Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurance -not a discount plan. Get your free REAL ESTATE dental info kit! 1-888-623-3036 www.dental50plus.com/58 #6258 ESTATE HOME NEEDS TO BE SOLD? Facing forclosure? IG Heron Homes DIRECTV NOW - No Satellite. $40/mo 65 Channels. Call Ricardo Garza @ 469-426-7839 Stream news, live events, sports & on demand titles. No contract/commitment. 1-866-825-6523 REMODELING

INTEX CONSTRUCTION Specialty in Ext/Int. Bath/ Kitchen/Windows, Steve.33yrs exp. 214-875-1127 O’BRIEN GROUP INC. Remodeling Dallas For Over 24 Years www.ObrienGroupInc.com 214-341-1448 RENOVATE DALLAS renovatedallas.com 214-403-7247 TK REMODELING 972-533-2872 Complete Full Service Repairs, Kitchen & Bath/Remodeling, Restoration. Name It- We Do It. dallas.tkremodelingcontractors.com MP ARCHITECTURAL Design & Construction. mattandpaul.com 214-226-1186 URBAN PIONEER REMODEL. Total construction & Remodel. 214-682-4564

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GENERAC Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt. Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-844-334 -8353

PAYING TOP CASH for men's sportwatches! Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. Call 833-603-3236

www.scottexteriors.com

FENN CONSTRUCTION Kitchens And Baths. Call Us For Your Remodeling Needs. 214-343-4645. dallastileman.com

ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-402-0373

LOOKING FOR ASSISTED LIVING, memory care, or independent living? A Place for Mom simplifies the process of finding senior living at no cost to your family. Call 1-833-386-1995 today!

FREE ESTIMATES

Residential • Commercial (214) 503-7663

POOLS

DONATE YOUR CARS TO VETERANS TODAY. Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800 -245-0398

HUGHESNET Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live.25 Mbps just $59.99/mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499 -0141

LICENSED and INSURED

Master Plumber License M-17697

HOLMAN IRRIGATION Sprinkler & Valve Repair/ Rebuild Older Systems. Lic. #1742. 214-398-8061

BERT ROOFING INC.

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply.Promo Expires 7/21/21.1-833-872-2545

THE GENERAC PWRCELL, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services UPDATE YOUR HOME with beautiful new blinds & shades. Free in-home estimates make it convenient to shop from home.Professional installation. Top quality - Made in the USA. Free consultation: 877-212-7578.

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2022 May Lake Highlands Advocate

Articles inside

Three longtime RISD educators

LHHS grad’s latest novel

Mijas Taqueria

Book challenges in RISD

All the web news

Parker Twomey