2023 July Lake Highlands Advocate

There’s No Greater Force than Strong Women

As Ebby Halliday agents, these empowered women receive the best training, resources and technology available, which helps them provide the best service and results for you. In the end though, it’s their own spirited drive as entrepreneurs and an intrinsic dedication to their craft that set each apart, one from another, and especially from competitors that come and go. Need a fierce female? We recommend one of ours.

INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE

DEDICATED SERVICE

PERSONALIZED PLANNING

CLIENT SATISFACTION

In the transactionally focused world of investment management, we differentiate ourselves through proactive, white-glove client service. This includes regularly scheduled meetings and goal progress you can track online from any device, anywhere.

Our advice is based on your goals, and no one else’s. We work with you to create a tailored plan that changes with your needs

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC Call 972-232-1833 or Email laura.w.enwere@ampf.com to see how we can help you meet your goals. LaunchPointWA.com

Women Wealth Advisors, 2022-2023 Laura Enwere, Forbes Best-in-State NextGeneration Wealth Advisors, 2019, 2022

Don’t just take our word for it! Our client satisfaction rating is 5/5. We love what we do, and it shows in the lifelong relationships we build with our clients. Laura

5 out of 5 Client Satisfaction Rating based on 45 of reviews as of June 9, 2023: Each client has the opportunity to rate a practice based on the client’s overall satisfaction with the practice, on a scale of 1 to 5. The practice’s Client Satisfaction Rating is an average of all client responses for that practice within a rolling 24-month period, and is updated daily. There is no minimum number of responses required for a practice to receive a rating. The 2023 Forbes Top Women and Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisor rankings are developed by SHOOK Research and are created using an algorithm that includes both qualitative (in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings; client impact; industry experience; review of best practices and compliance records; and firm nominations) and quantitative (assets under management and revenue generated for their firms) data. Certain awards include a demographic component to qualify. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. These rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC, are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience and are based on data from the previous calendar year. Forbes magazine and SHOOK Research do not receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch. com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC. The Forbes Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors, Best-in-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors and Top 250 Wealth Advisors rankings are developed by SHOOK Research and are created using an algorithm that includes both qualitative (in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings; client impact; industry experience; review of best practices and compliance records; and firm nominations) and quantitative (assets under management and revenue generated for their firms) data. Certain awards include a demographic component to qualify. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. These rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC, are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience and are based on data from the current calendar year. Forbes magazine and SHOOK Research do not receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC. The Ameriprise Client Experience Award is earned by a practice based on three measurable statistics that reflect the value of goal-based advice to our clients: client experience rating; percentage of clients over a certain asset level in advice relationships; and, once the practice has exceeded a minimum amount of net flows, the percentage of net flows derived from assets under management. Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value. The Compass is a trademark of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. ©2023 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Enwere, Forbes Best-in-State

contents

LAKE HIGHLANDS ADVOCATE

VOL. 30 NO. 7

PROFILE

6 Hope Harbeck

DINING

14 Marie’s Kitchen

FEATURES

10 Airplane fashion maven

19 Fierce Females

28 Church leader

Deborah Brown has been collecting vintage luggage, shoes and accessories from existing and bygone airlines for about five years. Read more on page 10.

Photography by Yuvie Styles.

THESE WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS

Being a real estate agent is not the glamorous, cush life portrayed on TV. For these independent selfstarters, it most often looks like hard work in the form of back-to-back-to-back showings, managing vendors and repair people, strategizing and negotiating, late night contract-writing and more. But everyone pictured here knows it’s all in a day’s work. And because it’s driven by a desire to serve others with excellence, it doesn’t feel like work.

LENDING A HELPING HAND

Neighbor Hope Harbeck and friends help immigrant families transition

Story by ARIEL WALLACE | Photography by JULIA CARTWRIGHT

DISTRIBUTION PH/214.560.4212

ADVERTISING PH/214.560.4212

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

Classified Manager: Prio Berger

214.292.0493 / pberger@advocatemag.com

Marketing Director: Sally Wamre

214.686.3593 / swamre@advocatemag.com

Development Director: Alessandra Quintero 786.838.5891 / aquintero@advocatemag.com

Digital Marketing & Analytics: Autumn Grisby agrisby@advocatemag.com

EDITORIAL

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Jehadu Abshiro jabshiro@advocatemag.com

SENIOR EDITOR:

Renee Umsted rumsted@advocatemag.com

EDITORS:

Alyssa High ahigh@advocatemag.com

Emma Ruby eruby@advocatemag.com

Ariel Wallace awallace@advocatemag.com

Editor-at-Large: Christina Hughes Babb chughes@advocatemag.com

Digital Editor: Raven Jordan rjordan@advocatemag.com

Senior Art Director: Jynnette Neal jneal@advocatemag.com

Art Director/Photographer: Lauren Allen lallen@advocatemag.com

Contributors: Patti Vinson, Carol Toler, Sam Gillespie

Contributing photographers: Kathy Tran, Emil Lippe, Hunter Lacey, Yuvie Styles, Shelby Tauber, Sylvia Elzafon, Lo Kuehmeier, Victoria Gomez, Julia Cartwright

Chief Revenue Officer: Rick Wamre 214.560.4212 / rwamre@advocatemag.com

Advocate (c) 2023 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.

Newsletter: advocatemag.com/newsletter

Photography

Hope Harbeck has always been a giver. Throughout the 37 years that she has lived in Lake Highlands, she has been involved with organizations that aim to help others. Harbeck’s passion for helping refugees started through a post in a Lake Highlands Facebook group.

Neighbor Megan Carlton posted looking for donations to help set up an apartment for a refugee family from Pakistan. When Harbeck decided to help, she soon found out that many of her friends, were also planning to assist Carlton.

Harbeck and her friends decided to become regular volunteers with Carlton, and that’s how this group of helping hands came to be.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN VOLUNTEERING?

I've been really volunteering almost my whole life because my parents were big on volunteering. I was involved with PTA when my kids were younger and helped out the schools they attended when needed. I have been volunteering for almost as long as I’ve been living in Lake Highlands.

DOES YOUR TEAM HAVE A NAME?

No, we do not have a name. We're just a group of about seven people: myself, Megan Carlton, Latha Nehru, Patti Romanach, Jenya Teplitskaya, Megan Thomsen and Angela Kutac. There are many others that assist, but this is our core group. Many of us are spread out mostly between Lake Highlands and East Dallas.

WHAT DO YOU AND YOUR GROUP PROVIDE FOR THE FAMILIES?

Agencies like World Relief, International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Catholic Charities bring people in and help them get apartments. However, they do not give them basic necessities to supplement the apartments. That is where we come in. We basically fill in the gaps and give them things that they need — everything from bicycles to travel around with or sewing machines to mend their clothing. I will say the two most requested items are microwaves and vacuum cleaners.

Hope Harbeck and team provides transitioning immigrant families with basic necessities to help them get started in a new country.

HOW DO YOU GET CONNECTED WITH REFUGEES IN NEED?

I guess I gave my phone number to a few of these families, and it kind of snowballed. Most of the requests for help that we receive now are from people who text me directly on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.

YOU HAVE HELPED A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. HOW MANY COUNTRIES ARE REPRESENTED?

We have probably helped people from over 40 different countries. Refugees from Ukraine, Congo, West Africa, South Africa, Uganda, Afghanistan and Malaysia. There are more, but I’m just naming the ones that I know that we’ve worked with.

SO IF THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO HELP YOU WITH DONATIONS OR GIFTING, HOW WOULD THEY BE ABLE TO DO THAT?

Well, there are a couple of ways. If it's furniture that people want to do nate, we encourage them to donate to the nonprofit called Deliberate, which is run by Nick Fletcher. He also takes monetary donations that he uses to help furnish apartments for the refugees. If people would like to donate other items for the apart ments, they can reach out to me on Facebook, and I will share what we are in need of.

WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF HELPING THESE FAMILIES?

They are just so grateful and hospitable. You can hardly leave the families without them serving you food or tea. It's just really nice. It's a wonderful experience to meet people from other cultures and just get to know them. Some even help us to prepare apartments for new families coming in.

Bid farewell to budget surprises.

In today’s market, budget management may be more important than ever. Some builders rely on cost-plus pricing, leaving you vulnerable to budget overruns and big headaches. At Bella Vista, our decades of experience give us the knowledge to provide the security of a fixed-price build. That way, you’ll experience peace of mind knowing that your home will be beautiful and on budget.

BUY THE FRIENDLY SKIES

Deborah Brown’s collection comes from the wild blue yonder

Interview by RENEE UMSTED

Photography by YUVIE STYLES

Deborah Brown has collected about 125 uniforms from nearly two dozen airlines in a matter of years.

The clothes, many of them made for flight attendants, are stored in garment bags, boxes and racks in closets and rooms in her Lake Highlands home, where she has lived with her husband for more than 30 years.

Brown says her husband doesn’t mind that her collection takes up so much real estate.

“My husband is so nice,” she says. “He just said, ‘Don’t buy any more china.’”

Brown began collecting about five years ago, when she attended a Braniff conference at the old Braniff International Airways headquarters at DFW Airport. Her interest in airlines comes from her background as an account executive at AT&T for 20 years, where American, Southwest, Continental and TWA were in her territory.

At the event, people kept asking to take photos with Brown and her friend, who were wearing paisley, thinking they were modeling retro Braniff uniforms.

“It was so much fun, so that’s when I went to eBay and started looking,” says Brown, who grew up in Casa View.

Her first purchase was

two Braniff uniforms designed by Emilio Pucci. A Halston-designed uniform of the same airline followed.

Since then, her collection has expanded to include designs by Oleg Cassini, Edith Head and Ralph Lauren, among others. She has hats, coats, shoes and even luggage from existing and bygone airlines including Braniff, Southwest, Continental, Delta, TWA, Trans-Texas Airways, Russian-based S7 Airlines and Wardair Canada.

The uniforms typically remain safe in storage, but they’re taken out when Brown wants to wear them — perhaps at a fashion show or some other event. Eventually, she wants to sell the collection and donate the proceeds to organizations that help animals.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHICH PIECES TO BUY?

It really starts out with affordability. I’ll always buy something if I can get it for $200, and then if it starts being a little bit more, I have to really think about it. At first, I just wanted the more current ones. And then when this one woman selling her collection had that early American Airlines, well, then, it made me want to get those, too.

YOU HAVE AN EXISTING INTEREST IN VINTAGE. WHY DID YOU WANT TO GO FOR THE MORE MODERN PIECES?

That’s what was available. The older they are, the more rare they are.

WHICH ONES ARE YOUR FAVORITE?

Of course, the Braniff. But the Trans-Texas, I just love that one so much. And when I looked them up on Google search, they had ads that are very provocative. [One pictures a woman wearing a bandana tied around her neck, barely covering her chest, along with frilly bikini bottoms and sheer stockings.]

WHAT PIECES ARE YOU MISSING?

Still a few from Pan Am. And I’d still like some more from TWA. I met someone, of course. I bought some things from her. She’s in Britain, and she has all of TWA, and why she’d be interested in

It’s really neat to learn about the history because those clothes were so well-made.

that, I don’t know. TWA was just headquartered in Kansas City, you know, mid-America. And they had paper dresses. She says, I have all four of the paper dresses. She says it took her 15 years to collect all of that, and she’s got everything. So anyway, I bought things that she had duplicates of that she was selling.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO VINTAGE?

I think I’ve always liked to shop. I found a ’50s prom dress that I wore at costume parties and all, and I loved it. I wore it so much it got stained, you know, dropping things on it. But I loved it so much. I like to go to vintage clothing now. There’s more shops available.

IT SEEMS LIKE YOU’VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT HISTORY, TOO, BY PURCHASING AND COLLECTING YOUR UNIFORMS.

It’s really neat to learn about the history because these clothes were so well-made, and that’s why so many have endured. My favorite decade, really, is the ’50s, with the full skirts and petticoats.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU LOOK FOR NEW UNIFORMS?

If my husband reads this, oh my god, he is going to learn so much. I wake up in the morning. At least 12 times a day, I’m looking. Just because things may be listed, so you don’t want to just look once a day. It may be listed before I go to bed. If I wake up at 2 o’clock in the morning, I gotta go look.

Except for the ER.

Most summer-related ER visits are preventable with a little precaution, but we’ll always be here when you need us. Remember to use sun protection and insect repellent, stay hydrated, wear life jackets, and leave the fireworks to the professionals. Helping keep our friends and neighbors safe. That’s community and why so many people Trust Methodist

For more summer safety tips, scan the QR code

FOR THE LOVE OF SILOG

Candy Marie Ramos made a place for Filipino food in Dallas

Story by AUSTIN WOOD | Photography by KATHY TRAN

When they first arrived in Dallas, Candy Marie Ramos and her husband, Jay Gersan, noticed a distinct lack of Filipino cuisine within city limits.

“When we got here, we took for granted that we grew up with that food,” Ramos says.

The couple found a small deli space in an office building close to Dallas’ major hospitals and Texas Instruments’ North Campus, they deciding to open Marie’s Kitchen in 2019. After opening as a sandwich-only shop for a week, Ramos and her husband decided to add familiar Filipino breakfast dishes to the menu, becoming an instant hit.

“A lot of people started coming for that, and we converted the people here in the building,” Ramos says.

Ramos and her husband hope to expose their native cuisine to those unfamiliar with it and help launch Filipino food to a similar level of popularity as other Asian varieties.

“We want to be part of the ‘what do you want to eat’ conversation, Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Filipino,” Ramos says.

But what is Filipino breakfast, or silog? Silog is garlic fried rice, an egg and a protein. At Marie’s Kitchen, silog choices include traditional Filipino proteins such as tapsilog (thinly sliced, marinated and cured steak), tocilog (marinated pork belly) and longsilog (a Filipino sausage similar to chorizo), among other options. For first-timers, the owners recommend the tapsilog.

Besides silog, Marie’s Kitchen also serves daily meals, which change weekly and are influenced by regional cuisines from the more than 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines. Examples include Dinuguan, a Filipino pork stew cooked in a rich broth with spices, and Humbà, a braised pork belly dish native to the Visayan Islands, Ramos’ home.

“We try to do cuisine from the dif -

ferent islands so people can experience it,” Ramos says.

One of the most eye-catching items on the menu is the ube pancakes. Ube is a purple yam native to the Philippines that gives the pancakes a distinctive dark-purple appearance and has a nutty, vanilla flavor.

“They say it looks like a lot, but it’s not overpowering. It’s a good combo,” Ramos says.

Without formal culinary training, Ramos learned to cook from her family in the Philippines. They own a small restaurant.

“My grandma is a good cook. She does all the curing of meats, and my mom learned from her, and I would just watch them,” Ramos says.

A true mom-and-pop with only two employees, Ramos cooks all of the food while Gersan runs front-ofhouse operations. The couple have two children, ages 18 and 16, who occasionally help out in the restaurant.

“We close early sometimes because

Right: Silog dishes featuring tapa (cured steak), lechon kawali (deep-fried pork belly) and longanisa (a chorizo-like sausage).

we need to be with them. We do take time off because we are doing this for them,” Ramos says.

For Ramos, sticking to the basics and preparing Filipino cuisine in a time-honored tradition is a priority in all of her cooking.

“The way we do it, we try to not change the actual recipe. We want to do it in the traditional way,” Ramos says.

While Ramos wants to appeal to non-Filipino customers, she also hopes to change an internal narrative

around their cuisine within parts of the Filipino community.

“We like to make them feel proud of our food, because some people aren’t proud of our food since they think it’s not fancy enough or not good enough,” Ramos says.

In immigrant communities, assimilation can be an uncomfortable reality, with some first- and second-generation Americans becoming disconnected from their cultural background. Ramos says that for Filipino-Amer -

icans who may not be familiar with Filipino cuisine, she sees Marie’s Kitchen as a source of reconnection and discovery.

“There’s a lot of Filipino-Americans who don’t really know Filipino cuisine,” Ramos says. “When they try our food, they’re like, ‘So this is how it’s supposed to be.’”

Marie’s Kitchen, 11910 Greenville Ave., 972.234.8383, marieskitchenex.com

Left: A Filipino shaved ice dessert — Halo-halo. Right: Ube pancakes served with ube sauce.

Story by CAROL TOLER | Photography by YUVIE STYLES

LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON TAMING YOUR QUARRELSOME TODDLER? SHOPPING FOR COLORFUL ICED COOKIES TO MATCH YOUR PARTY THEME? NEED A NEW PRESCHOOL FOR YOUR HIGHACHIEVING TWINS? DESPERATE TO FIND A PLUMBER BEFORE FRIENDS ARRIVE FOR DINNER?

Lake Highlands’ free source of expert advice burst onto the scene as a Facebook page called LH Mamas in August 2020. Since then, Graham Rucker and fellow administrators Rebecca Bickett and Savannah Darver have been encouraging neighborhood families to learn from (and lean on) each other.

Rucker, native of Nashville and wife of 2005 Lake Highlands High School graduate Brian Rucker, moved to Dallas to attend SMU and never looked back. She juggles her full-time job managing corporate clients for RethinkCare, where she helps employers with employees caring for children with disabilities, while managing life at home raising 5-year-old Caroline and twin 2-year-olds Claire and Charlotte. Her busy schedule left little time to build a social support network, and she knew wise moms turn to the village when questions get tough.

“It’s difficult to find your people when you move to a new place,” Rucker says. “In Nashville, you go to the grocery store and see 10 people you know. When we moved into our first house on Estate Lane, it was a long time before I felt like I knew anybody. Our goal with LH Mamas is to connect moms in our area so that they can find their people.”

Lake Highlands is a community with rich traditions and deep roots — a place where graduates of the high school often return to raise a family and connect with childhood friends. It’s not easy for newcomers to break into circles formed decades ago.

LH Mamas helps to bridge that gap.

“I’ve met some of my very best friends on the page, and lots of people tell me they’ve done the same,” she says. “If you share what you like and what you need on the page, I guarantee someone will reach out for a coffee date or margarita date. You are not the only one who feels outside the circle.”

Rucker has organized face-to-face happy hours to help members connect and encouraged businesses to host pop-up shops and mini markets. Participants tap into the wisdom of the site’s hive mind to find medical service providers, home

contractors, party planners, catering services and small batch entrepreneurs.

Rucker says her favorite aspect is recommending locally owned businesses and watching them grow. One aesthetic service provider polled the group to name her startup, and now her appointment book is full. A mom who monograms children’s purses quickly sold all her stock and had to reorder.

“It’s a way to keep Lake Highlands businesses going and let families know when they need support,” Rucker says. “It’s scary for someone to go out on a limb and start a new business. When they do, we can all step up and support them.”

Often, companies offer free goodies to Rucker, but she declines. In fact, she’s usually first to make a purchase in hopes of vouching for fledgling businesses.

“It’s just exciting to see them take off. I don’t know how the Facebook algorithm works, but I’m glad they get a bump when I post. After that, it just grows naturally. If people go on our site to say, ‘Trust me, you’ll like this restaurant or product or service,’ families are willing to give it a try. Businesses have told me it makes a difference, and that’s exciting.”

In a bygone era, some questions might have gone to real-life moms, aunties or grandmas, or even to Dear Abby in the newspaper. Rucker admits a few should probably go to doctors, lawyers or psychologists, and commenters often suggest that with referrals to match, but no topics are off the table for LH Mamas, who handle hundreds of posts per week.

In the beginning, participants were mostly young moms, but “seasoned” moms now show up to both share advice and seek it. Posters may choose to remain anonymous when the subject matter is sensitive, such as how to find a good divorce lawyer, what to do when your child is the only one in the class not invited to a birthday party and whether or not to tell a friend when their teen is behaving dangerously.

Rucker says one of her toughest tasks is to deal with persistently negative voices and discourage running down businesses after a single unfortunate experience or mistake. Admins prefer not to interfere, but they sometimes remove content to keep the discussion civil.

“We pour a lot of time into it, and it’s stressful but rewarding. I think about the people who felt the way I did when I first moved here. It’s a lonely feeling. Every day, someone gets together with a mom they met on our page, or feels brave enough to go to an event. It’s worth all of it.”

CAMP ON THE BANKS OF CEDAR CREEK LAKE,

TEACHING KIDS TO WATERSKI AND WAKEBOARD FOR 24 YEARS.

Heger knows most of her charges won’t become competitive wakeboarders and trick skiers like her oldest son, Mark, but that’s not the goal. Her philosophy is that every camper can add skills and boost confidence each time he or she gets out on the water.

Heger Camp was the brainchild of Mark and his older sister, Lauren, who set out to earn spending money with a summer camp for friends of their little brother, Steven, in the backyard of their Lake Highlands home. They played games, made crafts and even splashed around in the pool, but they soon decided to move the fun to their East Texas lake house. Neighborhood parents were eager to sign on.

“Everyone was having fun, because they were in a group,” Heger says. “My kids learned lessons about being organized and responsible, and it kept them occupied and working together as a team.”

Heger’s children are now grown, and Mark runs WakeWell, a nonprofit Christian outreach for wakeboarders and watersports lovers. Heger continues to operate her ski camp for children ages 6 to 14 with the help of adult assistants, mostly teachers, and junior counselors, mostly high school and college students who formerly attended her camp.

Some parents who enroll their children are preparing them to attend other camps in bucolic settings with watersports as one of many activity options, and others have a lake house of their own. Whatever puts them behind a boat, it’s important to learn the fundamentals of skiing from experienced instructors, Heger says.

“When I learned to waterski as a kid, they threw me out of the boat and tossed me the rope. They just pulled me and hoped I didn’t drown, and maybe I got up. These skills can be taught. If you know the right words to say and the right way to say them, you can teach anything.”

Heger believes her camp’s success, and the reason kids return year after year, is related to its singular emphasis. It’s all water sports, all the time at Heger Camp — no climbing rock walls, no weaving potholders, no playing dodgeball. At night when it’s too dark to ski, the group plays board games until they tumble into bed exhausted.

“Parents and campers tell us this is their favorite activity all summer. I think it’s because they’re so active at camp. I don’t know what other camps do, but ours is 100% watersports. We don’t do crafts and bows-and-arrows and tennis.”

Heger says friends have called her crazy for taking on the risk of having other people’s kids around the water, and she considers the responsibility a sacred one. She believes instituting procedures — and consequences — has kept her campers safe for more than two decades.

“The main focus of what we do is safety,” says Heger. “Safety is No. 1, even over having fun.”

Heger has embraced her role as enforcer, and she’s developed one rule the kids are surprisingly comfortable with: Cell phones aren’t permitted at camp.

“They’re a distraction. Instead of mingling with the group, kids go off by themselves with their phone. And they’d rather be part of the group,” she says.

The pandemic created challenges for Heger Camp, and a few COVID-era changes remain. When they began in 2000, parents ambled into the bedrooms to unpack student belongings and wandered into the kitchen to have a snack before their hour-long drive back to Dallas. On pick-up day, they arrived an hour early to watch the skiers demonstrate their new skills and helped them pack up their stuff on the way out.

Camp never canceled due to COVID, but these days, kids are dropped at the door to keep visitors — and their germs — at a minimum. “Show Off Day” is a thing of the past, but campers don’t seem to miss it. Every outing on the water is a chance to show off when fellow campers are cheering you on.

Students arrive at camp with a variety of capabilities and skill levels, and they progress at different rates. But the culture of camp is to celebrate every camper’s achievements, large or small. The “rah-rah” environment encourages even tentative types to set new goals and work to meet them.

“Kids enjoy the challenge of improving. As teachers, we enjoy seeing that light bulb go off when the kids really get it. It’s so rewarding to be a part of that. I think the gain in confidence is huge, especially for the campers who tend to not be terribly athletic.

“Most of our first-time campers have never skied or wakeboarded before, but some of the ones that keep coming year after year can do a toehold on the rope on slalom skis. That’s amazing. That’s really hard.

“Each camper advances every year, and they enjoy being with friends. Plus, they love the food,” Heger laughs. “This much activity makes them really hungry.”

MARCIA HEGER DOESN’T LOOK FEARSOME IN HER FLORAL SWIMSUIT, BUT YOUNGSTERS COME RUNNING WHEN SHE SIGNALS IT’S TIME TO START THE DAY. SHE OWNS HEGER WATER SPORTS

AND SHE’S BEEN

THE TITULAR TELEVISION SHOW. HRANITZKY TEACHES

FORENSIC SCIENCE AT LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL, SHARING THE LATEST TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES STUDENTS MAY ONE DAY USE TO SOLVE MURDERS AND OTHER CRIMES.

Hranitzky grew up in Lakewood and studied animal science and entomology at Texas A&M University. Her favorite course was forensic entomology, the study of insects in criminal investigations. Because certain bugs are attracted to dead bodies, they can help scientists estimate time, location and cause of death.

Lake Highlands students can take forensic science as an elective course, and some admittedly see the hour as just one more in a long day. But many hope to pursue a specialty in criminal justice and envision forensic science as the foundation of a future career, she says.

“I have students interested in becoming CSI agents, medical examiners, lawyers, SWAT team agents, arson investigators, police officers, coroners, forensic anthropologists, serologists, fire marshals and others. It’s a diverse group. To have this background information is useful as they pursue their studies and careers.”

Teaching the course gets a little messy, and students say that’s the draw.

“I like the classes to be hands-on,” Hranitzky says. “We do blood spatter analysis, hair and fiber examination, crime scene investigation with mock crime scenes, fingerprint analysis and foot impressions. We study forensic psychology, including serial killers and criminal profiling, and we look into forensic anthropology, including skeletal and facial reconstruction.”

In addition to receiving equipment from Richardson ISD, the forensics department has been supported over the years by Wild for Cats, Lake Highlands’ academic booster club. They recently received new cameras that allow students to take digital crime scene photos, and they use Diablo Highway, a virtual online laboratory that simulates the crime scenes of unsolved murders. Another kit, useful when unidentified bones are discovered, helps find missing persons based on facial reconstruction.

Hollywood loves a good crime story, and Hranitzky encourages her students to watch movies and television shows that accurately depict the work of forensic scientists. She occasionally brings in videos, such as snippets from Netfix’s The Staircase,

to demonstrate ways forensic science helped to solve a case. (Spoiler alert: That killer may, or may not, have been an owl.)

Hranitzky warns her charges of the CSI Effect, widely known in legal circles to influence public perception and even jury deliberations. The term, first reported in USA Today in 2004 and named for the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation television show, refers to the belief that jurors in criminal trials today are more likely to demand forensic evidence as proof of guilt and less likely to convict without it.

Hranitzky teaches about the O.J. Simpson murder case, where investigators were seen in television news coverage tromping through the victims’ blood, and a detective transported blood from the crime scene to O.J.’s home before booking it into evidence. Defense attorneys at trial used these as indicators of sloppiness in the collection of forensics or evidence planted by dirty cops. She also teaches about the assassination of President Kennedy in Dallas, where conspiracy theories abound.

“I like to make real-world connections. We take case studies and dissect them. It’s interesting to hear what the students think. They hear about current cases on television or the internet and come into class trying to figure them out. We talked a lot about Gabby Pepito when she was missing. That case was heartbreaking.”

Hranitzky knows not all her students will enter careers that put their forensic skills to use. Every good citizen, though, will benefit from understanding its principles, and some may need the concepts while serving on a jury.

“It’s important to know why cases did or didn’t go well in court,” she says. “Perhaps evidence wasn’t collected properly. Maybe it wasn’t preserved or labeled correctly. Every case is different. Our natural curiosity comes over us, and we want to know the why about things. It’s a joy to teach this class, and I love what I do. I get to connect with the students and see what they are interested in, and I weave that into the lessons.”

Hranitzky began with three sections of her course, and now she teaches 150 students in six classes. She also takes the Wildcat Forensics Team to competition. She’s careful not to let the classroom discussion get gruesome, and she warns students about photos they may opt not to see. Her kids know what they’ve signed up for, though, and they rarely take a pass.

On a warm day in April, students worked in groups with synthetic blood and a variety of instruments to create a multitude of blood spatter patterns. They were analyzing what blood looks like at a violent crime scene. But could Hranitzky be teaching them how to get away with murder?

“No,” she laughs. “They joke about that, but I tell them to not even think about it. They’ll get caught every time.”

LINDSEY HRANITZKY IS A CROSS BETWEEN WILL SCHUSTER, THE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER ON GLEE , AND DR. TEMPERANCE BONES FROM

AC & HEAT

ALEXANDER HOME REPAIR. AC/HEAT

Repair & Install. LIC#28052 469-226-9642

AIR SHIELD LLC AC/Heat Repairs, Installs

Airshieldpros.com. 214-394-1788

THE HEATING & AC EXPERTS

Installations & Repairs

Emergency Services

24/7 On-Call 100% Satisfaction

Guarantee

ASK ABOUT DISCOUNTS!

TACLA67136C 214-710-2515 dallasheatingac.com

APPLIANCE REPAIR

JESSE’S A/C & APPLIANCE SERVICE

TACLB13304C All Makes/Models. 214-660-8898

BUY SELL TRADE

!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!! Gibson, Fender, Martin, Etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. Top Dollar Paid.1-866 -433-8277

CABINETRY & FURNITURE

SERNAS & BASS DESIGN-BUILD

We design, build & Install cabinets & tops! (214) 354-3074 • aldo@sernasbass.com

SQUARE NAIL WOODWORKING

Cabinet Refacing, Built-ins, Entertainment/ Computer Centers. Jim. 214-324-7398 jhholbert2@att.net

CLEANING SERVICES

ALTOGETHER CLEAN

Relax ...We’ll Clean Your House, It Will Be Your Favorite Day! Bonded & Insurance. Free Estimates. 214-929-8413. www. altogetherclean.net

CINDY’S HOUSE CLEANING 15 yrs exp. Resd/Com. Refs. Dependable. 214-490-0133

GOLDEN CLEANING, Home Basic Clean,Move in/out. 214-500-6998

WANTED: HOUSES TO CLEAN, Organize, De-clutter, or Pack. Sunny 214-724-2555

WINDOW CLEANING Power washing No Job To Small. 30 Yrs exp. 214-360-0120

WINDOW MAN WINDOW CLEANING.COM

Residential Specialists. BBB. 214-718-3134

COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS

AT ODDS WITH YOUR COMPUTER? Easily Learn Essential Skills. Services include Digital Photo Help. Sharon 214-679-9688

CONFUSED? FRUSTRATED? Let a seasoned pro be the interface between you & that pesky Windows computer. Hardware/Software Installation, Troubleshooting, Training. $100/hr. 1 hr min. Dan 972-639-6413 / stykidan@sbcglobal.net

CONCRETE/MASONRY/PAVING

ADVANCE STONE ART CREATIONS

Decorative Concrete Overlays. 214-705-5954

BRICK WORK, DRIVEWAYS, PATIOS, Flagstone. Call Eli 469-870-5420

CONCRETE/MASONRY/PAVING

CONCRETE, Driveway Specialist Repairs, Replacement, Removal, References. Reasonable. Chris 214-770-5001

CONCRETE, RETAINING WALLS 25 yrs exp. T&M Construction, Inc. 214-328-6401

EDMONDSPAVING.COM Asphalt & Concrete Driveway-Sidewalk-Patio-Repair 214-957-3216

FLAGSTONE PATIOS, Retaining Walls, BBQ’s, Veneer, Flower Bed Edging, All Stone work. Chris 214-770-5001

JOHNSON PAVING Concrete, Asphalt, Driveways. New or Repair. 214-827-1530

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

ANTHONY’S ELECTRIC Master Electrician. TECL24948 anthonyselectricdfw. com

50 Yrs. Electrical Exp. Insd. 214-328-1333

BRIGHT LIGHT ELECTRIC • 214-553-5333

TECL 31347 Brightening Homes and Businesses

LAKEWOOD ELECTRICAL Local. Insured. Lic. #227509 Call Rylan 214-434-8735

TH ELECTRIC Reasonable Rates. Licensed & Insured. Ted. E257 214-808-3658

WHITE ROCK ELECTRIC All Electrical Services. Lic/Insd.TECL-34002 214-850-4891

EXTERIOR CLEANING

G&G DEMOLITION Tear downs, Haul. Interior/Exterior. 214-808-8925

FENCING & DECKS

4 QUALITY FENCING • 214-507-9322 Specializing in Wood. YourWoodmaster.com

AMBASSADOR FENCE CO. Automatic Gates, Fences/Decks, Pergolas, Patio Covers, Arbors. AmbassadorFenceCo.com

214-621-3217

FENCING, ARBORS, DECKS oldgatefence.com 214-766-6422

LONESTARDECKS.COM

214-357-3975

Trex Decking & Fencing, trex.com All Wood Decks, Arbors & Patio Covers

HANNAH WOODWORKS

• Decks • Pergolas

• Patio Covers

Hannahwoodworks.com

214-435-9574

FLOORING & CARPETING

EPOXY GARAGE FLOORS

Many colors to choose (flakes optional) Call Nick for bid 214-341-5993 hastingsfloors.com

HARDWOOD INSTALLATIONS Waterproof, hardwood, carpets, tile laminate, & vinyl click. 214-772-9503. Free In Home estimates

FOUNDATION REPAIR

• Slabs • Pier & Beam

• Mud Jacking • Drainage

• Free Estimates

• Over 20 Years Exp. 972-288-3797

We Answer Our Phones

GARAGE SERVICES

UNITED GARAGE DOORS AND GATES Res/Com. Locally Owned. 214-251-5428

GENERAL CONTACTING

A2H GENERAL CONTRACTING,LLC Remodel, Paint, Drywall/Texture, Plumbing. Electrical, Siding, Bathroom/Kitchen Remodels Tilling, Flooring, Fencing. 469-658-9163. Free Est. A2HGeneralContactingLLC@gmail.com

GLASS, WINDOWS & DOORS

LAKE HIGHLANDS GLASS & MIRROR

frameless shower enclosures • store fronts replacement windows • mirrors 214-349-8160

PRO WINDOW CLEANING prompt, dependable. Matt 214-766-2183

ROCK GLASS CO Replace, repair: windows, mirrors, showers, screens. 214-837-7829

HANDYMAN SERVICES

BO HANDYMAN Specializing In Historic Home Renovations & Pro Remodels. Custom Carpentry, Doors, Kitchens, Baths & more. 214-437-9730

DANHANDY.NET Repairs Done Right For A Fair Price. References 214-991-5692

HANDY DAN The Handyman. ToDo’s Done Right. handy-dan.com 214-252-1628

HANDYMAN SPECIALIST Residential/Commercial. Large, small jobs, repair list, renovations. Refs. 214-489-0635

HANDYMAN WANTS your Painting,Repairs, To Do Lists. Bob. 214-288-4232. Free Est. 25+yrs exp.

HOME REPAIR Doors, Trim, Glass. Int/Ext. Sheetrock, Windows, Kitchen, Bathroom 35 yrs exp. 214-875-1127

HOMETOWN HANDYMAN All phases of construction. No job too small 214-327-4606

ONE CALL WEEKEND SERVICES

Contractor & Handyman. Remodels, Renovations . Paint, Plumbing, Drywall, Electrical. 469-658-9163

Let

HOUSE PAINTING

Interior & Exterior Painting Siding • Gutters

$500 OFF

Over 25 years of experience Free Estimates

214-702-2188 morganexteriorsdfw.com

HECTOR PEREZ PAINTING

Commercial/residential. Intrior/ Exterior. Fair Rates. 214-489-0635

INT / EXT PAINTING, DRYWALL, SIDING And repairs call Eli 469-870-5420

RAMON’S INT/EXT PAINT Sheetrock, Repairs. 214-679-4513

TEXAS BEST PAINTING LLC Resd,Interiors 30Yrs. 214-527-4168

TOP COAT 30 Yrs. Exp. Reliable. Quality Repair/Remodel. Phil @ 214-770-2863

VIP PAINTING & DRYWALL Int/Ext. Sheetrock Repair, Resurfacing Tubs, Counters, Tile Repairs. 469-774-7111

KITCHEN/BATH/TILE/GROUT

FENN CONSTRUCTION Full Service Contractor. dallastileman.com 214-343-4645

MELROSE TILE James Sr., Installer, Repairs. 40 Yrs. Exp. MelroseTile.com 214-384-6746

TK REMODELING 972-533-2872

Complete Full Service Repairs, Kitchen & Bath/Remodeling, Restoration. Name It- We Do It. dallas.tkremodelingcontractors.com

JIM 972-992-4660

For complete terms and conditions, visit advocatemag.com/advertisingterms.

• Tubs, Tiles or Sinks

• Cultured Marble

• Kitchen Countertops

WE REFINISH! www.allsurfacerefinishing.com 214-631-8719

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

#1 WHITE ROCK TREE WIZARDS Professionals, Experts, Artists serving Dallas 15 years.Trim, Removals. Tree Health Care services. Insured. Arborwizard.com. Free Est. (972) 803-6313.

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

A BETTER TREE MAN Trims, Removals, Insd.

18 Yrs Exp. Roberts Tree Service. 214-808-8925

Lawns, Gardens & Trees

HOLMAN IRRIGATION

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

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

DALLAS KDR SERVICES

• Lawn service ”WE

PEST CONTROL

WHERE CAN I FIND LOCAL ...?

REMODELING

KEYS AND GRIM

30 years of experience in residential remodeling. “They are the best…and so nice.” ~ Mom keysandgrim.com 214-952-4490

"Keeping Children & Pets in Mind"

Termite Specialist - Mosquito Mister Systems

Licensed · Insured · Residential · Commercial · Organic 214-350-3595 • Abetterearth.crw@gmail.com abetterearth.com

PLUMBING

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

PLUMBING ISSUES?

We’re the Experts!

972-379-4000 staggsplumbing.co ASK ABOUT DISCOUNTS!

POOLS

CERULEAN POOL SERVICES Family Owned/ Operated. Weekly maintenance, Chemicals, parts & repairs. CeruleanPro.com 214-557-6996

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

C.A.S. BOOKKEEPING SERVICES

Personal/Small Business. Payroll, Accounting, Organizing, Consult. Cindy 214-577-7450

REAL ESTATE ESTATE HOME NEEDS TO BE SOLD? Facing forclosure? IG Heron Homes Call Ricardo Garza @ 469-426-7839

GARDEN OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT Walnut Hill @ CENTRAL.3 Smaller Suites Avail. Flexible Terms 214.915. 8886

OFFICE SUBLEASE In Bishop Arts. Cool, Quiet. 1,179 Sq ft. 4 rooms + kit / bath, parking. $2,950 + NNNs. 713.302-7722.

REMODELING

FULLY

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

MOSQUITO SHIELD 972–850-2983

Imagine A Night Outside Without Mosquitoes

NATURE KING PEST MANAGEMENT INC.

Squirrels, Racoons, Skunks, Snakes, Possums, etc.

Pest & Termite. Neighborhood Resident 30+ Yrs.exp. 214-827-0090

SERVICES FOR YOU

ARE YOU A PET OWNER? Do you want to get up to 100% back on vet bills?

Physicians Mutual Insurance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-844-774- 0206. insurebarkmeow.com/ads

O’BRIEN GROUP INC. Remodeling Dallas For Over 24 Years www.ObrienGroupInc.com 214-341-1448

RENOVATE DALLAS

renovatedallas.com 214-403-7247

S&L CONSTRUCTION All Home Services & Repairs. 214-918-8427

SQUARE NAIL CONSTRUCTION

Kitchen/Bath remodeling

Re-facing, Pergolas/Decks. 30Yrs exp. 469.585.1588, 469.585.7756

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

ROOFING & GUTTERS

BERT ROOFING INC.

Family owned and operated for over 40 years

• Residential/Commercial • Over 30,000 roofs completed • Seven NTRCA “Golden Hammer” Awards • Free Estimates www.bertroofing.com

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation,production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

DENTAL INSURANCE-Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurance -not a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-888-623-3036

www.dental50plus.com/58 #6258

DIRECTV STREAM - Carries the most local MLB Games! ChoicePackage $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once.HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.)No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866859-0405

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

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

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

FREE HIGH SPEED INTERNET if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/one-time $20 copay. Free shipping. Maxsip Telecom! 1-833-758-3892

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

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

MOBILE HELP, America's premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you're home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888-489-3936

SAFE STEP North America's #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306

SWITCH & SAVE up to $250/yr on talk, text & data. No contractor hidden fees. Unlimited talk & text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based service. 1-855-903-3048

BO HANDYMAN Specializing In Historic Home Renovations & Pro Remodels. Custom Carpentry, Doors, Kitchens, Baths & more. 214-437-9730

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

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

TUTOR/LESSONS

WANTED: OBOE TEACHER needed for 14 year old student. Call 214–235-7429

TAKE ME TO CHURCH

Pastor Victoria Robb Powers

Story by ARIEL WALLACE

Photography by YUVIE STYLES

paves the way for Baptist women who have dreams beyond the congregation

Church wasn't just a place to go to hear the soulful sounds of a Baptist choir or the passionate melodic declarations from the preacher; for the Rev. Victoria Robb Powers, church was more than just a few hours on a Sunday morning.

Church was home.

Growing up, she wanted to eventually gain a leadership role in ministry. She knew that as a Baptist woman with a desire to lead, she had to work twice as hard to be recognized and seen.

Not only is this Lake Highlands mom of three the first woman executive pastor, but she is also the first Hispanic executive pastor, of Royal Lane Baptist Church.

WHEN DID YOU START TO THINK OF CHURCH AS A POSSIBLE CAREER FOR YOU?

I was around high school age when I realized that maybe I could trust my passions as my purpose. All this passion I had for the church was sort of indicative of where I was supposed to be. I actually grew up in a very conservative tradition that didn't allow for women to lead. So it was really unusual to feel this call toward church ministry. I also never saw a woman lead growing up. They [women] were never behind pulpits. They didn't teach. They didn't do anything. Despite all of that, I still knew that’s what I am supposed to be doing.

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU SAW A WOMAN LEAD A CONGREGATION?

I went to Baylor when I graduated from high school because I wanted to major in religion, and I wanted to study more about church history and ministry. When I was at Baylor, I learned that there was a church in Waco, Texas, that had a female senior pastor. I remember being really confused when I first learned that because I didn't know that was a possibility. Not just in my own Baptist tradition, but anywhere. I had no concept of women in ministry. I went one Sunday morning to hear her just because I was curious, and I wanted to know what it looked and sounded like for a woman to be preaching and pastoring a congregation. I came in late and sat on the back pew wanting to remain anonymous. I still hold on to this day that she is the best preacher I've ever heard, male or female.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO FINALLY SEE A WOMAN LEAD A CONGREGATION?

It was a really significant moment for me because I often tell people, “You can't be what you can't see.” Seeing her is really what ignited my imagination about what might be possible for me. I was able to sort of picture and visualize my own body behind a pulpit, my own voice preaching. It really changed things for me.

HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO GET YOUR START IN MINISTRY?

After seeing her preach, I learned that there were other kinds of Christian denominations that were more celebratory of

women in ministry. I went from college to Brite Divinity School at TCU and got my Master of Divinity. I worked for a couple of years as a hospital chaplain at Baylor Hospital near Downtown Dallas. After that, I knew I was ready to be in congregational ministry. Unfortunately, I'm a Baptist, and there are not a lot of progressive Baptist churches in the Dallas area. There are about two, so I was really limited in my options for where I could serve. I actually spent the last eight years of ministry in the United Methodist Church. I'm not a United Methodist, and I never became a United Methodist. The only reason I did that is because there were no Baptist churches that would welcome me. I just kept waiting, and then at end of last year, I got a phone call from Royal Lane Baptist Church. They were looking for a senior pastor, and they were hoping that they could find a female senior pastor. So here I am.

SO IF YOU CAN GO BACK TO THAT VERY FIRST SUNDAY AS THE EXECUTIVE PASTOR, WHAT WAS THAT DAY LIKE FOR YOU AND LEADING UP TO IT?

I was filled with excitement. When they call a new pastor to lead the church the congregation has to vote, and I think you only need three-fourths of the congregation to vote in favor. I was so encouraged because Royal Lane had voted yes. I had 100% of the vote. It gave me so much confidence stepping into this role because I knew this isn't a church that just says they want a woman pastor. They really do want one. I had to remind myself even that morning that I belong here, this is my space, and I belong behind this pulpit.

SO WAS THERE BACKLASH WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED, AND HOW DID YOU HANDLE THAT? IS THERE STILL BACKLASH TODAY?

There was no backlash in the church itself. I'm so grateful and just thrilled at the enthusiasm that I have received from the congregation and the pride that they have in their pastor. Occasionally, I get letters sent to the church from crazies in the neighborhood who just think that women have no business being pastors and that I need to repent. The backlash is sporadic, and it's not from members within my own church. It's just from those in the neighborhood that for whatever reason, hold the sexist beliefs that women can't be called to ministry.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE FREE TIME?

Oh, when I do have free time, I like to read fiction. I'm a big fiction reader. I am also an author.

I have a children's book that's coming out on Aug. 15. It's called My Love, God is Everywhere . It's a children's book about a mother and a daughter who is curious about where God is in different circumstances. “Is God here” is essentially the question that she keeps asking. It is my first book. I cowrote it with a dear friend of mine, Cameron Mason Vickrey. We're really excited about it.