Senior Scholarships Awarded by the Fort Bend Junior Service League

The Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL), an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and to improving the Fort Bend County community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers, has awarded six $1,000 scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year to the following young ladies for their outstanding volunteer commitment and contributions to our community. The recipients are Hadley Boudreaux, Katherine Bourgeois, Anvi Garyali, Alifiya Saleem, Ria Tahwar and Emilie Wakeman.

Hadley Boudreaux is a senior at Saint Agnes Academy. She is the captain of both the basketball and cross-country teams, and a member of the National Charity League where she has volunteered 780 hours. She is passionate about working with teenagers with Autism and has over 100 hours as a counselor for Camp Blessing. Boudreaux hopes to continue her work with Autistic teens at one of the seven colleges she has been accepted to attend.

Katherine (Kate) Bourgeois is a senior at Stephen F Austin High School. She is a member of the National Charity League and has volunteered over 350 hours while staying very active in school. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting, swimming, photography, and any kind of arts and crafts. Bourgeois plans to pursue a degree in elementary education at Auburn University.

Anvi Garyali is a senior at Dulles High School. She has volunteered 1,250 hours all while maintaining a 4.26 GPA. She is the founder of Rhythm of Live, a non-profit organization created to advocate and raise awareness surrounding mental health and substance abuse. Garyali will attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall, where she will major in Health and Society.

Alifiya Saleem is a senior at Kempner High School. She is the president of the National Honor Society and has won over a dozen awards. She is a group founder of Hello Talk where she teaches English to Chinese students and has taught over 500 students. Saleem plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business where she plans to pursue a dual degree in International Studies and Business.

Ria Talwar is a senior at Ridge Point High School. She is the President of the Science Honor Society and is working on turning 200 pounds of plastic caps into a school bench. She is also the cofounder of two organizations at her school, Paying it Forward, which provides volunteer opportunities for students, and Purple Hearts, which supports teachers, staff and administration with a supportive environment by providing free period products to teacher’s classrooms with purple hearts. Talwar has been accepted to the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin and Dallas. She plans to continue her volunteering at the college level.

Emilie Wakeman is a senior at Cinco Ranch High School. She is the Vice President of Programs for the National Charity League, and she is on the National Honors Society as well as the Spanish National Honors Society. She has volunteered over 150 hours, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She plans on attending the University of Alabama pursuing a BS degree in Management Information Systems with a minor in Real Estate Management.

The FBJSL would like to honor and congratulate these young ladies for the volunteer work they have given to our community and wishes them well in their future endeavors. For more information about the Fort Bend Junior Service League, visit http://www.fbjsl.org

Of The Bend

Sugar Land’s Allure Aesthetics hosted a Grand Reveal Event that boasted an array of sponsored exhibits, showcasing the latest advancements in med spa anti-aging treatments, products and services for attending guests. Allure brought together leading industry professionals, experts and speakers who shared their knowledge and insights during captivating discussions.

The Grand Reveal Event marks the beginning of a new era for Allure Aesthetics Med Spa, and the attendees left the event with a sense of anticipation and eagerness to experience the showcased services.

Guests at Allure Aesthetics Grand Reveal Event enjoyed learning about new med spa anti-aging treatments, products and services.

Allure Aesthetics specializes in Aesthetics, Wellness and You. The Grand Reveal Event was a captivating and transformative evening that showcased several revolutionary treatments and therapies. For more information about Allure Aesthetics, visit www.allureaestheticsmd.com

A Fort Bend institution recently closed after 50 years. Steve Onstad’s The Swinging Door made an indelible mark on our community not only for great food and memories, but on generations of Fort Bend residents from patrons, community organizations and employees. Owner Steve Onstad said in a message to the community, “I would like to thank all of our wonderful customers, vendors and especially all of the coworkers for over 50 years of memories. We have been blessed to be of service to this wonderful part of Texas, and this ole BBQ guy has decided to move on to another chapter in life.”

The Swinging Door Alumni Crew turned out in spades to help out their beloved boss as lines formed for days outside of the building as patrons came by for one last meal at the beloved restaurant. The doors closed for good on Mother’s Day. We wish Steve the best on his next adventure, and thank him for years of service to Fort Bend.

Former employees Marisa Kunkle, Chris McGuire, Joseph Rangel, Tara Scoggins, Claire Brandani, owner Steve Onstad, Jill Davis and Sandra Dorr all showed up to lend a helping hand.

2023 Lincoln Reagan Dinner Featured Congressman Troy Nehls and Congressman Byron Donalds as Keynote Speakers