Brynn Woods: Up and Coming Leader

Brynn Woods: UP AND COMING LEADER

Student Shines at Trinity School of Texas

J o y c el y ne Fad oju t imi

Brynn is the daughter of Quentin and Julie Woods. She is a sixth grader who loves school. Brynn is a history buff. “My favorite subject is history,” she said. “I love history because I get the opportunity to learn about all the wars and what happened back then.”

Like every person, Brynn has a favorite food. It is not ice cream, steak, cake and other sweets. Her favorite food is pickles. Brynn is a contemplative, compassionate civic leader who plans to be a Child Life Specialist. jo y @ i p lusm ag.c om

• Child Life Specialists are pediatric health care professionals. • They work with children and families in hospitals and other settings. • Child Life Specialists assists children in coping

with the challenges of hospitalization, illness, and disability. • They provide children with age-appropriate preparation for medical procedures, pain management and coping strategies. For example, they explain medical jargon to children and prepare them for their procedures. There is more. • Child Life Specialists engage in age-appropriate plays and self-expression activities with children. • In addition, they provide information, support, and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members of patients.

Brynn Woods

Brynn has several reasons for her future career. “I want to be a Child Life Specialist because as a child I spent a lot of time in the hospital and the Child Life Specialists would spend a lot of time with me, played the guitar, made me a tie-dye shirt and really comforted me,” she said. “Since I was helped by a Child Life Specialist, I want to help kids who also have spent a lot of time in the hospital like me.”

At her spare time, Brynn chases bunnies, does some crafts and spends time with friends. It is important to note that this 12-year old Trinity Titan loves unicorns.

A Quick, Delicious Thanksgiving Dessert

Holiday hosts with a lot on their plates might not have the time to prepare homemade baked goods for their guests. Thankfully, the following recipe for Chocolate-Strawberry Pie from Addie Gundry’s No-Bake Desserts (St. Martins Press) can be prepared in just 15 minutes, all without turning on the oven.

Chocolate-Strawberry Pie

Yields 1 pie 1 Pint fresh strawberries, washed, trimmed and halved 1 store-bought (or homemade) chocolate cookie pie crust 2/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 teaspoon minced crystallized ginger 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg Pinch of kosher or sea salt 6 large egg yolks 2 1/2 cups half-and-half 6 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped 1/2 tablespoon rum extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Additional strawberries for garnish (optional)

1. Place the strawberry halves in a single layer in the bottom of the pie crust. 2. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar,

cornstarch, cocoa powder, ginger, nutmeg, and salt over medium heat. 3. Whisk in the egg yolks to create a thick paste. Gradually whisk in the half-and-half until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat. 4. Add the chocolate and whisk until combined. Add the rum and vanilla extracts. Cool the mixture for 4 minutes. 5. Pour the filling over the strawberries and up to the

top of the crust. Chill the pie for 2 hours or until set. 6. Garnish with additional strawberries, if desired.