Park Cities People April 2023

Heresizes and options.

SMU SYMPOSIUM EXPLORES LGBTQ EQUALITY, ALLIES

By Kelly Tran People Newspapers

SMU didn’t have a recognized LGBTQ student organization on campus when Andy Smith came out in 1989. Nor when he graduated 10 years later.

The SMU alumnus returned to campus in late February, representing Texas Instruments, the presenting sponsor of the Dallas LGBTQ Global Symposium on Equality and Human Rights.

“The fact that as an openly gay man, I am representing my day job — representing TI, one of the most respected companies — times have certainly changed,” he said.

SMU is now home to Pride@Cox, an LGBTQ graduate student organization at the Cox School of Business.

Pride@Cox president Rhea Pollard told symposium attendees, “I hope that you take something that will help make you a world changer.”

Hosted by the World Affairs Council of Dallas-Fort Worth, the symposium welcomed Highland Park High School’s junior chapter members.

Elise Laharia began the organization in September 2022 after her summer internship with the council.

“Our school [was] one of the only ones [in DFW] that [didn’t] have a [chapter],” Laharia said.

Panelists Shelly Skeen, Lisa Hermes, and Ash Thye discussed the current state of LGBTQ equality in Texas.

Skeen, a senior attorney for Lamba Legal, provided updates on LGBTQ-related legislation.

About 340 anti-LGBTQ bills have been filed in the U.S. as of Feb. 15. In Texas, 82 bills have been filed: 45 “Don’t Say Gay” bills and 18 prohibiting health care — which is almost always necessary for trans adolescents, Skeen said.

“This is chilling people’s lived experiences,” she said. “And as our state gets more and more diverse, you’re seeing more attempts to restrict that diversity.”

Thye — a student and the strategic director of the Human Rights Council at SMU — shared his journey as a transgender person, noting how he received “life-saving” health care at 16 years old.

Now at 21, he thought about the possibility of moving states to continue receiving health care and asked his family not to openly discuss his identity like they used to.

“What needs [my community] has is a landing place to feel like I can have some-

where that I go and feel like I can be my whole self and trust that people are working … to take care of things on the broader, structural level,” Thye said.

McKinney Chamber of Commerce President Hermes noted that many people are not knowledgeable about the LGBTQ community and their experiences, which is a factor in attacks against them.

“It’s easy to become fearful of something you don’t know,” she said.

Out queer people, like Thye, are import ant in normalizing their experiences and community to reduce this fear, Skeen said. “Being out is critical because when people know you, it’s often a different story.”

The panelists encouraged the audience to become allies and vote.

“An attack on one group is an attack on all of our freedom at the end of the day,” Hermes said.

FROM LEFT: moderator Carisa Lopez with panelists Ash Thye, Lisa Hermes, and Shelly Skeen. THOMAS GARZA

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Park Cities Crime Reports Feb. 6 –

Feb. 6

A burglar got into a building in the 3400 block of Milton Avenue before 9:45 a.m.

Feb. 7

A truck driver jumped a curb in the 5100 block of Eastern Avenue after noticing smoke coming from under the truck, damaging the sod around 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 9

Reported at 11:20 a.m.: a Cartier con. A scammer got into a man’s Apple account and used an attached card to make an $8,443.50 purchase from the Cartier store in Highland Park Village

Feb. 11

A thief found easy pickings of various clothes and other stuff left in an unlocked Mercedes parked in the 4000 block of Villanova Drive at 7:12 p.m.

Feb. 12

A smash-and-grab burglar broke a window of an Infiniti G37 parked near Caruth Park in the 7700 block of Hillcrest Avenue before 1:08 p.m. and took a bag from inside.

Feb. 13

A potty prankster defaced a bathroom at Merit Coffee in the 4200 block of Oak Lawn Avenue before 11 a.m.

Feb. 14

A thief found easy pickings of a purse and a pair of Ray-Bans from an unlocked GMC Yukon parked at a gas station in the 4400 block of Lovers Lane at midnight.

Feb. 15

An intruder got into a garage of a home in the 4700 block of Bowser Avenue and made off with a Schwinn children’s bicycle at 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 16

A burglar broke into a construction site in the 4400 block of Belfort Place and took 78 sheets of plywood roof decking worth $2,500 before 6:30 a.m.

A careless driver in a Ford Fusion that’d been reported stolen caused a crash with a Kia Optima near the intersection

March 5 BUSINESS:

of Hillcrest Avenue and Mockingbird Avenue at 9:13 p.m. then fled the scene on foot.

Feb. 17

How easy was it for a pilferer to take a MacBook and other electronics from a locker at the Moody Family YMCA in the 6000 block of Preston Road before 8:45 a.m. Feb. 17? The locker was unlocked.

A scammer purporting to be a CPA requested and took $61,757 via wire transfers from a man from the 4500 block of Bordeaux Avenue before 11:41 a.m.

Feb. 18

A burglar got into a Ford pickup parked in the 3100 block of Rosedale Avenue before 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 19

A crook drove off in a Cadillac Escalade from the 4400 block of Lorraine Avenue that was later found in the parking lot of Churchill Park in the 7000 block of Churchill Way before 8:27 a.m.

Feb. 21

A crook drove off in a Ford F150 with $2,000 worth of tools inside that was parked in the 4600 block of Belclaire Avenue before 7 a.m.

Reported at 9:06 a.m.: a fire hydrant headache. A careless driver hit a hydrant in the 5000 block of Airline Road and drove away, leaving water flowing.

Feb. 22

How easy was it for a thief to take an Acura TLX parked in the 3400 block of Dartmouth Avenue before 7:30 a.m.? The key fob was left inside.

Feb. 23

A good neighbor found a set of keys on the sidewalk near the intersection of Versailles Avenue and Eastern Avenue and turned them in to authorities at 7:20 p.m.

A scammer took a total of $750 in Cash App payments from an employee of Honor Bar in Highland Park Village before 5:42 p.m. by claiming to be from a law enforcement

agency before asking for the money.

Feb. 24

A scammer used the information of a woman from the 4400 block of Edmondson Avenue to make a nearly $252 purchase from Southwest Airlines and attempt to make another $654 purchase at 10 a.m.

Feb. 26

A burglar found easy pickings of shopping bags with about $775 worth of stuff from a Lexus NX350 that was left unlocked in the 4200 block of Lomo Alto Drive

Feb. 27

Reported at 8:16 a.m.: a pilferer took jewelry worth thousands of dollars from a home in the 3800 block of Centenary Drive over the course of several months.

March 1

A fraudster took $41,532 from an account belonging to a man from the 3300 block of Colgate Avenue at 2:02 p.m.

March 2

Burglars broke into a Toyota Tacoma and Ford F150 parked in a garage in the 4200 block of Lomo Alto Drive and took a wallet, ammunition, a pair of Ray Bans, and more before 12:08 p.m.

March 3

Burglars broke into a Ford F150 and a Tesla parked in the Highland Park High School garage in the 4200 block of Emerson Avenue and took a Sony camera, a lens, and a polarizer before 11:42 a.m. and into a GMC Yukon parked in the campus’ H lot in the 4100 block of Hyer Street before 2 p.m.

March 4

Reported at 5:54 p.m.: a thief found easy pickings of sports equipment, a pair of Ray Bans, and more left in an unlocked Ford pickup parked in the 4400 block of McFarlin Boulevard

March 5

Reported at 8:49 p.m.: a thief found easy pickings of two pairs of shoes and a flashlight left in an unlocked Lexus SUV and GMC SUV parked in the 4500 block of S. Versailles Avenue

Property Crimes

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News Digest

Hackberry Creek plans

It’s been an eventful month in the Park Cities.

For starters, design on the Highland Park Hackberry Creek renovation project is officially commencing. The first phase will include corridor improvements, roadway improvements at Beverly Drive and Miramar Avenue, and transforming the Prather Park tennis court into a pickleball court.

The town council approved the design contract with Kimley-Horn Associates, which is projected to take 14 months depending on federal permitting.

Big retirement

Also in Highland Park municipal government news was the announcement of Town Administrator Bill Lindley’s retirement in late May after nearly 15 years with the town.

His tenure has included assisting the town council in implementing a 10-year operating and capital budget. The town council’s work with the infrastructure investment saw the renovation of the parks and town hall along with improvements to the roads and utility systems. Lindley also led the town through a West Nile Virus outbreak, Winter Storm Uri, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Snider Plaza progress

A city over, University Park is working on finalizing plans for new pavement, landscaping, pedestrian amenities, and more around Snider Plaza. Mayor Tommy Stewart said the city must address right-of-way and parking management issues with property owners first, but he hopes work will begin this summer.

More construction coming

Plans are also in the works for the Miracle Mile, a local shopping destination on the stretch of Lovers Lane between the

Dallas North Tollway and Douglas Avenue. Construction plans will include road work, landscaping, intersection and traffic signal light improvements, and more. The project will be half funded by Dallas County, and Stewart said he hopes work can begin by late 2023 or early 2024.

For stormwater projects, following the completion of large projects including a 3.5-million-gallon underground detention structure in Caruth Park, Stewart said the city will next focus on an area at Lovers Lane along Turtle Creek where flooding makes it a “problem section.”

Book lovers unite

Highland Park High School also celebrated its 27th-annual LitFest in early March. Festivities kicked off in February with the festival’s largest fundraiser, Flick Fest, which included a showing of 12 Mighty Orphans followed by a panel discussion at the Angelika Theater.

Once March came around and LitFest events commenced, students learned in various writing workshops, participated in an open mic night, competed in writing contests, and applied for scholarships.

Changes for teachers

Speaking of education, Highland Park ISD teachers now have the option to get either a master’s degree or valid certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Teachers previously only had the option to get their master’s degree during the seven-year timeline to fulfill this requirement.

Regulations and further clarifications related to the policy are expected to be discussed at a future school board work session.

To learn more about these recent events in the Park Cities, visit PeopleNewspapers.com.

– Compiled by Maria Lawson

CLOCKWISE: Highland Park town officials took a walking tour of Hackberry Creek in late October prior to voting in late February to begin design work on the project. MARIA LAWSON National bestseller Peter Heller, author of The Guide, was the keynote speaker of LitFest. BRICE BEAIRD Bill Lindley FILE PHOTO

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HOW AN HP SOCCER PLAYER REFINED HIS GAME IN GERMANY

Reid Valentine spent almost a year in an immersion program for elite prospects

By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers

Reid Valentine figures he’s “half-fluent” in German after spending almost a year overseas, but he’s quite fluent in the fast-paced style of European soccer.

That was a primary takeaway for the Highland Park junior after returning from his stint with Talentprojekt. The program immerses elite American players in youth soccer leagues in foreign countries.

Valentine’s opportunity to play in a small city about 30 minutes outside Munich came when a close friend needed a roommate.

really good teams,” Valentine said. “These kids were really established and had Nike and Adidas contracts. Soccer is a business there.”

Valentine and his teammates studied primarily online, along with one in-person German class at a local international school. During his second visit in the fall of 2021, he was able to travel more extensively and meet more people with pandemic restrictions eased.

“I was thrilled and really wanted to do it,” Valentine said. “I was just nervous about my parents because I was going to be gone for so long.”

After getting approval from his family and the U.S. Soccer Federation, plus securing his student visa, Valentine left in January 2021 for the first of two semesters in one of the world’s most devoted soccer cultures.

“The coaching was very different, and the style of play was much different,” Valentine said. “They’re very calm and composed there. I feel like I learned a lot.”

His Talentprojekt squad mainly included American players, with a few from other countries. They matched up against teams from Germany, Croatia, and elsewhere.

“We played games against some

He missed almost his entire freshman season with the Scots and part of his sophomore year but kept in touch through social media.

“He’s more comfortable under pressure,” said HP head coach Salvador Richie. “He was already a really technical player, but he’s one of our most proficient players in terms of controlling the ball with both feet.”

Another HP junior, Elias Taft, is playing in Spain this year through Talentprojekt. Meanwhile, Valentine still notices the benefits a year after returning to the lineup as a defender for the Scots and for his Solar select team.

“I’m more confident in myself as a player and more composed on the field,” he said. “I got much more mature when I was there.”

Shot-Stopping Prowess Earns National Exposure for HP Goalie

Abel

hopes to provide steady

By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers

The same reason that many players hate goaltending is why Ben Abel loves it.

The Highland Park senior thrives on the pressure of trying to defend a closerange shot at about 90 mph from an elite attack with the game on the line.

“As a goalie, if you play a perfect game, you’ll never lose,” Abel said. “Being that last line of defense, you have the ability to control the outcome of the game.”

Abel is in his third season guarding the net for the Scots, who are aiming to return to the Texas High School Lacrosse League state tournament in May after missing out a year ago.

“Everyone is all-in this year,” Abel said. “Our big goal is to win the state championship. Especially after last year, it’s more urgent.”

presence in net as improved Scots seek return to state

Mad Dog Lacrosse national program. He also played for the United States under-18 national team last year as the only Texas player on a USA Select roster that won the Brogden Cup tournament in October in suburban Baltimore, seeing action in every game.

“It was really cool,” Abel said. “You’re playing for something bigger than yourself and your community.”

After graduation, he will head back to Maryland after signing to play college lacrosse at Loyola, a perennial powerhouse in the sport.

He committed to the Greyhounds in the fall of 2021 after spending that summer playing in tournaments along the East Coast.

“Loyola just seemed like the place for me,” he said. “Just being in Baltimore with the history of lacrosse there, and the coach is a former goalie there. Everything lined up, and it felt like the right spot.”

He’s played other sports, but lacrosse has been the one constant for Abel since elementary school. And goalie quickly became

his position of choice as he rose through the ranks of the HP youth program.

“It’s a position that a lot of kids don’t like to play, but it never really bothered me.

Once I tried it, I fell in love with it,” he said. “You have to show up every game.”

Besides the Scots, Abel has traveled to tournaments nationwide as part of the

For now, Abel is focused on improving communication, clearance, and leadership skills in his final season for HP.

“I’ve been able to be more consistent,” Abel said. “They know what they can expect.”

I got much more mature when I was there.

Reid Valentine

Highland Park goaltender Ben Abel has played for the USA Select under-18 team and will head to Loyola University next year. CHRIS MCGATHEY

Highland Park junior Reid Valentine has been back in the lineup full time as a defender this season for the Scots. ROB GRAHAM

Being that last line of defense, you have the ability to control the outcome of the game.

Ben Abel

Isner Praises ‘Positive Week’ Despite Heartbreaking Dallas Open Defeat Local ambassador for ATP event at SMU keys its success on and off the court

By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers

Highland Park resident John Isner was within a single point of winning his hometown ATP Tour event before falling to China’s Wu Yibing at this year’s Dallas Open.

The second installment of the February tournament at SMU’s Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex culminated with Isner falling to Wu in the singles championship match in three thrilling sets, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6.

Isner, 37, recorded 44 aces and had four match points in the second set but couldn’t put away 23-year-old Wu, who became the first Chinese player to claim an ATP Tour championship. The third-set tiebreaker went to 14-12 before a capacity crowd.

Isner, who has become a tournament ambassador for the Dallas event since it moved from New York last year, was eliminated in the semifinals a year ago by eventual champion Reilly Opelka.

“It was a tough one to lose,” Isner said. “This one stings, for sure. I wanted to win in my backyard. Nonetheless, it was a positive week. The energy on the court was awesome.”

Meanwhile, Wu ousted four seeded players in the bracket, including a semifinal triumph over top seed Taylor Fritz, who is ranked No. 8 in the world. After accepting the newly christened Lamar Hunt Trophy, Wu’s breakthrough elevated him to No. 58 in the world rankings.

“It’s very special. Hopefully, there’s more to come,” Wu said. “I felt like if I played

John, all the crowd would go against me. But people here are very experienced and respect each player. They’re passionate fans.”

Isner’s lengthy tournament run provided a win for charity. He pledged to donate $100 for every ace during the event to the John Isner Foundation to help families obtain

necessities while their children receive care at Children’s Health. Isner’s ace count for the week was 138, which equals $13,800.

Isner also reached a milestone with his 500th career tiebreaker win during the first set of a quarterfinal against Ecuador’s Emilio Gomez. Isner extended his tour record

in that category.

In the doubles bracket, the top-seeded tandem of Great Britain’s Jamie Murray and Australia’s Michael Venus won the championship match in three sets over the American duo of Nathaniel Lammons — a former SMU standout — and Jackson Withrow.

Highland Park’s John Isner was a fan favorite again this year, finishing as the singles runner-up at the Dallas Open. COURTESY PHOTO

The energy on the court was awesome.

John Isner

RELUCTANT TEXAN CHAMPIONS DALLAS ARTS

How Gayle Halperin revived the Bruce Wood Dance Company

By William Taylor william.taylor@peoplenewspapers.com

Elizabeth Van Vleck, a former professional dancer from New York City, moved from Los Angeles to Dallas a decade ago with a question on her mind.

“I thought, ‘I wonder what the dance scene is like?’” she said.

Seeing the likes of Dallas Black Dance Theatre, TITAS/Dance Unbound, and Bruce Wood Dance, Van Vleck felt she’d be OK here. “When you’re a dancer, it’s everything.”

However, the woman she credits in part with the healthy state of dance in Dallas had entirely different emotions upon arriving in 1984.

“I said to my husband, three years, that’s what we’re staying here,” Gayle Halperin recalled. “We’re going back to New York City.”

They didn’t.

Instead, the Halperins live in University Park, near the Moody Family YMCA, and their James + Gayle Halperin Foundation supports arts in the city.

Gayle Halperin, a former dancer, serves as executive director of Bruce Wood Dance, where Van Vleck recently joined her as associate executive director.

In her nearly 40 years here, Halperin earned her first master of fine arts degree from Texas Woman’s University, where she worked as an assistant professor of dance from 1988 to 1995.

Another dancer’s departure from New York would prove pivotal to Halperin’s work and dance in Dallas.

‘Park Cities People’ Applauds…

In the 1990s, dismayed from seeing too many friends die in the AIDS pandemic, acclaimed choreographer Bruce Wood returned home to Fort Worth.

Halperin said he worked for his family’s ranch and designed window displays for Ralph Lauren before launching his namesake nonprofit in 1996 “in the manner of New York dance companies.”

He created choreography to Bach, Beethoven, Ravel, and Gershwin, and Philip Glass, Lyle Lovett, Grace Slick, and Michael Martin Murphey.

“He had this incredible range and loved all this music,” Halperin said. “He built all these dance audiences . . . and I was one of his fans.”

An economic downturn in 2007 combined with the costs of touring and the burden of one man handling everything –including the marketing, costumes, production, and fundraising – proved too much. His company folded.

“But what happened was everyone missed him,” Halperin said.

When she went to see him about restarting the dance company, Wood was hesitant and insisted someone else handle the business side this time.

“I was like, ‘All right, I’ll do that,’” Halperin

said. “But I said, ‘We’re moving to Dallas.’”

Today, the company, reformed in 2010, operates on the vision and prolific artistry of Wood, who died unexpectedly in his 50s in 2014. Performances feature selections from Wood’s repertoire, new works by protégé artistic director Joy Bollinger, and commissions from other choreographers.

The 13th anniversary Performance & Gala will feature the artistry of one of Wood’s teachers, the nearly 80-year-old choreographer Lar Lubovitch.

“We feel like (Lubovitch is) our godfather now,” Halperin said. “To have his works on our program that just distinguished companies across the country do is a real big feather in our cap right now.”

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

Hilda Galvan , of University Park; G. Brint Ryan and Kneeland Youngblood , of Preston Hollow; and former Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings , the newest inductees into the Dallas Business Hall of Fame.

Junior Achievement of Dallas welcomed them into the prestigious group of fellow laureates in late February at the Thompson Hotel Dallas. Galvan is partner-in-charge of Jones Day, Dallas; Rawlings is a partner with CIC Partners; Ryan is chairman and CEO of Ryan, LLC.; and Youngblood is founding partner, chairman, and CEO of Pharos Capital Group.

brucewooddance.org

Mary and Richard Templeton and Jack Knox for substantial gifts to SMU.

Richard Templeton, the chairman, president, and CEO of Texas Instruments, and his wife recently gave another $20 million to the Lyle School of Engineering.

Knox, whose business ventures include ownership of Café Pacific Restaurants Inc., the parent company of the restaurant in Highland Park Village, gave $11 million to his alma mater.

– Compiled by William Taylor

Mary and Richard Templeton

• Dallas Spring Arts Festival, presented by Bruce Wood Dance and The Dallas Conservatory, 1-5 p.m. April 8, Klyde Warren Park, free admission.

• Bruce Wood Dance 13th anniversary Performance & Gala featuring dances by Lar Lubovich, 7 p.m. April 29, Moody Performance Hall.

I said to my husband, three years, that’s what we’re staying here. We’re going back to New York City. Gayle Halperin

With about a dozen dancers, Bruce Wood Dance aims to increase the number of performances it does locally and touring.

SHAREN BRADFORD Gayle Halperin (RIGHT), who danced with the Mel Wong Dance Company in New York from 1976 to 1984, taught dance at Yale, Southern Connecticut State, and Texas Woman’s universities. BRIAN GUILLIAUX

Hilda GalvanG. Brint Ryan

Kneeland YoungbloodMike Rawlings

Jack Knox

COURTESY PHOTOS JEAN PREJEAN

COURTESY SMU

Letter to the Editor

Bounties for litterbugs

I think we should fine people who are littering from their cars. I have seen multiple drivers roll down their windows and dump trash out. There is a safety risk when sharp objects such as glass or metal are thrown from cars, as they can easily puncture tires or cause other damage.

This is an avoidable situation that could be prevented by disposing of your belongings properly. Trash can also move around by the wind, making landowners pick up yours from their homes.

I have a solution to this problem. The council could create an incentive-based system like bounty hunting. Bystanders who report incidents would be paid a portion of the amount fined from the driver that littered. This would encourage people to report these incidents and help deter them from happening in the first place.

In addition, the council should also increase public awareness campaigns that emphasize the importance of proper disposal of trash and the penalties associated with littering. By increasing enforcement and public awareness, we can diminish littering from cars and keep our roads and neighborhoods clean.

Ariya Jebeli-Javan University Park

Editor’s note: Ariya Jebeli-Javan, a McCulloch Intermediate School sixth grader, wrote his letter while pursuing his Boy Scout Communication Merit Badge. The People Newspapers staff is glad he sent it to us instead of some other “local” newspaper. We welcome Letters to the Editor from readers young and older.

URBAN LEGENDS - Kyle Crews and his 1991 Jeep Wagoneer Final Edition

Moody Family YMCA Faithful Find Long-Lasting Community Connections

By Josh Hickman Special Contributor

Longevity has many meanings at the Moody Family YMCA.

Plucky long-timer Brenda Rabe, now the membership experience director, introduced me to a choice few whose multifaceted associations with the Park Cities Y have lasted decades.

Roger and Susan Baier are great YMCA success stories.

Roger’s father grew up going to the Y in St. Joseph, Missouri. When the family relocated to Beaumont, young Roger joined in Y activities, including swimming, archery, and hunting for bullets Beaumont Police officers had fired into a lake bank.

Junior high summers were

“In high school, I went to Austin in the Youth in Government program as a representative,” he recalled. “In my junior year a group of us went to the World Youth Conference in the Netherlands.”

He met Susan while attending SMU and the Park Cities Y.

“Our friends were all athlet-

“When we had kids, they participated in the Y, and two of our grandchildren have gone through the Y program.”

The couple still attend the Lunch & Learn program for seniors.

“For a while they let us use the bus,” Roger, now 79, said, chuckling. “So, we went to the Amon

“Our oldest daughter has been here for a long time and is on the board now,” he continued. “Brenda Rabe really sets a friendly tone. She knows everybody by name. My retirement job was working the front desk here. It’s something that’s been part of our family.”

Brenda Heckmann started in 1975.

“There were no women’s classes back then,” the youthful 82-yearold said, smiling. “So, I started one — dancercise.”

She has taught many classes including stretching, post- and pre-natal, belly dancing, land aerobics, water aerobics, and combination yoga/pilates.

“I had a heavy hit with cancer and with an automobile accident that I wasn’t supposed to live through,” Heckmann said. “I was

She found help at the Y. “I grew up on a lake in Georgia, so I thought, ‘Get back in the water.’ So, in 1991, I did, and it saved me. The only thing I teach now is oneon-one water personal training.”

But Heckmann wants others to know how much more the Y offers.

“There are so many things that people don’t realize, like the scholarship money for people who can’t afford it, the facilities where seniors go and teach classes, and the disabilities program,” she said. “I think that the Park Cities people kind of take it for granted. It’s not a country club, and it’s not a sports club, but it has a lot of the same things.

“The legacy here is we want to help the community. It’s a family here,” she said. “Caring, respect, honesty, responsibility — that’s what the Y is about. And that’s one of the reasons I’m still here.”

Saturday,April8

7pm | Church

GreatVigilofeaster Incense will be used

Sunday,April9

6:30am | GardenCloister

ContemporarySunriseService

7:30am | SaintMichaelChapel

HolyEucharistI

9am | Church

LIVESTREAM

HolyEucharistII

9am | SaintMichaelChapel

Joy:Achildren’sService

9am | ParishHall

Contemporary

11am | Church

HolyEucharistI Incense will be used

11am | SaintMichaelChapel

HolyEucharistI

11am | ParishHall Contemporary

LIVESTREAM

5:30pm | SaintMichaelChapel

HolyEucharistII

Roger and Susan Baier met while attending SMU and the Park Cities Y. Brenda Heckmann, who has taught Y classes on aerobics, dance, and yoga, still teaches one-on-one water personal training at age 82. JOSH HICKMAN

50 YEARS, THREE GENERATIONS, ONE INCREDIBLE SECRET RECIPE

By Daniel Lalley Special Contributor

Suzanne Miller, her daughter Anne Miller Morris, and daughter-in-law Morgan Miller are the heirs to one incredible family recipe.

After 50 years of sharing samples with friends and relatives, the Preston Hollow family has brought the coveted culinary innovation to market with the new venture AR Reserve.

AR Reserve is named after the matriarch of the Miller family, Anne Rich.

“Anne Rich was my mother,” Suzanne said. “She developed an incredible salad dressing recipe from her kitchen in Tallahassee half a century ago. Everyone in town loved it. She made it for all of her friends, and they told her, ‘You need to bottle this.’”

This garlic vinaigrette recipe has been closely guarded but passed down among close family members of Anne’s. Having reached her granddaughter’s hands, it’s now living up to its legacy as AR Reserve Original Vinaigrette, available both online and in select stores.

“I’ve had similar experiences making this dressing my whole life,” Anne said. “Having friends tell me I needed to bottle it and asking if I could bring bottles to gatherings so that they could share it with their friends.”

The dressing is highly versatile. It’s an incredible complement to just about any salad, whether sweet or savory, and even works as a marinade for meats.

“Last Christmas, I just decided

what the heck: I’ll make some bottles and try to sell them to friends and family,” Anne said.

She posted a quick note on her personal Instagram account, hoping to sell 20 to 30 bottles but ended up selling almost 300 units of AR Reserve Original Vinaigrette. Since then, the mother-daughter team has gone all in on AR Reserve.

Pooling their talents, they were able to navigate the modern complexities of an e-commerce marketplace. Suzanne is an SVP at prominent marketing and branding agency AvreaFoster, and Morgan is a marketing guru with the ride-share service Alto. Therefore, they had the experience and connections to bring a beautiful brand and website to life this January.

“We’re now shipping across the country,” Anne said. “We’ve sent orders to 15 states and over 30 cities since January. The St. Michael’s Women’s Exchange at Highland Park is our first retail carrier.”

And while the Millers have crafted a distinguished brand identity, marketing strategy, and

Sunderman’s CUES Automates Employee Recognition Program

By William Taylor william.taylor@peoplenewspapers.com

THE “SWEET” SALAD

• Romaine

• Chopped spinach

• 1 Honeycrisp apple, diced

• Grapes, halved

• 1 can mandarin oranges, drained

• Dried cranberries

• Blue cheese

• Walnuts

In a large bowl, combine the romaine, spinach, chopped apple, grapes, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, blue cheese, and walnuts. Pour AR Reserve over the salad and toss until combined.

sales platform for the dressing, it’s gaining notoriety like it did when Anne Rich was in the kitchen.

“There has been incredible organic growth,” Suzanne said. “After the holidays, we’re seeing orders from Salt Lake City, California, and New York. This isn’t from our social media; it’s from word-of-mouth.”

In his latest venture, minor league baseball player turned entrepreneur Nick Sunderman aims to help other businesses consistently celebrate employee successes.

“Never miss a moment that matters,” said the Highland Park resident behind the Centre sneaker boutique, who also works to provide capital and expertise to new businesses. “More than anything, employees desire recognition and reward, and not just from their employer.”

To that end, Sunderman and business partner Judge Graham founded CUES, an automated employee recognition technology platform designed to make the lives of business owners easier.

The platform notifies team members when wins happen and streamlines recognition of such events as a birthday, work anniversary, best day ever, or intangible moment deserving of a high five.

“I built a company when I was 27 from two employees to over

1,000,” he said, referring to Fan Cloth, which grew to provide apparel fundraising for more than 40,000 schools and teams before he sold it to Varsity brands and Bain Capital in 2017.

“At the center of all of it were contests, scorecards, and various ways to celebrate achievements,” he said. “Unfortunately, the habits that built that business to its peak were incredibly difficult to sustain. It took me 10 times the time to ensure everyone was being recognized and that I was being consistent in how I acknowledged certain goals.”

Sunderman knew he and other businesses needed a software solution.

“That way, we could tell you exactly what you need to know the second you need to know it,” he said. “It’s not about endless data; it’s about the most important data at the most important time.”

ON THE WEB getcues.com

Instagram at @cues.app

FROM LEFT: Morgan Miller, Anne Miller Morris, and Suzanne Miller. COURTESY AR RESERVE

CUES helps companies track wins and recognizes employees for them. Nick Sunderman. COURTESY CUES

Comings and Goings

NOW OPEN

Evan’s Meat Market

The Shops at Highland Park

At the butcher shop and restaurant, find a traditional selection of meats, plus Cajun-style offerings as po’boy sandwiches and andouille sausage

Galleria Dallas

Various stores

• Offline by Aerie, the activewear wing of Aerie, opened giving Galleria Dallas the only Texas location with all three American Eagle brands.

• Banter by Piercing Pagoda, which sells earrings, necklaces, charms, rings, bracelets, and body jewelry and does piercings in-store, is open on level two next to Build-A-Bear.

• Great American Cookies is open on level two, next to Haagen-Dazs and near Shoe Palace.

Original ChopShop

Preston-Forest

The restaurant, known for “feel-

good food,” offers a menu of grilled protein bowls, fruit bowls, parfaits, breakfast wraps, juices, and more.

Katy Trail Station

4825 Cole Ave.

In partnership with acclaimed chef Kent Rathbun, the food truck serves the award-winning Rathbun’s Curbside BBQ for breakfast and lunch, plus gourmet coffee, fruit parfaits, salads, breakfast tacos, and sandwiches.

Lucky’s Chicken

3827 Lemmon Ave.

The hot chicken concept recently opened an outpost in the former Einstein Bros. Bagel location. It’s one of four new locations in 2023.

Mizzen+Main

3699 McKinney Ave.

The menswear brand in the West Village offers multiple lines of apparel, including pants, outerwear, and golfing attire.

Ralph Lauren Highland Park Village

The clothing store moved from its home of 40-plus years next to Peter Millar into the space long occupied by the Village Theatre. The retailer also opened a showroom next to Black Optical in the Knox Street district.

Ramble Room

Snider Plaza

The fourth concept for Jon Alexis, known for TJ’s Seafood and Malibu Poke, serves classic American dishes ranging from sandwiches and salads to steaks and pasta.

MOVED

Bachendorf’s Galleria Dallas

The jewelry store, which offers hand-selected diamonds, designer jewelry, and timepieces, expects to complete an expansion this summer. During construction, the store will operate temporarily on level one next to Gucci.

Original ChopShop COURTESY ORIGINAL CHOPSHOP

Ralph Lauren RACHEL SNYDER

Ramble Room KATHY TRAN

Market Matters with Meredith Ferrell Group

The market is tight and inventory is still moving fast. 68% of our business last year was from representing buyers and 50% of our transactions were off market. In this market, multiple offers are the norm and now more than ever, it’s crucial to have a trusted agent who knows your neighborhood. Who you work with matters.

HOUSE OF THE MONTH 14250 Chaparral Lane, Roanoke

Just 20 minutes from Dallas and Fort Worth, the multi-use Roanoke Ranch is ideal for corporate retreats and as a vacation home, event space, private workspace, and more. Enter the gates and find manicured landscaping and funky vintage memorabilia, setting the tone for the rest of the property. Pull up to the circle driveway and the main structure, with various rooms that can be used to your liking and open areas leading into

the gorgeous patio overlooking the pool. Meticulously built, this 10-acre property includes five buildings with uniquely equipped garage spaces. There’s a car lift, body-painting station, fully functional mechanic area, and more. Spend your days in the fully equipped two-bedroom house overlooking the property. Also, enjoy landscaped walking trails, a full archery court, a swim-up pool, and the opportunity to build on the remaining acreage.

COURTESY ROGERS HEALY

Schools

MARKER COMMEMORATES MLK’S 1966 SPEECH AT SMU

By Rachel Snyder rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com

Members of SMU’s student senate invited the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to speak on campus in 1966.

Fifty-plus years later, students helped lead the application process that culminated in a Feb. 21 dedication of a Texas Historical Commission marker at the site of King’s March 17, 1966, speech — McFarlin Auditorium.

King discussed slavery, segregation, the struggle for racial justice, and his philosophy of nonviolence during his hour-long speech before a standing-room-only crowd.

“To put it figuratively, in biblical language, we’ve broken loose from the Egypt of slavery. We have moved through the wilderness of legal segregation, and now we stand on the borderland of integration,” King said. “I am convinced the system of segregation is on its deathbed today, and the only thing uncertain about it is how costly the diehards and the extreme segregationists

will make the funeral.”

Student Senate members Fred Hegi, Charles Cox, and the late Bert Moore invited King to speak on campus, and Fred and Jan Hegi, Charles Cox, and Anne Kirk (daughter of Bert Moore) reunited for the dedication of the marker. Also attending the dedication were Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson; St. Luke Community United

Methodist Church pastor, Project Unity founder, and SMU alumnus and trustee Richie Butler; SMU President R. Gerald Turner; and alumna Carson Dudick, who worked with archivist Joan Gosnell to search for documentation of King’s visit to draft the historical marker application.

“This plaque will not only help us to remember the historic day that

Dr. King spoke, but also helping us to remember our role in bringing his vision to life on our campus and in our world,” Turner said.

Johnson spoke about Dallas’ history with race relations and the city’s efforts to be “more inclusive.”

“Standing here today, it’s really difficult to imagine the Dallas that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited in 1966. Racial divides in our nation, especially in the south, were incredibly stark,” Johnson said. “While we still live with the memory and the scars of past generations, we’ve made great strides forward, and we have broken from our past. As a people, we are not the same today as we were then.”

Dudick spoke about her involvement in SMU’s Voices of Oral History Project as a student, which is how she learned in 2018 about King’s speech at SMU and became passionate about marking the significance of the site. She applied for a state historical marker that same year.

“I walked by McFarlin Auditorium nearly every day, and yet the historic significance of this place was shrouded by a lack of recognition,” Dudick said. “Recognition for Dr. King’s work not only in our nation, but centrally on our campus continues to be an important reminder of the work he has done and the work still to be done to strive for racial and economic equality in our nation.”

Butler encouraged people to continue asking themselves, “What are you doing to advance race relations?”

HPISD’s New Digitarium Offers Constellation of STEAM Resources

By Rachel Snyder rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com

Highland Park ISD’s Pierce Planetarium’s new expansion offers a whole new world of immersive, digital educational resources.

The first update to the planetarium since 2010 was made possible by a previous Moody Foundation grant, and the upgrades took about two years.

Now dubbed a digitarium, it can accommodate 63 students and serve as a resource for everything from astronomy, biology, foreign language, health, medicine, and more via large-scale digital models, district leaders say.

“Once we were able to find just the right partner and digitalis (digital planetarium), it just changed everything for us,” said Geoffrey Orsak, Moody Innovation Institute executive director. “We knew at this point, we were going to have really the best science lab in the entire district

available for everybody to use.”

HPISD elementary STEAM instructional coach Ashley Jones recently added digitarium liaison to her title, taking over from the district’s former longtime planetarium director and beloved “star lady” Donna Pierce.

“Really, our vision for this is not

just to show the planets and the stars and the sky,” Jones explained. “Those are all great, but how did those impact us here on Earth?”

Students would explore such questions as “Why are seasons changing?” and “Why are we getting hotter?” and then go home, share what they learned, and look

up, she said. “This just gives them the tool to learn it. They can go outside and do it.”

Jones said running the digitarium is requiring ongoing training with all the “buttons and bells and whistles that we’re still learning.”

And it has its limits, as seen when one student recently asked whether it could track the Chinese spy balloon the U.S. shot down in February.

The digitarium doesn’t always have the data to answer student questions, Jone said, but she hopes it can spark curiosity and help them find answers to their questions.

Boone Elementary fourth graders, the first students to use the new digitiarium on Feb. 10, learned about the moon.

Jones has since spoken about the digitarium offerings during professional development on Feb. 20.

Eventually, district officials expect to partner with such programs as Moody Advanced Professional Studies and robotics to make the digitarium a destination for STEAM education districtwide.

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT: Student leaders Carson Dudick and Sparrow Caldwell, who helped draft the application for the marker; KC Mmje, vice president for student affairs; Richie Butler, senior pastor, St. Luke Community United Methodist Church; SMU President R. Gerald Turner; Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson; Lisa Garvin, SMU chaplain and minister; and Brad Cheves, vice president for development and external affairs.The Rev. Martin Luther King spoke in the McFarlin Auditorium at SMU in 1966.

COURTESY SMU

I am convinced the system of segregation is on its deathbed today, and the only thing uncertain about it is how costly the diehards and the extreme segregationists will make the funeral.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Highland Park ISD recently welcomed the first classes to the district’s new digitarium. AT RIGHT: Retired “star lady” Donna Pierce with new digitarium liaison Ashley Jones. COURTESY HPISD

This just gives them the tool to learn it. They can go outside and do it.

Ashley Jones

Deep Family Connections Power UPUMC Program The Weekday School, in its 65th year, teaching new generations of students

By Karen Chaney Special Contributor

Carita Youngblood’s connections to The Weekday School at University Park United Methodist Church (UPUMC) date to its beginnings.

Her grandfather, William L. Carter Jr., and another member gave the seed money to start it 65 years ago.

“My aunt needed a place to go to kindergarten,” Youngblood said. “My grandfather said, ‘Nobody does preschool like the Methodist church does preschool. Why don’t we have one at our great church?’”

The school opened in 1957, with Youngblood’s aunt among the first kindergarteners. Today, the school serves infants through kindergartners.

In 1973, Youngblood followed her aunt’s footsteps and attended the school, as did her siblings and cousins.

“In kindergarten, we tanned deer hide on the porch and made lye soap,” she recalled.

She eventually returned as a teacher, a position she held for 15 years before becoming the early childhood education coordinator.

As a teacher, she enjoyed showing her students a class picture and pointing out that they were in the same room she was in as a child.

In 2000, her children started walking the same halls.

“There was never a doubt this

was where my kids were going to go,” she said.

Casey Hanna, who lives within walking distance of the school, was a baby when she first attended in 1984. Her husband was a student then too, but he was a year ahead of her.

Hanna’s father and her children were all students there.

“My daughter had a teacher named Jamie McDermott, and I had her as a teacher, and so did my husband,” Hanna said. “She still subs today. She’s incredible.”

Her grandparents, like Youngblood’s grandparents, helped establish the church.

“It’s fun on the playground to tell people who don’t know me that I went here,” she said.

Although Libby Nicodemus, director of The Weekday School, didn’t attend the school as a child, she quickly came to appreciate the program after she enrolled her son in 2009. She was soon hired as a contract employee to assist with the National Association for the Education

OPEN HOUSE

What: A 65th-Year Celebration of The Weekday School

Who: For all current and former school families

When: 6-7 p.m. April 13

Where: University Park United Methodist Church, 4024 Caruth Blvd.

of Young Children (NAEYC) ac-

creditation process.

Eventually, she joined the staff and, in 2013, became the director.

The secret to the school’s longevity is the staff, six of whom have worked there for over 30 years, Nicodemus said.

“I bet that in this building if you stacked everyone’s years of teaching experience, we’d have 200 plus years of experience,” she said. “It’s a Godsend.”

Plans include keeping up with trends in early childhood education and expanding the curriculum for the recently completed outdoor learning center.

“We are contributing to a legacy; this place is bigger than all of us,” Nicodemus said. “Our work here is to continue the legacy of The Weekday School, to love it and nurture it and operate at the intersection of Christ and children.”

FROM LEFT: Carita Youngblood, Libby Nicodemus, and Casey Hanna. KAREN CHANEY

It’s fun on the playground to tell people who don’t know me that I went here.

Casey Hanna

Camps

CAMP FOOD FUELS ADVENTURE AND MEMORIES

The first Sunday in June marks the start of camp season.

The signs are everywhere: SUVs painted in camp colors declaring the occupants are “Ozark or Bust!” Counselors with clipboards, harried parents lugging trunks and pillows, and sometimes eager, sometimes apprehensive campers swarming around rows of white motorcoaches lined up in Neiman Marcus’ parking lot, ready to roll south to the many camps in the Texas Hill Country.

It’s a ritual that plays out week after week until mid-August.

Summer sleepaway camp is a rite of passage for many kids, and for generations, Texas camps have hosted boys and girls for weeks of living off the grid. With prices for overnight camps in the

Hill Country ranging between $1,500 and $2,200 per week, the experience is costly, but many parents believe it’s a sound investment in a child’s development.

My own children were longtime campers at Camp Balcones Springs, where they enjoyed team competition (go Lone Stars!), the Ted 10, and the Pazookie.

The what, you say? The Pazookie — a culinary creation that involves undercooked cookie dough, ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and sprinkles.

It’s the thing CBS campers keep talking about.

And at Camp Longhorn, generations of campers recall fondly the Apple Crisp, the creation of Barney Baker, the aptly named Chow Hall director and beloved fulltime member of the CLH staff. Barney’s worked there for 69 years and knows what generations of campers like to eat: chicken fried steak, fried chicken, and pizza. It’s straightforward. Attawaytogo, Barney!

Over at Camp Champions, culinary

director Travis Mouser serves between 1,200 and 2,100 meals daily and says campers clamor for corn dogs and mac and cheese, so much so that commemorative T-shirts help celebrate the one day of each twoweek session that he serves it. Mouser also touts the popularity of the camp salad bar, with more than 50 freshly prepared items for campers to choose from.

“We make homemade pasta, tuna, and chicken salads,” Mouser said, “and most of our dressings are all made in-house.”

Camp Waldemar’s campers praise the food of legendary Chef Lucille Smith, who made Blarney Stones, cake squares with vanilla ice cream sprinkled with salted peanuts, and coffee ice cream. Miss Lucille, as she is still known, and her husband were responsible for the cuisine at Waldemar for nearly a half-century, and many of their recipes went into a camp cookbook. Her grandson, Chris Williams, is an award-winning chef/owner of Lucille’s in Houston and features some of her recipes.

Over at Camp Mystic, campers swoon for the chocolate mousse bowls that have been a favorite for generations.

Children go to camp to live in the great outdoors, play all day, and learn valuable skills. Sure, there are lots of hamburgers, hot dogs, and mac and cheese served, but camp directors and chow hall bosses like Barney Baker put great thought and effort into serving healthy-ish foods to fuel camp adventures all summer long.

Follow Kersten Rettig, a Park Cities-based writer with 30-plus years of experience in food and beverage marketing and public relations, on Instagram @KerstenEats.

Sure, there are lots of hamburgers, hot dogs, and mac and cheese served, but camp directors and chow hall bosses like Barney Baker put great thought and effort into serving healthy-ish foods to fuel camp adventures all summer long.

Emerson, Laura, and Kathryn Franks have enjoyed their stays and the food at Camp Waldemar, where the recipes of legendary Chef Lucille Smith justified a cookbook. COURTESY LAURA FRANKS

KERSTEN RETTIG

ARISE & BUILD DONORS

Akintayo Akinlawon

Carole Allred

Jayson Bales

Dan Barnett

Bernita J. Beikmann

John and Donna Belle

Armin Bernhardt

Karla Boehk

Waldo and Laurie Bracy

Jerri Brooks

Kyle and Michelle Bruns

Mark Brunworth

Gerald Brunworth

Dave and Joni Burchett

Cabe Legacy Foundation

James and Rhonda Chaney

Mark Couser

Please

John Cox III

Betty Cro ord

Greg Curry

Robert Danz

Shannon DeVilbiss

Jeanette Dister

Daniel and Amy Dunsworth

Stephen Eggold

Paul Ferguson

Lori Fogarty

Daniel Foote

Edward Franko

Lydia Freiberger

Gary Frieling

Vickie Frieling

Peter Gottlieb

Thomas M. Grayson

Your Support Will Chart The Future for Our School For Years to Come

Jenny Gri n

Robert D. Gunn

G.W. and Mindy Hail

Rebecca Heath

Rhonda Heatly

Albert W. Herman

Ron Hewitt

Diane Hitt

Rhonda Hopper

John Howard

Laura and Will Howard

Tom Howell

John Klassen

Greg Klein

Michele Klein

David Kleine

Patricia Klekamp

NEW CAMPUS FEATURES

• Fifteen (15) New Classrooms

• Ten (10) General Purpose/ Core Curriculum Classes

• Two Science Labs with Prep Area for Chemistry, Biology and Physics

• Two Art Studios

• Five Specialty Classrooms

Stephen F. Eggold HEAD OF SCHOOL

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Brad Krause

Bob Lastowski

Ray M. Lawson

Douglas Lueckemeyer

Bob Malzahn

Jessica Martin

Raymond Maturi

Katie Mayfield

Michael McBride

Terry Mccoy

Frank McGovern

Jennifer McMillin

Elysia Moschos

Corey Moss

Teresa Murray

Rick L. Myers

John Neill

Todd and Angie Nitz

Rebecca Ogden

Kim Pierce

Scott Piland

Robert Preece

Primoris Services Corporation

Sarah Puckett

Melissa Rankin

Michelle Rendleman

Tracey Richardson

Michael Schout

Miles Schulze

Dustin Sparks

Richard Stanford

Ron and Kaye Surley

Steven Svoboda

Team Sports & Performance Apparel

Michael Thiero

Regina Thompson

Jorg Treber

Tree of Life

Lutheran Church

Jim L. Turner

Greg Venker

Bryan Warrick

Laura Wegener

Ben Wells

J. Tom Williams

Debbie Wilson

Sherman Wu

Karin Zerbe

• Talent Zone

• Study Center includes Stack & Study Area

• Multipurpose Room

• “Lions Den” Gathering Area

• Administration Suite (with storm shelter)

At Dallas Lutheran, we have an opportunity to state our case of man, in our history right now, we are in a great spot, exciting times. We now need to have donors step up and join us. As we embark upon this incredible journey together for the future of our students, I am emboldened by the passion and enthusiasm of our students, parents, sta , board members and alumni.

I believe Dallas Lutheran School is a winner and can be an even bigger winner. We hope you can join us, too.

Please consider a donation to our Arise & Build campaign today. Please call Stephen Eggold, Head of School at 214-349-8912, ext. 105 or go to www.dallaslutheranschool.com

to see how you can help. Together, we can reach our dreams of building our new campus!

Fencing and Gates

• Courtyard Facing Classrooms with Covered Interior Corridors

• New Monument Sign, Flagpole, and Landscaping Near Main Campus Entry

SUMMER AT HOCKADAY 2023

Summer Camps Bolster Essential Life Skills

As parents, we work fast and furious with college advisers to help our children get that competitive edge, get into that prestigious college, land the perfect job, and be successful in all they do.

From interning in a parent’s business to amp up the resume to enrolling in summer programs to help write college essays, most will do anything to help their children.

But have you ever thought about how sending your child to an overnight summer camp might give them everything they need to get that competitive edge and more?

Think about the skills our children need to get into college and compete. The skills that look good on a college application — oral communication, critical thinking,

problem-solving, interpersonal and leadership skills, and creativity — are all attributes that any successful student will find valuable in college.

There is no better place than a good summer camp to build these skills.

At camp, living with a group of eight to 10 other campers, most of whom are new friends, encourages children to work together and step up as leaders in their cabins.

Living unplugged in nature is a perfect place to foster creativity, think outside the box, and develop the next big idea for that college essay. Summer camp can provide a much-needed opportunity to live without technology, achieve focus and develop those creative thought processes and connections needed for college and life.

This is all backed by data. Over the past decade, studies have shown that outdoor programs

stimulate the development of many vital skills. On top of the ones already mentioned, being outdoors in a structured environment, such as summer camp, will have positive effects on adolescents’ sense of empowerment, self-control, independence, self-understanding, assertiveness, decision-making skills, self-esteem, academics, personality, adaptability, collaboration, communication, and interpersonal relations. Once again, all skills that give our children that competitive edge for college, the workplace, and beyond.

There is so much we can do for our children and giving them the gift of summer camp allows them to learn skills we can’t always teach at home. Reach Helene Abrams with Tips on Trips and Camps, a free advisory service that helps parents find enriching summer overnight experiences for their children, ages 7-18, at 214-693-9259 or Helene@TipsonTripsandCamps.com.

HELENE ABRAMS

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ZILING ZHOU FINDS TIME FOR PAINTING

Highland Park High School teenager’s art gets shown and sold

APRIL

By Josh Hickman

Special Contributor

Many now-famous artists never sold a painting in their lifetimes, but 15-year-old Highland Park High School student Ziling Zhou has already exhibited and even sold a few pieces.

She started drawing at 4 years old but increased her dedication while at Highland Park Middle School.

“I got more serious about it last year in eighth grade, sketching and painting with Miss Butler,” Ziling said.

She’s now exploring other mediums, including oil pastel, weaving, and oil paint, with encouragement from her high school art teacher, Jenai Talkington.

Talkington guided Ziling to complete a series of three pieces on the same subject using different approaches — a set was submitted, accepted, and exhibited in January at Blue Print Gallery’s Young Artist Exhibition. Even better, it quickly sold.

“Needless to say, her artistic practice has already superseded high school,” Talkington said. “It has been a pleasure to be a part of her creative development.”

Ziling described her gravitation toward representational art and more recent attempts at portraiture.

“At first, I was mainly doing calm, majestic landscapes,” she said. “It’s hard to get the colors of the skin right. I’ve been trying to sketch people doing different expressions, so I can practice that and paint them better. Sometimes when I have art block, I get out a piece of paper and just draw what comes to mind.”

Lately, she’s been working on paintings of her dad and one of her friends.

“I took a picture of my friend and altered the colors to get a more nostalgic vibe, which I like. It was her first homecoming, so it’s like a glimpse of the past. I have an art class every day, then I take an art class outside of school once a week for two hours,” she said, speaking of private art teacher Steve Ko. “I can see I’ve improved with figure drawing a lot.”

Ziling’s mother, Nancy, is proud of her

daughter’s art but not pushing it.

“Over time, her work has been going through the school system, being selected for exhibition,” Nancy said. “This time, the teacher was excited that her work was selected for the gallery exhibition and sold. Even with these exhibitions, I leave her to manage it. She’s been driving it all.”

In addition to art, Ziling is interested in biology.

“High school isn’t as different as I was expecting,” she said. “People are definitely more worried about their grades, though. I started doing some digital art, but it was hard to get the hang of it at first. It’s incredibly convenient with copy-and-pasting and color-dropping. I do it sometimes, but not as much as the other.”

“I’m putting together a list of art competitions I want to apply to,” Ziling added. “I need to get my study schedule together to make sure I have the time for painting.”

1 – Broadway Dallas 2023 Gala, featuring Moulin Rouge! The Musical and the After-Hours Fête post-performance party, Music Hall at Fair Park, BroadwayDallas.org.

20 – 35th annual Majestic Mad Hatter’s Luncheon – A Celebration of English Elegance, benefiting A Woman’s Garden and presented by the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Road, MadHat2023. GiveSmart.com.

23 - Dallas Historical Society’s Centennial Community Celebration, Klyde Warren Park, dallashistory.org.

28 (through May 5) – The Dallas International Film Festival, featuring 100plus films from nearly 30 countries, Violet Crown Cinema in West Village Uptown, dallasfilm.org.

29 – Game, Set, Match Tennis Event benefitting The Magdalen House, Lakewood Country Club, 6430 Gaston Ave., magdalenhouse.org.

29 – Bruce Wood Dance Celebrates 13th Anniversary Performance & Gala, Moody Performance Hall in the Dallas Arts District, brucewooddance.org.

29 – Aging

Mind Foundation’s 2023

Gala - Forget

Me Not, benefitting the research of Dr. Bruce A. Yankner, co-director of Harvard Medical School’s Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging Research, Thompson Hotel, agingmindfoundation.org/2023-gala/.

We are proud of our friendly atmosphere. As your host, it is our responsibility to make you as happy as possible. Our point of reference will always and constantly remain: quality and authenticity, remembering above all else that our customer is first and foremost our esteemed guest.

Dr. Bruce A. Yankner COURTESY AGING MIND FOUNDATION

Moulin Rouge COURTESY BROADWAY DALLAS

For her artwork Three Hammers, Ziling Zhou used different techniques to create each hammer. She explores different mediums with her art, along with landscape, still life, and portraiture. COURTESY ZILING ZHOU AND RACHEL REYNOLDS

Needless to say, her artistic practice has already superseded high school. Jenai Talkington

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When you’ve been in the business four decades, you develop an eye for the

New Beginnings on Television, Tropical Salad on the Table

Springtime is filled with new beginnings.

In North Texas, pale green leaves unfurl on trees and bushes, green sprigs of grass overtake dry winter lawns, and mounds of pink, red, and white azaleas burst into bloom, lining walkways, boulevards, and gardens.

Spring 2023 is also a time of new beginnings for me.

Just a few short weeks ago, my new 12-episode national television cooking series At Home with Christy Rost was launched by Eat This TV Network on AmazonFire, Apple TV+, Roku, Samsung TV, YouTube, and other video-on-demand platforms.

You may recall the pilot for this series was filmed last summer. It became the third highest-performing pilot ever for Eat This TV, so the offer of a series and a one-hour Christmas special soon followed.

Filming of season one took place in late February in my Swan’s Nest studio kitchen in Breckenridge, Colorado.

The film crew flew in from New York, my culinary director arrived from Wisconsin, and eight culinary students from Colorado Mountain College rotated through our prep kitchen over the course of seven days.

It was an exciting time, surpassed only by watching the first episode on television in mid-March.

Since this cooking show revolves around recipes and the gatherings of family and friends they inspire, I’m mindful that as our

weather warms and we spend more time outdoors, lighter meals built around fresh spring harvests are replacing the hearty menus of colder months.

In my kitchen, our meals are featuring newly-harvested spring fruits and vegetables – asparagus, tender salad greens, spring onions, sweet peppers, and juicy strawberries.

Then too, tropical fruit such as mango, papaya, and pineapple add refreshing bursts of flavor to salads, salsas, and desserts.

These tropical fruits are star ingredients in my Tropical Garden Salad with Honey-Orange Dressing recipe.

Easily adapted to family meals and larger

gatherings, this beautiful salad is drizzled with a light and creamy citrus dressing just before serving.

For springtime celebrations and summer gatherings, this easy, versatile salad is destined to become a favorite.

Christy Rost is a cookbook author, host of “At Home with Christy Rost” on Eat This TV Network, and longtime Park Cities and Preston Hollow resident. Her Celebrating Home 4-minute cooking videos are available at youtube.com/ChristyRostCooks and on her christyrost.com website.

TROPICAL GARDEN SALAD WITH HONEY-ORANGE DRESSING

Ingredients:

½ cup sour cream

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

1 tablespoon orange zest

1 ½ tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

1 tablespoon honey

1 bunch green leaf lettuce, rinsed and spun dry

1 ripe papaya, rinsed, seeded, and sliced

1 ripe pineapple, rinsed, peeled, cored, and cut into bite-size pieces

2 to 3 ripe mangoes, rinsed, pitted, and cut into bite-size pieces

2 to 3 oranges, rinsed, peeled, and sectioned

Directions:

In a medium bowl, stir together sour cream, mayonnaise, orange zest, orange juice, and honey until well blended. Cover and chill while preparing the fruit.

Arrange lettuce on a large platter and top with papaya, pineapple, mango, and oranges. Just before serving, drizzle the salad with some of the honey orange dressing and pour the remainder into a small serving bowl or pitcher.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

CHRISTY ROST

CHRISTY ROST

Common Unknown REASONS

Why People Fall or Have Balance Problems. It’s Never Because Of Age... There’s Always A REASON! – Now What To Do About It?

By Leading Balance Expert, Dr. Jeffrey Guild, Physical Therapist

Are you worried about losing independence because of falls? Are you seeing your friends around you falling and losing their independence? Are you becoming increasingly frustrated with your doctors and kids telling you not to fall (Ok… How?). Here are some common unknown reasons why people fall, and a SOLUTION to prevent it from happening.

1: Vertigo/Inner Ear Balance Problems: Problems with vertigo and dizziness are symptoms that put older people at fall risk. These symptoms are so common that 1/3rd of people over the age of 70 and 50% of people over the age of 85 are experiencing dizziness and/or vertigo right now! These conditions are usually very treatable!

2. The Legs Losing Perception Of Where They Are (Proprioceptive Loss): As a balance specialist I see this problem ALL THE TIME. This is a problem that largely goes unrecognized & people have no idea it’s happening to them. I often see this when people are falling or having balance problems for what seems like NO APPARENT REASON. This is simple to find out and there are ways around the problem.

3. Walking Slowly & Furniture Walking: Walking slower makes older people less

balanced, but this is a common strategy to falls and balance problems. Touching furniture and walls while walking is a sign that something is wrong and immediate action is needed to prevent this from becoming a fall!

Want more information & solutions? My new special report provides Actionable Tips that will help you keep or regain your independence. And the best thing is it’s 100% FREE, and you’re under noobligation to buy anything when you call.

IMPORTANT: For obvious reasons, my offer to send you this report FREE must come with a restriction on the number I can mail out… so it’s critical that you call TODAY and request your free report now. What To Do Next?

Call: (214) 712-8242 (Leave a Message 24/7) & Choose:

• Option 1: Have your FREE Report mailed or emailed to you

• Option 2: Free Report + FREE Balance/ Fall Screen Or Discovery Visit

Author Dr. Jeffrey Guild, Physical Therapist is owner of Optimove Physical Therapy & Wellness. You can contact him at (214) 712-8242 or email at J.Guild@OptimoveDFW.com

Exterior Home Makeover Ideas for Budgets of Any Size

MARGARET CHAMBERS

Whether you are selling your home this spring or plan on enjoying it for years to come, it’s important to make the exterior just as inviting as the interior.

However, many homeowners are daunted by the costs and decision-making involved in a renovation, especially if they haven’t made any updates since they moved in.

The projects that tend to drive up costs the most include repainting, adding an outdoor living area, replacing the roof, replacing the garage doors, or redoing the landscaping. However, these upgrades also tend to have the biggest return on investment.

Some less expensive ways to freshen up your home’s exterior include:

• Removing fallen branches and dead plants, then planting new flowers

• Washing the exteriors of your windows

• Sweeping and decluttering your porch

• Weeding the driveway

• Replacing hardware with new fixtures in matching metal colors

That said, just because the paint on your house hasn’t begun to peel doesn’t mean it couldn’t benefit from a fresh coat, especially if the color has become dull over time. Al-

CLOCKWISE: This beautifully manicured landscaping is full of variety, between the trimmed bushes, the ivy on the balustrades and the house, the pansies on the left and right, and the Japanese maple. The concrete patio furniture used for this sitting area is sturdy and won’t be knocked over in inclement weather. The aqua for the gingham cushions and the garden stools complements the patio floor and the interior color scheme. Repainting the front door in a bold color is an easy way to make the front porch more eye-catching. DAN

though repainting a home can cost between $6,000 and $12,000, you can also give your home a more affordable facelift by only repainting the trim or shutters.

One of the most impactful ways to update your front porch is by either repainting or replacing the front door.

Before replacing the door entirely, consider choosing a new design that will let in more light, have more or less architectural detail, or be made of a different material.

Fences aren’t just for security — they define your property and are another opportunity

WEDDING GENESIS CASTILLO-ERIK MENDEZ

Genesis

to add style to your landscape. Adding a gate gives your home even more presence.

Look at your hardscape to see if there are ways you can give it more charm and style. Finishes such as exposed aggregate, colored concrete, or textured concrete are becoming more popular for stone walkways. You can also use ground pavers and bricks to add a decorative finishing touch to your driveway.

There are plenty of ways to update your house’s exterior, no matter your budget.

As the owner of a full-service interior

design firm, I’m often involved with both the outside and inside of a house design. If you’re planning on making a serious overhaul, an interior designer can help keep your project on track and help you create a new look that stands the test of time.

Margaret Chambers, a registered interior designer (RID) and American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) member, leads Chambers Interiors and Associates. Her colleague Caitlin Crowley helped edit this column. Visit chambersinteriors.com/blog for more design advice.

Castillo and Erik

Mendez exchanged vows of holy matrimony on January 28, 2023, at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in downtown Dallas. Father Jesús Belmontes officiated the ceremony. A wedding reception at The Chaparral Ballroom on the 38th floor of the Sheraton Dallas Hotel followed the ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Margarito and Nancy Castillo of Dallas and the granddaughter of Roberto and Maria-Bernabe Castillo of Dallas and Maria Elena Cervantes of Monterrey, Mexico.

The groom is the son of Joe and Maricruz Mendez of Rowlett and the grandson of Rafael and Socorro Martinez of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and Alicia Guadalupe Gonzalez de Mendez and Andres

Victoriano Mendez of Dallas.

Genesis chose a beautiful gown from Rosa Clara of Barcelona, Spain, a three-layer wedding skirt designed by Lupana Vilchez, a bridal specialist in San Pedro Monterrey, Mexico, and a cathedral-length veil.

The bride is a graduate of The Hockaday School. She received a Bachelor of Science in University Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, a Master’s degree in Bilingual Education from Southern Methodist University in 2020, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas in 2022.

Genesis is currently employed as an Emergent Bilingual Facilitator for

Dallas A+ Charter Schools, Inc.

The groom is a graduate of Rowlett Highschool. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Technology from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2018. The North Texas Municipal Water District employs him as a Wastewater Operator.

After a honeymoon trip to Jamaica, the newlyweds have made their home in Rowlett.

ENRIQUE BAEZ VENEGAS/JAROCHOS PRODUCTIONS

PIASSICK AND MICHAEL HUNTER WITH DESIGN BY MARGARET CHAMBERS

Just because the paint on your house hasn’t begun to peel doesn’t mean that it couldn’t benefit from a fresh coat, especially if the color has become dull over time.

Jeffers Supports Nexus, Many Other Causes

By Josh Hickman Special Contributor

Laura Jeffers’ passion for her work and causes shows on her face as she speaks about them, from smiles and laughter to tears.

Her late father, Buddy, revolutionized cattle auctioning with Superior Livestock Auction, featuring live video feeds worldwide in 1986.

“It took the selling out of the barn,” the Highland Park woman explained. “It was good for the cattle, it was good for the buyers, and it was good for the sellers.”

It’s also been good for the family’s ongoing philanthropy.

Laura, who grew up in Dallas and the family ranch in Ennis, often works with her mother, Harriet Jeffers, who she describes as “my best friend.”

“My mother and I are part of the Dallas Foundation, which includes the Women’s Philanthropy Institute,” Laura said. “That’s really who I’m with.”

Several nonprofits are picked yearly for support, she said. “Last year, the money kept growing, so we had three hundred thousand to divide up.”

New Friends New Life got $150,000, while Mosaic Family Services, Community Basket Mobile Farmers Market, and Braswell Child Development Center each received $50,000.

Laura also supports Broadway Dallas.

“Any nonprofit that bonds with children — and I really get to see them — then I’m really blessed to be a part of it,” she explained. “You know, writing a check is easy, but to me and my mother, it really doesn’t mean as much as being

on-site. I light up.”

Community causes run in the Jeffers family. Apart from philanthropic work with her mother, Laura is also on the board of EBC Farms Rescue, an Oklahoma nonprofit rescue for dogs started by her sister, Elizabeth Cooper.

Her other philanthropic efforts have included Magdalen House, Patriot PAWS, Safer Dallas Better Dallas, Dallas Black Dance Theater, and Nexus Recovery Center.

“Part of Safer Dallas’ purpose is to bring back that relationship between the police officers and the kids,” she said.

Recently, officers invited her to sit in the van and watch as drones searched for the missing leopard at the zoo.

“My heart really went to the new drone unit, which started in June of ’21,” she said. “It’s amazing what they do and how important they are — from saving money, manpower, lives, children who are abducted.”

She takes Nexus’ work with women recovering from substance abuse personally.

“I’m a walking miracle with five years of recovery,” she said. “For me, recovery is being free in mind, body, and spirit. I guess that’s why I’m so involved with veterans and mental illness and women in recovery.”

“Nexus accepts the mother and the children. That’s a huge difference,” she said. “It’s a wonderful way to be interactive and to see these women and children together.”

“I always tell the women, ‘The joke’s on you,’” Laura said. “‘You think I’m helping you, but really, you’re helping me.’ At the end of the day, I get to get in my car and leave Nexus. And I just cry happy tears. It feeds my soul.”

Laura Jeffers spends time with Blue Boy in San Miguel, Mexico. COURTESY LAURA JEFFERS

Centennial Champagne Reception Patrons Journey Back

(ROB

WYTHE/WYTHE PORTRAIT STUDIO)

Visitors to Fair Park on Jan. 19 didn’t need too much bubbly to see heroes of Texas’ independence roaming the renovated Hall of State.

Sam Houston and William B. Travis welcomed attendees to the Dallas Historical Society’s Centennial Champagne Reception and Open House.

Jack Edmondson, an author, historian, and retired history teacher, portrayed Houston. The other historic character reenactor, refusing to break character, wouldn’t surrender his real name.

The theme for the evening: Celebrating 100 Years of Preserving the Great Heritage and Future of Dallas Honoring Dallas History Makers: Past, Present, and Future.

Society executive director Karl Chiao and Joe Goyne, president of centennial events presenting sponsor Pegasus Bank, welcomed former Awards for Excellence recipients, host committee members, and guests such as Roy Washburn, Joe Dealey, Shannon Callewart, Veletta Forsythe Lill, Stacey McCord, Ashlee Weidner, and Robert Witte.

Stewart Thomas, as emcee, introduced a slideshow featuring honorary chair Louise Phinney Caldwell, who was celebrated for 40 years of service to DHS.

– Compiled by William Taylor

Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, with Veletta Forsythe and John Lill

Zenetta Drew, Karl Chiao, and Pat Porter Levatta

Levels, Sheila Brown, and Lisa K. Thompson

Shannon and Lucille Callewart

Tom Dunning with Gail and Stewart Thomas

Joe Dealey, Barbara Washburn, and Bruce Bleakley

Valentine’s Fashion Show Supports Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

One lucky day before Valentine’s, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society supporters gathered to enjoy a seated lunch and fashions while raising funds to fight blood cancers.

Katy Bock and Sunie Solomon cochaired the Saint Valentine’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show, in its 39th year, with help from advisory chairs Nancy Gopez, Maggie Kipp, and Melinda Knowles.

The Feb. 13 affair at the Morton H. Meyerson Center brought corporate and community leaders together to launch spring fashions in North Texas and honor lives touched by blood cancers.

Jan Strimple produced the runway show featuring fashions from Highland Park Village.

Max Hinojosa received the Spirit of Tom Landry Award, Allie Beth Allman the ICON Award, and Melody and Rick Rogers the Lynda Adleta Heart of Gold Award.

– Compiled by William Taylor

SATURDAY, APRIL 1 10AM-6PM

FEATURING EXCLUSIVE STORE OFFERS AND ACTIVATIONS PHOTOS WITH BUNNIES, FACE PAINTING AND BALLOON TWISTING FROM 12-4PM

TAMYTHA CAMERON

Joshua Songer with Megan and Keith Conlon

Elizabeth Ward Creel, Erika Burton, Melissa Pastora, and Barbara Pratt

Jennifer LeLash, Elizabeth Saab, and Maggie Kipp

Melody and Rick Rogers

Lisa Cooley, Emily Feldman, and Tracy Lange

Christi Houser and Hillary Gilbert

Sunie Solomon, Dwight Emanuelson, Claire Emanuelson, and Katy Bock

Emily Miller, Molly Thomas, Wynne Brown, Katie Head, and Sarah Klein

LEARN MORE

DAVE PERRY-MILLER REAL ESTATE Custom Built for Active Living and Easy Entertaining

EBBY HALLIDAY

Local Experts, Unmatched Global Reach

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Beautiful settings for your dream home await

Nestled into the heart of Preston Hollow on 1-plus acres lies the ultimate tranquil retreat at 11453 W. Ricks Circle (11453ricks.daveperrymiller.com), listed by Tiffany Lawson for $7,895,000.

The heart of this 5-bedroom, 5.3-bath home is the open-plan family room that overlooks 2,000 square feet of patio space, pool with hot tub, two outdoor kitchens and a regulation size tennis court.

The chef’s kitchen features an enormous island, a large Wolf gas range with griddle, double ovens, Sub Zero refrigerator and two Asko dishwashers, plus there’s an intimate wine room.

The first-floor primary suite has an expansive closet with walk-in cedar closet, a coffee bar, and access to a private patio garden. Three large ensuite bedrooms each feature generous private lofts and a common study area. Included on the second floor is a home gym, second laundry room and access to private guest quarters.

To schedule a showing, contact Lawson at 214.460.0279 | tiffanylawson@dpmre.com.

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate (dpmre.com) is a division of the Ebby Halliday Companies, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, with four locations that specialize in Preston Hollow, Park Cities, North Dallas, Lakewood, East Dallas, Uptown, Kessler Park and Farm & Ranch properties.

DAVE PERRY-MILLER REAL ESTATE A Home Tailor-Made for Art Collecting

Being part of the global economy goes far beyond technology; it requires the human touch. Ebby Halliday Realtors and our professional residential real estate agents are proud to belong to the global network whose name says it all — Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. Only the best of the best are part of this collection. Wherever you go, the LeadingRE logo is a symbol of the finest local real estate professionals.

When you choose Ebby Halliday to represent your property, you’ll benefit from a local team of experts with unmatched global reach working on your behalf. In addition to the very strong local marketing for which Ebby Halliday has long been known, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World provides unmatched global marketing and resources, allowing us to provide the very best service to you.

“At Ebby Halliday, we understand the importance of global reach with a human touch when marketing our properties and delivering the highest level of service to our clients,” says Malinda Howell, senior vice president of the Ebby Halliday Companies. “If you’re considering listing your home for sale, you’ll find just the right agent — with just the right connections — at ebby.com.

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Allie Beth Allman & Associates leads in selling DFW estate homes

Prospective buyers have three lot size options for building a new home at 2 Abbey Woods Lane, but all offer a short walk to Abbey Woods Park.

If finding the perfect home these days is proving to be a challenge, the experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates can help find a great lot for building your dream home.

In Glen Abbey, one of Dallas’ neighborhood gems, a buyer has multiple options for building a home within walking distance to Abbey Woods Park, the community clubhouse or the exercise facility. Together, the lots at 2 Abbey Woods Lane would create the setting for a 1.2-acre estate. Or you can buy a single lot, ranging in size from a little more than a half-acre to .68 acres.

A .22-acre lot in West Highland Park comes with architectural plans, or you can design your own home at 4630 S. Versailles Ave., which enjoys town amenities including police, fire, pool, library, sport courts and parks.

In nearby University Park, check out 3005 Hanover St., where the value of the three-bedroom, two-bath home is in the land. Build your new home among mature trees along Hanover, one of the Park Cities’ wide thoroughfares.

Connect with an expert agent to find your perfect building lot or your new home: https://www.alliebeth.com/ associates/int

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Spring home market strong in Park Cities

Homes continue to be in demand in the Park Cities, like the home at 3508 at Dartmouth Ave.

The spring market is upon us and, like horses at the starting gate, buyers are chomping at the bit to start the race for a new Park Cities home in these early days of the season.

That’s where the experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates come in. As the reigning leader in home sales in Highland Park and University Park, according to Multiple Listing Service statistics, they can give you an advantage in closing on the home of your dreams.

Consider the following homes available for sale and connect with an agent to find out about homes being offered only via private sale.

Take a look at the four-bedroom at 3240 Lovers Lane in University Park. Updated two years ago, this home has a saltwater pool and a turfed backyard.

A spectacular French-style home at 4037 McFarlin Blvd. is perfect for entertaining friends and family inside and out. French doors lead to an outdoor fun space with a pool, spa, kitchen and a fireplace.

A new, four-bedroom home on three floors has a stucco and stone exterior at 4310 Glenwick Lane. The home will be completed in April, making March the perfect time for a buyer to add personal touches.

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

New listings in Preston Hollow offered by Allie Beth Allman & Associates

Anyone with a taste for the finer things and a passion for art will find both satisfied in 3739 N. Versailles Avenue (3739versailles.daveperrymiller.com). This 5-bedroom, 5.1 bath West Highland Park home, offered by Eugene Gonzalez for $1,650,000, exudes modern flair with contemporary touches. It’s like living in your own private art gallery.

Inside, the grand art hall is illuminated by thoughtful lighting and towering French doors that allow natural light throughout.

From the kitchen with Viking appliances and the fivecar basement garage, to the two stylishly equipped offices, dedicated pool bath and whole-home generator, this home has it all.

The second stairwell allows for direct access to the third-floor gym and ensuite bath with breathtaking views from the grand terrace. The pièce de résistance? The heated saltwater pool with its beautiful waterfall feature that creates an oasis right in your own backyard.

To schedule a showing, contact Gonzales at 214.586.0250 | eugene@dpmre.com.

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate (dpmre.com) is a division of the Ebby Halliday Companies, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, with four locations that specialize in Preston Hollow, Park Cities, North Dallas, Lakewood, East Dallas, Uptown, Kessler Park and Farm & Ranch properties.

Choosing someone to market and sell your Dallas estate home takes trust.

As the luxury leader in DFW, selling more homes listed at $4 million and higher than any other brokerage according to the Multiple Listing Service, Allie Beth Allman & Associates excels at marketing and selling some of the most exquisite residences in the area.

Its expert agents represent many homes available at $4 million and above.

Looking for a home in Highland Park? Take a tour of a marvelous at 4800 Abbott Ave.

Meticulously remodeled, the four-bedroom home is ideal for design enthusiasts. Its exquisite finishes are unique and thoughtful, including African wood on the modern stairway, a black granite fireplace in the formal living room and an abundance of statement-making light fixtures.

Foodies will flock to the transformed chef’s kitchen, which exudes clean sophistication thanks to distinctive marble and white oak cabinets.

Further perks include a pool and waterfall spa, spacious media room, and prime location just steps from the Katy Trail.

Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents sell more homes priced at $2 million and higher in Dallas County and across DFW, according to Multiple Listing Service Statistics. Call to connect with an expert agent: https://www.alliebeth.com/associates/int

4033 W. Lawther is currently being offered for $11,995 ,000.

Elevated on an unparalleled 1.49-acre gated lot overlooking the very best views of White Rock Lake and neighboring 10-acre “Mount Vernon” estate, this exceptionally designed French, transitional home by C.A. Nelson Architects was masterfully executed by luxury builder, SCH Homes, to deliver one of the most exciting estate opportunities in all of Dallas.

An expansive open floor plan with walls of windows maximizes the panoramic views and sets up perfectly for large scale entertaining or everyday living. A gourmet and catering kitchen open to a keeping room with one of four fireplaces and wet bar that leads to an incredible outdoor living center with drop down screens, heaters

Allie Beth Allman & Associates focus on right pricing, good staging and strategic marketing to sell homes for the best price in the shortest amount of time.

As mortgage rates drop in 2023, homeowners who have been holding onto their 3 percent rate will decide to make a move because their home doesn’t meet all their needs, predicts Britt Fair, founder and owner of Fair Texas Title.

Those homeowners will want more bedrooms, bathrooms or primary suites, a location closer to schools and work, he says, making it an opportune time to prepare your home to sell.

That means consulting with an experienced real estate agent to get your home ready for the market, discussing the right price and deciding whether to register it with the Multiple Listing Service for public sale vs. a private offering.

Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents couldn’t agree more.

“If you’re selling a home this year, preparing it for the market and pricing it where the market allows is important,” one agent advised.

Overpricing can scare off buyers and keep the home on the market longer than planned. And that often results in the seller getting a lower price.

“Working with market leaders who understand your neighborhood and who price your property correctly is really important for selling in this market,” another expert agent added. “Even with there still being an inventory issue within DFW, pricing couldn’t be more important.”

and chillers – all overlooking the pool ad Zoysia sports field sized yard.

The downstairs primary suite features a private patio and dual bathrooms and custom closets. Upstairs is a kid’s dream game room, separate media and four spacious suites, all with exceptional views and beautifully appointed bathrooms.

This truly one-of-a-kind setting and masterfully designed and built home offers resort style living with a close-in location that is only 15-20 minutes from Downtown Dallas, the finest in shopping, dining, and schools.

Contact Ryan Streiff at 469.371.3008) or Ryan@ daveperrymiller.com for more information or to set up a private showing. Visit DPMFineHomes.com to learn more.

Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents marketed and brought the buyer to this Preston Hollow home.

When looking for a new home in Preston Hollow, trust the experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates, who sell more homes offered at $2 million and higher, according to the Multiple Listing Service.

Here’s a look at some new listings; connect with an agent to learn about Preston Hollow homes available only via private sale.

New construction by Jade Custom Homes, the one-level, four-bedroom home at 4419 W. Northwest Highway was designed by Adriana Meyer to expand the open concept floor plan.

The newly remodeled home at 5612 Ursula Lane embodies clean, bright transitional style. The 7,000-square-foot home has a primary suite closet that most people only dream of, plus a soaking tub and oversized shower in the suite’s bathroom.

When it comes to Preston Hollow homes, the Allie Beth Allman & Associates team often markets the home – and brings the buyer. That recently the case with two sales: the four-bedroom home at 6422 Prestonshire Lane a four-bedroom home at 6527 Chevy Chase Ave.

Find the right home with the help of an Allie Beth Allman & Associates real estate expert. Call to connect with an expert agent: https://www. alliebeth.com/associates/int

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Here’s the key to selling your home in 2023

The 2022 numbers from the Multiple Listing Service show that Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents sell the most homes priced at $4 million and higher.

THE PERRY-MILLER STREIFF GROUP

Custom-Built Home

Unparalleled Views of White Rock Lake on 1.49-gated acres

Waterfront Aquatic Center

Grand Opening Coming Soon!

Life at Beacon Hill on Cedar Creek Lake is expanding as construction is nearing completion on the first phase of the new 3-acre Waterfront Aquatic Center complete with a state of the art regulation Pickle Ball Court, Hearthside Fire Feature and Poolside Sound and Vision Theater.

Residents and their guests will soon be relaxing at the Pool and Spa, enjoying amazing waterfront views of the Marina, home to the area renowned floating Aqua Party Room.

All of Beacon Hill’s featured amenities including the Marina Club, stocked 9-acre Lake Ava Rosetta, complete with sandy beach and nature trails are accessible to the community’s residents as well as homesite lot owners who are in the home building process. If you would like to tour this amazing waterfront location, call 903-498-LAKE (5253) or visit www. liveatbeaconhill.com. Beacon Hill is located at 12900 US Highway 175 in Kemp, Texas just 45 minutes from Dallas!

9851 Kingsway Ave. offered for $2,995,000

Situated on a preferred site in a new gated community in Preston Hollow – and adjacent to shops and retail including Trader Joe’s – this stunning new,

fully-customized 4414 sf, modern residence offers a rare opportunity for the new owner to choose final cosmetic finishes for this recently completed move-in ready home! The spacious living/dining room features 11 ft ceilings, wide-plank walnut stained hardwood flooring and floor to ceiling windows, all prewired for power shades. A wood burning/gas fireplace is centered between two windows. The adjoining dining area boasts a custom wine room, equipped with state-of -the art temperature and lighting controls waiting for the new owner’s final specifications. The large, light-filled kitchen is equipped with a 48” Wolfe gas cooktop – with double wall-ovens in the adjacent prep kitchen. Two Asko dishwashers, a Sub-Zero undercounter refrigerator and a Kitchen Aid ice maker make this home an ideal venue for entertaining.

BURIAL PROPERTIES

FOR SALE

SPARKMAN/HILLCREST

1 Cemetery Plot in the Garden of Devotion

$6,000 or Make O er rush50@sbcglobal.net

PREMIER CEMETERY SPACES SPARKMAN/HILLCREST LAKESIDE GARDENS ESTATE 4 LOTS W/ 8 SPACES $ 399,000

214-642-7947 CALL /TEXT

Unique opportunity at Sparkman/Hillcrest

Not often does a mature Private Family Estate become available.

Star Jasmine Private Family Estates is most beautifully developed section of Hillcrest Memorial Park.

$599,000

Includes 12 Certificates of Internment Text or Call 214.585.2609

ENTERTAINMENT

Piano Lessons

Matthew Kline | 214-770-6203

EMPLOYMENT

INCOME OPPORTUNITIES

Stay at home moms, guaranteed income opportunity.

Please call for more information, 713-678-0224

FOR SALE

BURIAL PROPERTIES

Beautiful Burial Property For Sale

SPARKMAN HILLCREST 10 CONTIGUOUS BURIAL SPACES WITH MONUMENT FOUNDATION IN PRESTIGIOUS GARDEN OF PEACE.

CALL/TEXT 214-232-3624

MARKETPLACE

SALES

Made in America by Americans. Reasonably priced household products delivered to your door. 214-495-1001

RENTAL WANTED

LANDSCAPE ILLUMINATION

“The Magic of Moonlight” (214) 630-7751

Mercury Vapor / LED

HOME SERVICES

I’m seeking a BACK HOUSE FOR RENT call text 214-693-8270

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN URBAN

BEACON HILL AT CEDAR CREEK LAKE

PeopleNewspapers

Presenting Sponsor:

PROUD TO PRESENT OUR 20 UNDER 40

Ialways enjoy seeing the mix of industries, backgrounds, and impressive accomplishments of the young professionals in the Park Cities and Preston Hollow neighborhoods as I prepare our 20 Under 40 section each year.

Honorees are nominated by members of the community and selected by a committee including People Newspapers staff, members of the Park Cities Rotary Club, and a previous honoree.

From retail to the North Texas philanthropy scene, our 2023 honorees have made a difference in their communities, workplaces, and career fields in the North Texas region and beyond.

I’m proud to be able to see firsthand and share the stories of how people of so many ages in the Park Cities and Preston Hollow are working to solve some of the world’s most intractable problems and help their neighbors.

I can say I’ve been inspired by our honorees’ dedication to their community and careers, and I hope our readers are, too. Some standouts this year include:

•The first Asian American Miss Texas who’s still in her 20s and already has a charitable foundation with her mother and her own social media consulting business.

•A clothing designer and business owner whose company centers around giving back to the Dallas community and her native Colombia.

•A restauranteur who founded a cafe to employ and mentor children aging out of the foster care system.

In addition to our 20 Under 40, we highlight an Episcopal School of Dallas student who started a blog with her mother in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to share ideas and provide advice for other teens.

We hope you also enjoy learning about your neighbors and come away inspired.

Rachel Snyder, deputy editor rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com

FOLLOW MORE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

For the full Q&A’s of the honorees and more 20 Under 40 content, follow us online at peoplenewspapers.com and on our Instagram page @PeopleNewspapers.

Help share content - and even your own rising stars - by using #peoplenewspapers20under40

Sienna Link

Education: Episcopal School of Dallas

While working through the challenges of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Episcopal School of Dallas student Sienna Link with her mother, Maria, created a blog called yoooulife.com to share ideas and provide advice for other teens on everything from social/ emotional wellness and physical wellness to nutrition and more. An Instagram account for the blog has grown to more than 600 followers.

Link’s passion for helping other teen girls inspired her to organize a holiday gift drive for tween and teen girls

at Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center in 2022. Each week, she also volunteers as a tutor at a local elementary school.

“Most of my involvement revolves around working with, and for, girls,” Link said. “The DCAC is definitely one of my favorite nonprofit organizations. … Everyone there is so passionate about the cause.”

After graduation, and thanks to inspiration from one of her chemistry teachers, Link hopes to study science in college, obtain a doctorate, and continue traveling.

“He’s been my teacher for two years now, for both Honors and AP Chemistry, and I can easily say that there is no way I would have become so passionate about science or seeking further education without his influence in my life,” she said of her teacher.

What’s a fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?

The most exciting fun fact about me is that I was born in New York City and grew up in Dubai. I lived abroad for eight years before I moved to Dallas. Living in Dubai has shaped who I am today. It is such a different environment than here. My friends were from all over the world, and the cultures I experienced made me a lot more open-minded.

What’s on your bucket list?

The top of my list is to travel the world. Meeting new people and being in a new environment are exactly how I would love to spend my time. When we lived in Dubai, we traveled to cool places such as Jordan, Thailand, and Vietnam

because they were relatively close to us. I hope to one day have been to every country in the world and have at least one friend in each, so I always have a reason to go back.

What is your favorite local store?

I’m not sure if Starbucks counts, but if it does, that’s where I am most days. Other than that, I always find some fun dresses at Bittano for any dances or birthday parties. Honestly, any of the shops on Lovers are amazing. I also love a lot of the shops in (Snider) Plaza, like Dear Hannah or L. Bartlett.

Toughest personal challenge and how you overcame it?

When I was little, I loved gymnastics. I had practice three times a week for a few hours each time and I loved every minute of it. When I found out that I was moving from Dubai back to the U.S., I was most sad to leave my gymnastics team. About a week before I was supposed to move, I was at gymnastics working on a skill to impress my new gym in the U.S., when I fell and shattered the bones in my left arm. I ended up having two surgeries, but the worst part was not being able to use my arm for a whole summer! I couldn’t get in the ocean, no soaking in a hot tub, no getting in the lake at camp, and definitely no gymnastics. I spent my time with my family and friends, and ended up having a lot of fun. I would definitely never want to experience it again, but the bonds that I built with the people who went through it with me made it all worth it.

Celebrating Four Under 40 and a Remarkable Anniversary

I enjoy working with people of all ages, but there’s something truly awesome about working with young people. Their energy and passion keep me feeling young.

As we celebrate 20 individuals under 40 doing good in our community and their careers, I would also like to recognize the four young women under 40 who are part of the People Newspapers team. Only one is barely into her 30s, and the others are in their 20s –oh, to be young again.

Rachel Snyder, a deputy editor, has led our 20 Under 40 program for a few years and done an incredible job.

When asked what advice she’d give her 18-year-old self, she said, “Don’t be afraid to speak up. You deserve to have a seat at the metaphorical table.”

We encourage that!

Maria Lawson, also a deputy editor and the newest addition to our team, started in May of 2022. She’s doing a great job covering Preston Hollow and overseeing our inaugural Remarkable Women special section last month.

She’d tell her 18-year-old self, “embrace change. New environments can lead to new opportunities, whether that’s a new job, friend, hobby, etc., and you’ll never know until you try.”

Maddie Spera, our client relations and marketing coordinator, does a great job juggling all the plates I throw at her.

Her biggest inspiration is her dad. “I’ve always admired his entrepreneurial spirit, his

passion, his creativity, and his ability to never take life too seriously no matter how hard it gets,” she said.

Maddie doesn’t take life too seriously, either, especially when she’s doing stand-up comedy.

Mia Carrera, our digital and production assistant, is talented, hardworking, and generous with her time and talents.

Her older brother has always been her biggest inspiration. “He is the model of creativity and diligence for me,” she said. “We grew up extremely close, and as we’ve gotten older, that bond has only strengthened to facing adulthood together. He’s one of my biggest supporters, and I owe a lot of my career and confidence to him.”

I’m also reflecting on the many staffers who

have come through our doors over the years.

For many, a job at People Newspapers (PNP) is their first or second out of college. We know they will likely eventually move on, perhaps to bigger media organizations or public relations.

No offense to those who have left: It makes me proud to see how they’ve grown in their careers and know that we helped them.

But sometimes we are fortunate that a young person decides to stay.

A few months ago, we celebrated senior advertising account representative Kim Hurmis’ 40th anniversary. When asked about her longevity at PNP, she says she loves her job, loves working with her clients, and is good at sales.

I agree; she’s great at sales!

MARISSA

CLOCKWISE: Rachel Snyder, Maria Lawson, Maddie Spera, and Mia Carrera.

MELANIE THORNTON

PAT MARTIN

RACHEL SNYDER

Catalina Gonzalez-Jorba

Dondolo

Education: SMU

This Colombian-born clothing designer and founder of lifestyle brand Dondolo made giving back to her home country and new home of Dallas a centerpiece of her company.

Dondolo started in 2012 as a children’s clothing line sold wholesale and has grown into a lifestyle brand with office and warehouse space in the Design District and collaborations with more than 10 other brands, including New York-based LoveShackFancy, which also has a store in Highland Park Village.

Throughout its trajectory, though, Catalina Gonzalez-Jorba says the Dondolo Gives program, a charitable initiative that supports efforts to train and employ single mothers in Colombia and provide clothing and financial contributions to organizations like Community Partners of Dallas and the Birthday Party Project locally, remains the “heart” of Dondolo.

“I started Dondolo because of a strong desire to give back to women and children in need,” Gonzalez-Jorba said. “With my first newborn in my hands, I decided I wanted to fulfill my creative passion and help others. I fueled my passion when I started designing, mixing patterns and fabrics, and making everything with so much attention to detail. I am always thinking of new creations for mothers and children to wear and celebrate memories that will last forever.”

Outside of her work with Dondolo Gives, Gonzalez-Jorba supports Dallas by serving on the board of Community Partners of Dallas and Texas Ballet Theater, as a member of the Cary Council, which advances early-stage research by young scientists at UT Southwestern, on the 21st Century Council at SMU, and as a cochair of the Family Forum at Dallas Museum of Art and the Family Night for Children’s Health.

“I strongly believe in helping children and women in need and that (through) education and the arts, we can make a difference,” she said.

Gonzalez-Jorba hopes to continue growing Dondolo and eventually open a community center in her native Colombia.

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

My first job was doing financial reports and accounting for a real estate company. I learned that I see in COLOR and not in numbers … and although I graduated with an economics and finance degree, my minor in arts is still my passion that I love pursuing.

Which leadership skills were the most challenging for you to develop and why?

Being assertive and motivating the team with clear goals. Leading with empathy

MAKING AN IMPACT

Congratulations, Danielle Reynolds, for being named a 20 Under Forty honoree! The milestones you have reached and the impact you are making in the community are extraordinary. Whitley Penn is beyond proud of your endless dedication and we look forward to celebrating your future achievements.

while being clear and assertive. What would you tell an 18-year-old you?

I would tell the younger me to travel more and study abroad!

What’s your biggest inspiration and why?

Traveling! It’s so wonderful to reconnect with nature and be immersed in beautiful new sceneries, whether it’s

mountains or the ocean. I also love getting inspiration from other cultures and cities. I love learning, finding new colors and palettes.

If you could buy a book (or rent a movie) for your neighbor, what would it be and why?

I would gift them the new Assouline coffee table book about Cartagena because it shows where I am originally from, with so much beauty and color.

whitleypenn.com

I am always thinking of new creations for mothers and children to wear and celebrate memories that will last forever.

Brad Smith

Highland Park High School alumnus

Brad Smith started Everest Stone, a company that distributes natural stone, quartz slabs, and pre-cut stone products, about 10 years ago. Since then, it’s grown to have a multimillion book of business in the central U.S.

“While many of the companies in Dallas are more like hand-select boutiques, we are more of a Sam’s Club approach that handles the higher volume wholesale programs of large builders and developers,” Smith explained. “This job has given me a strong understanding of operations, distribution, importing, accounting, and sales.”

The company opened a showroom and storefront at 2330 Royal Lane, Suite 100, in 2022, and Smith hopes his business continues expanding from a regional organization to a national one.

“I think our greatest success in the past

12 months is to stay profitable while keeping all of our staff and dealing with the adversity through tenacity and strategic problem solving,” Smith added.

The longtime Park Cities Baptist Church member’s faith is integral to his life and community service. Everest Stone was part of a coalition in 2020 that helped acquire a bus for a child rehabilitation center in Africa for field trips or medical visits.

He still credits Highland Park football offensive coordinator Grayson Wells as a role model.

“I think Coach Greyson Wells on the HPHS athletic staff does an incredible job. I think he is greatly responsible for the success of the HP football program and that he plays a key part on the offensive strategy each week,” Smith said. “He was one of the most consistent male role models in my life over more than three years and had a huge impact on my life.”

Smith supports and serves as a strategic partner for the Christian organization Cru, which has campus and city ministries that encompass more than 35 cities and more than 2,000 churches and organizations. He also employs graduates of the Men of Nehemiah program, a faith-based treatment center for men battling addiction.

Favorite nonprofit causes?

Nationally I think Cru/Campus Crusade for Christ is an incredible organization. In addition to having staff on many USA college (campuses), they also have ministry partners telling the good news of Jesus Christ in almost every country in the world. Locally Men of Nehemiah, I also think, does an incredible job in their gospel-based rehabilitation program.

Brittani “Brit” Wold

Grit Fitness

Education: Cornell University, Harvard Business School

Brit Wold went from a Division 1 college basketball player at Cornell to the founder of a fitness concept.

Wold started Grit Fitness in 2015, intending to empower others, especially women, to reach their fitness goals.

“I attended a conference in LA in 2013 where Jillian (Michaels) was the keynote speaker. She said, ‘Work with passion is purpose; work without passion is punishment.’ In that moment, I felt a huge conviction to lean into my passion for fitness and empowering women,” Wold said. “I decided at that point that I try to build something sustainable and with greater impact beyond just working as a part-time fitness instructor.”

She now has two locations — one on SMU Boulevard, near where she attended basketball camp on the campus as a child, and another in the Design District.

Fitness and continue writing. Her first book is set to hit the shelves next year.

With her team, Wold teaches life skills and fitness classes for Our Friends Our Place, a transitional living center for women aged 18-24. She’s also a member of the Junior League of Dallas and Shoreline City Church.

“The women at GRIT Fitness are my community in Dallas. They are the most sincere, hardworking, passionate people I’ve ever known,” Wold said. “They have been my family before I was married and had a family of my own. The consistency and positivity of my community are what I love the most.”

Toughest business/personal challenge?

Setting boundaries and being able to say “no” without remorse was challenging for me, and I think it is for many women leaders. I’ve learned to prioritize self-care, rest, and my personal well-being so that I can bring my best self to serve others. Also, making time to have a personal life required a lot of intention and discipline. About three years into starting GRIT, I was very burnt out and also very much desired a family of my own. Something had to give, so I set boundaries around work and clear “clock out” times so I could prioritize dating. I’m glad I did. I met my husband during that time, and we have been married for three years and have a beautiful 8-monthold son.

What’s on your bucket list?

• Dinner with Oprah.

• To visit 12 countries in 12 months with my husband.

• To have my own venture capital fund that invests in women-owned businesses.

Friday, May 5, 2023

11 a.m. Silent Auction Noon Luncheon

The Statler Grand Ballroom

1914 Commerce Street Dallas, TX 75201

Sally Hoglund and Kristy Hoglund Robinson

Caroline Rose Hunt Cherish the Children Honorees

Lynn Fisher, Director of Corporate Giving, The Rosewood Corporation Honorary Chair

JASMINE GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Everest Stone

Education: Dallas Baptist University

Alysa Teichman

Alysa Teichman has continued her family’s legacy in designer jewelry retail.

Her parents, Joanne and Charles Teichman, founded their Plaza at Preston Center jewelry store Ylang 23 in the mid-’80s. Alysa joined Ylang 23 in 2016 and opened her jewelry store and piercing studio concept Wildlike in the Shops of Highland Park in 2021.

The former People Newspapers intern was inspired to join her family in retail, rather than go into journalism, by a family friend while working at her family’s store during a break in her senior year of college.

“I haven’t looked back since deciding to go into retail — the things I have learned from being an owner/operator of small businesses and the people I have come to meet have made an immeasurable impact on me,” Teichman said.

She hopes Wildlike will continue to expand in the coming years.

“I’m so committed to my mission of self-expression and creating joyful experiences,” Teichman said.

When she’s not focused on her businesses, Teichman enjoys giving back to the Dallas community as a board member of Jubilee Park and Community Center and the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. She and her mother, Joanne, also co-chaired Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas’ 32nd-annual Dallas Awards event in November 2022.

“My calling to help others less fortunate in the community started as I was preparing for my Bat Mitzvah 20+ years ago, and today I am so proud to use the broader reach that I get through Ylang 23 and Wildlike as platforms to support the community,” Teichman said. “Helping others is in my DNA.”

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

My first job was as a tennis and horseback riding instructor (age 13) at Merriwood Ranch. I first learned the importance of hard work and grit working in 100-degree heat at such a young age. PS – My second job was as an intern at People Newspapers when I was a high school student at Greenhill.

How do you motivate others?

Listening, transparency, and vulnerability –I think that’s what people want from their leaders. To the extent possible, I give my team members autonomy so they can experience elements of ownership mentality. Beyond that, I get my hands dirty and work very hard. I’m so passionate about what I do and think most people just want to feel that their leadership team is “in it” with them.

Gideon Powell is continuing and expanding his family’s business.

Cholla Petroleum traces its roots to his grandfather, L.W. “Slim” Powell, who started in the oil business as an oil field pumper on Caddo Lake in East Texas in 1916. The company operated initially as L&M Oil Company and became Cholla Petroleum in 1989.

Over time, it expanded exploration and production into Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, and North, Central, and West Texas. Gideon joined the company to lead its expansion into the Permian Basin in 2013 after a stint in Midland working for a royalty acquisition company.

“After a few divestitures, I stepped away from my role at Cholla to study the global power markets for investable CO2 utilization projects. It was during this time that we saw an opportunity in Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing to provide dispatchable electrical capacity to local grids,” Powell said.

“I then co-founded Autonomous LLC as Cholla’s Bitcoin mining investment company. In 2017, Autonomous acquired raw land in West Texas and developed HODL Ranch 1, the world’s first hyperscale greenfield campus for Bitcoin mining. After divesting this 100-megawatt project to a Silicon Valley company, I rejoined Cholla as its president and COO to lead the company’s new vision, exploration efforts, and capabilities expansion.”

He said the experience deepened his understanding of the energy industry.

“I’m excited to continue driving Cholla’s vision of leveraging our venture mindset and operating capabilities to be the partner of choice in the discovery and development of transformational and environmentally responsible energy resources,” Powell said.

Outside the oil industry, Powell supports the Crystal Charity Ball, the Meadows Foundation, Buried Alive, which works to end federal drug-related life-without-parole sentences, and Men of Nehemiah, a faith-based organization that offers treatment programs for men struggling with addiction.

Who’s your biggest inspiration and why?

My dad. He loved my mom and passed away with all his kids proud of him. He left a legacy his family is proud of.

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

The (first) job was working on a drilling rig in South Oklahoma. ... It’s very humbling being around large machinery and not understand how it all works. ... I wish everyone could experience (firsthand) how important the oil and gas workers are for powering our modern economy.

Gideon Powell Cholla Petroleum

Wildlike and Ylang 23

Education: Northwestern University

In her work as a business development manager at accounting firm Whitley Penn and as a volunteer with local organizations, including Capital for Kids and Lemonade Day of Greater Dallas, Danielle Reynolds is passionate about connecting with people.

Reynolds started working in human resources at Whitley Penn seven years ago and worked her way up to business development manager.

“After implementing the firm’s wellness program and leading campus recruiting efforts for the last several years, I found myself ready for the next challenge,” Reynolds said. “I never said no to opportunities and realized my ultimate passion was connecting with people, building relationships, and being a resource to them however I could. Now being in a business development role, I feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and it was through those relationships I built early on.”

She’s also used her skills in building relationships and connecting with people as an advisory council member and service chair for the Dallas Regional Chamber Young Professionals group and the Communities Foundation of Texas Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy cohort program.

She continues to give back to the community by volunteering with Capital for Kids, which supports organizations that educate, protect, and encourage at-risk children, and Lemonade Day of Greater Dallas, which seeks to empower youth to become business leaders, advocates, and volunteers of the future. Most recently, Reynolds started a monthly volunteer event organizing a team of volunteers from her Dallas/Preston Center office to assemble “busy books” (coloring book kits) for patients and families at Children’s Health Medical Center Dallas.

“This community is truly the most generous group of people, and I feel so blessed to surround myself with like-minded people that want to make an impact,” Reynolds said.

How do you motivate others?

The most important thing we can do is inspire people, and I think a big part of that is setting a good example through actions and words. Be a listening ear for others, be available to hold each other accountable, and always celebrate, no matter how big or small. We tend to focus on the “gap” and how far we have left to go when really, we should be focusing on the “gain” and how far we’ve come!

What’s a fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?

I love to bowl! During my senior year of high school, my friends and I joined one of our parent’s bowling leagues, and it was a blast!

Abby Fuqua doesn’t just help clients achieve their financial goals as vice president of business development at accounting firm Venturity Financial Partners.

She also helps people in need in Dallas and surrounding counties with 0% interest emergency loans, healthcare loans, and more as a Dallas Hebrew Free Loan Association board member.

“The organization offers a hand-up rather than a hand-out and has been making an impact in the North Texas community for several generations,” Fuqua said.

She’s also volunteered with the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Temple Emanu-El, and networking groups for women in finance and business, including the Women’s Finance Exchange and the emerging leaders’ program through Executive Women’s Forum International. She’s a past president of

the Dream Team Women’s Network and, as of December 2022, serves as the president of the Association for Corporate Growth DFW.

She hopes to continue fostering success for clients at Venturity and making an impact in Dallas and beyond through service with local nonprofits.

“I am excited to see how the strategic choices made at Venturity bear fruit and continue to make a positive impact for businesses and nonprofits across the country,” Fuqua said. “I have had the honor of serving on impactful nonprofit boards and committees and would love to continue serving the community to ensure that great organizations continue to receive the audience and financial support they need and deserve.”

Who’s your biggest inspiration and why?

My biggest inspiration comes as a unit — my parents and my in-laws. My husband and I are so fortunate that we have supportive parents who embody selflessness and community role models. Our parents inspire me because they put family first, made sure their children had every opportunity, were active members of their communities, and mixed in a lot of fun as well. I try and emulate them in all that I do.

What would you tell an 18-year-old you?

I would tell my 18-year-old self, “You belong in the room. Don’t be afraid to ask questions — no one has all of the answers even if they seem like they do.” My dad always told me, “Don’t let anyone intimidate you. They put their pants on in the morning the same way you do.” I still remind myself that today since I’m fortunate to encounter accomplished and impressive professionals often.

Danielle Reynolds

Whitley Penn

Education: University of Oklahoma

Abby

Jennifer Vo advances Alzheimer’s disease research and care as a senior clinical operations manager at Kerwin Medical Center and outside of work in her charitable endeavors.

Vo, an acute care nurse practitioner of about 15 years, switched career paths to join Kerwin Medical Center, a medical practice focused on brain health, memory care, and movement disorders research.

“I began my career in nursing in a fast-paced environment, caring for those in critical need as an ICU nurse,” Vo said. “I’ve had the honor to work alongside some of the smartest and most caring nurses through my years. After several years at the hospital and after having a family of my own, I decided to take on a new journey of my career. This journey led me unexpectedly to what has grown to be my passion – research. Helping to find a cure and better therapies for Alzheimer’s and other rare dementias.”

Since joining Kerwin Medical Center, Vo has helped it grow into a renowned

Are

clinical research site part of organizations including the Global Alzheimer’s Platform, a nonprofit that supports more than 100 clinical research sites around the world through study startup and recruitment activities, promoting diversity in research studies, and recognizing the citizen scientists who make research possible.

Kerwin is also involved with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which supports the organization’s efforts to provide Alzheimer’s care and support and accelerate research.

What is your biggest business/career success in the past 12 months?

Prior to me assuming the management role, our center was having challenges with staff retention. I would say my biggest success through these past 12 months has been growing the connections with the team, improving the work culture, and retaining happy and satisfied staff.

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

My first job was at a pizza restaurant at the age of 16. I have (been) employed every day of my life since then, (except) for the two months I went on hiatus and was on search for another position (the one that I’ve been at for now the past seven years). With that first job, I learned the importance of good work ethic and dependability. It’s not about how old or smart you are; it’s about your trustworthiness and ability to not only do your job but to do it well.

Who’s your biggest inspiration and why?

My kids – my son (11 years old) and my daughter (8 years old). I want them to understand that we are blessed with an incredible life and that they could achieve anything in life. I want them to never settle for mediocre. We have a saying in the house to “Go into the world and do well, but more importantly go into the world and do good.”

Between helping grow Smocked Auctions, which offers smocked and monogrammed children’s clothing, and her nonprofit work, Natalie Lesikar stays busy.

Lesikar joined Smocked Auctions as chief merchandising officer in 2019 after a 10-plus-year career with Neiman Marcus, where she worked her way up from an assistant buyer to a contemporary trend/activewear buyer.

“I got promoted to my dream buying job at Neiman Marcus when my oldest daughter was just 6 weeks old. I interviewed for the position every week from the time she was 10 days old until I got the job. ... I went back to work at 11 weeks and was on a plane to LA for market,” Lesikar said. “I traveled 16 weeks out of the year back and forth to NYC, LA, Paris, Florence, and Milan, and once our youngest, Ashley, was born 21 months later, I made the difficult decision to retire. … Then, just a few months later, I came out of retirement and started working at Smocked Auctions with my sister (Nicole Brewer)

and her business partner (Amy Laws) in January of 2019. That was four years ago, and I’ve never looked back.”

Outside of work, she’s president of the Armstrong Bradfield Preschool Association and helped the organization raise a record $175,000 for Armstrong and Bradfield Elementary schools at the annual home tour in 2022, and served as underwriting co-chair for Cattle Baron’s Ball, the largest single-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, which raised $4.1 million in 2022. Additionally, she was involved with Junior League of Dallas in various leadership positions for 14 years. She also volunteers with the Women’s Auxiliary for Children’s Health, the Birthday Party Project, and other organizations.

“My professional work life is busy, and my personal volunteer life is even busier, and there is still so much opportunity in both aspects. That’s what drives me –knowing how much opportunity there still is and knowing that I still haven’t scratched the surface,” Lesikar said.

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

My first job was being a camp counselor at Camp Longhorn. I was a camper for nine years and then a counselor for two.…You learn a lot when you’re at camp for three weeks without your family and air conditioning. I learned how to be independent, how to be a leader, take care of a cabin of 12 girls, all while having fun, gaining confidence, and forming lifelong friendships. Who’s your biggest inspiration and why?

My family. If you know me, you know my family is close-knit. My parents are my rock, and I wouldn’t survive without my sister, her kiddos, my husband, and my girls. I got my dad’s work ethic and my mom’s love of volunteering. Our parents raised us to work hard and help those around you. I’d like to think that’s what my sister and I do every day, and I hope I’m teaching my girls the same.

Jennifer Vo

Kerwin Medical Center Education: Texas Tech University

Natalie Lesikar Smocked Auctions Education: University of Missouri - Columbia

Go into the world and do well, but more importantly go into the world and do good.

That’s what drives me – knowing how much opportunity there still is and knowing that I still haven’t scratched the surface.

Laura Harris, NBC5 Today co-anchor, started her journalism career as a sports logger for CNN in Atlanta.

She primarily covers news now but still gets to cover sports occasionally, including the Tokyo Olympics for NBC 5 in 2021.

“I was literally paid to watch sporting events and log detailed notes about each play. I learned the value of a dollar quickly,” Harris said of her time as a sports logger. “My father used to tell me, ‘If you make a dollar, save 50 cents.’ While he wasn’t being literal, he was instilling in me that we had to save what we could. It’s that whole preparation thing that is so important to me even now. My parents always wanted us to be sure that we could support ourselves and be ready for anything, especially financially.”

Since then, she has worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor for WNEGTV in Toccoa, Georgia, a morning anchor/mid-morning co-host at WCIV in Charleston, South Carolina, and co-host of ABC Action News at WFTS-TV in

Tampa, Florida, before joining NBCDFW in 2018. Throughout her career, she’s won Emmy and Associated Press awards.

While in Tampa, Harris covered Pope Francis’ historic visit to Cuba in 2015 and then-President Barack Obama’s visit to the country in 2016.

In her new home of Dallas, Harris helped start NBC 5’s Reading With You initiative, a childhood literacy program in partnership with Reading Partners North Texas that encourages elementary-aged children to read at least one book weekly throughout the summer to combat summer learning loss. She often emcees and hosts charitable events, including GRACE Grapevine’s gala, and volunteers at her church, Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

“I want the next generation coming after me to see hard work breeds a successful career,” Harris said.

Who’s your biggest inspiration and why?

My mom and dad. They often tell my sister and me the story of when they moved to Atlanta from Ohio with only a bean bag to their name. They would sometimes even eat dinner on the floor of their apartment until they had enough money to buy a dining room table. My parents not only got off the floor, literally starting from the bottom, but they found a way to get to the top. Raising two daughters in a middle-class household and helping us not just survive but thrive.

It’s because of their hard work and dedication to their own careers and our education that I became the person I am today, and my sister is a successful litigator in Alabama.

What’s a fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?

I can play the violin.

What are you most excited about for the future?

GETTING MARRIED! 2023 is the year my fiancé (Patrick Means, who runs the Park Cities branch of Charles Schwab) and I will tie the knot, and we are so thrilled!

Taryn McDonald hopes to model community involvement for other young lawyers.

Nine years ago, McDonald joined Haynes and Boone, focused on helping businesses and providers with government investigations and healthcare litigation.

Before law school, she worked for the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Office of the Attorney General and in human resources for Target.

“I always considered going to law school because I loved public policy, and I met many lawyers when working in the Texas Legislature in college who encouraged me. It was working in human resources for Target after college that finally pushed me to apply,” McDonald said. “Working in the government investigations space has allowed me to use my prior experience and interests to help businesses and providers navigate complicated regulations and

resolve issues.”

Part of the reason she says she was interested in working at Haynes and Boone is the firm’s emphasis on making a difference in the community – a value she shares.

“I want to model that for other young lawyers in the future,” she said.

McDonald has served on the Cattle Baron’s Ball committee for seven years, helping organize the largest single-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

She recently joined the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Dallas and volunteers at her daughter’s school, Boone Elementary.

“Cattle Baron’s Ball is unique in that most of the money raised (over $93 million thus far) stays right here in DFW. The cause is close to my heart since my mom died of breast cancer in 2013. She received her cancer treatment here in DFW for 14 years and was able to have access to several clinical trials without having to leave home,” McDonald said.

Who’s your biggest inspiration and why?

It has always been my mom. She was such a positive force — even while living with cancer, working, and raising a family — all while being in and out of (mostly in) treatment for the better part of 14 years. She never complained, and she spent most of her time thinking of others. Now that I am a mom myself, I have an even greater appreciation for how she chose to live.

Which leadership skills were the most challenging for you to develop and why?

Anything having to do with speaking in front of others. It’s always hard to put yourself out there in that way, but I’ve found that the more I do it, the easier it becomes.

What’s on your bucket list?

I’ve always wanted to learn to play the piano.

“CFT’s Emerging Leaders program has been amazing to be part of. It’s not your typical young professional group. You get to learn alongside and connect with a uniquely diverse group that you wouldn’t otherwise interact with on a regular basis. Participants are passionate about making intentional impact in our community. The experience of funding nonprofits through the program is extremely rewarding, and you also gain the skills and tools to create change on your own.”

–Kerryn Sarwansingh,

Accenture Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy alumni member

For more information, visit CFTexas.org/ELP

consultant,

Laura Harris

Co-anchor NBC 5 Today

Education: Georgia Southern University

Taryn McDonald

Haynes and Boone, LLP

Education: University of Texas, SMU Dedman School of Law

I want the next generation coming after me to see hard work breeds a successful career.

It’s always hard to put yourself out there in that way, but I’ve found that the more I do it, the easier it becomes.

Megan Hughes

Bank of Texas

Education: University of Kansas, SMU Dedman

School of Law

Megan Hughes, a senior vice president and personal trust team leader at Bank of Texas, is passionate about helping other women advance in finance and life. Hughes has been involved with the Women’s Finance Exchange, the Mary M. Jalonick Women’s Philanthropy Institute, and the emerging professionals board of the Dallas Estate Planning Council.

Hughes joined Bank of Texas in 2017, first as a vice president and trust officer before promotion to her new role in 2021.

“It is really fulfilling to see others become successful in their careers and know that you played a part in helping them along the way,” she said. “I want to be thought of as a leader who always

stands up for what is right and someone that people enjoy working with and for.”

Her passion for helping, particularly causes supporting women and children, is evident in her involvement as a board member of Genesis Young Leaders, which supports the Genesis Women’s Shelter, as well as her involvement with the Dallas 24 Hour Club, which provides transitional living, support services, and essential life skills for those experiencing homelessness or struggling with addiction.

“A large part of my heart will always be with abused women and children,” Hughes said. “I am also very passionate about addiction as it impacts so many people and families and is frequently misunderstood.”

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

I was a hostess at a restaurant. I learned how to deal with tough personalities, how to work under pressure, and the value of providing excellent customer service.

What’s a fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?

In college, I studied abroad in Newcastle, Australia. I left with not only an appreciation of their culture but also a love of Tim Tam cookies.

Who’s your biggest inspiration and why?

My parents. They provided me with a great moral compass and taught me the meaning of hard work, to never give up, and to always follow your dreams.

Courtney Joyner

Tolleson Wealth Management

Education: Wake Forest University

Courtney Joyner shares a passion for helping Tolleson Wealth Management clients live out their values through financial investment and philanthropy with her father.

Joyner joined Tolleson in 2015 after a 2.5-year stint in wealth management in New York. She’s since worked her way up in the company from a senior analyst to her current role as director of philanthropy and family engagement.

“I grew up with my father working for the company that I now have the opportunity to work at. I saw him wake up every day excited to go to work and have a passion for serving client families,” Joyner said. “I knew that I wanted to work in the same industry and ultimately at the same company with the same people. For the past 7.5 years, we have been able to work together, and I love it.”

Her team at Tolleson supported clients in donating more than $21 million nationwide in 2022.

“The private foundations and donor-advised funds that our team supports at Tolleson Wealth Management are very involved in their local communities. Many support Highland Park ISD schools, the independent schools in Preston Hollow as well as many excellent nonprofits located in the Park Cities, like the Belong Disability Ministries at Highland Park United Methodist Church,” Joyner said. “Although our client families support organizations across the nation, they are very mindful of the needs in their own neighborhoods.”

Outside of work, Joyner enjoys volunteering and supporting animal rescues Hearts and Bones and Dallas Pets Alive.

“We have fostered many dogs in the past few years through both of these organizations, and I love their mission and unique approaches,” she said.

What would you tell an 18-year-old you?

I was very critical of myself as a young person, and I still am to some extent. However, at that age, I listened to all the voices around me equally. If I could tell my teenage self something, I would tell myself to pick a handful of people whose voices matter to you – those that truly care about you – and only listen to those voices.

What’s on your bucket list?

During college, I went sky diving in the mountains right before they closed for the winter season, so I think that I have crossed off my riskiest bucket list item. I would really love to visit all 50 states.

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When work brought him to Dallas in 2021, Dane Block Jr. wanted to use his lifelong love of sports to get involved with the community.

“My first call was to the Moody Family YMCA,” he said. “Having grown up in youth sports and YMCA programs, I felt an urge to plant roots and get involved in a community through an avenue with which I was largely familiar.”

At the Y, he is a volunteer coach and the youngest board member.

“As a volunteer coach, I have the privilege to lead children of this community and build strong, healthy spirits through sports,” he said.

As a board member, “I have the opportunity to be a part of the strategic planning, development, and execution of key programs and initiatives that directly benefit this community and beyond.”

This year he joined the private investment firm Latticework Capital Management after first coming to Dallas as an investment banking associate with Stephens Inc.

Block said he appreciates the welcome from the Dallas community.

“After expressing interest in getting involved in the community and showing a little bit of love and passion behind my efforts, I was met with an overwhelming amount of support from people who had no business investing in an outsider with no real ties to the area,” Block said.

He hopes to continue building relationships and growing in his career in the future.

“I love what I do and enjoy the incredible people doing revolutionary things I meet and work with along the way. The opportunity to work with business owners, founders, and management teams to build foundations, grow operations, and ultimately recognize value for work put in is a rewarding career,” he said.

Who’s your biggest inspiration and why?

I have been incredibly blessed with various role models, mentors, and friends throughout the different seasons of my life. To pinpoint just one would be a disservice to the countless individuals I am currently thinking of. However, to give credit where it is due, I have my parents to thank for serving as one of the greatest inspirations in my life. My father, who graduated from the Air Force Academy and served, has taught me how to set a standard for myself and work relentlessly toward personal goals and milestones. My mother, who graduated from Auburn University, has taught me how to show empathy with others and to be vulnerable. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama, and I love them dearly.

What’s on your bucket list?

Over the past couple of years, I have had completing a full Ironman on my bucket list and am currently in training to complete this in October of this year. Beyond that, I want to get into mountain climbing. Climbing some of the world’s tallest mountains is circled on my bucket list, and I look forward to working toward that.

Nicole Paquette is passionate about civic engagement and literacy.

Prior to joining Communities Foundation of Texas in 2017 as director of marketing and communications, she held various communications roles over a decade at the Bay County Library System in Bay City, Michigan, and spent five years as communications manager at the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland area in Holland, Michigan.

“I began working at my local library in high school and fell in love with helping others from that very first job,” Paquette said. “I became passionate about civic engagement and communications in college and ended up writing grant proposals for regional community foundation funding through my university.”

In Dallas, she co-led Big D Reads in 2021-2022, a community book club initiative in partnership with Communities Foundation of Texas, nonprofit publisher Deep Vellum, D Magazine Partners, and 50+ other community partners and sponsors. As part of the initiative, Big D Reads printed 30,000

copies of The Accommodation by Jim Schutze, which tells the mid-century history of Dallas, centered on the civic response to the bombing of Black residents’ homes in South Dallas.

Paquette serves on the Friends of the Dallas Public Library board of directors, has served on the organization’s executive committee, and has twice co-chaired its annual fundraising event, Love Local in 2022 and A Novel Night Out in 2019.

She is a Mayor’s Star Council graduate and helped lead the organization’s rebrand in 2021-22 to Engage Dallas. She now serves on the Engage Dallas advisory committee and is a new board member of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture. She is a 2019 graduate of the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce’s LEAD YP program.

Since 2014, Paquette has served on the national steering committee CommA, a professional association of community foundation communicators, where she now serves as chair.

She serves on the Philanthropy Southwest communications committee and is a founding member of the Communication Network’s ComNetworkLocal Dallas-Fort Worth chapter.

In 2023, Paquette received the Distinguished Professional Achievement Award from the University of North Texas Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism. Communities Foundation partnered with People Newspapers on our 2023 20 Under 40 program.

What was your toughest business/personal challenge?

Giving and volunteerism numbers are dropping, and it is going to take each of us to change that so our communities have the resources they need. We also have a very low voter turnout rate for local elections here in North Texas, especially in our millennial age demographic. There’s so much on our local ballots that affects our day-to-day quality of life, and I hope we can increase civic engagement and awareness drastically here.

Dane Block Jr.

Nicole Paquette

I love what I do and enjoy the incredible people doing revolutionary things I meet and work with along the way.

There’s so much on our local ballots that affects our dayto-day quality of life, and I hope we can increase civic engagement and awareness drastically here.

Noah Allen, who joined the law firm Kirkland & Ellis in 2020 and made partner in 2022, is working to help other attorneys advance.

His practice focuses on capital markets transactions, corporate governance, and securities law compliance.

“At the law firm, I’m involved with pro bono efforts to assist disadvantaged members of the community with expunging eligible criminal records in order to have better access to employment and housing opportunities,” Allen said. “I’m also working to develop a program to teach junior attorneys, particularly women, how to play golf and how the game can be a great resource for developing relationships and networking throughout the community.”

Outside of work, Allen stays involved with Boone Elementary, including the campus’ Dads Club, and Highland Park Presbyterian Church.

He’s also passionate about the work of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“My wife was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 12 years old,” he

said. “As a child, she worried that she would never get to be a mom, but because of the research this foundation has funded, the technology gets better and better — to the point that her insulin pump now helps manage her blood sugars automatically.”

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

I was a lifeguard for a pool company in Atlanta, Georgia. Eventually, I became the director of operations for that same company, and it paid my way through undergrad. I learned how to manage my responsibilities, take ownership of a business and our clientele, and direct people who were often several years older than me.

If you could buy a book (or rent a movie) for your neighbor, what would it be and why?

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. It was one of those books that I read in high school that still reminds me of how many blessings we have all around us, especially in this community, and that most of my “problems” are really not all that bad.

What’s a fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?

I received a kidney transplant in 2017 thanks to a now-dear friend, and actually have three kidneys in my body at the moment.

Toughest business/personal challenge?

Trying not to always control situations and having faith that things will ultimately work out even if it’s not the way I envisioned it.

What are you most excited about for the future?

Watching my kids grow into their personalities and learning to make decisions on their own.

Francois Reihani founded La La Land Kind Cafe in 2019 to hire and mentor youth in foster care. It has since grown to 10 locations in Texas and California, including locally in the Pavilion on Lovers Lane and NorthPark Center.

Reihani’s passion for giving back, particularly for providing a hand-up for youth aging out of the foster care system, inspired him to start the We Are One Foundation to work with nonprofits, including Dallas CASA, on the issue.

He had experience in hospitality, having helped found Bar Stellar and Pok The Raw Bar in Dallas’ West Village after transferring from the University of Southern California to SMU.

He combined his philanthropy and restaurant experience to start La La Land Kind Cafe.

“I was selling airplane parts when I turned 16, then selling cars for Volkswagen when I turned 18. In college at USC, I took as many internships as I could get, then transferred to SMU, where I ended

up opening my first restaurant at 21,” Reihani said. “From there, my nonprofit got started, and (I) ended up putting together my passions and creating La La Land.”

“These kids have never done anything wrong and (were) just handed horrible cards in life,” Reihani said. “When they turn 18, we throw them out into the street and say, ‘Good luck.’ It’s a completely broken and ignored system that needs to be solved.”

Reihani hopes to continue growing his company in the future.

“(It’s) exciting to continue to see how we can think outside the box and revolutionize the industry,” he said.

What’s on your bucket list?

Going back to my hometown in Rosarito, (Mexico), to help shape a better community.

What would you tell an 18-year-old you?

Enjoy the moment. As we grow and succeed through life, it is important to also appreciate the journey and be thankful. It’s very easy to get lost in the work.

Which leadership skills were the most challenging for you to develop and why?

Learning to create real boundaries between you and your team while also having a caring relationship.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

My first corporate job was selling cars for VW. I learned how to push myself and work ethic by being in an environment that was performance based.

Where do you see yourself and/or your career 10 years from now?

Shaping society through experiences that open our eyes, change what we see as the norm, and bring humanity closer together.

Noah Allen

Kirkland & Ellis

Education: University of South Carolina

Francois Reihani

La La Land Kind Cafe

Education: University of Southern California, SMU

I love what I do and enjoy the incredible people doing revolutionary things I meet and work with along the way.

When they turn 18, we throw them out into the street and say, ‘Good luck.’ It’s a completely broken and ignored system that needs to be solved.

Laura McLaughlin

HeadFirst Counseling, HeadFirst Mental Health Initiative

In 2016, Laura McLaughlin founded Headfirst Counseling, a child, teen, and family therapeutic service provider.

McLaughlin started her counseling career working for nonprofits focused on children and adult survivors of domestic violence and other abuse. In her practice now, McLaughlin specializes in working with children displaying social or emotional difficulties, behavioral concerns, sensory sensitivities, attachment concerns, and high-functioning autism spectrum disorders.

“At our practice, our goal is to help families increase their mental wellness through enabling families to strengthen coping skills, engage in problem-solving, and find solutions to increase peace and positive collaboration within the family system,” she said.

In 2022, McLaughlin started the practice’s nonprofit arm, the HeadFirst Mental Health

Initiative, aimed at providing free mental health treatment to families who would otherwise not have access to services due to financial burdens or inability to pay.

“The ‘lightbulb moment’ really came after the Uvalde school shooting. I couldn’t get it out of my mind all of the similarities potential perpetrators of these unthinkable acts typically have in common — the fact that they started as victims of a system that perpetually let them slip through, and had they received the mental health interventions they so desperately needed, we may not be in the situation we are now in which children cannot be guaranteed safety to attend school,” she said. “The idea also came after years of turning away clients at our private practice due to inability to pay and thinking there must be a better and sustainable way to help therapists make a decent living while also giving back to the community and helping more families.”

Outside of her practice and nonprofit, McLaughlin works as a volunteer advocate with Dallas CASA. She previously worked with Community Partners of Dallas as part of its HEART program to provide group therapy services to child victims of sexual abuse in Dallas County before the HEART program lost funding.

What are you most excited about for the future?

The continued destigmatization of mental illness. It’s a reckoning that’s been a long time coming.

Who’s your biggest inspiration and why?

Generation Z – their openness, inclusivity, and intensity in the way they fight for what they believe is right is fascinating to witness.

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Lauren Sands is continuing her grandmother Caroline Rose Hunt’s legacy of giving back to the Dallas community.

Sands serves on the boards of Dallas CASA, which advocates for children in foster care, and Trusted World, a disaster and humanitarian relief organization.

“Volunteering with CASA makes me feel like I am making a personal impact by allowing me to advocate in the courtroom and visit my cases in their foster home,” Sands said. “I am happy to support Trusted World as a board member because I think that their business model is one of the best ways to efficiently serve those in need.”

Sands grew up in the Park Cities and returned to the area in 2021 to work for the Rosewood Corporation, owned by the Caroline Hunt Trust Estate.

Before that, she worked in Los Angeles

and New York after college as an assistant digital media planner on the Disneyland and Resorts account at Carat and a digital investment analyst on the Audi account for PHD.

“When COVID hit New York, I decided to move back home to Dallas,” Sands said. “I currently work as a business development manager for The Rosewood Corporation and have been working on growing our subsidiary companies, Rosewood Ranches and Royalty Pecan Farms.”

Since then, in addition to her work with Dallas CASA and Trusted World, Sands has worked alongside The Rosewood Foundation and The Moozie Foundation to help those in need in the Dallas community.

“I’ve enjoyed uniting with local community members to find the best solutions. I am a part of United Way’s Tocqueville March Fellows program, which is an initiative designed to engage a diverse group of young professionals in a multi-year learning, giving, and volunteering experience,” she added. “I’ve also enjoyed working with organizations like T.R. Hoover, CEOC, BridgeBuilders, and Bonton Farms, who are making an incredible impact on South Dallas and the Bonton area.”

Toughest business/personal challenge?

I always say, “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” I’ve been in a lot of situations where I have had to be resourceful and figure things out along the way — and that’s OK. When I was redesigning the pecan packaging for Royalty Pecan Farms, I had no experience in the food industry and had to figure out how to make a bar code, nutritional label, and manufacture the packaging. It all came together in the end.

Education: University of Texas, University of North Texas

Lauren Sands

The Rosewood Corporation Education: University of Southern California

The first Asian American Miss Texas’ nonprofit work is in keeping with her message of “y’all means all.”

Before being crowned Miss Texas in June 2022, Averie Bishop was the first Asian American Miss Dallas in 2020. Most recently, Bishop represented Texas at Miss America this December, where she was named second runner-up, making her the highest-placing Miss Texas in 15 years.

“I grew up in poverty, experienced

food insecurity, and faced discrimination,” Bishop said. “My social platform aims to make every child feel at home and teaches them how to grow into their greatest potential, even through challenging adversities.”

Bishop, a first-generation graduate of SMU’s Dedman School of Law, is the youngest member of Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson’s Anti-Hate Advisory Council and the statewide ambassador for Texas Cares for Children, which provides lowto-no-cost mentorship and educational programming to Title 1 schools across the state. With her mother, Marevi, a Filipino immigrant, she founded the Tulong

Foundation, a nonprofit that provides educational opportunities and clean drinking water for impoverished communities in southeast Asia. She’s also written a children’s book, Miss Melody the Marigold , about the importance of diversity and inclusion that benefits the Tulong Foundation.

Among her recent business ventures is social media consulting.

“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” Bishop said. “I incorporated my own small business (for social media consulting) just last year and found the confidence to encourage others to do the same.”

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

I was a hostess at a Mexican restaurant in North Texas (perhaps that’s why I acquired a love for queso). I learned to get my hands dirty. Nothing is given; you’ve got to earn it.

What would you tell an 18-year-old you?

Stop waiting. I waited through middle school and high school, hoping someone

like myself would become the representation I desperately needed. I waited until I felt prettier, smarter, richer, and thinner. Don’t wait. Allow yourself to try, even when failure seems like the imminent end.

What’s a fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?

I have a vegetable garden in my small backyard where I’ve grown giant-sized green bell peppers.

What are you most excited about for the future?

I look forward to seeing how the economy of Texas will change! While I’ve had numerous offers to work in New York or LA, North Texas is where everyone is flocking to and where I plan to stay. Texas is quickly becoming THE global place to work, live, and play.

Which leadership skills were the most challenging for you to develop and why?

I used to shrink myself, especially as a woman of color. I would speak quietly, question my decisions, and even hesitate to speak up during law school or during meetings. I always remind myself and others that you deserve to take up space.

Biggest business/career success in the past 12 months?

While I graduated with a juris doctorate degree from SMU law school, I incorporated my own small business for social media consulting. I acquired a million followers across social media and get to help companies like Google and Microsoft create engaging media campaigns.

My social platform aims to make every child feel at home and teaches them how to grow into their greatest potential, even through challenging adversities.

Averie Bishop

The Tulong Foundation, Miss Texas Education: SMU

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The Taylor Family

Diagnosed in July 2020 with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer that forms in soft tissue, Hank (who goes by Hanky) developed a softball-sized tumor in his abdomen that was pushing on other organs.

For more than two years, Dr. Chelsee Greer, Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist in the Pauline Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s HealthSM and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has guided Hank and his family through a cancer journey full of twists and turns.

Because of the location of the tumor, surgery wasn’t a viable option. And his chemotherapy treatment wasn’t routine, involving other specialties to help with side effects from the therapy that began to hurt his liver and cause his stomach to swell.

“She was always honest with me when it was bad news, but she also always had a plan. And that made me feel confident in her and Children’s Health,” Mom, Molly, said. Patients, like Hank, and their families receive incredible psychosocial support through dedicated programs

like child life, social work, spiritual care, language interpretation and more, made possible thanks to philanthropic support. And, throughout the year volunteers make the hospital a special place for patients including donating costumes during Halloween.

“After that, costumes in the hospital, particularly superhero ones, became his thing. Everyone was telling him that he was strong and tough, and he really latched onto that. He wore a superhero costume almost every day,” Molly said. “He would cruise the hospital hallways in his costume and say, ‘I’m going to see my girls,’ which were his nurses.”

More than a year ago, Hank finished his last round of chemotherapy. Team members celebrated the milestone with a Spiderman-themed party full of superhero costumes and a banner that read “Peace Out Chemo.”

This year, Hank started pre-school, and on the first day, he ran into the room — unafraid and full of excitement.

2023 Honorary Chairs

The Kershaw Family

The Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington holds a special place in the hearts of Ellen and Clayton Kershaw. Their love of roller coasters has brought them to the park many times over the years and was even part of the date Clayton, pitcher for the LA Dodgers, organized as part of his proposal to Ellen.

“Clayton and I are kids at heart and Six Flags is one of those magical places where everyone can have fun no matter what your age,” Ellen said. “Hosting the Family Night at Six Flags event brings together our dedication to prioritize family time and our support of Children’s Health.”

A few years ago, Ellen joined the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Dallas because she wanted to become more involved with like-minded advocates for pediatric health. What she found when she got to her first meeting was a humbling force of advocacy and commitment to support every child across North Texas.

“These women are an impressive workforce of volunteers, and the funds raised from Auxiliary events have an incredible impact on the hospital’s ability to

meet every child’s needs,” she said.

As they’ve become more involved, the Kershaws have been inspired by the hospital’s commitment to pediatric mental health. The family has generously given to support the Behavioral Health Integration and Guidance Initiative – a collaborative effort between Children’s Health and the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute to equip and empower pediatricians to incorporate mental health services into their standard primary care practice, increasing mental health care access for kids.

Ellen is also intentional about building altruistic values in her kids. She and Clayton want them to see opportunities to give their time, talents and resources as part of their everyday life.

“My hope and my goal is for my kids to have a strong understanding of the world and know that each life has value,” Ellen said. “Every time we make crafts and give our time back to the hospital, I see their empathy grow, and we have a lot of conversations about why it’s important to support other families.”

2023 Honorary Patient Family

2023 Honorary Patient Family The Taylor Family

2023 Honorary Chairs The Kershaw Family

Sponsors

FAMILY NIGHT AT SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS | 3

Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Dallas

Thank You 2023 Sponsors

The Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center extends its heartfelt appreciation to DPR Construction, WFAA, Tom Thumb, Six Flags Over Texas and the many generous sponsors* who are making the 55th Annual Family Night at Six Flags Over Texas an incredible success.

* We would also like to thank the many other sponsors and friends of Family Night at Six Flags Over Texas whose contributions were received after this printing.

2023 Family Night at Six Flags

Presenting Sponsor

DPR Construction

Red Balloon Sponsors

Melissa and Stephen Brooks - Grand Homes

The Kershaw Family

Signature Partners

Bank of America

Billingsley Company

Puppies Sponsors

Philip T. Bee Charitable Trust

Lindsay and George Billingsley

Lucy and Tom Burns

The Delatour Family

Carolyn and Randy Garrett

Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation

Catalina and Santiago Jorba

Lantern Family Foundation, on behalf of

Kristin and Andy Mitchell

NexPoint

Playrooms Sponsors

Angiel Electrical Construction Corporation

Anonymous

Arts and Crafts Sponsors

Kathryne S. Bishop

Maura and Tim Costello

Ensemble

The Hopper Family

Hillary and Aaron Murff

Dr. and Mrs. Hisashi Nikaidoh

Planes Sponsors

BestNest Pediatrics

Megan and Beau Brooks

Averille and Stewart Dawson

Mary Catherine and Preston Finney

Meredith Finney Family

The Gilbert Family

Lantower Residential

Make It Count Family Foundation

Carly and Blake Martin

Dian Moore, Shelley and Pete Moore

The Family of Michal and Loyd Powell

Lisa and John Rocchio

Dr. Melissa Tonn/OccMD

Butterflies Sponsors

Beth and Will Babb

Brandon Industries

Susan Brown and Bill McCoy

The Campfield Family

The Casas Family

The Cecere Family

Monica and Brent Christopher

Meredith and Andrew Clavenna

Christina and Chris Durovich

Sally and George Dutter

Ellis M. Skinner Co GP, LLC

Holly Hassmann

Project Mockingbird

Diana and Jeffrey Swope and Family

Utility Trailer of Dallas, Inc.

Special Thanks to our Promotional Partners

PaperCity People Newspapers

Tom Thumb

WFAA

FAMILY NIGHT AT SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS

2023 Committee

Honorary Patient Family

The Taylor Family

Molly, Trent and Hank

Honorary Chairs

The Kershaw Family

Family Night

Co-Chairs

Lindsay Billingsley

Lucy Burns

Brooke Dowdy

Catalina Gonzalez Jorba

Carly Allen Martin

Meridith Zidell

Underwriting

Lindsay Billingsley

Public Relations and Media

Brooke Dowdy

Auxiliary Leadership

President

Courtney Gilbert

President-Elect

Holly Lawrence

Family Night Treasurer

Brandi Chilian

Host Committee

Carron Batt

Cynthia Beaird

Martha Lou Beaird

Megan Beckner

Jill C. Bee

Heather Bennett

Kathryn Biggers

Sandra Blair

Cordelia Boone

Nicole Brewer

Katy Brooks

Wynne Brown

Pam Busbee

Michele Cassidy

Katy Cecere

Brandi Chalmers

Andrea Cheek

Monica Christopher

Joanna Clarke

Barbie Cobb

Heather Cole

Elizabeth Conger

Maura Costello

Carrie Cothrum

Jennifer Craft

Haylie Crouch

Christine Danuser

Ann Delatour

Bessie Doffermyre

Lauren Dunwoody

Sally Dutter

Chelsea Duvall

Kerry Dyer

Alan Engstrom

Dansby Erwin

Anne Evans

Allison Fainter

Liz Farley

Susan Farris

Meredith Ferrell

Mary Catherine Finney

Meredith Finney

Susan Frymire

Kelly Garlock

Teresa Greenleaf

Hannah Hairston

Melissa Harlow

Gretchen Hirschey

Caitlin Hyatt

Sarah Jaudes

Lori Jones

Jenny Kearns

Kalisa King

Shawna Kuykendall

Becky Lacour

Katherine Lewis

Ruthie Lightbourn

Julie Livingston

Cynthia Looney

Lisa Macaraeg

Judy Marlow

Jacque Marvin

Erin McClung

Cindy McGeoch

Mary Grace Mewett

Lindsey Miller

Kristin Mitchell

JoAnne Bisso Moore

Jan Myers

Meredith Noble

Connie O’Neill

Shivangi Perkins

Laura Petka

Layne Pitzer

Renee Polychronis

Michal Powell

Debbie Raynor

Lisa Rocchio

Audrey Schmit

Melanie Schoenvogel

Debbie Scripps

Nancy Scripps

Victoria Steindorf

Stacey Stoller

Bailey Stovall

Kelsie Sumner

Lauren Swann

Tish Visinsky

Wanda Webb

Laura Whitley

Susan Wolcott

Foundation Staff

Devon Briggs

Rathna Gray

Holly Hassmann

Leah Lake

Jenny Ozee

Women’s Auxiliary

The Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center and its members have a rich history of service and tradition that began in 1962. The Auxiliary has given more than $26 million to Children’s Health through Family Night at Six Flags Over Texas and other fundraising events and activities to support crucial hospital programs. Generous community support has brought help and hope to thousands of patients and families over the years. Come out and join us for an evening of fun on April 14, and help make life better for children!

Women’s Auxiliary Presidents

Marc Istook and Family, WFAA

2022 Honorary Patient: Hannah Dvorocsik

2022 Family Night Chairs Sophia Brooks enjoying Family Night

2023 Family Night Chairs and Brent Christopher, Children’s Medical Center Foundation President