Schools

WORK ON SMU’S NEW MOODY HALL READY TO GET UNDERWAY

By Rachel Snyder

rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com

Construction on the new four-story Frances Anne Moody Hall building, which will house the Moody graduate school at SMU, is expected to be well underway by the end of the year. SMU officials hope to open the building by summer 2023.

In June, the University Park City Council approved a zoning change of universityowned property between McFarlin Boulevard, University Boulevard, Airline Road, and Dublin Street to allow for the project.

The lost parking lot on Airline will be replaced with a new lot built to the east where about 23 homes are now and include some area reserved as green space.

University Park Communications and Marketing Director Steve Mace said SMU has told the city plans include: • Testing and abatement in July and early August. • Beginning demolition in late August or early September. • Completing demolition by late October.

The university had requested the rezoning of the western portion of university-owned property between McFarlin Boulevard, University Boulevard, Airline Road, and Dublin Street to UC-1 (which allows for a maximum building height of 120 feet), the middle portion to be rezoned UC-2 (which allows for a maximum nonresidential building height of 55 feet), and the eastern portion along Dublin to be rezoned UC-3

In June, the University Park City Council approved a zoning change of university-owned property between McFarlin Boulevard, University

Boulevard, Airline Road, and Dublin Street to allow for the new Frances Anne Moody Hall building. (PHOTO: COURTESY CITY OF UNIVERSITY PARK) (which allows for a maximum building height of 35 feet).

The motion approved by the city council granting the zoning change included an amendment from Mayor Pro Tem Randy Biddle that the university must provide the city with a signed deed restriction prohibiting a parking structure on the UC-2 portion of the site.

Michael Molina, SMU associate vice president of facilities planning and management/university architect, told city council members that the construction of Moody Hall is “critical” to increasing the university’s standing nationally as a research university. “It will consolidate all of our doctoral candidates into one location for interdisciplinary work, which is very critical to this achievement,” he said. The new graduate school was also made possible through a $100 million gift from the Moody Foundation. “We’re announcing the next stage in SMU’s development — a significant and unprecedented investment in the university’s graduate and doctoral programs and faculty research programs, which will propel SMU to even greater heights of national prominence,” SMU President R. Gerald Turner said at the time of the Moody Foundation gift. “I’m thrilled to announce today the Moody Foundation is partnering with SMU to build on our rich academic heritage to accentuate the development of our graduate programs. In making this investment, the Moody Foundation acknowledges that SMU has made dramatic progress in our pursuit of academic distinction.”

Sports, Band, Academics Power HPHS to 12th Lone Star Cup

Highland Park High School recently clinched its 12th UIL Lone Star Cup.

(PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER)

By Rachel Snyder

rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com

Highland Park High clinched its 12th University Interscholastic League Lone Star Cup, the most in UIL history.

“The Lone Star Cup is a symbol of excellence in the important areas of academics, fine arts, and athletics,” said Highland Park ISD Superintendent Tom Trigg. “I know our community joins me in congratulating everyone who contributed to this historically monumental accomplishment: students, teachers, directors, coaches, and the many parents who support them.”

This is an award earned by the entire school. Johnny Ringo

For the 2020-21 academic year, the Scots won state titles in team tennis and boys golf while placing in the top five at state in marching band, academics, and girls cross country.

The UIL Lone Star Cup program began during the 199798 school year and recognizes one high school in each of the six UIL conferences based on the school’s overall team achievement in academic, athletic, and music championships. The winning school in each classification receives a trophy in the fall and a $1,000 scholarship.

“Once again, I am amazed but not surprised by the resilient performance of our students, teachers, directors, and coaches,” said HPHS Principal Jeremy Gilbert. “Scotties always find a way to rise above challenges and perform at their best. I am proud of our students and the talented staff who pour their energy into building strong academic, fine arts, and athletic programs. Winning two consecutive Lone Star Cups exemplifies the level of commitment and dedication to excellence our students demonstrate daily in the classroom and while performing in the arts or competing on the field.”

Highland Park ISD Athletic Director Johnny Ringo also praised students and staff for the award.

“We celebrate our students and staff for an outstanding job,” Ringo said in a statement. “This is an award earned by the entire school. In addition to earning the 12th overall title, it is the 19th time in the 24-year history of the Cup that the Scots have finished first or second. Continuing to perform at such high levels during an unprecedented year is a true reflection of HPISD’s tradition of excellence in all areas.”

OTHER WINNERS

Visit uiltexas.org to learn more about the UIL Lone Star Cup and see the winners in other classifications.

The Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas presented Gold Award pins to 143 girls, including several in the Park Cities and Preston Hollow.

Girl Scouts’ most prestigious designation recognizes girls in grades nine through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through intensive, multi-year projects that have sustainable impact in the community and beyond.

Gracie Lane Neely Womble Victoria Chien Cate Goglia

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Gracie Lane, the daughter of Shannon and Lance Lane, is a rising senior at Highland Park High School. Her project: Unable during the pandemic to provide in-person art classes for West Dallas and Oak Cliff families served by Brother Bill’s, she and her volunteers created craft kits and instructional videos to provide children with fun learning activities to do at home.

Neely Womble the daughter of Bobby and Shannon Womble, is a rising senior at Highland Park. Her project: She and her volunteers built two weather-proofed mobile market tables so the Voice of Hope’s food bank serving West Dallas could display its fresh produce.

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Victoria Chien, the daughter of Jane and Larry Chien, is a rising senior at The Hockaday School. Her project: Partnering with United to Learn, she worked

Margot Meyer

with 17 schools, apartment complexes, and nonprofit agencies to deliver books to help children maintain literacy skills during the pandemic. Victoria also created and facilitated reading and craft activity sessions for the YMCA after school camp at Sierra Vista apartments.

Cate Goglia, the daughter of Carol and Mark Goglia, is a rising senior at The Hockaday School. Her project: She supported United to Learn’s mission to eliminate achievement gaps with a project

Erin Fleming

that produced more than 450 student-created videos as a resource for teachers and students during the pandemic. The YouTube videos – in English and Spanish – address topics such as reading, sports, arts, dance, and science.

Margot Meyer, daughter of Peggy and Dr. Dan Meyer, is a rising senior at Hockaday. Her project: She tapped telehealth options to allow at-risk students at Burnet Elementary access to quality healthcare without interrupting parent’s work schedules.

Christina Healy

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Erin Fleming, the daughter of Kelly Fleming, is a 2021 graduate of Highland Park High School. Her project: She designed and built eight workstations on wheels to provide teachers and students in the Voice of Hope Aspire after school program a more collaborative, 21st century learning environment.

Christina Healy, the daughter of Soo Mae Chu, is a 2021 graduate of Highland Park. Her project: She led a team of volunteers to re-

Kimaya Meherali (COURTESY PHOTOS)

design a meditation garden to provide those living at the St. Joseph’s Residence a quiet and shaded place to relax, move around, and enjoy the outdoors.

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Kimaya Meherali, the daughter of Sonita and Rafiq Meherali, is a rising junior at Ursuline Academy of Dallas. Her project: She created 100 blankets and recorded at-home workout videos for members of The Madison on Marsh skilled nursing home in Carrollton.

Bennett Bales

Christian Markey

These area Boy Scouts have earned the Eagle Scout rank, Scouting’s highest. Doing so typically takes several years and requires earning a combination of 21 or more badges plus a special project.

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University Park

Bennett Bales, son of Amy and Jayson Bales, attends Dallas Lutheran School. His Eagle project: built three Sensory Boards for Prestonwood Baptist Church Special Friends Ministry.

Aiden Chance, son of Shannyn

Aiden Chance

Brenden Patterson

and Chris Chance, attends Parish Episcopal School. His Eagle project: construction of six benches for Mount St. Michael Catholic School and moved a platform to create an outdoor area for events and classes.

Nick Heatly, son of Trey and Kelly Heatly, graduated from Bishop Lynch High School and will attend LSU in the fall. His eagle project: put up up-to-date evacuation maps in every Bishop Lynch classroom helped lead a COVID-19 safe fire drill for the campus.

Nick Heatly

Henry Stocker

Mark Hopkins, son of Karey and Arthur Hopkins attends Highland Park High School. His Eagle project: helped stain and paint two fences, paint and sand a bench, replace and paint wooden boards in a stall, and plant a tree next to the arena at Rocking M. Stables.

Andrew Chambers Johnson, son of Kristin and Michael B. Johnson, graduated from Highland Park and attends the University of Oklahoma. His Eagle project: led a team of 70 Scouts to build an “L” shaped planter for herbs and flowers at Bonton Farms.

Mark Hopkins

Edward Stocker

Christian Markey, son of Mike and Michelle Markey attends Jesuit Dallas. His Eagle project: remodeled an unused room to create an after school space at Brother Bill’s Helping Hands.

Brenden Patterson, son of Lance and Stephanie Patterson attends Sunnyvale High School. His Eagle project: raised $1,485 to build six rolling racks to transport the high school band’s marching hats boxes to competitions.

Henry and Edward Stocker, sons of Lynn and Bronson Stocker, graduated from Highland Park.

Andrew Chambers Johnson

Brooks White (COURTESY PHOTOS)

In the fall, Edward will attend Texas A&M and Henry will attend the University of Texas at Austin. Their Eagle projects: The brothers installed a beehive in the gardens behind the Presidential Library in George W. Bush Presidential Center Gardens.

Brooks White, son of Craig and Michelle White, attends Highland Park. His Eagle project: constructed two portable ramps to create a construction entrance at the Voice of Hope to provide for more social distancing from at-risk students during the pandemic.