Upcoming Events
Zoo Boo – Saturdays, Sundays and Halloween from Sept. 21 – Oct. 31. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The zoo will be decked with trick-or-treat stations, pumpkin painting, dance parties, costume contests and games. San Antonio Zoo, 3903 North St. Mary's St. 78212; www.sazoo.org. St. Thomas Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival Patch: Oct. 9-31, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Festival: Sunday, Oct. 27, 3-5 p.m. Trunk or treat and family fall festivities. Prizes for best-decorated trunk. Come in costume. St. Thomas Episcopal Church and School, 1416 N. Loop 1604 E. 78232; 210-494-3507. Parents’ Day/Night Out – Thursday, Oct. 10, 1-4 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 18, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Leave the kids with the staff of the Mays Family YMCA for supervised, active fun. Kids 6 months to 13 years. Mays Family YMCA of Stone Oak, 21654 Blanco Road 78258; 210-497-7088.
Spooky Walk at the Parman Branch Library Thursday, Oct. 17, 6 – 8 p.m. Spooky trail, carnivalstyle games, prizes, food trucks, trick or treating and crafts. Come in costume. Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak Road; 210-207-2703.
Reagan Dance Clinic – Saturday, Oct. 19, 8 a.m.- noon. Students kinder through ninth grades practice dance skills and learn an original routine. Participants of the “Happily Ever After” event will perform at the Reagan v Roosevelt football game that evening at Comalander Stadium at 7 p.m. Clinic, Reagan High School, 19000 Ronald Reagan 78258; www.ronaldreagandance.com. Concordia Fest - Sunday, Oct. 20, noon – 4 p.m. Family fun including pony rides, bingo, inflatable games, face painting and food. Concordia Lutheran Church, 16801 Huebner Road 78258; www.Concordia.cc. Trunk or Treat at the Mays Family YMCA Friday, Oct. 25, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Enjoy family friendly games, candy, music and a robotics demonstration. Mays Family YMCA of Stone Oak, 21654 Blanco Road 78258; 497-7088. Cornerstone’s Feast 2019 and a Night to Honor Israel – Friday, Oct. 25, 5-10 p.m., service 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 26, noon – 10 p.m., service 5 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., service 6:30 p.m. Feast 2019 includes midway games, food, free rides, fireworks, inspirational speakers and worship music. Cornerstone Church, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway 78258; www.sacornerstone.org.
7th Annual Paint the Parkway Pink Fun Run– Saturday, Oct. 26, 7:30 ´ – 11 a.m. Community event presented by Thrive Well Cancer Foundation. Activities include a 5K run, 1-mile family walk, kids’ fun run, diaper dash and post-race health fair. Independence Hill Retirement Community, 20450 Huebner Road 78258; www.painttheparkwaypink.com. Trunk or Treat at Bulverde United Methodist Church – Sunday - Oct. 27, 4 - 6 p.m. Let the little ones trunk or treat from decorated cars and enjoy a costume contest, entertainment and food. Bulverde United Methodist Church, 28300 Highway 281 North 78261; 830-980-7745. Sonterra Women’s Association 25th Annual Holiday Bazaar - Friday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Start your holiday shopping early with unique gifts and fashion, beauty and home décor. The Club at Sonterra, 901 Sonterra Blvd. 78258; www.clubatsonterra.com.
Send your upcoming events to StoneOakInfo@gmail.com.
Flu Season is Here. Get your Flu Shots Today! Little Buddies Pediatric Clinic 20642 Stone Oak Parkway Suite 105 San Antonio, TX 78258 210-650-0814
• In-Office Allergy Testing and Treatment • Flu Shots • Wellness Checks and Vaccinations
Hablamos Español www.littlebuddiespediatrics.com 3
HOLIDAY SHOPPING BAZAAR Sonterra Women’s Association celebrates 25th year
SWA Holiday Bazaar Committee members: (L-R) Erika Colantonio, JoAnn Kirby, Marilou Epps and Connie Kremer, President By Amy Morgan
F
or more than two-and-one-half decades, the Holiday Bazaar hosted by the Sonterra Women’s Association (SWA) at The Club at Sonterra, has heralded the opening of the Christmas shopping season. Residents on the North Side eagerly anticipate this festive event, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary. The Club at Sonterra will be transformed into a shopping extravaganza with unique items for everyone’s gift lists on Friday, November 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Things have certainly changed since the early 1990s, when a small group of vendors mainly sold jewelry or handmade crafts to the association members following their November meeting. Communication was conducted via “snail mail,” a far cry from the social media and electronic messaging of today.
Other new products for 2019 are Vicki’s Embroidery, original Moroccan rugs transported from Persia, fair trade market items from developing countries worldwide, and hand-poured candles in ornate, decorative pots from San Miguel de Allende, (Bella’s Hand Candles.) “This is something we haven’t had in the past,” said Erika Colantonio, Bazaar Co-Chair. “We found this unique vendor from word of mouth. Vendors know each other and want to recruit their friends to share their successful experience at our event.”
Sonterra member and vendor Rosalie Hallenberger began exhibiting hand-painted clothing in the event’s first years. The accomplished crafter, who just celebrated her 80th birthday, taught herself how to make decorative wreaths more than 12 years ago. Her beautiful arrangements have now become a perennial favorite at the event. To celebrate its 25th year, the Sonterra Women’s Association has announced exciting new changes to its Annual Holiday Bazaar. This year, members and attendees are being given the opportunity to purchase a delicious buffet lunch offered from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. There will be more than 65 vendors in two beautiful ballrooms, featuring at least 15 first-time vendors to the event. Three local celebrities, Shelly Miles, host of San Antonio Living, Shelly’s Sparkles Touchtone Crystals; Meteorologist, Siobhain Anders, Shopping with Siobhain; and restaurateur Diana Barrios Trevino, La Hacienda de Los Barrios, will individually be marketing a variety of unique items for the first time at the Bazaar.
4
Rosalie Hallenberger has sold her handcrafted items at the Holiday Bazaar, every year for the past 25 years. 9
This year, the variety of participating vendors has increased to include businesses such as Shriner’s Women in Philanthropy, who will staff a booth with products supporting their philanthropic endeavors. Also, look for Mark & Olivia Jones Metal and Wooden Crosses, CBD Therapy, Hair Free 4 Me, Green Energy, Damsel in Defense, Foster Perry Travel, Imagine Lavender products, and a natural skin care line. “Another popular item will be clear purses sporting college or designer insignias, which are popular for game day or venues that require a clear bag,” Marilou said.
“I love the excitement of seeing everyone happy,” Erika said. “We try to make it fun and exciting, and the smiles are infectious.” This is the eighth year she and Co-Chair Marilou Epps have spearheaded the event. Erika and Marilou have cultivated relationships with carefully vetted vendors to satisfy the desires of the hundreds of annual shoppers. The Bazaar Co-Chairs are excited to welcome back several popular vendors who have participated in the Bazaar year after year, including Carol Kaye with Morris Kaye & Sons Furs and Fashion, Rosalie Crafts, Stella & Dot, Pashawl, and Sweets by Belinda.
A portion of the Bazaar’s proceeds support charities nominated by members of the Sonterra Women’s Association, according to SWA President Connie Kremer. SWA is a contributor to The Club at Sonterra’s Employee’s Scholarship Fund as well as local charities with a focus on women and children. There is no charge to attend the Holiday Bazaar, and free parking is located just outside the front door of the Club at Sonterra, 901 Sonterra Blvd. Mark your calendars and gather your group. The Holiday Bazaar at the Club at Sonterra is an event you don’t want to miss – you might even recognize some local celebrities among the crowd.
In keeping with tradition, vendors will offer unique, highquality gifts and products at every price point, including jewelry, designer handbags, boutique clothing, skincare products, Christmas décor, holiday goodies, children’s toys, and much more. Other popular vendors returning this year include Custom Golf Carts, Beaux Tresor, Discovery Toys, Tosh James Jewelry, Grace & Hart Silver Design, Wild Rock Jewelry, and Fanciful Design, to name a few. Another popular vendor, Amie Shill with Louis Vuitton Rehab (LV4 Charity), will feature new and gently used authentic high-end bags.
5
WORSHIP DIRECTORY
Weekend Celebration and Worship! Cornerstone Church Feast 2019
T
he Feast 2019 celebration at Cornerstone Church, from October 25-27, will be a great experience for families and the community. Cornerstone Church invites your family to join them for an amazing time of worship, celebration and fun! What is the Feast celebration all about? It’s taken straight from God’s Word and meant to celebrate His limitless blessings in our lives, His goodness, and the joy He brings us each day. It’s a time to thank Him for His provision. We are richly blessed and so thankful to set aside this time each year to shout from the rooftop how great God is!
On Friday night, October 25, an 8:00 p.m. outdoor service will begin on the main campus, located at 18755 Stone Oak Pkwy. Grammy Award winner, Dove Award Winner and Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee CeCe Winans will be leading the worship before Dr. Tony Evans brings a word that you don’t want to miss. If you have never heard Dr. Evans before, you are in for a treat! His unique messages allow him to share complex truths through simple illustrations in a very real and powerful way. Of course, there will be various food trucks open all night for families to enjoy. Younger guests always enjoy the free midway rides and games, so please bring your friends and share this sweet time of fellowship. God is so good! On Saturday, the rides and food trucks will open at noon so families can enjoy themselves before the Cornerstone Worship team takes the stage at 5:00 p.m. Pastor Matt Hagee will bring a powerful message on Saturday evening, followed by the best fireworks display that will rival any you have seen in the city of San Antonio.
On Sunday morning, Pastor Hagee will be preaching at both morning services (8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.) and Mark Levin will be the keynote speaker at the Night to Honor Israel, beginning at 6:30 p.m. that evening. Mark Levin is best known as one of the most respected political voices, hosting The Mark Levin Show on the Fox News Channel. He has the third largest nationally syndicated radio program and is heard by millions across America each week. You will enjoy what he has to say about the importance of America’s support for Israel and the Jewish people. Invite your friends and family to join Cornerstone Church for this great weekend of celebration! What a pleasure it is to appreciate the goodness of God in our lives. For more information, please call 210-490-1600 or at saCornerstone. org/Feast. We look forward to seeing you in October!
Crown of Life Lutheran Church Gathered by the mercy of Jesus to receive his great love for us in Word and Sacrament
crownoflifesa.org
LIFE REDEFINED! 1278 N Loop 1604 E San Antonio, TX 78232 Service Times Saturday - 5PM Sunday - 8:30, 10, 11:30AM Stay Connected! northrocksa.com @northrocksa Northrock Church
6
PET TIP
No More Boring Backyard
Ways to Engage your Furry Family Member
Have you ever considered a sensory garden? These spaces create opportunities for your pup to interact with his environment. Pet friendly plants can provide natural aromatherapy for your pup. Rosemary, thyme, and basil smell wonderful and are pet safe. Chamomile and lavender have calming qualities - good choices for dogs with nervous personalities. Select plants in a variety of heights, shapes, and textures and arrange them so your pup can get close to them to benefit from their fragrance. What pup doesn’t love to relax in a shady spot! You can plant some larger caladiums or elephant ears to create a leafy hideaway for him. If he’s a digger, plant them in pots with enough room to lounge on the patio underneath to keep him from inadvertently damaging their roots. By Courtney Crowley
W
ith the advent of October, San Antonians can look forward to cooler weather just around the corner. It’s the perfect time to spruce up your backyard. While you’re out there, why not add something special for your furry family member to enjoy. Small landscaping changes can incorporate entertaining options for Fido, sparing you the chore of loading him into the car to enjoy the outdoors. If your dog is a water lover, a portable pool can be a great addition. As you transition into fall, you can fill it with sand and transform it into a digging spot – a boon if Fido loves to burrow. What a great place to bury treats and toys to engage your pup’s interest and keep him from damaging undesired areas.
Exposure to different textures stimulates your pup’s senses. Adding small areas of rock, sand or mulch piques Fido’s interest and gives him the opportunity to smell and interact with different environments without leaving the backyard. One caveat – make sure you don’t select something so enticing your pup will want to eat it. If your furry family member has energy to spare, you can create a low jump or log obstacle for him to surmount as he runs. These items can be so attractively landscaped they fit seamlessly into your backyard décor. A small dog might love a windowpane cut into a spot on their fence so they can watch others walk by outside. Creative ideas are limited only by your imagination. Your precious pup is unique, so don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian or trainer for suggestions about what might be the best environment to keep your furry family member engaged.
DOGGY DAY CARE & BOARDING • TRAINING
GETPremier MORECarePLAY IN YOUR STAY. With No Hidden Fees. FIRST DAY FREE!* ALL DAY PLAY PET CPR & FIRST AID CERTIFIED FLEXIBLE CHECK-IN/OUT LIVE WEB CAMS
ASK ABOUT OUR ANY SERVICE
*new customers only
*Camper must pass interview and be current on all required vaccinations. New customers only. Other restrictions apply.
MONTHLY MEMBERSHIPS!
20% OFF
CAMP BOW WOW® SAN ANTONIO AREA (210) 496-9969 • campbowwow.com/san-antonio
7
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
Hunter's Heaven RTC Outdoors – One-Stop Shop for the Discerning Game Enthusiast
the hunter with bags of “mystery meat.” RTC Outdoors processes each animal individually and with care, ensuring the meat’s quality. And Brian has developed new labeling that will stay affixed to the vacuum-sealed packages identifying year, species, and type of product. They can make anything per customer request - briskets, hot Italian sausage, bacon and blue-cheese patties, Ed said, using their unique, chef-developed blend of spices to season and tenderize the meat. “We couldn’t find the type of product we were looking for that our families would enjoy eating,” Ed said. “We custom-process one animal at a time and personalize each order. We pride ourselves on being more of a gourmet game processor.” No need to call ahead or make an appointment, RTC Outdoors offers a large, locked cooler outside its building on IH 10, just south of Boerne. Hunters can follow the instructions 24/7 to securely leave their harvested animal in a safe temperature.
By Amy Morgan
F
all is a favorite time in South Texas, not just for its promise of cooler weather or the fun following football. Fall also heralds the opening of game hunting season. This year, discriminating hunters and those who enjoy the taste of wild game have a new option for their meat processing and taxidermy needs. RTC Outdoors held its grand opening September 27 to coincide with the opening of Texas Whitetail bow hunting season the next day. Hunters can now processes their harvested animal and complete their trophy mount in one convenient location. Co-owners Ed Reed, Brian Clemens, and Matt Tiefenbrumn, along with General Manger Joe Jett, are avid hunters' with discerning palates. (Brian’s wife manages a fine-dining establishment where she orders top-of-the-line meat, including exotic game). They dreamed of combining everything they loved best about hunting in one place to elevate the experience. They had been disappointed by past processing – mixed meat from various species, getting other hunters meat mixed with their own and poor labeling that slipped off packages in the freezer, leaving 8
“If you want organic food – we’re as organic as you can get” – Ed Reed
in animal husbandry and meat processing and desire to nurture the sport’s future. RTC Outdoors has partnered with some of best properties in the Hill Country to provide guided hunts. These can be tailored for one, a group, or as a corporate excursion, appropriate in scope for beginners to experts. And for seasoned hunters with a wish list, no prey is too elusive. Joe has guided hunters on their quest for all types of game, including larger and more exotic species like Nilgai Antelope, Axis, Blackbuck, Sika, Aoudad, Scimitar Oryx, just to name a few available in the Texas Hill Country, if you know where to look.
Some may not wish to use a larger animal in its entirety. RTC Outdoors will process donated meat to feed the homeless at no charge to the hunter. Soon, the public will be able to pre-order meat from RTC Outdoors. Just call ahead, and when the Axis steaks you want to impress your dinner guests are available, they’ll let you know.
The owners of RTC Outdoors hope to foster love for hunting in a new generation as they model good game stewardship. Coming soon, a carefully curated selection of high-end hunting products that will make great gifts. Find them on Facebook @RTCoutdoors.
The co-owners also noticed a need to provide a way to memorialize a special animal. RTC Outdoors recently mounted a 48-point trophy Whitetail buck in just 60 days. They were able to expedite the taxidermy process for the extremely proud hunter. Ed’s son, Cooper, recently mounted a 36-inch Axis in velvet, quite an accomplishment for a 12-year-old. The team members have known each other for years through their respective Farmer’s Insurance businesses. They share a love of hunting and decades of experience
RTC Outdoors 30875 Interstate 10W Bldg. G Boerne, TX 78006 (210)- 338-1006 www.rtcoutdoorsusa.com Facebook.com/RTCOutdoors
• Fast Wild Game Processing Services • Modern and Clean Facility • We custom process one animal at a time • Cold Storage Access After Hours • Taxidermy Services • Premium Smokehouse • Hunting Excursions • Affordable & Easy Payments 9
LUNCH DISCOUNT VOUCHER
DINNER DISCOUNT VOUCHER
*$5 OFF $20 PURCHASE OR MORE ON LUNCH ENTREES ONLY
*$10 OFF $30 PURCHASE OR MORE ON LUNCH ENTREES ONLY
$5 OFF*
$10 OFF*
NOT VALID WITH HAPPY HOUR, TUESDAY HALF PRICE WINE BOTTLES, 3 COURSE MEALS, CHEF FEATURES OR ANY OTHER PROMOTIONS.
Shavano Park Location 4035 North Loop 1604 W San Antonio, TX 78257 210-493-8884
Leon Springs Location 24165 West Interstate 10 San Antonio, TX 78255 210-549-1266
www.scuzziitaliangrill.com Call to book the party room today!
10
SENIOR MOMENT
Legal Legend Senior Managed Real Estate Giants By Amy Morgan
A
nne Myers is the keeper of a treasure trove of stories from her decades working with the best in San Antonio’s legal community. Anne began her career as a secretary for David Carter’s law firm when she moved to San Antonio in 1967. As she describes it, her job description was “flexible,” encompassing everything from picking up the daily proceeds from the firm’s bunuelo stand at Hemisphere Park during the 1968 World’s Fair to housesitting for the family. Anne loved the bustle of big city San Antonio after growing up in Waco, which she describes as a small town at the time. In 1971, she joined the law firm of Sylvan Lang, who owned Frost Brothers Department Store. Working as a legal secretary for the prestigious firm had its perks — employees enjoyed a 40 percent discount when they shopped at Frost. From 1972-1976, Anne ran a secretarial service next to San Antonio’s courthouse. During this time, she became president of San Antonio’s Legal Secretaries Association and served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of Legal Secretaries. She met Allan Polunsky as she assisted him with some legal paperwork. He recognized her expertise and convinced her to run his new practice in 1976. “With Allan, every day was a new adventure,” Anne said. The firm started with two in 1976, and eventually grew to 66 people when Anne retired in 2004. Allan and his partner were the among the first attorneys to become board certified in residential and commercial real estate back in the mid-1980s when the Texas State Board of Specialization began developing designations. Anne remembers when a mimeograph machine was an innovation, as well as the first computer she purchased in the 1980s – an IBM XT 32 MG RAM that cost $3,200. Anne obtained her own real estate broker’s license in 1980. At the “ripe age” of 40, she took up snow skiing. Never one to do anything in half measures, Anne became president of the local ski club, president of the Texas Ski Council, and eventually a charter member of the National Federation of Ski Councils. She still keeps the ski medals she earned competing in events around the world. Anne shared the love of the sport with her daughter, Amanda, who was born in 1982. A broken leg in France several years ago inspired Anne to switch her focus to tennis, another sport she has played for decades. She currently captains four teams at The Club at Sonterra. Last spring, Anne found herself on a 12-foot ladder in the middle of the night changing a beeping smoke detector battery. That and the increasing cost of maintaining her aging appliances spurred her to consider a move. She was familiar with Independence Village because the law firm with which she had worked represented the individual who originally bought and developed the property. Anne moved in May and was delighted that she was able to select fresh paint and floor coverings and have a fenced yard for her poodle mix, BeBe. For more information on the lifestyle offered at Independence Village, call (210) 764-5260, or go to www.independencevillage.com.
Anne Myers is pictured here in Meteora, Greece, a location site and backdrop for one of the James Bond films.
Live the
Lifestyle YOU Deserve!
Enjoy life... in our maintenance free neighborhood of spacious one story homes, with great neighbors and a full social calendar.
Make New Friends...
Live the Retirement Dream at
20550 Huebner Road, San Antonio, Texas 78258
(210) 764-5260 www.independencevillage.com Lic #100102
Full Service Apartments, Assisted Living and Neighborhood of Homes
11
FANtastics Reagan Football Moms Fan the Fire
Reagan Football Moms work behind the scenes to support the players, coaches and program. Pictured here (L-R) Jacee Hogatt, Joy Dee Ankrom, Leslie Lorenz, and Angela Lopez. By Amy Morgan
A
n athletic department the size of Ronald Reagan High School’s requires an army of volunteers who work behind the scenes to help coaches keep the plates spinning. Every sport benefits from this cadre of unsung heroes who provide their blood, sweat, tears and prayers. There are fans, and there are FANtastics – the football program’s team moms who coordinate communication and support. Not only is football a showcase sport — who doesn’t love the Friday night lights — the program itself encompasses hundreds of players and families. Fortunately, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Lyndon Hamilton can rely upon his capable football moms to marshal parent helpers. Head Football Mom Jacee Hoggatt leads a group of four who spearhead the program. A Football Team Mom is selected when her son enters Reagan’s football program as a freshman. By the time he has reached his senior season, she is well versed in the responsibilities and ready to take over varsity efforts. Jacee’s second son, Luke, is now a senior varsity player, so she has earned her stripes over the years. “Jacee and her crew work countless volunteer hours helping our kids and coaches,” said Coach Hamilton, who suggested his team moms be recognized. Jacee and junior football mom, Joy Dee Ankrom, coordinate teams of varsity football parents who do everything from paint posters to decorate the locker rooms, host team dinners, and schlep Gatorade to the field. Notable are the dozen dads who form the Snake Crew, ensuring the Rattlers’ blow up snake is ready for players to run through to start each varsity game. “The snake is a beloved tradition that adds excitement to game day,” Jacee said. “The band starts to play, the dads pull the doors open, and here come the boys! It gets everybody on their feet and moving.
12
“I couldn’t do it without all of the football moms and the parent support,” she added. “I’m so very thankful for the entire parent group.” Some of Jacee’s favorite duties are the ways she connects the players to the Stone Oak community. The boys visit Independence Hill Retirement Community in the summer to interact with the residents – even setting up a practice field to run football plays in front of an audience of retirees and participating in water aerobics class. “It is a good opportunity for the boys to learn how to communicate with others,” Jacee said. The best reward — watching the boys she’s known for decades through YMCA and McAllister Park sports grow into young men. “They are great kids, and I love to see how mature and kind they are to each other.” These are memories to treasure and make the hours of service worthwhile.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
STEM Superstar
Reagan Senior Student Hones Programming Skills at Local Utility By Amy Morgan
S
enior Student Rishabh Prasad holds a very important distinction at Ronald Reagan High School – he is ranked number one in his class. The math whiz has participated in UIL academic competitions in number sense, calculator applications and general math since 6th grade. Last year he placed fifth in regional competition in calculator. “I like math and logic, which is why I want to pursue computer science and coding in the future,” Rishabh said. “It is very satisfying to create a bunch of code and see it run.” Rishabh also participates in Reagan’s mathematics honor society Mu Alpha Theta. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Rishabh’s father is in charge of engineering for a security and surveillance equipment manufacturing company. His mother is a seasoned HR professional who took time off from work to raise her two children. His sister, Sumu, a 2017 Reagan graduate, is studying environmental engineering. Rishabh’s goal is to study computer engineering, hopefully at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This past summer, Rishabh put his expertise to good use interning full-time for City Public Service in the Demand Side Analytics Department. He created a Python (programming language) program to predict and estimate solar panel production.
Rishabh Prasad holds a very important distinction at Ronald Reagan High School – he is currently ranked number one in his class.
“This internship enlightened me about the utility industry and its connection to computer science, but more importantly, I gained wisdom about how to conduct myself in the workplace. I hope to use my experiences to better my community through information about safety, energy usage, and technology,” he said. Rishabh’s sister introduced him to choir when he was at Bush Middle School. He found that he enjoyed the opportunity “to express my voice in a way you can’t do in academics.” Rishabh sings tenor in Reagan’s Kantorei choir and complements vocal performance with AP musical theory classes. Appropriately for a STEM student, Rishabh appreciates the technical aspects of music. He embraces the challenges of learning to hear the notes, recognize intervals, understand the rules, read music, write compositions and sing by sight, he said. Rishabh also evidences talent in language. The well-rounded student serves as secretary of Reagan’s Spanish honor society, which utilizes his strengths in record keeping and Excel. His goal is to become fluent in Spanish. As an officer, Rishabh has planned events including a food competition and an offcampus field trip to see Folkloric dancers. The club also sponsors a popular carnation-delivery fundraiser on campus each Valentine’s Day. Counselor Matt Eidson describes Rishabh as “one of the top performers in his class. He has demonstrated his love of music through participation in our choir program and took on the challenge of AP Music Theory. He has been a participant in our Dual Credit program and is our only student earning San Antonio College hours in three separate Dual Credit courses. Rishabh is highly motivated and college ready.”
13
STAFF PROFILE
Family Friendly 7to7 Dental Hygiene Assistant Finds New Career “I never thought I would be in the dental field,” she said. “It was definitely a change for me.” Office Manager Samantha Shadrock, RDH, noticed Felicia’s potential and encouraged her to pursue the opportunity to further her career. Hygiene assistants form a valuable part of 7to7 Dental’s patient care team. They escort patients to their chair, record vital signs to ensure they are medically eligible for their cleaning, take X-rays and prepare instruments. Felicia’s assistance allows the hygienists on her team to transition efficiently between patients. Her team supported Felicia as she trained through UT Health Science Center and even paid for an additional certification. Part of Felicia’s coursework included completing 180 hours shadowing in addition to her work schedule. This could have been an insurmountable obstacle for the busy mother of a blended family of six children, five of whom live at home. However, 7to7 Dental is open 7 a.m.- 8 p.m., weekdays and on weekends, convenient for patient schedules. Also convenient for Felicia, as she could shadow while she was at the office. She continues to appreciate the practice’s scheduling flexibility as she cares for her children. By Amy Morgan
F
elicia Rodriguez could not have known when she responded to a job-site posting how the whole trajectory of her life would change. A year and a half ago, Felicia was returning to the work force after the birth of her youngest daughter. She noticed 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics was hiring and applied for a position at the front desk. She immediately hit it off with the staff and soon joined the practice. When the office moved to the corner of Stone Oak Parkway and Evans Road last year, Felicia began working toward a new position – as a dental hygiene assistant.
14
Felicia is not the only employee who has found a career path at 7to7 Dental. Co-owners Justin Coke and Tiffany Winburn, D.M.D., wholeheartedly advocate staff advancement and a supportive work environment. They sponsor many projects to keep morale high among staff and patients alike. 7to7 Dental hosted a Super Hero Saturday the weekend before school started, where staff decorated the office and invited patients to join them in super hero costumes. Justin passed as a remarkably accurate Starlord from Guardians of the Galaxy, Felicia remarked, and the Catwoman/Batman duo was especially popular. Each child left with a gift of school supplies and pictures with their favorite hero. Additionally, 7to7 Dental collected $4000 of needed school supplies for students enrolled at three local elementary schools. Teachers report the assistance is greatly appreciated in this fourth year of 7to7 Dental’s support. The practice’s Comptroller, Luis Bryce, rode his bicycle 900 miles from Cibolo, Texas, to Kansas, fundraising for school supplies through monetary pledges. Just another example of how 7to7 Dental goes the extra mile to be a good neighbor.
15