5 minute read
Rachel McGowan
HOMEGROWN LEADERSHIP
Former LHHS drill-team member Rachel McGowan steps into RISD board
Rachel McGowan doesn’t spend much time dwelling on her role as the first Black person to represent Lake Highlands on Richardson ISD’s school board. Elected in May, she is among the first three Black representatives in the board’s history: David Tyson served as an at-large trustee from 2004-2010, and Regina Harris was recently reelected to represent District 4 surrounding Hamilton
Park. But race is simply not the point, McGowan says.
“It’s time to get over that. This community is bigger and better than that. Being the first Black person to represent District 5 is great, but it’s not about that to our community,” she says. “My focus wasn’t demographics; it was higher education standards, disciplinary issues and accountability, closing the achievement gap, teacher retention and teacher salaries. Those are the priorities of our community.”
MCGOWAN ADMITTED SHE LACKS EXPERTISE ON CERTAIN ISSUES DURING HER CAMPAIGN, AND THAT CANDOR ENDEARED HER TO SOME VOTERS.
I believe education is important, and you need to know what you’re talking about when you speak. When we don’t dig in and get the facts, bad things happen. I’m comfortable saying ‘I don’t know, but I will research that and get back to you.’ There will always be new laws and new things to learn.
MCGOWAN ALWAYS BELIEVED SHE’D WIN THE THREE-PERSON RACE WITHOUT A RUNOFF, AND SHE DID.
Most people said, “She’s one of our own. She’ll represent our district, and we’ll help her do it.” I was raised here, and I’m a product of these schools. I still have friends I grew up with, and we still love each other like we graduated yesterday. I am Lake Highlands. We are Lake Highlands. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.
HER BRIGHT RED CAMPAIGN SIGNS, DESIGNED TO STAND OUT ON GREEN LAWNS, UNEXPECTEDLY COST HER A FEW VOTES — AND WON HER A FEW — BECAUSE SOME MISTAKENLY BELIEVED THE COLOR SIGNALED AFFILIATION WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
I didn’t want to be put in a box because I’m Black; I just wanted to run the race. It’s not about partisan politics. I’m about educating kids and getting them to buy into higher standards for themselves and our school district. These kids are so technologically driven and so easily distracted, we’ve got to have teachers who can engage and connect quickly and grab their attention. If we aren’t putting politics and cultural differences to the side, we are losing our kids.
SHE’S OPTIMISTIC AND AMBITIOUS ABOUT THE IMPACT SHE CAN HAVE IN RISD.
I can make a difference by setting an example. I can be in the building, accessible and relatable. I want to be in the schools building relationships with teachers, administrators and students. That’s our job – connecting with the community to see what they think is important.
PARENTAL RIGHTS HAVE BECOME A HOTBUTTON TOPIC, WITH SOME PARENTS PUSHING TO CONTROL CURRICULUM AND BOOKS.
We have professionals in place for a reason. They go to school and study these topics. And some parents do, too, but I believe we have to leave a lot of this to the professionals to do their jobs and support them while they do it.
MCGOWAN STILL USES LESSONS SHE LEARNED ON THE HIGHLANDETTE LINE.
We learned manners and respect. We said “yes ma’am” to our elders. We learned discipline and how to be a part of a team. (Highlandette director) Vicki Coleman always said, “One bad apple spoils the bunch,” and that resonated with me. You’re only as strong as your weakest link, and you depend on each other when you’re linked up for a high kick on Friday night.
HOW DALLAS IS RESPONDING TO EMERALD ASH BORERS
Story by RENEE UMSTED | Illustration by JESSICA TURNER
Emerald ash borers have been confirmed in Dallas County, and they pose a threat to ash trees.
These insects, which are almost impossible to see, are 99% lethal to all untreated ash trees. In Dallas County, ash trees account for about 5% of the total tree population.
Urban biologist Brett Johnson and forester Chris McMaster updated the White Rock Lake Task Force on the city’s response to the EAB.
“We are going to lose a lot of trees,” Johnson says.
EABs burrow themselves inside trees, below the bark, and consume water and glucose. This prevents trees from being able to photosynthesize and bring up water from their roots.
Only the trees that are treated will be protected, but Johnson says officials will not treat all ash trees because the treatment process includes injecting trees with a chemical that kills EABs and any other insects that try to eat the tree.
Ash trees that receive the chemical injection are protected from EABs for about two years.
A certified arborist is going into the field to identify specimen ash trees, which will be treated. The arborist will also be looking for damaged trees or trees in decline that could be removed to limit the EAB food source.
There are many ash trees in the Great Trinity Forest and in the White Rock Creek watershed.
Johnson and McMaster say depending on the size of the ash tree, it costs $100-$300 per tree to treat it with the chemical.
Ash trees are characterized by compound leaves with five to nine leaflets; diamond-plated bark, where crosshatching patterns make the bark have diamond shapes; opposite branching, which means two branches connect at the same point on opposite sides of the branch; and they have seeds that hang from bunches.
OF COMPASS REAL ESTATE
COURTNEY SLATER
Courtney Slater is a trailblazer in Dallas real estate. And during her 21-year history in the title business, she’s developed street cred working with Realtors and lenders. “Blonde Aggie” to friends and family, Slater says “I’m a big personality” and partners with husband Edward in neighborhood real estate. “I’m one puzzle piece, and he’s the other; we are transactional.” Avid about our neighborhood, she’s sleeves up with the LHHS Wildcat Club, Dallas Symphony Orchestra League and as co-chair of LHWL’s holiday home tour. “When Blonde Aggie walks in the room, people know I’m ‘all in’ for them. I don’t meet a stranger.”
