Prosper Magazine - September 2012

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2 | Live & Prosper Magazine

We would like to welcome you to the premiere issue of LIVE & PROSPER MAGAZINE. As homeowners in Prosper, and with children in the Prosper school district, we are proud to launch a community magazine that symbolizes the pride that Prosper residents have.

As the school year begins, so do the activities and sports programs that Prosper offers to our children. We had the tremendous honor to meet with our Athletic Director, Coach Ronny Mullins in August. The passion he has for our district, our programs and our students is first class.

We were also invited to attend a practice with our varsity volleyball program.

These ladies have tremendous skill and work ethic, and Coach Vinson exemplifies the qualities of a great motivator and coach.

We had the opportunity to experience the school spirit and pride of Prosper at the annual Meet the Eagles night. Coach Scott was outstanding in his approach to inspire the athletes and our community. The support for our programs was evident, and we implore the entire Prosper community to get involved.

LIVE & PROSPER MAGAZINE is an opportunity to showcase the amazing people of our community.

As we continue on the path of exponential growth, it is imperative that we foster the values and community spirit that are alive today. Our belief is that those of us who reside in our district haven’t just ended up here. We have chosen to live and raise our families here.

Prosper is a destination, and we are proud to be a part of this incredible community!

With Prosper Pride, Jason & Heather Reynolds

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Executive Publishers Jason & Heather Reynolds Editorial Director Heather Reynolds Production Director Jason Reynolds Artistic Director JD Lee Contributing Writers Dr. Jon Thomas Samantha Dickey Dr. Drew Watkins Dr. Michael Goddard Deb Goss Photography Contributors Jonathan English J. Daniel Various Production Assistants James Robinson Jonathan English Production / Design FIFTHKING MEDIA www.fifthking.com Advertising / Marketing The Live & Prosper Team www.live-prosper.com

© 2012 LIVE & PROSPER M AGAZINE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WORLDWIDE The title and all material within are protected by international copyright laws and are reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s permission. Although the greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine at the time of going to press, neither Live & Prosper Magazine nor FIFTHKING MEDIA can be held liable for omissions, inexactness or errors.

FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT: Live & Prosper Magazine PO Box 405 Prosper, Texas 75078

Ph: 469.481.2935 www.live-prosper.com facebook.com/liveprosper heather@live-prosper.com

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As school resumes for Prosper ISD students and athletes, family physicians are busy providing sports medicine physicals. These wellness exams are required yearly by independent school districts and recreational organizations for medical clearance to participate in school sports and other extracurricular activities.

A thorough studentathlete health evaluation involves a review of the patient’s medical history, paying close attention to the family history, especially if there is a history of heart disease or injury from a heart condition in a first degree relative. Other important components of the medical history include a review of prior head injuries or concussions, a past diagnosis of asthma, past or current inhaler use, or history of fracture or sprain and the treatment for that injury.

The physical exam includes measurements of vision, height, weight, body mass index, and blood pressure, as well as an examination of the head and neck, heart and lungs (including auscultation for heart murmurs at rest and after exertion, and for wheezing or decreased air movement). Lastly, the musculoskeletal exam screens for scoliosis and

abnormalities of gait, balance, or strength.

A doctor’s treatment plan will often include important recommendations.

For example, requiring the athlete to have all necessary inhalers and/or allergy medication on hand at all times, or withholding full athletic participation until cardiac clearance is obtained by a heart specialist, which may include additional lab tests or diagnostic heart procedures.

Parents are also encouraged to take their student-athletes to the optometrist and dentist at least once every six to twelve months to maintain updated prescriptions for corrective lenses and maintain consistent dental health screening.

Call the office of Dr. Jonathan Thomas at 972-347-5778 to schedule a discount sports medicine physical for your student-athlete today, and ask about availability of flu shots starting in October.

Visit us on the web at: www.ProsperFamilyDoctor.com.

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A lifelong athlete involved in both competition and coaching, Samantha Dickey is the founder and owner of The Initiative.

Business Spotlight | The Initiative

The competitive drive she developed as a young athlete, combined with the experienced benefits of 360degree healthy living have supported the mission and the development of The Initiative concept into reality.

The idea for The Initiative began with further exploration into the recipe for a total athlete. Research included understanding the development of selfawareness and self-regulation, skills that are developed in varying paces, beginning in childhood. The Initiative’s methodology bridges the physical and mental divide by combining competitive physical experiences with interpersonal situations that stress communication and foster the development of selfmotivation, regulation and assurance.

The Initiative is a youth development center located in downtown Prosper that uses physical activity to engage young athletes and develop sharp cognitive skills and healthy emotional competence.

Choosing Prosper as the flagship location of The Initiative was more than a decision based on economic opportunity. It was a decision based on the people and the community that the center would impact on a daily basis.

The citizens of Prosper are passionate and dedicated, with a strong sense of community values. The pillars of The Initiative – mind, body and spirit – are aligned with the Prosper community’s educational mindset.

A Waco, Texas, native, Samantha attended Texas A&M, receiving a BS in Sports Management and a minor in business in 2010 and a MS in Marketing in 2011. She is currently a Master’s candidate for the Educational Psychology and Learning Sciences Program at the University of Texas. Samantha trained competitively under

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Doug Fitzgerald and Garrett Gibbs from 1991-2000, and later with Texas Dynasty under Daniel Saenz and Kristen Ford.

Individually and as a team member, she has won several regional awards as well as assorted national championship titles. Samantha is excited about bringing a program to Prosper that “encompasses the mentality of a total athlete, focused on using sports and physical activity as a tool for assisting young athletes in developing a healthy mind, body and spirit.”

“Now, more than ever before, I think it is important to take a second look at how we teach and learn about physical and mental health in our communities. Instead of treating them separately, we are creating an environment that promotes healthy nutrition and healthy levels of competition and discipline.

I am beyond excited to announce that The Initiative will formally open its doors in Prosper this coming October.

Initial programming will begin with after-school program activities August 27. On behalf of me and the entire team of coaches and nutritional staff at The Initiative, I would like to welcome you to our family. We look forward to becoming part of your community and getting to know your family.”

C. TATE HAYES Director of Nutrition + Food Science As Director of Nutrition and Food Science, Tate Hayes works to assess and support each athlete’s nutrition and wellness. Additionally, Tate supports the scholarship program affiliated with The Initiative through fundraising and developing community learning programming. Hailing from an active youth in Sweetwater, Texas, Tate received a BS in Nutritional Sciences from Texas A&M. In his new role, he is most

excited about “improving the nutritional status of Prosper’s youth in a fun and engaging manner, inspiring and motivating participants, and positively impacting young athletes and their families.”

CORY EARY Director of Teams + Head Coach of Men’s Gymnastics Working in a top tier recreational athletics program is nothing new for the Waco, Texas native and The Initiative’s Director of Teams, Cory Eary. From his first Friday fun-night to winning State Champion All Around and being named an Olympic candidate, Cory has dedicated his career to working with and building successful gymnastic and cheerleading teams. He doesn’t take his role lightly, and is focused on “building a great program while providing a safe, yet competitive, environment for young athletes to excel.”

KRISTEN CHANEY Assistant Director of Nutrition + Yoga Instructor Kristen Chaney brings her extensive yoga and nutrition background to The Initiative as Assistant Director of Nutrition and the in-house yoga instructor. She brings a BS in Nutrition Sciences from Texas A&M, and looks forward to using her experience to positively impact the community’s youth. The Corpus Christi, Texas, native has run two marathons and multiple 150+ mile biking trips, and hopes to use her previous athletic pursuits to “mentor and inspire young athletes to strive for success and continue pursuing even the most seemingly impossible triumphs.”

VISION The Initiative’s mission is to teach and engage young athletes to positively impact personal growth. Using physical activity as a catalyst, The Initiative works to equip

and guide its participants into high achieving, motivated, competent and self-regulated young athletes.

APPROACH TO TRAINING The Initiative combines gymnastic and cheerleading training, among other sport activities, with nutrition education and character development exercises to stimulate the healthy development of active youth.

By creating an environment that promotes 360-degree healthy living, The Initiative seeks to combine all aspects of health living to foster the healthy body, mind and spirit.

The Initiative’s location at 208 W. Broadway is a fully functional gymnastics facility with a competition sized spring floor for gymnastics, cheerleading, tumbling, and team activities and a tumble track for teaching advanced tumbling skills. The center also features a smaller floor for mommy-nme yoga and toddler coordination courses and equipment for coordinated team-building activities. The facility is available for rental for birthday parties and private events. It also offers special facility rentals that include the use of our coaching staff.

Some of these opportunities include: private team clinics, corporate teambuilding retreats, youth-group retreats, special education exhibition clinics, and choreography clinics.

The Initiative Scholarship Foundation strives to lower the barriers of accessibility as they pertain to healthy nutrition and healthy living to lowincome families (as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services: Children’s Defense Fund of Texas).

A unique aspect of The Initiative is the scholarship foundation that works in union

Business Spotlight | The Initiative

with the for-profit entity.

This scholarship was created to help address the problem of childhood obesity in lower socio-economic populations (research shows a disparity in racial & ethnic minorities for childhood obesity). The goal is to sponsor the tuition payments for as many as thirty students per semester. The programming for these students is slightly different from that of regular instructional classes.

Sponsored young athletes will work with a licensed nutritionist to learn about healthy living and making exercise a fun, and routine part of life.

www.TheInitiativeDallas.com www.facebook.com/TheInitiaveDallas www.twitter.com/InitiativeDFW

469.296.8055

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY 1 Lady Eagles VB @ Argyle

SEPTEMBER 2

3 Labor Day Holiday

4 Lady Eagles VB @ Byron Nelson 5:30pm

5 Prosper Rotary Club 7:30am

Eagles CC – Marcus I Invitational 8:00am

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Prosper HS Pictures

9 Community Cookout and Picnic at Frontier Park 5:00 - 8:00

10 Rogers MS Curriculum Night

11 Prosper Chamber of Commerce Meeting 7:30am Lady Eagles VB @ Centennial 5:30pm Eagles Tennis @ Frisco Heritage 3:00pm

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17 School Board Meeting 7:00pm

18 Lady Eagles VB @ Wakeland 5:30pm Eagles Tennis @ Prosper 3:00pm

7 Eagle FB @ McKinney North 7:00pm Lady Eagles VB @ Prosper 5:30pm

12 Prosper Rotary Club 7:30am

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Cornerstone Assistance Network NCT – Case Management Training 6:00pm 19 Rogers PTO Meeting

14 Lady Eagles VB @ Liberty 5:30pm

8 Prosper Chamber of Commerce Blood Drive 11:00am Eagles CC – Inaugural Prosper Eagle XC 8:00am 15 Eagles CC – Justin Northwest Meet 8:00 am

Eagles Tennis @ Prosper 3:00pm

20 Re/Max Prosper Realtor Bus Tour

Prosper Rotary Club 7:30am

21 Eagles FB @ Mansfield Lake Ridge 7:00pm Lady Eagles VB @ Prosper 5:30pm

22 Eagles CC @ Dustin Rodriguez Memorial Invitational 8:00am

Eagles Tennis @ The Colony 3:00pm

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25 Prosper Chamber of Commerce Meeting 7:30am Lady Eagles VB @ Prosper 5:30pm

26 Prosper Rotary Club 7:30am

27 Eagles FB @ Frisco Heritage 7:00pm

28 Lady Eagles VB @ Frisco Heritage 5:30pm

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Eagles Tennis @ Frisco Liberty 3:00pm

Eagles Tennis @ Prosper 3:00pm

30 Wildlife Outdoor Expo 4:00 – 8:00pm

SPONSOR THIS CALENDAR OR ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT! JUST CONTACT US AT: 469.481.2935 | heather@live-prosper.com

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Born and raised in Texas, Dr. Drew Watkins has served in the Texas public school system for 25 years.

During that time, he has held the positions of teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, deputy superintendent and superintendent. Dr. Watkins assumed the position of Superintendent of Prosper Independent School District in 2002.

Dr. Watkins earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Science at Texas Christian University in 1987; completed Graduate work in History and Education Law at Lamar University in 1989; a Master’s Degree of Education from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1996; a Master’s Degree of Science in Higher Education Administration from TAMUCommerce in 2007; and a

Doctorates Degree of Education in Secondary and Higher Education in 2008.

Dr. Watkins now serves on the Superintendent Leadership Network with the Schlechty Center and has served on the TASA Cabinet of Superintendents with the Commissioner of Education and is an adjunct professor for Concordia University.

He and his wife Kristen live in Prosper with their three children ages 18, 15 and 14.

Dr. Goddard is originally from New Mexico, but moved to Prosper in 6th grade and spent time in Prosper for a couple years before moving to Plano and then eventually graduating from Allen High School. Dr. Goddard was a Captain and Quarterback at Stephen F. Austin State (SFA); earning Academic All-Conference honors, as well as receiving the prestigious institutional Mr.

SFA award his senior year.

Dr. Goddard earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from SFA (1994); completed a Master’s Degree of Education with an emphasis in Counseling and Student Services from University of North Texas (2000); and a Doctor’s Degree of Education in Higher Education from the University of North Texas in 2004.

Dr. Goddard currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Prosper ISD. He oversees all business and operations, human resources, and curriculum and instruction for the district.

He and his wife Dena live in Prosper with their son Brock (15) and their two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Gigi and Bella Joy.

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Earlier This Month L&P Magazine Sat Down for an Up Close and Personal Q&A Session with Coach Ronny Mullins, Athletic Director for Prosper Intermediate School District Written by Deb Goss

Ronny Mullins, Prosper Texas ISD Athletic Director may be called Coach Mullins, but he is so much more.

A graduate of the University of Texas with a degree in Speech Communications and a background in manufacturing engineering, he switched careers at the age of 26 and returned to his first love, athletics. By the age of 31, he landed his first head coaching position that allowed him to bring to the profession a love for sports, the compassion for youth, and a heart that rivals in size to the State of Texas.

L&P: You look like you’re in good shape coach!

You must have played some sports in your day?

Coach: “I grew up in Plano. I moved there in ’74’ and played for the Plano Wildcats. I also had the opportunity to play for the University of Texas for four years. Then, after I graduated, I went to work for Texas Instruments but decided that it was really not what I wanted. So I went back to school and it took about a year and a half to get certified in order to come back as a teaching coach.”

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L&P: What was your position when you played for the University of Texas?

Coach: “When I played, I played as a wide receiver. I played a little slot, but mostly I was a flanker, where I was usually split out. And every now and then we’d do a three-receiver set, but nothing like it is today.”

L&P: You’re an athletic director now. In your career you’ve coached, paid your dues, and now you’re literally mentoring a conglomerate of sports. How does that play into your philosophy of what you do now as an athletic director?

Coach: “I think that in any business that you’re in, you have to learn to be able to deal with people in the right way. The experience with my parents and my coaches taught me values, morals that you want to teach your children as they are growing up, and you want the educators and people around them teaching them the same things. You have to come to work every day, passionate about what you do.”

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“ in the pursuit of winning, we want to make sure that we develop an opportunity where young people are having a good positive experience. That’s the bottom line.”

--------------------L&P: Sometime young people don’t have the infrastructure at home to help them be successful in life after school, sports. Do you find yourself sometimes having to fill that vacuum and having to be like a dad to them?

Coach: “I’ll give you a good example of that, I had a young man, who was an over-aged young man as a freshman. Well, he had some learning disabilities that took place in his earlier years. We were able to get him a hardship so he could finish out his four years. I picked him up many, many times, took him home many, many times, and really you shouldn’t do that, but the kid wasn’t going to be able to come to school, work out sometimes if somebody didn’t go do that. That to me is the rewarding part. You get to deal daily with helping people grow up and learn what to expect when you get out there in the real world.

This, as you know, is not easy. It’s difficult.”

L&P: I hear the passion. I hear the care and concern. In all of that, what is your favorite part of being the athletic director here?

Coach: “I want to come to work every day, walk in the door, and hopefully influence somebody.”

L&P: What is your definition of a successful fall sport season for Prosper in this new division?

Coach: “I think that we leave our student body with a good, positive experience, no matter what the win/loss record is. Everybody wants to win, that’s a no brainer, but then we leave young men and young women a good positive experience that they can take with them and carry forth able to deal with some of the things that they possibly never dealt with before.”

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L&P: What is the family side of Coach Mullins, away from the athletic director, the coach?

Coach: “My children probably think I’m annoying because I love them and I tell them every day. I have two daughters. You have to tell them how beautiful they are, how special they are.

My son, I’ve been pretty hard on him in regards to his growth. You have to have a wife in this profession that supports what you do because you’re gone a lot.

We worked together as a family, as a team. My children were part of what we did. My wife was a part of what we did. We’ve been married for 26 years. Being married is like being on a team.”

L&P: As athletic director, what would you like to see as the community role in support of what is going on here?

Coach: “They are doing it.

Every night you come here you see the community in full support of the youth.”

L&P: As we continue to grow, will we maintain a single high-school or will we follow Frisco?

Coach: “I think Frisco did not want to be a 5A classification and did everything that they could do with growing so fast. They’re opening two high schools at one time. We’ll go 5A before we’ll build a new school.”

L&P: So you jumped up to a new level? You’re 4A now?

Coach: “It’s all numbers. The more students you have, the higher the division. That determines who you will compete against. Research shows higher numbers help. It gives a larger talent pool to draw from.”

L&P: How do the students feel about stepping up? Are they ready?

Coach: “Actually, in preparation last year with our middle school, we entered into a 4A district and created a lot more opportunity for the youth to compete. For those now coming up to the highschool level, it’s no big deal.

We already play those schools. I think our youth and coaches are ready for the move.”

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“I want to come to work every day, walk in the door, and hopefully influence somebody.”

--------------------L&P: Does the coaching philosophy change with the transition to the 4A district?

Coach: “I think it has to a little bit. Games are games. They have to spend a little more time in the video room. The biggest difference will be that week-in and week-out you-better-beprepared-to-play mentality because the competition will be prepared. You’re going to lose if you’re not on your game and this is going to be a very competitive district.”

L&P: What are the fans going to expect this fall? Is anybody going to be a breakout player or is there a team that’s going to stand out?

Coach: “The year always starts off with football and volleyball. We won the 3A state championship in ‘08’, and although that’s well in the rear view mirror, the expectation is still there. It puts pressure on our youth and puts pressure on our coaches. But in the pursuit of winning, we want to make sure that we develop an opportunity where young people are having a good positive experience. That’s the bottom line.”