BACK-TO-SCHOOL HOMEWORK FOR PARENTS
years of loving and letting go.
I posted this reflection on social media at the time:
about the back-to-school season.
I vividly remember watching my young boys march into their classrooms with oversized backpacks and big, brave hearts. They’d glance back just enough times to give me permission to exhale. But once the door closed behind them, I’d sit in the car swallowing the lump in my throat, wondering how it all started moving so fast.
And just last year, my husband and I dropped our youngest off at his college campus. We organized dorm essentials with a level of enthusiasm that mimicked decorating his nursery. The ride home was filled with remembrances of school plays, piano recitals, and track meets. And the tears? Oh, they came. Quietly at first, then with the force of
“After nearly two decades of being the center of our universe — guiding, nurturing, strengthening their roots — letting go to allow them to spread their wings is tougher than I ever imagined. I’m gonna miss the small stuff: the back door swinging open with a bang, the daily ‘I love you mama!’ as they run back out to sports practice, and the sound of two closely-bonded brothers playing (and bickering) upstairs. I already miss them terribly, and while the rational side of me knows this is what we parents hope for, the mom in me laments the days of yesteryear passing all too quickly.”
Watching our kids grow includes many highs and lows and their rites of passage carry an immense joy and pride for us as we witness the people they are becoming. I can attest that the goodbyes after college breaks don’t get easier, but there’s beauty in seeing the quiet confidence in their stride, knowing they feel ready to face the world — because we helped prepare them for it. That is after all the goal, isn’t it? To be both soft place and launch pad. To root them deeply enough in love and guidance that they feel safe to soar.
And as tough as it can be, it’s also breathtaking. There’s something undeniably awesome in watching your child step into the world with shoulders back and head high, walking forward on legs you helped steady during those very first steps.
And that, more than any report card, award, or trophy, is the greatest return on the investment of love we’ve poured into them — knowing that the imprint of our love, guidance, and unwavering presence will never leave them.
It’s true. We spend years teaching them how to walk, only to watch them walk away. But, in all those milestones, the journey of parenting is one of constant shifting: holding on tightly when needed, letting go gradually, and always cheering from just far enough away. Wherever you are on the
parenting timeline this fall — sending off a dewy-eyed preschooler, navigating the drama of middle school transitions, or unpacking a dorm room in some unfamiliar town — know these moments don’t necessarily get easier, but they do get rich er. Because within the letting go, there’s a fulfillment in witness ing the fruits of all those bedtime stories, carpool talks, tough conversations, and ordinary days unfold into someone capable, curious, and uniquely their own.
As school starts this month, I have an assignment for my fellow parents. Take the time to enjoy the journey — whether that includes looking ahead, looking back, or simply soaking in the now. And remember that, though they may let go of your hand, they never let go of what you’ve instilled in them.
CLAUDIA CARSON-HABEEB
TOMMY HABEEB
Crime Reports July 15 – Aug. 10
July 15
An individual stole from a retail store in the 5400 block of West Lovers Lane.
A residence was trespassed in the 5000 block of Purdue Avenue.
July 16
A theft was reported in the 5400 block of Southwestern Boulevard.
A motor vehicle was stolen from a retail parking lot in the 11700 block of Preston Road.
A theft was reported in the 5300 block of West Lovers Lane.
July 17
A motor vehicle was stolen at NorthPark Center.
A theft was reported from a retail store in the 8300 block of Westchester Drive.
A motor vehicle was stolen in the 4400 block of West University Boulevard.
July 18
A man was cited for disorderly conduct in the 6700 block of Norway Road.
A fight occurred in a parking lot in the 4500 block of West Mockingbird Lane.
July 19
An individual stole items from a vehicle in the 4200 block of Allencrest Lane.
July 20
An individual was threatened in a parking lot in the 11900 block of Inwood Road.
July 22
An individual broke the window of a residential building in the 7900 block of Forest Lane.
July 24
An individual broke into a home and stole power tools in the 7000 block of Chevy Chase Avenue.
An individual was caught shopping with 21 different identification cards at NorthPark Center.
An individual stole license plates from vehicles parked at a recreation center in the 4300 block of Northaven Road.
A motor vehicle theft occurred in a retail lot in the 11900 block of Preston Road.
July 25
A theft was reported at a residence in the 6500 block of Norway Road.
An individual was caught stealing property from a home in the 4000 block of Cochran Chapel Road.
July 26
A vehicle was damaged during an attempted car theft at NorthPark Center.
A motor vehicle was stolen in the 9400 block of Lenel Place.
July 27
A criminal trespass warning was issued at a restaurant in the 5500 block of Lemmon Avenue.
July 29
A bullet casing was found on the ground in the 7900 block of West Lovers Lane.
A criminal trespass warning was issued at a grocery store in the 11700 block of Preston Road.
July 30
A theft occurred in the 7900 block of Forest Lane.
A theft was reported at a residence in the 5700 block of Meletio Lane.
An individual was found in possession of drugs at a restaurant in the 5500 block of West Lovers Lane.
License plates were stolen from cars parked outside of a bar in the 7700 block of Inwood Road.
July 31
A theft occurred at a retail store in the 6100 block of Lemmon Avenue.
August 1
A burglary was reported in the 6100
block of Glendora Avenue.
A motor vehicle was stolen in the 7700 block of West Northwest Highway.
Contents from a car were stolen at NorthPark Center.
A motor vehicle was stolen in the 4500 block of West Mockingbird Lane.
A burglary occurred in the 6400 block of Northport Drive.
August 2
An individual vandalized the exterior of a residence in the 3700 block of Park Lane.
August 3
An individual broke the windshield of a car in a parking garage at NorthPark Center.
August 4
A driver left an accident scene without exchanging information in the 8500 block of Hillcrest Road.
August 5
A theft occurred at a retail store located in the 8300 block of Westchester Drive.
A motor vehicle theft occurred in a commercial parking lot in the 5900 block of Luther Lane.
Property was taken without permission from a pick-up truck parked in the 6000 block of Meadow Crest Drive.
A theft occurred at a drug store located in the 3700 block of West Northwest Highway.
August 6
An individual was cited for trespassing at a townhome in the 12800 block of Midway Road.
August 7
An individual was cited for criminal trespass at a vacant retail space in the 6100 block of Sherry Lane.
August 8
A burglar alarm was activated, and a
door was found ajar in the 7300 block of Meadows Drive.
A firearm was stolen from a vehicle parked at Preston Hollow Village.
August 9
Property was stolen from a vehicle parked at NorthPark Center.
Police were dispatched for a medical incident report in the 5600 block of Lobello Drive.
A motor vehicle theft occurred in the 7900 block of Forest Lane.
August 10
An individual unlawfully entered a motor vehicle, locked the doors, and removed property in the 5500 block of Lovers Lane.
Unrivaled Expertise, Unmatched Luxury
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INSPIRED VOICES
Our residents are one of the best reasons to join us at The Tradition. Here is one perspective on why moving to our community was an easy decision:
“Life is just full and happy, and we don’t have any of the concerns you have when you’re in your own home, and having to arrange for this, that, and the other. It just happens.”
I hope that you consider a new way of living and join us at The Tradition. Please make an appointment to tour our beautiful community, meet residents firsthand, and learn more. I look forward to welcoming you home!
Founder & CEO The Tradition
The Church Cannot Be Whole Without Disability Inclusion
Without including people with disabilities in our churches, we will never be all God is welcoming us to be. —
words offer an invitation, and a challenge. They name a truth we often overlook in church life: people with disabilities are still too often left out of the Body.
They may be seen, but not fully known. Served, but not fully included. Too often, worship is designed with everyone in mind, except everyone.
This isn’t just painful, it’s measurable.
Nearly one in three families in the U.S. is impacted by disability. Yet 48% of parents of children with disabilities say they’ve left a church because their child wasn’t welcomed or included.
The call to love our neighbors, all of them, is not optional. The image of the body in 1 Corinthians 12 is not metaphorical. “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’”
Yet this is the message many churches send, however unintentionally, when they fail to make room for people with different needs or ways of engaging.
Psalm 67 says, “Let all the peoples praise you.” The absence of an asterisk is powerful. But many churches make space for some — those who can follow the unspoken rules of how to behave, speak, or show up. Not all.
We believe every church can become a place of true belonging, where people with disabilities are celebrated as image-bearers with wisdom and purpose in God’s Kingdom.
“The call to love our neighbors, all of them, is not optional.”
In the Dallas–Fort Worth area, with more than 6,000 churches, it’s estimated that fewer than 100 have an intentional ministry focused on people with disabilities.
Dr. Carter’s research also shows that many of these families don’t give up after one church. One in three tries multiple churches, still holding out hope that somewhere, they’ll be welcomed and wanted.
If the Church is the Body of Christ, does it feel phantom pain when part of the body is missing?
Or does it simply carry on, unaware?
This begins with better questions:
• Who’s not here, and why?
• What barriers have we unknowingly built?
• What would it take to tear them down?
This reflection is for the pastor who wants to lead with conviction,
For the church ready to move from awareness to action,
For the body that longs to be whole.
Because worship can’t be what it’s meant to be, unless we worship as one.
Rebecca Wall is a writer and advocate for accessible faith communities. She serves as the executive director of With Ministries, a nonprofit equipping churches to build cultures of belonging for people with disabilities. Learn more at withministries.org.
5850 East Lovers Lane, Dallas, TX 75206
Independent Living (214) 361-2211 • Assisted Living & Memory Care (214) 361-2219
THE TRADITION – PRESTONWOOD 15250 Prestonwood Blvd., Dallas, TX 75248
Independent Living (972) 388-1144 • Assisted Living & Memory Care (972) 661-1880 THE TRADITION – LOVERS LANE
5755 Clearfork Main, Fort Worth, TX 76109
Independent Living (817) 484-6602 • Assisted Living & Memory Care (817) 484-6603
Letters to the Editor
Road ready readers
We’ve been patrons of Le Bilboquet and Mister Charles since they opened and your food writer enticed us to go check out Frenchie. Philippe has done it again-yum!
I often read your e-newsletter, but your paper lost me a couple years ago – it got a bit dull. I picked one up at Northwood recently and read “Where the Road Takes Us” (July issue, Page 2, by Claudia Carson-Habeeb). It motivated our mahjong group to plan a road trip to West Texas this fall. Really fun opening columns – you won me back as a reader! Nice to have something we can look
forward to pulling from our mailbox again that’s otherwise full of junk mail.
Kim and Doug Nielsen
Dallas
Powerful story
Wow Claudia! What a beautiful piece highlighting strength, courage, and resilience. We really appreciate you taking the time to highlight the impact of Nexus’ work and highlight Maggie’s powerful story (July issue, Page 32). This will surely make an impact. Thank you!!
Lucy Hart
Dallas
FREEPIK.COM
Dr. Erik Carter
Dr. Erik Carter’s
REBECCA WALL
GUIDING FAMILIES FORWARD
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Home & Business
BLISS SPEECH & HEARING FLOURISHES WITH FAMILY TOUCH
By Daniel Lalley Sprecial COntributor
With an array of residents and an abundance of resources, it’s no wonder Preston Hollow is a great springboard for starting a family business. Here, a close-knit community culture and a vibrant commercial landscape have empowered countless entrepreneurs and led to success stories for some of Dallas’ most notable establishments.
Preston Hollow’s Bliss Speech & Hearing Services is another example of this.
Formed by Brenda Bliss, the hearing and speech pathology office has served area families with unique therapy solutions since 1994.
“I began practicing right after receiving a graduate degree in speech/language pathology and audiology,” Brenda said. “I have always had a passion for working with children. I started working with the Muscular Dystrophy Association at an early age, help-
ing one child a year at the summer camps they offered. I found a passion in fields where I can make a difference in that way.”
This passion fueled Bliss’s business for more than 30 years. In that time, she cemented her role in the speech and hearing community through her expertise, continuous passion for learning, leadership in the field, and mentorship of the many speech-language pathologists on her team.
However, her latest addition to the team has been instrumental in propelling the business into its next evolution.
me grow the practice,” she said. “At the time, he was working in the private equity healthcare space. He joined the team as VP of Operations in 2024 and put processes in place to help us increase our patient numbers by 70 percent.”
“We’re a family business, and every patient that comes through our doors feels like part of our family.”
Alan Bliss
“About a year and a half ago, my son Alan moved back from New York to help
In fact, the business grew so rapidly that Bliss Speech & Hearing Services opened its second practice in Plano this June.
“There is such a need for these services in Dallas and the surrounding areas,” Alan said. “We have some patients driving 20 to 30 miles each way for appointments. So, we want to grow to accommodate those patients.
A Game Changer for Sugar Free Cocktails
As Texans, native or not, many of us feel like a great margarita is our birthright. But, let’s face it, the high sugar content in a margarita can be a drawback.
However, thanks to Mike Hiller, a former medical doctor, chef, and restaurant critic, we can enjoy a delicious margarita with no sugar. No sugar, no stevia, no monk fruit, no weird aftertaste.
Hiller, from Dallas, created Liquid Zero, a sweetener made with all-natural allulose which is found in figs, raisins, corn, beets, and maple syrup. The creation of Liquid Zero led to a sugar-free margarita that is so delicious, it’s now served at restaurants including Mesero, Pappas Brothers Steakhouse, and Bowen House, and a few event venues you be familiar with: AT&T
and Globe Life Stadiums.
“We sell more margaritas at AT&T Stadium than any other on-premise venue in America,” said George Wasai, vice president of food & beverage at the stadium. “As soon as we tasted them, we knew we had to have Liquid Zero cocktails at the Stadium. The margaritas, old-fashioneds and mojitos taste amazing, and no one can tell they’re sugar-free. Our fans tell us they love Liquid Zero and especially love that we offer something that’s both keto-friendly and has no sugary carbs.”
Dissatisfied with the current options, Hiller started experimenting in 2020 with recipes to create a better tasting sugar-free margarita. After several iterations, he presented it to friends in the culinary and mixology worlds and, with their feedback, created a sugar-free margarita that went from having a few served at Mesero to more than 100,000 served and thousands more to come.
Liquid Zero cocktails are served as frozen margaritas or as individual
cocktails served in their own packaging. Since the successful adoption of his margarita, Hiller has extended the product line to include mojitos, espresso martinis, and an old fashioned made with Hiller’s own recipe for black walnut bitters.
For now, only the frozen margarita is on tap, while other drinks are served in clever plastic packaging that triples as a drinking vessel and a cocktail shaker. To make the cocktail, just add water and the spirit of choice and shake. The mixes also work well with zero-proof spirits and club soda. For an authentic cocktail feel, the mixes also include dried fruit and coffee beans for garnishes.
What is allulose and is this too good to be true? Dr. Anne VanBeber, a registered dietitian and professor of nutritional sciences at TCU endorses allulose as a sweetener.
“I approve of it,” she said. “It’s not quite as sweet as sucrose and it has fewer calories.”
Allulose is keto friendly due to
The Plano office is a great step forward in expanding our presence in DFW. We intend to focus our growth here before potentially expanding across Texas.”
As they continue to scale, Brenda and Alan are dedicated to preserving the close family feel that has made them so successful.
“We never want to lose that family touch or grow to become too corporate,” Alan said. “We’re a family business, and every patient that comes through our doors feels like part of our family. I think that’s at the heart of what has made this practice so special for over 30 years. As we continue to grow, we want to ensure that’s always the case.”
For work this critical, collaboration and community go a long way.
“We do whatever we can to make this the best experience possible for both patients and their parents,” Brenda said. “We’re excited to share and grow that mission as we continue expanding in this area.”
the minimal impact on blood sugar levels. Hiller’s cocktails contain zero calories but some carbs due to the inclusion of erythritol, a commonly used artificial sweetener. The mixes have zero net carbs.
Liquid Zero cocktails are not meant to be a health drink, just a healthier way to consume cocktails.
Find them at liquidzero.com, Amazon, and select restaurants.
Kersten Rettig, a freelance writer with leadership experience in the food and travel industries, lives in the Park Cities, where she is known as “the restaurant sherpa” for her recommendations. Follow her on Instagram @KerstenEats.
Brenda Bliss treating patients at Bliss Speech Brenda and Alan Bliss. COURTESY
KERSTEN RETTIG
Liquid Zero sugar free cocktails are available at select bars and restaurants and online. COURTESY
Seven Design Ideas For Rooms With High Ceilings
Although high ceilings are a sought-after feature, they can also present some unique challenges. Here are seven design solutions that help make high-ceilinged rooms feel inviting and intimate.
MARGARET CHAMBERS
1. Find the Perfect Artwork
One large statement piece, a gallery of smaller pieces, or a tapestry are all great ways to fill your extra wall space. Most artwork should be hung at eye-level, or slightly above.
2. Install Custom Drapes
The softness of drapes helps to make a high-ceilinged room feel cozier. Depending on how high your ceilings are, you may need to order custom drapes. Stay away from fabric with bold patterns, since most will look overwhelming on floor-to-ceiling drapes.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING CONTENT
3. Add Architectural Details
One way to create a sense of depth in a tall ceiling is to add exposed beams, a coffered ceiling, or large crown molding. Although beams are often associated with rustic homes, they can also fit into a contemporary or traditional style home, depending on how they’re finished.
4. Use Statement Lighting
Hanging a statement lighting fixture, such as a chandelier, is a classic way to either draw the eye towards the ceiling or bring the eye down. Chandeliers should generally be hung over a table in the center of the room, such as a coffee table, dining table, or entryway table.
5. Create a Feature Wall
Another way to visually connect the upper and lower levels of the room is to turn one wall into a feature wall. Some ideas include painting one wall in a solid color, wallpapering a wall, or extending the brick or stonework around your fireplace upward.
6. Break the Walls into Thirds
You could also try visually dividing
the walls into three sections. For example, the lowest third of your wall could be paneled, the middle third could be for artwork, and the highest third could be left as is.
7. Install Shelving
Some homeowners make use of their extra wall height by installing floating shelves or buying tall bookcases. If you like greenery, you can also add a tall potted plant in the corner of your room.
Having high ceilings is a problem that many homeowners would love to have. That said, there’s no denying that taking advantage of the extra height can be tricky without a designer’s knowhow. By keeping these tips in mind, you can take the first step to bringing out the best in your home’s architecture.
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.
Comings and Goings
NOW OPEN
Hobby Lobby
8005 Park Lane
The favorite of crafters, scrapbookers, and fans of home décor opened a 53,000 square-foot retail facility, its 118th location in Texas, in March. Don’t try to get crafty on a Sunday — Hobby Lobby is closed.
Urban Mocca
5601 W. Lovers Lane, Suite 130
The Preston Hollow spot serves up coffee made from beans that are carefully selected and roasted to perfection, matcha drinks, and pastries that are baked fresh daily.
Verizon
8411 Preston Road, Suite 100
The retail store offering cell phones, wireless plans, and accessories has moved into the former Starbucks Coffee location.
Village Baking Co.
8411 Preston Road, Suite 101
The bake shop that prides itself on its handcrafted loaves and pastries, fresh brewed coffee, and heartfelt hospitality has opened a new location in Preston Center.
Yardstick Dog Hotel
2222 Irving Blvd.
to compromise on quality and uses only Texas Akaushi Wagyu Beef, free range chicken, and wild Texas gulf coast shrimp is coming soon to Preston Hollow.
K&L Bagels
4333 Lovers Lane
Fifteen different bagels flavors — plus rainbow bagels on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — along with nine cream cheese flavors, three different Lox sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, muffins, and drinks are coming in September to the former Howdy Homemade spot.
JETSET Pilates
Preston Hollow
4025 Northwest Pkwy.
Preston Hollow pilates fans will soon be able to break a sweat during high-intensity, low-impact, full-body workouts on custom JETSET reformers.
CLOSED
Elevated dog care has come to the Design District. The boarding and daycare space features everything from individual suites to curated playgroups that are organized by size and temperament to create a stress-free experience for both pets and their people.
COMING
Adios Fajitas
5535 W. Lovers Lane, Suite B
The fajita favorite that refuses
WFernando’s Mexican Cuisine
4347 W. Northwest Hwy. #100
The popular neighborhood dinner spot that served up TexMex and margaritas has closed.
SoulCycle
5944 W. Northwest Hwy.
Riders will need to commute to another cycling community to feel the beat. This location has closed.
—Compiled by Sarah Hodges
elcome to luxury living in Preston Hollow. This exceptional home, situated on a .91-acre lot, spans nearly 7,000 SF and offers four bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and two half baths. Built in 1996, it showcases meticulous craftsmanship, timeless design, and modern comfort. The elegant foyer with soaring ceilings opens to formal living and dining areas. A stunning wood-paneled office leads to the expansive beamed family room, featuring a gas fireplace and French doors that open to a covered patio—perfect for relaxed evenings or entertaining. The heart of the home is the gourmet kitchen, complete with a center island, Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, dishwasher, double ovens, and a Wolf six-burner range. The downstairs primary suite offers a serene retreat with spacious bath and his and her walk-in closets. Up the front stairs, discover three bedrooms with en-suite baths. Additional features include an office, playroom with full bath, whole house generator, pool, koi pond, and mature landscaping.
A chandelier clients wanted repurposed from their old home hangs over a seating area in their new primary bedroom. MICHAEL HUNTER WITH DESIGN BY MARGARET CHAMBERS
K&L Bagels COURTESY
Yardstick COURTESY
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approach and a no-obligation analysis of your
or premier neighborhood. Let’s talk opportunity.
Community
SNIFFING OUT HOPE
Canine heroes brave disaster zones to save lives
By Claudia Carson-Habeeb claudia.carson-habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com
Inside a buried chamber, Christy Bormann hears a bark and feels an immediate sense of relief. Although this time it’s part of a training exercise, the stakes are always high. And for Kaya, a 3-year-old German Shepherd, the mission is always real.
Kaya is one of the elite canines being tested to assist in disaster zones. The rescue team deploys across Texas, including a recent mission to the banks of the Guadalupe River to help locate those missing after the floods.
At Texas A&M’s Disaster City, a mock catastrophe site built to simulate real-life emergency scenarios, search-and-rescue teams train with the intensity of actual deployments.
“These dogs don’t know the difference between a test and the real thing,” said canine handler Tami Stone of the Texas A&M Task Force 1. “When they’re working, it’s all real to them.”
For Bormann and the other team members, canine training involves spending time buried beneath wood beams and tin roofing in a cramped underground chamber. Above her, a layer of debris mimics the aftermath of a building
collapse. Only thin slivers of light filter through the wreckage.
For the person trapped below, the environment is suffocating, explained Bormann — for the dogs above ground, it’s a call to action.
When her handler gives the signal, Kaya bolts into the recovery
zone, moving with practiced urgency and pinpoint focus — her training turning instinct into action. With a sharp bark — a sound that, in real-life disasters, can mean the difference between life and death — Kaya signals confirmation that a victim has been located.
Nearby, another rescue team member plays the role of a victim in distress. The simulation mimics rising floodwaters and encroaching debris as he waits, trapped in a vehicle.
Within just 15 seconds, Kaya locates and pulls him from the vehicle, alerting the surrounding human team.
“They are essential. They go where we can’t, smell what we never could, and they do it all tirelessly.”
Christy Bormann
The canine unit is a cornerstone of Texas A&M Task Force 1’s response capabilities. The dogs’ work often goes unnoticed until a real emergency brings them into the spotlight. Unlike their human counterparts, these dogs rely heavily on their finely tuned senses, often detecting survivors or victims buried beneath rubble, water, or vegetation where sight and sound fail. Their senses proved invaluable during their recent deployment to the Texas Hill Country after flood waters left many lives unaccounted for.
For the team and those they rescue, the dogs are not just helpers — they are the real heroes.
“They are essential,” Bormann said. “They go where we can’t, smell what we never could, and they do it all tirelessly.”
Preston Hollow Rotarians Roll Up Their Sleeves Across Town
By Emily Zeigfinger People newspapers
Members of the Rotary Club of Preston Hollow have been leaning into their motto of “Service Above Self” with projects ranging from cleanups and cooking to scholarships and camps.
Camp Scholarships Granted
In May, the club gave scholarships to two local high school students, Alexander Moreno and Heather Sandoval, to participate in Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award.)
The camp, which takes place in Midlothian, gives rising high school seniors from District 5810, the North Texas district of 62 clubs, a chance to develop their leadership skills over one week. RYLA receives 800 to 1,000 applications per year and selects only 185 students for the program.
Camp RYLA leaders said they view the organization as a place where strong leaders are made, not born, and leadership principles are learned, not inherited. Through Camp RYLA, “Leaders of Tomorrow” have a forum for teamwork, communication, and consensus — building in an environment that challenges personal and team responsibilities.
Fire Station Breakfast
The Rotary Club has also been serving a little closer to their district at the Dallas Fire Station on Royal Lane.
“The Club members have been following the construction of the new fire station following its destruction in the 2019 tornado
that swept across Preston Hollow. After years of planning, design, bidding, and construction, the men of Fire Station No. 41 are finally back in the neighborhood in a new, permanent structure,” said Rotary Club member
Allen McReynolds.
The club provided breakfast items, including eggs, pancakes, and coffee, to the firefighters on Shift B, with breakfast soon to come for the other shifts.
“I can’t think of a more deserving group of hardworking men than the Dallas firemen
who work around the clock to save lives and protect our community,” said club member Jahaziel Cantu. “A simple way of showing our appreciation and support is to bring a meal to share and thank each of them in person.”
Environmental Impact
The Rotary Club has also made a sizeable commitment to environmental impact.
“Our club adopted the Rotary International’s theme of being an environmental leader in the community. We do electronic recycling events and give away oak seedlings
in return to help replace the trees that were lost when Preston Hollow was hit with the tornado in 2019,” said McReynolds.
At Bachman Lake, Preston Hollow Rotary sought out an environmental education center for Dallas ISD to manage and operate without having to pay the construction cost.
The club donated $2 million to Rotary International to build the center.
“We’re trying to do something really substantial in the greater Preston Hollow because there are pockets of poverty all around us, and we have sort of an obligation to help,” said McReynolds.
They also partnered with the Friends of Bachman Lake to clean up Bachman’s parks and beautify the DART station near the lake. Also, because there is no bathroom on Bachman Trail, the club reached out to Texas Tech University, where its architecture students are working to build a compostable, one-stall bathroom this fall that will be placed at the trailhead on Cochran Chapel Road.
In the fall, McReynolds looks forward to hosting a “Men Who Cook” event (children and women are welcome) at the Marcus Recreation Center. The proceeds from the event will go to the Dallas Park and Recreation Department to help clear out the privet, an invasive plant, along the creek.
“Our club is trying to be a leader and help build this park up for everyone in Preston Hollow,” McReynolds said. “We’re trying to generate some momentum to get all of these beautiful things done for the community.”
Members of The Rotary Club of Preston Hollow served breakfast to firefighters and awarded camp scholarships to students. COURTESY
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Simulated scenarios prepare search-and-rescue canines for real-life emergencies. German Shepherd Kaya springs into action to save a team member trapped beneath the rubble. Canine handler Tami Stone trains emergency response dogs. Kaya is rewarded after locating Christy Bormann in less than 15 seconds. TO THE RESCUE TV
‘Preston
Hollow People’ Applauds
• Mary Jalonick for receiving the Junior League of Dallas’s 2025-2026 Sustainer of the Year award. She will be honored at JLD’s Milestones Luncheon in April 2026. Her work with the organization for over 55 years has included roles as treasurer and committee chair. Jalonick served as President & CEO of The Dallas Foundation for 30 years, opening doors for early childhood education through her tenure. She has also served on boards and councils for SMU, the University of Texas at Austin, and The Hockaday School.
• Jim Moroney III for being honored with The Catholic Foundation’s annual award, which will be presented to him on Feb. 7, 2026, at the Foundation’s 43rd Award Dinner.
Moroney, a retired publisher of the Dallas Morning News and chairman, president, and CEO of the News’ former parent company A.H. Belo Corporation, raised over $7 million to create the Institute for Homiletics at the University of Dallas, formed Cistercian’s alumnae association, and grew Young Catholic Professionals, the nation’s largest network of its kind. Moroney has also served on boards for St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities Dallas, The University of Texas, and The Dallas Foundation.
• Madison Shelby, a 2021 Hockaday School and 2025 High Point University cum laude graduate, for being awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Award. Shelby will serve as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in South Korea, where she will draw on her academic background in Elementary Education and her passion for cross-cultural learning. During her time at High Point, Shelby served as a French tutor, completed a year-long student teaching placement in a fourth-grade classroom, and held multiple leadership roles, including serving as president of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Her Fulbright placement will allow her to teach English while also leading discussions on American culture, such as civil rights and the experiences of Black Americans.
— Compiled by Emily Zeigfinger and Claudia Carson-Habeeb
4
Giving People
GRATEFUL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
Iam certain that there’s nowhere as generous as North Texas.
Over the past 16 years, your collective gifts to thousands of organizations through Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day have created more than $635 million of impact.
In 2024, the program connected 3,200 local nonprofits with givers, raising more than $70 million. This local generosity movement has grown to become the largest regional giving event in the nation, and it all centers around giving from the heart.
North Texas Giving Day makes it easy to give.
There are more than 3,500 verified, local nonprofits participating this year — the most in Giving Day’s history — representing more than 25 cause areas.
Communities Foundation of Texas, sponsors, and generous givers cover all transaction and technology fees during North Texas Giving Day, so 100% of donations go directly to nonprofits.
Many of the participating nonprofits have supporters who have stepped up to match donations made, so that the dollars you give can go twice as far.
I take CFT’s charge to grow community giving seriously, and I want to personally ask each of you — our region’s Giving People, to help us do just that — in support of the causes you care about. The need is great, and the time is now.
Browse the NorthTexasGivingDay.org website to learn about the needs and opportunities across our region and to make a gift to a nonprofit or cause area you care about. Not sure where to give? Take our online quiz to be matched with organizations that match your interests and passions.
This year’s North Texas Giving Day culminates on Thursday, Sept. 18. Giving through the website opens on Thursday, Aug. 28. We hope you will join in some of the inspiring events happening all over the region, many of which are highlighted on our website.
I look forward to giving alongside each of you, your families, and businesses through this Texas-sized giving movement.
With gratitude for your generosity,
Wayne White President and CEO Communities Foundation of Texas
See Which Nonprofits Your Neighbors Will Support
Editor’s note: We asked your neighbors about the causes they love to serve with their time and money. Read more at peoplenewspapers.com and email editor@peoplenewspapers.com to tell us which nonprofits will get your dollars this North Texas Giving Day.
Austin Street Center austinstreet.org
Megan Burkhart, of University Park, is a senior executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Comerica Incorporated. She joined Austin Street’s board — and its fight against homelessness — 10 years ago.
“After touring the shelter and learning more about Austin Street’s work, the mission really spoke to me, and I knew I needed to be part of their team,” she said.
What kind of work does it do?
noted. “At that time, I had not heard of AWARE North Texas but became deeply involved and invested because of how important our mission is in helping the Alzheimer’s community by funding our grant programs and nursing scholarships.”
Why do you support it today?
— we are excit ed to offer the freshly made and dressed soup at our new location this year — Dallas Market Hall.
Community Partners of Dallas cpdtx.org
come let us show you the work we are doing,” he said.
Why do you support it today?
Because I’ve seen the toll Alzheimer’s takes, on me personally with my grandmother years back and on friends with early onset. As a community, AWARE
North Texas is creating lasting change and hope for the future for those facing Alzheimer’s.
Mary Anne Dunne, of Highland Park, is a senior vice president of Benchmark Bank who has served on the CPD board for 16 years.
“Volunteering with CPD empowers me to make a positive impact in the lives of countless children who would otherwise go without,” she said. “The work is important, and I know the time I invest translates into direct support for our families. We keep kids safe and are a resource they know they can rely upon when many other parts of their life are in flux.”
At Austin Street Center, clients are not only provided emergency shelter, but also much needed hope for a plan and a path forward. Serving as one of Dallas’ largest homeless shelters for more than four decades, Austin Street Center and its team of dedicated servant leaders transforms lives with innovative programs and individualized plans that lead to permanent housing solutions for clients.
AWARE North Texas
AWAREDallas.org
Jolie D. Humphrey, of Highland Park, describes herself as a charity chick, one who’s prone to drag husband, Bart, along to such events as the AWARE Affair 2025: Boots Buckles & Brain Health gala.
“My good friend Venise Stuart, who was president at the time, asked me to chair the AWARE Affair back in 2018,” Humphrey
Chi Omega Christmas Market chiomegachristmasmarket.org
When Debbie Lang, a community volunteer from Devonshire, returned to Dallas five years ago, she resumed volunteering with the Chi Omega Christmas Market, a massive shopping experience that has raised more than $11 million for more than 154 worthy Dallas-area beneficiaries since 1978. She’s serving as cochair for Sept. 24-27.
How did you get involved with this nonprofit?
What would you say to someone else considering a donation to the nonprofit this year?
It is a Chi Omega tradition for college-age women in the Dallas area to volunteer during the Market. When I attended SMU, I volunteered at the Market in the days when it was held at the Convention Center in downtown Dallas. Many shoppers may remember the fabulous tortilla soup at the cafe
Eighty-four cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programming and resources that benefit children in protective care. When you support CPD, you are opening the door to healing for countless children today and for years to come.
Dallas 24 Hour Club dallas24hourclub.org
Shannon Shelmire Wynne, a Highland Park resident who works in restaurant design and operations, wants you to know more about the Dallas 24 Hour Club and its work helping addicts get clean.
“If you want to tour the facility in hopes of finding a successful and effective program that helps the City of Dallas, please
The facility has been completely rebuilt, and the housing expanded. It requires its residents to get and hold a job, attend meetings, get regular testing, and be accountable. The rewards are really beautiful, and the success rate is impressive.
Dallas CASA dallascasa.org
Juan Nevarez, a petroleum engineering executive from Preston Hollow, decided to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate after attending a bilingual recruiting event.
“As the eighth child in a family of 11 children from Juárez, Mexico, who moved to the United States without any English skills at the age of 15, I understand first-hand the cultural challenges and the miscommunications that can happen when English isn’t your first language,” he said. “Advocating for Spanish-speaking siblings has allowed me to help them stay connected to their language and heritage, while also encouraging them to pursue education and see a brighter future for themselves.
What kind of work does Dallas CASA do?
These advocates speak on behalf of children in court, work with families, and help provide access to support services that restore childhood and promote family stability.
FROM LEFT: Michelle Mai, Caroline Brown, Alan Rose, Vickie Yakunin, Nicole Paquette, and Lexi McCarthy. COURTESY
Megan Burkhart COURTESY
Jolie Humphrey ROB WYTHEWYTHE PORTRAIT STUDIO
Debbie Lang COURTESY
Mary Anne Dunne COURTESY
Shannon Shelmire Wynne COURTESY
Juan Nevarez COURTESY
WAYNE WHITE
Presenting Sponsor:
North Texas, it's time for action. Your community needs your help now more than ever, and North Texas Giving DayTM is the easy way to give. Plus, thanks to help from our generous givers and sponsors, Communities Foundation of Texas covers all transaction and technology fees, so every dollar you put in goes all out.
Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center dcac.org
University Park’s Courtney and Nathan Gilbert — a community philanthropist and an orthopedic surgeon — know the statistics.
“A report of child abuse is made every 19 minutes in Dallas County,” Courtney noted. “It’s hard to believe, but 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.”
That’s why they support DCAC, which coordinates with law enforcement and prosecutors, works to make witness interviews less traumatic, and provides a range of free therapies to clients.
What would you say to someone else considering a donation to DCAC this year?
Trail. My wife, Janelle, joined the Art committee a few years ago and has been a part of supporting Art on the Trail. Several of the artists that have worked at our art space (powerstationdallas. com) have also displayed artwork on the Katy Trail.
Interfaith Family Services interfaithdallas.org
The Junior League of Dallas jldallas.org
As Lindsay Davis explains it, she lives in East Dallas, works in the Park Cities, and serves in Preston Hollow.
The director of BBA admission for the SMU Cox School of Business got involved with JLD a decade ago “because an amazing co-worker and a dear family friend had me pegged as someone who would connect deeply to this work.”
families forget about hospitals, treatments, and tough days.”
What would you say to someone thinking about donating this year?
as they rebuild their lives, and in the process, become sober, present mothers for their children.
Rainbow Days rainbowdays.org
“When you look at what JLD offers, between real leadership training, deep community connections, and meaningful impact, it’s tough to say no,” added Davis, who is now the league president.
What kind of work does JLD do?
This is our city. These are our kids. And that makes it our responsibility to keep them safe. Child Abuse knows now boundaries — it can happen to any child in any city, including ours.
Friends of the Katy Trail katytraildallas.org
When Highland Park entrepreneur Alden Pinnell isn’t founding or co-founding companies like SkinCeuticals, Picnic Surf Shapes, and The Power Station, he enjoys spending time with family on the Katy Trail.
“It is one of the most important features for health, community, and well-being in our city,” he said, explaining why he supports efforts to fund landscaping, lighting, security, and activities on the trail.
How did you get involved with Friends of the Katy Trail?
My initial involvement came through the Art initiatives on the
Christi Saylors may be the director of community outreach for The Dallas Foundation, but this month the longtime University Park resident who now lives in Preston Hollow is talking about the life-changing work of Interfaith Family Services.
“For a single mom on the verge of homelessness, to be offered a free place to live for a year or until she gets back on her feet is amazing,” Saylors noted. “These women are getting career coaching so they can make a livable wage, and financial coaching to understand how to manage their money to set them up for success and are surrounded by a staff that is showing the love and grace of God to them every day.”
How did you get involved with this nonprofit?
Each year, our members contribute more than 100,000 hours of service (that’s an estimated value of $3.18 million!) along with more than $1 million in funding to nonprofit partners and Signature Projects across Dallas.
But we’re more than volunteers: we’re a pipeline of women who are trained civic leaders and change agents.
There are over 1,100 kids here who are currently waiting for their wish, and you can be the person to make their wish come true. Not donating means that a child’s wish isn’t certain, and unfortunately, neither is their future. So, jump in. Be the reason a wish comes true.
Nexus Family Recovery Center
nexusrecovery.org
Emily Wickard, the founder and CEO of Avara, was still in her first 30 days of sobriety when her sponsor brought her to speak at Nexus nine years ago.
“I didn’t think I had anything valuable to say because I hadn’t been sober for very long,” the Park Cities resident said. “My sponsor reminded me that early sobriety can feel impossible, and my story might resonate more with the women versus someone who had been sober for decades.”
Why do you support Nexus today?
As co-founder and managing director of Miramar Equity Partners, Kyle Coots leads a family office investing in small-to-medium sized businesses.
As a volunteer and donor for Rainbow Days, the University Park resident invests to help children in adversity build coping skills and resilience to create positive futures.
Rainbow Days “works with local schools, shelters and other similarly minded organizations to serve over 20,000 children annually through after school programs, summer camps, mentorship programs and presentations in other group settings,” he noted.
How did you get involved with this nonprofit?
I started getting in Involved with Interfaith Family Services over 10 years ago by volunteering there with my daughters through the National Charity League. We helped with childcare so the single moms could go to practical lessons on financial coaching, career development and Bible Study.
Make-A-Wish® North Texas wish.org/ntx
Dr. Gary Donovitz, a physician and biomedical entrepreneur, speaks about one of his favorite nonprofits with a sense of wonder.
“Make-A-Wish® North Texas is pure magic,” said the St. Mark’s School of Texas graduate who grew up in Preston Hollow but now lives in Westlake. “At a time when the future feels uncertain, they create life-changing experiences and memories that let kids and their
Nexus is one of the few residential treatment facilities in Texas that invites women to bring their children to treatment. I recognize how fortunate I was to have my husband care for my children while I was in treatment. I am honored to support mothers who may not be as fortunate
In 2019, my oldest son, Lane, and I volunteered at Rainbow Days’ annual Saturday with Santa event. The event allows children and families living in local shelters and centers to enjoy a Christmas carnival with games, arts and crafts, and other events, while also providing parents the ability to “shop” the event’s store of donated children’s items such as toys, games, clothes and other necessities. My son and I were both inspired by the work Tiffany Beaudine (CEO) and the Rainbow Days’ team performed that day, as well as moved emotionally by the sheer amount of people in our community that needed the help. “
Nathan Gilbert TAMYTHA CAMERON
Alden Pinnell COURTESY
Christi Saylors COURTESY
Lindsay Davis COURTESY
Dr. Gary Donovitz COURTESY
Emily Wickard with AJ and Ava Katie Kubisak COURTESY
Kyle Coots COURTESY
Make-A-Wish North Texas SARAH HODGES
Rainbow Days COURTESY
Communitiy Partners of Dallas COURTESY
Ronald McDonald House
Dallas
rmhdallas.org
Vanessa Fuquay, a philanthropy consultant and community volunteer from Preston Hollow, got involved with Ronald McDonald House Dallas a few years ago while serving on the TRAINS at NorthPark Committee.
Today, she’s co-chairing with Elizabeth Anderson the annual fundraiser that features a massive model train exhibit with custom painted cars and locomotives. Her daughter, Manning, is serving as junior chair.
What does Ronald McDonald House do?
It provides a home away from home for families with children needing long-term
care at a Dallas-area hospital. During their stay, the House provides families with meals, transportation, laundry services, family activities, and other needs … We can’t predict when our child needs medical care. That time must be so scary, and in some cases unimaginable. We are lucky to have a place as warm and prepared to provide such vital services to families in need.
SPARK! Dallas
sparkdallas.org
Nell Bush, a child development specialist from Highland Park, learned about the creative opportunities SPARK! Dallas provides for children and teens through friend Meg Bittner, who became executive director three years ago.
More recently, Bush and her husband, Shelby, co-chaired the “SPARKtacular” 10th anniversary celebration of the agency’s work encouraging art and imaginative design through school field trips,
summer camps, family activities, and after school programs.
What would you say to someone else considering a donation to SPARK this year?
her career as consulting at the intersection of people, data and culture, has supported Texas Women’s Foundation “with my time and resources for close to 15 years.”
Every child deserves the chance to experience art, imaginative play, and creative design. Check out the fun evening events for adults as well or go for a site visit and you’ll be sold!
The Stewpot thestewpot.org
“We can’t ignore homelessness and just hope it goes away,” insisted Cory Bowen, a University Park mother of three and community volunteer. “We all deserve a second chance, and The Stewpot is serving them up on a daily basis.”
The agency, which celebrates its
50th anniversary this year, does so by providing 1,000-plus meals daily at The Bridge in downtown Dallas, operating a food pantry, and offering essential services, including housing assistance, education, and dental care from its Opportunity Center campus.
How did you get involved with this nonprofit?
My husband and I spent a lot of time volunteering pre-kids. It was our way of meeting people and getting to know Dallas. One of the most meaningful experiences during that time was serving meals at The Stewpot.
The foundation, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, provides women, girls and their families with the essentials for economic security so that they can thrive.
Texas Women’s Foundation txwf.org
Preston Hollow’s Debra Hunter Johnson, who describes
“When women are supported, the entire family benefits, which means that society as a whole benefits,” Johnson said, adding she was drawn by TXWF’s powerful thought leadership.
Why do you support it today?
When women win, we all win so it is a wise investment.
Vanessa Fuquay COURTESY
Cory Bowen COURTESY
Shelby and Nell Bush COURTESY
Debra Hunter Johnson COURTESY
The Stewpot COURTESY
SPARK! COURTESY
Turtle Creek Association turtlecreekassociation.org
Venise Stuart, a civic volunteer from Highland Park, said she proudly supports TCA’s stewardship of the Turtle Creek Corridor each year.
The association provides trash removal, creek bank restoration, landscaping, tree care, graffiti removal, public safety coordination, beautification projects, and public art installations.
“It’s a small but mighty organization that plays a huge role in protecting, enhancing, and advocating for one of the most beautiful and historic green spaces in Dallas.”
What would you say to someone else considering a donation to the nonprofit this year?
Your gift — no matter the size — directly impacts the creek, trails, and green space that so
many people and wildlife depend on. If you’ve ever walked, biked, driven past, or admired Turtle Creek, you’ve already benefited from TCA’s work.
Wilkinson Center thewilkinsoncenter.org
In July, PGIM Real Estate executive director Kent Cummings attended the Adult Education Graduation ceremony at Highland Park United Methodist Church where 100-plus graduates attained their high school equivalency or Integrated Education and Training Certifications.
The University Park resident with a son at Boone Elementary School described the event as moving.
“Supported by an auditorium of their family and friends, this event highlights the significant impact made by the Wilkinson Center, its staff, trainers, teachers, supporters, and volunteers,” he said. “Beyond cheers and balloons, this event was filled with second chances, tears of joy, relief that
the goal was achieved, pride of accomplishment, and excitement for a brighter future.”
How did you get involved with this non-profit?
My coworkers and I have volunteered at Wilkinson Center events for over 10 years, including helping children select shoes at back-toschool shoe drives, stocking the food pantry, and even being Santa at the Annual Toy Drive.
The Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden dallasarboretum.org
University Park resident Paige Elliott’s connection to gardening runs deep.
“My mother instilled in me a profound love for gardens and the art of
gardening, a passion that my husband and I continue to cultivate in our own lives,” she said.
No wonder the Realtor joined the WCDABG in 2016.
“This organization holds a special place in my heart as both a supporter of our community’s natural beauty and as a champion of women’s contributions to horticulture and environmental stewardship,” she said.
What kind of work does it do?
Bledsoe Martin has been involved with teen outreach programs in North Texas since moving here in 2011, and in 2020 got connected with Youth180 through its president Keri Stitt.
The agency helps youth and their families navigate social and environmental challenges through substance misuse prevention, intervention, and clinical programs.
Why do you support it today?
Our work encompasses fundraising, volunteer coordination, educational programming, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of this magnificent space that brings joy to thousands of visitors each year.
Youth180 youth180tx.org
University Park volunteer Ginny
I lost my cousin to an accidental overdose in 2015, and it completely gutted my family. We were all at such a loss and didn’t understand how it could happen to us. When I started opening up about my loss, I was shocked how many people were also affected by the tragedy of substance misuse.
Venise Stuart Rob WYTHE/ WYTHE PORTRAIT STUDIO
Kent Cummings COURTESY
Paige Elliott JIN KIM PHOTOGRAPHY
Ginny Bledsoe Martin COURTESY
The Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden COURTESY Wilkinson Center Food Pantry COURTESY
Crystal Charity Ball
The annual Crystal Charity Ball 10 Best Dressed Fashion Show and Luncheon will honor the busiest, and most stylish, women behind Dallas philanthropy on Sept. 11 at the downtown Neiman Marcus. Visit our website to learn more about this year’s honorees.
Hall of Famer Aileen Pratt
2025 Hall of Fame Honoree Aileen Pratt was recognized in the Crystal Charity Ball 10 Best Dressed Fashion Show and Luncheon from 2009 to 2011. She practiced law for 14 years before retiring to raise her children. She now devotes her time to philanthropy and is passionate about supporting education and assisting the underserved. She is a member of the board of trustees of Ursuline Academy of Dallas and was recently elected to the board of directors of Catholic Charities of Dallas. She counts seven years of service to the Crystal Charity Ball in various roles. “The impact that Crystal Charity Ball has made on the lives of countless children in our Dallas community over the past 73 years is literally immeasurable, and I continue to be so proud to have been a small part of this important legacy,” she said.
What fashion era do you miss the most?
I liked the fun and streamlined look of the Mod ’60s era, and when I see old movie stars of the 1940’s, I must say that I do love the glamour!
Wendy W. Messmann
The three-time honoree and her husband, Boyd, are the proud parents of two daughters. Wendy has been with Bank of America Private Bank for 22 years, where she serves as the region’s Managing Director and Market Leader. She is this year’s Crystal Charity Ball Children’s Book Chair, as well as treasurer and a board member of the Turtle Creek Conservancy. She is a longtime supporter of the Junior League of Dallas and has supported New Friends New Life as a former board member and board chair. Originally from Houston, she has fallen in love with Dallas and its strong culture of service. “We set a high bar for compassion — it’s a characteristic I hope we never let go of. We don’t have to be perfect — we just have to keep trying.”
What do you like to wear around the house?
I’m ashamed to say that sweatpants and boxer shorts are my
go-to… I just have to be honest.
Shannon Ligon Graham
The first-time honoree and mother of two sons balances her efforts to aid area nonprofits with parttime work for a Texas State Senator. Shannon is a board member and president-elect of The Salvation Army Dallas Women’s Auxiliary. She is also co-chairing an event this fall for Advocates for Community Transformation and is a board member of The Stewpot. She recently chaired Day at the Races benefitting the Turtle Creek Park Conservancy and is a past chair of The Salvation Army Dallas Women’s Auxiliary Fashion Show & Luncheon, the Equest Women’s Auxiliary Luncheon and Fashion Show, the Healing Hands Luncheon, and the Council for Life Celebrating Life Luncheon. She is proud of having cochaired the 2024 Crystal Charity Ball’s Silent Auction.
Fashion faux pas?
I once wore white jeans to my friend’s BBQ dinner party, and one of my boys accidentally bumped into me and spilled BBQ sauce all over my jeans. It looked like an explosion, napkins didn’t help at all, and I got to spend the rest of the evening wearing my white and BBQ jeans with pride. It was a funny conversation starter.
Julie Bagley
The first-time honoree has called Dallas home since childhood. She and her husband, Scott, have two children. Their son, Michael, recently graduated from the University of Georgia, and daughter, Caroline, is a student at the University of Virginia. Julie began serving as a nonprofit volunteer more than 25 years ago. Today, she helps secure vital funding for local charitable organizations as a contract grant writer. She called serving as president of the Junior League of Dallas one of the greatest honors of her life and sits on its board of trustees. She also helped launch Dallas Afterschool’s Recess! Fundraiser. Her current focus is the Crystal Charity Ball and its work supporting beneficiaries that provide protection, healing, and hope to the city’s most vulnerable children.
What are you proudest of having accomplished in the last year? I completed a five-year project that created a physical and
digital archive to preserve the remarkable 100+ year history of the Junior League of Dallas. It was a labor of love, and one that I hope will be utilized for generations.
Tracy Lange
The two-time honoree and her husband, Ben, have two children who attend the University of Texas. She has a passion for assisting the community’s children and elderly. She was honorary chair of the 2025 Aging Mind Foundation Gala. Her involvement in the Aging Mind Foundation was inspired by her experience in the last year caring for her father, who suffered from dementia. She is active in Luke’s FastBreaks, which supports children, teens, and young adults battling cancer, as well as with many other pediatric cancer charities. She has also served as a board member and luncheon chair for Family Gateway and After-School All-Stars.
Who is your style inspiration, and why?
Princess Diana. Watching both her style and confidence evolve over the years has been very inspiring.
Lisa Rocchio
The three-time honoree and her husband, John, have lived in Dallas for the past 13 years. A mother of three grown children, Lisa has supported her children’s schools and many area nonprofits, including New Friends New Life, Texas Ballet Theater, and Children’s Health. As co-chair of the 2024 New Friends New Life Luncheon, she helped raised $1.2 million to assist women and children who have been victims of crime. She was honored to serve as the 2021-22 president of the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center. In her next phase of life as an empty nester, she is opening a mahjong studio called The Charleston Club in the fall.
What do you like to wear around the house?
Dresses are my comfort zone!
Tracey Kozmetsky
The two-time honoree lives in her historic childhood home, where she and her husband raised their three children. She began her career in New York City before co-founding a public relations firm
10 BEST DRESSED
Aileen Pratt Wendy W. Messmann
Shannon Ligon Graham
Julie Bagley
Tracy Lange
Lisa Rocchio
in Texas. She is one of the Crystal Charity Ball Silent Auction Special Gifts co-chairs. She is also a member of the Tory Burch Foundation board of directors and chair of its governance committee and is a supporter of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and Dallas medical community. She has been a member of the Junior League of Dallas and Cattle Baron’s Ball and completed two six-year terms on the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center board of trustees. She has also dedicated her time to her children’s schools and family’s alma maters. Her proudest achievement in the last year was beating breast cancer.
What fashion era do you miss the most?
The classic, preppy ’80s era, particularly the clothes purchased at Harold’s in Highland Park Village or Henry’s on Hillcrest, is nostalgic for me. I learned to sew in high school home economics, and made my own wrap skirts, which gave me a creative, fun glimpse into fashion design.
Sunie Solomon
The three-time honoree and her husband, Steve, are the parents of a 13-year-old daughter and three adult children. A retired periodontist, she devotes her time to family and philanthropy. She is involved in the Young Presidents’ Organization and the George W. Bush Library and has taught Sunday School and Confirmation at Highland Park United Methodist Church. She is a past cochair of events supporting multiple nonprofits, including Preston Hollow Presbyterian School, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Dec My Room. She is an active member of the Crystal Charity Ball Committee, and co-chair of the upcoming Savor the Symphony, which will be held on Nov. 6 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
What is your favorite fashion trend this year?
I am not sure of my favorite, but I know my most unfavorite is boyfriend jeans!
Katherine Wyker
The two-time honoree and multi-generational Dallasite is CEO of her family’s foundation, which focuses on education, children, individuals with special needs, and animal welfare. She has dedicated her
time to the Salvation Army, Healing Hands Ministries, and the Senior Source. Her involvement with the Senior Source is especially personal — her father recently suffered a traumatic brain injury and now has dementia. In the past year, she co-chaired the Forefront Living Foundation luncheon and served as underwriting chair of the Senior Source luncheon. “We are called to share our time, talents, and treasures without measure,” she said. “I believe that charity is not just giving but it is restoring hope and reminding the world that every life is sacred.”
What is your favorite fashion trend this year?
While I don’t enjoy all the styles of “cottagecore” I am really appreciating the resurgence of florals. Having two boys, I am really loving anything extra girly and covered in flowers.
Shelby Goff
The first-time honoree and her husband, Travis, are the parents of three children who attend The Episcopal School of Dallas. This fall, she is co-chairing Kappa Tablescapes featuring Aerin Lauder. She has been actively involved with The Salvation Army for many years, and she and her husband are founding co-chairmen of its new Echelon, Continuing the Legacy initiative, which aims to bridge the gap between Echelon and the Women’s Auxiliary. She will serve on the 2026 Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Fashion Show & Luncheon Committee, and is a 2025 NorthPark Ambassador, with a focus on MD Anderson. Though a supporter of multiple area nonprofits, her commitment to MD Anderson is deeply personal — she lost a lifelong best friend to cancer this year.
Who is your style inspiration, and why?
Currently Lauren Santo Domingo is my style inspiration because she has mastered the mix of classic elegance and modern trends. She has a knack for making everything look chic and effortless, perfect for anyone who loves a timeless yet trendy look.
Jacquelin
Sewell Atkinson
The first-time honoree and her husband, William, both grew up in Dallas. Their daughter, Henrietta, is a very happy Hockadaisy and the light of their lives. Jacquelin is the fourth generation in her family business,
ABOUT THE 10 BEST DRESSED
The Crystal Charity Ball 10 Best Dressed Fashion Show and Luncheon is in its 51st year of celebrating the most philanthropic and fashionable women in Dallas. Amy Hegi is chairing this year’s event.
ABOUT HALL OF FAME
After being named to the 10 Best Dressed list for three consecutive years, honorees become members of the Hall of Fame. Each year, one member of the Hall of Fame is recognized for her personal style and commitment to the community.
Sewell Automotive Companies, which is now in its 114th year. For decades, she and her family have been proud supporters of the Crystal Charity Ball, the Cattle Baron’s Ball, and the Junior League of Dallas. She is excited about the upcoming Collection Gala, a reimagining of the future of support and patronage for the Dallas Museum of Art. “I have learned so much from all of my past volunteer work and board work. I endeavor to take those lessons of teamwork, perseverance, and being part of something larger than myself into my everyday life,” she said.
Who is your style inspiration, and why?
There are so many designers who inspire me … but the person who inspired me most to be interested in fashion from a young age is my mother, Peggy Sewell. I have vivid memories of her beautiful ensembles throughout my childhood, and still today. She is the definition of grace and beauty!
— Compiled by Sarah Hodges
DRESSED
The 2025 Crystal Charity Ball will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.
Rocchio Tracey Kozmetsky
Sunie Solomon
Katherine Wyker
Shelby Goff Jacquelin Sewell Atkinson
Schools
TEAM EFFORT
Teachers, parents join students to kickstart the school year
By Claudia Carson-Habeeb claudia.carson-habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com
Classrooms are buzzing once again as 140,000 students in the Dallas Independent School District returned to open arms and high expectations for the first day of school.
Across Preston Hollow campuses, classmates greeted old and new friends as teachers and staff welcomed them back, kicking off the 2025-2026 academic year on Aug. 12.
Students in red, gray, and black polos found their homeroom grade by uniform color at Benjamin Franklin International Exploratory Academy. Displays of the school’s core beliefs — kindness, high expectations, and ownership — set the tone for the year.
Even many of the area’s high school students showed enthusiasm for the beginning of school.
“I’m excited about seeing all my friends
again,” said W.T. White High School student Cynthia Aguirre.
Socializing will have to be done in person this year as all public schools in Texas — including those in Dallas ISD — must comply with House Bill 1481, a new state law that prohibits students from using personal communication devices during the school day.
This means that students will not be allowed to use or display devices such as cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, AirPods, laptops, or smart glasses at any time during the instructional day. Dallas ISD representatives said they will begin enforcing this law on the first day of school to support consistency and readiness across campuses.
dents are focused, present, and safe during school hours,” said Tiffany Huitt-Powell, chief of schools for Dallas ISD. “We are committed to helping families, students, and staff understand the law and how it will be implemented in our schools.”
“We’ve had a great summer, but I think we’re all ready for structure again.” Sean Allen
Several Preston Hollow area Dallas ISD schools have rolled out new enrichment programs and expanded after-school clubs for the new school year.
At Pershing Elementary, extracurricular activities for the 2025-2026 academic year include the Elementary Honor Society, UIL teams, orchestra, art, robotics, drama, and chess club.
mental awareness, programs such as Gooch Elementary’s outdoor STEAM classroom have integrated outside activities and sustainability projects directly into the core curriculum through campus additions, including garden beds and picnic tables.
While area teachers have spent the last few weeks participating in professional development workshops, decorating classrooms, and preparing lesson plans, parents, too, have played an active role in the return to school. Family engagement nights, orientation sessions, and meet-the-teacher opportunities took place in the weeks leading up to the first day.
For parents like Sean Allen, whose daughter attends Withers Elementary School, the return to school is a time to reset goals.
“HB 1481 is about ensuring that stu -
With a continued focus on student well-being, physical activity, and environ -
“We’ve had a great summer, but I think we’re all ready for structure again,” he said. “The teachers and parents here are amazing, and we feel very fortunate to be part of this great community.”
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Dallas ISD high school cheerleaders greet teachers and students. School buses prepare to transport thousands of students to various area schools. Preston Hollow schools welcome students for the first day of school. Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde visits with students. DALLAS ISD, ZACHARY HABEEB
Cultivating Connection: A Science Teacher’s Blossoming Idea Greenhill brings more native plants to campus, aims to restore Blackland Prairie
By Claudia Carson-Habeeb claudia.carson-habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com
Visitors of the Greenhill School will likely notice colorful feathers strewn about campus from a bird that’s been a staple of the grounds since the 1960s.
But when science teacher Gretchen Pollom first became a faculty member in 2018, it wasn’t the peacocks that caught her attention, but instead the quiet charm of native birds outside of her classroom. Pollum asked for a pair of binoculars so her students could study them more closely.
The middle school teacher, who grew up on Indiana farmland, was accustomed to looking at her outdoor surroundings, including the color of the soil. The naturalist wasn’t thrilled to find the discolored, pesticide-filled type so prevalent in North Texas residential neighborhoods and school campuses.
“I think we have to rethink the way we engage with our environment,” Pollom said. “We have to share that space and bear it in a way that doesn’t damage it so that other species can’t survive.”
She realized that planting more native
species could help reduce erosion, improve soil quality, and provide critical habitats for pollinators — all while enhancing the educational experience for her students.
“I’m really passionate about the Blackland Prairie. The hard and dry soil in (the region) causes plants to need thick, deep roots to thrive,” Pollom explained, adding that Bermuda grass and winter rye — the types of grass planted on Greenhill’s campus — don’t take advantage of the soil.
Pollom was also eager to bring a pollinator garden to the school campus. After creating a series of outdoor learning spaces for students, Pollom quickly saw the potential for broader impact.
about ourselves and our connectivity to both the land and each other,” she said.
Along with faculty from the English, history, science, and art departments, Pollom brought her mission to life with a vision rooted in sustainability and outdoor learning. After identifying more than 70 areas in need of ecological improvement, Pollom and her collaborators planted hundreds of native plants in various locations. Her idea blossomed into a campus-wide effort.
“It’s all about connections, Everything in an ecosystem is connected.” Gretchen Pollom
The mother of three (now adult) sons sought to protect her students from what Richard Louv described as “nature deficit disorder.”
“Not only can we learn about land and nature itself, but time in the gardens also helps cultivate deeper understandings
The Texas Conservation Alliance, a league growing native plants at the Dallas Zoo, matched Greenhill’s efforts, supplying two plants for every one planted, transforming the campus into a dynamic living lab with outdoor classrooms where students can explore science, sustainability, and their place within the natural world.
The North Texas Master Naturalist’s goal is to transform one to two acres of land back into Blackland Prairie, a goal
that may soon be made possible. The Edward E. Ford Foundation has established a $100,000 matching grant for a comprehensive environmental science education program at Greenhill, including the construction of a greenhouse, Blackland Prairie ecosystem installation, and outdoor learning spaces for pre-K-12th grade.
“Not only are we restoring a large portion of Greenhill’s 75 acres to prairie, but the students are also propagating native plants to sell in hopes they’ll inspire others to use plants native to the region,” Pollom said.
Through her project, Pollom has sown more than just seeds — she’s planted a deeper awareness of the relationship to the environment and each other, helping students become not just learners, but stewards of the land.
“I want the students to be present wherever they are,” she said, “and then, through their personal, hands-on interactions with nature, cultivate an understanding and a pride in how they can prompt change in their corner of the world.”
“It’s all about connections,” she said. “Everything in an ecosystem is connected.”
Gretchen Pollom collaborates with colleagues and students to create pollinator gardens and native prairies on campus. GREENHILL SCHOOL
Teacher, College Students Share Study Tips for Academic Success
Insights highlight techniques to enhance long-term performance
Alongside Preston Hollow resident and teacher Monica Orozco, college students Tristan Hakert, Luca White, and Alex Habeeb shared their top strategies for staying focused, avoiding burnout, and tackling assignments with confidence.
1. Set a Regular Study Schedule
• Study at the same time each day to build a routine.
• Choose a quiet, distraction-free space.
2. Use a To-Do List or Planner
• Write down all your homework, tests, and due dates.
• Break large assignments into smaller, manageable steps.
3. Stay Organized
• Keep your notes, folders, and digital
files sorted by subject.
• Clean out your binders and backpack regularly to stay clutter-free.
4. Follow the 25/5 Rule (Pomodoro Technique)
• Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break.
• After 4 cycles, take a longer 20–30 minute break.
5. Use Breaks Wisely — Get Outside!
• Walk, stretch, or sit in the sun for a few minutes.
• Fresh air can improve focus and boost your mood.
6. Review Every Day
• Spend 10–15 minutes reviewing notes, even if there’s no homework.
• Regular review helps you remember material long-term and reduces the need to cram.
7. Ask for Help When You Need It
• Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed.
• Talk to a teacher, parent, or classmate if you’re confused.
8. Minimize Distractions
• Silence notifications and keep your phone out of reach while studying.
• Use music without lyrics if it helps you focus.
9. Prioritize Sleep
• Try to get 8–10 hours of sleep each night.
• Avoid late-night cramming — your brain needs rest to retain info.
10. Celebrate Small Wins
• Cross off completed tasks to stay motivated.
• Reward yourself with something fun after a focused session.
Final Reminders:
• Take regular breaks.
• Get outside every day, even for just 10 minutes.
• Stay balanced — your health and happiness matter just as much as your grades.
– Compiled by Claudia Carson-Habeeb
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‘Sunday Lunches and Fairy Houses’ TCA student uses gift for music to aid flood relief efforts
By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com
Charlotte March wrote the song “Sunday Lunches and Fairy Houses” to honor Camp DeSoto, a place she grew to love over eight summers, and which changed her life for the better.
Now, her words of tribute and memory are making a difference for victims of the July floods that devastated Camp Mystic and the Texas Hill Country.
The senior at Trinity Christian Academy released her song only days before the flooding. It was the first music she had ever made available for purchase and streaming.
When she heard of the disas-
“Whenever I can’t find the words in a sentence to say, I can find the words in a verse.”
Charlotte March
ter, March wasn’t sure what she could do or how much of a difference she could make. But then, she had some encouragement from her mother, who told her, “‘Just be the little drummer boy; bring them what you can.’ Bring them my gift, even if it is small.”
March is donating all the proceeds from “Sunday Lunches and
Fairy Houses” to flood relief. She’s matching her sales on iTunes and donating $2 of her savings each time the song is streamed on Apple Music or Spotify. The funds come from her babysitting money, allowance, and birthday and Christmas gifts.
Her goal is to raise $5,000 for Texans on Mission. The nonprofit has had boots on the ground in Kerrville since the disaster, providing tangible help,
as well as emotional and spiritual support to flood victims.
“My main hope is that the funds provide extended relief for families, individuals, and cities affected by the floods,” March said, “and it will also help Texans on Mission continue to do what they’re doing.”
Writing the song was a way for March to express her sadness about her final summer at Camp DeSoto, an all-girls, Christian
summer camp in Alabama which she started attending as a nervous 9-year-old. Her mother, aunts, and sister have also been campers.
“Whenever I can’t find the words in a sentence to say, I can find the words in a verse,” said March, who fell in love with playing the guitar when she started taking lessons a decade ago.
The song memorializes special memories about camp, such as DeSoto’s traditional south -
LISTEN NOW
“Sunday Lunches and Fairy Houses” is available for purchase on iTunes, and can be streamed on Spotify and Apple Music. To learn more about Charlotte March’s music, follow her on Instagram @ charlottemarch_music.
ern Sunday lunches of chicken, mashed potatoes, and beans, and the fairy houses that younger campers built with sticks, moss, and bark, and which made the camp seem magical.
Hearing about the Hill Country flooding and how it impacted a camp so similar to DeSoto, March said, was heart wrenching, especially because her younger sister was in Alabama without her for the first time on July 4.
The efforts of her grandfather also helped inspire the fundraiser. March’s grandparents live in Kerrville. They were unaffected by the flooding, but her grandfather is a member of Texans on Mission and has been working since the disaster to aid flood victims, both as a volunteer and employee.
Some of March’s own friends were once Camp Mystic campers or counselors, and many of the girls who were lost in the flood live in her neighborhood in University Park.
“It was just heartbreaking seeing them go through the heartache of losing somewhere so special,” she said, “and hearing about all the little girls who didn’t get to leave.”
Charlotte March wrote “Sunday Lunches and Fairy Houses” about her camp experiences in Alabama but is using the proceeds to help those harmed by floods in Kerrville. SARAH HODGES
through 8th grade. This new chapter allows us to build on the strong academic and spiritual foundation our students receive in the lower grades, preparing them for high school with confidence, character, and Christian values.
In addition, we are securing our designation as a School Choice Education Service Provider. This will allow us to reach more families across the Dallas area and provide access to our Christ-centered education regardless of financial background.
Under the leadership of Head of School Dr. Kara Tobaben, Our Redeemer is boldly stepping into the future. “Expanding through 8th grade and becoming a School Choice provider reflects our deep commitment to serve families and equip students to thrive in all areas of life,” says Dr. Tobaben. “We are building on a strong foundation—academically, spiritually, and emotionally.”
From STEM to chapel, leadership to service, Our Redeemer nurtures the whole child. The best way to get to know us better is to schedule a visit through our website at https://ordallas.org/visit. We can’t wait to meet you!
Contact: Carol Blackwood Admissions Director Our Redeemer Lutheran School 7611 Park Lane, Dallas, TX 75225 ORDallas.org
Parish Episcopal School opens school year with new beginnings, new discoveries
Parish welcomes students to 2025-26 and to new possibilities. Through Wisdom, Honor and Service, as an inclusive Episcopal community of belonging, the School is devoted to helping students become creative learners and bold leaders, to find balance and joy as they discover themselves, and to prepare them for a life of success, a life of passion, a life of principle, where they can not only make a living – they’ll make a difference! From parent and family activities, social/ emotional programs, engaging curriculum exploring leadership, STEM and global studies to award-winning arts, championship athletics and premier facilities, the possibilities are infinite!
We invite you to visit and apply to Saint Michael Episcopal School. At SMES, we help develop and educate kind, inquisitive, and confident learners ages 12 months – kindergarten. Our dedicated and compassionate teachers provide a nurturing, individualized, and inclusive early childhood experience based on our four pillars—Love, Faith, Education, and Service.
To apply and schedule a school tour, please visit smesdallas.org/apply or contact the Director of Admission and Community Relations, Elizabeth Keogh, ekeogh@smesdallas.org
PARISH EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
Exciting changes are coming to Our Redeemer Lutheran School of Dallas! Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, we will officially expand to a full middle school, offering 6th
Get Ready to Dance Junior Symphony Ball returns to Gilley’s Dallas
For 68 years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors from area high schools have anticipated a night of music, dancing, and community spirit as the Junior Symphony Ball takes over legendary Gilley’s Dallas.
Organized by a group of high schoolers, the evening features live music, dancing, gaming tables, raffles with exciting prizes, and refreshments — all in support of music education and community engagement.
The student-led event brings together high school students from area schools for an evening supporting the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s education and outreach programs.
The fundraiser is the longest-running of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League and the benefit raised over $500,000 last year.
Students get creative with their apparel at the Western Chic party, combing formal attire with cowboy boots and jeans.
The 2026 JSB Co-Chairs represent a broad spectrum of Dallas schools, including Highland Park, Ursuline Academy, Parish Episcopal, Jesuit College Preparatory, St. Mark’s School of Texas, Bishop Lynch, The Hockaday School, and The Episcopal School of Dallas.
This year’s student leaders include Clara Erwin (High -
land Park High School), Lucy Galbraith (Ursuline Academy), Meghan Jackson (Parish Episcopal School), Teige Mitchell (Jesuit College Preparatory of Dallas), Peter Rubi (St. Mark’s School of Texas), Brooks Strey (Bishop Lynch High School), Jack Sumner (Highland Park High School), Mary Bradley Sutherland (The Hockaday School), Michael Woram (Je -
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MEADOWBROOK SCHOOL
Meadowbrook prepares confident, school-ready students in an intimate, structured and nurturing environment. We exist to empower your child with an individualized curriculum, proven for 54 YEARS. Our dedicated teachers, a one-of-akind curriculum, and passionate and invested families create an environment where every child loves school, is excited about learning and feels good about themselves. To learn more or book a tour, visit our website at www.meadowbrook-school. com
PRESTON HOLLOW PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL
For more than six decades, Preston Hollow Presbyterian School (PHPS) has been at the forefront of educating children with learning differences in the Dallas area. Established in 1962, PHPS was the first school in Dallas designed specifically for students who learn differently—and that pioneering spirit continues as we open our brandnew, state-of-the-art campus this Fall 2025. Individualized instruction is the foundation of our teaching, made possible by small class sizes supported by experienced remedial specialists to reinforce student success. Our new home at 4000 McEwen Road, Dallas, TX 75244 marks an exciting new chapter in our school’s story.
suit College Preparatory of Dallas), and Stella Wynne (The Episcopal School of Dallas).
Backing these young leaders and ensuring the night runs smoothly, a group of dedicated moms including Dansby Erwin, Lauren Sutherland, Michelene Galbraith, Alyson Jackson, Kristin Mitchell, Tiffany Rubi, Courtenay Strey, Kelsie Sumner, Dana Woram, and Tia Wynne
help support the event co-chairs.
Tickets for the Steering Committee go on sale online Sept. 3 at 9 a.m. at dallassymphonyleague.com, with general admission tickets available in January.
The Junior Symphony Ball (JSB) will take place Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.
GOOD SHEPHERD EPISCOPAL
SCHOOL
Here’s Where it Gets GOOD! Since 1959, Good Shepherd Episcopal School has provided an environment where children become the best versions of themselves. Our students develop independence through structured intellectual exploration, build meaningful relationships by engaging with and learning from diverse perspectives, practice empathy, grow spiritually by serving others, and honor the inherent dignity of every human being.
SAINT MICHAEL EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
We invite you to visit and apply to Saint Michael Episcopal School. At SMES, we help develop and educate kind, inquisitive and confident learners ages 12 months through kindergarten. Our dedicated and compassionate teachers provide a nurturing, individualized and inclusive early childhood experience based on our four pillars–Love, Faith, Education, and Service.
For more information or to apply and tour, please visit smesdallas.org/apply or contact the Director of Admission and Community Relations, Elizabeth Keogh, ekeogh@smesdallas.org
– Compiled by Claudia Carson-Habeeb
others all in support of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
AT A GLANCE
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League (DSOL) is an organization of volunteers who suppor t the Dallas Symphony Association through service, education and fundraising activities. DSOL hosts several events throughout the season including Youth Concerts, Fashion Notes, Debutante Presentation Ball, Junior Symphony Ball, Savor the Symphony, Membership Teas and many
Junior Symphony Ball Steering Committee members Stella Wynne, Brooks Strey, Lucy Galbraith, Jack Sumner, Mary Bradley Sutherland, Teige Mitchell, Clara Erwin, Michael Woram, Meghan Jackson, Peter Rubi.
CAROL VIG PHOTOGRAPHY
CANCER PATIENT RELIED ON COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT
Cindy Kayanan credits Be The Difference Foundation volunteers
By Isabella Castillo People newspapers
After taking a few Advil, Cindy Kayanan assumed her stomach pains would ease, and she could continue enjoying a University of Texas football game with her family.
But what she didn’t expect was to leave the stadium only to collapse onto the sidewalk, suddenly unable to walk any farther.
“It felt like I had a really bad cramp on my thigh,” said Kayanan. “Like I had run a million miles… and my (husband told me), ‘You have got to call the doctor.’”
Following a computed tomography (CT) scan, Kayanan assumed that the episode had been caused by something relatively common such as her appendix or possibly kidney stones.
The next day her doctor called with unexpected news: The medical team had detected a mass on her left ovary.
After consulting with her OB-GYN and oncologist, Kayanan was officially diagnosed with ovarian cancer, news that left her swimming in a sea of disbelief.
“At first, I thought they were kidding,” said Kayanan. “There’s no history (of cancer) in my family and the pain was not that bad. It would…go away with Advil, and I hadn’t had any pain since (the UT game).”
Though shocked, Kayanan knew that she had to stay strong for the sake of her family and herself.
To maintain a sense of normalcy and pur-
pose, she continued working throughout her treatment as a senior clinical research associate at Novo Nordisk, balancing her chemotherapy appointments and two major surgeries with professional responsibilities.
“I told my manager at the time, ‘I’m not taking any time off, because I’m fine,’” said Kayanan. “‘I can still work and … do my job.’”
Throughout her journey, Kayanan found strength in her broader support system, including the Preston Hollow, Ursuline, and Jesuit communities. Friends and neighbors stepped in with meals, emotional support, and other help when her family needed it most.
“They’ve been my biggest cheerleaders, if not my work family,” said Kayanan. “My son
(graduated from) Jesuit and my daughter is in Ursaline right now. (The communities) just lift you up in ways that you can’t even imagine … We were so thankful, and I don’t think I could ever thank them enough.”
Emerging from treatment, Kayanan embraced opportunities to share her journey and uplift others. In 2023, Kayanan walked as a fashion model in Runway for Hope, a fashion show featuring cancer survivors, hosted by the Be the Difference Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 2012 by four ovarian cancer survivors.
“Our mission is to create awareness and improve the lives of all people facing ovarian cancer through education, support, and re-
Happy Endings Start in Legacy Court CASA
search,” said Jon Mize, a long-time employee at the foundation. “All of the money we raise, minus operational costs, goes back out to clinical trials, funding research, or direct patient support services. Anything we take, we put right back into research.”
Through Runway For Hope, Kayanan was able to experience a community unlike any other, a group of survivors who were able to understand and relate to each other’s pain and trauma.
“You get to hear the different stories of the ladies that you’re with,” said Kayanan. “And we still maintain a group text and check in on each other. There was one (member) who had a recurrence and these are the things that … nobody else would understand except these survivors.”
Emerging from treatment, Kayanan embraced opportunities to share her journey and now, nearly three years cancer-free, has become a passionate advocate for awareness and early detection.
“It could happen to you,” said Kayanan. “There was no reason why it would happen to me. I have no idea why this hit my life. But, as a mother, a wife, and a nurse, I feel like I should give back.”
volunteer helps support the reunification of mother and son
By Claudia Carson-Habeeb claudia.carson-habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com
When Karen Roussos began volunteering with Dallas CASA five years ago, she never expected to find herself in a courtroom filled with applause. But that’s exactly what she discovered after a case led her to Legacy Family Court.
Roussos, a longtime Preston Hollow resident and child advocate, was working with a young boy whose mother opted into the specialized court program designed to reunify families fractured by substance abuse.
In her role as Court Appointed Special Advocate, she served as the child’s voice in the legal system while the 4-year-old’s mom received support for sober living and healthy parenting.
What Roussos found at Legacy Family Court was different
from the courtrooms she knew.
“Court is usually procedural, with orders issued and reports made,” she said. “But this felt like a team working together toward a common goal. It’s incredibly supportive.”
That atmosphere of encouragement is by design, explained Judge Tamika Jones Abendroth, who presides over the Legacy Court in the 302nd Judicial District Court.
“The goal … is to facilitate recovery from substance addictions and reunify parents with their children in safe, healthy environments. Ultimately, it’s about creating healthier, happier families,” she said.
With direct guidance from the judge, CASA, and family supporters, mom and son were able to maintain their close bond, recounted Roussos.
“It was incredible seeing how much the judge cared about this mom, and it was incredible having mom’s extended family, in-
cluding aunts, great-aunts and the great-grandmother, right there telling her she could do it.”
While the Legacy Court program is intensive and requires significant commitment from parents who choose to participate, mom never missed a drug test, Roussos recalled, even when it meant an hour on the bus each way, often three times a week. “She never complained, completing parenting classes all while working and seeing her son almost every day.”
As all remained focused on the goal of reunifying mother and child, the real joy came from witnessing frequent exchanges between the tightly bonded pair. “They each lit up in their eyes every time they were together and just the mention of her coming to visit would brighten his mood immediately,” the CASA volunteer said. “And, she recognized the only way
she would have a better future with her son was to take care of herself — so she could take care of him.”
Even when she experienced setbacks, mom was dedicated to the program, said Roussos. “Her grit and determination were second to none. And no one gave up on her. They just kept focusing on the goal of getting her and her son back together.”
Eighteen months after entering the program, the two were joyfully reunited.
As family, friends, and supporters erupted in applause — something not common in many courtrooms — there wasn’t a dry eye among the onlookers.
“This mother and child are right where they need to be,” Roussos said.
Court appointed special advocate Karen Roussos. COURTESY
FROM LELFT: Asia, Gar, Cindy, Addison, and Austin Kayanan. COURTESY BE THE DIFFERENCE FOUNDATION
LEFT TO RIGHT: Alexandra Billmyre, Austin Holmes, Amy Ford, Ryan Nordhaus*, Rob McAngus*+†, George Parker*, Jim Mueller*•+†, Charlie Hodges*•+†, Abby M. Foster*+, Shane Landers, Kim Meaders, Ravi Mohan, and Maddison Clark
Editor’s note: So many great celebrations, so little space in print. Enjoy this roundup of recently submitted photographs and visit peoplenewspapers.com for more social scene coverage including our Society Digital Magazines.
JUNE 19
Dallas Historical Society’s Juneteenth Reception and Panel Discussion, Hall of State at Fair Park. Levi Davis, Dr. Marvin Dulaney, and
the Rev. Peter Johnson with Karl Chiao.
THOMAS GARZA
MAY 30
From Kenya to Dallas, a Mital Patel Photography exhibition benefiting Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Christopher Martin Gallery. Billy Monzon, Blake Kilgore, Eleanor Grindinger, Kim Markham, and
MAY 14
Rainbow Days Inc.’s Pot of Gold Luncheon, Westin Galleria Dallas. Victor Rivas Rivers with Tiffany and Matthew Macleod.
ROB WYTHE/WYTHE PORTRAIT STUDIO
MAY 22
SPCA of Texas’ Paws Cause 2025, SPCA of Texas Dallas Animal Care Center. Carolyn Goelzer and Patricia Padilla cuddle Micah. COURTESY SPCA OF TEXAS
APRIL 25
Equest 44th Annual Blue Ribbon Gala, Gilley’s Dallas. David and Natalie Taylor with Norma Jean Schaltenbrand and Kristin and James Hallam.
TAMYTHA CAMERON
MAY 8
Texas Women’s Foundation Leadership Forum and Awards Celebration, Omni Dallas Hotel. Dianne Chipps Bailey, Dodee Frost Crockett, Jennifer Chandler, Alesia Coffman, and Crissie Fortmeyer.
KIM LEESON
APRIL 22
Pi Beta Phi Dallas Alumnae Club Luncheon and Style Show, Brook Hollow Golf Club. Caroline Ellis, Dabney Abel, and Liza Ellis. CAROL VIG PHOTOGRAPHY
APRIL 25
The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’s Ruth Sharp Altshuler Tocqueville Society Luncheon, Rosewood Mansion. Don Glendenning, Carol Glendenning and Kristy Faus.
CELESTE CASS/TAMYTHA CAMERON PHOTOGRAPHY
JUNE 14
Children’s Cancer Fund’s Art, Cars, Cigars & Watches: The Ultimate Dad’s Night Out, Ferrari Gallery. Debra Ferrari and Charlie White. FRANCESCA NELO
APRIL 24
Connecting Point of Park Cities’ Hope Fest, The Happiest Hour. Catherine and Julian Payne.
HAL SAMPLES PHOTOGRAPHY
Ready for Autumn Tailgating After Filming a Season of Shows
As I write my column, we have just completed filming season four of my national television cooking series At Home with Christy Rost. Looking back and recalling when I flew to New York to film the pilot, I can hardly believe we’ve filmed four entire seasons, each containing 12 half-hour episodes.
The days are long, but ultra-creative during film week, as the film crew and I work as a team to not only present the recipes in their best light, but also to convey my passion for celebrating each day and gathering around the table with family and friends. The show is filmed in my Colorado studio kitchen, but relocating select segments and sometimes entire episodes outdoors to the grill, the front veranda, or side yard helps to ensure viewers stay glued to their televisions to see the majestic mountain vistas in the background.
Because the cost of groceries continues to rise and many are feeling the added stress of uncertain times, my season four focus is on budget-friendly meals and at-home celebrations that won’t stretch the wallet.
I’ve also included recipes for busy days and plenty of flavors inspired by my travels last fall as an Atlas Ocean Voyages guest chef. And because I’ll be cooking on an Atlas cruise from Dublin to Lisbon this October, I dedicated an entire episode to mouthwatering recipes such as Guinness braised short ribs, Irish cabbage
with bacon, and traditional Irish soda bread.
Over the coming months, I look forward to sharing recipes from the show with you — from hot and bubbly casseroles for cooler months to “Sunday Dinner” main dish recipes and easy, decadent desserts.
Because September is traditionally a busy month and tailgating is on everyone’s minds in North Texas, even if you’re tailgating in front of the TV, my oven Teriyaki buffalo wings recipe seems the perfect place to begin.
I cook these wings in a large roasting pan lined with foil to keep cleanup to a minimum. The recipe can be doubled if you have a large family, you’re expecting a crowd, or you want lots of leftovers.
The Teriyaki barbecue sauce, which can be prepared several days ahead, is made from ingredients most of us have in our pantries.
Ground ginger substitutes nicely for the fresh ginger root.
I prepared a similar recipe as an appetizer during one of my Atlas cruises last year, and it was such a hit with guests and the crew, I decided to rework the recipe for my viewers. In fact, one of the guests ordered the wings for his appetizer, main course, and dessert!
Ingredients:
3 ½ pounds chicken wings
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 large cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons sweet onion, peeled and minced ¾ cup light soy sauce
½ cup ketchup
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
½ teaspoon rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
2 drops Worchestershire
¾ teaspoon grated ginger root or ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Directions:
Place the chicken wings in a large roasting pan lined with foil for quick cleanup.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat a medium saucepan over low heat, add the oil, and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Saute garlic and onion until they are soft, about three minutes. Stir in soy sauce, ketchup, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, Worchestershire, and grated ginger. Bring the mixture to a low boil over low heat and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
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I think you’ll like them, too.
Christy Rost is a cookbook author, host of Celebrating Home cooking videos, and longtime Park Cities and Preston Hollow resident. Her ‘At Home with Christy Rost’ cooking series for Eat This TV Network airs on AmazonFire, AppleTV+, Roku, Samsung TV, and YouTube. Visit christyrost.com for details and recipes.
Brush some of the sauce over the chicken wings and transfer them to the oven. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, brushing additional sauce over the wings every 15 minutes.
Yield: 8 main course servings
Oven Teriyaki Buffalo Wings
CHRISTY ROST
CHRISTY ROST
Got Milk? Apparently Not: A Nutty Take on Beverages
I am originally from Wisconsin, the land of the Green Bay Packers, cheese, the muskellunge and cow tipping. The license plate says: “America’s Dairyland.”
Loyalty to my native state is why I’m upset about the decline in milk consumption.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the daily per capita consumption of milk has decreased for seven decades.
In 2019, it was down to about a half a cup — hardly enough to float Fruit Loops in a bowl.
This decrease is due to competition from sugar-sweetened soft drinks, juices, sports drinks, and branded water. For example, Volvic water from France is “volcanic natural mineral water (that) originates from the depths of those protected volcanoes, in an impluvium with unique biodiversity, where it gets filtered for five years.” Compare that advertising copy to “milk from a heifer in Weyauwega, Wisconsin.”
Milk is the perfect food. As babies — although we weren’t consulted — we relied on milk
to grow and develop. In case you didn’t know, milk is rich in protein, calcium and Vitamin D. The source is natural and derives from (mostly) contended cows.
Yet, we have turned to oat milk and almond milk. What’s next?
Asparagus milk?
How do they make almond milk anyway? Aren’t almonds dry, smoked, and salted? (It takes 1 gallon of water to create a single almond. To make almond milk, soak almonds in water.)
At what point will the American Diary Association rise up and object to appropriation of the label “milk?”
The dictionary definition of milk is “white fluid produced by mammary glands.” This blunt definition does not do justice to milk, and it certainly does not apply to oat “milk.” The nerve of some people.
Texas ranks fourth nationally in milk production. Wisconsin is second after California. Drat! However, if you calculate the ratio of cows to humans, Wisconsin beats the Golden State — 1:5 vs 1:25. The comparable Texas statistic is 1:50.
A dairy cow produces 6-7 gallons of milk daily so every Texan
can glug down 2 cups of milk from in-state cows every day.
Way back in 1862, Louis Pasteur described the eponymous process of heating up milk thereby killing harmful bacteria (e.g., diphtheria, typhoid) and prolonging shelf life.
Some people, including some in high places, are encouraging the consumption of raw milk. To be consistent, let’s not wash lettuce and eat raw meat too.
If we embrace potential infection with mycobacterium tuberculosis , why not escherichia
coli and tapeworms? I milked a cow once — then immediately washed my hands.
So, gentle reader, got milk? Get milk.
Have a nice, tall, cool glass of pasteurized milk today. Pair it with a slice of apple pie with, as we do in Wisconsin, a slice of cheese on top. And where does cheese come from? Milk.
Dr. Don Dafoe, a transplant surgeon who lives in Highland Park, isn’t shy about cheesy phrases and nutty columns.
DON DAFOE
FREEPIK.COM
THE PERRY-MILLER STREIFF GROUP
One-Owner Custom Home by Registry Fine Homes
6330 Azalea is currently being offered for $2,595,000.
Set beneath majestic oak trees in the heart of Preston Hollow, this one-owner custom home by Registry Fine Homes offers timeless design, quality craftsmanship, and an unbeatable location just minutes from St. Mark’s School of Texas.
The thoughtful floor plan adorned by crystal chandeliers includes a spacious first-floor primary suite, private study, and generous storage throughout. The open concept, gourmet kitchen with two sinks, center island, SubZero refrigerator, and Viking appliances including a double oven, warming drawer, built-in microwave and 6-burner cooktop. Vaulted ceilings and tall windows fill the home with natural light, while a screened-in back porch creates seamless indoor-outdoor living.
The relaxing primary suite includes a cozy sitting area and ensuite bath with dual vanities, separate shower, a spa-like soaking tub and expansive walk-incloset. The private backyard oasis features a Zoysia lawn and a sparkling sports pool with tanning ledge and sheer descent waterfall features. Upstairs offers three additional bedrooms, a game room with raised stage, exercise room, and a large walk-in attic.
Extensively updated from 2021–2025, some upgrades include a redesigned kitchen and primary bath (2021), pool and landscaping enhancements (2021), and a new roof (2023), plus many more. Ideally located near the Northaven Trail with easy access to the Private School Corridor, NorthPark Center, and both Love Field and DFW airports, this meticulously maintained home blends convenience, comfort, and luxury in one of Dallas’ most desirable neighborhoods.
Contact Ryan Streiff (469.371.3008) or Jason Bates (214.673.4268) for more information.
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
Questions to ask your next real estate agent
With a focus on white-glove service, Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents offer a customized listing presentation to prospective clients.
Working with the right agent is critical to finding the perfect home to buy or bringing a qualified buyer for your existing home.
Allie Beth Allman & Associates has one of the best track records for sales in DFW, exceling in the Park Cities in particular, according to the Multiple Listing Service.
Here are questions in some important areas the experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates are ready to answer.
Experience with similar properties: Have you sold homes in my neighborhood or the targeted neighborhood at this price point?
Market analysis: What are sales like in preferred neighborhoods? What price will my home sell for? How did you determine that?
Timeline and expectations: What is the typical timeline for selling a property like mine in this market? What are realistic sales expectations for my home?
Negotiation skills: Can you share examples of successful negotiations you’ve conducted? How will you negotiate on my behalf to get the best possible deal?
Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents will answer these questions in a meeting, plus provide statistics and examples of their marketing. They will also do a walkthrough of your home to determine staging and give you a plan to make your home market-ready.
DAVE PERRY-MILLER REAL ESTATE
Live the Manhattan Life Along Turtle Creek
EHC Summit 2025 Coming Soon
Rajeev Sajja, an authority in Artificial Intelligence, speaks to Ebby Halliday Companies agents at EHC
On September 10, Ebby Halliday Companies will host its annual EHC Summit at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas’ Arts District, drawing nearly 1,000 real estate agents for a day of inspiration, learning, and connection. Agents from Ebby Halliday Realtors, Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate, and Williams Trew – some traveling from offices as far as Tyler, Stephenville, and Cedar Creek Lake – will attend the exclusive, agent-only event.
The “Real Estate Event of the Year” features keynote speaker Clint Pulver, an Emmy Award-winning motivational speaker, who will share strategies to help agents strengthen client relationships and grow their businesses through mentorship and authentic connections.
Attendees will also hear from Dr. Daniel Oney, Director of Research at the Texas Real Estate Research Center, and a panel of top-producing agents from California, Colorado, and New York, offering unique perspectives.
“This in-house event at a world-class venue promises to empower and inspire our agents,” said Betsy Cameron, President of Ebby Halliday Companies. “We’re committed to equipping them with the tools and knowledge to thrive in an evolving industry.”
Celebrating 80 years of integrity and service, Ebby Halliday Companies continues to support agents at every stage of their careers. Learn more at ebby.com.
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
Brand-new construction in the Park Cities
Get everything you want out of your new home; tour new construction represented by Allie Beth Allman & Associates.
Finding newly constructed homes in the Park Cities is always something to celebrate. Trust the experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates, the residential sales leader in the Park Cities year after year, to help you be among the first to tour a spectacular new home.
You could be the first owner of a five- or six-bedroom home at 7422 Villanova St., constructed by well-known builder J Gregory Homes. This new home in the Boone Elementary School zone has a white marble kitchen, including a prep kitchen and a pantry.
A five-bedroom home at 7538 Centenary Ave., built in 2023 in Caruth Hills, features high-end finishes and tall ceilings. Enjoy the island kitchen and top-of-the-line appliances. Outside, you’ll find a pool and spa, plus a covered patio with a built-in grill.
A newly constructed masterpiece at 3725 Stratford Ave. sits on a large lot in Highland Park. The kitchen has a breakfast area and flows well into the large family room. In the backyard is a resort-style pool, spa and fireplace. Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents continue to lead in the sale of homes in the Park Cities, according to Multiple Listing Service Statistics. Connect with an expert agent at: https://www.alliebeth.com/roster/Agents
Experience elevated luxury living in this custom residence at The Mayfair (3401lee505.daveperrymiller.com), where Manhattan-style sophistication meets the vibrant heart of Dallas. The 2-bedroom, 2.1 bath home is listed for $2,525,000.
Nestled along scenic Turtle Creek with direct access to the Katy Trail, Uptown, Downtown, and the Dallas Arts District, this one-of-a-kind home offers 3,925 square feet of single-floor living with sweeping views of Turtle Creek Park. Designed for both grand entertaining and comfortable living, features include elegant formal areas, a chef’s kitchen, wine cellar, den (or third bedroom), office, guest suite, and a palatial primary wing.
High-end finishes such as Venetian plaster, custom
THE PERRY-MILLER STREIFF GROUP One-Owner Custom Home by
Registry Fine Homes
5335 Meaders is currently being offered for $10,900,000.
Tuscan-inspired with a Santa Barbara vibe, this stunning 1.100-acre estate showcases mature trees and landscaping designed by Harold Liedner.
5335 Meaders features a spectacular entry, flanked by formal library and dining room, opens to music conservatory and bright gallery with groin vaulted ceilings. Head right to the primary wing and left to the kitchen and morning room that are open to the cozy great room. Wet bar off gallery also boasts stairway down to the wine cellar, with all geothermal HVAC units located there as well.
Kitchen boasts barrel ceilings and custom cabinetry with White Castle hardware and ample storage. Oversize pantry, two full size SubZeros refrigerators, two Asko dishwashers, two gas Wolf ovens, and warming drawer with back hall leading to mud room and four-car garage.
Stunning indoor-outdoor living area and kitchen leads to glass-enclosed pool cabana or guest house with full bath all overlook the expansive, fully turfed back yard with resort-style pool.
Entire home has had walls retextured and painted soft Ballet White - a perfect canvas for gracious living.
Multiple living areas, gym, theatre, up to six bedrooms, and extra wide gated lot - nothing has been left out.
Contact Ryan Streiff (469.371.3008) for more information.
a decades-long reputation for selling fine homes
agents who specialize in marketing Preston Hollow residences.
Home buyers love tree-lined Preston Hollow. Its wonderful schools, beautiful estates, high-end shopping and dining, and close proximity to Love Field Airport all make it endlessly appealing. If you’re hoping to find your forever home there, it’s a given to work with the expert agents of Allie Beth Allman & Associates. Discover some splendid residences they currently.
A newly constructed architectural marvel at 10846 Crooked Creek Court is tucked on a .81-acre lot and impresses with its modern, marble-clad exterior. The property beckons with a pool and a sunken fire pit outside or a stylish club room with a bar and climate-controlled wine cellar. For something timeless and warm, look no further than 6942 Desco Place. The single-story ranch sits on nearly half an acre in a quiet cul-de-sac near Preston Hollow Park, making it a lovely longtime family home. Imagine watching movies in a living room that features wood-beamed ceilings and a gas log fireplace.
Custom built and boasting 6,753 square feet of chic interiors, 6534 Deloache Ave. unveils a mix of timeless touches—such as wood beams and stunning white kitchen—and fresh, dazzling elements. A big entertainer will love the expansive covered patio with a fireplace and sparkling pool views.
cabinetry, hardwood floors, and a Control4 smart system elevate every detail. Enjoy four garage spaces, two storage units, and exclusive Mayfair amenities: 24-hour valet and concierge, fitness center, pool, Sky Club with downtown views, and more. This is luxury redefined – perfect for those who demand the finest in location, design, and lifestyle. To schedule a showing, contact Tammy McLaine at 214679-0586 | tammy@dpmre.com or Kendall Travis at 917-9915452 | kendalltravis@dpmre.com.
Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate (dpmre.com) is a division of the Ebby Halliday Companies, specializing in Preston Hollow, Park Cities, North Dallas, Lakewood, East Dallas, Uptown, Kessler Park, and Farm & Ranch properties.
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
Two dazzling DFW estates currently on the market
The expert agents at Allie Beth Allman & Associates are marketing two extraordinary estates in DFW.
This home, priced above $10 million, showcase just how impressive the market is and the extraordinary residences to be found here.
Working with the experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates—a renowned boutique firm whose agents specialize in the sale of ultra-luxury homes across the region—homebuyers in Dallas can explore the extraordinary estates available.
Design lovers might swoon endlessly over the sculpture-like staircase at 3725 Stratford Ave., statementmaking light fixtures, or divine wood and stone choices. And, while you might dream about entertaining in the sundrenched living spaces or out by the beautiful pool and covered patio, waking up in the gorgeous primary suite could be the most magical experience to imagine. Picture starting your morning drinking coffee in its serene sitting area, indulging in wellness in the vast spa-like bath, and devising your outfit of the day in the spacious custom closet. Highland Park Village is just moments away for spontaneous meet-ups with friends.
List your estate with the luxury leaders at Allie Beth Allman & Associates. Call to connect with an expert agent: https://www.alliebeth.com/roster/Agents
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
Experience luxury living in premier Dallas neighborhoods
With a proven track record for marketing and selling estate-level homes in Dallas, Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents currently are representing several ultra-luxury listings.
With near-record sales in the second quarter of 2025, Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents are marketing iconic estates in key neighborhoods like Highland Park, University Park and Preston Hollow.
In fact, Allie Beth Allman & Associates lead in the sale of homes in HPISD, Highland Park and University Park so far this year, according to the Multiple Listing Service. Discover exceptional addresses currently being marketed by Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents. To learn about all the properties available at this price point, connect with an agent.
In Old Preston Hollow, 9520 Hathaway St. is a dream whether you want a calming, resort-like lifestyle or to be the favorite hang-out house for your kids and their friends. Award-winning architect Richard Drummond Davis designed the timeless manor, which boasts 16,000 square feet of stylish interiors and sits on almost 1.5 acres. Amenities abound, from the three-story refrigerated wine room to the home theatre and billiards room. The saltwater pool and sublime covered patios are always there when you need to cool off.
Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents are working with buyers from across the country who are looking for homes in premier neighborhoods. Connect with an agent if you want to sell your home: https://www.alliebeth.com/ roster/Agents
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN Live beautifully in Preston Hollow
With
across the region, Allie Beth Allman & Associates has a roster of
EBBY HALLIDAY
Summit 2024.
September 2025 | prestonhollowpeople.com @phollowpeople | @peoplenewspapers
BULLISH HORNS
Ben Ebeke’s ground gains fuel surge for W.T. White, B2
Also inside:
Parish looks to climb back to top of TAPPS, B6
Hornets hope to continue SPC momentum, B8
Hillcrest optimistic about forward progress, B10
2025 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY
PROUD OF HIS CAMEROONIAN HERITAGE, EBEKE FORGES SUCCESS IN AMERICAN FOOTBALL
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Ben Ebeke might be a quick study, or maybe he’s just smart. Whatever the reason, he’s picked up the complexities of football faster than most.
The W.T. White senior didn’t start playing until middle school. A few years later, he was a 1,000-yard running back as a sophomore.
After duplicating that feat a year ago, Ebeke is now focused on leading the Longhorns to another playoff appearance and becoming one of the top rushers in school history.
“I don’t feel the extra attention,” Ebeke said. “All I focus on is giving my all on the field and getting wins. I’m not worried about what other teams are going to do against me.”
Much has changed for Ebeke in the eight years since he relocated to Dallas with his family from the central African nation of Cameroon, where he was born.
native French. And his father has overcome his initial ap prehension about football to become Ebeke’s biggest fan.
“He’s an all-purpose back on the field, but also an all-purpose human being,” said new WTW head coach Bryson Lewis. His per sonality and ener gy are infectious. He’s making his family proud daily.”
Ebeke started playing football at the request of a friend in seventh grade, as a receiver for the first season. By his freshman year at WTW, he also competed in soc cer, basketball, wrestling, track and field, and cross country.
“All I focus on is giving my all on the field and getting wins.” Ben Ebeke
“I didn’t know what was going on. I was just out there running around and getting cardio,” Ebeke said. “During freshman year, (football) became more fun than basketball.”
He was a basketball and soccer player back then, and was taller than most of his classmates. Now he’s left those other sports behind to focus full-time on football, in which he’s gained interest from college programs in the Ivy League and elsewhere.
At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, he’s no longer considered tall. He’s now proficient in English in addition to his
As a sophomore, he earned a varsity spot and made an immediate impression, leading the Longhorns in rushing and scoring 13 touchdowns.
“The varsity players showed me love. By doing that, I was motivated to play for them,” Ebeke said. “When I was a sophomore, I was just there to try and help however I can. Now that I’m a senior, I push myself harder and push
the team harder.”
That team-first attitude fuels the optimism of Lewis, who takes over at WTW this season after previously serving as the defensive coordinator at Richardson Berkner.
“Ben is a workhorse,” Lewis said. “We want to play fast and pick up the tempo. He shouldn’t have to have 30 carries a game to get what he needs. We’re going to get him the ball in space.”
The Longhorns have five consecutive playoff appearances — the most in school history — but are still seeking their first postseason victory since 2000.
Reversing that trend will be largely dependent on Ebeke and quarterback Andrew Paredez, a three-year starter who passed for almost
2,500 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior.
“He’s your ultimate leader,” Lewis said. “He’s an athlete who doesn’t have to sit in the pocket and can be more creative with his feet. He has a great arm.”
Also returning is lanky receiver Lovell Neal, who led the team in touchdown receptions. WTW could be thin and inexperienced in the trenches, however.
Leading an athletic and aggressive defense is versatile safety Jermarious Jones, who paced the Longhorns with 103 tackles. Prosper Moore and Cayden Skipper are also back.
“He’s a super athlete, and he’s going to help us,” Lewis said of Jones. “We’re going to be fast on defense.”
Despite missing some games due to injury, W.T. White’s Ben Ebeke surpassed 1,000 yards and recorded 12 touchdowns last season. CHRIS MCGATHEY
With Speed to Burn, Jesuit Eyes Quick Start, Fast Finish
QUICK FACTS
2024 RECORD: 6-5 (5-2 in district)
NOTABLE: With just four home games, the Rangers will have six road trips, but none are longer than 13 miles. They will play three times at Ellis Stadium in Irving.
SCHEDULE
August
29 at Hebron 7 p.m. September
5 New Orleans Jesuit 6 p.m.
12 at Highland Park 7 p.m.
25 at Irving* 7
3 Richardson Pearce*
10 Lake Highlands*
16 at Irving MacArthur*
24 Richardson*
31 at Richardson Berkner* 7 p.m. November
7 at Irving Nimitz* 7 p.m.
*—District7-6Agame
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Jesuit Dallas has had plenty of great athletes come through its program, but rarely have the Rangers collectively had this much pure speed.
They hope to leverage their fleet-footed lineup into a return for a seventh consecutive postseason appearance and contention for a District 7-6A title.
It starts at quarterback, where new starter Beck Berry will relocate after primarily playing receiver a year ago. He will be a dual threat behind center.
“He’s a good athlete and had a good spring,” said Jesuit head coach Brandon Hickman. “He’s a runner with a good arm. We think he’ll be able to pick up the offense really well. He’s got good feet and is tough to tackle.”
The roster overall is younger,
although Berry will have multiple receiv ers back to lead an up-tempo offense that averaged 35.8 points per game. Baseball standout Shane Parker had 43 catches, while track star Harlan Beucler is a deep threat with solid ball skills. Plus, Cade Kirby provides another op tion after missing last season with an injury.
Some offensive players could add depth on defense, too, joining a group of returnees that has gotten quicker and stronger, Hickman said. There are still questions in the sec ondary, but the front seven is spear headed by linebackers Gabriel James and Jackson Gair, along with linemen Tanner Krug and Parker Sherman. “Last year we struggled on de fense at times just getting off the field and making stops,” Hickman said. “This year, our kids have really put in the time in the weight room.”
New Jesuit quarterback Beck Berry caught 18 passes last year and threw only four. That ratio is likely to change this season. ROB GRAHAM
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Ashley Hancock Family Nurse Practitioner
Panthers Still Have Firepower Around New Quarterback
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
It’s hardly time to panic for Parish Episcopal, which had its remarkable streak of five consecutive TAPPS Division I state titles snapped by rival Argyle Liberty in last year’s championship game.
Instead, it’s time to reload for the Panthers, who hope to reclaim the top spot with a roster that’s both young and experienced.
“It’s our ultimate goal, but it’s never been what’s driven the program,” said Parish head coach Daniel Novakov. “We came up short, but it was still a successful season. That was a very talented team. We’ve had a lot of good fortune.”
How will Parish replace quarterback Sawyer Anderson (now at Arizona), who threw for 5,000 yards last year and led the Panthers to 43 wins over the past four seasons?
Novakov will choose a starter be -
tween last year’s backup Del Storer, elite freshman Logan Lucero, and Southlake Carroll transfer Johnathon Phillips.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Novakov said. “You’ve got some really good candidates because of the previous history at the position.”
The eventual starter will be surrounded by plenty of talent in the high-powered Parish attack. Leading rusher Marcus Hanish is back, as is Michigan commit Jaylen Pile at receiver.
Drew Burton returns to lead an underrated defensive unit that also features Jesse Richardson, Rocco Bigham, Trip Brown, Ben Rich, and Ian Rigg.
Incoming transfers of note include Caleb Muse (Keller), Siler Cooke (Episcopal School of Dallas), Brett Dopona (ESD), Connor Corwin (Plano John Paul II), Brayden Spinks (Richardson Berkner), and Israel Johnson (Carrollton Newman Smith).
QUICK FACTS
2024 RECORD: 9-5 (3-2 in district)
NOTABLE: Parish averaged 49.9 points on offense last season never scoring less than 24 and had three receivers surpass the 1,000-yard plateau.
SCHEDULE
Parish Episcopal’s Jaylen Pile caught 19 touchdown passes and averaged more than 21 yards per reception last season. WILEY WILLIAMS
Patriots, Trojans Aim To Improve
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Four wins might not seem like much. But for Thomas Jefferson, those 2024 victories — one of which was awarded retroactively by forfeit — matched its total from the past seven years combined and resulted in the team’s best season in almost a decade.
Three of those triumphs came against UIL opponents, something the Patriots hadn’t achieved since 2017. Player participation and fan engagement showed an uptick, too.
The Patriots will look to continue that progression in their third year under veteran head coach Bobby Estes. They will need to bolster an offense that averaged just 15 points per game, which is still an improvement over the prior season, when the Patriots were shut out seven times. Although positions will need to be ironed out, there is returning talent on both sides of the scrimmage, including Nehemiah Alexander, Aaron Oliva, and Latavian Williams.
Trinity Christian
New head coach Trey Haverty, a former longtime college assistant, takes over for Steve
Hayes, who is now the school’s athletic director.
Haverty will look to jump-start a program that has struggled to break through while playing in the most challenging TAPPS district in the state. The Trojans were 3-8 last year and dropped seven of their last eight games, most by lopsided margins.
TCA should benefit from the return of starting quarterback Hunter Flatt and leading receiver Chase Griffin, along with size up front with Kieffer Barclay, Collin Kilgore, and Aiden Coppage. However, the defense allowed 41.6 points per game.
Shelton
Having posted back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in decades, the Chargers now aim to stay on track for sustained success, and perhaps a TAPPS postseason breakthrough.
Shelton returns quarterback Heston Dios but must still replace most of the other key players in a run-based offensive attack that averaged 38.4 points per game.
Several starters will play on both sides of scrimmage for third-year coach Ed Barry, including linemen Anthony Coppolino and Ryder Wiedenbaker.
Nehemiah Alexander is a playmaking defender whose versatility will prove useful for Thomas Jefferson this season. CHRIS MCGATHEY
Improved Results Have Lions Turning the Corner
QUICK FACTS
2024 RECORD: 6-4
NOTABLE: St. Mark’s has 17 SPC titles in football, most recently in 2008. Houston-area schools have dominated the largeschool classification since then.
SCHEDULE
August
29 at FW Country Day 7 p.m. September
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
The progress was evident throughout last season for St. Mark’s, as the Lions snapped a 15game skid against SPC 4A competition and posted their first winning season since 2021.
It all culminated with erasing a 21-point deficit to beat rival Episcopal School of Dallas for the first time in a decade in a thrilling season finale.
“Last year was definitely a positive step forward,” said St. Mark’s head coach Harry Flaherty. “We saw we could compete with every opponent on our schedule.”
at Houston St. John’s*
Sustaining that momentum and potentially moving up the conference ladder will require improvement from a mix of returnees and newcomers, including skill-position talents such as David Dickson, Archer Wilburn, Matthew Wier, and
David McAtee.
The quarterback competition comes down to a pair of juniors. Blaize Schuhmacher was last year’s backup, and Braden Scott returns from injury.
The offensive line will be big and experienced, anchored by Brady Wyatt and Matei Oprea, joined by Peter Rubi, Brooks Main, and tight end Grant Kennington.
On defense, leading tackler Mac Saye returns at safety as part of a secondary that also features Jack Levy, Ford Robinson, and Jax Blaylock. Experience in the front seven belongs to Adam Dalrymple, Zac Yarckin, Tobias Pulido, and Marshall Bagley.
“On one hand, it’s a challenge because we lost a lot of good players. At the same time, I like the idea that we have a lot of guys in the mix who have potential,” Flaherty said. “We’re not going to be just about a few star players.”
Hornets Putting Sting Back Into SPC Opponents
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Greenhill won more games last year than in the past six seasons combined, finishing with a 5-5 mark that was the program’s best since 2017.
As head coach K.J. Williams begins his third season with the Hornets, the turnaround might be ahead of schedule. More importantly, the foundation is entrenched to continue the upward trajectory.
“There’s an identity around our football team. To be a Greenhill football player is extremely special and we take a lot of pride in it,” Williams said. “I’m interested to see how our kids respond to our culture and the expectations.”
The Hornets might have been even better last year had they not suffered two heartbreaking losses in the final minutes. This season, they hope to contend for an SPC championship game berth, thanks to
a young roster whose growing pains have provided valuable experience.
Although many of the faces are familiar, Greenhill will be led by new quarterback Ashton Gosselin, a left-handed transfer from Prosper Walnut Grove.
“He’s a leader who can really spin it, and he’s really jelled,” Williams said. “He understands football so much. He’s got moxie and does a great job of motivating people. He’s a really good decision-maker.”
Returnees at the skill positions include Josiah Christian, Trey Davis, Oliver Hill, and Prince Jones. Aubrey transfer Knox Smith anchors a bulked-up offensive line. Zacchaeus Crumedy is a two-way standout.
Other expected contributors, potentially on both sides of scrimmage, include Lucas Castillo, Landon Shine, John Hurley, and three freshmen — Grayson Gordon, C.J. Glenn, and Wesley Black.
2024 RECORD: 5-5
NOTABLE: Greenhill more than doubled its 2023 offensive output by averaging 31.1 points per game overall, including 43 points in its five wins.
At 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, St. Mark’s offensive tackle Brady Wyatt towers over defenders. He is committed to Air Force. CHRIS MCGATHEY
Trey Davis was the leading receiver and top playmaker for Greenhill last season, accounting for double-digit touchdowns.
CHRIS MCGATHEY
Newcomers Look to Help Eagles Take Flight Again
QUICK FACTS
2024 RECORD: 2-8
NOTABLE: ESD opened last season against powerhouse IMG Academy in Ireland but will stay home this year and start with Bishop Dunne.
SCHEDULE
August
29 Bishop Dunne
5 at FW
3 at Bellaire
10 at Houston Kinkaid*
17 at The Woodlands Cooper* 7
24 Houston St. John’s* 7 p.m.
31 at St. Mark’s* 7 p.m. *—SPCClass4Agame
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
A season that began in Ireland ended with the worst record for Episcopal School of Dallas since 2011.
Eight losses, including one to rival St. Mark’s in the season finale, seemed to widen the gap between the Eagles and the Houston schools at the top of the SPC.
“Last year was a little disappointing,” said ESD head coach Richard Williams. “I was proud of the guys for fighting through some of the obstacles we had.”
ESD didn’t completely bottom out, as three of the defeats were by five points or fewer and both of the wins were shutouts. So, despite significant roster losses due to graduation and a roster with just four seniors, there’s hope for a quick turnaround.
“This is a younger group that will have to step up,” Wil liams said. “There’s a lot of talent. They’ve got some good chemistry.”
The new quarterback for ESD’s up-tempo offense will be Miles Link, who saw limited ac tion as a sophomore. The other playmakers should include re ceivers Curtis Mathes and run ning back William Taylor.
“I think we’ve got the best quarterback in the SPC. Peo ple are going to be surprised by how well he throws the ball and what a tough player he is,” Williams said. “He hasn’t had a chance to be on the varsity stage, but he had a tre mendous spring.”
The defense will be led by Mathes, Nico Marquez, Dan ny Hoffpauir, Sam Olsen, Ash er Cooke, and William Elliott. Many of them will see action on both sides of scrimmage.
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Willam Taylor was the leading rusher for ESD last season, and will be among the few senior returnees for the Eagles. CHRIS MCGATHEY
After a Major Step Forward, Hillcrest Has Higher Goals
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
2024 RECORD: 7-4 (6-1 in district)
NOTABLE: Only two games for the Panthers last season had a margin less than 17 points, but Hillcrest won them both against Western Hills and Woodrow Wilson.
August
29 at W.T. White 7:30 p.m.
September
5 at Elgin (Okla.) 7:30 p.m. 11 FW Western
19 at Samuell*
26 Spruce*
3 at South Oak Cliff* 7:30 p.m.
17 at Seagoville* 7:30 p.m.
23 Thomas Jefferson* 7:15 p.m.
31 at Adamson* 7:30 p.m.
November
7 at Woodrow Wilson* 7:30 p.m.
*—District5-5A,DivisionIIgame
After a successful debut season in which his team won seven of its last eight regular-season games, head coach A.D. Madise is eager to keep building.
Despite falling to Kaufman in their playoff opener, the Panthers equaled their best season in over a decade, finishing second in District 5-5A Div. II along the way.
“We’re still building a culture. We’ve been able to do some things that we didn’t do last year because we’ve had a full offseason,” Madise said. “This group of kids has really bought in and has some belief that they can do it.”
Although graduation left some holes in the lineup, the pieces are in place for Hillcrest to continue its forward momentum. It starts with quarterback Asher Randall, who
passed for more than 2,100 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior.
“We put a lot on him last year. Now he’s matured,” Madise said. “I’m looking for him to make really good decisions with the football.”
The skill players surrounding Ran dall will be largely unproven — ex cept for receiver Khari Bass — but the offensive line has experience led by Thomas Rohrman and sophomore Zion King.
Multiple players could line up at new positions on defense to capitalize on their athleticism and playmaking abilities, such as Luis Montoya-Espinal and Jaden Morris. The secondary is an chored by dynamic safeties Evan Lewis and Zion Stevens-Braziel.
As Hillcrest looks to get more flex ible with schemes and personnel, one key will be the development of new comers such as Jayden Harris, Dash ton Davis, and Anderson Hewitt.
Black, Hillner Lead Youthful but Promising Knights
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
The future is now for Covenant, which will see freshmen and sophomores comprise about twothirds of its roster this year. The Knights must go to battle without a handful of graduated seniors who were four-year varsity players and broke program records.
That leaves some returnees who are aiming to build on an 8-4 campaign that concluded with a loss to district rival Colleyville Covenant in the second round of the TAPPS Division III playoffs.
“We had a good season. It just didn’t end the way we had hoped,” said Covenant head coach Jacob Zinn. “It stung quite a bit, but our program is continuing to grow and take the next steps.”
Among those looking to fill the leadership void is Duke
Black, a three-year starter who has scored plenty of touchdowns from a variety of positions on both offense and defense.
“Duke is one of the more talented players we’ve had come through our program on both sides of the ball,” Zinn said.
“He’s poised and ready to take over this team.”
Stepping in at quarterback is strong-armed Ryan Hillner, who saw minimal action last season as a freshman.
“He has all the physical tools. Now it’s just about getting the reps and getting up to speed,” Zinn said. “There’s no question he’s going to be extremely successful. You can see the improvements he’s made.”
As usual, Covenant will have several two-way starters. Connor Evans and Mac Mezger anchor the lines, while Davis Kerlin and Jack Henry Blakeslee also return.
RECORD:
NOTABLE: Excluding a blowout loss to First Baptist, the Covenant defense surrendered only 11.2 points per game last season, with four shutouts.
SCHEDULE
Hillcrest’s Asher Randall is a third-year starter at quarterback who will be one of the most experienced players on the roster. CHRIS MCGATHEY
2024
8-4 (4-1 in district)
QUICK FACTS
Duke Black has six defensive touchdowns in his career and will see more touches on offense this season for Covenant. CHRIS MCGATHEY
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