summer summer
PANTELIS PANTELIS KARASTAMATIS KARASTAMATIS
KATHERINE LANGSTON KATHERINE LANGSTON
The making of a performer A full-circle dance journey
from the EDITOR
One of the things I've enjoyed most since launching SugarSide has been discovering just how many different ways a community can come together.
We explore some of that in this issue.
Sometimes it happens in obvious ways Hundreds of neighbors gather around a swimming pool each summer, cheering on children who are learning far more than how to win races across lanes. They are learning teamwork, encouragement and building friendships.
Sometimes it happens quietly. A former dance student returns years later, not simply to teach steps, but to help the next generation discover the same confidence and joy that shaped her own childhood.
Sometimes it happens behind the curtain. A performer takes the stage, but his journey has been shaped by years of encouragement from teachers, directors and mentors who believed in his potential long before the audience applauded
Sometimes it happens for people we may never meet. Families lace up their shoes for the St. Jude
Walk because they believe no child should face cancer alone. Every step is a reminder that compassion can travel much farther than the distance we walk.
And sometimes community extends beyond people altogether. It is found in the volunteers and staff at Sugar Land Animal Services, who work every day to give abandoned and lost pets a second chance, and in the families who choose to open their homes to them
As I worked on this issue, I realized that none of these stories are really about swimming, dance, fundraising or pet adoption. They are about people choosing to be part of something bigger than themselves
These acts may seem small on their own, but together they create the kind of place where people feel they belong
I hope that, as you read this month's issue, you'll not only enjoy the stories, but perhaps see yourself somewhere among them Because every strong community is built one person, one family and one act of kindness at a time
Cover Story
The Bibb siblings
Sugar land Animal Services
Artist spotlight - Pantelis Karastamatis
Katherine Langston’s dance journey
Why the St. Jude Walk matters
From NT to Texas A&M with Caroline Singleton
4 NT’s swim team
on the cover the Bibb siblings (L-R) Avery, Alex and Amelia, photo taken by Danielle West Photography
Miranda Zaebst
more than more than more than
A SWIM TEAM A SWIM TEAM A SWIM TEAM
All photos in this feature: Danielle West Photography
For almost three decades, the New Territory Torpedoes has quietly become one of New Territory's defining summer traditions.
Every neighborhood has its summer traditions, and in New Territory, for many families, one of them begins at the pool.
Practices start early. On meet days, swimmers head home after the morning session to rest before returning in the evening, sunscreen freshly applied, water bottles filled and event numbers written on their arms, ready for another night at the pool.
That rhythm has become one of the traditions that quietly shapes childhood for hundreds of local families.
Founded in 1997, the New Territory Torpedoes is a volunteer-run summer swim team serving swimmers aged four to eighteen from New Territory and surrounding neighborhoods, including River Park, Telfair, Chelsea Harbor, Old Orchard, Orchard Lakes, Stratford Park, Summerfield, Green Harvest and Aliana
Like many New Territory families, the Bibbs have built their summers around the Torpedoes Avery, Amelia and Alex have each spent much of their childhood with the Torpedoes. Over the years, the swim team has become part of their summer routine, taking them from young swimmers learning the basics to varsity athletes, volunteer coaches and mentors for younger teammates.
For their mother, Erin, the value of the Torpedoes extends well beyond the pool.
"When people move into the neighborhood, I always tell them to join the swim team, " she says. "The kids instantly make friends, and so do the parents "
Photos: Danielle West Photography
Those friendships often bring together families from different schools and neighborhoods. Some swimmers eventually move on to club swimming or other sports, but many of the relationships continue long after the season ends. Erin believes the Torpedoes has become one of the easiest ways for new families to connect with the community.
The program itself relies almost entirely on volunteers. Parents organise meets, coordinate events and fill dozens of roles throughout the season, while older swimmers return to help coach younger age groups
"I think we just have great families here who want to serve our community and make these programs successful," Erin says.
The Torpedoes has evolved over the years while maintaining that community spirit. Former head coach Kathleen Merch became known for helping young swimmers gain confidence in the water.
Three years ago, Coach Sean Brogan joined the team, bringing experience from Austin High School, where he serves as assistant swim coach and head water polo coach. Under his leadership, the team has continued to grow competitively while maintaining an emphasis on helping swimmers of every ability improve.
Many children arrive knowing only freestyle. Others have never attempted butterfly or breaststroke before their first practice
Photos: Danielle West Photography
By the end of the season, many are surprising themselves with what they can achieve
"They learn they can do hard things," Erin says.
For families considering joining the Torpedoes next summer, Erin's advice is simple.
"Just do it "
Judging by the hundreds of swimmers who have passed through the Torpedoes since 1997, many families have done exactly that.
Photo: Danielle West Photography
THREE SIBLINGS THREE SIBLINGS THREE SIBLINGS growing up Torpedoes growing up Torpedoes growing up Torpedoes
The Bibb siblings each tell their Torpedoes story a little differently Avery now coaches the next generation of swimmers while preparing for her senior year at Austin High School Amelia has discovered a love of mentoring younger children alongside her own swimming Alex simply loves the energy of being part of the team and spending the summer with friends.
Together, their stories show how a few weeks at the beginning of each summer can leave an impression that lasts far longer than the season itself.
AVERY AVERY AVERY
Full circle on the pool deck
Full circle on the pool deck Full circle on the pool deck
Photo: Danielle West Photography
When Avery Bibb joined the Torpedoes after kindergarten, she came for the same reason many children do. Her friends were on the team and couldn't stop talking about summer swim.
Twelve summers later, Avery has become one of the team's senior swimmers. One of her favourite Torpedoes moments isn't about winning a race or setting a personal best, but becoming part of a tradition she admired as a child.
At every home meet, older swimmers carry American flags across the pool during the national anthem As a young swimmer, Avery watched them from the sidelines, hoping that one day it would be her turn Years later, she carried one of those flags herself
"When I was little, it was all about having fun wi my friends, " she says. "Then I became a crew coach, helping wherever I could. Now I'm one of the coaches. My perspective has changed over t years, but it's always revolved around how much fun summer league really is. "
Today, Avery is part of the Torpedoes coaching staff, helping younger swimmers build confidenc before stepping into her own lane to train.
"It's so awesome to see the kids you've been teaching go out there and compete, " she says. "I definitely more tired by the end of the meet, but wouldn't change it for the world "
Swimming extends beyond the summer season Avery also competes in swimming and water polo at Austin High School Unlike most of her teammates, she reached the school's state swim team without coming through year-round club swimming.
The Torpedoes' DAE motto Dedication, Attitude and Effort has stayed with her long after her fi season.
"Torpedoes really shaped me into who I am because it taught me how to be a hard worker, "
she says Today, those are the same values she hopes to pass on to the younger swimmers she coaches.
Swimming has taught her lessons she's still learning
"I've learned that I can be really hard on myself, " she says "I'm still learning to give myself positive affirmations instead of being so critical after a race. "
As she prepares for her senior year of high school, Avery knows her time as a Torpedoes swimmer is beginning to wind down. While she hopes to return as a coach in future summers, she knows next season could be her last in the water with the team she joined more than a decade ago
If she could offer one piece of advice to a child arriving for their first Torpedoes practice, it would be this:
"It might be a little scary, " she says, "but it's so fun. You'll make so many friendships and become part of a community "
Twelve summers later, Avery is helping coach the next generation of swimmers.
Photo taken in 2015
Finding her place Finding her place Finding her place
AMELIA AMELIA AMELIA
Photo: Danielle West Photography
Amelia Bibb was only four years old when she joined the Torpedoes
Now an incoming sophomore at Austin High School, she continues to return each summer while also swimming on the varsity team during the school year.
Ask Amelia what she looks forward to most each season, and her answer has little to do with racing "I look forward to the meets and seeing all the kids," she says. "They make it enjoyable."
Over the years, her connection to the team has grown beyond competing.
Today, Amelia volunteers as a crew coach, helping younger swimmers during practices Although the role is voluntary, she speaks about it with genuine enthusiasm, enjoying the opportunity to encourage children she might never have met otherwise.
"A lot of the younger kids... I've gotten close to them because of coaching," she says. "I wouldn't have known them if it wasn't for summer swim."
Swimming has also given her a routine that extends beyond the pool
Meet days begin with morning practice before a few hours at home to rest, usually with breakfast and a nap, before returning for the evening competition. The early starts aren't always easy, she admits, but they have an unexpected benefit. "I feel like it's a good thing because it helps my sleep schedule," she says "When school starts, it's not as crazy because I'm already used to waking up early."
Like her sister, Amelia swims for Austin High School, but this year she has decided to take the
next step by joining a year-round club team She knows the training will be more technical and demanding, but she is looking forward to the challenge.
Despite that, one of her favorite parts of the summer season remains unchanged.
The All Stars meet, where swimmers from across the league come together, stands out as a highlight each year
"It's really fun because all the other teams are there and I get to see my friends from other teams," she says. "It's just different."
For Amelia, that combination of swimming, friendship and helping younger teammates is what keeps bringing her back every summer
Amelia’s first season aged four
Photo: Danielle West Photography
For the youngest Bibb sibling, Alex, the start of the Torpedoes season signals the arrival of summer.
He has been watching his older sisters head to the pool for years and, according to his mom, was already asking to join when he was just two years old. The only problem was that swimmers have to be four before they can sign up.
Now 13, Alex has become part of the same tradition that shaped his sisters' childhoods, balancing summer swimming with football and the occasional round of golf with his dad
What keeps him coming back each year is simple. "I think it's high energy and fun," he says.
Like many Torpedoes swimmers, Alex enjoys the mix of competition and friendship Practices can be demanding, but he appreciates the challenge.
"It's good conditioning," he says, a point his mom is quick to agree with, noting how quickly new
swimmers build endurance during the season. Having two older sisters on the team has also meant plenty of encouragement along the way, even if he doesn't always enjoy being coached by them
Avery chips in and laughs that there have been times when Alex has reminded her, "I'm not listening to you," whenever she tried to offer advice during practice. Even so, she says it has been special watching all three siblings grow up together through the Torpedoes.
When he's not in the water, Alex can usually be found cheering on his teammates, catching up with friends or looking forward to his next event.
Like the rest of the Bibb family, he plans to be back again next summer
After all, for Alex, summer and the Torpedoes have always gone hand in hand.
The first time Avery, Amelia and Alex shared a Torpedoes season
COACH SEAN BROGAN COACH SEAN BROGAN COACH SEAN BROGAN
Passing It On Passing It On Passing It On
Photo: Danielle West Photography
Sean Brogan has been around summer league swimming for as long as he can remember. He was just four years old when his mother, Molly Brogan, first introduced him to the sport. A former TCU scholarship swimmer, she went on to spend more than 30 years coaching summer league teams across southwest Houston
Now in his third season as head coach of the New Territory Torpedoes, he is helping shape the next generation of swimmers using many of the same lessons he learned as a child.
"Everything I use, I've stolen from my mom, " he says with a laugh
Some of those lessons are surprisingly simple. To help young swimmers learn the correct arm movement for backstroke, she would tell them to imagine scraping peanut butter out of their ears Decades later, Brogan still uses the same phrase
Even more rewarding, he now hears older Torpedoes swimmers, including Avery Bibb, repeating it to the next generation
"It's kind of full circle, " he says.
Brogan joined the Torpedoes three years ago after becoming assistant swim coach and head water polo coach at Austin High School. One of the attractions was the opportunity to coach many of the same children who would eventually join the school's aquatics program
That pathway is already becoming clear. This year, five of the six Austin High girls who qualified for the UIL State Swimming Championships began their swimming journey with the Torpedoes One former Torpedoes swimmer went on to win two silver medals at the state meet. For Brogan, those achievements reflect what can grow from a neighborhood summer program.
Success, however, is measured by far more than medals.
Each week, Brogan speaks to younger swimmers about three simple words: Dedication. Attitude. Effort Known around the team as DAE, they are values he first learned as a child and now hopes every swimmer carries beyond the pool
"Showing up, being consistent, having a good attitude and giving your best effort, " he says "It doesn't just translate to practice. It translates to life."
That philosophy explains why some of his favourite moments don't happen during championship races Instead, they happen when a young swimmer suddenly understands a skill they have been working towards for weeks.
He recalls one six-year-old this season who struggled to swim the length of the pool during the opening practices. By the end of the season, the same swimmer had recorded one of the fastest times in the league for his age group.
For Brogan, moments like that are every bit as rewarding as watching high school swimmers qualify for state.
"It's just a lot of fun, " he says "Seeing the young kids get it means so much."
Looking ahead, Brogan hopes to see more Torpedoes swimmers continue into high school swimming and water polo, strengthening a pathway that begins each summer in New Territory.
Because while races may only last a few seconds, the lessons learned along the way have a habit of lasting much longer
TTHEFACESOFTHETORPEDOES HEFACESOFTHETORPEDOESTHE FACES OF THE TORPEDOES
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Russell Russell Russell
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On the morning of September 12, thousands of people will gather at Constellation Field for a walk that has become one of Houston's most meaningful community events
“Knowing how many people are coming “Knowing how many people are coming means we can make sure we have means we can make sure we have enough water, food and everything enough water, food and everything needed to welcome everyone” to welcome everyone”
-Natalie Tuminello Biggs-
The annual St. Jude Walk is a morning of hope, community and compassion, bringing together thousands of people in support of children and families facing childhood cancer. Every step taken helps fund lifesaving research and treatment while reminding patients and their families that they are not facing their journey alone
Each September, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the St. Jude Walk raises funds for St Jude Children's Research Hospital, where families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food, allowing them to focus entirely on helping their child get well.
Last year, more than 3,000 people filled Constellation Field, making it the largest St Jude Walk Houston has ever hosted Together they raised approximately $400,000, and organizers hope even more families, schools, businesses and community groups will take part this year.
"People often think of it as just a walk," says Natalie Tuminello Biggs, who helps organize the Houston event. "But it's really a celebration of everything that's happening year-round at St. Jude. Our patient families are there, and it means so much to them to see their community showing up in support "
The event is free to attend and designed for everyone. Participants can choose between a onemile route or the full 5K, whether they prefer to walk, run or push a stroller
The morning begins with gates opening at 7 a.m., followed by the popular Kids Dash at 8 a.m., where children have the chance to run the bases at Constellation Field before the main walk begins at 8:30 a m Families can also enjoy face painting, balloon artists, games, music and other activities throughout the morning.
The event may feel festive, but the reason behind it is never far away
Childhood cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children under 14 in the United States When St Jude first opened in 1962, the overall childhood cancer survival rate was just 20 percent. Today, thanks to decades of research and treatment advances, that figure has risen to more than 80 percent.
Every participant receives a personal fundraising page when they register, although fundraising is not required to take part. Those who choose to raise money can earn recognition and event incentives while helping support the hospital's mission.
Natalie says one of the biggest things the
community can do right now is simply register early
"Registration is free, but it really helps us prepare," she explains. "Knowing how many people are coming means we can make sure we have enough water, food and everything needed to welcome everyone."
Whether you walk a mile, complete the full 5K or simply come to cheer others on, every person who shows up becomes part of something much bigger than a Saturday morning event.
As the St. Jude Walk reminds participants each year: Every step helps save lives.
stjude.org/walkhouston
Photo: Pantelis Karastamatis currently portraying Simeon in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Miranda Zaebst artist spotlight
The audience never sees the hours that lead up to a performer stepping on stage.
They don't see the mug of herbal tea on the kitchen counter. They don't hear the vocal scales sung quietly on the drive to the theatre or the stretching backstage before rehearsal begins They don't see the steam treatments, or know that after the curtain falls, the evening may end in complete silence to give a tired voice time to recover
They simply see a performer walk on stage
For Pantelis Karastamatis, performing doesn't begin when the curtain rises It begins hours, days and even weeks earlier, in the quiet routines that prepare him for every role
"Your body is your instrument, " he tells SugarSide "You have to take care of yourself. "
As a professional musical theatre performer, that means warming up his voice before every performance and cooling it down afterwards. It means regular vocal health checks, protecting his voice from illness and even avoiding certain foods because of the impact acid reflux can have on his vocal cords.
Few audience members ever think about that side of the craft.
That discipline has become as much a part of his life as the performances themselves.
Born and raised in New Territory, Pantelis grew up in a household where music was simply part of everyday life. His father played instruments, his mother sang in church, and his two older sisters both performed.
"I don't remember a time when I wasn't singing, " he calls.
His first solo came in elementary school. Theatre followed at Sartartia Middle School before choir and theatre at Austin High School confirmed what had already become obvious.
From the way Pantelis reflects on those early years, it is clear that theatre wasn't simply something he enjoyed. It was where he belonged.
That journey eventually took him to the Manhattan School of Music in New York, where he studied Musical Theatre. Halfway through his degree, however, the COVID-19 pandemic turned student life upside down. Classes became virtual, rehearsals moved online, and even dance lessons were taking place in his apartment living room
Ask Pantelis about his journey, though, and the conversation rarely stays focused on him for long
A younger Pantelis at the Greek Festival Youth Show
He is far quicker to talk about the people who helped him than the roles he has played
He speaks warmly about Inspiration Stage and its founder, Mandy Seymour, crediting the Sugar Land theatre company with giving young performers the opportunity to develop not only their craft, but also the confidence to pursue it.
He credits his college voice teacher, Samuel McKelton, with teaching him that performing is as much about discipline as it is about talent. Beyond vocal technique, McKelton encouraged him to think about building a career with longevity in mind, where protecting his voice is simply part of the job It is a lesson reflected in the quiet routines that begin hours before every performance and continue long after the applause fades
Then he reaches for his keys.
Hanging from them is a small dog tag he has carried since graduating from Austin High School His former choir director, Adrian Rodriguez, gave one to every student in his first graduating class.
Stamped into the metal are two simple words.
Struggle Better
Eight years later, Pantelis still carries it every day "It wasn't just about music, " he says "It became a way of approaching life. "
Pantelis as Eddie in Mamma Mia! at Inspiration Stage
Rodriguez also left his students with another piece of advice that has stayed with Pantelis ever since.
"It's not your fault, " he would tell them. "But it is your problem. "
Whether learning difficult music, preparing for auditions or navigating life's setbacks, the message was always the same: keep working, keep improving and, above all, struggle better.
That mindset continues to shape the way Pantelis approaches both his career and his life.
Although performing remains his focus, Pantelis already sees teaching as part of his future. He has taught summer programmes, private voice lessons and worked with young performers through Inspiration Stage. One day, however, he hopes to mentor the next generation full-time.
That passion already extends beyond the classroom He lights up when talking about his young niece, Sophia, who is already showing an interest in music. Whether she chooses a career in the arts or not is beside the point, he says. What matters is giving children the opportunity to discover music, theatre and dance because, in his view, they help shape confident, well-rounded people.
"I don't think music is just for musicians, " he says "Acting isn't just for actors Dance isn't just for dancers. It's good for everyone. "
On stage in Mary Poppins at Stephen F. Austin High School.
With the family who have supported him every step of the way, at his sister Christina's wedding in 2023
Away from the stage, Pantelis remains deeply connected to his Greek heritage, performing traditional dances each year at Houston's Original Greek Festival, where he has danced since childhood.
He also hopes to write an original musical inspired by his family's immigration story and his own experience of growing up Greek-American in Texas.
Before we finished our conversation, I found myself thinking less about the hundreds of performances Pantelis has given and more about the people he had spent the past hour talking about
Again and again, the conversation came back to his parents, his sisters, his teachers, his directors, his castmates and his church.
Every milestone in his career seemed to come with another name attached to it.
One of Pantelis' college performances, portraying Phil D'Armano in The Wild Party at the Manhattan School of Music
Today, that journey has brought him to the George Theatre, where Pantelis appears as Simeon, while understudying the title role, in the vibrant family musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat through July 17.
for tickets
Photo: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is currently playing at The George Theatre Miranda Zaebst
Every fall brings a fresh set of questions from parents, and this year one comes up more than any other: the new Texas Education Freedom Accounts. Before we get into the details, here is a clear, honest look at where things stand and what families can do right now.
What exactly is a Texas Education Freedom Account?
In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 2 and provided $1 billion in funding to create the Texas Education Freedom Accounts™ (TEFA) program and to give parents greater freedom and flexibility in choosing the best educational environment for their children
The TEFA program, administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, is the largest day-one school choice initiative in the nation. Through this program, parents who choose to enroll their children outside of the public school system –including a private school or homeschool – and are accepted into the program can use their child’s TEFA funds to pay for approved education-related expenses through the program marketplace
Next, let's address a common concern:
Did I miss my chance to apply for this year?
For the 2026-27 school year, the application window has closed (it ran from February 4 through March 31, 2026) and will not reopen this year. Demand was record-breaking, with more than 274,000 students applying, so awards were made on a priority basis. If you did not apply, do not worry, there is a clear next step below.
We were awarded an account.
do funds arrive, and what can they cover?
The first funds land on July 1, 2026. Approved expenses include private school tuition, tutoring, test preparation, curriculum, materials, therapy, and technology.
expenses include private school tuition, tutoring, test preparation, curriculum, materials, therapy, and technology To ensure your funds go to eligible providers, check the official provider directory available through the program portal at educationfreedom texas gov Spend through the official program portal and keep your receipts.
Wondering what to do after missing out or being waitlisted this year? Here are your next steps:
Take these steps now: 1) Go to educationfreedom texas gov to join the interest list for the 2027-28 school year, so you are notified as soon as the next application window opens. 2) Plan to apply early because awards are prioritized and, if needed, given by lottery. 3) While you wait, continue supporting your child's education this year, even without an account.
A practical question many families have: Can these funds pay for tutoring and test prep?
Yes! Tutoring and test preparation are approved uses, and families can apply funds to registered providers for support in reading, writing, math, or exam prep for STAAR, ISEE, or SAT This is one of the most flexible ways those dollars can work for you
A note about this column: Mrs. Coombs is the founder and lead tutor at Coombs Test Prep & Tutoring Hub, a TEFA provider where families with awarded funds can use their account for tutoring The firm offers nationwide online tutoring and test prep for students in grades 3-12. She holds Texas educator certifications in Generalist 4-8 and Special Education, has over 20 years of classroom experience, and was named Campus Teacher of the Year. Her belief: "Every student can learn. They just need a guide to get there " Contact her at (832) 465-7877 or tutorcoombs@gmail.com
Katherine Langston thought she had closed the book on dance
After growing up at Robin's Dance Studio and spending countless hours rehearsing, performing and competing, she left for college believing her final recital had also been her farewell. Dance had shaped her childhood, but not, she assumed, her future.
Then Robin's needed a teacher for a few classes
What was meant to be temporary became something unexpected Eight years later, Katherine is back where it began, teaching at the same studio that helped shape her as a child and discovering that she enjoys teaching even more than performing.
As she reflects on her journey, one thing becomes clear: for Katherine, dance has never really been about trophies or titles It has always been about people
A CHILDHOOD IN BALLET SHOES
Growing up in Sugar Land, Katherine's earliest memories are tied to Robin's Dance Studio. She was just two years old when her mother enrolled her and her younger sister in ballet
"I think ballet is something every mom wants their little girl to try, " she says with a smile. What began as a childhood activity quickly became part of everyday life. Through elementary school, middle school and high school, dance was her constant. She progressed through the studio's Apprentice, Junior and Senior Companies, served as captain of the Austin Angels dance team at Austin High School and later continued dancing while studying English and Classical Civilizations at Texas A&M University.
Even during college, Robin's remained part of her life. Whenever the spring semester ended, Katherine returned to help backstage at the studio's annual recital.
When she graduated a year early, she found herself deciding between law school and following her parents into teaching Dance, she assumed, was
behind her
AN UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITY
Around the same time, Robin's needed someone to teach a handful of classes each week. It was supposed to be temporary Instead, one or two classes became several Eight years later, Katherine is now a full-time instructor teaching jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical and contemporary, while choreographing solos, duets and trios for competitions across Texas.
"I thought I was done with dance, " she says. What surprised her most wasn't returning to the studio. It was discovering that she enjoyed teaching even more than performing
"I enjoyed teaching more than I did when I was a student "
MORE THAN STEPS AND TECHNIQUE
Ask Katherine what keeps her at Robin's, and the answer has very little to do with dance itself She loves creating choreography She loves watching children discover confidence Most of all, she loves seeing young people find a place where they feel they belong.
Robin's, now celebrating more than five decades in the community, welcomes dancers from age three through adulthood. While some students dream of competitive dance or professional careers, many simply want a creative outlet after school
"We really prioritize mental health We prioritize creativity, and we put competition on the back burner, " Katherine says. The studio chooses to enter just one competition each year, preferring to focus on helping children grow into confident, wellrounded young people
"We want them to grow and have fun. "
Photo: One of Katherine's earliest dance memories: around age five, dressed for a tap recital at Robin's Dance Studio.
FINDING CONFIDENCE
That philosophy is deeply personal. As an adult, Katherine was diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder. Looking back, she now realizes how important dance had been throughout her childhood
"It forced me to make friends It forced me to go out in public and dance on a stage. " Those moments weren't always easy.
"They were anxiety-inducing moments, but I loved doing it underneath the anxiety "
She believes the studio gave her something that extended well beyond dance lessons
"It safely pushed me beyond what I would have done by myself. "
Today, she hopes every student who walks through the studio doors leaves with that same confidence.
PASSING IT ON
One of the most meaningful parts of Katherine's story is that she now works for one of the teachers who helped shape her as a young dancer.
Studio owner Melanie Pedé taught Katherine throughout her childhood before taking over Robin's Dance Studio from founder Robin Kelly. Today, Katherine is part of Melanie’s team.
"It could have been awkward coming back, " Katherine says "But Melanie treats us like adults She treats us like artists and creatives She treats us like peers "
That sense of continuity can be felt throughout the studio
Some parents once danced there themselves. Others now watch their own children take those same first ballet steps. There are even third-generation dancers walking through the doors. After 53 years, Robin's remains a place where relationships often last long after the final recital.
Katherine (center) with Robin's Dance Studio owner Melanie Pedé (left), who taught her as a young dancer, and fellow instructor Kalyssa Lauer
Photo: Katherine and her younger sister, Abigail with their Nana and Grampy after a winter recital, when they were around eight and six years old
For the little girl who first walked into Robin's wearing ballet shoes at the age of two, coming back wasn't just returning to where it all began It was discovering that her place in the studio had simply changed. And as it turned out, she wasn't done with dance after all.
COLLEGE chapter chapter the the
In this issue we get to meet:
Caroline Singleton
College: Texas A&M University
Year: Class of 2029
Major: Public Health
Hidden behind the train tracks and industrial warehouses on Gillingham Lane and Highway 90 is an Animal Shelter full of pets waiting to change your life! Sugar Land Animal Services is the Municipal Animal Control and Shelter service for the City of Sugar Land.
Sugar Land Animal Services (SLAS) intakes over 1,000 animals per year, maintaining a 92 79% Live Release Rate SLAS intakes stray and injured animals found within our city limits by our residents. SLAS provides the animals they find with housing and medical care including
spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, vaccines, heartworm, and flea treatment. Once the animal is vetted, they are listed on their website and social media for adoption The support of the Sugar Land community helps to continue to intake and adopt out more stray animals each year
SLAS also helps to make sure your lost pet gets home safely We employ animal services officers that patrol our streets, enforce our local ordinances, and do everything they can to get lost pets back home where they belong. Our animal services officers also assist with community events. Keep an eye out for them next time you
attend a Sugar Land event or are on a walk with your pet!
Over the past year, SLAS set a goal to take proactive measures in their community to prevent animals from coming into the shelter. SLAS has expanded their community programs and efforts to reduce intakes by keeping pets in their homes, where they belong The Sugar Paws Pet Pantry opened last year as a free pet food and supply resource for community members in need, using donated food and supplies from our community. SLAS also works with local veterinary technology programs to host quarterly vaccine and microchip clinics. In the past year, SLAS has assisted over 1,045 animals with free vaccines and microchips.
SLAS relaunched their Trap-Neuter-VaccinateRelease (TNVR) program this year, which aims to sterilize and vaccinate feral community cats who are unable to be adopted out, reducing the number of stray cats in our neighborhoods
SLAS is also in the process of designing a 19,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility located at Imperial Park. New additions include an on-site surgical center and educational classroom The new facility is expected to break ground by the end of this year
By now you're probably wondering how you can help! While adoption is the #1 way to support an animal shelter, SLAS is always taking volunteers, fosters, and donations Dog Walking, Dog-Day-Out, Cat Care, Holiday Fosters, Veterinary Externship, and supporting our Pet Pantry with donations are just some of the opportunities available for the community to partake in. Visit us at 101B
Gillingham Lane!
Want to learn more? Check out their website at www.sugarlandtx.gov/AnimalServices or follow them on social media @SugarLandAnimalServices.
Found a stray animal? Call 311 to report it to Animal Control.
Available for Adoption
Donkey, Whimsy, Maren, Linda and Noah are waiting for their forever homes
Visit Sugar Land Animal Services to meet them and learn more about the adoption process
This space is dedicated to the teens and college students in our community who are building skills, taking initiative, and offering their services right here in New Territory, and nearby neighborhoods. From babysitting and tutoring to pet care and coaching, these small (free) ads connect local families with reliable, familiar faces all with parent-approved listings.
minute technical training sessions for 4 -12 year olds New Territory | weekends only *only serves NT residents and homes
