The West University Buzz - June 2024

Francesca and Camilla Wood

The Final Curtain Call

Girls in Robotics Super Easy Summer Snacks

Class of

Women Traveling Solo

2024

Buzz Baby: A Grandfather’s Name

by Caroline Siegfried

Cindy Gabriel: The Cone of Uncertainty

Houston, TX Permit No. 2047

Travel Buzz: Itinerary Interrupted

PAID US Postage PRSRT STD

Buzz Reads

EDITOR’S NOTE The Buzz recently lost its biggest fan – my mom.

Blanche Abramson passed away peacefully on April 24. Over the years, I have written about her hilarious sense of humor, her charm and gregarious personality, her entrepreneurial spirit, and, of course, her flawless skin. Since she was a teen, her nightly ritual included Albolene cream. She begged me to use it.

“If anyone needs it, it’s Joni,” she recently told my cousin. Ouch. She was a legendary storyteller and loved reading The Buzz cover to cover every month. I would often hold my breath waiting for her feedback because, even though she loved the magazine, she was a tough critic. She always jumped to the back to check our page count, noticing every advertiser and who might have skipped a month. She especially enjoyed our annual “Where Are They Headed?” feature spotlighting high school graduates and where they are heading next. She often knew many of the students’ grandparents or even great-grandparents. Maybe I did not inherit her beauty regimen, but no doubt my role at The Buzz is a direct result of being Blanche’s daughter. joni@thebuzzmagazines.com

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Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld Caroline Siegfried Pooja Salhotra John Duboise Tracy L. Barnett Sharon Albert Brier Cindy Burnett Andria Dilling Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Cindy Gabriel Cathy Gordon Michelle Groogan Dai Huynh Annie Blaylock McQueen Jennifer Oakley Cheryl Ursin Andrea Blitzer Leslie Little Jo Rogers

On our cover: Twins Francesca and Camilla Wood both graduated from Lamar High School. Francesca (left) will be going to the University of Virginia, and Camilla will be going to Washington and Lee University.

Cover photo by Nikky LaWell, lawellphoto.com The Buzz Magazines has made all reasonable attempts to verify the accuracy of all information contained within. Advertising claims are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Copyright © 2024 Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this magazine by any means without written permission is strictly prohibited. Printed on recycled paper. Please remember to recycle.

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MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions A cherished treasure Dear Cathy, Reading the article, Aunties of India [by Cathy Gordon, May 2024] was such a heartwarming experience! I cannot believe how well my memories were woven with the visit to my aunts. You wrote it so beautifully and captured my emotions not just from the past year’s trip, but from different stages of my life. You have given my family a treasure to cherish. Thank you! You all are wonderful.

Suparna Vashisht

A joyful recovery Thank you, Buzz Magazines, for all the ways you help grow community spirit in Houston!

I live in an area not within your circulation boundaries. I know I can occasionally find copies in a few Walgreens drugstores. Imagine my surprise when a friend who lives in the Memorial area showed me a picture of my daughter (her goddaughter) on the back page of your April magazine.

There she was, holding her daughter just a few months after life-changing brain surgery.

Although the picture was part of an advertisement for Texas Children’s Hospital, I couldn't help connecting their choice to advertise with The Buzz, with how incredibly family-oriented and community-oriented your publication is. Maddie had a stroke just before she was born and over time, the areas of the brain where the blood supply was blocked died away.

Eventually, along with some physical weakness, a seizure disorder became uncontrollable and required separation of the right from the left side of her brain. Many Houston friends and neighbors helped us provide her and her family with round-the-clock care and emotional support as she prepared, underwent and recuperated from her brain surgery.

Seeing her picture in your publications has been a wonderful way for those of us involved to celebrate her successes. I especially treasure the moments when I have been able to gift those persons involved with their own copy. Many, many thanks to the staff for generously sharing some extras with us!

Now that I am aware of your excellent publication, I am a regular subscriber to your online version. I can hardly wait to see someone else I know appear in your pages.

Laurel Johnson

A special trip Hi Tracy, Thank you for your fabulous article [Roots Revisited: Unearthing family ties in Greece] in the May West University Buzz. You did such a wonderful job capturing the essence of Patmos, the family traditions and the WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 6

very special trip we were able to take together. Thank you again for including us in this issue. We greatly appreciate all of your hard work on this piece!

Natalie

Single Lost Glove A beautiful article in The West University Buzz. I don’t usually read this magazine, but it opened to the photo of Adam Elkhadem [Adam Elkhadem’s Legacy by Michelle Casas Groogan, May 2024] and I felt like something special was going on. I am glad to know about the foundation in Adam’s memory: https://www.ajefoundation.org/. I send my love and respect to Adam’s family and friends as we remember him.

Gretchen Penthesilea Email us at mailbag@thebuzzmagazines.com. Or send to Mailbag, The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet St., Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address for verification purposes.

Letters addressed to The Buzz Magazines become the property of the magazine, and it owns all rights to their use. Addresses, phone numbers and email addresses will not be published. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length. Views expressed in letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Buzz Magazines, and The Buzz takes no responsibility for the content and opinions expressed in them.

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NEIGHBORS

by Cindy Gabriel, staff writer

The Cone of Uncertainty Your totality may not be my totality

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are happy.

Turns out our air conditioning took the weekend off. It couldn’t be fixed until after the eclipse. But it didn’t matter at all because the weather was perfect, a bona fide Texas miracle.

Turns out the cloud cover forecast was unfortunately right for once. But as the eclipse began, we were able to watch the clouds (with our protective eye gear, of course) for peek-aboo moments as the moon started to take its place. It was kind of hypnotizing in that nice cloudy sky. A clear sky would have been less interesting and harder on the eyes. Shortly before the four minutes of totality, Mike's tummy started rumbling. Was it Stan’s cooking? A virus?

LIKE, ‘TOTALITY’ OKAY Catching eclipse glimpses between the clouds mesEclipsitis? The rest of us merizes Cindy Gabriel on her back deck in Hunt, Texas. were fine. Mike disapremarkable. peared into the house. I worried that he was The Leakey crowd had the opposite experigoing to miss the big moment. ence. They had total cloud cover until the four But that worry was eclipsed by the biggest, minutes of totality, and the heavens opened up darkest cloud of the day perfectly poised to cover for a good chunk of that time. the entire sun at the very minutes of totality, a When it was all over, the first feeling I had cloud eclipse of my eclipse. was relief. I was no longer a prisoner of my own But man, we got our four minutes of darkness. expectations.

Zoe, Melvin, and Pork Chop Larry lowered their Once we were back in Houston, we realized bodies on the deck with heads bowed in a kind our Houston neighbors who stayed here got of reverence to whatever was happening. Still cooler eclipse shots than we did. no Mike.

Turns out the sky has the audacity to do Turns out Mike made it back in the darkness whatever it wishes. How boring it would be if it to snap the one and only picture of the actual was any other way. How many times do I need “ring” as a momentary gap opened. It lasted for that lesson? Turns out I need to chill more and no more than three seconds. Mike said it lasted take life as it comes. only 1.5 seconds, making his picture all the more Ellen Hart

I

know the eclipse is old news now. But I’ve been anticipating the four minutes of daytime darkness for at least six years. That’s when I first realized our little country house in Hunt, Texas would be smack dab in the middle of the so-called zone of totality for the April 8, 2024, eclipse. I pictured a mini-Woodstock of campers on my back five acres, with the quiet of nature as our only music.

I bragged about it on these pages back in December of 2018 in an article called A Sacred Silence. I was smugly trying to get the whole world to slow down a little and pause for some quiet. I didn’t know a worldwide pandemic was around the corner. I don’t know why I think I can calculate anything.

I fantasized that my grandson, still in his mom’s tummy would be gazing at the sky (with protective eyewear, of course), while his grateful parents would be thanking me for providing this once-in-lifetime moment to their family. Turns out the pandemic prompted Eli’s parents to move from their Houston home to Leakey, Texas, also inside the zone of totality, an hour away from Hunt. I thought the beautiful winding road between Hunt and Leakey would be jammed with cars, plus I had invested way too much time imagining my own totality experience on that Hunt deck. So I gave up my grandma fantasy of witnessing his wide-eyed wonder and decided to stay put in Hunt.

Turns out that Eli now also has a 3-year-old brother, Faires. The boys reportedly got bored with all that looking up and went back inside to their video games. They came out when it got dark and said “wow” then went back inside to the kiddy Pads.

Turns out our friends Michael Peck and Ellen Hart (astronomy geeks in a good way) who got engaged during the last American eclipse in 2017 – joined us in Hunt. (See Eclipsed! A Love Story, April 2024). This time, the love story was between our large tail-waggers, Zoe and Melvin.

They romped and played non-stop, while Melvin’s short legged Corgi-type “brother,” Pork Chop Larry barked like a sheriff’s deputy. (Ellen and Mike are Jewish. They say Pork Chop is Larry’s Hebrew name.) If the dogs are happy, we

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WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 9

TRAVEL

by Cheryl Ursin, staff writer

You Go, Girl Women traveling solo

T

hey travel all over the world: here in the U.S., in South America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia, even Antarctica.

They travel by plane, cruise ship, train, kayak, zodiac boat, bus, car, bicycle, tuk tuk, as well as by foot, of course, whether that’s walking, trekking, hiking, or backpacking. They sleep in hotels, in hostels, on strangers’ couches, in Airbnbs, in convents and castles, and in the great outdoors.

They are women traveling solo, and their numbers are surprisingly legion. According to Gitnux, a market-research company, 11% of all leisure travelers are traveling alone, and 72% of these solo travelers are women.

Lissa Pearson, 46, took her first solo trip postkids in the mid-2010s, when she did the Goodwater Loop around Georgetown Lake, a 27-mile route that is rated “moderately challenging,” north of Austin. She’s done what she considers major solo backpacking trips a halfdozen times. The longest lasted for two weeks.

She also travels a lot with family and friends.

She and her husband, John, have two daughters, Mae, 14, and Katherine, 16.

But there is something special about being on her own, too. “I saw a meme about a mom on her birthday saying she’d just like to have her brain to herself for one day,” says Lissa. “We were all in the living room one evening – my husband, my daughters, the dog, and our two cats – and I thought, ‘Every living being in this space depends on me.’”

When she’s traveling by herself, Lissa explains, “I am only responsible for myself.

There’s no negotiating emotional or logistical issues with other people. It’s very freeing.”

Contemplating such a trip can be daunting when you’ve never done it before. Lissa recommends considering your current skills and planning the trip to be a manageable challenge.

“Choose a trip that’s well within your skill set but has one area where you are pushing at your boundaries,” she advises. If you’ve never travelled alone, you might, for instance, travel solo to a place you’ve been before. “The being alone would be the skill you want to develop here,” Lissa explains. An experienced backpacker, Lissa is planning a sea kayaking trip as part of a WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 10

AN OCEAN VIEW Lissa Pearson takes a well-earned break in June 2019 during a three-day hike of the Trans-Catalina Trail on the southernmost Channel Island off the coast of California.

group rather than alone because kayaking is the skill she wants to learn. Likewise, for safety reasons, she chose guided tours for an off-trail desert trip in Utah and for an upcoming trip to Yellowstone. “I have no desire to solo in grizzly territory,” she says.

Traveling solo can be surprisingly social. Lissa Pearson often meets fellow hikers on her trips.

And when Lisa Beckman, 51, spent three months living in Italy, two of her goals were to meet locals and to practice Italian.

“I don’t think you can do this if you’re shy,” she says. “You have to push yourself.” She took her trip in 2022 during what she calls “her year of yes.” Lisa, who had taken six months of Italian at the Italian Cultural & Community Center in Houston to prepare for her trip, talked to everyone she came across when she arrived in Italy.

She asked people, “Can I practice my Italian with you?” (Knowing how to say, “Please slow down,” was helpful as well, she says.) “If they said, ‘No, I’m busy,’ that was okay, my feelings were not hurt,” says Lisa, who is definitely not shy.

She even began to look for what she thought of as OMCs, or “old man corners,” when she arrived in a new place. It’s where she’d find retirees drinking coffee together. If she sat down with them, they’d talk with her.

And many people would even invite her to dinner and to parties. “I dropped a lot of hints,” Lisa says with a laugh. “I probably invited myself; I tend to do that.” Lisa, who does improv in Houston, even went to an Italian improv theater, got up on stage, and improvised in Italian. “That wasn’t completely successful,” she says wryly.

She eased into her adventure by starting with an adult study-abroad program (yes, that’s a thing) run by Temple University in Rome. For six weeks, she lived in a long-term Airbnb in Rome and took classes on art and art history

with a group four days a week. “We had Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off to travel, and I met and sometimes travelled with people in my cohort,” she says. “It was a nice place to start.”

All the while, she was talking to locals, asking them where she should go next. She kept a running list in the notes section on her phone. “‘These are the five things you need to eat,’ they’d say, ‘and these are the five things you need to see.’ Most of the time, it was ‘need to eat,’” she admits.

After the study-abroad program ended, she gave up the Airbnb and traveled in earnest, down the west coast of the country to Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, and then back up the east coast. She stayed in a variety of accommodations. Hostels surprised her. “I thought it would be a lot of younger people and me,” she says, “but almost everyone was a solo traveler and there were a lot of women over 50.” She stayed for a while in a farm-stay or “agriturismo,” which is a working organic farm that also rents accommodations to tourists. “These range from higher-end than a higher-end hotel to pretty barebones,” says Lisa. Lisa even used a website called couchsurfing.com, twice arranging to sleep in an extra room in someone’s house. Next time, she says – and she is planning a next time – she will do a homestay, where she’ll stay with a family for a block of time.

Lisa made most, if not all, of her travel arrangements through phone apps and online.

“My son calls our phones ‘that codex of Alexandria that we all carry around,’” says Lisa – and smart phones can indeed fulfill many roles for the solo traveler. They are good for far more than just keeping in contact with family and ordering Ubers. If you are camping or backpacking, you can use an app to turn your cell phone into a transponder or per- (continued on page 12)

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WALKING ON SUNSHINE Top left: Lissa Pearson enjoys a 2021 trip on the Colorado Trail. She hiked the whole 486-mile trail in four trips, starting in 2017 and finishing with a two-week trip covering the last 230 miles in 2022. Top right: Lissa made it to the top of Mount Massive, the second tallest mountain in the Rockies, on the Colorado Trail in 2021. Bottom left: Lisa Beckman spends time in Pescara, Italy, a small city on the Adriatic Sea. Bottom right: Lisa at the Terrazza del Pincio in the Villa Borghese, overlooking Rome. (continued from page 10) sonal-locator beacon. Lisa

used the HostelWorld app to choose her hostels in Italy. You can look for all-women hostels, hostels with private bathrooms, and other preferences. You can download apps with information about the public transit in your location.

You can even use translation apps, including just plain old, free Google Translate, to communicate when there is a language barrier.

Lisa chose her Rome Airbnb online before she arrived. “I put a lot of work into finding that Airbnb,” she says. “I studied maps. I wanted it to be close to transportation and close to my school. I’d look for a nearby grocery store and that the area was residential. I read hotel forums for advice on which neighborhoods to choose and which to avoid.”

There are numerous Facebook groups dedicated to solo women travelers. Many travel agents and companies specialize in solo travel as well, including ones who will arrange selfguided tours, in which they handle the accommodations and the transfer of your luggage as you walk from place to place. Some solo travelWEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 12

ers will sign up for group tours, where the details are taken care of and they can meet fellow travelers. RoadScholar, one such touring company, reported that in 2022, about 60% of their clients were married women traveling without their spouses.

When Sally McCandless decided to celebrate her 75th birthday by walking the Camino de Santiago nine years ago, she was looking for a trip where the route and the accommodations were already in place.

Although this was her first solo trip in a long time, Sally has always had an adventurous spirit.

She was, in 1961, one of the very first Peace Corps volunteers, spending two years living in the Philippines working as a teacher’s aide in local schools. She made teaching her career upon her return, getting a master’s degree at Columbia University’s Teachers College. She taught for 17 years at the Awty International School.

The Camino de Santiago, or “The Way of St. James,” is a 500-mile pilgrimage that dates back to the early ninth century. Its most popular route runs from the French Pyrenees to Santiago

de Compostela in northwestern Spain. People who walk the Camino are issued “credencials,” a passport-like document. This enables them to then stay in “albergues,” which are like hostels, located in the villages along the route. Their credencials are also stamped and become a souvenir of their trip.

Sally carried a backpack, weighing 15 pounds, that contained one change of clothes, a light sleeping bag to use for the bunk beds in the albergues, rain gear, and her toiletries. She walked the entire 500 miles in 30 days. That’s a little over 14 miles per day of walking. With some non-walking days scheduled in, her whole trip took 45 days. Some friends walked with her at the beginning for a few days. She met one of her daughters, who was then living in Switzerland, for two days. Her two other daughters joined her near the end, and her husband met her in Santiago, where they spent several days sight-seeing with a friend. But for weeks at a time, she was on her own.

Camino walkers don’t have to do the whole route. Even people who (continued on page 14)

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STEP LIVELY Top left: Lisa Beckman soaks up history in Italy. Top right: Sally McCandless treks along a high ridge on the Camino de Santiago. Bottom left: Sally meets up with other pilgrims one evening on the Camino. Bottom right: Sally, middle, was joined by her daughters, Abby McCandless Sparkman, left, and Sadie McCandless Carter, right, for the last 200 miles of her trip. (continued from page 12) only do the last 80 miles

qualify for a credencial, “which is a little bit upsetting to those of us who walked the whole darn thing,” quips Sally.

Sally didn’t do the trek for religious reasons.

“I just love to walk,” she says. She had always wanted to do it since she read about the Camino when it became a UNESCO World Heritage

site in the late 1990s.

Sally’s advice if you’re thinking you might want to try some solo travel? “I would say, do it,” she says. “It’s so satisfying to know that you did it.”

There’s an App for That And usually more than one, plus websites and Facebook pages. Here’s a list of a few helpful apps for solo travelers.

Bounce: usebounce.com: Find places to store your luggage.

Couchsurfing.com: Find people to stay with or to open your home to travelers.

DayTrip.com: Find local drivers to take you from one city to another.

GetByBus.com: Find bus tickets for trips between European cities.

GetYourGuide.com: Look up and book tours and other activities where you are.

GPSMyCity.com: Find self-guided walking tours in over 1,500 cities.

Hostel World: Find and book hostels around the world.

LoungeBuddy.com: Find and book premium airport lounges while traveling.

Rail.Ninja: Book train tickets worldwide.

RoadTrippers.com: Find interesting places to stop while on a car trip.

Skratch World: Plan your trip and keep track of where you’ve been using the locations and dates of your photos and videos to generate a timeline of your trip.

Timeshifter.com: Lessen symptoms of jet lag.

VisitACity.com: Create your own personal travel guide to several European cities.

There are scores of specialized Facebook groups to connect with other women solo travelers, such as Solo in Style: Women Over 50 Traveling Solo & Loving It, with 514,600 members, Solo Female Travelers with 356,000 members, and Backpackers and Solo Travelers, with 17,500 members.

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KIDS

by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

The Final Curtain Call Stratford’s Playhouse seniors take a bow

THE FINAL BOW The seniors of Stratford High School’s Playhouse take their final bow. In May, the beloved high school theater department celebrated 50 years.

F

ive minutes to showtime at Stratford High School’s theater department, Playhouse.

The students have been preparing for this moment for up to six months. They scurry around backstage with lots to think about: positions, lights, costumes, makeup. Like ants in a colony knowing exactly where to go, they find their places.

Out in the audience of the newly renovated auditorium are their friends, family, and members of the community from young children to older adults. The curtain opens – it’s showtime.

Playhouse is not your run-of-the-mill high school theater department. It invites the community in. It is where dreams have been born on stage for 50 years, and behind the scenes, has formed lifelong friendships.

The Playhouse tradition includes four productions each year. Playhouse also participates in the UIL One Act Play competition, which brings theater to the competitive stage.

Rehearsal periods vary in length, tailored to each production.

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From late nights to early mornings, juggling final exams, preparing for shows, all while trying to just be a high school kid, Playhouse students and their directors take their shows to the next level.

Leading Playhouse are Stratford teachers Cece Prudhomme, artistic director; Alyssa Rosner, associate director; David Clayton, technical director; Marcie Baker, music director; and Gyasi Blanton, conductor and music director.

This month, we highlight six remarkable Playhouse high school seniors as they mark their final curtain call after four years of memories, challenges, and triumphs, all while looking to a bright future ahead.

Abbigayle Scott Fall 2024 Plans: Texas State University; Majoring in Musical Theater Abbigayle Scott stepped on the Playhouse stage at age 14. She served as president of the Thespian Troupe and student director of the show, “Play That Goes Wrong.” Some of her other roles over the years have included: Peggy

Sawyer in “42nd Street,” Ariel Moore in “Footloose,” dance captain in “Young Frankenstein,” dance captain and Brooke Wyndham in “Legally Blonde,” Tiger Lily in “Peter Pan,” and ensemble in “Something Rotten.”

From her first-year days to her bow as Tiger Lily in “Peter Pan,” Abbigayle's Playhouse journey had many highlights. Her biggest, she says, was playing Peggy Sawyer in “42nd Street.” “It is a role that has aspirations very similar to my own, and the innocence of her passion brought me back to the pure love I have for theater and performing,” said Abbigayle. “I had never played a role that I related to on such a deeply emotional level. I have never felt as free and seen as I did when onstage as Peggy.”

Abbigayle recalled the challenges of balancing hours of demanding work, while trying to enjoy high school. “It is easy to get swept up into worry and negativity, but it is so important to live in the moment,” she said. “Enjoying the last few years as a kid has been (continued on page 18)

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SENIOR STARS Left photo: Abbigayle Scott performs as Tiger Lily in "Peter Pan," alongside her best friend Anna Rigo (who played the role of Peter Pan). Middle photo: Frankie Miller was involved with costume crew for four years at Playhouse. Right photo: Kate Diers served as student technical director and as stage manager. She competed and advanced to Nationals for Stage Management at the 2023 Texas Thespian Festival, and she received the Tommy Tune Award for Outstanding Stage Manager two years in a row. (continued from page 16) a struggle. However, it is a

struggle that is worth it.”

Frankie Miller Fall 2024 Plans: The University of Houston’s Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts; Majoring in Costume Design Amongst costume racks and sewing needles, Frankie Miller found her place with the costume crew of Playhouse – where her imagination took flight. She was in the costume crew all four years of high school – beginning with her first play, “Nunsense.” She served as costume head for the 2023-24 season.

“During the last four years, I have done what feels like hundreds of quick changes since my first show,” said Frankie. “I especially enjoyed learning different sewing techniques and skills I use in my everyday life.”

From the intricate changes of “42nd Street” to the magic of “Peter Pan,” Frankie's costume designs breathed life into the characters. She says a highlight was the mentoring she received from fellow students and her directors, along with the guidance she was able to provide for those following in her footsteps. “I am especially proud of my former assistant heads who are now running their own show,” said Frankie. “I have watched them grow over the past three years, and getting to help them along the way of their first show is something I am beyond grateful for.”

She credits teachers Cece Prudhomme and Alyssa Rosner for helping her discover and foster a love for costume design and creation.

Kate Diers Fall 2024 Plans: The University of Southern WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 18

California; Majoring in Stage Management Kate Diers served as stage manager and assistant manager for Playhouse all four years of high school. She began her journey in Playhouse as a member of the sound crew for “Nunsense” and later was on set crew for “Something Rotten!”

Kate received the Tommy Tune award twice during her four years. She was in shows such as “Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime” and “Legally Blonde.”

“Playhouse has brought a family and a home into my life that I never knew I would need or miss in the future,” said Kate. She recalled sitting around a table over half-eaten pancakes late at night at IHOP after shows and crying with her fellow seniors on closing night of “42nd Street.” All irreplaceable moments with the people Kate have grown to love.

A highlight for her was being assistant stage manager for “Peter Pan” in the spring of 2022. “It marked the beginning of a new chapter not only for the new auditorium but also for me as it was my moment of realization that I wanted to pursue stage management professionally,” said Kate.

She says she has learned how to make decisions under pressure. “The biggest challenge has been making the decisions that people do not favor,” said Kate. “As a stage manager or assistant stage manager, your job is to make decisions in a matter of seconds, from stopping a show for technical errors or halting actors from flying into the air for safety.”

Kate recalled deciding to stop the actors from taking flight during the “I'm Flying” number in “Peter Pan.” “It was due to the flight line being crossed with the lights,” said Kate. “I will never

forget the face of the kid playing Michael as his face held so much sadness when he realized he would not be able to fly that show.”

It was through these experiences that Kate became ready for her next chapter.

Kira Sledge Fall 2024 Plans: Shenandoah University; Majoring in Musical Theater Kira Sledge spent her four years in Stratford Playhouse serving in a variety of roles. From her first-year days to her final bow as Dorothy Brock in “42nd Street,” Kira's journey with Playhouse was memorable.

The first year, she worked in publicity and on the hair and makeup crew for “Nunsense” and “Something Rotten.” She played a Delta Nu in “Legally Blonde” and was a featured dancer in “Peter Pan.” She also played Ms. Scarlet in “Clue,” Frau Blucher in “Young Frankenstein,” and was dance captain in “Footloose.” During her senior year, she was the head of house crew for “The Play That Goes Wrong.”

Kira says the highlight of her career at Stratford Playhouse was her final bow this last semester – standing amongst her fellow seniors on stage after playing a lead role in “42nd Street.”“Although one may see this event from the outside and question why a high school performance is so important to me, it's truly because the Stratford Playhouse was my Broadway,” said Kira.

Kira distinctly recalled sitting in the audience of Stratford's shows when she was in elementary school, aspiring to be like those students that she saw on stage. “These kids weren't just high schoolers in my eyes, they (continued on page 20)

Hallie Keller

PLAYHOUSE MOMENTS Left photo: Kira Sledge played the role of Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street as her final role in four years in Playhouse.Top right photo: Owen Sullivan (left) played in a leading role his senior year. He acted a sword-fighting scene with fellow senior Will Meadows (right) in the fall of 2023 during "The Play That Goes Wrong.”

Bottom right photo: Will Meadows (at right) played the role of Julian Marsh in “42nd Street" alongside Abbigayle Scott (at left), who played the role of Peggy Sawyer. (continued from page 18) were stars,” said Kira. “I

truly fulfilled my childhood dreams.”

Owen Sullivan Fall 2024 Plans: The University of Texas at Austin; Majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Plan II Honors Program Owen Sullivan found his home, and his best friends from high school, in Stratford Playhouse during his freshman year. He was in 12 shows during his four years.

Owen served on lights crew for “Nunsense” and “Something Rotten” and on vocal ensemble for “Footloose,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Young Frankenstein.” His also played the role of pirate in “Peter Pan,” cop in “Clue,” Bert Barry in “42nd Street,” and multiple roles (Max, Cecil and Arthur) in “Play That Goes Wrong.”

Owen said Playhouse is a place of connection for people with different interests and backgrounds. “Playhouse is full of diverse groups of students, including students involved in athletics, band, student government, choir, advanced academics and more,” said Owen.

The dedication to a show is a process.

“Throughout the production process, there are WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 20

nonstop rehearsals for all the complex dances and singing in each show,” he said. “It was challenging at times to balance this with other extracurricular involvements and schoolwork, but taking a bow on closing nights with all [my] friends made it all worth it.”

Will Meadows Fall 2024 Plans: The University of Texas at Austin; Majoring in Canfield Business Honors and Plan II Honors Program Throughout his time at Stratford Playhouse, from his early involvement as part of the props crew for productions like “Nunsense” and “Something Rotten” during his freshman year to Colonel Mustard in “Clue” and Julian Marsh in “42nd Street” during his senior year, Will was committed. He ended his basketball career after sophomore year to focus on Playhouse.

Will served as the vice president of membership for the Thespian Troupe, a group for high school theater students. He says the community within Playhouse was the highlight of his experience. “Over the past four years, I have been able to become best friends with people with varying interests and backgrounds as we all work

together to bring art to the stage,” said Owen.

“Every show is a long and tough process, but it is always rewarding to entertain our audiences and tell a new story.”

He has also learned an important lesson, which was looking into the face of rejection when things did not work out the way he had hoped. “There have been plenty of times where I have not gotten the role that I wanted or have been cut from a show altogether,” said Will.

“However, the directors offer audition feedback for every show, so you can hear their honest opinions on what you need to improve.” The lesson of turning feedback into motivation is something he will take with him.

A

s these six seniors bid farewell to Stratford Playhouse, their stories serve as a testament to the endearing bonds that formed over long hours, hard work, and countless rehearsals.

Following their footsteps a new generation of performers will carry the legacy forward at Playhouse, inspired by those who came before them.

Editor’s note: For more information about Playhouse, see Stratfordplayhouse.com.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 21

FOOD

by Andria Dilling, staff writer

Super Easy Summer Snacks For hot days at home

A

s everyone returns from school, whether that’s around the corner or across the country, kids (and others) will be home. In our houses. And hungry.

Which means we should probably polish up our snack game. I’m betting most of us would rather not be confronted with the “there’s nothing in this house to eat” complaints. Let’s prepare.

Here are a few simple ideas that should keep everyone happy while sticking to our summer rule to give the stove some much-needed alone time. Cool and collected are we!

Fresh Pico de Gallo From “Back Porch Table” This was sort of a happy accident. I forgot to buy pico the day we were having turkey taco salads for dinner. Thankfully, we had tomatoes, an onion, cilantro, a jalapeño, and limes. Just like that, everything got chopped up and thrown into a bowl, and we had the best, freshest-tasting pico ever.

Serve this with chips by the grill or the pool. It’s cool and super-fresh, a foil for the Houston heat.

2 large tomatoes, cored, seeded, and diced ¼ large yellow onion, diced ½ cup chopped cilantro 1 jalapeño, diced ½ teaspoon kosher salt Juice of 1 lime Stir all the ingredients together in a glass bowl and serve with chips. Pico de Gallo is also great with eggs, in tacos, and in salads.

Radishes with Herbed Butter and Sea Salt From “Back Porch Table” Radishes with butter is very French (and doesn’t anything French just sound beautifully undone and opulent all at once?). Dorie Greenspan, the prolific food writer and recipe developer who lives part-time in Paris, says serving radishes with butter is “a little trick the French play to bring foods into balance, and it works.” Peppery radishes take well to a light swath of mild butter – and even better, a swath of butter flavored with a just-enough pinch of fresh herbs. I like chives and tarragon, and a litWEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 22

EASY DOES IT Homemade pico de gallo and radishes with salt and herby butter are as simple – and delicious – as it gets.

tle bit of lemon zest, but you might prefer parsley and dill. Or you might want to throw all the herbs in.

1 bunch fresh radishes, stems attached, roots cut off 4 ounces high-quality, unsalted butter, room temperature ½ teaspoon minced fresh chives ½ teaspoon minced fresh tarragon ¼ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest ½ teaspoon kosher salt A few tablespoons sea salt, for serving Slice a few of the radishes in half, leaving some whole with stems attached. Place them all on a serving tray.

In a small bowl, use a fork to stir the butter, chives, tarragon, lemon zest, and ½ teaspoon salt together. Mound the herbed butter on the serving tray. Place the sea salt in a small bowl and serve alongside the radishes and butter.

Cherry Bruschetta with Goat Cheese and Pistachios From “Back Porch Table” This appetizer, or snack, or light lunch or supper accompanied by a salad is a wonderful blend of creamy-crunchy-juicy. Creamy from the goat cheese. Crunchy from the toasted pistachios.

Juicy from the ripe red cherries. You’ve also got tanginess from the cheese (sub in ricotta here if you are not a goat cheese fan), herbiness from the thyme (the secret ingredient), and sticky sweetness from the honey you will stir together with the pistachios.

16 thin baguette slices 2 tablespoons olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper ¼ cup toasted, chopped pistachios 1 ½ tablespoons honey, plus extra for drizzling 1 cup cherries, pitted and chopped 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves 8 ounces goat cheese

STAY COOL In the summer months, cool snacks are where it's at. Clockwise from top left: strawberries dipped in sour cream and rolled in brown sugar; bruschetta spread with goat cheese and topped with summer cherries, honey, and pistachios; a slice of frozen lemonade pie; a high-protein dessert or breakfast made with cottage cheese, yogurt, berries, and graham cracker crumbs.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Brush them with the olive oil, then sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Bake the baguette slices for 10 minutes, until the edges begin to turn golden.In a small bowl, stir together the pistachios and honey. In another small bowl, stir together the cherries and thyme.

Spread the goat cheese evenly among the baguette slices. Season again with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Top with the cherry and thyme mixture, then the pistachio and honey mixture.

Drizzle extra honey over the top.

Strawberries Dipped in Sour Cream and Brown Sugar One of the best cooks we know sent us this idea, and it couldn’t be easier or more delicious.

Tina Pyne is the queen of beautiful entertaining – use her “recipe” for an afternoon treat or an elegant end to a dinner party. strawberries, washed and dried sour cream brown sugar Dip the strawberries in sour cream, then roll them in brown sugar.

Protein Parfait Claudia Oelman says, “My husband has a sweet tooth but is trying to keep his figure, so I’ve been on the hunt for low-fat, low-sugar

desserts. I found a great one that may also be a good breakfast option. It’s high in protein, low in fat, and yummy!”

1 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 to 4 teaspoons raw sugar or honey 4 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs 1 cup blueberries and raspberries Zest of 1 lemon Blend the yogurt, cottage cheese, vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar or honey in a blender until smooth. Taste, adding more sugar or honey if you like.

Divide the mixture between 4 ramekins and top with the graham cracker crumbs, berries, and lemon zest.

Frozen Lemonade Pie From “Back Porch Table” Remember those frozen lemonade cups with the tiny spoons? They were a big deal for my girls when they were big enough to order their own at the pool and eat them on the lounge chairs in between races down the slide and games of Marco Polo. Well, as yummy as those little cups of lemony ice were, this Frozen Lemonade Pie is exponentially better. Super creamy, super cold, and bracingly lemony. You will want this pie in your freezer all summer.

Because it takes 10 minutes, I made the graham cracker crust, and I think it’s worth the little bit of extra effort. It’s a little thicker, a little butterier than the store-bought version. But if you want to make a pie that is truly effortless, just pick up a Keebler crust at the grocery.

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature 1 14-ounce can condensed milk 1 8-ounce tub Cool Whip, frozen 1 12-ounce can frozen lemonade concentrate 8-inch graham cracker pie crust (store-bought or homemade, recipe below) In a large bowl or stand mixer using the whisk, beat the cream cheese and condensed milk until smooth. Beat in the Cool Whip and frozen lemonade until smooth. Pour into the pie crust and freeze for at least 8 hours. You may have a little extra filling, which you can pour into ramekins and freeze for a treat on another day.

Graham Cracker Crust 2 cups graham cracker crumbs 2 tablespoons sugar 1 stick butter, melted Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, stir all the ingredients together.

Press the crust evenly into the bottom and up the sides of an 8-inch pie pan. Bake for 10 minutes, and allow to cool before filling.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 23

KIDS

FIRST in Texas

by Michelle Groogan, staff writer

Girl Power The girls behind the robots

F

emale competitors are having a breakout moment. And I’m not talking about athletics.

Behold the PlatyPirates, an all-girls robotics team formed two years ago at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, an all-girls Catholic school. The group started small but has coalesced into a community team of 16 girls representing five different high schools across the Houston area.

They compete in a world-wide robotics competition put on by a non-profit organization called FIRST. FIRST is the acronym, “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.” The PlatyPirates were the only all-girls team in Houston and one of two in Texas to compete in this year’s competition in April.

“Girls see our team at competition or out in the community, and they see how we're having fun even if we don't have an amazing robot that year, or that we’re having fun despite technical difficulties,” said Anna Kayser, a 2024 Duchesne graduate and former team captain.

Anna is also one of the original eleven girls who started the team.

Don’t be fooled by their team’s cutesy name.

PlatyPirates is an homage to their beloved mascot – an irresistibly cute, albeit stuffed, platypus decked out in a pirate outfit. Playfulness aside, there’s nothing superficial or precious about their robot-building skills. The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is a challenging game where teams of high school students spend six weeks building industrial-sized robots under strict guidelines. The robots are programmed to play difficult field games in alliance with other teams. Teams also spend time fundraising, marketing, and promoting an appreciation for STEM. This year’s competition incorporated a music theme called “Crescendo,” which was revealed to the teams during a livestream in January. The teams then had a month and a half to build a robot that plays in matches that are about two and a half minutes long and consist of two periods – one robot-controlled and the other player-controlled. The field games consist of differWEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 24

ROBO LOVE Porsche Harrington, Audi Harrington, Xahilyn Amador, Ellery McDaniel, and Olivia Dittrich are high school members of the PlatyPirates, an all-girls robotics team in Houston. They have a tradition of locking in hand-hearts before every match.

ent opportunities to score points. For example, the robots can shoot foam rings into a high goal or a low goal. Then there is the more challenging “trap,” which is much higher off the ground, and the robot climbs toward it using a chain.

No problem for the PlatyPirates.

The team qualified for the Texas District Championship, where they won the Imagery Award, which celebrates attractiveness in engineering. Prior to the championship, they also won the Team Spirit Award at the San Antonio competition and the Creativity Award for strategy and design at the Houston competition.

Ellery McDaniel, a rising senior at Lamar High School, is a programmer on the team who was nominated for the prestigious Dean's List through a series of essays and interviews and advanced to the FIRST World Championship, which was also held in Houston in April.

“I'm amazed at a lot of the build stuff we've been able to accomplish,” said Ellery. She’s especially proud of the PlatyPirates for completing the “solo triple trap.” It’s a challenging maneuver where the robot must push open a small vertical trapdoor and then drop a ring into it. “We were the second team ever to do all three of

those on our own during a match, which was really exciting,” Ellery said.

This team has been fully embraced by Izza Effendi, a senior at Duchesne who lives in Memorial. She says some of her teammates had the options of joining co-ed teams closer to their homes but choose to drive 30-60 minutes to be on the all-girls team.

“The environment of many teams is set up to steer girls away from joining the build and electrical teams, so many girls don't get the opportunity to even touch their own team's robot,” said Izza. “People notice us for having so many girls with active roles on our team, and little kids walk up to our team members to ask us questions.”

Ellery joined the group last year. She doesn’t mind the drive from her home in West University to meet with her PlatyPirates crew in an office space in the West Houston Energy Corridor, especially since she has had the experience of being on a co-ed team.

“I was kind of told time and time again that I wasn't right for STEM work, and I was even told by a boy on the team that because I was a girl, I was too emotional to ever be a good leader in robotics,” said Ellery. “So (continued on page 26)

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 25

FIRST in Texas PlatyPirates

Dave Wilson

GIRLS JUST WANT TO BUILD ROBOTS Top photo: The PlatyPirates robotics team celebrate winning the Imagery Award in the FIRST Texas District Championship in Houston. Pictured are: (top row, from left) Aashna Sreedharan (Duchesne Academy, 2024 graduate), Annette Dillihunt (Duchesne Academy, 2024 graduate), Domenica Sepe (Duchesne Academy, 11th), Anna Kayser (Duchesne Academy, 2024 graduate), Porsche Harrington (Robert E. Lee High School, 11th), Ellery McDaniel (Lamar High School, 12th), Audi Harrington (Robert E. Lee High School, 11th), Dahlia Soto (Duchesne Academy, 2024 graduate), and Sondra Hart (mentor); (back row, from left) Brandy McDaniel (mentor), Yacel Amador (mentor), Kennedy Wolf (Duchesne Academy, 2024 graduate), Daniel Vecseri (mentor), Lauren Campbell (Duchesne Academy, 2024 graduate), Xahilyn Amador (Ross S. Sterling High School, 11th), Oliva Dittrich (Tomball High School, 2024 graduate), Adulfo Amador (mentor), Izza Effendi (Duchesne Academy, 12th), Sadie Chamberlain (mentor), and Diana Kayser (mentor). Bottom left photo: Anna Kayser, Ellery McDaniel, and Aashna Sreedharan operate their robot during a match. Bottom right photo: The PlatyPirates' robot named “Siren Song” scores points. (continued from page 24) I've definitely had trouble

with boys being kind of isolating of girls in STEM.” There is a nation-wide movement to encourage girls to get involved with STEM, in hopes of bridging the gap in the STEM workforce. The American Association of University Women points to a recent study that says women make up only 28% of the U.S. STEM workforce. The gender gaps are exacerbated in engineering and mathematical fields, where women constitute as little as 17% of the workforce.

Diana Kayser is a co-leader of the group and mother of former team captain Anna. She has devoted her time to her daughter’s cause, creWEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 26

ating a safe space for high school girls to explore STEM. “The growth has just been tremendous,” Diana said. “As a team, I’ve seen them grow the idea that this is a team by girls for girls.”

The team’s mission includes community outreach and education initiatives. The PlatyPirates host events called “Bots with Tots” where they introduce robotics to children at local libraries. They also have an ongoing project called “Woman of the Week,” where they highlight women in STEM on their Instagram page (@frc_platypirates).

“I really like that we are a supportive and welcoming team to girls who face challenges on

their co-ed teams, because I've known a lot of people who are in STEM who are always pushed away from the robots,” said Anna, who is headed to Trinity University to study physics.

“Just seeing (my daughter’s) leadership skills develop, how she communicates with adults and with students; it’s almost not even about the robot itself,” Diana said about her daughter. “But it’s about just seeing her grow into this confident, young woman.”

Its girl-power unleashed – inevitable, unstoppable and bursting with potetial.

Editor’s Note: To learn more about the PlatyPirates, visit platypirates9181.wordpress.com.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 27

KIDS

by Caroline Siegfried, staff writer

Class of 2024 Where are they headed?

A

s the surveys from graduating seniors came rolling in this year, it struck me that so many of these students valued the communities they had found, whether through clubs, sports, video games, or among their fellow seniors. The clang of the modern world can seem deafening, but there is no better substitute for human connection – everyone craves being part of something. It is heartening to see how today’s teens have found ways to bond. They remember cheering like crazy at football games, talking with friends, school dances, the tables where they ate lunch, getting their driver’s license... The process of growing up is delightfully universal.

Our annual tradition here at The Buzz is to share our graduating neighbors’ future plans. As they leave the nest and transform from adorable kiddos to high school graduates, we celebrate their achievements. Read on to see the things that will always remind them of high school, the teachers who changed their lives, their favorite memories, and more. Take some time to page through carefully, to be proud of the varieties of interests, of the caring, intelligent, and interesting young people of your community.

Congratulations, class of 2024.

Francesca Wood – Annunciation Orthodox School, Lamar High School Francesca Wood is heading to University of Virginia to major in business and Spanish. She would tell her kindergarten self to take advantage of every opportunity, because time flies.

Francesca says her AOS religion teacher, Ms. Connie Koinis, was the kindest person, and that God's love shone through her every day. Her favorite moments from high school were being a part of the cross-country team. She says running isn't her favorite, but the friendships she formed with teammates, and the guidance of an amazing coach, made it worthwhile and so much fun. She says that right after college, her dream job would be to work as a private chef in the Hamptons. Blue picnic benches will always remind her of Lamar because that is where she ate lunch every day for four years.

Camilla Wood – Annunciation Orthodox WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 28

Francesca Wood – University of Virginia

School, Lamar High School Camilla Wood is headed to Washington and Lee University to major in art history and business. If she could give your kindergarten self one piece of advice, it’d be: “Who cares what other people think. Be true to yourself all the time!”

Coach Regan House changed her life by teaching her the importance of hard work in school and sports. She was a mentor spiritually, academically, and personally, coaching her in cross country at Lamar for three ears. Her favorite moments from high school were running cross country with her best friends. Waking up super early will always remind her of waking up at 5 a.m. to go to cross country practice. Her dream job is being an art dealer for the rich and famous.

Sam Peters – West University Elementary School, Westbury Christian School, Presbyterian School, St. Thomas High School Sam Peters will be going to the University of Georgia to major in accounting. He would tell his kindergarten self to always be mindful of other people. His Westbury Christian sixthgrade math teacher, Mr. Jay Roberts, taught him the importance of kindness in the midst of mean and hateful people or circumstances. His favorite moment from high school was reaching the school’s raffle goal and raising $922,000 for students’ tuitions. He says anything red will always remind him of St. Thomas. His dream job is to go into business with his brother as the CFO.

Rowan Matorin – Annunciation Orthodox School, Xavier Educational Academy Rowan Matorin is off to Case Western Reserve University, where he will be majoring in business and playing on the tennis team. He would tell his kindergarten self to enjoy kindergarten and childhood, because you get to be an adult for many more years than you get to be a child – have fun. Rowan says he has been very fortunate to have several teachers and coaches who have mentored him to be his best. His favorite moment from high school was being a part of the school tennis team and winning a state championship. His dream job would combine his passion for sports with business.

Josh Cander – West University Elementary School, Pin Oak Middle School, Strake Jesuit Josh Cander will be heading to University of Texas at Austin to study finance at the McCombs School of Business. He would tell his kindergarten self to enjoy being a kid. The color kelly green will always remind him of high school because it was the jersey color of the UCAL (United Church Athletic League) basketball team he coached, and the main color of the peacock suit he wore during games. His most impactful teacher was Dr. Christopher Berger, who taught him AP Physics senior year. Dr. Berger immersed the class in Socratic-style learning, which gave them (continued on page 30)

Dan O'Keefe Natural Expressions

Rowan Matorin – Case Western Reserve University Freeman Photography

Camilla Wood – Washington and Lee University

Josh Cander – University of Texas at Austin

Billy Theroux – Angelina Junior College

Luke Edgecomb – Northern Arizona University

Luke Visintine – University of Texas at Austin

John Burnett – University of Richmond WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 29

Rachel Hudgins

Sam Peters – University of Georgia

(continued from page 28) the responsibility to think

and learn the way they will in college. His favorite moment from high school was getting into college, particularly his first choice, UT. His dream job is something challenging, rewarding, and lucrative.

Billy Theroux – St Paul’s Catholic School (New Jersey), Pershing Middle School, St. Thomas High School Billy Theroux will be playing baseball at Angelina Junior College and majoring in business management. He would tell his kindergarten self to always chase your dreams, and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. His St. Thomas theology teacher, Mr. Danny Hernandez, changed his life by teaching him how to be a man of faith and grow as a person through his spiritual foundation. His favorite moment from high school was hitting a go ahead double during the state semifinal baseball game his junior year. The TikTok Rizz Party will always remind him of high school. His dream job is to be a professional baseball player.

Luke Edgecomb – West University Elementary School, Presbyterian School, St. Thomas High School Luke Edgecomb will be playing football at Northern Arizona University, and majoring in business marketing. He would tell his kindergarten self: Don't give up on your dreams, and embrace the nap! The teacher who had the biggest impact on him was Ms. Kelsey Pedersen Atkinson, his 6th and seventh-grade English teacher. She was the first teacher who he felt treated him like an adult and took an interest in his life inside and outside of school. His favorite moments from high school were when his STH baseball and football teams made it to the state championship in 2023. Khaki pants and a collared shirt will always remind him of high school. His dream job would be to be a NFL player or coach.

Luke Visintine – West University Elementary School, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School, St. Thomas High School Luke Visintine will be going to the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in business. He would tell his kindergarten self to explore as many different interests as possible. Mr. Danny Hernandez from St. Thomas High School changed his life by leading a service trip to LA where Luke visited Skid Row and helped the homeless. His favorite part of high school was his freshman year, because it was online learning. One thing that will always remind him of high school is getting Fridays off in April. His dream job is starting a successful business.

John Burnett – West University Elementary School, St. John’s School John Burnett is off to the University of Richmond with a major in business and leadership. If he could give his kindergarten self one WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 30

piece of advice, it would be to enjoy the little moments. Ms. Johnson West, his sophomore History teacher, helped him to realize his strengths and weaknesses, and work to improve on both. His favorite high school memory was his senior trip to the Bahamas. The song “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson will always remind him of high school. His dream job is something that brings together his enjoyment of the outdoors and his love of numbers.

Max Brenckmann – West University Elementary School, St. John's School Max Brenckmann is heading to the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Plan II Honors and economics. He was most impacted by Ms. Abbey Jackson Mills, his fourth-grade English teacher, who opened him up to how expansive the English language is and how much fun it can be beyond just reading books. If he could give his kindergarten self advice, he would say to be confident, and not be afraid to ask others for help. His favorite moment from high school was spending time with friends, and his dream job would be as a professional sports owner/general manager.

Naina Pai – West University Elementary School, T.H. Rogers School, St. John’s School Naina Pai is heading to the University of Richmond, majoring in philosophy, politics, economics, and law (PPEL). If she could give her kindergarten self one piece of advice, it would be: “Don't keep a kind word to yourself. It is so important to tell others you appreciate them or stop strangers when you like their shoes. It doesn't take much to make someone's day. Be the friend you want to have.” Ms. Eleanor Cannon, her junior year history teacher, taught her the value of hard work and being confident in herself. She always looked forward to getting some wisdom and motivation when she swung by her room.

The most important lesson she taught Naina was to be unafraid to make your community a better place. Her favorite moment from high school was giving a chapel talk to the Upper School about finding joy in life's small moments. Some of her favorite smaller moments include concerts with friends, sunset field hockey practices, and dinner with her family. Her dream job would be to serve as an advocate for human-rights policy while working as a lawyer. Eventually, she would like to open up a small cafe with good coffee and good music. She remembers reading this article in elementary school, and felt a bit emotional submitting her own pictures.

Simone Plante – Poe Elementary School, Lanier Middle School, Carnegie Vanguard High School Simone Plante is heading to either Texas A&M University or Southwestern University, majoring in biology, on the pre-vet track. If he could give his kindergarten self one piece of advice, it would be to listen to his mom. He says

she helped him learn a lot about how to prepare for tests. Ms. Josephine Lee changed his life by helping him through his first year at Carnegie, which was the hardest. His favorite part of high school was being on the baseball team his senior year. His dream job is to be a veterinarian.

Jackson Ranucci – West University Elementary School, Presbyterian School, Episcopal High School Jackson Ranucci is going to Rice University, where he will double-major in sports management and engineering. If he could give his kindergarten self one piece of advice, it would be: “Push through it. The only opinion of yourself that matters is your own. Be yourself!” His senior year English teacher Mr. Matt Fox was one of, if not the, favorite teacher he has had.

Through his class, he gained a new perspective on viewing life and interacting with people; it has made him care more about making strong connections. Some of his favorite moments from high school are: his first touchdown as an EHS Knight against their rival St. John’s in junior year of football, celebrating with teammates in the endzone, and his senior year spring break trip.

His dream job is being an NFL Receiver. He broke his ankle at the final practice before his senior season of football, but he says the experience ultimately deepened his faith and gave him the grit to return before the season ended.

Walker Dellinger – West University Elementary School, St. John's School Walker Dellinger is going to Amherst College, where he will be playing baseball and majoring in economics. If he could give his kindergarten self one piece of advice, it would be: “Make good friends. Some of my best friends today are the ones I have known since kindergarten and pre-school. We didn't all go to the same middle or high schools, but we have remained good friends over all these years.” Ms. Abby Jackson, his fourth-grade English teacher, taught him that you can work hard and learn a lot, but still manage to have fun. His favorite high school memories were spring break trips to Florida with the St. John's baseball team. His dream job is TBD. Ellie Veeningen – West University Elementary School, Veritas Christian Academy of Houston, Second Baptist School Ellie Veeningen is off to Texas A&M University, majoring in business honors and literature on the pre-law track. She would tell her kindergarten self to slow down and be a kid – she wishes she had savored the moment a bit more rather than rushing to the future and to adulthood. She says she has had the blessing of having several remarkable teachers, but one of the most impactful was her middle school principal Mr. Brad Sewell, who taught a small Rhetoric and Debate class. She is forever grateful for this class, which (continued on page 32)

Naina Pai – University of Richmond

Simone Plante – Texas A&M University or Southwestern University

Jackson Ranucci – Rice University Margaret Rotan Photography

Max Brenckmann – University of Texas at Austin

Ellie Veeningen – Texas A&M University

Holt Brickley – Texas A&M University

Chloe Brissett – Washington University in St. Louis WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 31

Demese Black

Walker Dellinger – Amherst College

(continued from page 30) gave her a love of public

speaking and the ability to express and think for herself. Her favorite moment from high school was going to London and Edinburgh during junior year on a school trip with Second Baptist.

She grew a lot closer with a group of senior girls, and had so much fun traveling around the countries with her friends. Things that will always remind her of high school include: Cabo Bob’s, the song "Fireball" by Pitbull, and Friday Night Football. Her dream job would be working as a business consultant for an international corporation or as a magazine editor.

Holt Brickley – Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School, St. Thomas High School Holt Brickley is headed to Texas A&M University, majoring in political science/international affairs on the pre-law track. If he could give his kindergarten self one piece of advice, it would be: “Obey your teachers – it will lead to less frustration on both sides.” He says that Mr. Daniel Hernandez is, by far, the best teacher he has ever had. Mr. Hernandez teaches Catholic Social Teaching, and each year, takes a group of students to LA to serve the homeless and indigent in very tough situations. Holt said he was lucky to be one of the students who went this year, and the experience broadened his perspective on how to effectively minister and support others. He says that a golf shirt, khaki pants with a belt, and Sperry loafers will always remind him of high school.

Chloe Brissett – The Kinkaid School Chloe Brissett is going to Washington University in St. Louis and majoring in finance. If she could give her kindergarten self any advice, she would say: “Be open to change.

That is the one thing that is certain – things change.” Chloe says that her sophomore English teacher, Ms. Kate Lambert, encouraged authenticity in her students and taught her personally to be confident and vulnerable in her written expression; this in turn it motivated her to be a bold writer. Her favorite high school moment was becoming captain of the tennis team, along with the good times and great laughs with her teammates on the court and during team dinners. One thing that will always remind her of high school is Kinkaid’s school colors, purple and gold – falcon forever.

Kathleen Lewis – St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School, Lamar High School Kathleen Lewis is headed to Texas A&M University and plans to major in education. She would tell her kindergarten self: don’t wish to grow up! Her AP World History teacher in sophomore year taught her what it means to be a teacher. He connected with kids on a personal level and made them all feel like they could trust him. She believes she succeeded in his class because he made it a safer space to be in. Her favorite moment from high school was joining WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 32

the school musical, “Mamma Mia,” her senior year. Pistachios will always remind her of high school; every day of junior year, she and her friends would eat them as a snack in Environmental Science. Her dream job is to have her own classroom and carry out her dreams of making kids fall in love with school rather than resenting it.

Jack Magnus – St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School, Strake Jesuit Jack Magnus will be playing baseball and studying mechanical engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. He would tell his kindergarten self to stick with golf, because otherwise you are going to have a wicked slice in your shot later on. Mr. Karl Kaiser, his AP Physics I teacher at Strake Jesuit, changed his life. He always brought a big smile to class and a midwestern Wisconsin accent. Mr. Kaiser was also his swim coach. He introduced Jack to the science of physics and is the main reason he wants to study engineering. He also made morning swim practice fun with a plethora of catchphrases; every time he wanted them to swim fast he would say, "Go red hot!" Jack’s favorite moment from high school was racing the cardboard boat he made for a physics project. His group had worked on the boat every weekend for almost three months, and he was terrified it would fall apart in the water. The boat was in fact water resistant and stable, so they were able to paddle fast and won the race. The mullet will always remind him of high school. Each year on the first Saturday of spring break he would get a mullet. It marked the beginning of district play for his spring high school baseball season, and always surprised everyone when they returned from spring break. His dream job would be to be a bullpen catcher for the Houston Astros; “I'd get to eat all the seeds and gum, watch games for free, and catch a bunch of famous pitchers, and even get my own jersey!”

Nina Lang – Mark Twain Elementary School, Trafton Academy, Episcopal High School Nina Lang is headed to the University of Denver to major in criminology. If she could give her kindergarten self one piece of advice, it would be: don’t worry about how many friends you have, but cherish the good ones. She says Ms. Carole Sonmor (Trafton; homeroom) taught her tough love and what it means to have a teacher really care about your success. Mr. Patrick Cone (Trafton; English) taught her how to write a good essay and develop a love for English. Mr. Eric Lerch (EHS; history) taught her how to have fun in class and that learning can be exciting. Ms. Jordan Butler (EHS; physics) showed her how to apply herself and take her knowledge to the next level. Ms. Courtney Lindloff (EHS; English) showed her how to share her opinion in class and offer her thoughts on a book. Her favorite moments from

high school were Coffee Houses: talent shows that Episcopal puts on each semester. Her dream job is to become a forensic scientist.

Jackson Lang – Mark Twain Elementary School, Trafton Academy, St. Thomas High School Jackson Lang is headed to Colorado State University, where he will major in environmental engineering. He would tell his kindergarten self: “Today, a boy at lunch will ask you to play ‘Bitey Monsters.’ Say no, or you will end up in the principal’s office.” He lives by his grandfather’s advice: "Don't do anything stupid,” and says, “It applies to literally everything.” He says his first-grade teacher Mr. Garren Rush taught him how to enjoy school and learning by making it fun, and helped him understand how to feel comfortable in the classroom. Ms. Carole Sonmor, his fifth-grade teacher at Trafton, taught him the importance of good manners. He says she was a tough-love teacher who showed him the importance of kindness and respect to others, and also how to write in cursive. His favorite moment from high school was the St. Thomas Father/Son Junior Retreat. Something that will always remind him of high school is football game after parties. His dream job is being the CEO of his own company – or a professional race car driver.

Miles Dominey – West University Elementary School, St. Mark's Episcopal School, St. Thomas High School Miles Dominey is headed to Auburn University to major in business. He would tell his kindergarten self to be happy; “There are so many fun things in life, and you have to remind yourself to look for them and stay happy.” He says Mr. Danny Hernandez at St. Thomas High School taught him so much about his faith and about who he is as a man. He really cares about his students and it shows. His favorite moment from high school was going to L.A. with his theology class on a mission trip, where they fed the homeless and met reformed gang members. He says it was special to serve with his friends, and they had a great time together during the trip. Cookies will always remind him of each month's ‘cookie breaks’ at STH. His dream job would be combining his love of golf with his interest in running a business.

Jeremy Weinstein-Sears – The Shlenker School, The Emery/Weiner School Jeremy Weinstein-Sears is off to Swarthmore College to major in peace and conflict studies and/or theater. If he could, he’d tell his kindergarten self to always be comfortable meeting new people and making friends. One teacher who changed his life was Ms. Jennifer BauerConley, his Emery/Weiner theater teacher and director. Not only has she been a mentor to him for over six years, but has also been a role model both in and outside rehearsals. She is an extraordinary director and chore- (continued on page 34)

Deana Clement Photography

Kathleen Lewis – Texas A&M University

Jack Magnus – Colorado School of Mines

Nina Lang – University of Denver

Jackson Lang – Colorado State University

Miles Dominey – Auburn University

Jeremy Weinstein-Sears – Swarthmore College

Charlotte Smith – University of Texas at Austin

Joseph Mutagaya – University of Alabama WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 33

(continued from page 32) ographer,

passionate teacher, and a kind, hardworking, loving person to all her students. He will always look up to her.

His favorite high school memory was when he studied aboard in Israel in an exchange program between Emery/Weiner and their sister school, The Leo Baeck Educational Center, in Haifa.

He says it was an amazing experience all around – from going to Israeli high school, to traveling around the city and making new friends. “When I Grow Up” from “Matilda the Musical” will always remind him of high school because he sang it at the beginning and end of his four years at Emery. He is not sure what he wants to be when he is older, but knows that, whatever he pursues, he wants to be of help to as many people as he can.

Charlotte Smith – West University Elementary School, Trafton Academy, Bellaire High School Charlotte Smith is headed to the University of Texas at Austin to major in education. She’d tell her kindergarten self to make as many friends as she can. Her most impactful teacher was Ms. Amy Gillespie, her sixth-grade teacher at Trafton, who was a friendly and welcoming presence at the start of middle school. Charlotte looked forward to her class every day because she made the material interesting and encouraged everyone to participate. Her favorite high school moment was being a part of Mr. Bellaire, the senior pageant/talent show. She says all 18 contestants and escorts got really close as they practiced each week for the performance. Stanley tumblers will always remind her of high school.

Her dream job would be to be a National Geographic Photographer.

Joseph Mutagaya – Roberts Elementary School, Lanier Middle School, Carnegie Vanguard High School Joseph Mutagaya is heading to the University of Alabama where he will major in business on a pre-law track. He’d tell his kindergarten self, “Time slips by like sand through your fingers, savor every little moment, (and stop talking while the teacher is talking).” He says his English teacher in sophomore year, Ms. Josephine Lee, gave her students room to be themselves and treated them with respect. Ms. Lee’s engaging lessons fueled his passion for writing, and she also encouraged him to sign up for the school newspaper, The Upstream News. He says the song "Young Folks" by Peter Bjorn and John, and a jalapeno cheese and sausage kolache from Christy's will always bring him back to those early morning commutes to school. His favorite memory from high school was going up to the lake with his best friends during spring break. His dream job is to be a corporate lawyer.

Riley Tackett – West University Elementary School, Pin Oak Middle School, Second Baptist School WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 34

Riley Tackett is headed to the University of Tennessee to major in political science and prelaw. She would tell her kindergarten self to keep smiling; it makes everyone around you feel better. She says her Honors Chemistry teacher Ms. Heather Aleman was amazing at teaching the course curriculum, but was also a teacher she could confide in during difficult times in high school. Riley will never forget her guidance and advice. Her favorite moment from high school was defeating the junior class in both Volleyball and Flag Football powderpuff games senior year.

She’ll always be reminded of high school when she puts on sneakers with a formal dress. She has always dreamed of being a corporate lawyer.

Josh Burrell – Condit Elementary School, Pershing Middle School, Bellaire High School, St. Thomas High School Josh Burrell is headed to Texas A&M University to major in business finance. He’d tell his kindergarten self, “Slow down and don’t try to grow up too fast. Enjoy each grade and phase.” He says Dr. Michael Weiger at St. Thomas High School helped him find his love for science by believing that he would be good at chemistry. His favorite moment in high school was winning first team all-district in football as a sophomore, and Friday night lights football games will always remind him of high school. His dream job is to become an investment analyst.

Zachary Jones – Lovett Elementary School, Pershing Middle School, Strake Jesuit Zachary Jones is heading to the University of Notre Dame to study applied math. His favorite memories from high school were eating Whataburger with friends after football games.

Mr. Stephen Cobb at Lovett Elementary changed his life by teaching him to play the viola. He has really enjoyed his time in orchestra, and credits Mr. Cobb with getting him to join. His dream job would be being a play-byplay commentator for the Houston Astros. One thing that will always remind him of high school is playing water polo. If he could give his kindergarten self one piece of advice, it would be: Don't be afraid to try new things and meet new people.

Audrey Finch – Home School, Veritas Christian Academy of Houston, Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School Audrey Finch is going to Texas A&M University’s Mays School of Business to study finance. She’d tell her kindergarten self to slow down and enjoy people and moments, because that’s what makes good memories (not just trying to get everything done). She says her senior-year teacher Ms. Erin Gray is one of the most remarkable teachers she’s had, because she cares about all her students and wants them to succeed; she does more than what a normal teacher would, and it makes a difference, Audrey says.

Her favorite moment from high school was playing Jane in “Pride and Prejudice,” because she made so many good friends who she wouldn’t have otherwise met. Her dream job is to become a lawyer that helps children. The sound of bagpipes will always remind her of high school.

Sofia A. Trant – Assumption Catholic School, St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, St Pius X High School Sofia A. Trant is going to the University of Texas at San Antonio to study mathematics for teaching. If she could give her kindergarten self one piece of advice, it would be, “It’s okay to be scared of what’s to come; believe in your abilities and someone is always there with you.” She says Ms. Grabille Sanchez, her fourth-grade teacher, showed her what a great teacher is supposed to do: teach the next generation. Mr. Chris Schisser, her first-grade computer teacher, inspired and changed her life by continuously being there and supporting her as a student. Her favorite part of high school was being the manager of the boys’ basketball team for two years.

Mario Kart will always remind her of high school. Her dream job is being a secondary education teacher.

Paige Gabrielle Massey – Weatherstone Elementary School (Cary, North Carolina), Pace Academy (Atlanta, Georgia), iUniversity Prep Paige Gabrielle Massey is off to George Mason University to study international security and law, with a focus in homeland security.

She is so excited to fulfill her dream of playing Division I Women’s Tennis at George Mason University. Her dream job is to be a lawyer and work for the CIA, or maybe even play the ProCircuit of Women's Tennis. She would tell her kindergarten self: “Take a deep breath, be nimble, and don’t fight the plan for your life.” She has lived in three different states: NC, GA, and now TX. She says it wasn’t easy, but the journey has been amazing. The teacher who changed her life was her sophomore Honors Algebra II teacher Mr. Jason Smith, who challenged her to think differently, make no excuses, and apply herself fully in the classroom. Her favorite part of high school was getting to spend half the year training for tennis in Florida full-time while also learning remotely, and learning independence and preparation for college. One thing that will always remind her of high school is trying to guess what people looked like under their masks.

Sydney Gibson – St. Theresa Catholic School, Leon Sablatura Middle School, Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Sydney Gibson is heading to the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music for vocal performance. She says that Ms. Virginia Blasczyk, her seventh-grade choir teacher, changed her life by introducing her to (continued on page 36)

Freeman Photography

Josh Burrell – Texas A&M University

Zachary Jones – University of Notre Dame

Audrey Finch – Texas A&M University

Sofia A. Trant – University of Texas at San Antonio

Paige Gabrielle Massey – George Mason University

Sydney Gibson – University of Miami

Jasmine Yu-Ming Lin – University of North Carolina School of the Arts WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 35

Natural Expressions

Riley Tackett – University of Tennessee

(continued from page 34) classical music. She’d tell

her kindergarten self that no one is perfect. Her favorite moment from high school was singing with the Houston Grand Opera Bauer Family High School Voice Studio. The song “Bad Habit” by Steve Lacy will always remind her of high school. Her dream job would be performing on Broadway and at The Met Opera.

Jasmine Yu-Ming Lin – Parker Elementary, Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Jasmine Yu-Ming Lin is headed to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting.

She would tell her kindergarten self, “Time is precious, so choose wisely who and what you put your time into. Spend time with people who fill your cup and make you laugh out loud.” Jasmine had a lot of difficulty catching up on US History after moving back from overseas. But when she took AP US history her junior year, Ms. Jennifer Lankau Chase’s passion for the course and support led Jasmine to ace the class, and then sign up to take AP European History with her. One of Jasmine’s favorite moments from high school was working on her junior year production of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” with some of her closest friends. The beautiful art they created onstage in the Forest of Arden will always hold a special place in her heart. The phrase, “Make it a great day or not, the choice is always yours,” which was said on the morning announcements each day, will always remind her of high school.

She says it’s ingrained in her mind since she heard it so many times, but she also believes it was a reason she enjoyed so many “great days” throughout high school. Her dream job is to be an actor in New York City and work on plays by diverse playwrights about present-day issues.

Sarah Hew – T.H. Rogers School, Lamar High School Sarah Hew is heading to the University of Texas at Austin and majoring in nursing. She hopes to become a pediatric special needs nurse, and help children feel comfortable in medical situations. If she could give her kindergarten self any advice, it would be: “Invest in land! Maybe with some water!” Her fifth-grade teacher at T.H. Rogers, Ms. Mason, taught her to "use the test to take the test" which she still uses on every test that she takes. Her favorite part of high school was being involved in Best Buddies, where she met people of all special abilities, and bonding with her buddy Emily, who she visited during lunch and spent time with outside of school. Something that will always remind her of high school is Friday night football games.

Tyler Shen – River Oaks Elementary School, Lanier Middle School, Lamar High School Tyler Shen is off to Columbia University to study economics and business. If he could give WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 36

his kindergarten self a piece of advice, it would be: Enjoy everything that happens outside the classroom; grades aren't the only thing that matter. A teacher who changed his life was Ms. Aleta Cole, his orchestra teacher at Lanier Middle School, who he had for beginner and symphony orchestra. She taught him to try new things and opened his eyes to music. She was very kind and open-minded despite his humble beginnings as a new viola musician. His favorite moment from high school was his summer in NYC at the Columbia Pre-College program.

Something that will always remind him of high school is the song “Aruarian Dance” by Nujabes.

His dream job is to be an entrepreneur.

Danielle Earles – River Oaks Baptist School, Houston Christian High School Danielle Earles is heading to Xavier University of Louisiana, majoring in chemistry on the pre-med track. She would tell her kindergarten self to cherish every moment in every phase of life. A teacher who changed her life is Ms. Pam McLendon (or Ms. PMac for short).

She was her junior year psychology teacher.

Danielle says she cares for all of her students like they are her own children; “Whenever you see her, she is always smiling or laughing. You can come to her with any problem and she will bring you comfort. I enjoyed seeing her in the halls and saying hello whenever I passed her room.

She changed my life by showing me how much passion I could have for my career. She also showed me how to make a difference in other's lives daily, just by being yourself.” Her favorite high school memory was taking a trip to Galveston with her friend group. Her dream job is to be a dermatologist.

Ashwin Rao – The Village School Ashwin Rao is heading to Rice University with a major in computer science. He hopes to become a computer engineer. He’d tell his kindergarten self to have broad interests, and to not be afraid to try new things. He says Dr. Chad Huffman in fifth grade had a huge impact on his life because he introduced him to robotics and led him to join the middle school robotics team. His favorite moment in high school was scoring a point at Swim Regionals as a senior; he has never swam before, so it was very fulfilling to do well.

Alexis Shoss – The Shlenker School, The Emery/Weiner School Alexis Shoss is off to the University of Denver, majoring in psychology. She would tell her kindergarten self to not worry because everything turns out okay. She would also tell her that thunderstorms aren't actually as scary as you think they are. From her middle to high school years at Emery/Weiner, Mr. Scott Labrie changed her life through his dedication to his students, always being able to give advice and listen, and caring for everyone around him.

Although she never had him as a teacher, she

got to know him throughout the years. Her favorite moments were going on school trips with her grade. She also loved celebrating with her friends when they got into colleges, and reflecting on their high school experiences together. One thing that will always remind her of high school is the khaki skirts she had to wear every day to school. She plans to become either a psychologist or a therapist.

Bret Kilchrist – Trinity Lutheran, Houston Christian High School Bret Kilchrist is going to Southwestern University, majoring in sports management/business. His dream job is to be a sports agent. If he could give his kindergarten self a piece of advice, it would be: “Don’t procrastinate, and always follow your dreams.” Ms. Sandy Hampton changed his life by instilling discipline and pushing him to work hard in prealgebra. His favorite high school memory was his state game senior year.

Karlianna Kapche – Edna Mae Fielder Elementary, Beckendorff Junior High School, Houston Christian High School Karlianna Kapche will be going to Rice University, studying bioengineering and visual arts. She would tell her kindergarten self: Believe in yourself, keep working hard, and take every opportunity that comes your way, big or small, as a chance to grow. Ms. Jenna LaFlamme from Houston Christian encouraged her to believe in herself and to “not let people who buy cheap seats in your life have an expensive opinion.” Her favorite moment from high school was making it to the volleyball state championship after working hard for years and developing a team and community. The Stanley cups will always remind her of high school, because almost every girl at school has one. Her dream job is to save lives with advancements in health technology as a biomedical engineer, while painting as a side hobby. She would donate her paintings to hospitals.

Anthony Saragusa III – St. Michael Catholic School, Episcopal High School Anthony Saragusa III is headed to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he has committed to play football and plans to major in finance. He would tell his kindergarten self to keep his faith a priority, and to not let the opinions of others bring him down. He says his Spanish teacher Mr. Alex Bruton, created a good balance of fun and discipline when needed. Mr. Bruton’s teaching style and respect for others amazed him, along with his kind gestures in the halls. His favorite high school memory was his senior spring break in the Bahamas. His dream job would be in the NFL or on Wall Street.

Catherine Moseley – The Kinkaid School Catherine Moseley is heading to the University of Southern (continued on page 38)

Dylan Aguilar

Tyler Shen – Columbia University

Danielle Earles – Xavier University of Louisiana

Ashwin Rao – Rice University Jessica LaViage

Sarah Hew – University of Texas at Austin

Bret Kilchrist – Southwestern University

Karlianna Kapche – Rice University

Anthony Saragusa III – University of North Carolina at Charlotte WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 37

Legacy Studios

Alexis Shoss – University of Denver

(continued from page 36) California, majoring in

theater and international relations on a pre-law track. If she could give her kindergarten self one piece of advice, it would be: Start paying attention in class now because school won't get any easier. The teacher who changed her life was Mr. Charles Harrison, her current choir director at Kinkaid, who helped restore her confidence onstage. Mr. Harrison's steadfast encouragement and support has meant the world to her and she will be forever grateful to him for believing in her and for helping her believe in herself. Her favorite moment from high school was sitting by the bayou at the Kinkaid Backyard with her best friend Onyi during freshman year. Something that will always remind her of high school is Golden Goose sneakers. Her dream job is to be a defense attorney.

Danielle Lavine – The Post Oak School, School of The Woods, St. Francis Episcopal School Danielle Lavine is heading to Florida Southern College to major in psychology and business administration. Mr. Mark Kelly, her senior English teacher and the head of school for St. Francis Episcopal, changed her perspective on school. She says she came into his class terrified and still unable to talk to many people, but thanks to him, she became an active school student: president of the choir department, vicepresident of two clubs, and an active member of two others. She dreams of being a child psychologist, and having her own business and practice.

If she could, she would tell her younger self to not give up. She enjoyed coming to school an hour early to learn how to sing better and crochet from her music teacher and Crochet Club sponsor Ms. Clarke. She will always remember senior sunrise, when seniors come in early to school at the beginning of the year to watch the sunrise. She says that whenever she sees the sun rise now, she thinks of her class, school, and all the memories they have made together; it’s a core memory she will never forget.

Mia Cheryl Thurmond – Hazel S. Pattison Elementary School, McMeans Junior High, British International School of Houston Mia Cheryl Thurmond is heading to the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she will be studying sequential arts. If she could give her kindergarten self one piece of advice, it would be, “Just because you struggle with certain aspects of education doesn’t mean you can’t do great things!” Her fourth-grade teacher Ms. Riley Anderson taught her what dysgraphia was and helped her through the struggle of writing.

Were it not for Ms. Anderson, Mia says there is a strong chance that she would never have been diagnosed. Mia now has accommodations to help her write, and cannot thank Ms. Riley enough. Mr. Jason Martin (sixth/seventh grade, social studies) understood her neurological struggles and helped her deal with her anxiety.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 38

She says he was definitely the best teacher she has ever had. Every year, the juniors at her school have the opportunity to go to Tanzania, to not only learn about the culture and wildlife, but to also help families in need. It was a oncein-a-lifetime experience to go with classmates to a foreign country, enjoy the culture, and communicate with locals. One thing that will always remind her of high school is Among Us. She hopes to be a comic artist and one day have her own comic series. She has many stories to share, both personal and made-up, and hopes that one day she can make others happy through her works and stories.

Joseph DeLongchamps – Bunker Hill Elementary School, Memorial Middle School, Houston Christian High School Joseph DeLongchamps is going to Belmont University and majoring in music business. His high school choir director Mr. Ken Sink helped him find a love for choral music and vocal performance, and is also a friend who he can talk to about anything. “Les Misérables” closing night was his favorite high school moment. He felt it was their best performance and that everything he had worked for had been accomplished. The song “Out of Tune” by The Backseat Lovers will always remind him of high school because it is a song that was introduced to him by his best friends. He and his music partner Michael Deis are a duo called The Magnolia Brothers and both headed to Belmont University in Nashville this fall. His dream job is to be a musician, because he loves performing and sharing his music. If he could, he’d tell his kindergarten self, “Stay true to yourself and your beliefs.”

Kate Mueller – Veritas Christian Academy of Houston, Houston Christian High School Kate Mueller is off to Texas A&M University to study business, specifically marketing. If she could give her kindergarten self advice, she would say to not spend time worrying about what others think of her. The teacher who changed her life was Ms. Allicia Tillman, her English teacher for fifth and sixth grade. She was a great teacher and volleyball coach, but also a great encourager, and made her realize her full potential. Pep rallies will always remind her of high school. Her favorite high school memory was senior dog day when she got to bring her dog Ginger to school for the day to attend all her classes. Her dream job is to own a business.

Daniel Alberto Martinez II – The American International School of Bucharest (Romania), The Regis School of the Sacred Heart, Strake Jesuit Daniel Alberto Martinez II is heading to Rice University, where he will major in mechanical engineering and finance. He’d tell his kindergarten self one to not care what other people think about you. Daniel says that his favorite

teacher was Mr. Eike Gerhard, his third-grade math teacher at the American International School of Bucharest. Mr. Gerhard fostered Daniel’s passion for math by making learning math fun. His favorite moments from high school were the times that he has spent with his friends. He says that after high school, he will never forget to wear a belt. His dream job is to be a Formula One lead engineer.

Gray Young – Briarmeadow Charter School, St. Francis Episcopal School Gray Young is headed to the University of Texas at Austin to study journalism. She would tell kindergarten Gray to never try to just get through the day; she wants her to appreciate every minute of it. A teacher who changed her life was Mr. Justin Doran, who has been her theater teacher throughout high school. Every day he inspires her with his outgoing, inviting personality and how he notices and appreciates every student; “Everyone needs a Mr. Doran in their life.” She wrote a story the summer before her sophomore year called “Epic Monster Zombie Detention Disaster,” and called it EMZDD for short. She was so proud of her work that her friend put the letters on a sweatshirt for her that she wore all the time. She read it to everyone she could and it’s part of the reason she wants to be a writer. The story will always symbolize the teenager-ness and dumb decisions of high school which she loves so much. Her dream is to write the books she wanted to read growing up, and to see herself in Barnes & Noble. She loves to read and so many times has searched for a specific plot that she couldn't find anywhere. Her goal is to write the craziest, funniest, and most interesting stories she can.

Addison Claridge – Lovett Elementary, Pin Oak Middle School, Carnegie Vanguard High School Addison Claridge is off to Miami University of Ohio to study architecture. She says there are many favorite moments from high school to choose from, but most of all, she loved the Friday nights she and her friends drove to each other’s houses to just hang out or talk about school.

She’d tell her kindergarten self to lean into the subjects she enjoys; passion is motivation. She says she appreciated Ms. Jane Schulz, her AP World History and AP European History teacher, who had a way of teaching that did not make textbook reading and notetaking boring.

When they started AP review at the end of the year, she felt like she knew everything without extra studying. Listening to Noah Kahan songs will always remind her of high school, because his songs are played in her car every day. She hopes to become an architect, and design homes and residual places for people in her community to help them reach their own goals.

MORE ONLINE See thebuzzmagazines.com for more graduating seniors.

Linn Images

Margaret Rotan

Danielle Lavine – Florida Southern College

Mia Cheryl Thurmond – Savannah College of Art and Design

Joseph DeLongchamps – Belmont University

Kate Mueller – Texas A&M University

Daniel Alberto Martinez II – Rice University

Gray Young – University of Texas at Austin

Addison Claridge – Miami University of Ohio WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 39

Tanya Radoff

Catherine Moseley – University of Southern California

KIDS

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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz Baby

A Grandfather’s Name

Buzz Baby is a column about life with little ones.

Writer Annie McQueen is a mother of four children under the age of 9.

A

s Father’s Day approaches, families are preparing to honor the special men in their lives, from dads to grandfathers and all the father figures in between.

In many families, the name grandchildren call their grandfather is more than just a title – it is a bond between a grandfather and his grandchildren. Whether it is traditional like "Granddad" or "Papa," or a playful nickname tailored to fit their unique personality or family lineage, there is no one like a grandfather.

For one family, a grandfather of five earned his name when his oldest grandchild, Reese Painter, was a baby learning how to sound out words. She was learning to talk, attempting to call her grandfather by his name.

Reese’s mom, Blair Painter, reflected on those humorous memories of the early days when her dad took on the unplanned-yet-perfect name that would stick around forever.

When Blair's father, Mark McClellan, became a grandfather for the first time, he decided on his chosen grandfather-name. He decided he preferred a more traditional title and announced to the family he would like to be called "Grandfather."

“My dad was always traditional. He always wore a bow tie,” said mom, Blair. “I called my grandfather, his dad, ‘Grandfather,’ and when my dad became a grandfather, he wanted to follow in those footsteps.”

Reese came along and instantly became the center of the family’s life. She was the first of the five grandchildren in the family.

However, as fate would have it, as Reese kept trying to talk, she could not yet say “Grandfather.” Suddenly, one day out of the blue, she started saying Podder instead. It instantly stuck.

“So, my dad became known as 'Podder'," Blair said. “It just became his name, and he is such a Podder.”

Podder, and his late wife, Anne, are also grandparents to Reese’s siblings, Bridget and WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 40

Reilly, and cousins, Nolan and Camille (who also call him Podder). Mark, or rather “Podder,” embraced his newfound title with pride. “What a grandchild chooses to name a grandparent is so much more meaningful than what the grandparent may have suggested,” Mark said.

In the Painter household, family traditions run deep. Mark, a skilled craftsman, NAMING A GRANDPARENT When Reese Painter was a toddler, she started to has left his mark say ‘Podder’ for ‘Grandfather.’ The name stuck, and her grandfather, Mark McClellan, became Podder to his now five grandchildren. Reese’s late grandmother and Mark’s on each generation wife, Anne, went by ‘Annie’ to her grandchildren. by crafting hand“Grambo.” “My mom emailed her lifelong friend made treasures. They are all crafted with the to say I was pregnant,” said Sarah Bailey, love of a grandfather, or a Podder, comparable Timbo’s daughter. “She replied, ‘tell Grambo to no one else in their lives. congrats!’ and that was it, no discussion was From the baby cradle where each grandchild needed [on the name].” took their first sleep as babies to handcrafted Grambo fits him like a glove and has become bookshelves, trophy cases, and jewelry boxes, a big part of Timbo’s identity.

Mark’s special handiwork shows his love for his As Father's Day approaches, let us take a grandchildren. moment to celebrate the fathers and grandfathers And then there is the story of Annie, Blair's who have shaped our lives with their love, guidlate mother, and how she chose her grandmothance, and support. Whether they go by the name er’s name, which did stick. Anne eschewed traof "Grandad," "Podder," or something entirely difditional "geriatric" titles in favor of the affecferent and made up by their own grandkids, their tionate "Annie." Her grandkids affectionately grandfather’s name is a unique fit. called her Annie – Annie and Podder, a perfect So, here's to the dads and grandads and pair. Though she may no longer be with them, fatherly figures who teach their loved ones to her spirit lives on in the love and laughter ride bikes and tie shoes, who cheer from the shared as a mother and grandmother. sidelines and wipe away tears. Here’s to the It's not just the Painters who have unique titles fathers and grandfathers who share stories of for their patriarchs. Other families have cute days gone by and the wisdom gained through a names for their beloved granddads. Each title carlifetime of experiences. Here is to their special ries its own story and significance, which becomes grandfather’s name – may it always be etched in a great talking point over dinner or at gatherings. their grandkids’ hearts.

The five Brown grandchildren call their Happy Father’s Day. grandfather, whose nickname is Timbo,

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 41

ARTS

by Cindy Burnett, staff writer

Buzz Reads

Five picks for June

Buzz Reads is a column about books by reviewer Cindy Burnett. Each month, Cindy recommends five recently or soon-to-be released titles.

Anna Bright Is Hiding Something by Susie Orman Schnall (fiction) – In this timely and engaging book, Anna Bright is one of the only female entrepreneurs making a splash in the startup world. On the brink of filing with the SEC to take her company BrightLife public, all is not as it seems with the company’s cutting-edge product called BrightSpot. The ocular implant is supposed to contain a biosensor and computer chip that will revolutionize the biotech world, but the technology to support the implant is not complete – no matter how much Anna wants it to be. When journalist Jamie Roman learns about Anna’s malfeasance, she sets out to uncover the story and expose the truth. Schnall has written a compelling story that addresses the inequities women face in the business world and how the actions of one woman can reflect on all women, something men don’t usually have to contend with. I enjoyed Schnall’s glimpse into the startup world, her strong characters, and the engaging story line as well as the true-to-life ending.

How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley (fiction) – Clare Pooley has perfected the art of writing feel-good books with depth and lots of humor. Lydia’s new job as the director of the Senior Citizens’ Social Club is not what she expects it to be. She plans card games and puzzles for the members, but this group of seniors wants to do exciting activities like skydiving. When the city council proposes selling the local community center where the group meets, the Social Club and the parents of the daycare housed in the center join forces to fight back. Pooley crafts a tale filled with engaging characters, each with their own unique backstory, who come together to accomplish a goal while all sorts of hilarity ensues. I love the focus on older characters and intergenerational relationships. I highly recommend this one.

Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea (mystery/thriller) – In this compulsively readable thriller, Charlie Donlea focuses on the rippedfrom-the-headlines topic of forensic and investigative genealogy, which has recently been used to WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 42

Cindy Burnett

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solve cold cases.

Toggling back and forth between 1995 and 2024, the story follows Sloan Hastings, who submits her DNA to a genealogy website as part of her fellowship in forensic pathology. Sloan grew up knowing she was adopted, but she was surprised to learn that her DNA proved that she was the WHAT TO READ This month’s picks include a compelling story about a female missing “Baby entrepreneur’s forays into the biotech startup world, a thriller featuring a woman Charlotte,” whose whose DNA leads to an unexpected and mysterious discovery, a nonfiction book disappearance had uncovering the ways department stores shaped shopping and women’s employment, and two more fiction books — one is a hilarious rom-com and the other is a captivated the feel-good tale about a social club for senior citizens. nation in 1995.

by Julie Satow (nonfiction) – When Women Ran Donlea strikes the perfect balance between Fifth Avenue tells the stories of Hortense Odlum explaining the science and usage of forensic of Bonwit Teller, Dorothy Shaver of Lord & genealogy with a clever and captivating mystery Taylor and Geraldine Stutz of Henri Bendel. It and well-developed characters. Chapters frequentalso provides a brief history of department stores ly end on cliffhangers, which kept me turning the and how they changed the world of shopping and pages and wondering who was at fault and why. opened up employment opportunities for women.

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin (romAt a time when most working women were nurses com) - One-Star Romance combines romance, or teachers, the department store created a new humor, and reflections on life's complexities. career path for them in sales and business. This Right before Natalie Shapiro walks down the aisle glimpse into the department store phenomenon as her best friend’s maid of honor, she discovers and its impact on our culture and shopping habits that the best man has left her newly published is fascinating, especially in light of their slow book a one-star review on Goodreads, creating demise as online shopping popularizes. While this strife between the pair. Over time, the duo is is narrative nonfiction, it is a page-turner chock thrown together , and they slowly come to underfull of trade secrets, drama, and intriguing history. stand each other better. As various truths become I truly could not put it down. known, the pair realizes they may have more in common than they initially thought. Hankin’s Editor’s note: Southside Place resident Cindy heartwarming and hilarious storytelling ensures Burnett also writes our weekly Page Turners colthat this rom-com also touches on the importance umn at thebuzzmagazines.com. She hosts the of friendship, growing up, and what it means to be award-winning Thoughts from a Page Podcast, is human. The literary aspects of the book are an co-creator of the Houston literary event series appealing add for diehard readers, and this will Conversations from the Page, runs the Instagram make a great vacation read. account @thoughtsfromapage, and regularly speaks When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour to groups about books. and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion

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TRAVEL

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by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz

Itinerary Interrupted: When Travel Plans Go Awry

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solo sojourn to Puerto Rico and a mother-daughter Spring Break getaway to Mexico City were textbook examples of how even well-prepared travel can veer off course.

Both Jessica Cohen and the Freedsons faced life-threatening situations that tested their resilience and determination to continue embracing adventure. For Jessica Lee Freedson, who had navigated the world with 20-year-old Amara’s food allergies, Mexico City seemed like a safe bet. The last thing they imagined was that they would be standing in front of their Airbnb, fighting for Amara’s life.

And for Jessica Cohen, a civil engineer with an independent streak, a GPS error in a rental car left her lost without water in the jungle during a supposed 20-minute jaunt.

From Cultural Adventure to Anaphylactic Emergency Jessica Lee Freedson, who had traveled to Mexico City several times for work, was eager to see more with daughter Amara, who had never been.

“I wasn't really too nervous about it because I've traveled the world, with and without my family, and I've never had any major issues,” said Amara, whose worst allergic reaction occurred on a student trip to Thailand and Laos, and she was able to manage it with Benadryl. Amara packed an EpiPen and allergy cards for good measure, and both she and her mom knew the Spanish names of the problematic foods: tree nuts, eggs, fish, and shellfish.

The first couple of days were enchanting. The mother-daughter pair stayed in the trendy Condesa neighborhood, known for its colonial architecture, leafy parks, bohemian vibe, and block after block of high cuisine.

Amara and her mom explored the sculpturefilled Paseo de la Reforma and Chapultepec Park, a vast forest in the heart of the city, home to museums, walking trails and the city zoo, a must-see for animal-science-major Amara. A highlight was the axolotl exhibit; Amara has studied the endangered amphibian and has WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 44

raised several as pets.

Dinner was at a restaurant recommended by a Houston friend.

The Englishspeaking staff were professional and attentive, and promised to explain Amara’s allergies to the chef.

Jessica ordered a plate of duck enchiladas painted with black mole sauce and white AZTEC ADVENTURES Amara and Jessica Lee Freedson prepare to board a trajinera or gondola to explore the canals of Xochimilco during their mother-daughter trip crema, fitting for a to Mexico City. magazine cover; checked her vitals and told her hospitalization Amara had a simple risotto and palm salad. The was unnecessary. food was delicious. But before long, Amara knew EpiPens are not sold in pharmacies in Mexico something was wrong.

City, so they couldn’t get a replacement and had “We were still at the restaurant when she to cancel the anticipated trip to Teotihuacan, said, ‘I think we need to leave. I feel like I'm an ancient Mesoamerican city known for its pyrhaving a reaction,’” Jessica recalled. amids. But they cautiously enjoyed their remainThat was when the nightmare began. ing time.

Jessica called an Uber immediately and they They toured the famous Casa Azul, home of headed back to their apartment. Amara was the iconic artist Frida Kahlo, in the atmospherhaving difficulty breathing. Jessica called 911, ic borough of Coyoacán. There was a festive which responded with a police car with three canal cruise on a traditional, decorated trajinpolice officers. “They didn't have any first aid era, or gondola, in the neighborhood of training. They didn't know about anaphylaxXochimilco, where one can experience a tiny is. And we were begging for an ambulance,” vestige of pre-Hispanic Mexico City. And recalled Amara. Adding to the ordeal, none there was more of the city’s unforgettable gasof the officers spoke English. Amara and tronomy – but to take no chances, in the Four Jessica speak basic Spanish, but not enough to Seasons and Ritz-Carlton. manage a medical emergency. They did the Jessica said she would go back to Mexico City best they could using Google Translate. One in a heartbeat, but better prepared; Amara said police officer stayed with them while the she is not so sure, but she’s still set on seeing the other two went off in the police car to look world. Both wanted to put out a strong PSA: for an ambulance.

Wherever you go, don’t count on 911, and know Traffic was gridlocked in their neighborhood. where the hospital is and how to get there. Also, After about 15 minutes, they finally decided to always carry multiple backups of your medicause Amara’s only EpiPen – something she’d tion, and remember that wherever you are, peonever had to do. About 40 minutes after their ple make mistakes. first 911 call, a medic arrived on motorcycle,

AQUATIC WONDERS Left photo: Amara Freedson takes in the axolotl exhibit at the Chapultepec Zoo. Right photo: Jessica Cohen stops for a selfie at the exquisite beach of Mar Chiquita in Puerto Rico.

Stranded in the Jungle Jessica Cohen’s kids were going to New York for Spring Break, and she decided to spend that week taking a trip on her own. She found cheap tickets to Puerto Rico, which she said she knew virtually nothing about, aside from the devastating hurricane a couple of years ago. She joined a Facebook group called “Girls Love Travel,” and connected with enthusiastic travelers singing the island’s praises.

She wanted to immerse herself in the real Puerto Rico, the one the locals experience, rather than hewing to the beaten trail. Rather than making lots of plans, she decided to play it by ear. She would rent a car and drive clockwise around the island, exploring and making decisions about what she would do as she went. She invested in a cooler at the beginning of the trip and saved money by filling it with ice and buying food for the road at local grocery stores.

“I was trying to make this trip really organic,” she explained. “I wanted to let the story unfold in front of me.”

She arrived in the capital of San Juan on a Friday and began her trip with a visit to the Jewish Chabad Center for a special weekly service for displaced people and travelers. On Saturday, she volunteered at an animal shelter that she discovered on a Google Meetup group, and on Sunday she joined other volunteers on a dog walk along the beach. On Monday, she began her trip around the island.

Forty miles in a day would be a good goal, she reasoned, but she soon discovered that 40 miles in Puerto Rico is nothing like 40 miles in Houston; hills and valleys, sharp curves and eventually, torrential rains, were a wakeup call that she was far from home.

Things really took a turn when she decided to cut across the island, stopping in at a coffee plantation she’d heard about along the way.

Jessica put the location on her GPS, and it told her the destination was just 20 minutes from the main road.

She was identifying birds and enjoying the scenery when she noticed the road was getting narrower. “Oh well, this plantation has to be deep in the rainforest,” she thought. But not long after that thought, she hit the bottom of a deep ravine and found herself stuck in red mud.

“I felt like such an idiot,” she said. She stepped out of her car and into the mud, and when she pulled her foot out, there was no shoe.

She grabbed her flip flops, a bottle of water, and her phone and hiked an hour up the mountain to the closest house.

“The woman didn’t speak English, and she was not having any of it,” said Jessica. “I get it – a crazy red-faced American, mud everywhere – she would not help me.”

Her phone battery was about to run out, and there was zero signal. She knew if she stood next to a light pole she’d have a better signal, and she remembered the name of the town she had last driven through: Lares. She found a Lares towing service 45 minutes away and miraculously, she got through to a driver, Edwin, who spoke perfect English. She sent him her location on Apple Maps.

“No problem, we’ll come tow you out,” he said. But two hours later, with the heat rising and her water almost gone, he still hadn’t found her.

“Those two hours, to be honest I'm not a religious person, but I started praying,” she recalled.

“I thought, ‘I'm going to die on this mountain.’”

But her prayers were answered; after Jessica

resent her location using Google Maps, Edwin finally appeared. He couldn’t get the tow truck down the mountain, but with a long tow cable he was able to pull the mud-caked car to safety.

Jessica’s time on the island included ups and downs, but, she said, everything bad led to something good.

There was the time when she signed up for a “Rainforest Experience” tour on the Airbnb platform, but arrived to find it was just a guy at his house who seemed to have just woken up – and she was the only tourist. She quickly backtracked, canceled the tour and signed up instead for a snorkeling expedition to Culebra Island, where she swam amongst huge corals, sea turtles, and colorful fish. The expedition ended on Flamenco Beach, home to a fleet of abandoned US Army tanks from World War II, now covered in colorful graffiti.

The popular surfer destination of Rincón was another stop, but she found so much traffic it felt like Southern California, and she found her supposedly seaside Airbnb on a ridge far above the beach. Once again, she canceled and found another place in the city of Ponce – where she spent the night and sought the advice of locals, instead of relying on Trip Advisor or Viator.

Locals told her about La Parguera, a charming fishing village with snorkeling tours in a glassbottomed boat where she saw octopus, sea urchins and more corals. That night was unforgettable as she swam in the bioluminescent bay, where the water is filled with plankton that light up when they sense movement.

“It’s all dark but you’ve got the light of the moon, and you look like Tinkerbell as you’re moving your hands,” Jessica said. “You’ve got this glowy, glittery fluorescent cloud behind your hand, and as you’re (continued on page 46) WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 45

ISLAND TOUR Left photo: Jessica Cohen ditched the guide and did a rainforest hike on her own. Right photo: The "daily dashboard flower" became a part of Jessica Cohen's routine. In this case, an orchid tree and coral vine. (continued from page 45) swimming, you’re leaving

a trail of fluorescent bubbles.”

Through the ups and down, some lessons stand out: listen to your instincts; she’d had a

feeling right before she hit the bottom of the ravine but disregarded it. Don’t count on GPS alone; talk to locals, study the map and the terrain before going into the backcountry. And

most importantly, keep your wits about you.

Remembering the name of the nearest town enabled Jessica to find Edwin, who may well have saved her life.

Tips for Travelers Jessica Cohen on Puerto Rico Worth the splurge: Cocktails on any rooftop in Old San Juan. Highly recommended: Bar Catedral Rooftop Don’t miss: Culebra Island (take a tour, also Flamenco Island and Tamarindo Beach) Favorite restaurants: Any roadside shack along “la Ruta del Lechón” (or the Pork Highway) Roasted pork, pork belly, rice, lentils and plantain.

Currency exchange: US dollars Don’t bring: Fancy shoes. Good walking shoes, beach sandals, flip flops and water shoes are the best footwear.

Don’t forget: SPF 50 sunscreen and a waterproof pouch for your phone to snap underwater pics.

Local favorite: Playa Mar Chiquita. This little-known lagoon is a circular beach with a natural breakwater and inlet to the ocean.

Frequented mainly by locals, it has safe swimming (no riptides) and lots of local food trucks. It’s family-friendly and super gorgeous.

Safety tip: Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Not really worth the trouble: Barrachina Restaurant, the birthplace of the Piña Colada. The lines and crowds are crazy!

Unexpected hit: Exploring the rainforest on my own – trails through canopied forests, studying the plants and animals on my own timeline, discovering hidden waterfalls, all without having to be herded around on an organized tour.

Jessica Lee Freedson on Mexico City Worth the splurge: Cocktails at the Fifty Mils bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City – Fairy Tale Classics like the Little Red Riding Hood Don’t miss: The zoo is first class and free. Also, the Museo Frida Kahlo – buy tickets at least a month in advance or go through a tour company. We couldn’t get tickets so booked a tour through Viator that included tickets. We had a wonderful day and saw many things we wouldn’t have known to look for – including the murals of National Autonomous University of Mexico and the boat tour at Xochimilco.

Favorite restaurants: La Casa de Toño in Plaza Juárez, Cuauhtémoc – tasty, cheap and all locals Currency exchange: We used a debit card to withdraw money and a credit card. Make sure your bank knows in advance that you’re traveling abroad.

Don’t bring: Fine jewelry Do bring: Backups for medications What to avoid: Many hotels and Airbnb apartments do not have air conditioning or only have it in one room. Read the descriptions carefully. It gets hot.

Local favorite: Wandering the Coyoacán neighborhood and Chapultepec Park Safety tip: Have a medical emergency plan – know which hospital you would want to go to and how you would get there. Do not assume you can get an ambulance (there simply are not enough in Mexico City for the population) or that anyone will speak English (including 911 operators and police).

Unexpected expense: Just got our credit card bill and realized a restaurant had charged us $135 for lunch. I plan to dispute, but I might not have been thorough in reviewing the bill and converting it to dollars.

Unexpected hit: We had lunch on the 38th Floor of the Ritz Carlton and the views were spectacular. Also, we went to the concierge, and he helped us try to find EpiPens without asking if we stayed in the hotel.

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WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 47

SPORTS

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by Todd Freed, staff writer

SportzBuzz T

he St. Thomas Eagles captured the TAPPS 6A Boys State Track & Field Championship for the fourth time in the last nine years with a decisive 39-point margin over second place Prestonwood Christian Academy. “I was really proud of our athletes and coaches,” said Eagles head track and field coach Nathan Labus.

“There was a lot of rain and lightning delays to deal with and yet our guys maintained their focus.”

The Eagles were paced by several big performances including that of Edward Bocock who scored the most points individually and was named the Athlete of the Meet. Bocock won gold medals in both the triple jump and the 110-meter hurdles and finished fourth in the long jump. He also ran one of the fastest legs on the Eagles’ 1600-meter relay team, which won third place.

If all that weren’t enough, Bocock also finished fifth in the 300-meter hurdles despite falling down while leading the race. “Edward was projected to win the 300-meter hurdles, and while he was disappointed not to get the gold, for him to get up and finish the race and still score points just illustrates his talent,” said Labus.

The Eagles also scored big points in the field events with senior Larry Benton finishing first in the shot put and second in the discus throw, while fellow senior Tyler Day won the gold medal in the discus throw. In addition, Benton and Day also ran on the Eagles second place 800-meter relay team.

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t was a simply dominant showing for St. Agnes Academy, which won the TAPPS 6A Girls State Track and Field Championship. The Tigers outscored second place Plano John Paul II by a 74-point margin to secure the title. The victory also marked the school’s eighth consecutive state track and field championship.

“Just a total team effort across the board,” said Tigers head track and field coach Chris Warren. “We had standouts in virtually every event.” The Tigers standouts included sophomore Michaela Grimes, who won gold in the 100-meter hurdles, finished third in the 300meter hurdles and ran on the second place 400meter relay team.

Also winning a gold medal for the Tigers was

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 48

STATE CHAMPIONS The St. Thomas Eagles captured the TAPPS 6A Boys State Track & Field Championship.

The title victory marked the Eagles fourth state championship in the last nine seasons.

freshman Anna Otero in the pole vault. In addition, the foursome of Isabella Stewart, Chizaram Chinwuba, Madison Taylor and Madeiline Soluren teamed up for a first-place finish in the 800-meter relay.

In the field events, the Tigers gained valuable points in the triple jump, long jump, and high jump from Sophia Bellard and Rebecca Jarosz who each medaled in two of those three events, while in the distance races Sophie Da Silva medaled in both the 1600 and 3200-meter runs.

Another big contributor was sophomore Kaitlyn Elackett, who finished second in both the 100 and 300-meter hurdles and ran the second leg of the 1600-meter relay.

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or the first time since 1991, the St. John’s Mavericks are SPC Baseball Champions having secured the title with a 6-4 victory over rival Episcopal High School in the SPC baseball tournament final. “Our kids have been working so hard, and to see them achieve their goals is what it’s all about,” said Mavericks head baseball coach Clint Everts. “It was just really emotional for the kids, coaches, and parents and just really fun to be a part of something this special.”

As had been the case all season, the Mavericks were led by senior co-captains Sam Chase and Carson Luna in the SPC tournament final. A

University of Texas signee, Luna doubled to score a pair of runs in a four-run seventh inning while Chase also connected on a two-run double in that same at-bat. Chase will play collegiate baseball at Washington and Lee University.

“Those two guys have been our two and threehole hitters all season and lead the team in virtually all offensive categories,” said Everts.

Also coming up clutch at the plate during the Mavericks’ three SPC tournament victories was sophomore Jack Stanger, who had five hits including a pair of doubles and a two-run homer over the course of the Mavericks three wins.

On the pitching mound, Amherst College signee Walker Dellinger posted a remarkably low 1.03 ERA this past season while also securing the Mavericks a 3-1 victory in the SPC tournament semifinal against Houston Christian.

Pitching for the Mavericks in the SPC final victory were juniors Maxime Gonzales, Alexander Rustay, and Will Coffman.

Editor’s note: Todd Freed is the host and executive producer of H-Town High School Sports, which airs Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on CW39 and Monday-Thursday on AT&T SportsNet SW. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 49

SPORTS

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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

SportzBuzz Jr. W

elcome to SportzBuzz Jr., a column spotlighting neighborhood athletes in elementary and middle school.

Baseball champs The Pershing Middle School Pandas baseball team secured the Houston Independent School District championship with a 6-2 win against Hogg Middle School. The team had an exceptional season, showcasing teamwork and skill on the diamond all season long. They were led by coach Reshawn Brown, coach Sherman Parker (pictured, at far left), and coach Jay’veion Mitchell (pictured, at far right). Also pictured are players (from left) Sean Meyers, Ryan Shlegal, Derrick Earthly, Kyle Behan, Brandon Theus, Jeremiah Thomas, Robert Rosenfeld, Barrett Bedortha, Max Warner, Eden Jones, Miles Royston, Charlie Pasternak. Not pictured are Logan Bogar, Eli Hudson, Jacob Cohan, and Louis Arcya.

First pitch Ethan Li (pictured, at right), a fifth grader at St. John’s School, has played Bellaire Little League since the age of 7. He proudly stood alongside Tyler Hamilton, #27 (pictured, at left) from the Rice University Owls baseball team, after delivering the ceremonial first pitch at the Rice versus University of Alabama Birmingham baseball game. Ethan represented his league during the third annual Bellaire Little League Day with Rice baseball. The event brought together players and coaches from BLL for the annual tradition. National League teams from the BLL took to the field.

Spectators filled the stands, enjoying the excitement for the spring season of baseball. The players enjoyed icy treats and more delicious food.

Volunteers helped make the day a success, managing everything from the scoreboard to walk-up music. Ethan displayed versatility on the field, playing pitcher, third baseman, and centerfielder, and he often spends his free time supporting and cheering on his friends during their matches. Ethan possesses a genuine love for the sport of baseball and made special memories throwing the pitch out on a college team’s field.

School history made The Emery/Weiner Middle School softball team went 9-1 to finish first place in their district for the first time in the school’s history. The Jaguars had five come-from-behind wins to score first place in a highly competitive league. Congratulations to this hard-working group of players who dedicated time and energy to secure the top spot. Pictured are (top row, from left) Renana Machol, Samantha Berzin, assistant coach Tyffany Khoh, coach Donna Lane, Mia Fleishman, Ellie Hill; (bottom row, from left) Carson Weinberg, Hailey Lane, Natalie Lane, Paige Berry, and Sarah Levy.

Editor’s note: Send your best high-resolution photos and behind-the-scenes stories about young local athletes, in both team and individual sports, to SportzBuzz, Jr. at info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Include all contact info, names, ages, grades and schools. Featured athletes must live in Buzz-circulation neighborhoods. Items will be published on a space-available basis.

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DEFEATING DYSGRAPHIA William Romay, a fifth grader at Yorkshire Academy, initially struggled in elementary school before he was diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia. Many well-known figures are thought to have had dyslexia and dysgraphia, including Albert Einstein, George Washington, Louis Pasteur, and Agatha Christie.

KIDS

by William Romay, age 10

Buzz Kidz

Dyslexia, dysgraphia, and determination

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often wonder how dyslexia and dysgraphia were created. Since the two conditions often come together, everything in a person’s life is affected.

What is dyslexia? It is a learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. That means that a person who has dyslexia has trouble reading because their brain is wired differently.

What is it like for a fifth-grade student? It means that even though you are a very smart student, you must work a lot harder to read and spell correctly. I don’t really consider my dyslexia to be a disability because I can do everything that all my friends can do, I just need to work harder. It is important to find out that you have dyslexia as early as possible so you can start getting help.

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My journey to fifth grade has not been easy.

I was diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia when I was in first grade. I was lucky to have Ms. Sharon Curran, who is a wonderful tutor, and I saw her five times each week until I was reading at grade level. But I would not be doing as well without my wonderful parents, who have helped me with reading and writing and staying positive.

Dyslexia often comes with other conditions, like dysgraphia. Dysgraphia is a neurological condition and learning difference in which someone has difficulty with writing as well as putting thoughts into written words.

In my opinion, dysgraphia is the most difficult condition to have since people think you just need to practice your writing to get better. It is

not something I will grow out of. There is not a lot of technology available to support people with dysgraphia, and there are not many trained tutors. I have a special mechanical pen with ink, and the ink helps me write the words easier than using a pencil. I type a lot of my work, but I still like to write with a pen.

I will be graduating from Yorkshire and continuing my journey in middle school. I know I will have to work extra hard, but I also know I can do everything my classmates can do.

Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401.

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Longer and stronger pollen seasons In 1990, 15 percent of American adults had allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

Now, that figure is up to 25 percent. The hygiene hypothesis mostly explains why this has happened. This hypothesis, which has gained strength over the past 35 to 40 years, suggests that as our environments have become cleaner, our immune systems start to have “false alarms” to harmless substances, such as oak-pollen and dust mites. Further, compared to 1990, pollen seasons now typically start 20 days earlier and last 10 days longer.

So, what to do if allergen avoidance and medications don’t work?

Allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops) works very well to prevent those false alarms if prescribed and administered correctly. What does “prescribed and administered correctly” mean? Well, for one thing, don’t get your allergy shots prescribed by someone who isn’t board certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology. Medical allergists undergo rigorous training on how to dose allergy shots properly, so that we don’t mix ingredients that hamper or impede each other, and we use therapeutic doses high enough that can actually make you non-allergic. Second, if you decide to go with allergy drops, don’t buy them just anywhere. You know that label “Cedar Fever” on that bottle of store-bought drops that says it contains Mountain Cedar and the dose is “12x”. Do you know what that means?

They took one milliliter of Mountain Cedar and made a 1:10 dilution 12 times. So that 30 mL bottle contains 0.000000000003 mL of Mtn Cedar.

Guess what. That’s a placebo dose. That’s really a very, very low placebo dose. Sold as a supplement and not an FDA approved medicine, it doesn’t need to provide any proof that it is effective. But look on the bright side.

You only have a 0.000000000003% chance of anaphylaxis from that dose, so you don’t have to waste money on an EpiPen! Plus, placebos have been shown to work about 30% of the time. So, who knows. Maybe the placebo will work for you. While you’re at it, buy a few lottery tickets if you feel that lucky.

But if you’re really allergic and you want real relief, see the only group of allergists in the Houston area who have had two of their doctors as long-time members of the immunotherapy committee of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. You know, the group that requires that their members are actually physicians who did fellowships in allergy & immunology and that their fellows are actually board certified. And not board certified in environmental medicine or clinical ecology. But board certified by the one and only American Board of Allergy & Immunology.

No one nose allergies like we do.™ Note: Information contained in this article should not be considered a substitute for consultation with a board-certified allergist to address individual medical needs.

David B. Engler, M.D., The Allergy Clinic, 7707 Fannin, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77054, 713.797.0993, *1200 Binz, Suite 1400, Houston, Texas 77004, 713.522.9911, www.allergyclinic.com, *Operating as Houston Allergy and Asthma Clinic

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 53

PETS

Neighborhood Tails Ari and Leo, age 1.5, Mini Holland Lops, Tartan Ln. Some people call rabbits “prey animals.” How insulting! They should really remember that first, they have to catch us. This is the thought that runs through my mind as I dart and weave through the dining table chairs. There was no way I would be deprived of the bliss of air-conditioning. The Miami Grand Prix is playing on the TV. That’s actually where my name comes from: Aristotle Ferrari.

I’m pretty close to a rabbit racecar. Vroom! My family appreciates my quick-hopping charms. My brother, Leo, lies on the sofa outside, probably shaking his head at my shenanigans, not a care in the world. That’s him on the right in the picture. Leo is short for Galileo DaVinci – supposedly he’s a genius. I turn my attention back to the chase. If I keep this going long enough, maybe they’ll bribe me with carrots. I could really go for some carrot… Catch you later!

Got a cute critter? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to info@thebuzzmagazines.com or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401.

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WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 54

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DNR vs. directive vs. medical power of attorney Chapter 166 of the Texas Health and Safety Code authorizes advance directives, including the medical power of attorney, a directive to physicians, and an out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. A little history helps explain the differences.

Pneumonia was long the old man’s friend. Nobody feared being kept alive on a ventilator before the 1950s, when ventilation and other medical advances kept ever more patients alive without prospect of recovery. A consensus developed that life support was not always a good thing.

The first lawyer to propose advance directives, Luis Kutner, didn’t help his case by titling his 1969 article, “Due Process of Euthanasia: The Living Will, a Proposal.” To this day, many faith communities object to advance directives that categorically limit life support.

The 1976 right-to-die case of Karen Ann Quinlan created a sense of urgency across the political spectrum. California became the first state in the U.S. to authorize a living will. Texas enacted its own version, the Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates, in 1977.

The directive to physicians either rejects or requires life support (patient picks when signing), but only if i) death is expected within six months or ii) death is imminent without life support and the patient is physically or mentally disabled by an irreversible condition. The directive to physicians may be edited, e.g., to provide that the doctor and medical agent are to make decisions together. This form can make sense at any stage of life, especially if custom edited.

In 1991 Texas authorized medical powers of attorney. If the physician cer-

tifies the patient is incompetent, the agent may make health care decisions, allowing the agent to speak for the patient. The medical power of attorney does not limit life support, but it enables the patient to pick an agent who might.

1995 saw the first Texas DNR. A physician’s signature is required. The DNR seems best reserved for the last year or so of life. The DNR mandates that CPR, ventilation, defibrillation, and the like be withdrawn or withheld. It cannot be edited, so there’s less room for agent input. A disease-free parent with young children isn’t a good candidate for a DNR. An 80-year-old requesting elective surgery, e.g., to replace a hip, may or may not be.

The directive to physicians can broadly restrict life support at the end.

The DNR narrowly restricts life support at any time. Neither form extends the agent’s authority but instead preempts it in limited circumstances.

Without a directive or DNR, the medical agent makes all the decisions the patient cannot.

We write wills and go to probate court. Foreign nationals and international families welcome.

Russell W. Hall, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Board Certified – Estate Planning and Probate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 6750 West Loop South, Suite 920, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.662.3853, bellaireprobate.com/blog

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NEIGHBORS

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by Angie Frederickson, staff writer

Buzz About Town

Dave Rossman

When friends Jordan Steinfeld and Lisa Friedlander discovered they were each due with their second babies just one day apart, they couldn’t believe the coincidence - as they share a birthday themselves. In addition, Jordan’s mom, Susan Magaziner, and Lisa’s sister, Julie Blumberg, share a birthday. So it was only fitting that Lisa and Jordan’s babies decided they wanted to join in the tradition. Both boys arrived on March 19, 2024. Paxton Reed Steinfeld (pictured, left) is named in memory of Jordan’s father, Paul Magaziner, and Charlie James Friedlander (pictured, right) is named in memory of Lisa’s father, James Rubenstein.

Dads Matthew Steinfeld and Michael Friedlander are looking forward to teaching the little ones how to play golf and pickleball and cheering on their favorite sports teams together.

Proud big siblings are Sloane Steinfeld and Jack

Friedlander. Happy grandparents are Susan Magaziner, Debbie and Rich Steinfeld, Barbara Rubenstein, and Fredda and Gary Friedlander.

Paxton and Charlie are excited for future play dates and birthday celebrations together.

A night in wonderland Supporters of Communities in Schools (CIS) of Houston gathered at The Post Oak Hotel for the 45th anniversary gala. Allison Thomison, Kelly Koster, Erin Beckwith, Lauren Brollier, Michole Easterly, and Leah Simpson (pictured, from left) were among the crowd at A Night in Wonderland, which raised more than $850,000 to support at-risk, local students. Event chairs Lauren and John Brollier and Cassie and John Milam, and honorary chairs Kirby and Scott McCool and Judy and Charles Tate, welcomed more than 600 guests who channeled Alice of “Alice in Wonderland,” the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts with their Wonderland-whimsey cocktail attire. Emcee Lisa Malosky greeted the crowd and introduced Rev. Wick Stuckey of Chapelwood United Methodist Church who gave the invocation. She then introduced speakers Judy Tate, longtime CIS Board member, and special guest Rey Saldaña, president and CEO of Communities in Schools’ national organization.

After hearing from speakers, the party moved to the dance floor where supporters enjoyed live music from Houston-based band Klockwork.

Pink out for breast cancer Ellie Francisco, Jennifer Allison, and Gaye Lynn Zarrow (pictured, from left) donned their most festive pink attire at the American Cancer Society (ACS) Tickled Pink Luncheon. More than 650 supporters were among the record-breaking crowd at The Post Oak Hotel. The event raised more than $389,000 to benefit breast cancer research, education, and support services. Luncheon chairs Jacquie Baly, Beth Wolff, and Cynthia Wolff and honorary chair Leisa HollandNelson Bowman, a breast cancer survivor, welcomed guests to support those who have been impacted by cancer. Special guests Nelda Blair, Chree Boydstun, Shelley Reeves Boyer, Cheryl Creuzot, Evelyn Leightman, Janette Marx, and Sue Smith were honored during the luncheon, and Leightman shared thoughts from her own 25-year cancer journey.

La Dolce Vita Daniel Ortiz

Meredith Symonds Photography

Meredith Symonds Photography

Birthday twins

Barton Kelly, Laura Mayer, and Jarrod Cyprow (pictured, from left) enjoyed the 2024 Root Ball, La Dolce Vita, benefiting Trees for Houston. The 30th annual event, chaired by Christiane and Kristopher Stuart and Carrie and Jerry Alexander, was held at the Forest Club and raised $485,000 (continued on page 58) WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 56

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support Trees for Houston’s efforts to plant and protect trees in Greater Houston. Even though La Dolce Vita took place during rainy weather, guests were all smiles and came prepared with umbrellas and patio-friendly shoes. The weather was perhaps fitting for a crowd that appreciates the importance of rain for tree growth. Guests celebrated the organization’s accomplishments during the last year and the goal of increasing its annual tree planting and distribution numbers to 70,000-plus trees. At the end of the evening, supporters were gifted an olive tree to plant at their home.

Dave Rossman

Bunny Hops Mary Lynn Murphy, Jan Sheehy, Joey Mann, Cathy McDonnell, Committee Chair Claire Rabalais, Rose Swain, Erin Alexander, Pat Kerwin, and Susan Cichon.

Daniel Ortiz

Hope uncorked

each table provided special vintages from their personal cellars to complement the four-course meal prepared by Chef Jett Hurapon. Cathy and David Herr served as event chairs and welcomed guests to the evening that raised more than $90,000 to provide support for people facing cancer treatment. In addition to wine and dinner, supporters participated in an auction of wine lots, and heard from speaker Megan Vondra and CanCare president and CEO Darcie Wells.

Crafts with a cop

The Wilson family, including Chris, Ginger, Hugh, Maren, and Maggie (pictured, from left), enjoyed the annual MD Anderson springtime event, Bunny Hops, at The Galleria. Along with other donors and MD Anderson staff, the Wilsons took part in family-friendly activities including crafts, glitter tattoos, balloon twisting, gourmet popsicles, and photos with live bunnies.

Funds raised from the Bunny Hops event benefit the MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital.

Supporting Houston’s kids At its recent children’s charity grant presentation, Charity Guild of Catholic Women awarded $764,200 to 63 nonprofit organizations to benefit children in need in the Greater Houston area. President Margie Bacile presented the awards at the ceremony at the Charity Guild Shop, home to the volunteer-run consignment shop that funds the grant donations. Charity Guild of Catholic Women focuses on serving children’s needs through health and social services, education, hunger, special needs, and art and enrichment. This year’s grant recipients include Bo’s Place, Cy-Fair Helping Hands, Harrison’s Heroes, Houston Furniture Bank, Palmer Drug Abuse Program-Houston, and Target Hunger. Pictured are children’s charities committee members (from left) Laurie Farris, WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 58

Jason Pennington, Michael Pinon, and Matt Girotto (pictured, from left) enjoyed the soldout Hope Uncorked wine dinner benefiting CanCare, a nonprofit organization that connects people living with cancer and their caregivers with others who have been through the same journey. The third annual event was held at Benny Chows restaurant, and wine hosts for

Officers with the West University Police Department traded their handcuffs for crayons during an afternoon of fun with local elementary-school children (pictured) at the West University Place Recreation Center. The kids enjoyed the Crafts with a Cop event where they participated in three different creative projects, explored the police vehicles and equipment, and met special guest Chase from the television series “PAW Patrol.” Special events like Crafts with a Cop give officers an opportunity to show their dedication to the community while building trust and understanding (continued on page 60)

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Jeff Fitlow

(continued from page 58) between youth and law

enforcement.

Collage luncheon with the ladies More than 900 people filled the room at the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston’s annual Collage Luncheon at the Westin Galleria. The sold-out women’s philanthropy event featured producer, social activist, and contributing editor to Vanity Fair, Monica Lewinsky, who spoke about surviving a personal struggle and combatting bullying in all forms, including the rise of antisemitism. The multigenerational mother, daughter, and daughter-in-law team of Martha Kaplan Freedman, Arin Freedman, Auna Freedman, Emily Freedman, and Ilana Freedman Hart served as event chairs, and women’s philanthropy chair Rachel Strauss also served as part of Collage leadership. Collage attendees contributed $2.4 million to the Federation’s annual campaign, which supports the Jewish community in Houston, Israel, and around the world. Pictured are (from left) Robin T. Stein, Renée Wizig-Barrios, Rachel Strauss, Auna Freedman, Martha Kaplan Freedman, Monica Lewinsky, Emily Freedman, Ilana Freedman Hart, and Arin Freedman.

Celebrating Persian New Year Jen Kavoussi, Yasmin Egge, Bissan Mounir, and Nisa Dadjoo (pictured, from left) gathered at Nisa’s home for a festive Nowruz celebration.

Nowruz, the 13-day festival that marks the Persian New Year and the first day of spring, originated more than 3,000 years ago. The holWEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 60

iday symbolizes renewal and harmony with nature and begins at the exact moment of the northern hemisphere’s vernal equinox, which is typically between March 19 and 22. Nisa’s festive party was full of cocktails, food, and dancing for friends and family members, and it featured a traditional spread called “haft seen.”

Everything on the spread represents something positive that is wished for in the new year.

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NEIGHBORS

by Andria Dilling, staff writer

Back Porch

Reading for Fun: Getting over the high school hump

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very summer, we like to talk about reading as something to do with our down-time.

But for high schoolers, summer reading lists generally signal work more than they do relaxation.

Admittedly, Aerin Kalmans was not a happy high school reader.

“The only detention I ever got was for failing the summer reading quiz to prove we read the book,” the 2018 Kinkaid School graduate says.

“Because I didn’t read the book.

“I always faked my summer reading lists.

Sorry, English teachers. I struggled to focus on the words on the page because I wanted to go outside and play softball. You couldn’t pay me to read Shakespeare; I couldn’t see how these books related to my life.”

Since graduating from the University of Richmond and moving to New York to work as an analyst with New York Life Investments, Aerin has changed her tune. “Last year I read 76 books,” she says. It started with a college class relating to her leadership studies major. “We read like 12 books in a semester, which was insane. But when it was over, I was like, Wow, I love to read now.”

Aerin says reading Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, by Matthew Desmond, changed her life. “It helped me learn about how other people live and the situations they come from,” she says, “and to understand my own situation and privilege.” Another favorite was The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us, by Paul Tough. “I wish I read it in high school, and I wish every parent read it.”

Aerin now loves reading so much that, with her high school friend Belle Martire, she hosts a podcast called “A to Z with A and B,” where they share their love of books, Peloton, and how they’re navigating life post-college. It began when Aerin, in New York, and Belle, working on the Hill in Washington D.C., were wishing they could be in a book club together. They started a virtual book club, which led to the development of the podcast.

Aerin and Belle choose a varied list of books based on what friends are reading, and they’ll even ask employees at bookstores what they are WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2024 62

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reading. “To be honest, I’m not sure anyone reads along with us,” Aerin says. “But people are obsessed with listening to our lives, because that’s what we talk about in the beginning.

I think people like it for the vibe.” A new episode of “A to Z” is released on Spotify every other Monday.

A few recent fiction reads Aerin recommends: Still Alice, by Lisa Genova, about a vibrant 50-year-old woman coping with early onset Alzheimer’s disease; As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow, by Zoulfa Katouh, a novel about a young woman navigating life amid the Syrian Revolution; and the newest release from bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand, The FiveWHAT GOES AROUND After high school, there’s still a chance reluctant Star Weekend, which readers learn to enjoy books. brings friends from every account of the Vietnam War as told through the stage of the protagonist’s life together for one narrator, who is a soldier. The 1990 classic weekend on Nantucket. grabbed Lucy. “I kind of dodged my way through “Now I’m reading books I’m actually interestthe class until we had to write a however-manyed in,” she says. “During the pandemic, it really page paper, which I knew I couldn’t make up,” clicked. I started going to Blue Willow Lucy says. “So I started reading, and then I Bookshop, and even though it’s a 30-minute thought, Oh, maybe this is actually a good book.” drive from my house, it became my favorite Several years and several reads later, it’s one of place. On my birthday, if I’m in Houston, I want Lucy’s favorites. to go to Blue Willow.”

“The Sun Also Rises is another one,” she says.

Back in Houston working on a real estate “I was supposed to read it my sophomore year, license, Lucy Frankfort (full disclosure – she’s or was it eighth grade? Well, I didn’t. And then my daughter) grew up with Aerin and agrees. a couple of years ago someone asked me if I liked “Frankly,” she says, “I didn’t read the entirety of Ernest Hemingway, and I thought I should know my senior year. I think I figured it was senior the answer to that, so I gave it a try. There’s a year and I just could not be bothered.” reason it’s a classic, just like there’s a reason most Then she was assigned Tim O’Brien’s The of those books are classics!”

Things They Carried, a part-fiction, part-memoir