June 2023 WAN

Paul Michael

Page 6

Pages 15-20

Regents Seniors Provide Mentorship in Summer Workshop

By Anne DeVries

This June, three rising senior girls from Regents School of Austin (RSA) invited younger girls from their school in K-2nd grade to spend four days with them, enjoying the simple pleasure of old-school play and friendship. Gracie Peterson, Lauren Benson, and Catie Harris spent months planning the 4-day workshop they have hosted for four years.

The three girls got the idea when they were in 8th grade. They reached out to the parents of the younger girls at the school, and the response was overwhelming. Most summers, they have had to hold a morning and

an afternoon version of their program to accommodate the number of requests to attend. They expanded to offer a similar workshop during their Christmas vacation, providing parents with another opportunity for their young ones to spend time with

the older girls, learn from them and build relationships.

When asked why she has spent so much of her high school downtime devoted to the planning and execution of the mentoring workshop, Lauren Benson replied, “I love being with the little girls. They are like little sisters. Not having had a big sister, I had had older girls in high school lean in when I was younger and make time for me, and I realized how important that was. I love spending time and being an example to them of someone they can look up to.”

The four-day workshop this summer ran from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Each day after the young ones

arrive, the three leaders take the girls through a devotional focused on character-building tools from the bible, such as how to be a good friend and best face challenges. They also share with the girls stories from the bible that display lessons for life that they can apply each day.

Meticulous planning by the three seniors to keep the young girls active provides daily craft projects, active skill building like making ice cream from scratch, and a great deal of physical fitness. An age-appropriate pre-choreographed dance is taught starting on day one and performed for parents at the end of the week.

Helping the three seniors at this

year’s workshop was RSA 5th grader Adeline. She attended the camp in her younger years but now has her sights set on continuing the program after her mentors leave for college. She happily arrived early each morning to prepare each day and will undoubtedly carry the torch well for the mentors she has learned from in her years attending the workshop. When asked what she liked best about the daily program, five-year-old Whitney responded quickly, “The teachers.” The focused efforts of the three seniors to their community will impact those they have mentored and provide a lasting template for a continued legacy.

The Austin Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary’s 2nd Annual Garden Party

The Austin Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary (SAWA) held their second annual Garden Party of Tablescapes and Spring Style Show at the Four Seasons Austin. The event was a luncheon, complete with elegant tablescapes, an online auction, a Kendra Scott pop-up with a sneak peek of their Spring line, and a fabulous fashion show. The keynote speaker was Sheena Wilde, Vice President of Philanthropy & Belonging at Kendra Scott. Event proceeds benefit The Rathgeber Center for Families, one of two Salvation Army family shelters in Austin.

Each table was immaculately decorated by a local tablescape designer, and there were awards given out in a few categories. Best in Show went to Vicky Rado, Most Creative went to The

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

SALVATION ARMY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Pieces Collection, and Best in Bloom went to Gracie & Gretchen, LLC. Event planning efforts were led by the SAWA host committee, comprised of Cathy Present (president), Elizabeth McCormick (vice president), Linda Dryden and Debbie Ward (event co-chairs), Jenny Jopling (tablescape chair), Jamille Ruebsahm (auction chair), Shannon Elmquist (public relations chair), and overseen

by Major Jacqulyn Reckline (Austin Area Commander). The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary (SAWA) is a volunteer educational and fundraising arm of The Salvation Army Greater Austin Area Command. SAWA sponsors initiatives that enrich the lives of citizens in Travis and Williamson counties by meeting them at their point of need. For more information, go to sawaaustin. org

2023

*based on sales volume

Around the Neighborhood: openingexpandingcelebrating

2

NWACA July 4th Parade kicks off at 9 a.m. at 4200 North Hills and travels on North Hills to Doss Elementary with a Freedom Fest at Doss Elementary featuring music, petting zoo, face painting, water, coffee, snow cones, watermelon, donuts, tacos and more. The parade is sponsored by Northwest Austin Civic Association, and Travis County Constables, Austin Fire Department, and parade floats will be at the Freedom Fest after the parade. Freedom Fest at 7009 Northledge Drive

2 Impact Austin celebrates 20 years this month of nearly 3,000 philanthropic women transforming communities in Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties by giving to support Central Texas non-profits. Since 2003, Impact Austin has invested more than $8.4 million in Central Texas. This year’s high-impact grants went to Magdalene House of Austin, Urban Roots, Austin Creative Reuse, and Seedling. Join Impact Austin at impactaustin.org or see contact@impactAustin.org or 512-553-6083

Tarrytown 4th of July Parade starts lining up at 8:15 a.m. at Tarrytown Texaco at Windsor and Pecos and kicks off at 9 a.m., going west on Windsor, north at Pecos, and finishing at Reed Park, 2614 Pecos Street. And the fun continues at Reed Park with a Park Party for all ages –music, food, prizes, games. Everyone welcome. Get in on the action at tarrytown4ofjulyparade@gmail.com

Around the Neighborhood:

openingexpandingcelebrating

Garcia - Hynes

MAYA GARCIA AND SEAN HYNES UNITED IN MARRIAGE

Maya Christine Garcia and Sean Joseph Hynes were united in marriage on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Two Wishes Ranch in Lockhart, Texas. The bride’s Godfather, Tony Ferrer of Palm Bay, Florida, officiated. Nephews Oscar and Jack Norman-Butler, ages 5 ½ and 2 ½ of London, England, served as Pages delivering the rings and a single white rose to the altar.

7

Neighborhood Vintner located at 3663 Bee Caves Road, Suite 4D, (next to Blue Dahlia Bistro) celebrated their one year anniversary on June 3rd. The wine shop and tasting room offers wine classes, hosts private events and offers membership in a wine club for discounts on purchases. Visit their website at www.neighborhoodvintner.com for a calendar of events.

Howson Library located at 2500 Exposition Blvd in Tarrytown will hold its Halloween in Summer Time event on Thursday, June 29, 2023 - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. They also are featuring their “Literature Live!” performance of Jack and the Beanstalk on Thursday, July 13, 2023 - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Plan on coming early for Library events to insure a spot. Visit library.austintexas.gov and choose Howson location under EVENTS to view more summer happenings. 512-974-8800.

7

5

Arriving guests were welcomed with an Aperol Spritz and then seated outdoors facing a beautiful Texas sunset framed by an arch of white roses and orchids. Following the ceremony, a cocktail hour assisted by two flower-festooned “Beer Burros” delighted guests kicking off the celebration.

6

Westbank Community Library located at 1309 Westbank Drive near Westlake High School is hosting a “Creature Drawing Workshop” on June 29th at 3pm. All ages are welcome. Visit westbanklibrary.com for more summer events at their branch. PHONE: 512-327-3045 or TEXT: 512-649-2247 for more information.

Dinner, catered by Royal Fig, followed. The DJ and live drummer kept the dance floor full non-stop while those needing a little break enjoyed sitting by the fire pit and watching the cigar roller display his craft.

The bride is the daughter of Carlos and Lorrie Garcia of Austin, granddaughter of the late Ernestine Mahan of Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, the late Col. Gary C. Mahan (ret.USA) of San Antonio, and the late Amalia and Carlos J. Garcia of Miami, Florida. The groom is the son of Anne Hynes of Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, and Ned Hynes of Sligo, Ireland. He is the grandson of the late Sarah and James Hynes also of Sligo, and the late Eleanor and Hughey McGrath of Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore an ivory Enzoani gown featuring a bodice of floral embroidered lace and exquisite scalloped train of matching lace. The remainder of the gown was constructed of georgette. She wore a floor length veil with blusher and carried a bouquet of white roses and orchids.

The stems were wrapped with tulle from her mother’s bridal veil. Attached was a link of charms engraved with the photos of each of her departed grand and great grandparents.

She was attended by Matrons of Honor, Alicia Norman-Butler of London, sister of the

bride and Lihn Nguyen of Miami along with Girlfriends of Honor, Francine Rodriguez, Shireen Asous, Stephanie Birch and Angela Rodriguez. The attendants wore individually chosen gowns in soft fall colors.

Groomsmen were Eddie Hynes, brother of the groom, Paul Levitin, Gerard Eckle, Shane Reilly, Stephen Ryan, Greg Merrick, Giancarlo Villa, Daniel LeLay, and Sonny Bustamente, all from New York.

In lieu of a traditional Rehearsal Dinner, all guests had been invited the night before to a Wedding Welcome Dinner above the San Jac Saloon in Austin catered by Pok-e-Jo’s.

Maya received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia. She is a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She is Assistant Vice President, Strategic Planning, at Cartier North America in New York City. Sean received his Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Albany. He is a Program Manager, Sales Operations at Linkedin in New York City. Following a honeymoon in Isla Mujeres the couple returned home to Astoria, Queens, New York.

West Austinites tell of favorite summer vacations

— Compiled by Forrest Preece

Westlake United Methodist Church located at 1460 Redbud Trail celebrated 50 years in Westlake on June 4th.

Offering Sunday Morning worship services at 9am (Contemporary) & 11:15am (Traditional). Both services are in-person and online. Visit westlake-umc. org for more information about summer programs and events.

8 MEMBER 20

When our twin boys were nine we took a magical trip with five other families to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. In 2015, when my granddaughter was nine, the boys decided it was time for us to take another family trip to Africa so she could experience her first trip to Africa at the same age. So I booked a trip for the whole family to Namibia, Zambia and Mozambique.

As it turned out, Texas Tech scheduled graduation ceremonies for the day before we were to leave for Africa, and my son Matt and our future daughter-in-law Abby wanted to “walk” with their class. We didn’t want to miss the event. However, our flight to Africa was scheduled to leave Austin at 7 a.m. the next day. That required addressing some serious logistical challenges.

My husband John and I flew to Lubbock for the graduation and then we had to transport Matt and all his “stuff ” back to Austin. We hired a driver from a car service to drive John and me and lots of Matt’s belongings while Matt drove his pickup truck with the rest of his possessions. On the drive back I kept thinking that the driver looked or sounded familiar from some place in my distant past. As it turned out, he had been

our favorite server at the Armadillo, the one who delivered the endless pitchers of beer to all the tables. We made it back on time; and that trip to Africa was one of our most amazing travel experiences for any number of reasons.

discussed places to visit, one of them being The Cloister. They only lived in Austin two years before moving back to North Carolina, but as they drove away we promised we’d see each other again very soon.

A special place we visited for many summers is Sea Island, Georgia. We had met a precious couple who moved to Austin from North Carolina. Billy was lucky enough to be their insurance agent and could tell immediately that we’d be fast friends. We had many meals together and

Two years later our daughter was attending Camp Nakanawa in Crossville, Tennessee and we drove to pick her up at the end of her sixweek term. We had made plans to visit our friends in Winston-Salem and continue on to Charleston, South Carolina

— Becky Beaver

before going to The Cloister at Sea Island. That tradition continued for more than fifteen summers. After our children were in college we went in the fall several times. Twenty-five years later we returned after our friends’ daughter married and saw the old main hotel being torn down and replaced with a more up-to-date building. Then after our daughter married and had children we again went to The Cloister with them and our grandchildren. It’s different but we still love it.

For a fun family vacation for all ages featuring golf, tennis, pickleball, biking, fishing, horseback riding, beach activities, bingo, several pools, children’s camp for younger-aged kiddos, world-class spa and delicious meals, The Cloister at Sea Island can’t

MJ&M Annual Event Aids Children’s Charities Targeting Education, Health, and Wellness

Mack, Jack & McConaughey (MJ&M), the annual joint fundraising effort of Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey, ACM Award-winning recording artist Jack Ingram, and coaching legend Mack Brown, kicked off with the 11th Annual Gala at Austin City Limits (ACL) Live at The Moody Theater.

The evening began with the American Airlines red carpet cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by the gala dinner, program and live auction. Garth Brooks headlined the MJ&M gala with a sold-out concert.

The MJ&M two-day event included a golf tournament, runway show and luncheon featuring SIMKHAI, and the best pickin’ party in Texas at the Jack & Friends concert.

The fundraising event resulted in over $11.5 million for charities focused on children’s education, health, and wellness. Funds raised through MJ&M 2023 support CureDuchenne, Dell Children’s Medical Center, HeartGift, just keep livin Foundation, and The Rise School of Austin. For more information, visit www. mjm2023.com.

Trinity Recognizes Achievements of Distinguished 8th-Grade Graduates

By Hartley Corsi

When Trinity Episcopal School honored its first graduating eighthgrade class in May 2006, the independent K–8 school established five medals to be awarded annually to graduates who exemplify excellence in academics and character. Trinity celebrated its most recent medal winners and all of its 8th-grade graduates on May 26.

This year’s Trustee Medal was awarded to Lucia Shahan, who held the highest overall average in core academic classes in her graduating class. Lucia will attend St. Stephen’s Episcopal School next school year. The Fellowship Medal was awarded to Andrew Childers and Gemma Attal.

This medal is awarded to the graduate(s) who best exemplifies inclusiveness, acceptance, and understanding in

everyday relationships and experiences at Trinity and in the larger world. Andrew and Gemma will both attend St. Andrew’s Episcopal School next school year. The Spirit Medal was awarded to Jack Henry Harper. The Spirit Medal honors the graduate who is a tangible example of the Trinity spirit – a strong and good-humored work ethic, good citizenship, empathy, appreciation, and

Austin’s Alpha School uses A.I.

HERE’S HOW IT’S GOING IN THE CLASSROOM

By now, you’ve probably heard a few horror stories about how artificial intelligence will impact education. Tech savvy students will direct tools like ChatGPT to create chat-assisted essays and ask A.I.-powered tools to complete homework assignments without ever having to actually learn. Well, A.I. is already in use here in Austin at Alpha School and the reality couldn’t be more different from what you’ve read. In fact, what’s happening at this innovative school may provide a rare glimpse into the future of education.

Started in 2016 by a group of education and technology professionals wanting to reimagine education, Alpha School uses adaptive technology that adjusts to each student’s needs. Students learn at their own pace and educational “guides” step in when they get stuck or need motivation. Students learn reading, math, science, and language arts using apps that adjust to their personal learning style. They sit in noise-canceling phone booths, cubby cubes or communal workspaces, wherever they’re most comfortable to

learn -- and it works. Alpha now has several years of data under its belt and the results are impressive. Their students learn two times faster than kids in a traditional classroom. They learn in two hours what it takes most schools a full day to teach, so students free up valuable time to acquire life skills like financial literacy, critical thinking, and public speaking. When it comes to academic performance, the outcomes compare to the top 1 percent of schools nationwide. The student body, as a whole in 2022, scored in the 99th percentile in science

on the Texas MAP tests and scored in the 90th+ percentile in all other subjects.

Turns out, Artificial Intelligence is creating actual intelligence at Alpha.

This summer, Alpha School is running an A.I. summer camp to acquaint students with the learning style of the future and help them jump ahead in their learning through a fun, engaging program. Alpha School is located at 1201 Spyglass Dr. in Austin and has a few remaining camp spots available. Call 512-3581672 for info or see alpha. school online.

high morale. Jack Henry will attend Anderson High School next school year.

The James Edward Horne Medal recipient was Izaiah Mack. This medal honors the graduate who leads with faith, convictions, courage, humor, and wisdom. Izaiah will attend St. Michael’s Catholic Academy next school year.

The Jane Ferguson Hill Medal was awarded to Aven O’Hara. This medal honors a graduate for total contribution

to the life of the school. Like Jane herself, this student is the personification of Trinity’s four core values: Christian Foundation, Enriched Academic Excellence, Diverse Community, and Commitment to Family. Aven will attend St. Andrew’s Episcopal School next school year.

Congratulations to the medal winners and to the entire Trinity Class of 2023!

West Austinite Shares His Love for History in Podcast

By Anne DeVries

The first episode of the “The History of the Americans” podcsast launched in January 2021. Hosted by Jack Henneman, a resident of Old West Austin, the podcast endeavors to take listeners along with him as he chronicles the captivating journey through the annals of American History.

Jack, a former healthcare executive, is a passionate history enthusiast. The son of a medieval history professor, he was surrounded by books his whole life. Following a road trip to visit his mother in Virginia

in the fall of 2020, he extended his travels for three weeks. To enhance his experience, he began listening to “The History of England” podcast by David Crowther. His appreciation

of the well-chronicled details of the podcast, coupled with a personal ambition to someday study American History comprehensively from its beginning to the present, sparked the idea of starting a similar podcast about our country. This month, a meet-up for local listeners was held at Better Half Coffee & Cocktails. Austin resident Andrew Wimsatt who attended, began listening to Jack’s podcast in 2022 while recovering from back surgery. He stated, “Jack does a fantastic job with every episode. And as Jack says, his episodes don’t have presentism

and political moralizing, which is refreshing and is similar to the experience I had with history classes I attended in high school and college in the 1970s and 1980s”.

Presentism is viewing past historical events under the microscope of modern values. In a February 13, 2022, blog post, Jack said, “There are perhaps two other problems with politicizing history. The first is that using history for political ends impairs the understanding of it. The second problem is that weaponizing makes history boring”.

“The History of the Americans”

podcast is certainly not that. One of Jack’s primary goals is to entertain his listeners, and he is succeeding. Having recently released the 121st episode, he finds himself in the top 1% of all podcasts with roughly 9000 weekly listens. His service to chronicle American History from its beginning will serve the general public, budding students of American History, established history buffs, and avid historians for generations to come. Jack’s podcast can be found on all the major podcasting platforms and his website, www.thehistoryoftheamericans.com.

As we all know, Texas summers can sizzle, but at CBS, we've mastered the art of keeping our campers cool, comfortable, and having an absolute blast. We're here to ensure that nothing stands in the way of your child's enjoyment, even the scorching temperatures!

Hyde Park’s Head of Schools: Chris Coy

By Alana Moehring Mallard

Hyde Park Schools’ grad-

uation of the senior class of 2023 on May 25 struck head of school Chris Coy as emotional, tender, and the culmination of four difficult yet strengthening years. “In the fall of 2019,” he said, “who knew that one out of eight of (these graduating seniors’) semesters would be normal? Seven semesters were influenced by Covid – remote learning, in-place learning with masks, distancing. But they just kept on. They did what they had to do.”

Coy was school principal for these 2023 graduates for three years, moving into the head of school position in June 2022. And his heart was touched that the seniors asked him to be the speaker at their graduation ceremony last month. He and their teachers will now see the 70 kids of the class of 2023 off to the University of Texas and to Texas A&M University and to colleges and universities all across the country. Every graduate in the class of 2023 at Hyde Park will go to college, Coy said.

“We prepare the kids academically,” Coy said, “and we provide them with biblical truth. That’s the mission of our school and the mission of our faculty. Yes, we’re college prep,

Epilepsy Foundation’s Cheers For A Cause Gala Generates Funds For Local Programs And Services

and we also help students grow in biblical faith.” That mission hasn’t changed since the school’s establishment in 1968, Coy said, 55 years ago this year.

Enrollment is increasing, Coy said, with 800 students expected in the fall as more and more parents are considering private school and more families are applying to Hyde Park Schools. Facility improvements are being made, with important safety and security updates at both campuses –K4- grade 8 on Speedway in Hyde Park and grades 9-12 at the Quarries off North Mopac.

A new weight room is being built at the high school campus as well as a remodeling of the library.

Coy, a graduate of Westlake High School and Lamar University where he played baseball, came to Hyde Park Schools as an assistant baseball coach, began teaching the next semester, and, over the years, has served as assistant department head, department head, assistant principal, and principal before being named head of school last year. Coy jokes that he’s on the 30-year plan at Hyde Park Schools because his and his wife Heather’s boys Joshua, Dylan, and Tyler are in the fourth grade, second grade, and kindergarten at Hyde Park.

The Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas held its 3rd Annual Cheers for a Cause Gala at the Hotel Van Zandt. Enjoyed by nearly 200 guests, the event raised a total of $112,000. The Gala Committee co-chairs were Leanna Dando and Katie Graham, and Gala committee members were Debbie Gomez, John Avery, Kate Labiner, Joe Lopez, Marc Salvato, and Kaytlyn Thomas.

The festivities began with a powerful message from 16 year old Freeman Dando, who shared his experience of living with epilepsy. The evening also included a live auction, where a Bernedoodle Puppy raised the most money of the night.

The funds raised will help the Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas continue providing necessary and meaningful programs and services in support of the Central and South Texas epilepsy community. For nearly 30 years, the Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas (EFCST) mission has been “To lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives.” For more information, visit EFCST.org.

CHEERS FOR A CAUSE

Seedling’s Austin’s Fab Five Light up the Night!

Each year, Seedling’s Austin’s Fab Five Gala honors five local heroes who have significantly impacted the lives of youth in our community, while also raising funds to support Seedling’s school based mentorship program for children in Central Texas who are affected by parental incarceration. This year, Fab Five saw its highest attendance since the inaugural event, with 379 guests. Because

of the generosity of individuals and businesses in the Austin community, Fab Five broke another record, bringing in more than $325,000. This year’s honorees included Blake Absher, Ana Cortez, ‘Chaka’ Mahone, Lisa Ivie Miller, and Dr. Rosalind Oliphant Jones.

This year’s event was chaired by Seedling board member Mark Beavers and his wife AZ. The program,

emceed by KXAN News Chief Meteorologist David Yeomans, included an inventive Lone Star cuisine dinner with wine, honoree awards, a Seedling graduate’s moving testimonial, and concluded with an exciting live auction.

Proceeds from Fab Five support Seedling’s mentoring program, which provides mentors for children whose parents are serving a jail or prison

sentence. Since 2006, Seedling has provided school-based mentoring for children impacted by parental incarceration. During the 2022-2023 school year, 502 kids were served by Seedling who attend more than 120 schools across 17 Independent and Charter districts. For information about Seedling’s impact in the lives of children in our community, visit www. seedlingmentors.org.

danced. As he puts it, it took him outside of himself into a group piece that made a statement about the human condition. Everyone in this dance work created by Ballet Austin’s Artistic Director Stephen Mills is involved in the group scenes that transition from normal life to suffering to rebirth — even the dancer who portrays Naomi Warren, the woman whose story is the plot of the piece.

Paul Michael Bloodgood

BY FORREST PREECE

CThat’s what Paul Michael Bloodgood, former dancer with Ballet Austin, singer, professional stunt performer, and award-winning filmmaker, did in his formative years, on the road with BLOODGOOD, his father’s band, one of the first Christian heavy metal groups in the United States. (I didn’t stutter. Look it up on the internet. His father was Michael Bloodgood, the founder and bass player, who started the band in Seattle in 1985.)

Obviously, being around creative people at an early age expanded Paul’s imagination and abilities and he’s only too happy to talk about his life. “The band always traveled with their families, willingly, because it kept the relationships tight.” They were on the road nine to ten months at a time and the children were homeschooled by his mom and dad and other band members. He says that he learned some of his school lessons from seeing flash cards the musicians would show him.

As for his own creative journey, Paul started doing musical theater when he was five and joined the Columbia Boys Choir. When he was 12, he had a wonderful experience traveling to Germany and Czechoslovakia with that group. During the trip, they performed with other choirs from around the world. That was his first overseas trip without his parents. By the way,

in 2012, he made an album of songs with one of his brothers. They called themselves the Floating Pockets and it is available on some streaming services like Pandora and Spotify.

Paul started his professional career with Ballet Pacifica and then came to Ballet Austin, where he danced for 16 years. After retiring from being a dancer, he started as creative producer with the organization — and is now headed into his third season as associate director of film and video production.

Dancing is an intense art, where people use their bodies as their palettes and their mental framework is caught up in physical expression. Paul has performed a number of important roles with Ballet Austin such as Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet” and Hamlet in, yes, “Hamlet.” With roles like that, as Paul says, “You are defined by yourself –your technique, your physique. You are constantly looking in the mirror, thinking casting, casting, casting – how is this going to define my career? It can be a very self-centered profession.”

But the role he played in “Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project” was, to him, the most influential one of his career. It was 100% the opposite, as far as focus goes, from the other parts he had

When it came time for Paul to retire from dancing, he gravitated to film. As a dancer, he had honed his abilities to present a story onstage and draw an audience into the arc of its plot. Filmmaking was a natural transition. One of his first films was about his dad’s band, a group which, to say the least, was controversial. The mainstream music industry had a hard time coping with a band that joined faith-based lyrics with heavy metal. They were picketed and even received death threats from both religious extremists and mainstream/secular groups. “Trenches of Rock,” his film about BLOODGOOD, premiered at the Atlanta Film Festival, and garnered the attention of festivals worldwide, receiving 14 accolades, including multiple Best Feature Documentary and Best Director awards.

During the pandemic, Paul collaborated with Mills on “Preludes/Beginnings,” a film that reflected the ghostly isolation of the time, with no dialogue – just music and eerie sound effects for the soundtrack. He used his fellow Ballet Austin dancers to create a spare, highly dramatic dance work. This film premiered on Austin PBS and won a Lone Star Emmy.

After reflecting on his feelings about “Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project,” he decided to make an hourlong documentary about its creation that focused on the universal themes it portrayed. In other words, it is not just antisemitism — it’s about anyone who has been cast as “The Other” and suffered discrimination. He used some footage from a previous film by Karen Bernstein, who concentrated on the details of making the production. His title “Finding Light”

reflects both finding a light of hope in the world, and how the work itself was found, focusing on the human element of the relationship between Warren and Mills. The reception to the film has been overwhelmingly positive.

Currently in the middle of its festival run, the film has garnered inclusion in 12 film festivals worldwide and has won nine accolades. “The film is meant to continue the conversation that ‘Light’ started and now we can take it to high schools, colleges, museums – wherever. It also shows the world that dance can express universal themes and the

stunt performer and an actor lately. In the just-released Robert Rodriguez film “Hypnotic,” starring Ben Affleck, (which was largely shot in Austin) he is one of the “red coats” — the villains. In that film, Paul jumps out of a helicopter and eventually finds himself [spoiler alert] at the wrong end of a gun barrel.

He is not so recognizable when he plays a zombie in “Fear the Walking Dead.” (I’ve included a photo of him in this film’s other-worldly makeup.) This sort of recurring role has been his bread and butter for years and it was the first one he landed in the stunt world

busters” and “Jurassic Park” — and it takes ninety minutes to two hours to get transformed into this part. He has been stabbed, shot, run over, burned – any way a zombie can be neutralized.

His highest profile stunts in front of the camera were the three weeks he worked on Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which is slated to come out in October. It was filmed in Oklahoma and is based on the Osage Murders in the 1920’s. Everything in it – from cars to weapons – is authentic. He isn’t allowed to say much about the production at this point, but he did play a couple of roles - one of which you can see in “Killers” recently released teaser.

Paul is seen playing a cop firing a shotgun in a quick sequence toward the end of trailer. One of the biggest thrills he has had in the business was the day when he was able to work directly with Scorsese himself.

darker side of human nature,” Paul says.

Film is his first love, and he has been a member of SAG-AFTRA since 2003. It’s been a steady progression of success for him, and he has been gaining some roles as a

after he retired from dancing with Ballet Austin. He has been in twenty-plus episodes during seasons five through eight. He says that it has been a treat to work with Oscar-level makeup artists – people who have worked on “Ghost-

Both “Hypnotic” and “Killers of the Flower Moon’’ just premiered at Cannes, so Paul is in two films at the legendary festival. Paul’s goal is to do stunts one-quarter to half of the year and work on his own films the rest of the time. “I want to do films until I die – there are some fantastic directors in their eighties and that’s inspiration for me!” If you want to follow his future exploits, his website link is paulmichaelbloodgood.com.

YOU ARE DEFINED BY YOURSELF – YOUR TECHNIQUE, YOUR PHYSIQUE.”

—PAUL MICHAEL BLOODGOOD

WHERE I’M COMING FROM

Janelle Buchanan

BY FORREST PREECE

1. What’s something about you that not many people know?

I’m surprisingly knowledgeable about bluegrass and country music.

2. What was your first job?

When I first landed in Austin in 1970, at the age of 17, I waitressed at the late (but not lamented) Toddle House, a diner near UT.

3. If you could have dinner with three people –dead or alive, at any time in history—who would they be?

Tennessee Williams, my great-Aunt Beulah, and Dorothy Parker. Three people I aspire to be like.

4. If you had to pick three musicians for a playlist, who would they be?

Three? Three?! Earl Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers, and George Jones (the greatest non-operatic singer

who ever lived — there, I said it). And Leonard Cohen, because obviously.

5. Favorite book and TV show?

Book: To Kill a Mockingbird. TV show: Right now — Somebody, Somewhere; Ted Lasso; Derry Girls. And I’ve seen every episode of the first 11 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy at least three times each.

6. Most powerful movie you have seen. Hud. I think this is the best, most honest, most heartbreaking depiction of Texas and Texans ever.

7. Favorite place in Austin? Our smaller theatres — Ground Floor, Hyde Park, the Vortex, the Rollins at the Long Center, Austin Playhouse, Scottish Rite, Teatro Vivo. These are the places where I see the most interesting, energizing and creative work in town.

8. Favorite restaurants and watering holes

Fonda San Miguel, Asti (for the mussels!), Elizabeth Street Cafe, Dong Nai, oldies like El Patio, Hyde Park Bar and Grill, Julio’s. (Though Fonda San Miguel is an oldie too; it opened in 1975.) For drinks with friends: House Wine, the Tavern, Bar Peached, Opa, my house.

9. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Always, a performer of some kind. Initially, a ballerina but then acknowledged I was lacking in the height and talent required for that discipline. Couldn’t sing or play an instrument, so hello, acting! Look at me! Look at me!

10. Which living person do you most admire?

I’m going to stay local here and say my husband, Ted Siff. He’s done more for Austin in the areas of the environment, parks, and green space preservation than anyone I know.

11. What makes you happy?

Being in a rehearsal room. Those blissful, difficult, infuriating, terrifying, euphoric few weeks, working with people you love and respect — nothing like it.

12. Best advice you ever received? “No decision is a decision.” (If you can’t decide, the answer is “No.”)

PHOTO BY ANDREW LANKES

PHOTO BY ROSALIND FAIRES

Actress, wife, mother, friend

St. Andrew’s Episcopal School 2023 graduation

On Saturday, May 27, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School graduated the class of 2023, welcoming its newest class of alumni. The class of 2023 selected Dr. Andrew Forrester and William Sykes to be their faculty and senior speakers, respectively.

“If you have a question, someone has had that question before,” said Forrester. “If you have a complicated feeling, someone has felt that feeling before. What a gift. You may not always land on an answer, or a solution, but you’ll never be alone in looking for it. This goes for the things we learn about ourselves, too. We are part of a great, ever expanding exchange of ideas and emotions and hopes and challenges, and that is at least part of what it means to be human: to want something — knowledge, love, justice, beauty — and to do that wanting alongside others who feel the same way. To be singular in who you are and unified with others who share a similar purpose.”

“Any time that you are afraid of being known and seen and found lacking, you know from our experience here that you can be seen and known and loved,” William said. “We are a place that carries you through the good and the bad,

the highs and the lows, the beautiful and the terrible by the strength we receive here, with each other. Because you know what it is to be loved instead of to be found lacking, you don’t have to just keep that knowledge in your heart.

“You can share it with others, bringing yourself and your whole community into a greater sense of belonging, purpose, and life wherever you reside in the future. By seeing, knowing, and loving others, in a very real way, our St. Andrew’s community can be carried into every community we go into from here. On our graduation day, this is what it means to be called to love.”

5000 Peralta Lane | Austin, TX 78735

bath | 4,773 sq ft | 2.49 aces

Listed at $4,950,000

Hear from a Client

“Kacy went above and beyond the call of duty to help us sell our home. This was an incredibly stressful time for us as we had to move and list the house in less than 3 weeks. Kacy took care of all the details of getting the house listed so that we could focus on packing and relocating out-of-town. Largely due to her diligence, the house sold in less than 2 weeks. She then helped us through the proc ess to a success ful closing. Her knowledge of the market, professionalism, and diplomacy are exemplary. Her kindn ess, compas sion, and respect are “icing on the cake.”

You can’t go wrong with Kacy!!”

- Annonymus

• 2022-2024 DIRECTOR, AUSTIN BOARD OF RE ALTORS

• KUPER SOTHEBY’S PRESIDENT’S CLUB MEMBER

• AUSTIN BUSINESS JOURNAL NOMINEE - RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

512.426.186

KACY.DOLCE@KUPERSIR.COM

KACYDOLCE.KUPERREALTY.COM

CON G RATULATIONS CLASSES

2023

Aberystwyth University

Abilene Christian University

American University

Appalachian State University

Arizona State University

Auburn University

Austin College

Austin Community College

Baylor University

Belmont University

Berklee College of Music

Bethel College

Boise State University

Boston College

Butler University

California State University-Long Beach

California State University-Los Angeles

Catholic University of America

Clemson University

Coastal Carolina University

Coe College

College of Charleston

Colorado School of Mines

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State University-Pueblo

Columbia College Chicago

Concordia University Texas

Connecticut College

Dallas Baptist University

DePaul University

Dickinson College

Drake University

Drexel University

Duke University

Eckerd College

Elon University

Emory University

Flagler College

Florida Atlantic University

Florida State University

Fordham University

Furman University

George Washington University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Gonzaga University

Hendrix College

High Point University

Hofstra University

Indiana State University

Indiana University

Iowa State University

Jacksonville University

Kansas State University

Kenyon College

Lamar University

Louisiana State University

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University New Orleans

Lynn University

Mercer University

Michigan State University

Montana State University

Muhlenberg College

North Carolina State University

Northeastern University

Nova Southeastern University

Oberlin College

Ohio University

Ohio Wesleyan University

Oklahoma State University

Oral Roberts University

Oregon State University

Penn State University

Providence College

Purdue University

Reed College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rhodes College

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rollins College

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Rutgers University

Saint Anselm College

Saint Edward’s University

Sam Houston State University

San Diego State University

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Clara University

Savannah College of Art and Design

Seton Hall University

Sewanee: The University of the South

Simmons University

Southern Methodist University

Southwestern University

St. Mary’s University

St. John’s University

Stephen F. Austin State University

Tennessee State University

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Texas Christian University

Texas State University

Texas Tech University

The Ohio State University

The University of Alabama

The University of Tampa

The University of Tennessee

The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at San Antonio

The University of Texas at Tyler

Trinity University

Tulane University

Union University

United States Military Academy at West Point University College Roosevelt

University of Aberdeen

University of Arizona

University of Arkansas

University of California, Irvine

University of California, Merced

University of California, Riverside

University of California, San Diego

University of California, Santa Barbara

University of California, Santa Cruz

University of Cincinnati

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Dallas

University of Denver

University of Florida

University of Georgia

University of Hawai’i at Manoa

University of Houston

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Kansas

University of Louisville

University of Maine

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

University of Maryland

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of Minnesota

University of Mississippi

University of Missouri

University of Mount Union

University of Nevada Las Vegas

University of New Mexico

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

University of North Texas

University of Notre Dame

University of Oklahoma

University of Oregon

University of Rochester

University of San Diego

University of San Francisco

University of South Carolina

University of South Florida

University of the Incarnate Word

University of Tulsa

University of Utah

University of Washington

University of Wisconsin

University of Wyoming

Valparaiso University

Vanderbilt University

Villanova University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Washington State University

Washington University in St. Louis

Wellesley College

Wheaton College (MA)

Whittier College

Wilberforce University

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

PILLAR AWARDS

The Artist Award

KELLY CAROLAN & HARRISON CAUTHEN

The Athlete Awards

WILLIAM DUNAWAY & ELLA TOWNSEND

The Scholar Awards

NADIA HSU & LUCY WARD

The Scott Field Bailey Servant Award

ANNIE LI

GRADUATION AWARDS

The Faculty Prize

KELLY CAROLAN

The Hilary H. Carlson Award

EVAN ALLBRITTON

The Cornerstone Award

ARWYN HEILRAYNE

The Lucy Collins Nazro Award

CULLEN DAWKINS &

ANNIE ZIMMERMAN

The St. Andrew Award

WILLIAM SYKES

100% acceptance to a four-year college/university Accepted by 140 schools

Paragon Prep’s 26th 8th grade graduation ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 24th.

Paragon’s graduates are continuing their education in public and private schools in the Austin area. The Paragon Faculty and Staff wishes the Class of 2023 good luck!

• Priya Ravi Jhaveri

• Emma Nicole Hutchison

Jiawen Hu

Louis Layton • Seongwoo Lee • Chloe Alexis Legere

Elena Fe Mathis

Lauren Grace Monti

• Haoxu Jin

• Hongyi “Andy”

• Torin Han Byul McCann-Braun

• Dylan Asher Mosler

Bradley Howe Parham

• Yuvraj Kashyap

• Lexin Liu

Li

• Jacob Hawk McDaniel

• Claire Elizabeth Murray

• Javier Pemueller

• Sophia Noreen Kastner • Anna Claire Kavanagh

• John Connaughton Mabley

• Zoe Madeline Loar

• Ashton Grace McDougal

• Maya Jasmine Murtuza-Lanier

• Xiaoxuan Peng

• Angela Regina Perez Sierra

• Preston Taylor Miles

• Ryan Nazih Najjar

• Yechan Kim • Grace Lack

• Amelia Rian Maguire

Horton

• Byars Bennett Langdon

• Jack Berkeley Marye

• Wren Martin

• Mohammad Osama Minhas

• Caroline Grace Nalle

• Franca Gianella Piaggi

• Tate Ashford Potts

• Javier Montemayor-Aguirre

• Catherine Vaughan Newton

• Garrett James Nalle

• Koravit Poysungnoen

•