Shannon McDaniel graduated from LHHS in 2008 and is now a senior at Mizzou.

While some Lake Highlands High School graduates were lounging by the pool or waterskiing at the lake Memorial Day, University of Missouri senior Shannon McDaniel felt drawn to Joplin. She’d seen television images from the most destructive single tornado on record, and she felt drawn to help her new neighbors in need.

First, Shannon recruited the girls on the high school pom squad she coaches in Columbia, Missouri help raise money for the Red Cross. The Rock Bridge Bruins contributed $400 to the cause, but Shannon wasn’t finished.

Shannon hopped a volunteer bus to the center of the disaster area, where she joined a team sifting through lumber, metal and tree limbs to find personal items and anything that could be salvaged. In an interview for her Alpha Delta Pi sorority blogsite she recalled, “My initial thought walking through the neighborhood was that it looked like a scene from a movie, a million times worse than it looks on TV. Similar to a war zone. I began to cry especially as we continued walking and saw several families attempting to find personal items amongst all of the debris in what used to be their homes.”

Shannon jumped on a bus with other volunteers and got to work quickly at the center of the devastation.

Later, Shannon volunteered at a donation warehouse, organizing items to be distributed to various shelters. The highlight of her week was the time she spent working inside one of the shelters.

“The most rewarding part of this job was seeing families come in and pick out items. These people literally had nothing but the clothes on their backs, so it was great to see them be able to pick out food and clothing at the shelter.”

And back here at home, it was great to see one of our own representing LH so well.

Lake Highlands Women’s League awarded thousands of dollars in college scholarships to 28 deserving LHHS graduates at a reception Friday morning in the school auditorium. On hand to welcome the students were their parents & family members, invited favorite teachers and RISD school board members Karen Holburn and Luke Davis. The entire LHHS counseling staff also attended, along with College and Career Center Director Dr. Brenda Prine.

“This is such a wonderful event to conclude our year,” said LHWL President Kathy Adams as she congratulated the scholarship recipients and praised her hard-working team. “Raising funds to enable these students to achieve their dreams makes the efforts of our many members and loyal donors worthwhile.”

As you can see by the smiles on their grateful faces in the slideshow above, the recipients would agree. Recipients for 2011 are: (more…)

The Lake Highlands Exchange Club honored LH’s best and brightest last week as they recognized the winners of their Youth of the Year, Teachers of the Year and ACE Award Winners at an Awards Breakfast at Lake Highlands United Methodist Church. You can see photos from the awards breakfast below.

Truitt Mathews, Exchange Club Director of Youth, presented Youth of the Year awards to graduating seniors Libby Seeley and David Harris. The designation highlights industrious high school students who attain high levels of academic achievement while also demonstrating leadership, involvement, participation and a willingness to serve others in their school, community and beyond. The recipients were selected by a committee of ECLH members and will each receive a $1000 scholarship.

RISD Superintendent Dr. Kay Waggoner presented Teacher of the Year awards to: Carrie Ogden Faltysek of Forest Meadow Junior High, Karen House of LHJH, Mark Dungan of LHE, Brenda Marr of Merriman Park Elementary, Brooke Baumgartner of Skyview, and Alicia Arruda of Thurgood Marshall. Winners were selected by fellow educators in their neighborhood schools, and their proud principals were in attendance to cheer them on.

The final presentation of the morning went to two students who “Accept the Challenge of Excellence.” ACE Award winners Tuan Iang and Eyobe Tamene were eligible for overcoming great physical, emotional or social obstacles in their lives. Curious about what those obstacles may have been? Check out Christina Hughes Babb’s cover story in the magazine this month.

Congratulations winners, and congratulations Exchange Club for another home run in LH.

For the Wildcat coaching staff, the annual Red White Game is a chance to evaluate talent and assess new plays before the fall season begins. For the rest of Lake Highlands, it’s as much a neighborhood social as it is a sporting event.

Watch my photo slideshow of the day below.

This year’s spring scrimmage was blessed with perfect weather and supportive spectators, as the football team, marching band, drill team, cheerleaders and Bell Boys made the transition from last year’s teams to next year’s squads. Big Frank Okam, alum of LHHS and the University of Texas and now playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was on hand for the ceremonial coin toss and to give support and encouragement to the guys.

Lake Highlands women got into the Mothers’ Day mood Friday, enjoying the first annual Hearts & Hands Tablescapes Luncheon benefiting the women’s and children’s programs of Healing Hands Ministries. As you can see by the smiling faces in my photo slideshow below, attendees had a ball.

Committee members Paula Davis, Debby Gray, Linda Imhoof, Carolyn Murray, Lisa Sims, Susan Solomon and Jane Waters pulled off a perfect feminine fundraiser, with 27 sold-out tables embellished with the finest details in unique themes.

My spot was decorated with “Daisies” by HHM’s Executive Director Janna Gardner using garden items loaned from Calloway’s, and I admired the “Susan” table next to us, attended by 8 women with the same name. Donna Williams let her inner-princess reign when creating “Pinkalicious,” and the girls at Robin Crawford’s “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” marveled at her special touches. Wildcat mom Lori Burns decorated with baseballs and Crackerjacks, and Christmas-lover Paula Davis built a real-brick chimney for her tabletop Santa. Several local merchants designed settings ripe with ideas for hosting Mothers’ Day brunches, graduation parties and other celebrations.

Heat and wind didn’t stop runners from enjoying the White Rock Centennial Half Marathon, though they did seem happy to spot the finish line at Winfrey Point. After the race, participants gathered at the top of the hill for drinks, snow cones and camaraderie.

The Wildcat Club presented scholarships to eight deserving Lake Highlands athletes yesterday, a sure sign the school year is coming to a close. On hand to congratulate the recipients were LHHS Principal Peggy Dillon, Athletic Director Scott Smith, Head Counselor Pam Mitchell, and several teachers, family members, counselors and coaches. You can see my photos from the day below.

Hollyn Adams received the Katie Findley Scholarship in memory of the former LH mascot killed in a car accident while home from Ole Miss. Hollyn was Captain of this year’s regional finalist LH volleyball team and was named 1^st Team All District. She’s also Captain of the Wildcat Wranglers and one of the top ten students in her class. She’ll be an Aggie next year.

Emily Hillman was presented with the Bill Georges Scholarship in honor of LHHS’ first Athletic Director and Head Football Coach. Emily overcame several major injuries to be named Captain of the varsity volleyball team and 1^st Team All District. “What really sets Emily apart is her positive can do attitude,” said Wildcat Club President Byron McCoy, who presented the award. “When her season-ending injury occurred, she reinvented herself as a player coach and helped the team achieve further success as a Regional Finalst.” Emily was also selected Academic All State and Miss LHHS. She’ll attend either Baylor or UT.

Coach Smith presented Leadership in Athletics Scholarships to Meron Fessahaie and Taylor Stell.

Meron is the District Champion in the 800 meter and 1600 meter races and recently traveled to Austin to compete in the prestigious Texas Relays. Meron is President of the Senior Class and is an active student volunteer. He’ll run track at Rice next year and study Bio-engineering.

Taylor Stell hasn’t found a sport yet he doesn’t enjoy, so he plays ‘em all. He was a dandy football player his freshman and sophomore years, but he shifted to focus on his true love – baseball. Then as a senior, he joined his buddies and tried out for the basketball team. By the end of the season, he was the 4^th leading rebounder in all DFW 5A schools and the 15^th leading scorer. He was named 1^st Team All District and voted Newcomer of the Year. Taylor will play baseball for UT next year.

Wildcat Club Scholarships were awarded to Jaleen Broussard, Bridget O’Brien, Myisha Wells and Eyobe Tamene.

Jaleen Broussard was selected 1^st Team All District in football playing Defensive Back for the Cats, boosting LH to the playoffs for their third straight year. Jaleen also played basketball and ran track at LH, and he worked after school at the LH rec center. He’s still deciding where to attend college.

Bridget O’Brien has served as Captain of both the girls’ basketball and softball teams at LH. “It doesn’t matter what the sport,” said Deah McCoy when presenting her Wildcat Scholarship. “When she’s not at a game to compete, she will be there to cheer her friends.”

Bridget has been 1^st Team All District in softball and Honorable Mention in basketball. She’s the President of Aid for Refugees at LH and was awarded Character Counts by the Exchange Club. She’ll attend UT or UC Berkley.

Myisha Wells was named Defensive Player of the Year for the girls’ basketball team after serving as a core team member all four years at LH. She’s a member of AVID, NHS and other student groups and she works after school at UA theaters. She’ll study Fashion Marketing at UNT.

Eyobe Tamene is another multi-sport athlete, participating in soccer, football, track and cross country. He finished in the district’s top ten in cross country and qualified for regionals. He hopes to study Aerospace Engineering at OSU or Baylor.

Congratulations, Wildcats!

Members of three Lake Highlands homeowners associations joined forces this weekend for fun and fellowship, but they handled some serious subjects as well. Organizers said neighbors are more vigilant in looking out for one another when they know each other as friends and when they recognize the children playing in yards and parks nearby. You can check out my photos from the picnic below.

Members of Rolling Trails, Highlands West and Pebble Creek HOAs participated in the Spring Fling, with kids enjoying confetti eggs, face painting and an elaborate bounce house with slide.

In addition to drinks and snacks provided by homeowners, attendees purchased lemonade and bake sale items sold by three 3^rd grade girls working to raise money for victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Ashley Ann Warrick and Madeleine Jones came up with the idea, and they invited their friend Erin Brackenridge along to lend a hand.

“We wanted to help,” Ashley Anne told me. “Madeleine inspired me.”

“We felt bad that they had to suffer death and damage,” Madeleine replied. “It’s important to care about other people and do what you can to help.”

Families purchased homemade peanut butter cookies, strawberry pies and rice krispie treats, and the luckiest early bidders went home with a chocolate chip cake made using Paula Deen’s own recipe.

“Imagine if I was in that position,” Erin wondered thoughtfully. “What would I want others to do?”

When the curtain goes up on the Highlandette Revue tonight, expect to see boundless energy, fresh faces and amazing talent as the Dettes go Prime Time and dance to your favorite songs from TV. The girls hosted a preview performance last night for parents and I got to go – I guess once you’re a Dette Mom, you’re always a Dette Mom.

You can see my photo slideshow below, including pics of performers Ryan Berg, an LH senior who sings an original song, and singers Kelly Burroughs and Allie Kirkpatrick. The Highlandudes make an appearance – they’re the crazy senior boys who entertain with a wink and a smile – as do the Highlandette Rookies, the new girls still blissful after making the team. The Wranglers and the cheerleaders will also wow the crowd. You can catch the show tonight and Saturday at 7:30 pm in the LHHS auditorium. Whatever you do, don’t duck out before the traditional finale – how DO those girls keep kicking so high for so long?!?