Recipients Natyah Smith, Nora Balli and Michelle Lew
Lake Highlands Women’s League members presented 32 graduating seniors with college scholarships Friday at a ceremony at Lake Highlands High School. Parents, family members and Wildcat counselors looked on with pride.
You may view my photos here.
Recipient Jace Breedlove is impressive – the future Longhorn is a tennis captain and member of the Dallas Mayor’s Intern Fellows Program. He told me after the ceremony, though, about being impressed by his fellow recipients as their stories were read.
“There were things I didn’t know, especially about classmates who were refugees. It’s cool to hear about their accomplishments and what they’ve overcome. And I didn’t know about the people who are Eagle Scouts. It’s amazing the number of things people are involved in.”
Moo Meh, born in Thailand, came to America from a Burmese refugee camp when she was in the 8th grade. She admits it was difficult it first – that kids would mock her name and accent.
“Because you look different, they will tease you, but I’ve grown and I’ve learned that my differences make me stand out. Not despite where I came from but because of where I come from, people are wanting to help me. I have faced difficulties, but I’m trying to overcome them, and people want to help me when they see me put in the effort.”
Tysen Auldridge will study criminal justice at West Texas A&M, then he plans to enter the academy to become a state trooper. He’s wanted to be in law enforcement since he was a boy, and after trooper friends allowed him to ride along, it was a “done deal.”
I asked if the recent Home Depot shooting and the July 7 police ambush in Dallas didn’t remind him of the danger and dissuade him from his chosen career.
“It made me want to do it more,” said Auldridge. “I just want to make a difference for my community.”
Twins Thomas and Craig Casler will study filmmaking in Austin at UT’s renowned Radio-Television-Film program. I asked Thomas how his work will be different from that of his mom, Stephanie Lucero-Casler, former CBS 11 reporter now working in Councilman McGough’s office.
“My mom likes to report on stories, and I’m more of a creator of stories. I’ve always been interested in storytelling. I’ve always been interested in movies as an art medium, so that’s what I’ve been set on since I was 11 or 12. I watched my mom work long hours to get leads and develop sources, and I followed in her footsteps somewhat, writing scripts.”
“I think Austin is one of the biggest hubs for movie-making and the arts in the whole nation,” explained Craig. “When you compare it to places like California and New York, you get a lot more bang for your buck there. Austin has South By Southwest and the Austin International Film Festival, and it’s home to a bunch of native filmmakers like Wes Anderson and Richard Linklater and other filmmakers who’ve been able to tell these unique and amazing stories. The filmmakers who come out of Austin all have different styles – that’s why I want to go there.”
“It’s inspiring that Lake Highlands Women’s League wants to give me this money to pursue a degree that’s not as practical as a law or business degree,” continued Craig. “Them having faith in me to pursue my passion is so outstanding, and it gives me a huge boost of confidence.”
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LHWL scholarship recipients 2018
