What began in 2011 as a shared vision among nine Southlake mothers has grown into one of the community’s most impactful service organizations. This year, Scholars & Athletes Serving Others (SASO) marked its 15th anniversary in a way that perfectly reflects its mission: by giving back.
To celebrate more than a decade of cultivating servant leadership among local students, SASO donated $15,000 to its nonprofit community partners, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to the organizations that support families across Southlake and beyond.
Today, SASO is the largest service organization for high school boys and girls in Southlake, with more than 400 student members participating alongside their mothers. Together, they provide meaningful volunteer opportunities that foster both personal growth and a lifelong dedication to service.
In the past year alone, SASO students contributed more than 4,500 volunteer hours to local organizations, including GRACE, Miracle League, House of Shine, Youth World, the Lion’s Club, the City of Southlake, Wreaths Across America, Operation Gratitude, Harbor Chase, Amy’s Wish with Wings, Run4Elise, Birthday Party Project, Cook Children’s Hospital and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
The anniversary donation recognizes the essential role these nonprofits play and acknowledges the financial pressures many organizations have faced over the past year.
“We are thrilled to be able to invest in the organizations and nonprofits that provide such vital services and hope to our community and those in need," says Tracey McDevitt, President of SASO. "We can’t imagine a better way to celebrate more than a decade of service than reinvesting in the people and organizations that make our communities thrive.”
While the financial contribution marks an important milestone, the organization’s true legacy is found in the thousands of service hours logged each year. Hours that represent hospital visits, community events, food drives, adaptive sports games and countless moments of connection.
Open to high school students and their mothers who reside in the City of Southlake and/or are zoned to Carroll ISD, SASO continues to offer structured volunteer opportunities designed to strengthen leadership skills, empathy and civic responsibility.
Fifteen years in, the mission remains simple and powerful: build character, strengthen community and ensure the next generation understands that serving others is not an obligation — it’s a privilege.