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Like any year, it's not a stretch to say that 2024 had its ups and downs. However, if there was one thing that we could count on to brighten our days, it is that the Southlake community would continue to amaze us with generosity, resilience and sheer talent. Here are a few of the stories from this year that kept us smiling.
1. Carroll Teachers Feel The Love From Dragons Care
Since being officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit last year, Dragons Care has been working to ensure every CISD staff member feels seen and valued. After raising over $100,000 and helping around 100 families, it’s safe to say this powerhouse team of hometown volunteers has shown the district’s educators that Dragons really do care.
2. America's Team Rolls Out The Pink Carpet For Kelly Rose
Every year, the Dallas Cowboys and Susan G. Komen hand-pick a select group of breast cancer survivors to recognize as part of their Star Survivor program. Southlake Style’s own office coordinator, Kelly Rose, was one of this year's recipients, and she celebrated being 10 years cancer-free. “Because of this whole experience, I now have nine new survivors that I’ll have as friends for life,” Kelly expresses. “We have a bond that will never be broken, and I’ll always be grateful to the Dallas Cowboys for giving that to all of us."
3. Southlake Paralympian Takes Silver At Paralympic Games
Southlake Paralympic sprinter Korban Best saved his very best for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Graduating with the Southlake Carroll class of 2021, Korban was born with an upper right-arm deviation called ulnar dysplasia, but he never let that slow him down. In fact, the 21-year-old finished with a personal best time of 10.75 seconds in the T47 100-meter dash, coming in second to Brazil’s Petrucio Ferreira dos Santos, who took home the gold with a time of 10.68 seconds.
4. Southlake Town Square Celebrates 25 Years
Twenty-five years ago in March of 1999, the first phase of Southlake Town Square opened to the public. It's hard to believe what was once a hard sell in the late 1990s continues to be a home run for families and today's most sought-after brands. From a simple cup of coffee and a good book to an Apple Vision Pro or even a Tesla Model X, there’s something for just about everyone. Whether you’ve been to every Fourth of July fireworks show and holiday lighting ceremony over the last quarter-century or just one, you already know there’s no place like our town square.
5. Sam Watson Wins Bronze At Paris Olympics
Sam Watson came home to Southlake with a medal and a new record after competing in the Paris Olympics over the summer. After setting a world record of 4.75 seconds in early trials, the 18-year-old qualified for the semifinals in the speed climbing event. While he was knocked out of the finals by Chinese climber Wu Peng 4.93-4.85, Sam used that loss to fuel him in the bronze medal race, where he set yet another world record at 4.74 seconds.
6. Season Of Giving Brings Cheer To North Texas Nonprofits
Now in its fourth year, Park Place Dealerships is continuing its Season of Giving, awarding $100,000 in grants to 21 recipients across DFW that are making an impact in the community. The one-time grants, ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, are given to eligible organizations that align with the company’s pillars of giving — arts, education, advocacy and medical research.
7. Tamika Taylor's Evolution Of Joy
With a thriving personal coaching and leadership business and a calendar packed with speaking engagements, Tamika Taylor’s particular brand of exuberant expertise has clients lining up at the door, including when she was our guest speaker at our Women's Luncheon. Behind the disarmingly warm and welcoming 1,000-watt grin is a 36-year-old who has turned unimaginable personal challenges into a catalyst for helping women become their best selves.
8. Bob Jones Part Of “Black Cowboys” Exhibit In San Antonio
Southlake’s very own Bob Jones is part of an exhibition at San Antonio’s Witte Museum called “Black Cowboys: An American Story.” The exhibition introduces visitors to Black cowboys who demonstrated “courage in the face of discrimination, skill to overcome great odds and success through generations of ranching and becoming leaders in their field.”
9. Carson Huey-You Graduates Again
In a world where academic achievements often follow chronological milestones, Carson Huey-You has been shattering expectations. The Southlake-area prodigy first entered Texas Christian University as the youngest student ever at age 10. Eleven years and one Ph.D in quantum physics later, Carson's academic journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
10. Loving Long Ears Welcomes New Baby Boy
Peaches the donkey was beaming with pride and joy last spring as she delivered the newest member of Southlake’s Loving Long Ears Donkey Therapy & Sanctuary. Her new baby boy has been capturing hearts in person and online ever since.