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Marriott wants to insure travelers have a very rewarding summer! It’s almost time to hit the highways or airways and celebrate the relaxing summer season Texas has to offer. The Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center is one of the 12 participating Texas Marriott hotels helping vacationers dig deep into the heart of Texas by giving access to fabulous destinations while earning reward points faster. Marriott Rewards® members will find earning points easier this summer by staying at the Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center.

From Houston’s NASA Space Center to Austin’s live music scene to San Antonio’s Alamo Mission, then north to Dallas for world-class shopping and art and don’t forget Fort Worth’s Stockyards and renowned art museums, travelers will enjoy more points with more stays. Marriott Rewards® members can pack their bags and take a road trip driving to several destinations while racking up points to use at future destinations.

Get on the fast track to free nights and other bonuses and hit the Texas trail to enjoy professional sports teams in remarkable ballparks such as Minute Maid Park in Houston and the Dallas Rangers’ Ballpark in Arlington. How about treating the family to a gastronomy tour of Texas by mapping out notable diners, dives and drive-ins along the route? Imagine finger licking barbeque, golden fried seafood, homegrown fresh fruit pies and hand-churned ice cream. Don’t forget the Texas-sized amusement and water parks such as Six Flags in Dallas and San Antonio and SeaWorld in San Antonio. Texas’ major cities offer magnificent museums such as Houston’s Museum of Fine Art and the Menil Collection, the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Dallas’ Nasher Sculpture Center in the middle of the largest urban art district in the United States, and Fort Worth’s incomparable Arts District which includes the Kimbell, Amon Carter, Modern Art Museum as well as the Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

Now through September 5, 2016, stay at the Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center and Marriott Rewards® members can earn 2,000 Marriott Reward® points. It’s free to join the program and points are earned right away. Members also enjoy free standard in-room Wi-Fi and other exclusive offers and promotions just by registering for the program. 

Points will start accruing with the member’s second stay within the bonus period.  Members are eligible to earn up to 10,000 bonus points, that’s 10 stays, this summer. While accruing valuable award points, members will also enjoy a special discount on each stay – 2% midweek and 5% on weekends. That doubles the rewards throughout the summer.

 For more information, visit http://www.MarriottSummerInTexas.com.

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Kendrick and Jazay enjoy the fresh air, bubbles and water play.

Wee Can Academy recently hosted a Field Day for their school age camp program at their Grant East campus. Wee Can Academy is an Early Childhood Development Center program that has three campuses in the Dallas area: Dallas Can Academy Ross Avenue, Dallas Can Academy Carrollton/Farmers Branch, and Dallas Can Academy Grant East.

The children enjoyed blowing bubbles, playing with beach balls, and various relay races.

For more information, visit: http://www.texanscan.org

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Texans Can Academies recently drove 14 students to college before they even walked the stage to receive their high school diplomas. Twelve students from Dallas Can Academy, Pleasant Grove campus and two students from the Dallas Can Ross Avenue campus are attending Jarvis Christian College for six weeks this summer. The students are enrolled in three classes and will receive nine college course credits at the completion of their mini semester.

By attending and earning passing grades in the classes, students will qualify for additional scholarship money, along with having a taste of “college life.” Dallas Can Academy provided transportation for the students to Jarvis and drove back to bring the students to Dallas for their high school graduation ceremonies. They received gift baskets from Dallas Can when they left with necessities such as snacks for studying and toiletries to give them a boost for their first college experience.

Jarvis Christian College (JCC) is an independent four-year, historically black college affiliated with the Christian Church. It is located near Hawkins, in East Texas. It was founded in 1912 and is currently headed by President Dr. Lester C. Newman.

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Left to right: Texans Can CEO, Richard Marquez; Luncheon honoree and award recipient, Melody Rogers; Dallas Can Alumnus, Mounir C. Cejin

Dallas Can Academies, a nonprofit high school dropout recovery program, recently presented their Lifetime Achievement Award to philanthropist, wife and mother Melody Rogers at their 23rd annual Motherhood: The Lifetime Achievement Award Luncheon. The luncheon annually recognizes women who exemplify family and community leadership while benefiting the students of five Dallas Can Academy campuses.

Melody Rogers was honored for her commitment to education, family and community. Rogers has built a life of being devoted to helping others as a dedicated volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, the North Texas Food Bank and The Warren Center. She has also donated many hours of volunteer service to countless other charities, including serving as Honorary Chair for the 2014 Fashion Stars for a Cause benefitting the Suicide and Crisis Center, as well as hosting Christmas in Fair Park.

Rogers spoke about her experience of being a young mother and having to choose between earning a living and getting an education. “I see the importance of education and Dallas Can Academy is giving our community and students a safe place to receive an education in an innovative way by adapting to the lifestyles and specific needs of their students,” she said as she accepted her award.

Gloria Campos, a former Motherhood Luncheon honoree and emcee of the luncheon since 1993, hosted the luncheon and served as the Mistress of Ceremony. Guests listened to the personal stories from two Dallas Can students about their tough beginnings, how Dallas Can schools helped them earn their diplomas, their future education and career goals.  Each student-speaker has overcome difficult obstacles to remain in school and shared what the opportunity to complete their high school education has meant for them. 

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Left to right: Jerry Merriman, Deby Merriman, Lisa Anderson, Milton Anderson

Acclaimed Dallas-based architecture firm, Merriman Associates/Architects, Inc., recently celebrated 30 years and countless successful commissions and announced a new name – Merriman Anderson/Architects, Inc. (maa). The firm’s 90 employees recently gathered at the Belo Mansion with current and past clients, friends and family to pause and look back at the firm’s growth and success while also looking forward with great anticipation. Jerry and Deby Merriman founded their namesake firm in 1987 based on the principles of integrity, ingenuity, respect and customer service. Milton Anderson, maa’s director of design and partner since 1997 and newly included in the firm’s name, espouses their commitment to design excellence through assembling and maintaining an exceptional staff.

The 30-year-old architecture firm’s portfolio includes work on more than a dozen downtown historic building projects. Widely known and respected for their thoughtful and detailed approach, maa has garnered many awards and accolades along the way. MAA is responsible for notable urban planning projects such as Entrada Town Center in Westlake, multiple components of the Southlake Town Center, and the River Walk Town Center in Flower Mound; hospitality projects include Dallas’ Hilton Curio at the Statler and the Marriott Autograph at the Sinclair Building in Fort Worth; popular urban housing projects such as 21 Rio in Austin as well as the Lone Star Gas Lofts and 1401 Elm in Dallas, all boast maa’s design and production expertise. Additionally, the firm is credited as being at the forefront of green and sustainable design (LEED) long before it was fashionable.

Merriman Anderson/Architects’ stamp can be seen on master planned developments, urban housing, office buildings, hospitals, schools and retail projects, including interiors and signage, throughout the United States and internationally.  Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with additional offices in Austin, Texas and Charlotte, North Carolina, the firm offers customized project solutions to a varied portfolio of clients. 

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While attending the Dallas Motherhood Lifetime Achievement Award Luncheon benefitting the five Dallas Can Academy campuses, former Dallas Cowboy and current radio sportscaster, Babe Laufenberg, heard a moving story from graduating senior student Nadia Rangel about the obstacles she had to overcome in order to receive an education.

Laufenberg arranged a visit with a personal shopper at Nordstrom’s to help Nadia choose a dress and shoes for her graduation ceremony.  He hopes others will be inspired to adopt a Dallas Can or Fort Worth Can senior and help them with graduation in some way.  Most North Texas graduating high school seniors did not have to overcome the obstacles Nadia faced just to remain in school and earn her diploma. 

After hearing Nadia’s story Laufenberg said, “I wanted to find a way to help her. It is my privilege to be able to offer some support and I hope others will jump on this opportunity to show teens in our community that good things come to those who don’t give up on themselves.” 

Graduating June 10th from the Dallas Can Academy, Oak Cliff campus, Nadia made the choice to excel, even though many people didn't expect her to succeed. A drug addict and prostitute, her mother abandoned Nadia and her brother when they were young. She grew up in foster care when her mother lost her parental rights due to substance abuse and her father was in prison. Nadia found her father after his release from prison and knew she wanted to be with her family. But there were many challenges, so Nadia dropped out of school to go to work and help pay the family’s bills. 

Nadia enrolled with Dallas Can after struggling in a traditional high school. The graduating senior credits dedicated teachers and school advisors who believed in her and pushed her to do her best in school. “I know people care about my success in life,” said Nadia. “The education and the love I received at Dallas Can have helped me turn my life around.”` 

Nadia’s self-confidence grew with her teachers’ consistent support and encouragement. After dropping out once, Nadia took her second chance at high school with Dallas Can Academy instead of letting her past define her. Before attending Dallas Can, no one extended a helping hand to Nadia and her brother.  Laufenberg says that is why he wants to help her now, and he hopes others will help Dallas Can students as well.

After graduation Nadia is continuing her education through the El Centro College internship program. This program allows students to receive a higher education while at the same time work to earn money and experience that will put them ahead of the curve. Her upbeat personality and education will carry her through in the pursuit of her dreams. 

Laufenberg signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 1989 to 1991. He was the lead sports anchor and sports director for KTVT television in Dallas from 1997 to 2015. Among many things, he continues to serve as a color analyst on the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network.

If you would like to help a Dallas Can Academy student, please contact Stephanie Lucero, development director at slucero@texanscan.org or 214-944-1955.

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More than 1,300 middle and high school students from across the country, plus Australia, the Cayman Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, competed in an underwater robotics championship, the National SeaPerch Challenge, on Saturday, May 21, at Louisiana State University. More than 190 teams maneuvered their hand-built remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs, through an underwater obstacle course at the LSU natatorium. After placing third in the regional competition, five students from Houston Can Academy’s Hobby Campus participated in the national competition.

According to Dr. James Troutman, Houston Can Academy Hobby Campus Principal, “The competition allowed our students to see real opportunities for future study and work opportunities.  STEM education inspires my students to continue their studies in Math and Science so that they may participate in an increasingly technology based economy of scientists, engineers, architects and technology professionals.”

SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program where students build ROV’s from kits containing low-cost parts and follows a curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts around a marine engineering theme. The students learn engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork and technical applications while building an underwater ROV. Once the robot is constructed, it is tested and programmed to complete missions in a certain amount of time in order to advance in competition.

More than 80% of students involved in one of the SeaPerch programs across the country are now considering careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). As of 2016, there has been a SeaPerch program in each of the 50 states, plus Puerto Rico. SeaPerch is in ten countries and growing with over 300,000 student participants since the program’s inception in 2007. 

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Four lucky senior girls were in for a treat when Dallas Can Academy told them someone had offered to style their hair and do their makeup for prom, at no cost. Terri Hoover, owner of Artistik Edge Hair Salon donated her salon’s services to get the girls ready for their formal Senior Prom Dance. They spent the afternoon at the salon deciding on their hairstyles and enjoying the pampering from the stylists at Artistik Edge. The senior girls then got dressed in their prom dresses and went to enjoy their dance that evening at the Hard Rock Café, with professional coiffures and makeup applied, thanks to Terri Hoover and her stylists at Artistik Edge Hair Salon.

Hoover learned about the school’s senior prom from Stephanie Lucero, Dallas Can Academy Development Director, and decided she wanted to do something to make their night special.  The students receiving the pampering were chosen by their principal based on attendance and grades.

Known for providing resources and support both inside and outside the classroom, Dallas Can Academy together with Artistik Edge Hair Salon provided these senior girls a prom they won’t forget.

Dallas Can Academy is one of the 12 campuses of the Texans Can Academies district of charter high schools.  Artistik Edge is located at 7077 Watercrest Parkway, Suite 100 in Dallas.  For more information about their services please visit http://www.artistikedge.com or call 214.349.3888.

About Texans Can Academies

Celebrating 30 years of providing the highest quality education for all students, Texans Can schools are graduating thinkers.  Texans Can Academies are a unique network of 12 charter schools located in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. The schools are tuition-free, open enrollment, public high schools of choice serving students who have struggled in a traditional high school setting. To date, more than 130,000 youth have been given a second chance at life with the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Cars for Kids is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization benefiting Texans Can Academies and is the only car donation program in Texas that is operated by the charity it serves. For more information, visit: http://www.texanscan.org or http://www.carsforkids.org. 

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Dallas Can Academy students play Algebra Jeopardy What makes math fun?

Recently, the Dallas Can Academy and Fort Worth Academy campuses participated in their first annual Texans Can Academies Algebra Jeopardy Contest. Manuel Ruiz, an algebra teacher from the Dallas Can Academy, Oak Cliff campus, created a math contest following the format of the popular television program, Jeopardy.  He emceed and hosted the contest at the Oak Cliff campus.

 James Ponce, Chief of Schools of Texans Can Academies, commended the students for their math knowledge and excellent sportsmanship.  He also recognized Ruiz for preparing a well-organized and fun event and outstanding hospitality at his campus. The Fort Worth Can Academy, Lancaster Wolves were named champions after answering every question with a perfect score.

About Texans Can Academies

Celebrating 30 years of providing the highest quality education for all students, Texans Can schools are graduating thinkers.  Texans Can Academies are a unique network of 11 charter schools located in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. The schools are tuition-free, open enrollment, public high schools of choice serving students who have struggled in a traditional high school setting. To date, more than 130,000 youth have been given a second chance at life with the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Cars for Kids is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization benefiting Texans Can Academies and is the only car donation program in Texas that is operated by the charity it serves. For more information, visit: http://www.texanscan.org or http://www.carsforkids.org. 

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Dallas Can Academy has planned an exciting and informative event for the students of the Ross Avenue campus. The schools’ Oak Cliff and Grant East Campuses are also participating in the career day being held on May 27, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 50 representatives from junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, technical schools, the United States Armed Forces and various employers are attending to provide the students information about their services and opportunities.

Dallas-based radio station, 97.9-FM The Beat, will broadcast live during the morning session and K104-FM will broadcast during the afternoon. Approximately 500 Dallas Can Academy students are expected to attend and gain valuable insight from the all-day program.