News
 
Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest
FLASH Photography Cara Lichty, Cash Nix, Ela Austin, Caroline Woram, James Sutherland, headliner musician Chris Ferrara, Adelaide Boisture, Ashton Krug, Kate Fagan, and Baker Trent

 

 

Funds raised will benefit the education and community outreach programs
of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra

 

Tickets for the 66th annual Junior Symphony Ball (JSB)  “Purpose with a Party” fundraiser sold out within an hour of their release with hundreds more on the waitlist. The event on January 27th at the iconic Gilley’s Dallas witnessed a historic milestone with an unprecedented attendance of over 2,700 high school students from 35 schools. This outstanding turnout set a new record as the largest in the event's history. The Steering Committee, comprising more than 800 students, played a pivotal role in orchestrating the evening's success.

The JSB brought together high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors across the metroplex to celebrate with an evening filled with energetic live music, dynamic dancing, professionally staffed gaming tables, raffles, prizes and refreshments.

 “What makes JSB so special is this is the only party in town that every high school Sophomore through Senior is invited to attend,” said JSB 2024 Co-chair, Suzanne Austin. “These precious students are sometimes friends through social media, sports or school activities but this is the only time they can all come and spend an organized fun evening together.  This unique opportunity for our kiddos combined with raising money for an incredibly worthy cause is the right recipe for spectacular evening! My co-chairs and I are so appreciative of the overwhelming support from the parents, students, community businesses and underwriters that made this event so incredibly successful.” 

The dress code called for a Texas Tuxedo for the gentlemen and cocktail dresses paired with boots for the ladies. The majority of girls opted for short, black dresses, creating a striking sea of black enlivened by splashes of bright colors.

The evening kicked off with DJSC, the renowned DJ exclusive to The Dallas Cowboys for the past 15 years.  Also known as 13LACKBEARD, DJSC has shared the stage with notable artists like Snoop Dog, Chris Stapleton, and Taylor Swift. Possessing a larger-than-life persona, DJSC seamlessly commanded the crowd, drawing everyone to the dance floor. The music hit every major genre-and the energy level peaked in the jam-packed venue.

JSB headliner, Chris Ferrara and The Common Good, took the stage. They are a top-notch act in Nashville, headlining at Nashville Barstool nearly every Friday and Saturday night. His blend of city-boy swagger and country-boy soul was exactly what these high school students needed for a lively night of dancing.

The lineup of the 2024 Event Co-Chairs represents schools across Dallas: Cara Lichty, Episcopal School of Dallas; James Sutherland, St. Mark's School of Texas; Kate Fagan, The Hockaday School; Cash Nix, Highland Park High School; Ela Austin, Ursuline Academy; Ashton Krug, Jesuit College Prep of Dallas; Adelaide Boisture, Parish Episcopal School; Baker Trent, Bishop Lynch High School; Caroline Woram, Highland Park High School.

Their supportive and proud moms are: Suzanne Austin, Jenny Lichty, Ashley Boisture, Jonika Nix, Dana Woram, Holly Krug, Lauren Sutherland, Aimee Fagan, and Katy Trent.

From start to finish, the committee undertook the task of organizing logistics, planning activities, and implementing crowd control measures to guarantee the enjoyment of the vast gathering. The check-in went smoothly handling the process efficiently for the hundreds of students that came through. It culminated in a high-energy and memorable extravaganza for the staggering number of high school students in attendance.

“This is an event that my friends and I look forward to all year, so when asked if I wanted to be a part of planning it and be a co-chair, I was definitely on board,” said JSB student co-chair, Ela Austin. “My student co-chairs and I all do community service through our schools, but this was an opportunity for us to go beyond our schools and into the community and be a part of something bigger. This was something that was important to each one of us and was our way to help the Dallas Symphony and help the Youth Programs that JSB supports.”

Over 200 supportive parent volunteers helped to staff the evening including former JSB Ball Chair Mandy Click. April Willingham and Christie Cahoon were there for their high schoolers, but in the coming weeks, they will be attending another symphony event. They both have daughters making their debut at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League’s Presentation Ball on February 10.  

Sponsors include Mr. Tuxedo, Jenny Watts Photography, Competitive Cameras, Sewell, Veritex Community Bank, Highland Park Village, The Sidley Austin Foundation, and Stewart and Arango.

JSB is in its 66th year and is the longest running fundraiser of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League (DSOL), supporting DSO outreach programs such as the Young Strings program and the Young Musicians program. It was founded with the concept of “student-led, parent-guided” leadership. While JSB has evolved in scope and participation size, it has always been a high school student fundraising event for the DSO hosted by area 10th-12th grade high school students and their parents. JSB has grown over the decades from just a handful of participating schools to over 35 this year.  

 

Follow JSB on Social Media

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JSBdallas/
Instagram @jsbdallas

 

About Chris Ferrara
Born and raised in the small town of Sharon, MA, relocated to Music City in 2013 with just a suitcase and a guitar, and he has been making a name for himself ever since. His music draws from an eclectic mix of influences - from Muscle Shoals to Motown and every stop in between - to bring a style that is as familiar as it is new.

About JSB
JSB was formed to introduce Dallas area students to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, a cultural gem to our city, and in turn, teach them about giving back to the community by hosting the student-led fundraiser.

Participation on a JSB committee teaches high school teens valuable leadership, organizational, and team-work skills while raising significant dollars for a worthy cause. JSB creates a unique opportunity for students from a multitude of backgrounds to work together for a common goal and a positive contribution to their greater community. Both private and public schools from all across the Metroplex organize, participate, fundraise and attend the JSB.

JSB is a time honored tradition and a great first foray into giving back to the community and supporting music education on a larger scale. Proceeds benefit Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s community outreach and education programs, including Young Strings and Young Musicians that will benefit over 14,000 students, making a positive impact for under-served youth in Dallas and throughout North Texas. 

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

 

Nominations Accepted Now 

 

The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce is soliciting nominations for its annual Teacher of the Year Award. The purpose is to recognize educators K-12 who are providing outstanding education for their respective students. Recipients of this award must have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and novel programs that are serving to improve and promote education. The deadline for submitting nominations and applications is Sunday, March 31, 2024.

There will be awards for public and private elementary, middle and high schools in the East Dallas area of Dallas. A total of six awards will be presented. Each recipient will receive a $250 cash prize and each school represented will receive $250 as well.

Nominations are being solicited today! The awards will be presented at a cocktail reception on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at St. John’s Episcopal School located at 848 Harter Road.

 

All nominations will be submitted online.

 

Below are the criteria for the nominees:

 

NOMINEE ELIGIBILITY
Individuals employed as full-time classroom/laboratory/ teachers and coaches are eligible recipients for this award.

 

CRITERIA

 

  1. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE:  The nominee demonstrates instructional expertise, creativity, and innovation. The nominee uses a variety of techniques to effectively address students’ different learning styles and needs. The nominee is an instructional leader at the local, state, and/or national level.
  2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:  The nominee frequently interacts with community members on substantive education issues. The nominee identifies and helps to bring community resources to students in both formal and informal settings.
  3. LEADERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:  The nominee continually engages in experience to improve his or her practice and to gain new skills and knowledge. The nominee shares this new learning with colleagues in a variety of venues. The nominee’s participation in and commitment to professional development has a visible impact on his or her institution, student and community.
  4. ATTENTION TO DIVERSITY: The nominee works to provide a learning environment that meets the needs of all students, regardless of differences. The nominee recognizes and explicitly addresses the full array of values, cultures, and experiences represented in our diverse modern society, both through curriculum and instruction and in other interactions with students.

 

 

 

Deadline: March 31, 2024

 

Online nomination forms are available:  www.eastdallaschamber.com

 


For further information: 214-328-4100
Email to: president@eastdallaschamber.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce will present RISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum as the Keynote Speaker at the monthly luncheon on February 20 at Royal Oaks Country Club. Branum will present a "State of the District" address. 

Tabitha Branum is an experienced leader and motivated educator with 25 years of experience in Texas, addressing the needs of students through research-based and innovative programs and practices. In August of 2022, Branum was named RISD’s 20th superintendent. Prior to that, she served as deputy superintendent, overseeing the curriculum, instruction, and operations of RISD, and led the development of RISD's five-year strategic plan. Branum and her family live in RISD with two children enrolled in district schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and master’s in educational administration from the University of North Texas, and is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in educational administration at Dallas Baptist University. In 2022, she was honored with the National PTA Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2023 was named an Altrusa International Outstanding Woman of Today. We welcome Superintendent Branum, and we look forward to seeing you there. 

The luncheon will be at Royal Oaks Country Club, 7915 Greenville Avenue. Check-in and networking begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and program at 12:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 for Chamber Members and $45 for guests. Tickets are available at 

https://business.eastdallaschamber.com/ap/Events/Register/QravWA7p

For information: www.eastdallaschamber.com - president@eastdallaschamber.com or 214-649-1773.

 

The luncheon is sponsored by Pepsi Windland / Merchant Solutions 4U.

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest
Photo by JENNY WATTS PHOTOGRAPHY 2024 Co-Chairs

General Admission tickets for the 66th Annual Junior Symphony Ball (JSB)  - "Purpose with a Party" are SOLD OUT and several hundred names are on the wait list. The Steering Committee consists of over 800 students and there are just a few of those tickets still available on the website starting at $395. Visit  https://www.dallassymphonyleague.com/Junior-Symphony-Ball-Steering-Committee

Over 2,500 high school students from 35 schools are expected to attend the event set for Saturday, January 27th at Gilley’s from 7:30 – 10:30 pm. The JSB is a “Purpose with a Party” fundraising event where high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors come together and celebrate with an evening filled with live music, dancing, professionally staffed gaming tables, raffles, prizes and refreshments. Chris Ferrara and The Common Good will headline the JSB when the band takes over the iconic Gilley's Dallas for the night of music and dancing.

The night will begin with DJSC, the exclusive DJ for The Dallas Cowboys. DJSC, also known as 13LACKBEARD, has also opened for Snoop Dog, Chris Stapleton, and Taylor Swift, to name a few. He has a bigger than life personality and is known by fans as the “ultimate hype machine”.  “The fans love him –he hits every major genre-and the feel-good energy at his shows is awesome to experience.”

JSB headliner, Chris Ferrara is one of the hottest acts in Nashville and is the headliner at Nashville Barstool almost every Friday and Saturday night. His combination of city boy swagger and country boy soul with be just the right mix for an energetic and exciting night for these Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors!

JSB is in its 66th year and is the longest running fundraiser of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League (DSOL), supporting DSO outreach programs such as the Young Strings program and the Young Musicians program. It was founded with the concept of “student-led, parent-guided” leadership. While JSB has evolved in scope and participation size, it has always been a high school student fundraising event for the DSO hosted by area 10th-12th grade high school students and their parents. JSB has grown over the decades from just a handful of participating schools to over 35 at the 2023 event which raised a record amount of $415,000.

The 2024 Co-Chairs represents schools across Dallas: Cara Lichty, Episcopal School of Dallas; James Sutherland, St. Mark's School of Texas; Kate Fagan, The Hockaday School; Cash Nix, Highland Park High School; Ela Austin, Ursuline Academy; Ashton Krug, Jesuit College Prep of Dallas; Adelaide Boisture, Parish Episcopal School; Baker Trent, Bishop Lynch High School; Caroline Woram, Highland Park High School.

Their supportive and proud moms are: Suzanne Austin, Jenny Lichty, Ashley Boisture, Jonika Nix, Dana Woram, Holly Krug, Lauren Sutherland, Aimee Fagan, and Katy Trent. 

Follow JSB on Social Media

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JSBdallas/
Instagram @jsbdallas

 

Photo by Jenny Watts Photography

 

Key to photo:

Front row: Adelaide Boisture, Parish Episcopal School; Kate Fagan, The Hockaday School; Ela Austin, Ursuline Academy; Cara Lichty, Episcopal School of Dallas; Caroline Woram, Highland Park High School.

Back Row: James Sutherland, St. Mark's School of Texas; Ashton Krug, Jesuit College Prep of Dallas; Cash Nix, Highland Park High School; Baker Trent, Bishop Lynch High School.