The 2024-25 Youth Leadership Council learns how to create successful teams from Google’s landmark Project Aristotle study; contributes 1,655.5 service hours; and launches multiple impact projects

Founded in 2021, the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) of The Storehouse Community Center was established to provide high school leadership experience while fulfilling the mission of The Storehouse to feed, clothe, and care as neighbors in one community. This year’s group of 40 students from 19 area high schools in Carrollton, Dallas, Frisco, Plano, and Richardson took their service a step beyond, launching multiple impact projects while learning how to work best as a team.

This year’s theme, “Creating Successful Teams,” was built around Google’s Project Aristotle—a landmark study that explored what makes teams thrive. Each month, student leaders facilitated interactive learning sessions on five traits identified in the study: psychological safety, dependability, structure & clarity, meaning, and impact. The research, a multi-year initiative, found psychological safety — where team members feel safe to take risks and be vulnerable — as the most critical element of team success.

YLC Squad Leaders Abigail Muccio, Ava Henry, Blair Neumayer, Caroline Hathaway, Carter Jacob and Assistant Squad Leaders Joshua Montes, Nikhil Aluri, Nina Zucconi, Sophia Perez, Tessa Devasia developed the meeting content alongside their squad members and implemented learning activities focusing on these characteristics.

“I was quite impressed with the creativity of squad leaders in coordinating these learning sessions,” said Ben Skye, director of communications and culture and YLC advisor at The Storehouse. “Through obstacle courses, skits, discussions, and more, each meeting brought the concepts to life in memorable ways, helping students build leadership and teamwork skills they’ll carry into their futures.”

"Last year, we spent a lot of time learning about our personality profiles and figuring out our individual strengths and weaknesses,” said Raghav Gupta, senior, Plano West Senior High School. “This year built on that foundation, and we got to really dig into what makes a team work. Leadership isn’t just about you — it’s about how you work with other people, and learning about Project Aristotle helped all of us understand how to do that better."

The group also came together in teams to launch a series of projects that would directly benefit The Storehouse. When Joseph’s Coat clothing closet needed warm clothing for the winter, the students created a marketing campaign with materials and served as liaisons for two large high schools whom they asked to launch drives: Plano West and John Paul II, which collected a combined 562 items. The council also closed out the year with a socks and underwear drive which resulted in 402 donations – a pressing need they learned about while volunteering.

Over the summer, YLC alumna and founding member Rishika Chimaji — now a junior at Texas A&M majoring in environmental science — returned to The Storehouse to complete the eight-week Nonprofit Management internship. While working in the food pantry, Chimaji noticed that damaged packages of oats, though still safe to eat, were being set aside and left unused. Drawing on her academic background, she proposed a new YLC project: repurposing the oats into protein bites for neighbors attending The Storehouse’s Saturday morning Academy education classes. Made with oats, honey, peanut butter, chia seeds, and vanilla, the protein bites quickly became a popular and energizing snack for Academy students. Preparing them grew into an ongoing YLC team effort — a project that combined sustainability, creativity, and care for their neighbors. This year, the students prepared more than 1,100 protein bites.

“We could not be prouder of our council and the impact they have made not only through their service hours but also through these multiple projects,” added Skye. “Rishika’s project is a prime example of what we hope our YLC members take away from their year or years of service at The Storehouse. For her to see a need, take the initiative, and apply what she has learned in college to her deep commitment to the YLC and our mission to care for our neighbors was extremely rewarding to watch. Not only that, her efforts and initiative launched a YLC project that will likely be continued in the years to come.”

As the 40 members of the 2024–25 Youth Leadership Council wrapped up the council’s fourth year, they gathered to reflect on their accomplishments, recognize their leaders, and honor their graduating seniors. They also celebrated this year’s recipients of the David A. Huerta Student Volunteer Award* for the most hours of service: Joshua Eappen (79.5 hours, 11th grade, Frisco Memorial High School), Nina Zucconi (74.25 hours, 12th grade, Plano West Senior High School), and Misha Kandukuri (71 hours, 11th grade, Plano West Senior High School). Altogether, the 40 YLC students contributed an impressive 1,655.5 hours of service — averaging 41.38 hours per member, well above the council’s 30-hour annual requirement.

Beyond their scheduled service days, many council members also volunteered independently across all four of The Storehouse’s core programs, lending their time and talents to the clothing closet, neighbor care, education, and food pantry programs.

Twenty-one seniors were honored for their service, including founding members Raghav Gupta (Plano West Senior High School) and Charlotte Bray (Plano East Senior High School), who helped grow the YLC into the thriving program it is today 

“The YLC is one of the best experiences I have ever had,” said Charlotte Bray. “I was very shy and introverted as a 9^th grader, and since being a part of the YLC, I have become more comfortable opening up, talking, and being seen. This whole experience has shaped me into being more of a leader than I ever thought I could be. It’s a cool thing to be a part of a group of leaders dedicated to helping people. If I hadn’t joined YLC as a freshman, I honestly don’t know where I’d be today.”

“This is my third year leading the Youth Leadership Council, and it’s been incredible to not only watch the growth of the council but also our individual members,” added Skye. “After two years of developing the structure, this year’s council stepped into their own – taking on projects that truly made an impact at The Storehouse. These were initiatives uniquely designed by and for the YLC.”

While the YLC roster is complete for the 2025–26 year, The Storehouse welcomes all high school students to volunteer. To sign up, visit www.thestorehousecc.org/volunteer-sign-up. To learn more about the Youth Leadership Council, visit www.thestorehousecc.org/ylc.

“The Storehouse created the YLC to provide students an opportunity to serve our neighbors while developing life and leadership skills,” said Candace Winslow, CEO, The Storehouse Community Center. “And each year under the leadership of Ben Skye, I am overjoyed to see it develop into so much more. Students are not only learning more about themselves, but they are also seeing that they can create positive change in the world. We are beyond grateful for their many hours of service and the love and care they have shown to our neighbors.”

In her remarks at the council’s year-end celebration on April 26, Winslow highlighted research showing that high school students who volunteer and engage in leadership programs like the YLC are much more likely to step into leadership roles and stay active in community service throughout their adult lives. She shared with the students, “The work you are doing today is planting seeds for a lifetime of leadership and service.”

*DAVID A. HUERTA, 22, the award’s namesake, began volunteering at The Storehouse at age 14 after he and his family arrived in Plano as immigrants from Venezuela. He volunteered weekly, helped found the YLC, and is a recent graduate of University of Texas at Dallas with a bachelor's degree in finance. He is a YLC advisor and works part time with The Storehouse team.

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The Storehouse Community Center (formerly The Storehouse of Collin County) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving residents of Collin, Dallas, and Denton counties through food, clothing, resources, education, and employment support. By creating strong partnerships and offering transformational programs, TSCC works to address the root causes of food insecurity and empower neighbors to achieve self-sufficiency. During its previous fiscal year, The Storehouse served 180,000 unduplicated neighbors with the support of more than 2,000 volunteers. Visit www.thestorehousecc.org. The Storehouse EIN: 27-1883333

What Goes Around

by

Michael Wendroff

A riveting tale of a mysterious serial killer, white supremacists, and the detective team determined to stop them.

What Goes Around is the first novel by author Michael Wendroff, and after reading it, readers will definitely hope it won’t be his only one! After a shooter practicing in the woods is in the right place at the right time to anonymously stop a violent assault, they discover the act of killing fulfills a need in their life, and they enjoy it. But as the body count rises, a newly-paired “dog and cat” detective team pledges to put an end to this vigilante’s trail of death. 

Wow! I was immediately drawn into this clever story from the very first chapter. Its opening scene, where readers are introduced to Jack Ludlum and Jill Jarred, the two police officer main characters fated to become partners, is both suspenseful and explosive, with bullets and blood flying everywhere. Confident, talented, and highly competitive, these two officers do not like each other and have little in common but their desire to get the job done. They rub each other the wrong way, both consciously and inadvertently, from the moment they meet at the academy, but the author does a great job setting up their slow-burn relationship with teasing, tentative moments until they eventually realize they are perfect for each other, on and off the job. I really enjoyed how they quickly see they complement each other while working cases and come to understand they are better together as a team than separately and on their own. 

As mentioned, the plot hits the ground running, and the action never lets up, with several storylines working at one time, each equally as puzzling. Still, with so many moving parts, this first-time author juggled them like a pro, keeping things straight and clear until the storylines began to converge. The shooter remains a well-kept secret, tantalizingly out of reach, until the big reveal, and kept me guessing and in the dark the entire time. I’m sincerely hoping for more from this author and SOON. 

I recommend WHAT GOES AROUND to mystery and thriller readers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

Fourteen student artists from Texas Woman’s arts program will launch an inaugural group exhibit featuring works that explore the intersection of art and nursing, with a focus on health care issues faced by the elderly.

The exhibit, “Vital Signs: Art, Health, and Aging,” opens May 9 and runs through May 31 at the Janette Kennedy Gallery in Dallas (Southside on Lamar, 1409 Botham Jean Blvd #105, Dallas, TX 75215). The exhibition is a collaborative project involving Dr. Aaron Loeb, assistant clinical professor at TWU’s Houston campus and Giovanni Valderas, a drawing and painting professor at TWU’s Denton campus.

The project will feature artwork created by TWU art students, each of whom will address an illness commonly affecting the aging population — such as heart disease, diabetes, or COPD —through their artwork. In collaboration with nursing students, the students will explore creative ways to visually chart the human experience, not only to represent the illness but also to convey hope.

“Through abstract artwork, the aim is to examine how the integration of artistic practices with nursing can help inform best practices for both fields,” Valderas said. “This exhibit will also highlight the value of an innovative learning environment where liberal arts and health sciences programs work together to deepen students' understanding of the intersections between art and science. Moreover, it aims to raise awareness within the broader community about the aging population, the illnesses they endure, and how we can promote a greater social responsibility through education.”

Exhibition Dates: May 9 – May 31, 2025

Reception: Sunday, May 31, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Location: The Janette Kennedy Gallery, 1409 Botham Jean Blvd #105, Dallas, 75215

Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday

Carbon Companies and Greenway Investment Company, Dallas-based privately owned real estate firms, secured a loan for approximately $125 million to finalize the large-scale, luxury multifamily development, The Links on PGA Parkway, in Frisco, Texas. The loan, arranged by the Carbon Companies team, will be used to complete the final phases of the four-phase, 38-acre development. 

The Links on PGA Parkway is located at 15950 Paramount Way in Frisco, off of PGA Pkwy and Dallas North Tollway. The first two phases of the development, which opened in December 2021 and October 2023, introduced 690 units and a two-acre city park. With financing secured for the final two phases, an additional 620 podium-style units will be constructed with 815 underground parking spots. Each building will be complete with its own state-of-the-art wellness facilities and resort-style amenities. The Links on PGA Parkway will offer a total of 1,310 residential units after all phases of the development are complete. 

“We are grateful to all of our partners for working together to secure the loan to deliver the final phases of The Links on PGA Parkway,” says Ed Garahan, CEO of Carbon Companies. “We are proud of this development and look forward to offering luxury housing to more residents in Frisco.” 

The first two phases of the community feature a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments with modern finishes and appliances, stylish interiors, top-tier amenities, and spacious common areas. The state-of-the-art amenities include two resort-style pools with outdoor lounges, two clubhouses, two fitness centers, a grab-and-go market offering grocery essentials, an advanced golf simulator, and complimentary yoga classes and golf lessons from local golf professionals. 

Located in the heart of the Frisco Urban Village, The Links on PGA Parkway is at the center of a rapidly growing and desirable area. Ideally situated near the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa – home to two 18-hole championship golf courses – PGA of America Headquarters, The Star, Stonebriar Centre, and Baylor Scott & White’s Health Complex, the residential community offers unparalleled comfort and convenience. With an array of dining and entertainment options nearby and easy access to the Dallas North Tollway, residents can enjoy luxury and accessibility. 

There are also several highly-anticipated, unique developments in the pipeline nearby, including Universal Kids Resort set to open in 2026, and the Fields West village which will feature premier retail, dining, entertainment, office spaces, and residences. Just across the street, Firefly Park is set to transform 160 acres into a vibrant destination, complete with a 45-acre park, scenic biking and walking trails, water features, luxury townhomes, multifamily residences, and an upscale hotel, all slated for completion in 2027. Adding to the area’s appeal, the City of Frisco and Prosper Independent School District plan to partner to develop the over $300 million, state-of-the-art “ Frisco Center for the Arts” performance hall, to be located at the northwest corner of the Dallas North Tollway and PGA Parkway. 

With the completion of the Dallas North Tollway expansion and easy access to top attractions in the area, The Links on PGA Parkway offers an unbeatable location. Once its third and fourth phases are completed in 2027, this luxury multifamily development will be home to nearly 2,000 residents in the Frisco Urban Village.

Children thrive when they have regular interactions with responsive, caring adults, yet neglect is the most reported form of child maltreatment that can have long-term effects on children’s health and development. Child abuse is an ugly reality of society, and awareness and prevention are crucial in making a difference and making the world a better place for children of all ages.

Child abuse is not limited to young children. Older children and adolescents can also experience abuse, whether it comes from their parents or within a romantic relationship. It also occurs across all socioeconomic levels, ethnic and culture lines and religion and education levels.

An important advocate for children in the Metroplex East region is Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). CASA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social service agency focused on protecting children, restoring childhood and helping child victims of abuse and neglect achieve their full potential. CASA volunteers are voices for abused and neglected children in court and their ultimate goal is to help ensure that all of the children in protective care find safe, permanent homes where they can thrive. 

To find local volunteer opportunities in Dallas, please visit https://www.dallascasa.org/about-dallas-casa/. For volunteer opportunities outside of Dallas, please visit https://texascasa.org/how-to-help/. To report suspected child abuse or neglect, please call 1-800-252-5400.