Are you looking for a meaningful experience for your 8-11 year-old this summer?  The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) has a great opportunity!  Our camp was created to empower the next generation of volunteers and philanthropists by teaching campers:

• The reality of senior hunger in our community
• The importance of good nutrition
• How to combat social isolation
• The gift of volunteerism

Who can attend? The Meals on Wheels Kids Camp is for children 8-11 years old.  Each camp is limited to 20 campers.

When are the camps? Each camp is one day and will be hosted on the following days:

• Tuesday, June 11 from 9:30 am-2:30 pm
• Tuesday, June 18 from 9:30 am-2:30 pm
• Tuesday, June 25 from 9:30 am-2:30 pm
• Tuesday, July 9 from 9:30 am-2:30 pm

For more information: www.vnatexas.org/kids-camp

According to research collected by the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, graduates of all-girls schools perform better academically, have higher aspirations and are more likely than those attending coeducational schools to impact their communities and consider careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Dallas-based Young Women’s Preparatory Network (YWPN), a nonprofit founded in 2002 whose mission is to support single-gender, college-preparatory, public education, operates 11 schools in 10 Texas independent school districts. YWPN’s model shows that all girls can excel when given the right opportunity. Now, the network is being lauded for its efforts.

On March 27, Western Governors University’s (WGU) School of Business will present the Elevate Award to YWPN in recognition of its exceptional work across Texas in empowering young women with the leadership skills and academic preparation needed for lifelong success. WGU's Elevate Award is given to individuals and organizations that contribute to high-quality learning opportunities and support the educational success of others.

Led by Mitsu Frazier, senior vice president and executive dean, the WGU School of Business empowers students to learn at the speed of business and earn the skills needed to achieve their professional goals.

"Education is the surest path to opportunity, and it sets individuals on a path to independence and freedom," Frazier said. "It is an honor to celebrate YWPN's impact on young women and recognize its commitment to shaping future leaders."

This recognition is especially meaningful as the award is being presented at the Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School in Dallas, which was the first school opened by YWPN. The school’s namesake, Irma Lerma Rangel, was a trailblazing attorney, educator, legislator and mentor to Dr. Linda Garza Battles, WGU’s regional vice president, making this moment a deeply personal and inspiring tribute to the power of mentorship and education.

“YWPN’s dedication to equipping young women with the tools they need to excel academically and lead with confidence aligns with WGU’s mission to expand access, without excluding anyone,” Battles said.

YWPN CEO Lynn McBee will accept the award in a ceremony at 3 p.m. in the Rangel library. Prior to the ceremony, leaders from WGU’s School of Business, who are currently touring the nation to learn how to better serve students, will visit with Rangel students and see the school.

“This honor is very meaningful to us. Our schools have received many awards, but it’s rare for the network itself to receive such amazing recognition,” said Lynn McBee, CEO of Young Women’s Preparatory Network. “The Elevate Award is made even more special with Dr. Battles’ connection to our Dallas school’s namesake. We are very appreciative of WGN for this acknowledgment of our team’s hard work.”

Created in 2022, WGU’s Elevate Awards have been given to nearly 25 individuals and organizations, from school administrators and faculty to Fortune 100 companies across the nation.

About Young Women’s Preparatory Network
Founded in 2002, Young Women’s Preparatory Network (YWPN) is a non-profit agency that partners with public school districts across the state of Texas to operate the largest network of all-girls, public, college preparatory schools in the nation. The schools have won multiple awards, including being recognized among the top public schools in Texas and the nation. During 2024-2025, YWPN is serving over 5,700 students in the 6th-12th grades through its Network of schools in the following school districts: Aldine, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock, Midland, San Antonio, and Ysleta. The YWPN educational model is a catalyst for positive educational change.

Most YWPN students are girls of color who come from low-income households, where often they are the first in their families to graduate high school and attend college. One hundred percent of YWPN students graduate high school and are accepted into a four-year college or university. Last year, the 378 members of the YWPN statewide Class of 2024 earned more than $120 million in academic and merit-based scholarships to attend college.

To learn more, visit www.youngwomensprep.org.

Sneaker Haven, the ultimate destination for sneaker enthusiasts, is celebrating its newest location, a brand-new store in Watters Creek Village in Allen, with a grand opening event on Sunday, March 23, 2 to 3 p.m., at 873 Watters Creek Boulevard. At the free event, attendees can enjoy perusing the newest collection of shoes, entering giveaways and raffles, and taking pictures with Dallas Stars players Ilya Lyubushkin and Evgenii Dadonov. Allen-based MonkeySports will also give away sports equipment and gift cards to attendees celebrating Sneaker Haven’s grand opening.

As the premier sneaker and streetwear boutique, Sneaker Haven offers a curated collection of sought-after footwear, apparel and accessories from top brands, including Nike, Supreme, Jordan, Off-White and more. Sneaker Haven buys new and gently used sneakers from collectors and sells only new collectible merchandise in store, as well as offering an authenticity guarantee. 

“Our goal is to transform the sneaker resale landscape,” said Justin Viel, a self-proclaimed sneakerhead who started buying and selling collectible tennis shoes as a young teen growing up in Lucas. “I always wanted to create a space where people could come in and ogle over the shoes and try them on. Everything here is brand-new and we take authenticity super-seriously. We want to be the place where everyone in the community feels welcome and appreciated.”

Offering the level of customer service they personally want in a sneaker store is important to Sneaker Haven’s owners, Justin Viel, Haris Khan and Walker Scheer. Viel and Khan discovered their shared love of buying and selling premium sneakers as high school students. They would run into each other in the school bathroom, where they had each escaped to so they could purchase exclusive sneakers online as they dropped and before they sold out. Viel met Scheer while standing in line for hours for the drop of another coveted sneaker. “We all started as kids wanting to get into buying and selling shoes,” Viel explained.

Appealing to all types of sneaker enthusiasts, from the die-hard sneakerhead to the casual sneaker wearer, Sneaker Haven offers new shoes for men, women and children, offering shoes in sizes starting at 3.5 in youth and 5 in women’s, all the way through size 13 for men. 

From fashion-forward kids and teens who spend time following all the latest shoe releases to adult professionals feeling nostalgic for the desired sneakers from their youth, Sneaker Haven offers a convenient front door to the exciting and growing world of collectible tennis shoes. Sneakers in the store range in cost from $110 a pair to $10,000 for highly collectible pairs. Sneaker Haven is the only collectible sneaker store in the DFW area with a return policy and a guarantee for authenticity. The store also offers other athletic-inspired gear, such as the original DALLAS Haven Hoodies, designed by Viel’s fiancé, Valerie Wu and known for their comfortable cut.

Viel and Khan are 2019 graduates of Lovejoy High School in Lucas, and they’re proud to employ a team of 10 sneakerheads, many of whom are students or graduates of area high schools. When considering where to open their newest Sneaker Haven, Watters Creek Village in Allen was high on their list.

“I grew up in Lucas, and Watters Creek was the shopping area where we hung out. I would go there all the time,” Viel said. “Once we heard that the ownership group that owned Highland Park Village, HP Village Partners, now owned it, we wanted to be there. We know how important it is to be in an area with good owners and managers.”

When asked what the coolest pair of shoes Sneaker Haven at Watters Creek Village has in store, Viel was quick to answer: “The craziest shoes we have right now are two pairs of Nike Air Yeezeys, which are from before Kanye went to Adidas. They are brand new, in the box, dust bag and everything!” he said. 

“I’m still a sneaker head at the end of the day! It’s hard not to nerd out,” Viel laughed.

For more information about the event and Sneaker Haven, visit sneakerhaven.shop or follow the store on Instagram @sneakerhaven.tx. The store is open Monday through Friday, 12 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Watters Creek Village is a unique, resort-style mixed-use development. With its vertically dense design, this 52-acre project incorporates a complete mix of uses including a large creekside village green, interactive public art, a variety of retail options, restaurants featuring al fresco dining and water views, and office space and residential lofts. The lifestyle destination’s purpose is to enhance communities, enrich lives, and create extraordinary environments. Watters Creek Village is committed to making a positive impact, always seeking ways to make a difference, honoring the destination’s connection to the community and the environment. When the property opened in May 2008, it was the first retail development in Texas to be LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.  Watters Creek Village is located at U.S. Highway 75 and Bethany Drive at 970 Garden Park Drive in Allen, Texas.  For more information, call 972-747-8000 or visit watterscreek.com. Connect with Watters Creek Village @WattersCreek on Facebook and @WattersCreek on Instagram.

You’ve picked your bracket. Now what’s next? Kenny’s East Coast Pizza in Plano is inviting everyone to celebrate March Madness today through the end of the NCAA tourney with a fun fusion food!

The all-new Pizza Quesadilla will be available for dine in, take out and delivery.

At lunch, guests can enjoy a combo featuring the Pizza Quesadilla with a side Caesar salad for $13.99. Im the evenings, the tasty treat is served as an appetizer for $12.99. The Pizza Quesadilla is stuffed with house-made red sauce, pepperoni, sausage, Monterey Jack and mozzarella and is served with sides of ranch and red sauce.

Or, those seeking a real game-day celebration can order a March Madness Combo, which includes a Pizza Quesadilla with five enormous whole chicken wings tossed in your choice of Parmesan Garlic, BBQ or Ranch. This massive treat is $26.99.

Kenny’s East Coast Pizza

4701 W. Park Blvd.

Plano, TX 75093

(972) 519-9669

kennyseastcoastpizza.com

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday