On April 9, a charming Patron Party for the 45th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala was held in the beautiful home of Connie and Marc Sigel, setting the scene for a lively and stylish start to gala season. The event brought together 75 Equest supporters for a meaningful evening filled with connection, excitement, and purpose.

Equest’s beloved Mini Ambassadors, Ranger and Dare — two miniature horses standing under 38 inches tall — greeted guests and quickly became a favorite photo opportunity. Inside, attendees enjoyed passed appetizers by Wendy Krispin Catering in an inviting atmosphere where conversation and camaraderie flowed easily, underscoring the shared commitment to Equest’s mission.

A special artistic touch came from Veva Sterling, daughter of Mimi Crum Sterling, who created watercolor portraits for guests, offering a personal keepsake that captured the spirit of the evening.

Equest CEO Eric Lindh and Gala Co-Chairs Melinda and Mark Knowles took a moment to recognize the committee chairs for their unwavering dedication before thanking guests for their continued support and for being part of the Equest family. They emphasized how meaningful this community is in advancing the organization’s mission, noting that the upcoming Blue Ribbon Gala is not only a celebration, but a vital moment that brings the community together in support of Equest’s life-changing work.

A particularly heartfelt moment came from Equest parent Allison Smith, who shared her daughter Lilly’s journey with autism. She described Equest as “essential” to their family, crediting the nonprofit with giving Lilly “confidence, connection, and a chance to dream,” a powerful reminder of the impact made possible through the support in the room.

Among those in attendance were Honorary Chair Lynn McBee, Founders Award Honorees Leslie and Hawkins Golden, and event designer Steve Kemble. Equest Board officers, including Chairman Brooke Bailey, Vice Chairman Megan Martin, and Treasurer Daniel Valentine, alongside numerous board members, were seen mingling with guests. Rounding out the room were a number of longtime patrons, including Lisa Laughlin, Natalie Taylor and Lauryn Gayle White.

All of it now leads to the Equest 45th Annual Blue Ribbon Gala, the organization’s signature fundraising event, set for April 25 at Gilley’s Dallas, an evening sure to continue the momentum and celebrate the community that makes Equest’s mission possible.

About Equest’s 45^th Annual Blue Ribbon Gala

The Equest Annual Blue Ribbon Gala will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Gilley’s Dallas (1135 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215). A limited number of individual tickets are available for $400 each. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.equest.org/gala or contact Angela Escamilla at gala@equest.org or (972) 412-1099 ext. 209.

About Equest

Founded in 1981, Equest provides equine facilitated activities, therapies and counseling to children and adults with physical, cognitive, sensory, coping and learning disabilities and veterans with adjustment challenges. The services provided include physical and occupational therapy, equine facilitated counseling and learning, therapeutic carriage driving, therapeutic horsemanship and competition. In 2025, with 30 therapy horses and a dedicated team of professionals, Equest impacted 727 individuals through direct services and reached an additional 1,511 through outreach and education. 431 veterans were served through the Hooves for Heroes program. Equest was the first PATH International Premier Accredited Center in Texas and remains one of the largest in the country. www.equest.org

On Saturday, April 25, for one night only, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra invites audiences to experience Stravinsky X Kendrick Lamar, a boundary-pushing concert at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center that blends Igor Stravinsky’s Petrouchka with tracks from Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize-winning album DAMN.

Conductor-composer Steve Hackman creates an unexpected musical conversation between two icons separated by a century, weaving themes of identity, struggle, love, fear, and redemption into a single narrative arc. As the DSO performs Stravinsky’s vibrant, character-driven ballet score, the music seamlessly transitions into Lamar’s classics like “LOYALTY.,” “XXX.,” and “HUMBLE.,” reimagined through vocalists Ajani NaNaBuluku, Jecorey Arthur, and Khalil Overton, and the additions from the rhythm section by Gabe Globus-Hoenich and Nick Clark.

This program is designed to challenge assumptions about what a symphony concert can be, making classical music accessible to hip-hop fans, while inviting traditional audiences to hear Stravinsky through fresh lens.

Tickets start at $68. Secure your spots now at dallassymphony.org. Images are available here.

Following the performance, guests can continue the experience at the energetic Young Professionals After-Party in the Meyerson lobby! Keep the night going in a chic lounge setting, featuring a DJ and dance floor. Tickets are $75 and include a complimentary drink and appetizers, all while supporting the DSO’s concerts and community programs.

Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center is located in Downtown Dallas at 2301 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201.

The Dallas PULSE are headed to the postseason in their inaugural season after Dallas (17-6) swept the Omaha Supernovas (11-13) in straight sets on Sunday afternoon, 25-21, 25-21, 25-22. The win marked the PULSE’s seventh sweep of the season and added to the momentum of a team that continues to show why it has become one of Major League Volleyball’s most dangerous contenders.

“I don’t think we could’ve asked for a better start to the season in our first year as a franchise,” said Shannon Winzer, Head Coach for Dallas PULSE. “When we first came together as a team, we said the beauty of this year is we have no past, only beginnings, so let’s make our mark on the league. And we’re doing just that. But our job is far from done, so for now we want to celebrate having clinched a spot in finals but stay in the trenches working to get better.” 

During the Omaha match, Dallas PULSE showed the balance that has made this team so difficult to defend. The PULSE was powered by another standout performance from outside hitters Mimi Colyer and Sofia Maldonado Diaz, who delivered the kind of one-two punch that has become a defining strength for the PULSE all season. Veteran setter Natalia Valentin-Anderson’s leadership and steady presence helped the PULSE hit .320 for the match, the ninth time this season the team has eclipsed a .300 hitting percentage. Kylie Murr continues to anchor the defense and is one of the leading passers in the MLV.

The 2026 Major League Volleyball Championship will be held on the PULSE home court at Comerica Center in Frisco, on Thursday, May 7 with the title match on Saturday, May 9. The winning team earns a one million dollar bonus to be distributed among its roster. Fans can purchase tickets via the TicketMaster website. 

Dallas PULSE returns to Comerica Center on Friday, April 17, to face the Columbus Fury at 7 p.m. CT. Fans can watch the match live on Victory+. This home match will serve as a special “Hearts and Heroes” appreciation night, recognizing military members and healthcare workers in the North Texas community on the court before the first set. 

Local nonprofit Black Heart Association (BHA) will be onsite at Comerica Center from 3 pm to 6:45 p.m., performing free heart screenings inside their Cardiovascular and Resource Delivery Vehicle (CARDI V). Trained staff and medical providers will conduct these screenings with a simple finger prick, delivering instant results and offering insight.

Tickets for the April 17 “Hearts and Heroes” home game are available at  dallaspulsevb.com. Dallas PULSE’s remaining regular season home games will be May 1 and May 3. 

ABOUT BLACK HEART ASSOCIATION

Black Heart Association is a nonprofit focused on improving heart health through advocacy, education and empowerment. The organization works to ensure individuals of all backgrounds have access to the resources they need to take meaningful steps toward longer, healthier lives. To learn more about BHA and the free screenings, visit blackheartassociation.org.

ABOUT DALLAS PULSE

The Dallas PULSE is North Texas’ first women’s professional volleyball team, competing in Major League Volleyball’s 2026 season. Playing at Comerica Center in Frisco, Dallas PULSE echoes the energy, and heart of Dallas-Fort Worth – home to one of the nation’s largest and most passionate volleyball communities. For more information about the team, visit Dallas PULSE or follow the team on social media channels at @DallasPULSEVB for schedule updates, roster announcements, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

ABOUT MLV

Major League Volleyball, entering its third season, is the longest-running formal professional volleyball league for women in the United States. Designed to elevate the sport through world class competition, commercial innovation, and cultural relevance, MLV brings together elite athletes, visionary leadership, and global ambition. With alignment to USA Volleyball and a commitment to Olympic development, MLV serves as the premier pathway from professional play to the world stage. 

The Shelton School Parents’ Association (SPA) marked a milestone April 11, welcoming approximately 900 attendees to the Fairmont Hotel for the 50th anniversary Stampede benefit auction — an evening filled with celebration, reflection and support for Shelton’s mission.

Guests, dressed in cowboy chic, enjoyed a cocktail reception, seated dinner, live auction and a special performance by Little Big Town. Attendees also had the opportunity to walk through a hallway of Shelton memorabilia and historic photos, offering a meaningful look back at the school’s 50-year legacy. The Shelton community also viewed a video featuring students sharing their own stories, highlighting the impact of a Shelton education.

Funds raised from the auction will support a wide range of initiatives at Shelton, including academics, curriculum programs, fine arts, athletics, technology, professional development for teachers, the wellness program, security enhancements and tuition assistance. Proceeds also benefit the Shelton Endowment Fund and the Shelton Scholarship Fund.

Among the evening’s highlights were several premier auction packages, including the Ultimate Cowboys experience — featuring travel on the team-chartered plane and tickets to an away game — an Eagles concert experience at Globe Life Field, Del Mar Race Week and naming rights to a glass installation in Shelton’s main hall created by alumna and artist Carlyn Ray.

The 2026 Stampede Auction was co-chaired by Mandy Evans and JoAnna Sudbeck. Shelly Lloyd is Shelton’s director of volunteer relations and events. Kimberly Kahn and Leigh Erin Lundy serve as co-presidents of the 2025–2026 Shelton Parents’ Association, which sponsored the event. Francie Moody-Dahlberg, Shelton parent and executive director and chairman of the Moody Foundation, served as honorary chairman.

Executive Director Suzanne Stell thanked parents, volunteers, longtime Shelton leaders, sponsors, underwriters and staff for their support, including members of the 50 for 50 Club — donors who contributed $50,000 in honor of Shelton’s 50th anniversary. She also expressed gratitude to Shelton parents Renee and Scott Jansen of Goody Goody, who donated all beverages for the fifth consecutive year.

In her remarks, Suzanne noted that Shelton students have earned more than $80 million in merit scholarships between 2004 and 2026. “We are here to celebrate the past, the present and the future,” she said. “What we’ve accomplished together is extraordinary. Shelton’s story is one of perseverance, passion and purpose.”

The program also featured remarks from Shelton parent and alumnus Patrick Wallace, whose mother, Diane Wallace, chaired the Stampede Auction in 1991–92. Wallace attended Shelton’s Lovers Lane campus from 1987 to 1993.

“I came to Shelton broken — my confidence and self-esteem were so low. But here, it was like I found my people. The teachers understood me, my confidence grew year by year and it truly changed the trajectory of my life,” he said. “I would not be where I am today without the foundation I received at Shelton. It changed my life — and now I’m seeing it do the same for my children.” Wallace is now a financial advisor at Gardner Wallace, a financial planning and management company.

Attendees viewed a video message from Charlotte Jones, executive vice president and chief brand officer of the Dallas Cowboys and a former Shelton parent.

“No family anticipates needing a school for learning differences, but when you find Shelton, you discover hope,” she said. “You discover answers. You discover people who understand your child at a level few others ever have. Shelton restores confidence. It reshapes a child’s future. It’s not just a school — it’s a family.

“The next 50 years begin tonight. We have both the opportunity and the responsibility to ensure Shelton continues to transform lives. Through our generosity, our leadership and our engagement, we chart the path forward.”

See photos and videos from Shelton's 2026 50th Stampede Auction at this link.

Photography by Kate White.

Gala raises $1.4 million, honors four laureates and welcomes surprise appearance by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott

Junior Achievement of Dallas (JA Dallas) honored four distinguished business leaders at the 28th annual Dallas Business Hall of Fame on Saturday, March 28, at the Omni Dallas Hotel. The fundraising gala—presented by Ryan, LLC—recognized Susan Adzick, Phillip Huffines, Allen Nye and Steven Williams for their lasting contributions to the Dallas business community and region. 

The event raised a record-breaking $1.4 million in support of JA Dallas' mission to inspire and prepare young people for success in a global economy.

Dallas Cowboys Strength and Conditioning Coach Harold Nash served as emcee, kicking off the program by pondering aloud what exactly a Cowboys strength coach was doing hosting a celebration of Dallas business leaders—before drawing a convincing parallel between his work developing athletes and Junior Achievement's work preparing students for the real world. Nash set a high-energy tone that carried through the entire evening.

JaiMarie Bardwell, a senior at Irving High School, was named the 2026 Student of the Year and awarded the Sandi Smith Scholarship—a $15,000 award to support her higher education journey. Selected from a competitive pool of applicants, Bardwell was recognized for her leadership, service and commitment to creating opportunity for others, including her mentorship of younger students through the JA High School Heroes program. Casey Mellody, JA Dallas Vice President of Education, presented the award. Stephen Tigh, JA Dallas Board Chair, followed with a champagne toast before dinner.

When Chris LaTurno, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Dallas, took the stage, he emphasized the lasting impact JA has on students' trajectories—and why the organization's hands-on approach is exactly what the future demands.

"Three in five JA alumni say they started or owned a business because of their JA experience—and 92 percent agree that as automation and AI change jobs and the economy, students who go through JA will be better prepared for the future," said LaTurno. "Students are not just hearing about economics and personal finance—they are experiencing them."

Auctioneer Scott Peterson followed with a competitive live auction featuring exclusive experiences, including trips to the Amalfi Coast, Sonoma Valley and Champagne, France, as well as a Texas Rangers package and a private dinner at Chamberlain’s Steak and Fish.

The evening took an unforgettable turn during the live appeal, when Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott—in attendance at the invitation of his coach and mentor Harold Nash—took the stage and announced a personal gift of $25,000 to Junior Achievement of Dallas.

"I am the man that I am, strictly because of the community that was around me when I grew up,” said Prescott. “It takes a village to raise somebody, and everyone in this room is a part of that community. So, I'm giving $25,000 tonight—I challenge each and every one of you to give to the leaders of tomorrow.”

Prescott then tossed autographed footballs to guests making matching donations throughout the room.

JA Dallas students introduced each of the evening's four honorees.

Susan Adzick, president of McLane Restaurant, leads one of the largest food service systems distribution companies in the country, with 45 distribution centers delivering to more than 34,000 restaurants. She has held executive roles at McLane and previously at PepsiCo Food Systems and has served on boards including the International Foodservice Distributors Association, National Restaurant Association and Women's Foodservice Forum. She has also been involved with the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and the Dallas Arboretum Women's Council.

Phillip Huffines, co-founder and co-owner of Huffines Communities, has spent more than four decades transforming the North Texas landscape through real estate development. His firm has developed more than 20,000 single-family homesites and 2,500 multifamily units, generating billions in value and supporting regional growth. A dedicated mentor and philanthropist, he supports STEM education and entrepreneurship through the Huffines Foundation and is a longtime JA Dallas board member—named the organization's Philanthropist of the Year in 2018.

Allen Nye, CEO of Oncor, leads Texas' largest electric delivery company, serving more than 13 million customers. Under his leadership since 2018, Oncor has emphasized safety, reliability and innovation while guiding the company through an era of rapid growth and modernization. He is also active in civic and industry organizations supporting public service, economic development and education.

Steven Williams, executive vice president and vice chairman of PepsiCo, leads global commercial strategy, stakeholder engagement and growth initiatives across one of the world’s most recognized food and beverage companies. A PepsiCo veteran since 2001, he previously served as CEO of PepsiCo North America and serves on boards including State Farm, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and UT Southwestern.

The Dallas Business Hall of Fame raises funds to help JA Dallas provide students across North Texas with hands-on learning experiences in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship—equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to become the next generation of leaders.

Special thanks to sponsors, including:

• Presenting Sponsor: Ryan
• Achievement Sponsors: DHD Films, Oncor, PepsiCo
• Elite Sponsors: Hillwood, Huffines Foundation, The Men and Women of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., McLane Food Service, Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors
• Leadership Sponsors: BravoTECH, The Brierley Group, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Southwest Airlines

About Junior Achievement of Dallas

Junior Achievement of Dallas (JA Dallas) inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. Over the past 70 years, the nonprofit organization has reached more than 1.3 million students across the region with real-world learning experiences in financial literacy, workplace readiness and entrepreneurship. In the past year alone, JA Dallas served 99,661 students through just over 50 school partners, powered by 3,124 volunteers who contributed 458,594 hours of their time, valued at more than $15.4 million. These immersive, hands-on experiences equip young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to lead and thrive. Research shows that JA alumni are more likely to pursue higher education, feel confident managing money, experience career success and start businesses. For more information, visit jadallas.org.

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Photo credit: Brad Newton/Grant Miller Photography