The Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society (PCHPS) presented Highland Park High School graduating senior Olivia Briggs with a $1,500 scholarship gifted through the HP Education Foundation Tartan Fund/Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society Endowment this year. The scholarship is given annually to a student or students interested in architecture or history which reflects PCHPS’s passion for the significance of historic preservation.
          
As a student of HPHS, Olivia was a 4-year cheerleader serving on Varsity her junior and senior years and earning NCA All-American her senior year.  She is a 3-year Varsity member of the Track and Field team earning Field Athlete of the Year for 2 consecutive years.  She serves as President of the Dwell with Dignity club, Vice President of Hi-Lites and Vice President of 65 Roses.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society.
           
For the past 3 summers, Olivia has interned at Emily Summers Design Associates.  She has also had the opportunity to shadow designers at Perkins and Will and to attend Savannah School of Art and Design in classes focused on both interior design and architecture. Olivia plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture to study Interior Design.  She is the daughter of Laura and Travis Briggs.

           
Over the past years, PCHPS has expanded its commitment to education in the Park Cities. In 2011, the society’s board voted to allocate funds from the Historic Home Tour, the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon, and the Classic & Antique Car show to fund endowed scholarships with the Highland Park Education Foundation for deserving HPHS graduating seniors.           
           
PCHPS and its supporters reached the initial goal of $100,000 for the scholarship fund in 2014. A $50,000 contribution in 2017 increased the Endowment with the Foundation to $250,000.  Plans are now underway to steadily increase the scholarship and partner with the school district to emphasize the importance of education and comprehension of the rich heritage of our unique community.

Membership in the Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society is open to the public. Community support is vital to preserving community awareness regarding the importance of protecting and promoting visual history along with architectural and cultural legacies of the Park Cities.

PCHPS membership benefits and activities include:

Three educational meetings during the year, landmarking events honoring significant homes for architectural, historical or restoration merit, PCHPS annual spring Home Tour, Distinguished Speaker Luncheon, Fifth Annual Classic & Antique Car Show, July 4th Parade and booth.

The fundraising events that allow PCHPS to give back to the community are the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon, Home Tour, and the Classic & Antique Car Show. Funds raised help preserve and maintain The Park Cities House at Dallas Heritage Village, support the new PCHPS archives at the University Park Library, fund the Society’s landmarking initiatives, award scholarships to Highland Park High School graduating seniors planning to study architecture or history and fund the Distinguished Chair for History at Highland Park High School.

Visit the website to join and for more information at www.pchps.org