Woodrow - Academics - Arts - etc.

[Lakewooder]

From DMN 2/04/06

Photos by KYE R. LEE/DMN
The Variations, from Woodrow Wilson High School, took the stage Tuesday evening at the Superintendent's Academic Scholars Reception at the Meyerson Symphony Center.

[Lakewooder]

Pete Harris Pappas: With family, businessman built popular chain of restaurants

08:17 AM CST on Wednesday, January 4, 2006
By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News


The son of a Greek immigrant and longtime Dallas cafe owner, Pete Harris Pappas was an inventor and visionary restaurateur.

After a successful career in the refrigeration and equipment business, Mr. Pappas returned to his roots in the restaurant business where he and his brothers built a chain of more than 80 restaurants.

Mr. Pappas, 86, died Dec. 18 of natural causes at The Methodist Hospital in Houston.

Services were Dec. 20 in Houston.

"He knew how to make people happy, giving them plenty of good food at a reasonable cost," said his wife, Helen Lucas Pappas of Houston.

Born in Dallas, Mr. Pappas was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. In 1941, he opened the Piccadilly Restaurant in southwest Dallas County with family members.

He attended the University of Texas at Austin and served in the Army Air Forces during World War II.

After the war, Mr. Pappas moved to Houston, where he and his brothers formed Pappas Refrigeration Co.

Share your thoughts with Mr. Pappas' family Sign our Guestbook | View our Guestbook "He was an inventor," his wife said.

Mr. Pappas invented and sold commercial ice machines. His customers included restaurants, chicken processors and fruit and vegetable growers, his wife said.

The business also sold restaurant supplies, including tables and chairs and other fixtures.

"He had so much vision for the food service industry," Mrs. Pappas said. "One day I said, 'You're teaching everybody else how to run a restaurant and how to be successful, why don't we do it ourselves.' "

In 1967, he founded Dot Coffee Shop in Houston. With the help of family members he built his business into a wide array of restaurants that now include Pappas Restaurants, Pappas Bar-B-Q, Pappasito's Cantinas, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchens and Pappas Brothers Steakhouses.

Although Mr. Pappas lived in Houston for many years, he had deep Dallas roots.

"His parents and my parents were the first Greeks to settle in Dallas," Mrs. Pappas said.

Mrs. Pappas's father, Faithon Lucas, was a founder of Lucas B&B, a longtime Oak Lawn restaurant that is now home to a Pappadeaux restaurant.

Mr. Pappas was active in business until the day he died, his wife said.

"He'd just had his 86th birthday in Methodist Hospital and he was still wheeling and dealing," his wife said.

Mr. Pappas was passionate about boats and boating, his wife said. He was also a pilot.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Pappas is survived by his two daughters, Pamela Mattingly and Mersina Stubbs, both of Dallas; and three grandchildren.

E-mail jsimnacher@dallasnews.com

[Lakewooder]

Woodrow grad does his best to help this LSU outfit clash

12:00 AM CST on Friday, January 6, 2006


Now here's a kid who's a "cymbal" of ingenuity and seizing opportunities.

Lakewood neighbor John Ben Hale, a 2005 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, is a college freshman who played for Louisiana State University in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta last Friday.

He was on the field, but not in a football uniform as you might suspect. He was wearing the LSU "Golden Band from Tigerland" uniform and was outfitted with a set of cymbals.

John Ben has come a long way since his days at Woodrow, where he was drum line captain and played in the marching band. During his senior year, he received the Outstanding Musician Award at the Collin County Community College Jazz Festival and the Louis Armstrong Award from the Louis Armstrong Foundation.

He is now a member of the 35-person percussion squad in the 325-member LSU Tiger Marching Band.

When others may have sidelined their dream, John Ben capitalized on his talents. He contacted the LSU drum line captain and learned that his best chance of making the percussion squad was playing the cymbals. Until this year, John Ben had been playing the bass drum, so he decided to get to work.

During the summer, he worked as a lifeguard at the Samuell Grand Pool and used his earnings for cymbal sight-reading lessons.

"Three days before the audition, I met with the LSU cymbal captain, and for some reason he must have liked me, because he gave me a two-hour tutorial each day before the audition," John Ben said.

On audition day, John Ben was one of 50 people trying out for the percussion squad. After his roughly five-minute performance, he was offered the cymbal position – and more. School officials gave him a four-year scholarship after learning how well he scored on the ACT. He marches in the Tiger band in the fall and will perform in the symphonic band in the spring.

Wearing the athletic uniform is not the only way to show school pride. Thanks to kids like John Ben, it's gratifying to know there's more than one way to earn a college scholarship. You don't have to be an all-state athlete.

Crashing the cymbals for crowds up to 92,000 for a nationally recognized marching band is pretty good for someone who spends part of his days making noise.

Lakewood resident Chris Gresback can be

reached at cgresback@hotmail.com.

[Dallasite]

If you are interested in finding out more about Toby Shook's campaign, you can go to www.tobyshook.com.

[Dallasite]

I hear that Woodrow is out of control. The new principal isn't handling it too well.... Any comments?

[Lakewooder]

Out of control? What does that mean? Who told you this?

Every time I have attended a Woodrow event, I have seen Ruth Vail present, and there were no visible problems. I'm told she's there for everything --unlike the previous principal, who was highly regarded (she won principal of the year) but was not the 24-hour per day principal in the mold of Pop Ashburn, Wayne Pierce and Robert Giesler.

No, I have only been hearing very positive stuff...in fact we've had several transfers in from other schools.

Did you attend the recent community open house?

In fact the school just received a grant which will allow the Princeton Review to be taught as an elective class

[Columbus Civil]

I imagine she might be subjected to closer scrutiny (perhaps unfairly so) because of her youth and inexperience.

[Lakewooder]

She looks in charge when I see her...she's even got a walkie talkie!

[Dallasite]

Oh, I guess if she has a walkie talkie it must be a mistake.

All schools have transfers in from other schools. Even in the "bad" areas, so that doesn't mean things are going well. Grass is always greener until they find out it's the same.

Going to events is easy. Visibility during the school day is the hard part.

I heard that the kids are wandering the halls, fights, lack of respect for her, etc.

Maybe she is scrutinized for the age. I don't know her or anything about her other than what I've read here and what I've heard recently from some of her peers.

[Lakewooder]

I volunteer at the school and am there during the school day 4-5 times per month. I haven't noticed any problems or seen anything askew. I also haven't heard anything about this, and one of my good friends is a teacher (who graduated in my class). I'm also on the e-mail chain and nothing like this has been seen by me.

We've dealt with many rumors such as this through the years. Back in my school days similar things were said by outsiders -- it seems some people freak out when minorities are involved.

Perhaps you got mixed up with the two different Garland high schools which had gun/knife incidents this week!

[Dallasite]

Since you are there on campus, you are probably right. I told you that I was just telling you what I heard.

What do you mean by minorities involved? Are you talking about her or the kids? The person that told me this was the same ethnicity as the principal.

[Lakewooder]

Herman Louis Philipson Jr.: Pioneer in computer technology

08:44 AM CST on Thursday, March 9, 2006
By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News


Herman Louis Philipson Jr. was a Dallas computer pioneer whose data-scanning technology ushered in the end of the punch-card era.

A decorated World War II prisoner of war, Mr. Philipson founded Recognition Equipment, which developed optical scanners that allowed documents – credit card receipts and later checks – to be read directly into computers.

Mr. Philipson, 81, died Tuesday of pulmonary fibrosis at his Dallas home.

A memorial will be at 11 a.m. today in the Lefkowitz Chapel at Temple Emanu-El. He will be buried in a private ceremony at Temple Emanu-El Cemetery.

Mr. Philipson and a group of associates started their computer data-entry revolution in a converted mansion on Ross Avenue near Fitzhugh Avenue. The start-up company grew to have its stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange and attracted customers from around the world.

Recognition Equipment, later based in Irving, created innovations ranging from the inkjet printer to an improved electronic crawl used to keep traders abreast of stock trades, said Israel "Iz" Sheinberg of Dallas.

"He was a very empathetic and hardworking man," said Mr. Sheinberg, Mr. Philipson's brother-in-law and an original company employee.

Born in Dallas, Mr. Philipson graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. He entered the Army as a private in March 1943 while attending Texas A&M University.

"His whole junior class simply left and went to war," said his wife, Sonia Philipson of Dallas.

He became a lieutenant and was captured during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. He was wounded in the chest and arm by a German hand grenade.

His German captors treated his wounds. He nearly starved for three months in a German POW camp before he later escaped.

He was awarded a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

Mr. Philipson received his bachelor's degree at Texas A&M and did graduate business studies at Harvard University.

In 1948, he returned to Dallas, and joined his family's store, Philipson's.

He sold the store in 1956 and joined a small data-processing firm, National Data Processing. He became the firm's president but started Recognition Equipment after the business was sold.

Working in their laboratory on Ross Avenue, Mr. Philipson and his co-inventors developed an optical character reader that allowed computers to scan account numbers from documents. At the time, checks were being scanned with magnetic technology that was less efficient, Mr. Sheinberg said.

Another Recognition Equipment innovation was a point-of-sale wand developed for Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Mr. Philipson retired as chief executive officer of Recognition Equipment in 1973 but remained on the company's board of directors. Recognition Equipment became Recognition International during a merger in 1995.

Mr. Philipson was active in civic organizations for decades, including the Community Chest, the Red Cross, the Dallas Heart Association, the building funds at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and the University of Dallas. He also was active with Dallas Big Brothers and the Dallas Citizens Council.

A Mason, he was a member of Pentagon Lodge, Scottish Rite and Hella Temple. He had been a director of the Dallas Council of Campfire and a trustee of Temple Emanu-El.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Philipson is survived by daughters Cynthia Klein of Houston, Leslie Krakow of Dallas, Nancy Philipson of Los Angeles and Julie Boren of Dallas; a sister, Shirley Pollock of Dallas; and eight grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas, 1440 W. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 500, Dallas, Texas 75247; Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 199300, Dallas, Texas 75219; the Boy Scouts of America, Circle 10 Council, 8605 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75235; or a charity of choice.

E-mail jsimnacher@dallasnews.com

[Lakewooder]

William Dale "Tiny" Douglass: Operated Doug's Drive-in

08:58 AM CST on Wednesday, March 1, 2006
By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News


William Dale "Tiny" Douglass and his East Dallas landmark, Doug's Drive-in, were synonymous with barbecue for nearly half a century.

He was beloved for both his $1 chopped beef sandwiches and his firm-yet-compassionate ways.

Mr. Douglass, 67, died Saturday of a heart attack at Kindred Hospital Dallas.

Services will be at 1 p.m. today at Ferguson Road Baptist Church. Burial will be in Grove Hill Memorial Park.

Mr. Douglass' family wanted to list honorary pallbearers in the obituary they wrote but were overwhelmed by the prospect, said his stepson, Scott Porter of Dallas.

"We wanted everybody in East Dallas to know that as far as we were concerned, they are all honorary pallbearers, because he was so well-liked," Mr. Porter said. "Over that many years, there's a lot of people to say thank you to."

Mr. Douglass was hardworking and compassionate, but firm, his stepson said.

"He had a brass side to him, but it kind of worked to his advantage," Mr. Porter said. "He was a straight-up, honest guy. People knew if they dealt with him, his integrity and honesty were impeccable."

Born in Dallas, Mr. Douglass was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He had always worked at Doug's Drive-in, which was founded by his father in 1950.

Mr. Douglass almost never closed the restaurant.

"If I'm right, the only time he really closed was the day his dad died" in the 1970s, Mr. Porter said. "That store was always open, Christmas, New Year's, whatever."

Mr. Douglass was known for his generosity.

"He was always helping people, if they needed something, clothes, food, groceries," Mr. Porter said. "He was always helping people, and people remembered that."

The famous and the infamous were regulars at Doug's Drive-in.

"He just knew everybody," Mr. Porter said. The customer mix included business, civic and religious leaders who joined police officers, firefighters and worker bees to eat at the barbecue hut and "inconvenience store" at Garland Road and Gaston Avenue.

Doug's Drive-in burned on Sept. 4, 1995. The building was lost, but the barbecue pit survived. For months, Mr. Douglass continued to smoke his delicacies, while he and his fans planned a new location.

But his dream faded with his health, and the business never reopened, his stepson said.

In addition to his stepson, Mr. Douglass is survived by two sisters, Judy Bryant and Linda Brunette, both of Mesquite.

Memorials may be made to Young Life East Dallas, in care of Steve Elkins, 503 Greenwich Lane, Coppell, Texas 75109, or to Main Street Church of Christ in care of Kelly Lawson, 4300 Main St., Dallas, Texas 75226.

E-mail jsimnacher@dallasnews.com

[hamiltonpl]

Octogenarians obituaries qualify as high school news? The next time a temporary janitor who worked one night at Woodrow eats at Burger King – I expect to hear about it.

[Lakewooder]

One developed optical scanners and the other was someone who never went to college but was a great man with great BBQ...all part of the egalitarian cool that is Woodrow...

[Lakewooder]

By LINDA BUCHANAN

Woodrow Wilson sent two

teams to the WorldQuest competition

at SMU Feb. 18; one of the

teams won third place overall and

missed going to the national competition

in Washington D.C. by

four points, but the other team

won third place. The winning

team was comprised of senior

Dane Miller, senior Dylan Bumford,

junior Thomas Simpson and

senior Zach Buchanan.

WorldQuest is a high school academic

competition testing competitors’

knowledge of world affairs,

geography, history, culture,

sports, current events, leaders,

economics and international organizations.

[Lakewooder]

'City of Angels' at Woodrow

12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, April 22, 2006


Broadway has been coming to Lakewood for nearly 50 years.

Woodrow Wilson High students have been entertaining audiences since 1957 beginning with the musical Oklahoma! This year is no exception. Woodrow will continue its strong musical tradition by presenting the Tony award-winning Broadway musical City of Angels Thursday through April 30.

Cindy George, Woodrow parent and volunteer, described City of Angels as a sidesplitting comedy loaded with contemporary jazz. The production ran on Broadway from 1989 to 1992.

"The story is the intriguing interweaving of two plots – one dealing with the writing of a screenplay in the glamorous Hollywood of the 1940s; the other, the enactment of the screenplay starring the sultry detective Stone," Ms. George said.

More than 150 kids are involved in every facet of the production from the stage crew to the chorus.

Senior Evan Faram will portray Stone, the lead character. Evan captured the Woodrow audience last year as Inspector Javert in Les Miserables.

He has earned numerous acting awards during his career at Woodrow.

Evan makes his silver-screen debut as an extra in the coming major motion picture Night of the White Pants, a project he worked on last summer.

Ms. George's son, junior Matthew George, portrays the other lead character, Stine. He also had an incredible performance last year in Les Miserables as Jean Valjean.

Mr. George has his sights set on performances beyond Woodrow. He's traveling this weekend to compete in a National Shakespeare contest at Lincoln Center in New York City. He was most recently awarded first place in the Dallas area's 18th annual Shakespeare contest, which entitled him to compete at the national level.

Additional main characters include seniors Zach Buchanan, Rick Powers, Dylan Bumford, Alyssa Potasznik, Brent Bailey, Molly Vines and Rachel Einstein. The numerous awards these kids have received for their musical and drama achievements are small compared to the great memories created during their performances at Woodrow.

Look for juniors Meredith Guenveur, Brielle Romney, Hope Furst and Courtney Cuniff and freshman Bryce Romney as they make their way across the stage.

The show couldn't go on if it weren't for Woodrow drama teacher John Beaird, the production's director. Mr. Beaird was recently awarded the English Speaking Union Teacher's Fellowship, which will allow him to study in London this July at the Old Globe Theatre.

On the musical score, Woodrow choir teacher and alumnus Sean Morrison is music director for City of Angels. "This is the most demanding show the students have yet to perform," Mr. Morrison said.

Past shows have sold out, so make plans early to see the performances.

Lakewood resident Chris Gresback can be reached at cgresback@hotmail.com.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/lakewood/stories/DN-gresback_22met.ART.Central.Edition2.22d22ba2.html

[Lakewooder]

for pics of "Angels"

go to:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/dn/neighbors/pdfs/lakewood042206.pdf

page 8 and 9

[Lakewooder]

Note! Woodrow 2, St. Mark's 3, Highland Park 1, Lake Highlands 1, Jesuit 1, Hockaday 1, Greenhill 1, Episcopal School of Dallas 2, Bishop Lynch 0, Ursuline 0.

Also congrats to DISD's W.T. White 1, Bryan Adams 1 and TAG Magnet 1.

College-sponsored Merit Scholarships

12:00 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 11, 2006


Following is information provided by the National Merit Scholarship Program on recipients of its college-sponsored Merit Scholarships. Officials of each sponsor college selected winners from among finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program who will attend their institution.

Addison

Nicholas Saltarelli, W.T. White High School, Baylor University

Arlington

Christine Elkins, Fort Worth Country Day, Texas A&M University

Aaron Hollis, Lamar High School, University of Texas at Austin

Carrollton

Kayla Allen, Newman Smith High School, Baylor University

Geoffrey Allison, R.L. Turner High School, University of Oklahoma

Jessica Bolton, Hebron High School, Southwestern University

Andrew Stiefel, Creekview High School, Baylor University

Colleyville

Tristan Whalen, Fort Worth Christian School, University of Dallas

Coppell

Nathan Guo, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, University of Texas at Austin

Rachna Patel, Coppell High School, University of Texas at Austin

Shiyu Tao, Coppell High School, University of Texas at Austin

Dallas

Zachary Buchanan, Woodrow Wilson High School, Northwestern University

Alana Christie, Bryan Adams High School, University of Oklahoma

Evelyn Crabb, Woodrow Wilson High School, University of Texas at Austin

Bobby Crews, Cistercian Preparatory School, University of Southern California

Robert Dockery, St. Mark's School of Texas, Washington University in St. Louis

Jordan Drawbridge, Hockaday School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Grace Dunn, Dallas Christian High School, University of North Texas

John French, St. Mark's School of Texas, University of Texas at Austin

Alexander Frolov, Richardson High School, Southern Methodist University

Abigail Goring, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Texas A&M University

Lauren Hollis, Talented and Gifted Magnet School, University of Texas at Dallas

Allison Knight, Highland Park High School, University of Oklahoma

Andrew Kreighbaum, Lake Highlands High School, Arizona State University

Peter Mataragas, Episcopal School of Dallas, Vanderbilt University

Caleb Miller, Jesuit College Preparatory School, University of Texas at Austin

Fairview

Alexander Haynes, Allen High School, Southern Methodist University

Flower Mound

Monica Chang, Flower Mound High School, Northwestern University

Shagun Dhaliwal, Marcus High School, University of Oklahoma

Lauren McDonald, Marcus High School, University of Oklahoma

Paul Recchia, Flower Mound High School, Michigan State University

Shawn Schepel, Flower Mound High School, Texas A&M University

Neha Thakore, Flower Mound High School, University of Texas at Austin

Fort Worth

Mackenzie Kolarich, Trinity Valley School, Carleton College

Sarah Norris, Paschal High School, University of Oklahoma

Hanna Smokoski, Arlington Heights High School, Arizona State University

Dave Taylor, Paschal High School, University of Oklahoma

Garland

Priya Hora, Greenhill School, University of Texas at Austin

Lauren Petkovsek, North Garland High School, University of Oklahoma

Grand Prairie

Katherine Martin, Bowie High School, University of Oklahoma

Rebecca Thompson, Grand Prairie High School, University of Alabama

Grapevine

Elissa Butler, Grapevine High School, Macalester College

Jessica Lin, Grapevine High School, University of Missouri-Columbia

Kyle Moller, Grapevine High School, University of Kansas

Richard Thomas, Grapevine High School, Rice University

Highland Village

Brien Gale, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, University of Texas at Austin

Jessica Hinman, Marcus High School, University of Southern California

Justin Simon, Marcus High School, University of Texas at Austin

Irving

Mackenzie Garfield, Episcopal School of Dallas, Texas A&M University

Keller

Matt Pierce, Keller High School, University of Oklahoma

Thomas Woodward, Keller High School, American University

Lewisville

Peter Hutley, Lewisville High School, Rice University

North Richland Hills

Joseph Ellmore, Richland High School, Abilene Christian University

Plano

Jacqueline Chen, Plano High School, Washington University in St. Louis

Christopher Choi, Plano West High School, Rice University

Soojeong Chung, Plano High School, University of Southern California

Andrew Clark, Plano West High School, Texas A&M University

Diane Davis, Plano West High School, Pepperdine University

Shelby Dover, Plano East High School, University of Texas at Austin

Megan Gier, Plano West High School, Northwestern University

Joshua Liu, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, University of Texas at Austin

Jason Lo, Plano West High School, Emory University

Jason Metcalfe, Plano West High School, Southern Methodist University

Jason Parker, Trinity Christian Academy, University of Chicago

Allison Prochnow, Plano East High School, University of Texas at Austin

Jason Scovell, St. Mark's School of Texas, Baylor University

Amanda Sherwood, Plano West High School, University of Oklahoma

Jessica Shie, Plano West High School, University of Texas at Austin

Dennis Shung, Plano East High School, Rice University

Jeffrey Stark, Plano High School, University of Texas at Austin

Dennis Tang, Plano High School, New York University

Richardson

Judy Huang, Berkner High School, Texas A&M University

David Tsai, Plano East High School, University of Texas at Austin

Roanoke

Tyler Ferguson, Nolan Catholic High School, Wabash College

Rockwall

Kathleen Casstevens, Rockwall High School, University of Texas at Austin

Southlake

Meredith Boroughs, Keller High School, University of Oklahoma

[grantboston]

As a National Merit Finalist myself, it's worth nothing that the above statistics are only a partial listing of all of those who made the cut. A more accurate version would include all NM Finalists because they all achieved the distinction but had their scholarships funded in different ways and were therefore called different things.

It breaks down three ways:

1) National Merit Scholar- those finalists who did not have their university or parent's corporation fund their scholarship and were therefore funded by the National Merit Scholarship corporation.

2) National Merit Finalist (Corporate Sponsor)- those finalists who had their scholarship funded through a parent's employer.

3) National Merit Finalist (School Sponsor)- Those finalists who had their scholarship funded through the college or university they chose to attend.

Most finalists fall into the third category. However, the very very top schools do not fund merit-based scholarships (including NM).

ONLY those funded by The National Merit Scholarship Corporation are considered National Merit "Scholars" although all the finalists achieved the same distinction.

I make this point only because what is often reported in the paper varies and almost never includes all three distinctions (not to mention the National Hispanic Scholar and National Achievement Scholar (for African-Americans) awards that have a slightly lower qualifying standard).

However, congrats to all of those students who made the cut!

[Lakewooder]

from Unfairpark/Dallas Observer:

Leaving Beirut
Filed under: Schutze
I was watching CNN this morning and spotted my son’s Woodrow Wilson High School classmate and fellow alum, George Hale, being evacuated from Beirut. Called the Hale house, and George’s mom, Clare, told me the kid will be on with Larry King tonight.

George’s father, Harlin D. (better known in Lakewood as “Cooter”) Hale, is a federal bankruptcy judge in the Northern District of Texas. George is a student at George Washington University, four blocks form the White House. At Woodrow he was a wonderful pot-stirrer, very bright, very political.

George once suckered me into joining a “community panel” to discuss disciplinary policies at Woodrow with the principal. George believed the policies infringed improperly on civil liberties. Anway, me and a bunch of other community dolts are sitting at this table in the teacher’s lounge waiting for the principal to appear. George comes in to tell us, with evident satisfaction, that she won’t be coming in to see us, because she’s afraid to leave her office.

I believe the principal had not been fully apprised beforehand of the nature of the meeting. It was, in short, an ambush–my kind of stuff, for which I will always admire George. I can just hear him telling her, “…and I even got that guy from the Observer in there too.” That was, by the way, a prior principal, several principals back. For all I know, George got her canned. I wouldn’t put it past him. The policies did infringe, by the way. They way infringed.

I sure hope he’s on Larry King Live tonight. George is a live wire. Glad he’s O.K. –Jim Schutze

[Lakewooder]

more from unfair park today:

Beirut Ain’t Got Jack on Woodrow
Filed under: News You Can Actually Use, Actually

Woodrow grad George Hale was on Larry King last night. Like this high-tech photo of their meeting? Very fancy.George Hale, my son’s fellow Woodrow Wilson High School alum who was evacuated from Beirut yesterday, was on Larry King Live last night, just as I said he would be. And he did Woodrow proud.

George, a student at George Washington University in D.C., was in Lebanon studying when the bombs and rockets started flying. Larry interviewed him after he got out. I think I heard Larry say George was in Salonika, Greece.

George was so great. Larry kept tossing him these TV set-up lines in hopes George would start wailing and rending his garments the way TV always tries to get people to do. But George was too cool for that fool. Their exchange is after the jump. –Jim Schutze

Larry: “How did you get out, George?”

George: “A Norwegian crate ferry, yesterday morning, about 24 hours ago.”

Larry: “Did you think you weren’t going to make it?”

George, with a smile and a shrug: “No. We knew we were going to make it.”

Larry: “How bad was it when you were there?”

George: “Uh, well, there were bombings the two nights I was in Beirut, but we moved to a northern suburb in Jounieh and Jubayl, and it was a lot less intense there. We could hear things in the distance, but it was nothing like Beirut.”

Larry: “How will you get home?”

George: “Lufthansa changed my flight. They’re going to fly out on Friday. It’s really no big deal. That was the easy part.”

Larry: “Could you see yourself going back to Beirut?”

George: “Sure, once this is all over. It’s an amazing place. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, before last Tuesday. It’s an amazing place. I hope to come back when this is all over.”

Larry, with a chuckle: “Thanks, George. George Hale. He made it out.”

My son was visiting from Austin, and we watched it together. We both agreed George knew exactly what they wanted him to do, and he wasn’t playing along.

He’s Woodrow, man. Beirut was nothing like Woodrow.

http://www.dallasobserver.com/blogs/?p=1009

2:25 pm

[Milkman Dan]

In a day that will surely go down in the annals of LW history as "Black Wednesday", Woodrow Wilson HS has officially joined the ranks of such academic stalwarts as TJ "Thomas to the MF'in" Jefferson, Pinkston and SOC (though the list is admittedly much longer than those 3 for DISD) as being rated "Academically Unacceptable" by the TEA.

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2006/index.html

From the DMN: Ratings are based on scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills exam as well as student dropout and high school completion rates.

In other news, WT White, "Half-Baked" Lake Highlands HS, CARTER and WWHS's greatest rival, Frisco HS all managed to squeak out "Academically Acceptable" ratings. The HS to the west of Central "of which we do not speak" managed to eek out an exemplary rating (along with every other school in the entire district), but everyone knows that is simply because the rich parents paid the teachers off to allow their spoiled silver-spoons to pass the rigorous TAKS test.

Spin away!

[hamiltonpl]

I think you forgot that the un-named school district is also racist.

And they're meanies.

[Lakewooder]

gloat ( P ) Pronunciation Key (glt)
intr.v. gloat·ed, gloat·ing, gloats
To feel or express great, often malicious, pleasure or self-satisfaction.

I knew what would be facing me on the board today, and you two didn't miss a beat.

Here are the reasons given by the article for a school's slip in status:

"State education officials said the three most common reasons that districts and campuses failed to make the minimum grade were:

•Poor performance on the TAKS science test, although only 35 percent of each student group taking the science exam was required to pass for a school to get an acceptable rating.

•Subpar performance on the TAKS math test, which had to be passed by 40 percent of each student group. That was a slightly higher threshold than last year.

•Low passing rates on alternative exams taken by special education students. At least 50 percent of all students taking the State Developed Alternative Assessment had to pass for the school to earn an acceptable rating.

In other areas measured by the TAKS – reading, writing and social studies – 60 percent of all students and each student group had to pass for the school district or campus to receive an acceptable rating. The student groups are black, Hispanic, white and economically disadvantaged."

Woodrow has all those groups, many other schools do not. If any one group does not pass a certain percentage the whole school is penalized.

For instance, last year Coppell was ranked 'academically unacceptable' for some of the same reasons and it appealed.

I don't yet have the specifics on our school, but I shall soon have them and willpost them here.

As you can see from previous recent announcements adding Woodrow to Newsweek's Top Schools, D Magazine's ranking of Woodrow as the top comprehensive high school in DISD (both based on AP performance) and National Merit Scholar information, the top students at our school are doing very well and are not being hindered by those who came from Katrina, those who cannot speak English to pass the test and those in other subgroups. Perhaps it was getting a new principal, but she had raised Milam from acceptable to recognized.

On the bright side - of the feeders, J. L. Long moved up in rank, as did Robert E. Lee to recognized. Mount Auburn moved up to join Lipscomb (second year) as exemplary, and Lakewood and Stonewall were once again recognized.

Also we were not listed on the schools suspected of cheating as were some of the ones mentioned above (including HP).

[Lakewooder]

Here is the response going out from Principal Ruth Vail, starting her second year:

'We are currently looking at improving our 9th grade Math Curriculum and have addressed areas of improvement for the 2006-2007 School year.
Particularly, our school will look at how we teach students of all different backgrounds and focusing on the following sub-groups: (African Americans/Hispanics/Economically Disadvantaged) and learning styles/needs.

Woodrow has for a long time, provided students with strong academic rigor, and even last year, we had improvement in grades 10th, 11th in other sub-groups. Since our 9th grade has the largest number of students enrolled, this caused the percentage passing rates to go down. As a result, our biggest initiative is to focus on the 9th grade math curriculum and the quality of teaching staff in 9th grade.

We are a very diverse population and are continuously looking at ways to help students who attend Woodrow, even if they do not live in our attendance zone. Last year, Woodrow was a receiver school of the "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) Program from academically unacceptable schools in 2005-2006 school year. In addition, we have many students (about 200+) who transfer to Woodrow with the hope of "getting a better education." What is interesting is that all students showed tremendous growth in Reading and did fairly well compared to other comprehensive high schools.

This poses the question: What do we need to do in 9th grade Math so that we can "close the achievement gap"?

We have many students who need more adults to come in and help them understand "concepts." As a result, Woodrow will have 3 additional Algebra Teachers so that we can reduce student/teacher ratio, a math coach (to coach teachers in teaching strategies) and of course, our goal is to not be in this situation next year. For the past three years Woodrow's math scores have "tailed" left in specific sub-groups, particularly African Americans in the 9th grade, but the accountability standard has gone up. Woodrow teachers are committed to help students achieve success. We also have a new administrative staff that is willing to take charge and make things happen.'

[Columbus Civil]

Woodrow has for a long time, provided students with strong academic rigor, and even last year, we had improvement in grades 10th, 11th in other sub-groups.

Yikes! I hope she doesn't teach English.

[Milkman Dan]

gloat ( P ) Pronunciation Key (glt)
intr.v. gloat·ed, gloat·ing, gloats
To feel or express great, often malicious, pleasure or self-satisfaction.

My response: English idiom. Glass Houses - "People who live in glass houses should not throw stones" means that we should not say insulting things to other people because they could easily do the same thing to us.
I have nothing against WW and usually stay out of the Dallas HS pissing matches you engage in, so I hope this ranking cools some of your vitrol.

And I have no doubt that Principal Vail will do everything in her power to improve that ranking for next year - after all, continued poor performance could lead to administrative shake-ups at the top, no? And the principal position sure is a high profile one at WW, correct? Sounds like someone could be fighting for their job.

[Lakewooder]

My response: English idiom. Glass Houses - "People who live in glass houses should not throw stones" means that we should not say insulting things to other people because they could easily do the same thing to us.
I have nothing against WW and usually stay out of the Dallas HS pissing matches you engage in, so I hope this ranking cools some of your vitrol.

And I have no doubt that Principal Vail will do everything in her power to improve that ranking for next year - after all, continued poor performance could lead to administrative shake-ups at the top, no? And the principal position sure is a high profile one at WW, correct? Sounds like someone could be fighting for their job.

DISD schools-- your proverbial 'glass house' -- have had their windows broken out repeatedly for the last 35 years from stones thrown by those in the suburbs as well as the local media, too lazy to investigate and/or critique other districts. So please understand that is the position from whence I post...

So, if 37 African-American students in 9th grade failed to pass one of the TAKS sections, in this case - math -- should that ruin the whole school's reputation? That is what the TAKS situation is today. And we have every subgroup possible, so our chances of one of them failing is 4 times what many schools have to face...

Believe me a lot of people are unhappy about this situation and it's embarassing.

So there's my 'spin'.

[Lakewooder]

RAIN, JAMES TALBOT, Passed away September 3, 2006. Born April 22, 1920 to Robert Eley Rain and Cornie Talbot Rain in Atlanta, Georgia, and moved to Dallas at age six months. Talbot married Frances Ann Parks March 20, 1943 who survives him. He is also survived by three children, Lucy Largent Blachly and husband Jack, David M. Rain and wife Norma and Elizabeth Gene Wiggins and husband Will. His brother, Robert E. Rain, Jr. and wife Gene also survive him. Talbot grew up in East Dallas and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas and a masters of law degree from Harvard Law School. He served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps from May 1943 to January 1946 and fought for thirty-six days on Iwo Jima. He was then involved in the occupation of Japan and received a Bronze Star for his service. Following the war he started his law practice in Dallas. He served on the faculty of the SMU Law School for several years and founded the Rain Harrell Emery Young & Doke law firm in 1965 with his brother and five other attorneys. That firm later merged into the Locke Liddell & Sapp firm. He distinguished himself as a corporate lawyer and was one of the first lawyers in Dallas to specialize in federal securities law. His avocation was studying history and he was true scholar on the Civil War and World War II. Talbot was a member of Park Cities Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He was a director of several Dallas corporations: Southwestern Life Insurance Company, Republican Gypsum Company, and Taylor Publishing Company. Mr. Rain was legal council for Dr. Pepper Company, Republic National Bank, Rauscher, Pierce Company, and Chance Vought Aircraft Company. Civic duties included: President of Richmond-Freeman Memorial Hospital, Board Member of Children's Medical Center, President and Life Trustee of the Dallas Historical Society. He has also been a member of the Dallas County Historical Commission, Sons of the Republic of Texas, Salesmanship Club, Dallas Assembly, and Dallas Country Club. In addition to his wife, children and brother he is survived by five grandchildren, Michael Talbot Blachly and wife Katherine, Clint Rain and wife Cecilia, Christi Rain, William Wiggins and Mary Wiggins. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks to his caretakers David Highsmith, Antonio Vivas and Cameron Allen and to all the doctors attending him during his illness. There will be a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 8th in Ellis Chapel at Park Cities Baptist Church, 3933 Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Baylor Health Care System Foundation, 3600 Gaston Ave, Ste 100, Dallas, Texas 75246, to be directed to the Asthma Clinic. Dignity Memorial Sparkman Hillcrest 7405 W. Northwest Hwy. Dallas (214) 363-5401

[Lakewooder]

John William 'Jay' Brown: Woodrow's 'Mr. Math' was passionate about students, subject

08:51 AM CDT on Friday, September 1, 2006

By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News

John William "Jay" Brown taught for 35 years in Room 104 at Woodrow Wilson High School, where he was known as Mr. Math.

It delighted Mr. Brown when former students greeted him in public years after his 1987 retirement, said his daughter, Julie Alexander of Dallas.

"It was just amazing how recognized he really was," Mrs. Alexander said. "It just meant the world to him that he was remembered."

Mr. Brown, 90, died Tuesday at a rehabilitation facility at the Juliette Fowler Home in Dallas.

Mr. Brown was passionate about math and his students, his daughter said.

Also Online
Legacy.com: Sign the Guest Book for Mr. Brown
"He loved the expression on their faces when they finally got it," she said.

Mr. Brown took a personal interest in his students. He once bought dress shoes, a suit and a tie for a senior who couldn't afford the trappings of the graduation ceremony, Mrs. Alexander said.

At Woodrow, Mr. Brown taught an array of math subjects, including algebra, trigonometry, calculus and functions.

He tried to keep current with the times. During the "British Invasion" of the 1960s, he wore a Beatles wig to class.

Born in Hugo, Okla., on Sept. 6, 1915, Mr. Brown moved with his family to Texas when he was 3 months old. His father was a barber and moved the family frequently in Texas in search of employment.

In May 1933, Mr. Brown was valedictorian of Wichita Falls High School. He attended Hardin Junior College in Wichita Falls for two years.

He was a triple major in math, Spanish and history. He received his bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University and in 1937 received the "M" Award. He wore the prestigious service award on a small chain with other charms the rest of his life, his daughter said.

While he was still an SMU student, Mr. Brown in 1936 started teaching afternoon classes at Terrell Prep School, which became part of St. Mark's School of Texas.

After graduating from SMU, Mr. Brown taught for four years in the Wichita Falls public schools.

During World War II, he taught for the American Air Force Technical Training Command in Illinois, Texas and Colorado.

After the war, he taught pre-law history at SMU for 2 ½ years before joining Woodrow's faculty in 1948.

In April 1948, Mr. Brown married Muriel Erickson. Mrs. Brown died in 1985.

Mr. Brown belonged to East Dallas Christian Church, where he was Sunday school superintendent for more than 10 years. He and his wife were the first husband-and-wife team to serve as elders at the church, Mrs. Alexander said.

"He wanted to be there every time that church door opened for any reason," she said. "And he was, up until four weeks ago. He was still walking in that door."

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at East Dallas Christian Church. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Brown is survived by three grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to East Dallas Christian Church, P.O. Box 710329, Dallas, Texas 75371.

E-mail jsimnacher@dallasnews.com



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[Lakewooder]

GOOD KID

12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, September 2, 2006



Taylor Youpa

High school, college and major: Woodrow Wilson High School, 2006 graduate; Boston College, art history

Community and school activities: class treasurer, National Honor Society, Key Club, drill team, church youth and choir, and Summer Events for Exceptional Kampers (SEEK Camp of North Texas) for children with disabilities

My favorite school subjects are: art history and English

The two people I'd most like to meet are: Michelangelo and Augusten Burroughs

I ultimately plan to: own an art gallery or be the curator of a museum

The best book I ever read was: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I wish I knew how to: surf

My three favorite musical artists are: Coldplay, the Killers and the Toadies

The biggest honor I've ever received is: AP Scholar with Honor

I'm happiest when I: am with my friends and when I am cooking

If I could change one thing about my former school, it would be: less emphasis on standardized tests, more on individualized learning experiences

E-mail Good Kid suggestions to mddean@dallasnews.com or call 214-977-7618.



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[Lakewooder]

In charity, terminally ill have a loyal and generous friend

E. Dallas: Thrift store, food drives among ways volunteers help clients


12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, September 2, 2006

By ELIZABETH LANGTON / The Dallas Morning News

Jim Davis stopped letting volunteers work with Disciples of Trinity clients long ago.



REX C. CURRY/Special Contributor
'If somebody needs something, we try to get it for them,' said Jim Davis, who founded Disciples of Trinity in 1990. The organization's founder needed the help, but the emotional toll of assisting the terminally ill pushed too many people away. Davis is a 1963 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School.

"I work very hard at not getting close to the clients because that can devastate you," he said. "We're here to help them, not to mourn them."

So Mr. Davis relegates his army of volunteers to other duties, such as sorting donations in the charity's thrift store, stocking the food pantry and planning next week's annual fundraising gala.

"It's a very sad business if you allow it to be sad," he said. "So we find other ways for them to help."

DOT, as the East Dallas charity is commonly called, gives food, clothing and household items to people with terminal illnesses, including cancer and AIDS. Clients can also get help with medicine, rent, utilities and legal services.

"If somebody needs something, we try to get it for them," Mr. Davis said.

The charity operates DOT's Closet, a resale shop at Live Oak and Skillman streets stuffed with furniture, clothing, china, antiques and other interesting items. The inventory comes from individual donors, retail stores and wholesale showrooms.

Mr. Davis started by holding garage sales and collecting food for two friends fighting serious illnesses. Today DOT assists 2,362 clients.

Gerri (Mr. Davis did not allow her last name to be used in this story) has HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In a letter for publication in the upcoming gala's program, she called the organization a beacon of light in her life.

"I always leave DOT happier than when I enter the store," Gerri wrote. "It is one 'appointment' that I look forward to and seldom miss."

Disciples of Trinity was founded in 1990 and four years later started holding fundraising parties by reviving the Lakewood street dances. In 1999, the board opted for a gala format. The following year, Mr. Davis started booking star performers.

Nell Carter, Sandy Duncan, Lee Greenwood and Dionne Warwick have headlined the event. Tony Award winner Chita Rivera will entertain Sept. 9 with a dance revue.

"Everybody just waits with bated breath to see who's going to be there to entertain and what we're going to do next," executive committee member Tom Patterson said.

The black-tie-optional event starts with a cash bar and silent auction, followed by dinner, a live auction and Ms. Rivera's show. After the program, the dance floor and a piano and cigar bar open.

Auction items will include trips, gift certificates, catered dinners and a bevy of gift baskets assembled by DOT's Women's Auxiliary. The winner of a 750-ticket raffle will choose from a 2006 Hummer H3, Infiniti G35, GMC Envoy SLT or Cadillac CTS.

For the first time, the gala has attracted six $25,000 sponsors. Mr. Davis hopes to raise $250,000 after expenses.

Disciples of Trinity seeks no local, state or federal grants. The application process is burdensome, Mr. Davis said, and the money often comes with stipulations on how to spend it.

The East Dallas community unfailingly supports the organization, Mr. Davis said. Individuals donate time and money. Neighborhood businesses hold food drives and raise cash. Real estate maven Ebby Halliday, an advisory board member, is serving as the gala's chairwoman.

"We're just so lucky. I guess it's because of what we do – helping people who are terminally ill," Mr. Davis said. "I guess that hits us all at one time or another."

DOT's Closet is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but will be closed on gala day. Call 214-826-4099.

E-mail elangton@dallasnews.com



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[Lakewooder]

A family tradition at Woodrow

12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, August 19, 2006


This past week we reached an important family milestone. On Monday, all four Gresback children started school.

My daughter started her junior year of high school while her youngest brother started his first day of kindergarten. I wanted to linger at Lakewood Elementary to enjoy a cup of coffee and mingle with parents at the PTA's Boo Hoo Breakfast. But I had to hustle over to J.L. Long to see my son off to middle school for his first time. My oldest son left early on Monday to help a friend and new student maneuver through his first day of school.

At Woodrow Wilson High, Monday was the first time in 25 years that the school year didn't begin with Bradley Sue Howell in the library.

Mrs. Howell retired quietly in May as the school's librarian.

The East Dallas resident graduated from Woodrow in 1951 and earned her degree in education from Southern Methodist University. After several years of teaching school in the Dallas school district, she became librarian at her alma mater when her daughter Jane Walker became a senior at Woodrow.

"I love books, and I wanted the students to have the love of books," Mrs. Howell said. "Nowadays, we are so quick to use the computer to reference. I liked to show the kids how to reference materials from the books themselves; I guess I'm old-fashioned."

She likes maintaining traditions – and creating new ones at Woodrow.

"I have such fond memories of Woodrow," she said. "I went there, my three children went there and two of my grandchildren have graduated from Woodrow, but it was time for me to leave."

Mrs. Howell's son, Mark, graduated from Woodrow in 1976. Her daughter Celeste Hlavanka graduated in 1981 and daughter Ms. Walker graduated in 1982. Her grandchildren Angela Walker graduated in 2004 and Wesley Walker graduated this year.

In addition to managing the library, Mrs. Howell became the official Woodrow historian. She nicknamed herself "Keeper of the Stuff." She has collected enough Woodrow memorabilia to fill three closets. Hardly an event or mention of a Woodrow student or alumni goes unnoticed by her. She has even created a Web site for Woodrow alums, www.wwwildcats.org.

The librarian taking her place has hard shoes to fill. However, after reviewing qualified applicants Woodrow principal Ruth Vail is keeping it in the family.

Mrs. Howell's daughter Ms. Walker has been hired to take her place. She will be working with Jaime Bennett, Woodrow's co-librarian.

Mrs. Walker enjoys the camaraderie of working with Woodrow alums.

"Several of the staff attended school here," she said. "It's nice to be back and see the many great traditions I enjoyed as a student continue."

Ms. Vail is thankful Mrs. Howell is around for the transition. She's helping the staff open the library for the school year.

"I am always happy to see Bradley Sue in the halls of Woodrow," she said. "She has been such an important part of our school, not only as librarian, but as National Honor Society adviser. It's nice to know she is around to bridge that gap."

Lakewood resident Chris Gresback can be reached at cgresback@hotmail.com.



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[Lakewooder]

GOOD KID

12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, August 19, 2006



Lauren Arnett Eubank

Nicknames: Lae and Lolly

High school: Woodrow Wilson High School, 2006 graduate

College and major: Texas A&M University, business

Community and school activities: volleyball, cheerleading, track, National Honor Society and Young Life

Family: father, Don; mother, Barbara; and brother, Chris, 15

My hobbies are: running and shopping

The three words people use to describe me are: athletic, stubborn and goofy

I'm most proud of: being a distinguished graduate

My favorite school subjects are: calculus and art history

The two people I'd most like to meet are: Eleanor Roosevelt and Gustav Klimt

I wish I knew how to: surf

I get inspiration from: family and friends

The best advice I ever received was: "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right."

Nobody knows I: am naturally shy

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to: Italy

If I could change one thing about my former school, it would be: more focus on the quality of all the classes and not just the "important" ones

E-mail Good Kid suggestions to mddean@dallasnews.com, or call 214-977-7618.



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[Lakewooder]

A place for seniors to park cars - and personalities

Old East Dallas: Woodrow Wilson students make spots on lot their own


12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, August 19, 2006

By BETH FREED / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

An idea to discourage senior pranks has evolved into a tradition that makes students want to spend their last Saturday of the summer at Woodrow Wilson High School.



Photos by CHERYL DIAZ MEYER/DMN
Rain didn't get in the way of Alex Shapiro (left) and Hannah Adams painting Hannah's parking space at Woodrow Wilson High School in Old East Dallas. The school's PTA sells the spots to seniors as an annual fundraiser. Instead of expensing the cleanup of the remains of parking lot pranks, the school auctions off parking spots to seniors and allows them to decorate their parking spaces to their heart's content.

"After four years, [the seniors] realize that they are about to go out into the world, leaving their school, friends and teachers," said PTA organizer Liz Mackinnon. "Painting their parking space is a small way of expressing who they've become over the years, while claiming a part of their home school as their own, if only for one more year."

Spots in the PTA fundraiser start at $25, but can cost more than $100 when all is said and done.

A sudden summer shower soaked the pavement at the Aug. 12 event. Seniors worked diligently to clear the water off their freshly painted spaces. Their efforts formed a river stained yellow with latex paint.

Kimberly "Kimbo" Garcia and Vanessa Damian, drill team captains, worked on personalizing the horseshoe drive with PTA-provided supplies. Names in red and white curved around the pavement in various styles and designs. Kimbo's entire family has gone to Woodrow, so her space is definitely about tradition and recognition.

"It's not like at other schools, where it's plain," she said.

While the seniors took a break in the rain, two parents quietly loaded their leftover supplies in the corner of the parking lot. Willis and Jan Winters would have to finish their son's memorial another day.

One and a half years ago, Will Winters, a sophomore football and wrestling athlete, underwent a surgery to correct a neurological condition. Three weeks later, he unexpectedly died when a blood clot moved into his lungs.

Ms. Winters said that the school is a very close-knit community, and several of Will's former teammates visit the family's house occasionally.

In Will's memory, football standout Sergio Kendle decided to go to the University of Texas, Will's favorite college.

Sergio and Will are both recognized in the parking lot tradition.

Amongst the Picassos, M&Ms and giant shoes, one girl meticulously painted: "Paintbrush: $3; Spot: $25; Paint: $47; Parking where Serg did: Priceless." Jordan Law said she feels lucky to park where Sergio did last year.

Will had gone to Woodrow as a matter of choice. He transferred to the school halfway through his freshman year. The Winterses bought a parking space in his memory and have painted it with UT colors.

"We know he's somewhere smiling down on us," Ms. Winters said.


Beth Freed is a Dallas-based freelance writer.


E-mail beth.freed@sbcglobal.net



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[Lakewooder]

Computer whiz and Fair Park entrepreneur,Abel Gonzales (wWw '88), creator of fried coke and last year's fried peanutbutter/banana Elvis sandwich is to be featured on the Today Show Friday. From metro.beloblog.com:

"Fried Coke will not remain a Texas delicacy for long

Our favorite Fried Coke guy Abel Gonzales Jr. isleaving for New York to begin his deep-fried press junket. He's scheduled to be on the Today show Friday. He'll also appear on Good Morning America, Fox and Jimmy Kimmel Live in the coming days.

We might even get sick of hearing about this concoction before we taste it at the upcoming State Fair of Texas"

Another of Abel's classmates from Woodrow in '88, Ivan Pugh, is the owner of the Alligator Cafe on Live Oak (http://eatgator.com/). Ivan's father is retired Dallas Cowboy Jethro Pugh.

[Lakewooder]

Oh, the drama: Woodrow grad wins

National group recognizes teen's work in 'City of Angels'


12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, September 9, 2006

By JACKIE LARSON / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

Evan Faram's capper to four years as class president at Woodrow Wilson High School was, actually, a Cappie.



REX C. CURRY/Special Contributor
Theater was a big part of Evan Faram's life at Woodrow Wilson High School, where he won a Cappie through the national Capitol Steps group. He's now a musical theater major at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. The Dallas Cappie Award is the area equivalent of the Tony. Cappies is a national program sponsored by the Capitol Steps theater group in Washington, D.C., that sends high school students to review high school productions.

Mr. Faram won the award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical.

Nominated for his role of Detective Stone in City of Angels, Mr. Faram was a rookie of sorts when it came to the student-adjudicated competition.

"This was the first year Woodrow Wilson participated in the Cappies, so we were not really expecting a whole lot," he said. "There were some really good plays we were up against."

When his name was announced at the Cappie gala in May, "it was shocking," Mr. Faram said. It was one of two Cappies for Woodrow, as Matthew George picked up the award for Best Actor in a Play.

The son of Dee and Marsha Faram, he graduated from Woodrow in May. He's a freshman musical theater major at Southwestern University in Georgetown.

"I feel I've gotten quite a unique experience at Woodrow Wilson – the demographics of the school, its diversity and very community-oriented environment," he said. "I think it's what going to a small-town high school is like."

Mr. Faram was involved in theater, musicals, one-act plays, student government and the National Honor Society.

He was invited to go to the Kennedy Center for a summer program for outstanding theater students but had other commitments. For him, the invitation was another sign that theater should remain at the center of his academic career.

"I like that you can learn about life through other's people's experiences. If you play a character, you've lived someone's life through that character. I think you learn a lot about how it feels to live life through somebody else's perspective," he said.

"Theater's always been a big part of my life all through high school – I've excelled at it, and I've had a great time doing it. It's something I'd like to do for the rest of my life, if possible," he said.

He's aiming for Broadway, and he'd love to be in a touring company of the musical Rent. "That would be my top goal," he said.

John Beaird, who teaches theater at Woodrow Wilson, was one of Mr. Faram's most inspiring instructors.

"He's one with whom you could talk in depth about theater, plays and characters," Mr. Faram said. "You can ask him about a character, and he could tell you what that character's been through, how that character got into that situation and why he'd do specific things."

Mr. Beaird has high hopes for his former student.

"Evan is one of those kids that comes in and he's such a treat for a teacher, a student who cares so much about the work we do," he said.

"He's as gifted a singer as he is an actor. His acting pushed him over the top to get him that award," the teacher added. "He's absolutely got the stuff. He's an amazingly talented young man, and he's extremely charismatic, both personally and on the stage."


Jackie Larson is an Ennis-based freelance writer.


E-mail jackielarsonwrites@gmail.com



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[Lakewooder]

GOOD KID

12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, September 9, 2006



Zachary Krimm

High school, college and major: Woodrow Wilson High School, 2006 graduate; Texas Tech University, exercise and sports science

Community and school activities: football, baseball, National Honor Society, Eagle Scout and East Dallas Christian Church member

Family: father, Mike; mother, Teresa; three sisters; and six brothers, including my triplet brothers, Andrew and Jonathan

My favorite school subject is: math

The two people I'd most like to meet are: Tom Landry and Field Scovell, "Mr. Cotton Bowl"

I ultimately plan to: become a personal trainer for professional athletes

The best book I ever read was: Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

I wish I knew how to: do a great flip off the diving board

My three favorite musical artists are: Guns N' Roses, the Beach Boys and Johnny Cash

The biggest honor I've ever received is: AT&T Field Scovell Scholarship or the academic all-state football team

I'm happiest when I: am playing football and spending time with my girlfriend

If I could change one thing about my school, it would be: make the campus at Tech a little smaller. It is a long walk everywhere I go.

E-mail Good Kid suggestions to mddean@dallasnews.com or call 214-977-7618.



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[hamiltonpl]

WOODROW ALUM DROPS BOMBS, PANTS
9/11/2006 2:15 p.m.

DALLAS (AP) Gary Lansing, a '66 Woodrow Wilson graduate, went to the bathroom this afternoon. It took 3 minutes and 25 seconds. Reports indicate that his sh!t don't stink, in the tradition of all Woodrow Wilson alumni. Approximately 40 toilet sheets were used.

Mr. Lansing was unavailable for comment. Stay tuned for updates.

[Lakewooder]

When first plane struck, a generation came of age

12:40 AM CDT on Sunday, September 10, 2006

By DAVID TARRANT / The Dallas Morning News



LOUIS DeLUCA/DMN
In response to 9/11, Bessie Waddill (left) Gable Vines and the rest of the Class of '02 restored the original flag that flew over Woodrow Wilson High, as a symbol of unity and tradition. They were starting their senior year of high school that sunny September morning as the millennials, the group just coming of age at the turn of the 21st century.

Theirs had been a generation marked for safe passage by hyperprotective parents bearing "Baby On Board" bumper stickers.

Then out of the blue came the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. And sometime between the first-period bell and lunch, the Class of 2002 grew up.

Just as the Depression and World War II shaped one generation and the Sixties and Vietnam War another, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are likely to define today's younger generation.

"I think we all have been affected by Sept. 11 and the war on terror. But Sept. 11 was really that turning point for the millennial generation," says Pat Somers, an associate professor of education at the University of Texas at Austin.

"Because their experience up to that point had just been so different, within a few hours their whole world turned upside down," says Dr. Somers, who is conducting a five-year study of college students to examine the attitudes of "Generation 9/11."

Also Online
UT scholar finds 9/11 inspired young adults
Dr. Somers wants to know how the terrorist attacks will affect this generation. "Will they become like the 'greatest generation' or like the baby boomers who became disengaged?" she asks.

Dallas' own Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 2002 may hold a clue.

In many ways, Woodrow reflects the demographics and trends that have influenced the city as well as the nation. The high school opened in 1928 in Old East Dallas, which was considered suburban at the time. Woodrow has hosted a mix of races and cultures over the years and is steeped in tradition.

As students struggled post-Sept. 11 to understand and cope with the roiling world around them, the Woodrow seniors left their mark, a patriotic one. It was a gesture that to this day influences the lives of some class members. In the months just after Sept. 11, when flags fluttered from what seemed to be every mailbox and car antenna, the Woodrow class chose to restore the original flag that had flown over the school when it first opened nearly 75 years earlier

We were giving back to the school a symbol of unity and a symbol of tradition," says Bessie Waddill, senior class president then.

The 48-star flag, which had been tucked away in the school library, was threadbare and stained. The gold fringe border was partially detached. The class spent several thousand dollars to restore it.

Today, the 6-foot-by-6-foot flag is mounted in a glass case on a wall outside the principal's office. Nearby, a plaque from the Class of 2002 reads:

"We like all Americans were humbled and horrified by the mass destruction and the loss of precious lives. However, the events of Sept. 11 have given all of us a new sense of what it means to be an American and of how precious are the freedoms and liberties we hold dear."



Following their hearts

As students got ready for school Sept. 11, 2001, they could have expected just another year at Woodrow. For seniors, that would mean filling out college applications, attending prom and taking graduation pictures.

Ms. Waddill recalls first hearing about a plane crash in New York as she ran out of her Lakewood home to school that Tuesday morning.

In her first period class, the teacher switched on the television and the class watched, transfixed, the images of planes crashing into the World Trade Center and the Twin Towers collapsing.

The anxiety that swept the nation gripped Ms. Waddill and her classmates. Who was attacking the country? What would happen next? Did this mean war?

"Our generation was so far removed from war and what our parents and grandparents went through. I couldn't place it," Ms. Waddill says.

It wasn't long before people she knew enlisted in the military, and her country went to war. On a personal level, Ms. Waddill felt called to do something for others, something that would give her life meaning beyond just getting a job. But she wasn't sure what that would be.

After graduating from Vanderbilt this June, Ms. Waddill went to work for Neiman Marcus Direct, the company's online and catalog division. Now 22 and living in Dallas, she's going back to doing what she loves, the musical arts.

Ms. Waddill participated in musicals and choir growing up, so she's decided to start a business for kids interested in learning to sing and dance. Her studio, located around the corner from Woodrow Wilson High School, opens this month.

Sept. 11 directly influenced her career choice, she says. "I think it really has challenged people like me to think about what we're doing and what really matters."

For her, the lesson of Sept. 11 is to do something meaningful with one's life.

The people in the Twin Towers were at work, she says. "You hope they were doing something they liked."


Extremism

Gable Vines, who helped with Woodrow's senior class project that year, remembers how patriotism swelled after the attacks and how the flag played a role in her choice of college.

When Ms. Vines attended a Texas A&M football game during a college visit, she was struck by the 80,000 fans dressed in red, white and blue, transforming Kyle Field, as one news report noted, "into a Yankee Doodle rainbow."

"I thought it was an amazing outpouring of student spirit and support for our country," Ms. Vines says.

But that sense of unity and purpose appears now to have faded, Ms. Vines says. The country that was so galvanized by Sept. 11 seems to her to have become deeply divided.

Growing up in Lakewood exposed her to a variety of lifestyles and political viewpoints, Ms. Vines says. And although Texas A&M challenged her academically, the largely conservative student body showed little tolerance for opposing views, the A&M grad says.

Ms. Vines likes to discuss current events and politics and says she is "not a left winger and not a right winger." Rather, she's still working out her own political views. She worries that the legacy of her generation will be persistent political and social polarization.

"Everything is pointing to extremism," she says. "There's an intense pressure to figure out which side you're on, to get out of that horrible gray middle zone. That breeds extreme people, extreme measures and extremists."


A wake-up call

Andrew Rodgers served as student body president his senior year at Woodrow. He grew up in a family that liked to discuss current events.

But the terrorist attacks forced him to look at America from a more global perspective. "I think Sept. 11 really wakes you up to the international community and how there's a lot more going on than a very provincial life," he says.

Mr. Rodgers, 22, a Stanford University graduate, says he believes that Sept. 11. has energized people in his generation to make their voices heard.

"I think our generation is unafraid to express their opinion, one way or another," he says. "They kind of seized this opportunity and realized this is one of the defining moments in American history. It's definitely motivated and energized this generation to realize that we're stepping into this world where we can make a real difference, and if you're going to make a difference you're going to have to make your voice heard."

He also feels that young people have been motivated to become involved but not necessarily in conventional politics; he avoids political labels.

A human biology major, Mr. Rodgers plans to become a physician. At some point, he would like to practice medicine in an international capacity, perhaps with an organization such as Doctors Without Borders.

"I feel like I can do a lot more good helping people as a doctor than I could if I had done something in politics," he says. "It really transcends the political boundaries and the geographic boundaries and lets you work with people who need the help."

He believes it is important that the country not become isolationist in response to Sept. 11. "To be afraid is only going to make our perception internationally worse if we withdraw as a generation and decide that we'll just focus on America," he says.

"You've got to get out there and help people realize that we've done some good things, we've done some bad, and we're going to work on really making everything better in the end."

E-mail dtarrant@dallasnews.com


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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/091006dnnewclass2002.357326b.html

[F4shionablecHa0s]

Let's all make threads for all of our local high schools. It'll be great!

[Lakewooder]

Woodrow student is all action

Onstage he's a leading thespian; in classroom, he's a star, too

08:28 AM CST on Saturday, December 16, 2006

By ELIZABETH LANGTON / The Dallas Morning News


Matthew George refuses to be typecast. Not in show business, and not in his real life.
School Zone Dallas is Woodrow Wilson senior Matthew George's latest project. He anchored a story at Madison High in Dallas earlier this month. He's also a scholar and actor and co-edits the school's literary magazine.
Onstage, the Woodrow Wilson High School senior has been versatile in many starring roles -- comedy in Noises Off, drama in The Elephant Man and all-around performer in Fiddler on the Roof.
Outside the theater, his accomplishments are just as diverse.
Matthew is ranked first in his class and was named an Advanced Placement Scholar and a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist.
His peers elected him class president four years running, and members of the Dallas Independent School District's Teen Board chose him as their president.
He reports for DISD's student news program School Zone Dallas, sings in Woodrow's Variations show choir and co-edits his school's literary magazine.
"He has more drive and focus than anyone I've ever met," said his mother, Cindy George. "Most parents have to coax their kids to do their homework. I have to coax him to relax."
Matthew said he finds his activities stimulating.
"Everything I do, I choose to do it," he said. "I could be sitting at home watching TV, or I could be acting or be at a school board meeting. There's nothing I do that I don't enjoy."
School Zone is Matthew's newest project. He tapes several episodes each year for the news magazine show about Dallas schools.
Executive producer Jon Dahlander said the program attracts students with the highest standards of citizenship, talent, academic achievement and campus leadership.
"If anyone fits that bill, it's Matthew George," he said. "He is really wonderful in every way, and he has a great future ahead of him. It will be interesting to see him in five to 10 years and what he has accomplished."
Woodrow this year became the first DISD school to join the Cappies, a high school theater review and awards program. Twelve area schools participate. Matthew won Best Actor in a Play for Noises Off, Best Featured Actor in a Musical for City of Angels and Male Cappie of the Year.
He won the local level of the National Shakespeare Competition in spring and advanced to compete in New York City. This spring, he'll play Tevia in Fiddler on the Roof.
Theater teacher John Beaird said Matthew possesses natural talent, but his work ethic sets him apart.
"I would love to see him continue in the theater. I think he could be a wonderful director," he said. "But if this is not what he wants, he has so many options open to him.
"He can do anything he wants."
Matthew was accepted into Yale University on Friday. Though many careers hold potential interest -- acting, singing, film production, medicine, law and business, to name a few -- he'll wait to choose.
"I'll major in something that exercises the mind and gets it ready -- philosophy, English, liberal arts," he said. "I have no idea what I want to do with my life. Maybe I'll decide I want to be a Frisbee golfer."
Ms. George has no doubt that her son would forgo a lucrative career to follow a passion. She describes an awards ceremony at which the recipients supplied information for their introductions. While other kids listed their achievements, Matthew wrote only, "My goal is to be happy," she said.
"He takes pride in his accomplishments, but he doesn't brag about it," she said.
Matthew credits his attitude to his mom, dad Vince and sister Erika.
"They approach things in life with passion," he said. "I want to pursue every aspect of my life to the fullest in the same way."

E-mail elangton@dallasnews.com

[Lakewooder]

GOOD KID

12:00 AM CST on Saturday, December 23, 2006


Hannah Adams

I live in: Dallas

Nickname: Han Han

School and grade: Woodrow Wilson, senior

Community and school activities: varsity cheerleader; member of the Variations Choir; National Honor Society, historian; member of Northridge Presbyterian Church, active in the youth group and attend annual mission trips

Family: father, Craig; mother, Alexis; brothers Alex, 16, and Connor, 14

My hobbies are: art and playing piano

The three words people use to describe me are: creative, reliable and genuine

I'm most proud of: being able to be me, no matter where I am or whom I'm with

My favorite school subjects are: art and history because of my awesome teachers, Mr. Chapa and Mr. Evett

The person I'd most like to meet is: Paul McCartney

The best book I ever read was: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

My favorite musical artist is: Ben Folds

I wish I knew how to: sing like a Broadway star

I get inspiration from: music, art and people who make me laugh

If I could change one thing about my school, it would be: the air system; it's always freezing in the summer and burning in the winter

[Lakewooder]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/lakewood/stories/DN-gresback_23met.ART.Central.Edition1.3e0890b.html)


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Woodrow's Variations get us into the holiday spirit again

12:00 AM CST on Saturday, December 23, 2006




Woodrow's Variations get us into the holiday spirit again
12:00 AM CST on Saturday, December 23, 2006


For many Lakewood residents, it's not Christmas until the Variations sing.
Woodrow Wilson High School's show choir has been performing in grand holiday
fashion since early December with its holiday concert at Professional Bank in
Lakewood. That event was in conjunction with the sixth annual Light Up Lakewood,
Lakewood Shopping Center's tree-lighting celebration. FILE/Staff
photoVariations, Woodrow Wilson's show choir, performed last January at the
Superintendent's Academic Scholars Reception at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony
Center.
Year after year we look forward to their performances whether at neighborhood
parties, NorthPark holiday performances or the time-treasured Lakewood Country
Club Christmas brunch. Their faces may change each year, but the same
outstanding vocal talent and quality performance will put you in the holiday
spirit. Shortly before the holiday break, the Variations took went to Austin to
perform before the State Board of Education at the request of Geraldine Miller,
board chairwoman. Mrs. Miller happens to be a Woodrow alumna (Class of 1952) and
longtime fan of the show choir. Its performance was to honor Mrs. Miller's last
meeting as board chairwoman. (She has served on the board since 1984. Gov. Rick
Perry has since asked Mrs. Miller to stay on as chairwoman until the next
session.)Variations performers were delighted to see familiar faces in the
audience. Dylan Bumford, Evie Crabb, Dane Miller, Alyssa Potasnik and Will
Schutze -- Variations alums who now attend the University of Texas -- made their
way to Congress Street to watch the group perform. The choir was formed in 1978
to celebrate Woodrow's 50th anniversary. It continues to win accolades and
perform in various venues. In 2001, they were selected to perform with Shania
Twain. Woodrow grad Sean Morrison and John Beaird direct the choir.This year's
choir includes Hannah Adams, Jessica Barrera, Brenna Buchanan, Lizzie Cochran,
Katie Cunningham, Andrea Graham, Meredith Guenveur, Liz Halasz, Sian Hardie,
Claire Hargrove, Hallie Kaplan, Jordan Law, Cece Looney, Sarah Merino, Kate
Pederson, Rachel Regan, Valerie Reynolds, Alex Shapiro, Krystle Talavera, Lily
Thompson, Emily Vecella, Jenna Zerafonetis, Alex Adams, Sam Ashbrook, Davis
Campbell, Sean Draper, Josh Eguia, Hayden Faram, Jesus Garza, Matthew George,
Ryan Gunter, Joe Hurtekant, Alex Jaremko, Ian Mackinnon, Klinton Marler, Spencer
Miller, Jared Muston, Bryce Romney, John Russell, Gus Schuerger, Sam Schuerger,
Thomas Simpson and Matt Young. Variations' manager is Abby Munn, and the drummer
is Michael!
Martine
z. Variations perform November through March for community service and private
events.To book a performance, call Emily Martin at 214-476-8214.If you have an
idea for this column,
e-mail Lakewood resident Chris Gresback at cgresback@hotmail.com.

[Lakewooder]

Pictures from the Variations performance in Austin at the State Board of Education:

[Lakewooder]

At 7 p.m. Jan. 30, Woodrow Wilson High School hosts "Welcome to Woodrow." Eighth-grade students and their parents can tour the historic school and meet teachers, administrators, coaches, students and Woodrow parents. They can also learn of the many extracurricular activities Woodrow has to offer. The school is at 100 S. Glasgow Drive.

If you need a reason to attend one of the open houses, consider this: The Dallas school district's Academic Scholars Reception was Tuesday at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center honoring students who passed Advanced Placement exams or achieved National Merit status.

Woodrow Wilson students and 2006 Woodrow graduates who were honored include: Samuel Ashbrook, Matthew Brown, Zachary Buchanan, Dylan Bumford, Suzanne Carter, Nestor Colmenero, Evie Crabb, Margaret Daume, Addie Delph, Rachel Einstein, Lauren Eubank, Kelsea Everett, Matthew George, Ryan Gunter, Hallie Kaplan, Andrew Kirk, Rachel Kittrell, Ian Mackinnon, Israel Mendez, Dane Miller, Jared Muston, Alyssa Potasznik, Laura Preston, Alexandra Shapiro, Thomas Simpson, Charles Sneed, Astrud Villareal, Jonathan Vowell and Taylor Youpa

[Lakewooder]

Valentine Fundraiser for Woodrow Wilson Class of '08


For those Woodrow parents looking for something to do on V-Day. The Woodrow Wilson High School class of ’08 valentine fundraiser will take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Allen House, a Victorian home built in 1889 that is owned by Woodrow Wilson parents Doug and Karri Nichols.

The event will include a dinner buffet, cocktails and a candlelight tour.

For ticket information, contact grestex@swbell.net.

[hamiltonpl]

What street is that house on? It's really beautiful.

[Lakewooder]

Woodrow Mock Trial in State Competition

The Woodrow Mock Trial team has been selected for the upcoming State Mock Trial Competition March 1-3 in Dallas and will compete with teams all over Texas for the state title and the chance to participate in the national tournament in May.

Woodrow Wilson team members are seniors Addie Delph, Jared Muston, Alex Shapiro and Thomas Simpson, juniors Lizzie Cochran and Valerie Reynolds, sophomores Brenna Buchanan and Sarah Delph and Freshmen Nicholas Muston and Jack Wamre, also Freshmen alternates Nicolette Cueto and Ashley Ramirez.

The team is coached by attorneys Gordon Shapiro and Joe Smith, with support from faculty sponsor Catherine Pate, class of 1998.

The initial four rounds will be held at 8 am, 1 pm and 5:30 pm March 2 and 8 am March 3. All rounds will be held at the George Allen Courthouse, 600 Commerce.