Lakewood iReporter

DALLAS _ Anne Bunten has very fond memories of The Children’s Center preschool, where she sent her four children decades ago.

“It was a wonderful school. The teachers were fabulous,” Bunten recalled recently. “I talked a lot of people into going there after my kids were through.”

Such devotion is not unusual among families whose children attended The Children’s Center. That is why current staff and board members expect a great turnout for the school’s 60^th Anniversary Reunion and Birthday Party on March 25.

“So many of our alumni and their families are still in the area and would love to reconnect with each other,” said school director Christy Tornelli. “You never forget your child’s first teacher and the other young mothers who ‘knew you when.’”

The Children’s Center moved in 2005 when its landlord sold the Mockingbird Lane property. The school, now in a leafy neighborhood near the intersection of Garland Road and Buckner Boulevard, continues to provide experiences that encourage creativity, discovery and self-confidence in children ages 2 ½ through five.

To celebrate its 60^th anniversary, the school is collecting favorite memories and updates from staff and alumni families.  Interested parties may send photos and an update or special memory to anniversary@thechildrenscenterdallas.org or to The Children’s Center, 1423 San Saba, Dallas, 75218.

Items received by March 11 will be displayed at the party along with old directories, scrapbooks, class photos and other memorabilia.

“It’s a perfect Sunday afternoon outing with food, friends and families,” said event chairman Melissa Finn. “My four children are excited to see their old classmates again.”

The Burger House location across from the old school is hosting the party and donating 15 percent of the day’s proceeds to The Children’s Center 60^th Anniversary Fund for continued excellence in early childhood education.  Donations may be made at the party or sent to the school.

Details:

What: The Children’s Center 60^th Anniversary Reunion and Birthday Party

When: 12 noon to 5 p.m. Come and Go Sunday, March 25. Cake cutting 1 p.m.

Where: Burger House, 6248 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas 75214

By KYLE RAINS

Woodrow Wilson’s DECA Chapter attended the North Texas District 7 Career Development Conference on Saturday February 4, 2012 at Frisco Lone Star High School.  DECA is part of the school's Business, Entrepreneurship and Finance (BEF) college prep academy.

Fifteen Wildcats attended the conference with over 1,200 other students from over 40 different Metroplex high schools across North Texas.  Ten Woodrow DECA members qualified for the State Career Development Conference in Corpus Christi on March 1-3.

Congratulations to these students who are advancing on to State:

Accounting Applications – Emmanuel Hernandez

Automotive Services - Mark Fraser

Entrepreneurship Independent Business – Aden Shank

Hotel and Lodging Management – Ramon Alavarez

Marketing Management - Max Castillo, Dayna Martin and Casandra Martinez

Restaurant Management – Ingrid Coello and Garrett Corona

Principles of Hospitality and Tourism – Eli Cantu

Woodrow DECA Advisors are Tom Crabb (class of 1971) and Kerry Harvey. Also participating and representing Woodrow were Arely Bustamante, Wendy Estrada, Jennifer Garcia, Jack Noble, and Will Noble.

To learn more about DECA, check out the DECA website or the Texas DECA website.

Photo courtesy of Tom Crabb

There are only a few days remaining until the Woodrow Wilson Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament and Social kicks off on Thursday, February 23. The event is being held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church beginning at 6:30 p.m. There will be friend, food and plenty of fun all night long.

While players won't be competiting for a cash prize, the Woodrow Wilson PTA has put together an excellent selection of prizes for those that make the final table. Among the prizes that can be won include a Kindle Fire, sporting tickets, restaurant gift certificates, and dinner at Palomino with a one night stay at the Crescent Hotel including breakfast and valet. Tickets for the tournament are $80 in advance and $100 at the door.

For those that don't like or don't want to play poker, come to the event anyways. Social tickets are being sold for $25 that includes food and drink. join the other residents of Lakewood and support the Woodrow Wilson High School.

All proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 2013. Funds will go towards a class gift to the school, class community service projects, graduation activities and financial assistance that will allow students full participation in class events by all class members.

The doors for event will open at 6:30 p.m. and professional dealers will give a poker tutorial at 7:00. The tournament will start promptly at 7:30 p.m. and any late players will be assessed a penalty. To learn more about the event or to sign up for the tournament, contact Mary Alice Garrison at 214.543.7075 or mgar7@att.net.

Billionaire Mark Cuban has done a lot for the city of Dallas. He bought the Dallas Mavericks, turned them into a powerhouse and delivered an NBA Championship to the city. But, his latest contribution hits a lot closer to home for the residents of Lakewood and the surrounding areas.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade, an annual tradition in Dallas that has taken place since 1979, was in danger of not having the funds to host the parade. Word of this reached Cuban, who pledged to cover the costs of the event. He wrote the Greenville Avenue Area Business Association a check for $40,000.

According to Cuban, he has too many fond memories of the St. Patrick's Day Parade before he became the owner of the Mavericks to let the tradition end.

Deciding which colleges and universities to apply for will be a major crossroad in the lives of seniors students at Woodrow Wilson High School. Unfortunately, money and the cost of tuition will play a significant factor in the choices that most of those seniors will make. But, with scholarships like the one offered by the Woodrow Wilson High School Community Foundation, money doesn't have to be a limiting factor.

The Woodrow Wilson High Community Foundation is an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded to support and benefit Woodrow and the Woodrow community. The foundation has 11 scholarships available for 2012 totaling $13,000. However, students can earn more than one scholarship.

As a condition for receiving a scholarship, each recipient must present a brief acceptance speech at the WWHSCF Scholarship Award Banquet or risk forfeiture of their award. Applicants must be seniors and have 80 point average. To learn more about the rules and to download an application, check out the Woodrow Wilson website.