Destination ImagiNation’s 2015-16 season has officially begun! Children are invited to start a team in Destination ImagiNation today and become a part of the world’s premier creativity, teamwork and problem-solving program. To date, Destination ImagiNation has engaged more than 3 million participants worldwide. From engineering to service learning to improvisation, this season’s new and unique Challenges are sure to stretch your imagination even further and take you on a journey of a lifetime—all while helping you learn and improve on your interpersonal and management skills, celebrate your creativity, persevere from imagination to innovation and, of course, have fun!

Destination ImagiNation (DI) is an innovative organization that teaches creativity, teamwork and problem-solving.  In DI, student teams participate in Challenges, exercises that socially and intellectually activate students by prompting them to use creativity and teamwork to solve problems. DI Team Challenges fall into seven categories: technical and mechanical; science and theater arts; theater and fine arts; improvisation and theater arts; structural and architectural design; Rising Stars! for early learners; and projectOUTREACH, DI’s community service challenge.

This month the Dal-Rich Region of Destination Imagination, which serves the HPISD schools, will host     DI interest sessions to the DI program. The HPISD district-wide interest meeting for all parents and students will be held at McCulloch Intermediate on Thursday, September 24^th at 7:00 PM.

For more information regarding team registration deadlines, tournament dates and how to start a team, email sgonterman@att.net. Or contact your schools building coordinator: Armstrong – Linda Giesen  giesenl@hpisd.org ,   Bradfield – Michelle McCaskill mccaskm@hpisd.org ,  Hyer – Carrie Boydston  boydstc@hpisd.org,  University Park – Pamela Villanueva  villanp@hpisd.org ,   McCulloch – Daley Hilton  HiltonD@HPISD.ORG.  For more information on Destination ImagiNation® check out idodi.org

The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is pleased to announce Texas State Representative Scott Turner will be the 2015 Key Leaders Luncheon Keynote speaker. From the Richardson YMCA to Berkner High School, to the NFL and the Capitol in Austin, Scott Turner has embraced every turn of his life preparing him for the next opportunity for service.  He will share his life experience and how this has given him the essential skills he needs for his next challenge to help change the culture of the National Football League.

Over 500 business and community leaders are expected to join the YMCA for the Key Leaders Luncheon. The event will take place on October 2, 2015 at the Belo Mansion. Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. and lunch will begin at 12 p.m.

Developed twelve years ago, the YMCA Key Leaders event is designed to connect key community and business leaders with the timely local issue that has regional impact while also sharing a few accomplishments and priorities of the YMCA. Using impactful and timely keynote speakers as a draw, this event has grown from 70 participants to more than 500 participants.

Previous keynotes include: Garrett Boone, Chairman Emeritus of The Container Store, Doug Brooks, CEO/Chairman of Brinker International, Stephen Jones, Chief Operating Officer of the Dallas Cowboys, Todd Wagner, Co-Owner and Co- Founder of the Wagner/Cuban Companies, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Richard Fischer, CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, T. Boone Pickens, Dr. Reed Tuckson, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Affairs United Health Group, Nolan Ryan, CEO of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club, Mark Fenton, Public health, planning, and transportation consultant and Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines CEO.

Sponsorship levels are available including Social Responsibility Sponsor for $5,000, Healthy Living Sponsor for $2,500, Youth Development Sponsor for $1,500. Each sponsor receives one reserved table of 10 plus additional benefits depending on the sponsorship amount. For more information on sponsorship or to be a quest contact sbyrom@ymcadallas.org or visit https://www.ymcadallas.org/about_the_y/key_leaders/

Bipartisan effort one of only two in U.S. to promote legislation supporting Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility

Republican and Democrat legislators from the Texas House of Representatives and Senate have united to form the YMCA Legislative Caucus, the first of its kind in Texas and only the second in the United States. 

Chaired by Representative Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) and Senator Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood), the Caucus is a bipartisan and bicameral effort to keep core YMCA issues of Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility at the top of the public agenda.

 “The YMCA has been dedicated to the health and wellness of the people in Texas for over 160 years and has a rich history of service to its constituency of over 1.4 million Texans,” said Rep. Rodriguez. “Collectively, Texas YMCAs, large and small, rural and urban, are working together to strengthen the foundations of communities throughout the Lone Star State.”

Caucus members will support YMCAs as effective partners, resources and advocates in the holistic development of children, youth and family strengthening programs. Members will serve as a conduit for information on the 27 YMCA associations serving communities across the state. During its inaugural biennium, the Caucus will highlight the YMCA's healthy living initiatives, including reducing childhood obesity and chronic disease prevention. The first Caucus meeting was held on April 29, 2015 at the Austin Club.

The Texas State Alliance of YMCAs is an association representing the interests and concerns of the 27 independent Ys across Texas. The Alliance is a nonprofit, grassroots-driven and volunteer-led organization that advocates on behalf of local Ys to promote the Y’s three areas of focus: Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.

In 2014, Texas YMCAs collectively provided more than $25 million in financial assistance to ensure that tens of thousands of Texans can benefit from YMCA programs and memberships, regardless of their economic circumstance. More information is available at www.texasymcas.org.

Photo Caption Pictured (l-r): Gordon Echtenkamp, President & CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, State Rep. Scott Turner (R-Rockwall), State Sen. Larry Taylor, Senate Chair (R-Friendswood), State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, House Chair (D-Austin), State Rep. Gilbert Peña (R-Pasadena), James P. Finck, President & CEO, YMCA of Austin, Sandy Morander, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater San Antonio, Tony Shuman, President & CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth. Not pictured: State Rep. Jason Villalba (R-Dallas) and State Rep. Elliott Naishtat (D-Austin).

The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas honored 28 area volunteers at its 130th Annual Meeting held at the Belo Mansion.  Volunteers were lauded for their continued dedication and generosity to the North Texas community.  YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas President/CEO Gordon Echtenkamp was the evening’s speaker. 

Three individuals received the organization’s prestigious Distinguished YMCA Leadership Award for consistent and extraordinary leadership in community service.

The Theodore P. Beasley YMCA Distinguished Leadership Award was given to David Folz for his dedication and services to the Dallas community. Folz has served on the Board of Directors for the Dallas YMCA for 26 years and currently is the Chairman of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Foundation Board.   Folz’s dedicated and distinguished leadership embodies the spirit of the Theodore P. Beasley Award. The Theodore P. Beasley Award is given annually in recognition of outstanding service and leadership to the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.

The Charles P. Storey Strong Communities Award was given to Larry Parks for his dutiful service to the JER Chilton YMCA in Rockwall, Park’s volunteer service spans almost 30 years.  He has served as a board member, Annual Campaign chair, Major Gifts Chair and Chairman of the Rockwall Board of Management.   He currently serves the Chair of the Capital Campaign.  Larry’s ability to connect the YMCA and the Rockwall community over the last 30 years exemplifies the mission, purpose, and ideals of the YMCA. The Strong Communities Award is given to a YMCA volunteer who has been instrumental in creation and perpetuation of a local YMCA.

 Mrs. Vestana Wollos received the George L. Allen Distinguished Leadership Award for her generous support of the Park South YMCA.   In 1968, then Mayor Eric Johnson and his wife posed a million dollar challenge grant to the businesses and citizens of South Dallas to build the Park South YMCA.  Many in the community stepped up, including Vestana Wollos, who donated her land to clear the way for the YMCA.  Two years later in 1970, the doors of the Park South YMCA opened.  A dedicated member Wollos believes in giving back and supporting the neighborhood. Vestana Wollos’ passion for her community truly reflects the ideals of George Allen and this award.  The George L. Allen Distinguished Leadership Award is awards for outstanding leadership or service to a community ore a special group of people who experience unique challenges.

 Sponsors for the evening included:

$2,500 Silver Sponsor:  Bank of America Merrill Lynch, The Beck Group, PricewaterhouseCooper and Texas Instruments

 $1,500 Red Sponsors: Ames Printing, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Beck Group, Children’s Health, City of Dallas Office of Economic Development, Hunt Consolidated, Jackson Walker LLP, McQueary Henry Bowles Troy LLP, Oncor and Texas Capital Bank

Richardson High School Repertory Theatre is pleased to present this classical musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein.  Fiddler On The Roof was one of the longest running Broadway musicals.

Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters.  With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social morals and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.  Rich in historical and ethnic detail, Fiddler On The Roof’s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness

The show runs January 22- 25^th in the Richardson High School Auditorium.  Show times are as follows:

January 22 – 24 at 7:30 pm and January 25^th at 2:00 pm

All performances are at the Richardson High School Auditorium located at 1250 Beltline Road, Richardson 75080.

Preformances are:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Thursday, January 22^nd at 7:30 pm

Friday, January 23^rd at 7:30 pm

Saturday, January 24^th at 7:30 pm

Sunday, January 25^th at 2:00 pm

Ticket pricing:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Reserved seating:  Adults $12, Seniors  $10, Students $10

General Seating near stage:  Adults $10, Seniors  $8, Students $8

General Admission $5 for all

For more information or to get  tickets go to www.rhstheatre.org

*Email webmaster@rhstheatre.org for group seating reservations for 10 or more tickets for the same night