Pictured above (l-r): Chelsey Hooton, Don Hooton, Jr., Don Hooton, Sr., Gwen Hooton, Aidan Mikulas, Mackenzie Mikulas, Avery Mikulas, and, Kylee (dog) By Alicia Wanek The course of your life can change directions in an instant. In July 2003 and in his senior year of college, Donald Hooton, Jr. was preparing…
BY KARYN BRODSKY The author Maxwell Frazer said, “You don’t need eyes to see—you need vision.” U.S. Marine Michael Jernigan, a third-generation Marine, currently of Ft. Worth, TX, understands the meaning of this quite literally. In fact, it took the loss of his eyes and other serious injuries sustained while…
BY KARYN BRODSKY Keep your eye out for a woman on a mission to help others, who has a heart of gold, and a will of steel. Jo Trizila of Dallas is a successful public relations entrepreneur, a busy single mom, and a member of the board of directors of…
BY KARYN BRODSKY Her mother always said she would one day change the world, but for 12-year-old Haylie Geraci of Trophy Club, TX, the call of duty came at a young age. She’s now on a mission to create awareness for blood donation and childhood cancer, following the diagnosis that…
By Alicia Wanek Rolando Blackman knows personally the value of education. When he came to the U.S. at the age of eight from his native Panama, he spoke little of the language, and for three years he went to school two to three hours before the first bell sounded to…
By Deb Silverthorn According to Elyse Barnard’s daughter Hallie Bea, the “I” in VIP stands for Inspiring, as GLF would have it, but also Important, Incredible and Intelligent. The 10-year-old pixie could go on and on about her mother, who has fought her disease alongside her. “This journey means lots of questions, but God…
Accomplished physician proves that brains triumph over bigotry BY KARYN BRODSKY How would it feel to be incredibly intelligent and dedicated, yet delegitimized by peers as a young person, simply because of the color of one’s skin? Just ask Dr. Kwabena Blankson. Dr. Blankson, lovingly referred to as…
Our VIP Award recipient, Adrienne Bransky, supports son’s effort to bring tennis to kids with autism. by Karyn Brodsky When it comes to children with autism, Dallas mom Adrienne Bransky knows firsthand that learning is winning. Her 14-year-old, middle child, Josh is on the spectrum. So, when her oldest…
Ex-football player uses his words to prevent others from using their hands by Karyn Brodsky If the true test of a person’s strength is how they cope with adversity, then football player Chris Johnson is a very powerful individual. He turned a major tragedy in his life into a great deal…