Four States Living Magazine

At the Smith family dinner table, conversations don’t always begin with, “How was your day?” Instead, they’re often filled with discussions about lesson plans, student successes, journalism deadlines, classroom leadership, photography competitions, and the occasional string of educational acronyms that would leave outsiders completely lost.

What began as a Christmas gift has quickly grown into an entrepreneurial venture for four Pleasant Grove Middle School students. After receiving a 3D printer in December 2025, Zander Ames discovered a passion for designing and printing articulated toys and novelty gadgets.

A published poet and professor at Clark Atlanta University, brittny ray crowell grew up in and around Texarkana, Texas, as the youngest in a four-generation home. Her debut book, Cord Swell, is a collection is a memorialization of her ancestors, crafted in part from historical documents such as journals and obituaries. 

Homeschooling was not on my radar as a parent. Our family moved to the Texarkana area in the fall of 2013 for my husband’s career. All too quickly, it came time for our son to attend kindergarten—full day, five days a week—and we felt unsettled with the choices that lay ahead of us.

Aiden Kendricks, a sophomore at Texas High School and a dedicated member of the Tiger football team, took on a summer position at Big Dam Waterpark on May 23rd, initially as part of the kitchen staff. Caden Markham, the former assistant manager of operations at Big Dam Waterpark, motivated Aiden to enroll in the Ellis & Associates International Lifeguard Training Program.

Beginning in August, students at North Heights Community School will have the opportunity to participate in LifeWise Academy, a Bible-based character education program offered during “released time”—hours when students at public schools can go off-campus to receive religious instruction, with parental permission.

Nine local students can now say they are authors, thanks to a project overseen by Tina Jones, a teacher at Kilpatrick Academy of Public Service and the founder of the Four States Urban Development Project, a nonprofit organization providing after-school and summertime programs for children.

The next time you’re in downtown Texarkana, you may notice something that seems like it rolled straight out of a different era. No, you’re not suddenly in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, and Mr. Rogers isn’t about to step aboard. What you’re seeing is our newly restored downtown trolley, a project more than a year in the making and the result of countless hours of work from local businesses and downtown advocates.

Running in any kind of race can be a trying experience, with the temptation to quit always around the corner. However, races become much easier when shared with others. In her 12 years as a pacer for the Run the Line Half Marathon, Kim Miller has found a way to lift up her fellow runners with humor and spirit.

The building at 314 Main Street in Texarkana, Texas, has stood since 1913. In 1997, it became the home of Ragland Piano Company—a business that has evolved over its 30 years and maintains a strong sense of belonging within the downtown landscape.

In the days of the building’s construction, pianos were the pinnacle of home entertainment, and a thriving industry supported them. Much like radios or televisions in later eras, pianos were a staple in homes and communal spaces, and their size and quality were a symbol of status. While they haven’t retained that level of cultural importance, they have remained a musical hallmark worldwide and, for most of their existence, have been unrivaled by their digital counterparts. This was certainly the case when Ragland Piano Company opened its doors. However, instruments, like any technology, are subject to innovation, and no one has a better sense of this than the people who sell them.

Last year, local artists Cindy Holmes and Kenisha Webster were selected to showcase work in the 2025 Marfa Invitational Open. The Marfa Invitational Open is a major exhibition showcasing top Texas talents.

Last year, local artists Cindy Holmes and Kenisha Webster were selected to showcase work in the 2025 Marfa Invitational Open. The Marfa Invitational Open is a major exhibition showcasing top Texas talents.

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