Solemn, witty, humorous, and friendly, Dr. Ruth Thelma Smith Blackwell is a retired speech pathologist who worked for TISD for 30 years. The founder and co-owner of Beacon Light Beauty College, Ruth has owned Superior Beauty Salon in Texarkana, Texas, for 73 years.

A friend to all she meets, Debbie Norton is a retired Red Lick ISD educator after 34 years of service. During her early teaching career, she taught at Red Lick Common School, where she had a self-contained fourth grade classroom teaching all subjects including music and PE. During the ’80s, the district departmentalized, and she taught all middle school math, Algebra 1, and maintained the school’s library. In the mid-’90s, she served as District Technology Director and District Librarian over a student population that was growing by leaps and bounds. And by the mid-2000s, the district expanded to two beautiful campuses, all while under the direction of Dr. Richard Hervey, staff, and community members who brought Red Lick from that one building to the modern facility it is today.

A pastor’s wife, church clerk, and Sunday school teacher, it is easy to see that Shirley Bradford keeps herself very busy. Married to husband, George, the couple has a daughter, Pamela, and a son, Walter.

According to Amanda Graham, being an educator is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding professions. She is honored to say that she has committed her life to education for the past 18 years. Amanda and her husband, Terry, have one son, Jaxson, and one daughter, Ella. She is very thankful that her family supports her educational journeys, as well as her spontaneous ideas and projects. She admits that their love and encouragement makes her strive for excellence in all she does.

Paula McGuire’s father, Ed Archambo, started Basic Software Systems 41 years ago. Humbled that he has trusted her to take the company forward into the future, Paula recently took the reigns as owner/president and strives to continue its legacy. Although her father started the business during a time where technology and the industry were vastly different than it is now, he stood the test of so many changes in the past four decades. Likewise, Paula is excited and committed to do the same.

A busy mother of two daughters, Emma (15) and Harper (8), Sarah Mascoe has always dreamed of being a hairstylist. For 12 years now, she has been a hairdresser, and for 4 years, she has also enjoyed being a lash artist. Both of these professions help others feel good about themselves and keep Sarah motivated and content as she follows her lifelong dreams.

Passionate, resilient, and caring are words used to describe Carmen Engledowl. A director at the Sportsplex by HealthCARE Express, Carmen is also a Staff Sergeant (E6) in the U.S. Army Reserves. Married to Paul, they have a 9-year-old son, Tristan, and a 5-year-old daughter, Caliapy.

Dr. Heather McKnight is Director of Nursing and Associate Professor of Nursing at Texas A&M University- Texarkana. She leads the Department of Nursing which includes six faculty members, three staff members, and 200+ nursing majors. Prior to her appointment in academia, Heather worked at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System in a variety of positions including staff RN, Stroke Program Coordinator, Magnet Program Director, and Acute Care Services Director.

A true southern lady, Carole Boswell is gracious and kind, always seeking to include others in activities around town. She and her husband, Jim, have been married for 57 years and have two children, Amy and Brad, and four grandchildren, Ellie, Audrey, Katie, and Nick.

Beatty Palmer reflects on 101 years of living a “sweet” life

Strong and growing, Texarkana’s Caddo Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, continues to be a model organization

Bob Murray and his daughter, Kayla Wood, are proof that the family that works, plays, and prays together … stays together!

A Holocaust survivor, Alexandra Goode has seen many things in her lifetime and praises God for placing her where she needed to be.

Friends, Cassidy Lavender and Jordan Thornton, created Lavender Thorne to offer safe and effective quality products

While working together, Virginia Ann Prazak and her father, Steve Raffaelli, recognize the benefits from each other’s strengths

Three Chicks’ Dee Dee Rogers, Angie Watson, and Julie Miller have unique personalities that come together to make a solid team

Jeannie Knod Edwards to serve as this year’s Party with Picassos Signature Artist

Celebrating 40 Years of Engaging Leaders

As a high school teacher and owner of ColorHype TXK, Shea Phillips’ goal is to impact the community through art