Cooking professionally was always a dream for entrepreneurial pizza chef Tyler Traut. After losing his job to COVID shutdowns, Tyler ran head-first into that dream, not knowing that it would become something much bigger and more meaningful than he had ever imagined. 

“Food has always been a happy place in my home,” he said. “I have always cooked and gotten a lot of satisfaction from the joy of serving food to others.”

During his youth at Pleasant Grove, Jonathan Weaver used to do his own play-by-play commentary while watching his beloved Arkansas Razorbacks and Texas Rangers. “I quickly knew that I didn’t want to be on-camera but wanted to create the visuals from behind the scenes,” Jonathan said from his ESPN office in Connecticut. “I took PGTV as an elective as soon as I could in high school.”

“Only God and I know where I come from and the challenges I faced to be here,” said Irma Zuniga, who left her home and family when she immigrated to the U.S. from Honduras.

Looking for work, Irma arrived in Texarkana in 2010. She took a job at Osaka Japanese Steak House, where she worked for more than 10 years. But, a mom of two, Irma dreamed of being her own boss and showing her children the power of determination.

Bannon Price, a long-time resident of Ashdown, Arkansas, will soon pack his bags and head northeast for freshman year at Harvard University. Bannon recently graduated as valedictorian of his class at Ashdown High School but said that he still couldn’t believe his eyes when he was accepted in March to the prestigious Ivy League. 

“It was all so surreal,” he said. “I screamed, cried, and ran to my mom and hugged her. More than anything I was shocked.”

On November 6th, 2023, 19-year-old Jani Nix (then Gailey) wasn’t answering her mother’s phone calls. While this is a typical experience for many parents of young adults, Tonya Satterfield was worried.

“Normally I’d text her, and if she wouldn’t respond, because of all the things that had happened, I’d call her,” Tonya said. “And I told her that if she ever lets her phone die, I’m gonna get her.” They had an understanding: after all that Jani had experienced, if Tonya called, she was to answer.

When the Dierolfs purchased a game ranch in New Boston, Texas, the couple did not have in mind the life and business they would create there. “Tony bought [the ranch] for personal use to hunt,” Tiffany said. In meeting exotic animal dealers, Tony realized that they could pivot and make one of Tiffany’s long-time dreams come true.

Jason Butler paused for a second to reflect on his experience and then said, “The beautiful thing about life is that you can wake up tomorrow and start over brand new.” Nobody understands that sentiment more than him. Several wrong turns put Jason on a path that took him to places he never should have been. However, through faith, a passion for service, and hard work, he was able to reroute those wrong turns and navigate a new journey of purpose. 

Remote work became a widespread phenomenon in 2020, but Terri and Rick Morgan took the opportunity to the next level. They sold their Texarkana-based plumbing company and traded it for what many think of as another type of pipe dream: working remotely and living full-time on the open road in a recreational vehicle.

Leaders are not born; they are built from years of work, education, life influences, and choices. The importance of finding a leader of strong character and dedication to students was paramount in the selection of Texas A&M University–Texarkana’s fifth president. Dr. Ross Alexander is completing his first academic year as president. A family man raised with a strong midwestern work ethic, Ross leads in this role with dedication and community-mindedness.

Kirstyn Snyder, a junior at Arkansas High and member of the softball team, has been deaf since birth. She communicates with her family, none of whom are deaf, in various ways. 

“Some of my family learned a little sign,” she explained. “My mom signs a little. My two siblings sign a little, too. Most of the time, I usually just text it out on my phone.” 

Kirstyn owes her love of softball to her father. “I’ve been playing for 14 years now,” she said. “It started when my father helped and taught me how, and I’ve been in love with it ever since.”

Entering GJump, the 20,000-square-foot indoor trampoline park with disco lights bouncing off the walls and ceiling, is a bit like walking into another world—a world filled with laughter and fun. In contrast, the man behind the scenes works from a simple office with a single piece of decor on the wall. It’s a picture printed with his ethos, the words of Proverbs 16:3: “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”

“Fate loves the fearless.” These words by poet James Russell Lowell are the driving force behind everything Laventry Easter does. He thrives most when overcoming obstacles and achieving his goals. “I know what I want, and I achieve it,” Laventry said. Working as a professional performer on the Carnival Paradise cruise ship, the Arkansas High School graduate owes his career to his tenacity and courageous spirit.

Among the serious fishers of East Texas, Mr. Donald Crain, age 97, is a local legend.

“I’ve been riding around this dock here for forty years,” he said. “Everybody in the county probably knows me, I’ve been here so long.”

Donald spends as much time as possible on his houseboat, which he built himself 33 years ago, at Lake O’ the Pines—but his dreams of an East Texas retirement began even earlier, in 1975. A native of Jonesboro, Arkansas, but longtime Illinois resident, a 48-year-old Donald was vacationing with his wife near Jefferson, Texas, when the seed was planted.

Will Parker Davis and Braden Asimos have been friends as long as they can remember. Their parents being good friends, the two have grown up together and formed an inseparable bond. Both born and raised in Texarkana, high school juniors Will and Braden have a deep appreciation for Texarkana and its community. 

Switching from sequins, fringe, and boots to heels, slacks, and blazers, upcoming senior Graci Easley is preparing not only for her new role as captain of the Arkansas High School Redline drill team but also to attend Arkansas Girls State, a selective civics education program.

Most people have a bad habit of comparing their lives to others, ranking their accolades and aspirations against others’. Following your proverbial “path” can be downright stressful, full of imagined expectations just waiting to trip you up. The wisest among us drown out those supposed expectations and do whatever they think is best for themselves. At age 25, Ashdown local Joe Pennington is doing just that.

Texarkana is no stranger to sports. With programs trending, from little league to collegiate athletics, the four-states area is home to many successful teams. Summer is right around the corner, and a new team is here with a motto to excite: “Where baseball is tons of fun.” The Texarkana Rhinos minor league baseball team threw their first pitch during Memorial Day weekend. The Rhinos are determined to keep their motto in mind, striving to create a fun, family-friendly environment at George Dobson Field.

Mary and Jay Wommack purchased their new home in the Northridge neighborhood in 2020. Jay had grown up in this neighborhood and was excited to move back to a location of fond memories. Built in 1964, the Wommacks’ new home called for freshness and vibrancy. As luck would have it, their son-in-law, Justin Scurlock of Scurlock Studio, was excited to take on the challenge.

Debi Coleman has spent almost 40 years of her life as a teacher. She has worked in public schools, in private schools, and for homeschoolers. She has taught every age from kindergarten through high school. On the weekends, she can be found at Fellowship Bible Church, not only attending but also—you guessed it—teaching Sunday school. Interestingly, Debi’s passion for teaching came as a surprise to her, during her undergraduate years.

Jeni Eldridge founded Haven Homes, a Christian nonprofit organization that aims to help people recover from addiction. They began in 2012 with opening two transitional homes for women leaving Bowie County Women’s Center. To-date, over 200 women have utilized the transitional homes. In the 12 years since, the organization has expanded to serve both men and women recovering from substance addiction. They currently serve about 80 people, who receive safe housing, spiritual guidance, and faith-based counseling, as well as employment, educational, and community service opportunities.