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AUGUST 2022

2022 COVER PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

Poised by Amber Damour









contents 08.2022

Promoting Community &
Commerce since 1995

ON THE COVER
2022 Cover Photo Contest Winner

Poised by Amber Damour

28 11 From the Editor
12 Events Calendar
14 Building for the Future

by Lyn Rejahl Pry

18 A Wheely Cool Collection

by Lisa Sciortino

24 Keeping it Casual

by Ashli Urano

28 2022 Cover Photo Contest
4 0 Friday Night Heroes

by Stephen Hunt

5 0 Music Man

by Lyn Rejahl Pry

52 Did You Know?
54 A Berry Tasty Meal

by Ashli Urano

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general manager ANDREW JOHNSON P.O. Box 1676, Frisco, Texas 75034 No portion of this publication may be
managing editor LISA SCIORTINO Phone: 972.335.1181 reproduced without express written
BRI MORALES Fax: 214.722.2313 permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC.
photographer TUCKER COFFEY Toll Free: 877.781.7067 ©2022 All rights reserved.
director digital media BEN JOHNSON
BECKY JOHNSON [email protected]
digital media GEORGE RODRIGUEZ www.friscostyle.com
office manager TIM COSTELLO
director of business development LINDSAY JOHNSON FRISCO STYLE GIVES BACK
advertising sales GEORGE KELLAS
manager of client services Frisco STYLE Magazine proudly sponsors Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin
County, Frisco Arts, Melody of Hope, Frisco Family Services, Frisco Freedom
videographer Fest, Gary Burns Fun Run, the Rotary Club of Frisco and is a member of the
Frisco Chamber of Commerce.

Get the scoop on everything happening at Frisco STYLE! Readers will
find a magazine library, recipes and extra article-related content on our
website. Stay updated by visiting friscostyle.com.

> AD SALES : 972.335.1306

[email protected]

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Frome thde itor Find Us Online!
Go to friscostyle.com to read exclusive
content only available online.
Follow Frisco STYLE Magazine on
our social media platforms.

Fun fact Earlier this year, we attended the Frisco
about Charity Car Show at the Careington/DialCare
yours Auto Museum. I’ll never forget the look on my
truly: I boy’s face when he first walked through the
absolutely adore doors of the expansive space: His eyes widened,
classic cars, and his jaw fell open at the sight of row after
especially those row of classic, collectible cars parked neatly
from the 1950s. All side by side. “Oh, wow,” were the only words he
that chrome, the could summon for several minutes. In a lucky
gorgeous pastel coincidence, our respective dream cars – mine a
paint hues, and oh, those sharp, pointed tailfins. They 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air; his a 1970 Chevy Chevelle
truly are rolling works of art. – were stationed near one another.
Then there is the history attached to these vehicles.
Sitting in the massive front seat gripping the wide We spent a couple of hours taking in the five
steering wheel, one can only wonder about the lucky dozen vehicles on display here and were pleased
person who got to drive away from the dealership more to learn that all donations to the museum
than six decades ago as the original owner of such benefit a pair of worthwhile charities. In our
an exquisite piece of machinery. What did they view pages this month, we offer our loyal readers a
through the very same windshield? Which iconic tunes peek at the treasures parked inside the place
did they hear through the speakers? Where did this car and share about the organizations it helps to
ultimately take them? Why and how did they eventually support.
part ways with it?
In recent months, I’ve joined my teenage son in Also, we introduce you to several outstanding
further exploring his newfound love of vintage vehicles Frisco ISD high school football players to watch
(he’s more of a late-‘60s/early ‘70s American muscle car as we gear up for Friday night lights to switch
guy – and who can blame him?). A couple of weekends on at area sports stadiums; and we catch up
each month, we check out classic car shows around with University of North Texas President Neal
Collin County that usually are staged in the parking lots Smatresk, who shares his excitement about the
at area diners or various festivals. university’s forthcoming Frisco campus, which
is set to open next spring.

Managing Editor
[email protected]

Frisco STYLE Magazine @friscostylemag
AUGUST 2022  11
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AUGUST CALENDAR

3-28 13

Summer Splash Art Show Roll with the Council

10 a.m.-5 p.m. 10 a.m.
Frisco Art Gallery Taychas Trail
8004 N. Dallas Parkway, Frisco 6300 Maltby Drive, Frisco
This annual juried exhibit features works in multiple Enjoy a bike ride with your City of Frisco elected officials
mediums including photography and acrylics. A at a conversational pace. Routes are a combination of on-
public reception will be held from 3-5 p.m. August street and city hike and bike trails with distances ranging
28, when the winner of the exhibition will be from 5 to 10 miles.
announced. Admission is free.
friscotexas.gov/221/Special-Events
friscotexas.gov
Taychus Park Photo
5-7, 12-14
UPCOMING
Something Rotten SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Showtimes Vary 10
Black Box Theater
8004 N. Dallas Parkway, Frisco Roll with the Council
Theatre Frisco presents this musical farce that
takes places in the 1590s and centers around 10 a.m.
brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, who are B.F. Phillips Community Park
desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the 3335 Timber Ridge Drive, Frisco
shadow of “The Bard.” This is a ticketed event. Enjoy a bike ride with your City of Frisco elected officials
at a conversational pace. Routes are a combination of on-
theatrefrisco.com street and city hike and bike trails with distances ranging
from 5 to 10 miles.
6-7
friscotexas.gov/221/Special-Events
Big 3 Basketball
23rd Annual Otsukimi Moon Viewing Festival
Noon Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Comerica Center 7-10 p.m.
2601 Avenue of the Stars, Frisco Simpson Plaza
Catch some of the best professional basketball 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco
players in action as they take to the court for a This cultural festival will feature live performances, crafts
pair of games. and other activities. Admission is free.

big3.com jasdfw.org/event/2022-otsukimi-moon-viewing-festival

For additional
events or to add your event to our digital
calendar, scan here.

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Building for the Future
UNT PRESIDENT IS EXCITED ABOUT FORTHCOMING FRISCO CAMPUS

By Lyn Rejahl Pry

Construction on Frisco Landing — the four-story, department chair before becoming Dean of the College
135,000 square-foot building at the University of North of Science. From 2004-07, he was vice chancellor for
Texas at Frisco campus that is set to open next spring academic affairs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa
— began in 2020. The classrooms and study spaces before heading to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas,
within will promote collaboration, transparency and where he was executive vice president and provost
open communication between faculty members and the before becoming the university’s president in 2009.
students who will participate in the 27 undergraduate and
master-level programs that will be offered. Smatresk’s decision to come to UNT was both a
personal and academic one as he and his wife, Debbie,
“This new facility will ensure UNT continues supporting had children and grandchildren living in Texas.
programs and partnerships in an area synonymous
with innovative growth,” University President Neal UNT began offering classes in Frisco in 2016 at
Smatresk said. “UNT is focused on offering each student locations including Hall Park and Inspire Park. Prior
unparalleled opportunities for career exploration and a to that, there had not been a four-year institution for
ticket to the top of their industry.” higher education in Collin County.

The university is “committed to our partnerships In August 2019, the UNT at Frisco Master Plan was
with the City of Frisco, Collin County and Collin College approved by the UNT Board of Regents, establishing
to continue providing the highest quality education the framework for the growth and development of the
experience to Collin County and beyond,” he said. new campus site for decades to come.

When Smatresk joined UNT in 2014, his vision was to Smatresk has led efforts at the university to create new
help lead the school to national prominence. public-and private-partnerships with large corporations
including American Airlines, Liberty Mutual, Google and
Born in Massachusetts, he grew up in Buffalo, New JP Morgan Chase.
York, and in 1973, earned his bachelor’s degree in biology
from Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania. Five years later, UNT is focused on offering each
he earned a master’s degree in biology from the State student unparalleled opportunities for
University of New York at Buffalo, and went on to receive a career exploration and a ticket to the
fellowship and earn a Ph.D. in zoology and marine science top of their industry."
from the University of Texas at Austin’s Port Aransas
Marine Laboratory. From 1980-82, he was a postdoctoral
trainee at the University of Pennsylvania School of
Medicine.

For 22 years, he was a faculty member at the University
of Texas, Arlington, serving as a biology professor and

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AUGUST 2022  15

In response to the rapidly changing career marketplace, Programs to be offered at UNT at Frisco
he has tailored academic degrees in such areas as business
analytics, data science, urban policy and planning, and formed College of Education
a partnership with the Dallas Cowboys for a M.B.A. degree in Education (also at Inspire Park)
sports entertainment management. UNT also instituted the Counseling
nation’s first bachelor's degree from a university on the online Educational Leadership
learning platform Coursera.
College of Engineering
Programs offered exclusively at UNT at Frisco include Information Technology
Project Design and Analysis, Industrial Distribution and Computer Science
Applied Project Design and Analysis. Earlier this year, the first
cohort of the immersive Project Design and Analysis program College of Information
graduated. Information Science

“I’d had a vision for a curriculum more project-designed for College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
corporation settings, a ‘degree in three,’ targeting graduation Journalism
in three years,” Smatresk said, which also affords students Psychology
opportunities to put their skills into practice on real-world Integrative Studies
projects with industry partners.
College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism
Lyn Rejahl Pry is a freelance editor, writer and proofreader who is a Consumer Experience Management
born Cheesehead/Badger/Packer-backer and 1997 Dallas-Fort Worth
transplant. College of Science
Biology (also at Inspire Park)
Data Analytics

College of Visual Arts and Design
Design

G. Brint Ryan College of Business
Marketing
Business Integrative Studies
General Business
Logistics of Supply Chain Management
Sports Entertainment Management
Business Administration
Business Analytics

New College
Applied Arts and Science
Project Design and Analysis
Industrial Distribution
Applied Project Design and Analysis

Toulouse Graduate School
Interdisciplinary Studies
Advanced Data Analytics
Data Analytics

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AUGUST 2022  17

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AWCHEELYL COLL

CAREINGTON INTERNATIONAL CORP

By Lisa Sciortino

It is a classic car buff’s dream — and it’s hiding in plain sight.

Welcome to the Careington/DialCare Auto Museum, lifestyle and financial needs. In 2018, the corporation
located at the recently constructed, 75,000 square-foot launched its affiliate company DialCare, which provides
corporate campus on Flyers Way in Frisco. The bottom comprehensive virtual health programs. Careington’s co-
floor of the modern, three-story office building is home to founder and chairman is a lifelong car collector who has
some five dozen classic trucks and automobiles that are owned hundreds of vehicles.
only available for viewing by the general public a couple of
times each year. The vehicles on display at the museum — a variety of
makes and models dating back to the 1930s — include
Founded in 1979, Careington International Corporation some that have been meticulously restored while others
offers benefits programs that address health, wellness, remain relatively untouched with the exception of new

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LECTION

PORATION/DIALCARE AUTO MUSEUM SUPPORTS AREA CHARITIES

upholstery or a refreshed paint job. The collection Not far from the front doors are a trio of mid-1950s-
also features a few replica cars including a 1953 era Chevrolets, including a 1957 Chevy Bel Air with its
Corvette Convertible, a 1964 Ford Cobra and a 1928 iconic tailfins, parked adjacent to a 1970 Chevrolet
Ford Model A. Chevelle muscle car. In a back corner of the building
reside a trio of stately vintage limousines including
Inside the space, the vehicles are largely grouped an unrestored 1939 Cadillac Series 75 with only 18,000
by make, model or decade. A handful of Corvettes, miles on the odometer.
ranging from the 1950s through ‘80s, inhabit the
center of the museum, alongside several Ford A good many of the museum’s four-wheeled
Falcons and Mustangs. beauties were manufactured by car companies

AUGUST 2022  19

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that have long since gone out of business. There are several
stunning Packards, Mercurys and Oldsmobiles on display here.
Another not-to-be-missed vehicle is the 1959 Ford Galaxie
Skyliner, famous for its retractable hardtop system.

FOR GOOD CAUSES

The doors to the museum open only twice annually to the
public. In May, it welcomed visitors during the second annual
Frisco Charity Car Show (another is slated for 2023). A second
show, to be hosted by the Dallas Area Pontiac Association, is
planned this fall. Otherwise, the museum and its contents
usually are only seen during private tours for Careington/
DialCare clients or when the space is rented for private and
corporate events.

All donations received during the free car shows benefit
a pair of charities that are supported by Careington and
DialCare.

Families of World War II Veterans was founded by Barbara
Fasola, chief executive officer of Careington International
Corporation, DialCare and affiliate companies Careington
Benefit Solutions and Munroe Sutton. The daughter of a
military veteran, she established the organization in 2010
following her fourth visit to the D-Day beaches of Normandy,
France.

“I realized I wanted to somehow bring a piece of Normandy
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AUGUST 2022  21

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and the story of the brave participants who played a Sean Loving
role in this war to future generations who may not be as
closely connected as I am,” Fasola says in a statement
on the Families of World War II Veterans website
(familiesww2veterans.org). “The idea to create a charity
that celebrated the heroes and the sacrifices of these men
and women by awarding scholarships to deserving young
college-bound students seemed like a perfect fit.”

Through fundraising efforts from its annual golf
tournament, corporate sponsorships and individual
donations, the charity funds $2,500 scholarships that it
awards annually to college-bound and continuing college
students. (If students meet the scholarship’s requirements,
they will receive the sum each semester for up to four
years.) Last year, the charity awarded 10 scholarships, the
applications for which were weighted heavily on financial
need, grades, community service and recommendation
letters.

GIVING BACK

“We receive so many letters and stories from applicants
who have a family member or someone they’ve known”
who served during World War II, says Wendy Sideris, the
organization’s administrative director. “It brings tears to
our eyes as we read all of these letters and see the photos.”

Each year, “We find more and more donors who are willing
to donate to the cause and to help these students,” says
Sean Loving, head of the scholarship committee.

Proceeds from the Careington/DialCare Auto Museum
also benefit CK Family Services (ckfamilyservices.org), a
North Texas nonprofit family services agency that provides
behavioral health, foster care, adoption and post-adoption
services.

Matt Rinker, who is the son of Careington International
Corporation’s co-founder and chairman, is also a member
of CK Family Services’ board of directors. Its services
complement those of the corporation. “We’re very much in
the behavioral health and telemedicine and telecounseling
space,” he says.

Although cars and fundraising may not seem like a natural
pairing, Rinker says the results have proven otherwise. “It’s
weird because we’re putting unlike things together, but it’s
genuine and it’s organic. … It has a good feel to it and if we
can actually raise money and give it to charities, that’s even
better.”

Lisa Ferguson is managing editor of Frisco STYLE Magazine.

22   FRISCOSTYLE.COM Matt Rinker

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AUGUST 2022  23

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Keeping it Casual

CHEF RICH VANA SERVES 'ACCESSIBLE' ENTREES
AT THE HERITAGE TABLE IN DOWNTOWN FRISCO

By Ashli Urano

he Heritage Table, located in a 1917 converted We once talked for 45 minutes about margaritas for a story.
It was great getting his insight and feedback.”
TVictorian-style home at Main and 6th Streets,
continues to reach new heights courtesy of The next chapter began when The Heritage Table first
the vision of chef-owner Rich Vana. His is a story of an came to life as a catering company in a rented kitchen
unwavering passion for cooking that has earned his Frisco at Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar in Dallas. After three years
restaurant plenty of fans and accolades. of catering, Vana started the process of becoming a
After graduating with a journalism degree from Baylor restaurant owner.
University, Vana began working as a sportswriter before
realizing that an office job could never be a part of his The Heritage Table was initially open for lunch and dinner
future. as well as brunch. Vana’s decision later to exclusively
Through his love of food, he created the popular blog offer dinner service five nights weekly allowed for the
Entrée Dallas, which covered the city’s dining scene. He opportunity to focus on delivering to diners the experience
began staging in various restaurant kitchens for a week at he wanted for them.
a time and wrote about the experiences in a series titled
Kitchen Quixote, through which he acquired an appreciation The restaurant boasts a fine-dining atmosphere while
and understanding of the hard work that goes into running maintaining a feel that is casual and relaxing. “We put the
a restaurant. (Vana ceased writing the blog in 2014.) pretense and formality on our servers to make sure our
“During that time I got to know really good chefs guests have a very casual experience. … They do a really
and restaurant owners like Dean Fearing (of Fearing’s good job of achieving that.”
Restaurant in Dallas), who has been around for decades. …
As the pandemic ramped up in 2020, Vana was unsure
about The Heritage Table’s future. After working on ideas
to keep the restaurant afloat, he and his team opened a

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pop-up concept called Impractical Chef Rich Vana
Sandwich. Brown-bag sandwiches AUGUST 2022  25
were available for takeout, along with
deli items. The idea was a success,
which allowed Vana to retain some of
his employees while selling up to 50
sandwiches daily.

“I love sandwiches and it was one
of those things where we thought,
‘Why don’t we put The Heritage Table
between two buns and see if people
like it?’ We ended up with a really great
response,” he said. (Vana now sells a
variety of sandwiches at the restaurant
for takeout from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays).

The Heritage Table reopened for
business on April 17, 2021, which also
was the place’s fourth anniversary
in business. Although its menu has
been described as New American,
Vana said his dishes now reflect more
Southwestern cuisine. Dishes are
made from scratch with ingredients
sourced from regional Texas farms and
artisans including Comeback Creek
Farm in Pittsburg, Driftwood Meadows
in Centerville and Lost Ruby Ranch in
Bonham.

“We’ve got a buttered red fish with
succotash. It sounds accessible be-
cause it is accessible, but it’s also a
dish that’s unlike, hopefully, anything
anyone’s ever had,” he said. “We try to
walk that line.”

Diners, Vana said, “like consistency,
and that’s fair. You have to learn who
your diners are.”

When crafting recipes, he said, “In
my mind I’ve got flavors I want to hit.
In terms of flavor-texture, you’ve got
to add salt, acid, heat and sugar. You
must make sure all of those are on the
spectrum in order to define the whole
impression of the dish.”

Ashli Urano is a freelance writer obsessed
with competitive tennis, true crime and her
Goldendoodle named Sadie Kireina.

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Fried Green Tomatoes

Provided by Chef Rich Vana - The Heritage Table

instagram.com/heritagetable
facebook.com/theheritagetable

Prep Time: 30 minutes For Fry Flour Over medium-high heat, add ¼ inch of
Cook Time: 5-10 minutes oil to a frying pan that is large enough to
Recipe serves up to 10 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour hold four or five tomato slices at a time.
1 Tbsp kosher salt
Ingredients 1 Tbsp baking powder Dunk each tomato slice repeatedly into
1 Tbsp onion powder the buttermilk mixture. Then dredge the
6 green tomatoes, sliced 2 tsp garlic powder slices in fry flour. (Repeat this process
1 ½ cups frying oil (peanut, avocado or 2 tsp mustard powder one additional time to achieve a thicker,
vegetable oil suggested) 1 tsp red pepper flakes crunchier crust.)
1 tsp ground black pepper
For Remoulade Once the oil is hot, carefully add the
Directions tomatoes to the frying pan. Allow the
1 cup mayonnaise tomatoes to fry on one side for one
1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp lemon juice Mix all ingredients together for the minute, then flip and repeat. The crust
3 garlic cloves, roasted and minced (or remoulade well with a whisk. Let sit, color should be a golden-to-slightly dark
one clove of fresh garlic, minced) covered and refrigerated, for at least two brown color.
1 tsp paprika hours before serving.
1 tsp kosher salt Remove tomatoes from pan and set
Pinch of cayenne pepper Slice the tomatoes ¼ inch thick and on a paper towel to absorb excess oil or
2 Tbsp chives, finely minced place on a paper towel to absorb extra a cooling rack. Serve immediately with
moisture; set aside. In a bowl, mix all fry remoulade on the side.
For Buttermilk Wash flour ingredients together. In a separate
bowl, whisk the egg into the buttermilk.
1 quart buttermilk
1 egg, beaten

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2022 Frisco STYLE Magazine Cover Photo Contest

We proudly present the finalists of the 2022 Cover Photo Contest.
Visit the Frisco Public Library, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., to view the photos, which will be on display throughout August.

28   FRISCOSTYLE.COM Runner-Up
Be Stronger Than What Lies Beneath by Kimmy Engen

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photo by Barbie Lee AUGUST 2022  29

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Catching The Sun
by David Chalker

30   FRISCOSTYLE.COM

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Peach Rose by Gail Whittaker AUGUST 2022  31

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Frisco's Beacon by Jesse Ringness AUGUST 2022  33

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34   FRISCOSTYLE.COM Peek-a-Boo! by Nika Vahadi

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AUGUST 2022  35

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36   FRISCOSTYLE.COM Early Morning Mist in Frisco by Patty Lebed Hess

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Summer Garden by Amber Damour AUGUST 2022  37

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Road Trip by Kathy Badillo

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AUGUST 2022  39

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FRIDAY NIGHT
HEROES

MEET FIVE FRISCO ISD FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS SEASON

By Stephen Hunt

A cross Texas, Friday nights during late summer Another familiar name is current Oklahoma Sooner wide
and throughout fall mean one thing: high school receiver Marvin Mims, who tormented opposing defenses
football. In Frisco, family members and fans can while at Lone Star High School. Mims initially committed
watch student athletes from any of the 11 Frisco ISD high to play college ball at Stanford University, but eventually
school teams play at area venues including Kuykendall landed at OU. Fellow Lone Star alum Nick Bolton, the
Stadium, the Ford Center at The Star and Toyota Stadium. Kansas City Chiefs' linebacker, started in two of the team’s
three 2021 playoff games.
Several high-profile football players — who went on to
accomplish much in the at the collegiate or professional There is certainly no shortage of high-quality, local
levels — have come out of Frisco. Jack Anderson, a former talent in Sports City USA. Frisco STYLE caught up with five
offensive line standout at Frisco High School, is now with standout Frisco ISD high school senior football players (as
for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. Local fans may remember selected by staffers at Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, a
star running back Jay Ajayi from his days at Liberty High magazine and website that is considered the bible of high
School, before he starred at Boise State University and, school football in the Lone Star State) to learn what they
later, also with Philadelphia, where he was part of its first- enjoy most about the game and get a glimpse of their plans
ever Super Bowl-winning team in 2018. for the future. (Stats provided by MaxPreps.)

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AUGUST 2022  41

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JAYLON BRAXTON

LONE STAR HIGH SCHOOL

Wide Receiver | Cornerback | Kick Returner
6'0"
170 lbs.
College: University of Arkansas
2021 Statistics:
3 carries for 22 yards
38 receptions for 467 yards, 2TDs

Not only does Jaylon Braxton excel The teen had originally committed to “HIS LEADERSHIP
on offense and defense, he also stars Michigan State but de-committed from AND HIS
on special teams as a kick returner. He the Spartans in June and announced his COMPETITIVENESS
began playing football when he was in new school, the University of Arkansas, — THOSE TWO
kindergarten and instantly fell in love the following month. He is considering THINGS ARE OFF
with the game. “I like being able to (as a majoring in business because of how THE CHARTS. HE’S
cornerback) take on their best receiver many doors he feels having a business RIGHT THERE AT
and take over the game. Corner, I love degree can open. THE TOP IN TERMS
playing. It’s something I fell in love with OF LEADERSHIP AND
when I was younger and stuck with it,” he Jaylon’s coaches, parents and COMPETITIVENESS
said. teammates agree that his leadership WITH HOW HE
on and off the field helps define him as WORKS AND
His father, Ronnie, calls Jaylon a “mind- a great player and young man. A Sunday PREPARES EVERY
made-up kid,” a trait he remembers first school leader at his church, he is quick SINGLE DAY.”
seeing when his son was a toddler and to credit others for his success. “I love
was steadfast in refusing to eat corn on Coach Rayburn — the best coach I’ve Jeff Rayburn
the cob. “He told me a long time ago, `I ever had,” he said. “He’s always looking Lone Star High School Head Coach
don’t want a girlfriend until I get a Division out for me, giving me good advice. I
I offer.’ He held up his end of the bargain,” always listen to anything he tells me.”
Ronnie Braxton said.

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AUGUST 2022  43

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KENNEDY MCDOWELL Kennedy “Mayhem” McDowell remembers first
entering Memorial High School in January of his
MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL sophomore year not knowing what to expect. “It was
a new environment,” he said. “I missed my old school,
Defensive End but growing to be a Warrior, it’s become more natural
6'5" for me, something I really care about.”
205 lbs.
College: Colorado State University In the ensuing years, he has played football, run
2021 Statistics: track, and played on an Esports team (video gaming)
1 Sack, 2 TFL for the Warriors. His senior year will be short as he will
play his final season this fall, graduate and make his
way to Fort Collins, Colorado, to begin his collegiate
career at Colorado State University. “My senior year,
I just want to finish it off strong,” McDowell said. “I’m
just going to show out.”

“What I love most about the game is the discipline
and the physicality,” he said. “There’s really not any
other sport that can compare … that is so physical.
The discipline, the mental aspect is tough. Once you
get it down, it becomes fun. You can see the discipline
shining through in everyday life. It helps me as a
person.”

That mental toughness and discipline has proven
invaluable for McDowell, who is openly gay. “Growing
up as a gay football player is not easy. Life is not easy,
but once you hit a certain point where you can be truly
who you are, it’s going to be a lot easier,” he said.

“It’s been a challenge for me, my mom, my dad
and even my twin brother. We’ve cried, laughed and
everything. They’re my biggest supporters. I just want
to say to anybody that’s not as fortunate as I am to
have a nice, supporting family to just be who you are
and things will get easier.”

“KENNEDY IS A PHENOMENAL KID,
OUTGOING AND HAS AN INFECTIOUS
PERSONALITY. PEOPLE REALLY WANT
TO BE AROUND HIM. HE TAKES PRIDE

IN KNOWING HIS CRAFT. HE WORKS
EXTREMELY HARD. I WANT THE YOUNGER

PLAYERS TO SEE HOW HE WORKS. HIS
ATHLETICISM IS SOMETHING YOU CAN’T
COACH. HE’S GOING TO MAKE PLAYS YOU
WOULDN’T THINK A HIGH SCHOOL KID IS

SUPPOSED TO MAKE.”

Derick Roberson
Memorial High School Head Coach

AUGUST 2022  45

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CONNOR STROH

WAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL

Guard
6'7"
345 lbs.
College: University of Texas at Austin

Connor Stroh has dabbled in track and make official college-campus visits “HE’S BEEN A GREAT
and field — throwing both discus and — can be daunting for many prospects. LEADER ON AND
shot put, and powerlifting — but football But Stroh, who made his commitment to OFF THE FIELD. HE’S
is his primary sport. However, that the University of Texas at Austin official BEEN A HUGE PART
wasn’t always the case for this talented in late June, enjoyed it. “It’s been pretty OF THE SUCCESS
offensive lineman from Wakeland High surreal. It’s been my dream for a while to WE’VE HAD NOT JUST
School. “The first time I played was in be doing this, so it’s really cool to get to WITH THE TEAM BUT
10th grade. I already was bigger than know all these programs,” he said. SPECIFICALLY WITH
all my friends, so I knew I had to play THE OFFENSIVE LINE.
football,” he said. “Once I finally started Regardless of which school he chose, HE’S THE KIND OF KID
playing, I realized I liked it a lot. I started he knows that his parents, Rosie and THAT YOU REALLY
liking it more through high school and Nick, and sister, Sydney, a former LOVE HAVING BE A
love it now.” volleyball player at Texas Woman’s BIG PART OF YOUR
University, will support him on and off PROGRAM. … WE’RE
Football, he said, is “something I can the field. “They’ve made it clear that VERY EXCITED AND
do. Obviously, it’s opened a lot of doors wherever I choose to go to school, VERY PROUD OF HIM.”
for me. I also love hitting people and they’re OK with as long as it’s the right
moving people. That’s also why I love the choice for me,” Stroh said. “They made Chandler Isom
O-line. It’s also given me a lot of friends sure to keep me informed with what Wakeland High School Head Coach
and people I can relate with.” they think, but they never tried to sway
me. They’re great about just being there AUGUST 2022  47
The recruiting process — in which for me for when I need anything.”
players can receive numerous letters
from schools, phone calls from coaches

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BRANDON MIYAZONO

FRISCO HIGH SCHOOL

Wide Receiver | Cornerback | Kick Returner
6'1"
204 lbs.

College: Southern Methodist University

2021 Statistics:
Passing: 12 for 25, 230 yards
Rushing: 87 carries for 908 yards, 12 TDs
Receiving: 9 for 122 yards, 2 TDs
Defense: 69 tackles, 8 TFL, 1 sack, 2 QB hurries

Calling someone a highly versatile our only chance to converse with him “HE’S THE KIND OF
team player is one the highest and to get a break,” Coach Jeff Harbert KID YOU WANT IN
compliments coaches and teammates said. “He wants to be out there, but we YOUR PROGRAM —
can issue in any sport. This is exactly keep him out to give him a breather.” DEDICATED TO GETTING
how Brandon Miyazono’s coaches and BETTER, DEDICATED
teammates at Frisco High School Miyazono especially enjoys the TO HIS TEAMMATES.
characterize him. mental side of being a linebacker — a LEADERSHIP’S IMPORTANT
spot considered the quarterback or TO HIM. HE’S ALWAYS
This versatile Raccoon has played leader on the defensive side of the LOOKING FOR WAYS TO
quarterback, running back, wide ball. “I’ve probably been playing since MAKE HIS TEAMMATES
receiver and linebacker — the position first or second grade. What I really love BETTER. HE’S A FIERCE
which SMU recruited him to play on about the sport is it’s more of a mental COMPETITOR. HE WANTS
the Hilltop come fall 2023. game than a physical game,” he said. TO WIN. … HOWEVER BEST
“The strategizing part of it, I like the HE CAN HELP OUR TEAM
Miyazono has excelled no matter mental side of it.” During his senior WIN, THAT’S MY FAVORITE
where he has lined up. A fearless year, he wants to "win as many games THING ABOUT HIM.”
competitor, he wants to play more as we can and try to win district. That’s
special teams by returning kicks, but my goal.” Jeff Harbert
despite the teen’s insistence, thus far Frisco High School Head Coach
his coach has refused. “We held him
out of special teams because that was

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KALEB SMITH Maybe Kaleb Smith was destined to be a Red Raider.
After all, while playing in the Frisco Football League,
REEDY HIGH SCHOOL his team was the Red Raiders. The Reedy High School
wide receiver and cornerback is now committed to
Wide Receiver | Cornerback play at Texas Tech University for the Red Raiders.
6'1"
170 lbs. “He’s been a Red Raider his entire life and we have a
College: Texas Tech University lot of Red Raider stuff. He’s the first one (in our family)
2021 Statistics: to go to Tech,” Taura Smith, Kaleb’s mother, said.
Rushing: 9 carries for 112 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: 35 catches for 475 yards, 6 TDs However, football wasn’t the first sport that Kaleb
Smith tried. That was soccer. After a soccer coach
introduced him to football, the rest was history
— although the teen has also played baseball and
basketball at Reedy. “I love the team aspect of
(football) — just being able to play with my friends,” he
said.

Family is important to Smith, so staying close to
home and playing in a collegiate program with a family
vibe is the perfect fit for the teen and his family. Joey
McGuire, the former Cedar Hill High School coach,
who led the team to three state titles, is in his first
year as Tech’s head coach.

“It was just the whole environment that he had built
around Lubbock,” Kaleb said. “Whenever our family
came in, he just showed us love instantly. He knew
almost everything about me. He was trying to get
to know my brother. That meant something to me. I
could tell that he really cared.”

“HE’S A QUIET LEADER WITH A
TREMENDOUS WORK ETHIC AND
COMPETITIVE SPIRIT. HE’S GOT THAT
INNER CONFIDENCE THAT YOU KNOW
THAT WHEN IT’S TIME TO GO, HE’S GOING
TO GIVE YOU HIS BEST. HE’S JUST A TOP-
NOTCH YOUNG MAN. WE COULD CALL
HIM AN UNDERDOG. HE’S OUR GO-TO
GUY. … HE’S A DYNAMIC PLAYMAKER
ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL AND ON

SPECIAL TEAMS.”

Chad Cole
Reedy High School Head Coach

AUGUST 2022  49

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"
I just write life events, the
external world — watching
life do its thing."

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