Yo-Pros Go ‘Mad’ for a Cause, Raise $300,000 for Childhood Literacy

Yo-Pros Go ‘Mad’ for a Cause, Raise $300,000 for Childhood Literacy

Erin Koetter, Lauren Stanfill, Joselyn Tego, Megan Carrasco, and Kimi Minor

YOUNG SUPPORTERS OF the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation gathered at Hotel ZaZa for the sixth annual Storybook Gala.


This year's event was truly enchanting, themed "An Evening in Wonderland" and kicking off with a VIP cocktail hour inspired by the Queen of Hearts. In the ballroom, events-décor group Art Attack created a magical forest with fairy lights, butterflies and mushrooms, and characters including Alice, Rabbit and the Mad Hatter took pics with guests all night.

The nearly 400 young professionals participated in both live and silent auctions, touting items like a Peloton and tons of jewelry, while noshing on bites like lamb "lollipops" and grilled elote at various food stations.

Featured speaker Cathy Garcia-Prats spoke about her school, the San Francisco Nativity Academy of Houston, and how the Barbara Bush Foundation has so positively impacted her community. She also recounted the school's need for a new library, which led to a paddle-raising session that garnered more than $40,000 for the cause.

Afterward, Drywater Band took to the stage, playing hits that had the crowd dancing all night long.

The evening raised nearly $300,000 for the Foundation's childhood literacy initiatives.

Ashley Sloan, Disney Harris, and Camille Connelly

Aysel and Zeeshan Amin

Brian Coyle and Andrea Henry

Catherine Houchins and Allie Jarreau

Christine and Trevor Garfield

Diana Kurteshi and Farris Shenaq

John and Laura Goodrum, Catherine and Sean Tobin

Kate Orsini, Jessica Hyams, Rachel Richards, Tori Tolbert

Megan and Joshua Carrasco

Remy Remeikaite and Devin Bogert

Rory and Kayla Tolunay

Ryan and Meredith Cicatello

Parties
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

BRETT MILLER WAS just 10 years old when his parents took him to a screening of the 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney as “The Phantom” of the Paris Opera House, with an accompanying soundtrack played live by an organist. The film contains one of the most famous “reveals” on celluloid (We won’t give it away!) and is all the more shocking when accompanied by live music played on the Phantom’s favorite instrument.

Keep Reading Show less