Community

Preston Hollow Early Childhood Association has expanded its philanthropy efforts. This year, the moms group is partnering with Big Thought to provide funding for its learning programs that focus not only on engaging children in the classroom but also in the home and the community. The group will continue to contribute funds to ongoing neighborhood projects at the Bookmarks Library at NorthPark Center, the Preston Royal library and Preston Hollow Park.

Dallas Junior Police Academy accepts applications for its Nov. 3 session through Sep. 20. The training session is for students in grades 4-7 who want to learn what it’s like to be a Dallas Police recruit. The event takes place at the department’s basic training academy. Applications are available at dallaspolice.net. For more information, call Sgt. Cheryl Cornish at 214.671.4406.

It’s My Park Day is a one-day event for residents, families, and community groups to pitch in and clean their neighborhood parks 8 a.m. – noon Sept. 8. Help beautify our neighborhood parks by removing graffiti, picking up litter, weeding and participating in other activities. To volunteer, call Dallas Park and Recreation at 214.670.8400. Sign up by Aug. 31 at itsmyparkdaydallas.eventbrite.com.

People

Molly Nolan, a Preston Hollow resident and Ursuline Academy graduate, interned this summer with The Retina Foundation, thanks to the ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program. Nolan worked in the pediatric eye research laboratory, helping test a new device that screens children for vision disorders. Nolan attends Texas A&M and is majoring in allied health. She plans to attend nursing school and become a nurse practitioner.

Two W.T. White alumni played roles in the London Olympics. Shannon Land Gillespy, a 1979 alumna, was on the coaching staff for the U.S. Olympic swim team, serving as team manager for the open-water swimmers. Dennis Bowsher, W.T. White Class of 2001, was on the U.S. pentathlon team, competing in five games: freestyle swim, cross-country run, an equestrian jump, fencing and target shooting. He finished in 32nd place.