If you would like to be added to Blue Zone News, an email notification system for the latest crime alerts and crime prevention tips, you can register on the Town of Highland Park website at https://www.hptx.org. Periodically there is information posted to Blue Zone News that is not centered around public safety, but helpful for you to know as a Highland Park resident.
The HPHS Science and Technology Festival was originally founded by a small group of volunteers 14 years ago. Parents with a passion for Science and Technology were motivated to bring that enthusiasm to our students. With help from other volunteers, faculty, and an amazing group of professionals willing to share their expertise with HPHS students, the first Science and Technology Festival was born.
Today, that Festival has grown to host over 50 professionals in STEM fields that include Technology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, VR, AR, AI and more. For the first time in the Festival’s history, the 2020 Sci-Tech Fest will bring the addition of Keynote Speakers. Highly accomplished professionals in the top of their field will share their knowledge and vision with students, faculty and community.
Our Mission Statement is simple. Inspire Tomorrow’s Future Today!
The Annual Park Cities Home Tour event offers a glimpse into some of the most beautiful homes in the Park Cities. This event celebrates homes in the Park Cities that have been preserved or remodeled to keep the beautiful aesthetic of our neighborhoods. From small cottages to larger estates, our annual home tour is small window into our past, a celebration of those who share our values, and a wonderful treat for those who appreciate historic architecture. https://preservationparkcities.org/page-1761320
The Park Cities’ beautiful aesthetic, welcoming neighborhoods, and diverse architectural styles are a visual reflection of our community’s heritage, creating a distinct sense of place unlike any other. Preservation Park Cities’ landmarking initiative is designed to celebrate the homes and homeowners who seek to preserve these wonderful assets of our community.
The Landmarking Program was started as a way to celebrate those home owners who have preserved (or renovated) homes in our community that maintain their original architectural integrity. Although the awards themselves have no bearing on future renovations (or even demolition), we feel many home owners deserve a public acknowledgement for their efforts.
Three award categories have been established in order to:
Joe Brannon, originally from Jonesboro, Arkansas, moved to Texas to attend Baylor University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He then obtained his MBA in finance from Baylor. His first job out of Baylor was at Dallas Semiconductor where he worked in the finance department. He spent most of his career working for high-tech, start-up companies specializing in initial public offerings. He has previously worked for Mark Cuban at Broadcast.com and also Yahoo! He is currently VP of Finance at Multiview. Kim was born in Chicago but moved to Plano, Texas, and attended the University of Texas in Austin where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History. During a summer writing internship at Dallas Semiconductor, she met Joe and the rest, as they say, is history. “We got to know each other from across the office using a very rudimentary, pre-internet, computer messaging system,” explained Kim. “We used it to quiz each other on trivia from the show M.A.S.H. Our first date was me going to watch Joe coach a Little League baseball game and then going to Gators in the West End where we ended up seeing the new Cowboys quarterback, Troy Aikman!” Joe and Kim married three years later at University Park United Methodist Church. Kim worked in corporate communications for 10 years before staying home with their children, Andrew and Abigail. Andrew is 23 years old and graduated from Highland Park High School in 2016. With a love for science, he worked as a self employed tutor during high school. His hobbies included golf and going on adventures with friends. Andrew graduated from the University of Georgia in 2020 with a biology/pre-vet degree and was the president of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He is currently working with a veterinary practice and lives in Austin, Texas, but he is still a Georgia football fan. Abigail, 20 years old, also graduated from Highland Park High School, class of 2019, where she enjoyed playing JV volleyball. She was also active in church youth leadership and National Charity League as well as medical missions and internships. She is a junior at Auburn University and is majoring in Health Services Administration with a minor in Spanish. Abigail will be a 2022 Dallas Symphony Debutante in February 2022. The Brannon family has always enjoyed traveling. “We have wonderful memories of our travel – both with the kids and without the kids,” shared Kim. “Pre-kids, we honeymooned in Maine and backpacked through Europe. Some of our regular trips during our marriage have been to New York City, San Francisco, Jackson Hole, Orange Beach, London, Munich Oktoberfest, the Masters in Augusta, and Maui”. When at home, they enjoy cooking and dining out at Sachet, Shinsei, Homewood, and Desperados and golfing at Royal Oaks Country Club. Joe is a Baylor Bears football season ticket holder and enjoys golf and college football and basketball. In addition, the Brannons attend University Park United Methodist Church. Both Joe and Kim have a heart for volunteer work and have served with many organizations. Joe has been the Finance and Trustees Chair at University Park United Meth-odist Church, as well as the Board Finance Chair at Dallas Bethlehem Center. He has also served as Gallery Guard at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, since 2010. Kim is currently the Lay Leader of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. She served as President of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, Chair of the Highland Park High School Science Festival, and Board Chair of Project Transformation, a summer camp and after-school program for at-risk children. She is a Sustaining Member of the Junior League of Dallas and is the President and Founder of Beulah Voigt Memorial Scholarship, Inc. The Brannons have lived in Caruth Hills for the last 20 years and enjoy the neighborhood. “We moved right after September 11, 2001, and it seemed like such a scary time to make a big move, especially with two babies,” explained Kim. “We had decided to stay put across town when we went to church one Sunday and our minister preached, ‘Live boldly – as if all of your trust is in God’. We ended up buying our home and raised our children in the best neighborhood ever! It was nice to be in a neighborhood where the kids could walk to see friends, ride bikes, and play on playgrounds.” During the pandemic, Joe and Kim spent many mornings and evenings walking through the neighborhood. “We would ‘get our steps in’ and meet neighbors,” Kim said. “It has allowed us to slow down and appreciate the beauty and community of the Park Cities. We love to walk everywhere and see new streets and houses on our route each time. We walk for exercise, walk to the grocery store, and walk to get coffee.” Joe and Kim are currently in the process of renovating their house and plan to stay for a very long time, continuing to enjoy their University Park community.