Line Drive Luncheon featured Texas Rangers’ Michael Young benefiting CISDR
November 4, 2015: DALLAS, TX – Texas Rangers’ Michael Young was the featured speaker at the Line Drive Luncheon benefiting Communities in Schools Dallas Region, Inc. (CISDR) recently. Talmage Boston, Texas Baseball Hall of Famer and media member had a candid conversation with Michael about everything baseball and Texas Rangers in the intimate setting of Edison’s in Dallas.
The event began with photo ops with Young especially for VIPs, including CISDR sponsor Paul Eisman, President and CEO of Alon USA; CISDR Board Chair Karl Schmalz and President and CEO Dr. Judith Allen-Bazemore.
The program opened with a welcome and introductions from Karl and Dr. Bazemore, who said a crucial part of the mission of CISDR is to surround students with a community of support and empower them to stay in school and succeed in life. She also recognized last year’s Line Drive Luncheon Chairs, Pam and Philip Bush, and introduced Anne Lindsey and Davin Hunt, Co-Chairs of CISDR’s Adopt An Angel holiday giving program.
After a brief video about the problems facing today’s at-risk youth, Michael Young and Talmage Boston took the stage and had a very candid and comfortable discussion about the Texas Rangers in both the on- and off-season, the challenges of being a leader for the team, as well as Young’s life as a father and his advice for kids who want to make it to the Big Leagues.
Young told the students if they have a tough day, to ask for help. That’s goes for whether it’s in the classroom, on their sports team or in their personal life. He said the Rangers team has great chemistry and is a committed team, which increases the likelihood of winning.
Talking about playing other sports and how that has affected his life, Young said he played them all: football, basketball and more and encouraged the athletes of tomorrow to do the same, so they can see where their skills lie and channel their enthusiasm towards their favorite sport.
Nine students from T.J. Rusk Middle School in Dallas listened with intense concentration to the conversation, sitting up front with guests from Presenting Sponsor Alon USA. At the end of the luncheon, they joined Impact Texas host “Hondo” Robertson on stage to draw raffle winners. CISDR Board Member Lou Ann Richardson won the “Surf and Turf” dining package, promptly donating it to the students’ chaperone, CISDR Site Coordinator Tambara Pope.
The 2015 Line Drive Luncheon was made possible by Alon USA, Briggs Equipment, the Lawrence B. Dale Family Foundation, Dr. Bonnie Martin & Associates, Claire and Talmage Boston, Lou Ann Richardson, Flowserve, Ernst & Young, Pam and Philip Bush, and Petty & Associates. As part of CISDR’s ongoing 30th Birthday Celebration, the Line Drive Luncheon will be followed up with the Dream Achievers Luncheon featuring Caroline Rose Hunt, taking place on February 11, 2016 at the Dallas Arboretum.
For additional information about Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region, Inc. and its role in educational reform initiatives, please refer to the organization website at www.cisdallas.org. Visit CIS National at www.communitiesinschools.org to find other Communities In Schools locations.
About Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region
Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region, Inc. (CISDR) is a nonprofit organization that provides campus based integrated academic and social support to students deemed at-risk per Texas Educational Agency, in partnership with local school districts. Since 1985, the mission has been to surround students with a community of support and empower them to stay in school and succeed in life. The local CISDR program can be found on K–12 campuses in 12 school districts in Dallas, Collin, Ellis, Hunt and Rockwall counties.
Photos by Chuck Clark and Matt Velasquez.
Adams Communications is honored to represent CISDR.
