For 54+ years, Thelma Black Elijah taught public school in New Boston and Texarkana, Texas. She also served as the Personnel Specialist and the Assistant Supervisor of Education for 25 years at the Federal Correctional Institution in Texarkana. She chose to become involved in the field of education because she values the importance of encouraging, guiding, and helping others make informed decisions about their future careers.

A retired business education/technology applications teacher, Beth Pesek doesn’t recall having a specific career in mind as she was growing up, but influencing young people through teaching was in the cards. Upon graduating from DeKalb High School, she enrolled in Texarkana College. During her early years in college, she was drawn to business classes and began leaning toward a career in education. Once she began taking education courses at the University of Arkansas, she knew that she was in the right field. She then earned a master’s degree in education from East Texas State University–Texarkana, now Texas A&M–Texarkana.

Country music artist Mae Estes pursues her passion and makes her dreams a reality

Author Cynthia Tyous’ hope is to instill character and faith in the next generation

An incredibly talented mural artist and costume designer, Darlene Taylor’s goals are to travel all over the world, painting and sharing her art with everyone

Being an award-winning tattoo artist has taken Joaquin “Quin” Hernandez to places he never imagined

Emily Graham, owner of Graham Slam Bakery, uses her vision and talents to create masterpieces for her sweet shop

chef Brandon Thrash provides hospitality, puts smiles on people’s faces, and gives his all to his craft

Eighteen-year-old Gabriel Henk continues to develop his filmmaking craft and masterfully build a career doing what he loves

with his love of ranching, Lazy Colt Ranch owner Clay Smith is the perfect fit as an actor on Paramount+’s hit show, “1883”

Dr. Chris Timmons shares his journey from being a young guitarist to an experienced surgeon

Despite his disabilities, Harding freshman Nicholas Watson excels in athletics and academics

Texarkana Home Builders Association to present its Home & Garden Show March 26

Texarkana native Megan Thornton finds solid gold success with her business, Megan Thorne Fine Jewels

For the past five years, 14-year-old Maddie Livingston has been running her own homemade baked goods business, Maddie Cakes

Jessica and Bill Miller are extremely proud of their sons, Davis, Austin, and Mason, and their commitments to becoming Eagle Scouts

The Mayos stay committed to growing their family business while honoring its revered founder’s legacy

Dr. Jeff DeHaan is a living miracle after suffering a major heart attack while on a Viking river cruise five years ago

After undergoing triple bypass heart surgery, Tony McMurry encourages others to be proactive with their health

Despite being diagnosed with a heart condition during his first week of life, almost-5-year-old Finn Kimmel still lives life to its fullest