Religion
40 area teens focus on teamwork and make a year-long impact at The Storehouse Community Center
By media release
May 9, 2025
Print this page
Email this article

The 2024-25 Youth Leadership Council learns how to create successful teams from Google’s landmark Project Aristotle study; contributes 1,655.5 service hours; and launches multiple impact projects

Plano, Texas -- Founded in 2021, the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) of The Storehouse Community Center was established to provide high school leadership experience while fulfilling the mission of The Storehouse to feed, clothe, and care as neighbors in one community. This year’s group of 40 students from 19 area high schools in Carrollton, Dallas, Frisco, Plano, and Richardson took their service a step beyond, launching multiple impact projects while learning how to work best as a team.

This year’s theme, “Creating Successful Teams,” was built around Google’s Project Aristotle—a landmark study that explored what makes teams thrive. Each month, student leaders facilitated interactive learning sessions on five traits identified in the study: psychological safety, dependability, structure & clarity, meaning, and impact. The research, a multi-year initiative, found psychological safety — where team members feel safe to take risks and be vulnerable — as the most critical element of team success. 

YLC Squad Leaders Abigail Muccio, Ava Henry, Blair Neumayer, Caroline Hathaway, Carter Jacob and Assistant Squad Leaders Joshua Montes, Nikhil Aluri, Nina Zucconi, Sophia Perez, Tessa Devasia developed the meeting content alongside their squad members and implemented learning activities focusing on these characteristics.

“I was quite impressed with the creativity of squad leaders in coordinating these learning sessions,” said Ben Skye, director of communications and culture and YLC advisor at The Storehouse. “Through obstacle courses, skits, discussions, and more, each meeting brought the concepts to life in memorable ways, helping students build leadership and teamwork skills they’ll carry into their futures.” 

"Last year, we spent a lot of time learning about our personality profiles and figuring out our individual strengths and weaknesses,” said Raghav Gupta, senior, Plano West Senior High School. “This year built on that foundation, and we got to really dig into what makes a team work. Leadership isn’t just about you — it’s about how you work with other people, and learning about Project Aristotle helped all of us understand how to do that better."

The group also came together in teams to launch a series of projects that would directly benefit The Storehouse. When Joseph’s Coat clothing closet needed warm clothing for the winter, the students created a marketing campaign with materials and served as liaisons for two large high schools whom they asked to launch drives: Plano West and John Paul II, which collected a combined 562 items. The council also closed out the year with a socks and underwear drive which resulted in 402 donations – a pressing need they learned about while volunteering. 

Over the summer, YLC alumna and founding member Rishika Chimaji — now a junior at Texas A&M majoring in environmental science — returned to The Storehouse to complete the eight-week Nonprofit Management internship. While working in the food pantry, Chimaji noticed that damaged packages of oats, though still safe to eat, were being set aside and left unused. Drawing on her academic background, she proposed a new YLC project: repurposing the oats into protein bites for neighbors attending The Storehouse’s Saturday morning Academy education classes. Made with oats, honey, peanut butter, chia seeds, and vanilla, the protein bites quickly became a popular and energizing snack for Academy students. Preparing them grew into an ongoing YLC team effort — a project that combined sustainability, creativity, and care for their neighbors. This year, the students prepared more than 1,100 protein bites. 

“We could not be prouder of our council and the impact they have made not only through their service hours but also through these multiple projects,” added Skye. “Rishika’s project is a prime example of what we hope our YLC members take away from their year or years of service at The Storehouse. For her to see a need, take the initiative, and apply what she has learned in college to her deep commitment to the YLC and our mission to care for our neighbors was extremely rewarding to watch. Not only that, her efforts and initiative launched a YLC project that will likely be continued in the years to come.” 

As the 40 members of the 2024–25 Youth Leadership Council wrapped up the council’s fourth year, they gathered to reflect on their accomplishments, recognize their leaders, and honor their graduating seniors. They also celebrated this year’s recipients of the David A. Huerta Student Volunteer Award* for the most hours of service: Joshua Eappen (79.5 hours, 11th grade, Frisco Memorial High School), Nina Zucconi (74.25 hours, 12th grade, Plano West Senior High School), and Misha Kandukuri (71 hours, 11th grade, Plano West Senior High School). Altogether, the 40 YLC students contributed an impressive 1,655.5 hours of service — averaging 41.38 hours per member, well above the council’s 30-hour annual requirement. 

Beyond their scheduled service days, many council members also volunteered independently across all four of The Storehouse’s core programs, lending their time and talents in the clothing closet, neighbor care, education, and food pantry programs. 

Twenty-one seniors were honored for their service, including founding members Raghav Gupta (Plano West Senior High School) and Charlotte Bray (Plano East Senior High School), who helped grow the YLC into the thriving program it is today. 

“The YLC is one of the best experiences I have ever had,” said Charlotte Bray. “I was very shy and introverted as a 9th grader, and since being a part of the YLC, I have become more comfortable opening up, talking, and being seen. This whole experience has shaped me into being more of a leader than I ever thought I could be. It’s a cool thing to be a part of a group of leaders dedicated to helping people. If I hadn’t joined YLC as a freshman, I honestly don’t know where I’d be today.” 

“This is my third year leading the Youth Leadership Council, and it’s been incredible to not only watch the growth of the council but also our individual members,” added Skye. “After two years of developing the structure, this year’s council stepped into their own – taking on projects that truly made an impact at The Storehouse. These were initiatives uniquely designed by and for the YLC.” 

While the YLC roster is complete for the 2025–26 year, The Storehouse welcomes all high school students to volunteer. To sign up, visit www.thestorehousecc.org/volunteer-sign-up. To learn more about the Youth Leadership Council, visit www.thestorehousecc.org/ylc. 

“The Storehouse created the YLC to provide students an opportunity to serve our neighbors while developing life and leadership skills,” said Candace Winslow, CEO, The Storehouse Community Center. “And each year under the leadership of Ben Skye, I am overjoyed to see it develop into so much more. Students are not only learning more about themselves, but they are also seeing that they can create positive change in the world. We are beyond grateful for their many hours of service and the love and care they have shown to our neighbors.” 

In her remarks at the council’s year-end celebration on April 26, Winslow highlighted research showing that high school students who volunteer and engage in leadership programs like the YLC are much more likely to step into leadership roles and stay active in community service throughout their adult lives. She shared with the students, “The work you are doing today is planting seeds for a lifetime of leadership and service.” 

*DAVID A. HUERTA, 22, the award’s namesake, began volunteering at The Storehouse at age 14 after he and his family arrived in Plano as immigrants from Venezuela. He volunteered weekly, helped found the YLC, and is a recent graduate of University of Texas at Dallas with a bachelor's degree in finance. He is a YLC advisor and works part time with The Storehouse team.

  • The McKinney City Council approved a resolution on June 17 to accept a $7,000,000 grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), paving the way for important safety...
  • Don and Carol Dodson of Columbia, South Carolina, have established a $1,000,000 scholarship program for graduates of Bonham High School. The scholarships will be used for academic study at the undergraduate level at Texas public universities and selected private colleges and universities. Financial aid can also be applied to approved job and career opportunities at Texas public community colleges.
  • Four Fannin County residents addressed Fannin County Commissioners Court to ask Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham to resign due to his prominent role in the six indictments that were dismissed in the courthouse restoration case. The entire situation was apparently manufactured by a retired district judge who has already been admonished by the state for conduct and a retired Fannin County DA, both of whom suspiciously retired after setting this fiasco in motion.
  • In McKinney, lifesaving is more than a skill—it is a shared commitment. During CPR and AED Awareness Week (June 1–7), the American Heart Association was celebrating the collaborative efforts of the McKinney Fire Department, McKinney Independent School District (McKinney ISD), and local organizations working together to strengthen emergency response and improve survival outcomes from cardiac arrest.
  • The Sherman Community Players will be performing Hello, Dolly! on weekends throughout the month of June, with Fannin County resident Eric Vest in a leading role.
  • 2023 – Titan, a submersible operated by OceanGate Expeditions, imploded while attempting to view the wreck of the Titanic, killing all five people on board including the co-founder and CEO of the company, Stockton Rush in the North Atlantic Ocean. On 18 June 2023, Titan, a submersible operated by the American tourism and expeditions company OceanGate, imploded during an expedition to view the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Aboard the submersible were Stockton Rush, the American chief executive officer of OceanGate; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French deep-sea explorer and Titanic expert; Hamish Harding, a British businessman; Shahzada Dawood, a Pakistani-British businessman; and Dawood's son, Suleman. Communication between Titan and its mother ship, MV Polar Prince, was lost 1 hour and 33 minutes into the dive. Authorities were alerted when it failed to resurface at the scheduled time later that day. After the submersible had been missing for four days, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) discovered a debris field containing parts of Titan, about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic. The search area was informed by the United States Navy's (USN) sonar detection of an acoustic signature consistent with an implosion around the time communications with the submersible ceased, suggesting the pressure hull had imploded while Titan was descending, resulting in the instantaneous deaths of all five occupants.
  • Bonham, Texas -- The service for Edward Owens Jr., 82, is Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Wise Funeral Home Chapel at 12:00 p.m., with Sylvester Smart officiating. Visitation is the night before from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Gates Hill Cemetery in Bonham, TX. Pastor Gatlin will officiate the service.
  • Bonham, Texas -- A memorial service to honor Nancy Burnett Owen DeRose, 82, and celebrate her life will be held on June 21, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wise Funeral Home Chapel in Bonham, Texas, with a reception to follow the service at Funeral Home from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Visitation for Leona "Lee" Mae Smith, 95, is Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Wise Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Willow Wild Cemetery in Bonham at 3:00 p.m.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Kassandra Jane Wright, known affectionately to friends and family as Sandy, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025, at the age of 71. Born on October 7, 1953, in Bonham, Texas, Sandy was a beacon of creativity and generosity, touching the lives of all who knew her.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Katherine Ann Newman Smith, 61, will be laid to rest next to her big brother Willie Dean Newman at Dodd City Cemetery on Monday, June 16, 2025. The chapel service will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Wise Funeral Home and the family will receive friends on Sunday, June 15, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Visitation for Horace Jay White, 75, of Bonham will be held at the Lannius Church of God on June 16, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service beginning at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Glenn Dyson and Rev Roy Burpo will be officiating. He will be laid to rest at Symrna Cemetery in Dodd City, Texas.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Rickie Dyer, a man known for his bold personality, passed away on June 5, 2025 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Born on February 27, 1958, in Dallas, Texas. Rickie's life was marked with hard work and dedication.
  • Bonham, Texas -- A funeral service for Jimmy B. Kerr, 92, is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Boyd Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Willow Wild Cemetery in Bonham.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Funeral services for Almena Pharr, 94, of Edhube will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025 at Wise Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Bro. John Lindsey of Edhube Baptist Church and Bro. Jase Waller of Telephone Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Hampton Cemetery in Edhube. The family will receive friends at Wise Funeral Home on Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Bonham, Texas -- The family of Mary Rebecca "Becky" Biggerstaff Wingo, 82, will receive friends on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wise Funeral Home. The following day, June 27, 2025, a graveside service will be held at Willow Wild Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.
  • Sherman, Texas -- Funeral services for Nancy Jane Bernard, 74, of Sherman will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Waldo Funeral Home. Pastor Sean Clark, Pastor Sid Hunter, Pastor Wesley Veazy, and Pastor Charlie Ellison will officiate. Burial will follow at West Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, at Waldo Funeral Home.
  • Honey Grove, Texas -- Procession will leave from Cooper Sorrells Funeral home in Honey Grove, Texas at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 directed to a graveside service for Mary Opal Allen Williams, 78, of Honey Grove at Dial Cemetery with Terry Cunningham presiding.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Join the family of Floyd Henry Robertson, 87, of Bonham on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. for visitation and an 11:00 a.m. service at Bois D'Arc Creek Cowboy Church in Bonham. Burial will follow at Elwood Cemetery.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Private funeral services for Peggy June Shinpaugh, age 92, of Bonham, TX will be held at Cooper Sorrells Chapel on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Willow Wild Cemetery. June passed away at Wesley House on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Bonham, TX surrounded by her family.
  • Commerce, Texas -- Visitation for Mary Elizabeth Bundy Means, 100, of Commerce will be from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, at Jones-Walker & Sons Funeral Home in Commerce, TX. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 9, at the First United Methodist Church in Commerce, TX, with burial following at Brigham Cemetery in Campbell, TX.
  • Ft. Inglish Village welcomes new staff members Don and Jo Cofer. They bring a love of history and many skills to help maintain the various buildings and attractions at Ft. Inglish. There is no charge to visit the Fort, but donations are appreciated.
  • Cory Morrow headlined the Fannin Agricultural Association's 3rd Annual Steaks on Main cook-off and free concert in historic downtown Bonham. Some of the region's best grilling teams competed for $5,000 of prize money in the cook-off but the biggest winners may be local FFA organizations and 4-H clubs that benefit from this event's proceeds and carry on the area's proud agricultural tradition.
  • Fannin County is home to several outstanding fruit farms, including peaches and strawberries. The Andy and Debra Walker’s multigenerational blueberry patch is one that fruit enthusiasts won't want to miss. Forty years ago, seven hundred blueberry plants were meticulously planted by Harold and Oleta Walker, a pair of farmers always fighting to be ahead of the next big trend.
  • As the world embraces cleaner energy and electric vehicles (EVs), the production of renewable energy and its storage is driving a shift towards more sustainable technology. However, behind this transition lies a growing concern. Lithium, a key component in batteries, presents significant environmental and safety hazards that are often overlooked.
  • Heritage Day Festival headliner Josh Weathers performs for the crowd Saturday night in historic downtown Bonham, Texas. During the annual Bonham Heritage Day Festival, residents paid homage to the original inhabitants of this region -- the Caddo Nation -- and to the intrepid French trappers who ventured up from New Orleans in the 1700s in search of pelts.
  • The public is invited to the planting of a "special" bois d'arc tree on the grounds of the historic Fannin County Courthouse at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2025, during Bonham Heritage Day. The tree was picked out and donated by Texoma’s very own and well-known bois d'arc tree expert, John Baecht, who will have a bois d’arc woodworking station set up on the grounds of the courthouse and will be doing demonstrations the remainder of the day for Heritage Day. What better way to celebrate Bonham / Fannin County’s relationship with bois d’arc than on Bonham Heritage Day.
  • Water is flowing through five new streams in North Texas this spring, bringing life back to areas impacted for decades by severe erosion and habitat loss. Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) restored the streams as part of environmental mitigation for future Lake Ralph Hall, Texas’s newest major lake under construction near Ladonia.
  • In conjunction with Heritage Day and the Vive le Bois d’Arc celebration on May 3, the Fannin County Museum of History is delighted to have a display of prehistoric and Caddo artifacts in the display case on the 2nd floor of the Fannin County Courthouse.
  • You walk into the Credit Union of Texas, Don Toro or Studio 94 on the east side of the Bonham square, into Belle Rae's on the north, into Blessing & Butterflies or The Curiosity Shop on Main south of the Courthouse: do you look down? What do you see when you cross the threshold into these businesses? Do you see Bonham's past?
  • I was curious about the relationship between Harry S Truman and Sam Rayburn because of a piece of corn. Currently at the Sam Rayburn Museum there is corn on the cob encased in resin on display in the "Gifts of a Nation" display case. No one is completely certain why Rayburn had it, but Truman has the same one. This is what led me to look into the friendship between Rayburn and Truman. The two men shared a tight bond throughout their political careers. courtesy photo of Harry Truman and Sam Rayburn at the Sam Rayburn House in Bonham
  • Bonham resident Kay Sisk has collected postcards of Bonham for many years, finding them at trade shows and estate sales. Some of the postcards were given away free by local businesses, and some were sold. The Fannin County Museum of History asked Kay to display some of her postcards in the display case on the 2nd floor of the courthouse.
  • Please join us at the March meeting of the Fannin County Historical Commission on March 18 at 6:00 p.m. to learn about the contributions of Mabel Gilbert, a very early Fannin County pioneer, to Fannin County, Dallas and points west. Deborah Cornelius has written a historical novel about his remarkable life and times. Join us at 6:00 p.m. on March 18 at the Fannin County Historical Commission’s office at 1 Center Street in Bonham to meet Deborah and learn about Mabel Gilbert’s time in Fannin County.
  • A large crowd filled Lyday Hall at Honey Grove Library & Learning Center on Saturday, March 1, 2025, to hear what local archeologist Cody Davis and his cohorts discovered in the area that is now covered by Bois d'Arc Lake.
  • When Kalin and Tricia moved their young family from the city to rural Fannin County, it was a dream they had worked and saved to make come true -- to escape the noise and chaos of the metroplex for a peaceful existence, surrounded by woodlands, wildlife and serenity. Then they heard bulldozers clearing trees.
  • "Japanese War Brides: Across a Wide Divide" begins a national tour December 14 at Irving Archives and Museum in Irving, Texas. These young women left their homes to build lives within the complexities of postwar American society. Their experiences reshaped communities by challenging immigration laws and race relations. The arrival of these brides marked the largest women-only immigration event in U.S. history and, by 1960, had increased the population of Asian Americans in the U.S. by 10%.
  • The Fannin County Museum of History has several Fannin County history books for sale that might be just perfect for someone you know. The books are available for purchase at the Museum and are also available on Amazon.
  • Historic Fannin County newspapers often featured beautiful front pages for their Christmas editions. An exhibit of these newspapers is now on display on the 2nd Floor of the Fannin County Courthouse. Visit the courthouse during this season to view this display and beautiful decorations.
  • Upper Trinity's contractors are finishing up construction on five new streams near future Lake Ralph Hall, which will flow into the North Sulphur River. The newly connected tributary streams are naturally beginning to flow with rainwater this fall, bringing life back to areas impacted for decades by severe erosion and loss of habitat. Restoring the tributaries of the river to their natural, curved paths helps mitigate the area's severe erosion and provide previously lost habitat.