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The Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District Educational Foundation celebrated a changing of the guard Wednesday, Aug. 26, welcoming new Executive Director Victor Johnson while recognizing the volunteers and leaders who helped build the organization.
The foundation's Pencils & Partnerships gathering at Local's Lounge in Farmers Branch brought together school district leaders, elected officials, business owners, donors and foundation board members to recognize outgoing and incoming board members and look toward the foundation's next chapter.
Among those attending were Irving Mayor Al Zapanta, Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick, Addison Mayor Bruce Arfsten, Farmers Branch Mayor Terry Lynne and Farmers Branch City Council Member Elizabeth Villafranca. CFBISD trustees Paul Gilmore, Ileana Garza-Rojas and Kim Brady also attended.
Johnson, who recently succeeded longtime Executive Director Donna Wald, used Theodore Roosevelt's well-known "Man in the Arena" speech as the theme for his remarks.
For Johnson, the people gathered in the room were already in that arena.
"There are people who sit on the sidelines who talk about things happening, complain about what's not going on, but then there are the people who are doing the work, who get dirty, who take the chances, who take the risks," Johnson said. "I look across this room. We've got city leaders, elected officials, we've got leadership of our school district. We've got business owners. We've got board directors. We've got so many corporate partners and donors. You all are in the arena."
Johnson said relationships and a willingness to do the work have been central to his own involvement with CFBISD and the foundation.
"I'm standing here today because of relationships," he said. "It's because of the daily toiling of us working hard to impact students, educators, to build good relationships amongst people."
CFBISD Superintendent Dr. Wendy Eldredge introduced Johnson, recalling the process of finding Wald's successor and Johnson's growing involvement with the district. Johnson had served on the foundation board for two years before moving into the executive director position.
The evening was also an opportunity to recognize people leaving the foundation's board.
Outgoing board directors Carolyn Benavides, Alex Sacgal, Janie Worst and Barry Dodson were thanked for their service. Mary Lovell received special recognition as her term as board chair ended Aug. 31. Wald, who retired after leading the foundation, was also recognized for her work.
Lovell reflected on what CFBISD had given her own family.
"This district has given my daughter and our family so many riches in so many ways," Lovell said. "Not only did she get a great education, but she got an education on life, that there are a lot of people in the world who don't have what she has. There are a lot of people in the world who have a whole lot more, and the world is made up of lots of differences, different opinions, different people, and that diversity is to be celebrated."
The foundation also welcomed new board directors Hester Moore, Laura Stephenson Vola, Kita Hobbs, Mark Holmes and Karen Dower.
Johnson said the foundation's next chapter will depend on an engaged board, a strong relationship with CFBISD and deeper connections with businesses and community members.
The foundation exists in part to help bridge the gap between what public education funding provides and the programs and opportunities educators want to offer students. Johnson said that partnership can take many forms, from donations and sponsorships to mentoring students, volunteering in schools or simply connecting the foundation with other people and businesses willing to help.
"We're here to partner with our district to impact the future of our students," Johnson said.
That support has translated into direct help for CFBISD students and educators, including grants, scholarships, teacher recognition and assistance for students in need.
Johnson said the foundation has provided more than $234,000 directly to the school district to help students affected by COVID and other needs. He emphasized that the work is possible because of donors, sponsors and community partners.
Financial contributions remain important, but Johnson said the foundation also needs people willing to give their time, make introductions, mentor students and help tell the story of what is happening in CFBISD.
"There is a place for everyone in this work," Johnson wrote in an email to supporters following the event.
Johnson ended his remarks where he began, with the idea of being willing to enter the arena rather than watching from the sidelines.
"Thank you so much for being in the arena, for being the people who want to do the work, who want to step up," he said.
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