1 hometown living at its best
2 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group
3 hometown living at its best
4 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group 8 SEE THE ABLE, NOT THE LABEL Ava Scott is a local high school senior who has proved that a label can’t limit leadership. 18 HOMETOWN HAPPENING River Fest 2025 22 CREATIVITY FROM THE HEART Nicholas Navarro shares joy and love through lego art. 29 HOMETOWN COOKIN’ If you’re looking for some new and tasty fall dishes, check out these recipes for some inspiration. 34 BOLD, BRIGHT & COLORFUL San Angelo artist Ashley Perales has been creating art since she was a child, and as an adult she opened her own art gallery and developed a status as the “Sheep Lady” of art. 44 STRENGTH IN SISTERHOOD With more than 5,600 chapters nationwide, the nonprofit organization P.E.O. is equally devoted to fostering lifelong learning among its members and lifting one another through life’s challenges, just as true sisters would. On the Cover 50 4-H SPOTLIGHT Meet Rylee Barrett, who has paved her way through 4-H by showing sheep and involving herself in a variety of other projects. 56 HOMETOWN HAPPENING LilyFest 60 FROM DIRT TO TROPHIES At just 17 years old, local championship dirt bike rider, Bobby Joe Jones III, is bringing home the accolades and making a name for himself at the national level. 70 A HUB FOR HOPE Local agencies band together monthly to help San Angelo’s struggling neighbors with everything from food and clothing to health and hygiene items to medical services, jobs and housing. 78 PICTURE PERFECT TIPS Want to make the most out of your next family photoshoot? We’ve got you covered! Check out these tips from a pro. Contents 8 22 60
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6 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group San Angelo Lifestyles Magazine© is published bi-annually by Hometown Media Group, LLC. hometownmedia.group 502 N Main Street PMB 116 | Weatherford, TX 76086 817.599.6167 | PROUDLY PRINTED IN THE USA WRITERS Sara Hook Cindy Kahler Thomas Becca Nelson Sankey Jessica Wesson PHOTOGRAPHERS God’s Creation Photography Angela Gonzales Photography ON THE COVER Ashley Perales Photo by Madison Quinn Photography Casey Perkins Executive Publisher Brooke Graham Marketing & Client Relations Social Media Editor office@hometownmedia.group Camela Dietrich Accounts Receivable accounting@hometownmedia.group G “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” - 2 Corinthians 4:18 Brooke Graham Getting your shirt stuck on the drawer pull, a fly that keeps buzzing in your ear, people chewing loudly, slow drivers; these are all things that are generally annoying. An addition I would also add to the list is buying a house. The past several months have been a rollercoaster as we have tried to navigate the buying and selling in a tough market. After one particularly long week of house drama, we received our inspection report to discover that unknown to us, we had a carpenter ant infestation and HVAC issues. That was the breaking point for me. I curled up in my reading chair and gave in to self-pity, only to open my phone and immediately see a video of a surviving camper from Camp Mystic singing her own version of “Hallelujah” that she rewrote as a tribute to the young lives lost in the tragic flooding this summer. Perspective hit me like a freight train, and it was then that I remembered that in the grand scheme of life, this time of frustration would be a mere blip on the radar. Time is funny that way. A year can feel endless if you’re waiting for a vacation, but if you were told you had a year to live, the days would fly. I’ve been trying lately to reframe my thinking during those “annoying” moments that hijack my mood. It’s okay to feel what we feel, but learning to put those emotions in perspective can completely shift our mindset. Our house saga will eventually reach its conclusion. It may not be wrapped up neatly with a bow, but God’s plan far surpasses my timeline. As you flip through this issue, I hope you’ll carry the word “perspective” with you. Many of the stories you’ll read here feature people and organizations in our community who embody positivity, resilience, and a renewed outlook on life. As always, thank you to our advertising partners for helping us share the stories that make up San Angelo. If you have your own story, photo, idea or suggestion to share, please reach out anytime (office@hometownmedia.group)! Hello San Angelo! Susan Avery Lead Creative Design
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8 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group
O Written by JESSICA WESSON | Photos provided by THE SCOTT FAMILY Ava Scott is a local high school senior who has proved that a LABEL CAN’T LIMIT LEADERSHIP. ABLE See the LABEL not the On Friday nights in San Angelo, when the brass warms up and the crowd buzzes, one of the most commanding views on the field is from the drum major podium. That’s where Texas Leadership Charter Academy (TLCA) senior Ava Scott stands ready to bring dozens of young musicians into one voice. “I’m a drum major,” Ava said proudly. “I conduct. I help kids keep their feet on time.” She also makes sure her fellow musicians are prepared. “I check uniforms, go outside for practice, and make sure everyone’s ready,” she said. “I always tell them, ‘Clean up after yourself, drink water, no junk food.’” Encouragement is just as important as discipline to her. “I’m really friendly,” Ava said. “I give hugs. I tell people, ‘Have a good day, I love you, God bless you.’” 9 hometown living at its best
10 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Ava has been part of the Flying Eagle Marching Band since seventh grade, first as a trumpet player before being chosen as drum major for her senior year. For Gigi Scott, raising Ava has been a journey of learning, advocacy, and joy. “Her official diagnosis is that she’s intellectually disabled,” Gigi said. “We started noticing signs early on, but from the beginning, I’ve said, ‘Don’t tell me what Ava can’t do. Let her show us what she can do.’” That mindset guided her when band directors first questioned if Ava could handle marching. “I told them she doesn’t have a physical disability. She can walk, run, move—why wouldn’t she march?” Gigi recalled. “They gave her a chance, and she’s been marching ever since.” Ava still remembers the thrill of the state marching contest in San Antonio. “I marched at state,” she said. “We went twice. The first time we were almost last, and the second time we got 13th. That was good.” Competitions are her favorite part of band but for Ava, band isn’t just about trophies. “We practice every day,” she explained. “We have pep rallies, Saturday practices, Christmas concert, spring concert, and the Christmas parade.”
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12 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Her mom said music and marching gave Ava an outlet to prove herself. “She doesn’t recognize her disability as a limitation,” Gigi said. “She doesn’t let it hold her back. If she sees something she wants to do, like being a drum major or competing, she just goes for it.” Outside of band, Ava shines in art class. “I like to draw and paint,” she said. “Every day.” Her sketchbooks are filled with comics, anime characters, and illustrations inspired by books she checks out from the library. Her creativity showed this fall when she designed her own senior parking spot. “I drew myself as a drum major,” Ava said. “My art teacher helped us paint it, and it was beautiful.” Even though she doesn’t drive, she laughed about who benefits most. “My dad uses it, because he works at my school,” Ava said. “I have a chauffeur.” Ava’s drive extends to athletics as well. She has competed in the Special Olympics since junior high. “I do running and ball toss,” she said. One year, she brought home first place in the ball toss. “I really love going,” Ava said. “I like seeing people cheering for us, and the free t-shirts.” She also played basketball in junior high and on city league teams. She often sat on the bench, due to her coach’s concern regarding her disability. However, one season her teammates gave her the ball for a final shot. “Bam,” Ava remembered. “It went in, and everybody cheered!” Creativity in Motion Athlete and Champion
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15 hometown living at its best Now, as she looks ahead to graduation, Ava already has plans for giving back. “I want to volunteer at House of Faith,” she said. “We have worship, food, prayer, play games, and win prizes.” She also hopes to return to TLCA as an office aide. “I want to be a helper,” Ava said. Her mom sees those dreams as a natural extension of Ava’s personality. “She adds meaning to other people’s lives,” Gigi said. “Teachers tell me they don’t know what they’ll do next year without Ava’s hug. One of her friends told me, ‘I just need that Ava hug every day.’” Gigi has been Ava’s number one advocate and biggest fan since the diagnosis. “Why wouldn’t she have a painted senior parking spot?” Gigi asked. “Why wouldn’t she go to prom, play basketball, have jobs, or have a boyfriend? Those are rites of passage, and Ava deserves them, too.” Gigi admits she once feared each new stage—junior high, high school, and now graduation. “But every step of the way, Ava has shown me, ‘I got this,’” she said. “And she does. She always rises to the occasion.” She hopes Ava’s story inspires others to see past labels. “With her disability or without it, Ava would be exactly who she is now—popular, outgoing, kind, and a leader,” Gigi said. “I want people to know that.” At 18, Ava has already proven herself as a leader, musician, athlete, artist, and friend. From the podium on the football field to the art classroom, she sets the tempo for everyone around her. † A Future of Service A Mother's Reflection
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18 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group HOMETOWN Happenings
19 hometown living at its best 2025 The Concho River was the heart of the action on Saturday, Sept. 27, as River Fest 2025 brought families together for a full day of fun, music and community spirit. Sports lovers had plenty to cheer for with youth football games, a competitive 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a six-hour Vega Washer Pitching Tournament, and a high-energy skateboard competition that kept the crowd on its feet. Families enjoyed the petting zoo and horse rides, tucked into a shaded corner of the riverwalk, while food and craft vendors offered everything from handmade goods to local eats. Live music under the Chadbourne Bridge set the tone for a festive afternoon, leading into one of the day’s most charming moments: the inaugural Mermaid of the Concho Pageant, where girls ages 5–13 competed for titles on Celebration Bridge. With sunny skies, a packed schedule and a strong sense of community, River Fest 2025 was a shining example of what makes San Angelo so special. River Fest Photos provided by LORELEI DAY AND MARSHALL BREEDLOVE
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22 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group F Written by SARA HOOK | Photos provided by NICHOLAS NAVARRO Creativity NICHOLAS NAVARRO SHARES JOY AND LOVE THROUGH LEGO ART. Heart For many, Legos are a symbol of childhood. They are toys to play with, structures to piece together, or possibly just hazards for the unsuspecting parent to step on. For Nicholas Navarro, however, Legos are more than that: they are a tool, a medium through which he spreads love and kindness throughout San Angelo. Throughout his life Navarro has worked to be different, to make his own story. He spent eight years serving in the United States Air Force—a branch he chose because no one else in his family had served there before. While in the Air Force he traveled to Afghanistan, Oman, and the Jordan river. “I [have] family in the military and everybody was either in the Army, Navy, or Marines,” Navarro said. “I always heard the stories of being in a submarine or being on the ship or being deployed and being in combat, but nobody ever had any Air Force stories, so I just wanted to do something different and get out and experience life.” from the
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24 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group When Navarro left the military, he wanted to do something with purpose. He wanted to be able to build something or gift something from the heart and he remembered skittle art he saw at a store near Creech Air Force Base, where he trained before his deployment in Afghanistan. Instead of skittles, he picked up Legos as his medium of choice. His first piece of Lego art was for singer and actress Queen Latifah, who Navarro said has been a huge inspiration to him. The piece was built with over 6,000 Legos, depicting Queen Latifah in a crown a reference to her song “Ladies First.” Since then, he has made over a half-dozen other pieces and been recognized on the Sherri Shepherd Show. “I wanted to do something different that not everybody’s doing,” Navarro said. “I did not expect it to get this far, I never thought doing something as a gift would... be huge, never thought in my life, but I wanted to do something rewarding and challenging and meaningful at the same time.” Since then, Navarro has made several other pieces, each one a gift for someone. Taken together, the first seven pieces used over 60 thousand Legos, each one the size of a fingernail. Navarro spent from two weeks to a month on each piece, depending on the size and vibrancy of the project. The process has taught him a lot of patience, Navarro said, and how to take the time to do things perfectly the first time. Getting just one piece wrong can cost two and a half hours of work.
25 hometown living at its best “Being very consistent and having great precision is absolutely everything,” Navarro said. “I don’t want to rush these at all because I want them to come out perfect, and the little pieces that you put on, if they’re not put on correctly, they can pop off. Or if you find a bad Lego you have to switch them out right away.” He loves to make favorite moments come to life, whether they are from a wedding, a sporting event, prom, or a picture with a favorite basketball player. Those are the moments where people look the happiest, where they look like they are on top of the world and nothing can tear them down. Those are the pictures Navarro wants to bring to life. One day he would like to sell his pieces, but in the meantime, he is happy giving them as gifts to brighten people’s days. “I just want to spread love and kindness the best way that I can,” Navarro said. “I never thought that being kind would go this far.” Navarro’s medium is Legos, but love and kindness can be spread in a variety of creative ways. There is no one way to do it correctly, and every creative dream has a chance of coming true. After all, Navarro said, no dream is too big or too small to be pursued and you’re never too old to start on that path. Navarro himself is 38 years old, and picking up Legos changed his life for the better. “Everybody’s creative in their own way,” Navarro said. “It doesn’t just have to be Legos. It could be a song, it could be a poem, whatever you want to do as long as you put your heart and soul into it and it comes from the heart. That’s all that matters.” †
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28 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Magpie Inn’s Dutch Baby INGREDIENTS: • 3 large eggs • ½ cup whole milk • ½ cup all-purpose flour • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • Pinch of salt • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a 10-inch ovenproof skillet (cast iron preferred) in the oven to heat. 2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth. 3. Carefully remove the hot skillet, add butter, and swirl to coat. Pour batter into the skillet and return to the oven. 4. Bake for 12–15 minutes until puffed and golden brown. SEASONAL FILLINGS: At Magpie Inn, we love to highlight whatever is fresh and local: Summer: Peaches or your favorite summer fruit Fall: Cinnamon-spiced apples Spring: Lemon curd and fresh blueberries Winter: Cranberry-orange compote The possibilities are endless—just top your Dutch Baby with fresh fruit, whipped cream, powdered sugar, or a drizzle of syrup to match the season. Pro Tip: Flavor your whipped cream with extract of your choice to take things to the next level. Some of our favorites are: maple, orange, and vanilla HOMETOWN Cookin’
29 hometown living at its best 29 HOMETOWN Cookin’ Spicy Sidekick Sausage Bites INGREDIENTS: • 1 package Eckrich (or similar) Polish sausage, sliced into bite-sized rounds • Fresh jalapeños, sliced into thin rounds • Brown sugar, for sprinkling • Bacon strips, cut in half • Toothpicks INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. 2. Top each sausage slice with a jalapeño slice. Sprinkle lightly with brown sugar. 3. Wrap each stack with half a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. 4. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and caramelized. 5. Serve hot—they’re sweet, smoky, spicy, and totally addictive! Sure to be a total touchdown! (Perfect for Game Day)
Roasted Brown Sugar Pears with Honey Vanilla Yogurt & Granola INGREDIENTS: • Fresh pears, halved and cored • Brown sugar (about 1 tablespoon per pear half) • Honey vanilla yogurt (store-bought or homemade) • Granola, for serving INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). 2. Halve the pears and gently remove the core to create a small well. 3. Sprinkle each pear half with brown sugar, filling the cored center generously. 4. Roast on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 10–15 minutes, or until the pears are tender and the sugar is melted and caramelized. 5. To serve, spoon honey vanilla yogurt onto a plate or shallow bowl, top with the warm roasted pears, and sprinkle with granola. Serve immediately. Tip: This simple, elegant dessert can also be served as a decadent breakfast or brunch option! 30 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group HOMETOWN Cookin’
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Written by REANNA GONZALEZ | Photos by MADISON QUINN PHOTOGRAPHY & provided by ASHLEY PERALES & COLORFUL SAN ANGELO ARTIST ASHLEY PERALES HAS BEEN CREATING ART SINCE SHE WAS A CHILD, AND AS AN ADULT SHE OPENED HER OWN ART GALLERY AND DEVELOPED A STATUS AS THE “sheep lady” OF ART. 34 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Bold, Bright
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36 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group AAshley Perales has been creating art nearly her entire life. She said since she could hold a crayon, it couldn’t be kept out of her hand. She recalled how, as a child, she would go to the library and check out books and then recreate the illustrations she saw. She also noted how she would draw pictures for her loved ones and that her family has always been very supportive of her creative endeavors. Even into adulthood she felt the creative tug. She said when she got into college and the time came to select a major, she initially chose kinesiology, but her heart just wasn’t in it. Eventually, she decided to change it to art as that’s what she had always been the happiest doing. Her family supported her artistic pursuit through school, just as much as they had when she was a crayon-wielding child. “My family really wanted me to follow my dreams and pick something I loved, and I chose art. They have really shaped me into the artist and person I am today,” Perales said. She said that she’s always been inspired by the art of others. She noted Vincent Van Gogh as her favorite, even having named her dog Vincent. She said that his use of colors and the movement of his art speak to her. Further, she said that his focus on nature is something else she admires in his work. While stylistically her own art is quite different from Van Gogh’s, she appreciates how much his voice comes through in his work and aims to achieve the same impression with her own art.
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38 Perales said all it takes to get her in the zone to create a mural or bring a sheep to life is some upbeat music and a Dr. Pepper. Additionally, she feels being a part of the San Angelo community is a big part of her success. She said members of the community can do something as small as sharing her work on Facebook and it has a huge impact on her success. “I think without the support and kindness my peers have shown me I wouldn’t be getting to do what I love each day,” Perales said. “I’ve gotten to paint for some of my favorite businesses and companies simply because someone shared my work and they saw it.” Perales said that moving forward with her gallery she’d like to be able to start an online shop that features prints of her work and unique gifts that are specific to her style and voice. She said while she’s grateful for the opportunities he’s had to create murals in San Angelo, Bronte, Eden, Christoval, Corsicana and Odessa, she’s hoping to do more murals in more locations. She feels that going to new places to do murals that represent them is part of the adventure of being an artist. † She describes her art as bold, bright, and colorful, and anyone who’s seen it would agree. She said she’s partial to bold colors because she wants her work to invoke joy in those who look at it. She uses animals and other recognizable subjects from nature but puts a twist on them by experimenting with colors. This allows her to create a common ground with viewers while also communicating her own emotions and voice through her work. Perales also shared that of all the mediums she’s tried, acrylic painting is her favorite because of the possibilities it allows. She claimed that she’s generally impatient and acrylics being so fast drying allows her to continually work and get through each piece in a time frame that’s satisfactory to her. She also pointed out how forgiving acrylic is as a medium and said it allows her to add layers, shading, and details much easier than other mediums she’s worked with. Perales said she’s dreamt of having her own art gallery since she was in college and in 2019, that dream became a reality. She said the journey began when she was working as the programs manager at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts and in that time was searching for a building downtown that she could convert into a gallery, but they were all out of her price range. She said she then began working as a painting instructor at Vino Dipinte, when she realized she had a passion for teaching kids about art. The timing aligned in her favor, as Vino Dipinte was closing and had yet to decide what to do with the building. Perales expressed interest, and in a matter of time it was hers. She said she moved into the building and wanted a name that expressed her lens as an artist and came up with “Pop of Color.” From that point, she began teaching art classes to both children and adults. However, she has since stepped away from teaching to better explore her own voice and reignite the passion for art that started it all. She said she primarily does murals and paints her famous sheep statues now.
39 hometown living at its best Perales’s sheep statues have become a signature piece of her work. She said her first sheep statue was made in 2021 for Armstrong, Backus & Co. She said a friend from college reached out, sharing that the company he worked for was looking to commission an artist to paint a sheep for their business. After creating a design with her friend for the project, her submission was selected. Since then, San Angelo has come to be covered in 150 sheep statues. “I fell in love instantly with painting the sheep. It’s a challenging shape to paint on but it’s so fun to watch the sheep come to life,” Perales said. Perales’ sheep statues have become so popular that people around town have started calling her the sheep lady. She enjoys painting the sheep because each one is unique and represents the location it’s commissioned for. She said she’s painted 25 in the last four years. Her mural painting endeavors began in 2022 and since then, she said she’s done 80 murals. She enjoys doing murals as much as her sheep because they breathe life into a location and add personality to it. Like the sheep, each mural embodies the location it’s attached to. “I want to transform sad, bleak areas into joyful and fun places. Art has the power to spread happiness, and I want my paintings to serve that purpose,” Perales shared.
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Perales said all it takes to get her in the zone to create a mural or bring a sheep to life is some upbeat music and a Dr. Pepper. Additionally, she feels being a part of the San Angelo community is a big part of her success. She said members of the community can do something as small as sharing her work on Facebook and it has a huge impact on her success. “I think without the support and kindness my peers have shown me I wouldn’t be getting to do what I love each day,” Perales said. “I’ve gotten to paint for some of my favorite businesses and companies simply because someone shared my work and they saw it.” Perales said that moving forward with her gallery she’d like to be able to start an online shop that features prints of her work and unique gifts that are specific to her style and voice. She said while she’s grateful for the opportunities she’s had to create murals in San Angelo, Bronte, Eden, Christoval, Corsicana and Odessa, she’s hoping to do more murals in more locations. She feels that going to new places to do murals that represent them is part of the adventure of being an artist. † 41 hometown living at its best
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44 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group With more than 5,600 chapters nationwide, the nonprofit organization P.E.O. is equally devoted to fostering lifelong learning among its members and lifting one another through life’s challenges, just as true sisters would. STRENGTH IN Sisterhood
45 hometown living at its best A Written by BECCA NELSON SANKEY | Provided by P.E.O.’S SAN ANGELO CHAPTER & P.E.O. WEBSITE At Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Hattie Briggs carried herself with a rare blend of warmth and wisdom. Friends knew her as the one to turn to for advice, so much so that they affectionately dubbed her “Mother Superior” and “Patron Saint.” It was in her nature to look out for others, so when some of her classmates were not invited to join the school’s first sorority, 20-yearold Briggs teamed up with fellow student Franc Roads to create a sisterhood of their own. On January 21, 1869, Briggs and Roads, along with their friends Alice Coffin, Ella Stewart, Suela Pearson, Alice Bird, and Mary Allen, officially founded the Philanthropic Educational Organization, known as P.E.O. It’s doubtful the young women could ever have imagined the legacy they were setting in motion. What began as a sorority to empower women educationally burgeoned into an international women’s society so enduring that, more than a century later, astronaut Buzz Aldrin carried his aunt’s P.E.O. charm with him to the moon. According to P.E.O.’s website, as of 2025, the nonprofit’s all-female membership has six philanthropies and a foundation that have provided more than $462 million in educational assistance to more than 129,000 women, either through scholarships, grants, or low-interest loans. The sisterhood has roughly 5,600 chapters in the U.S., the District of Columbia, and Canada, with more than 250 in Texas, including one right here in San Angelo. Jan Cummings has been a P.E.O member for the past 45 years and has also served as the local chapter’s president. “My mother-in-law was a member of the organization, and I had several friends who were, and I was interested to know what it was all about,” she said. “I like the organization’s goals of helping other women. Now more than ever, everybody needs help with school and with education.” Stephanie Sayers, the San Angelo chapter’s 2025 president, joined P.E.O. six years ago after retiring as a pharmacist. She said the group’s primary objective of women helping women is what sold her. “I think that’s been the hook for all of us: to help women get the education they need,” she said. “No matter how much fun we have doing things together, we have a goal. We’re a minority. When I went to pharmacy school, a fourth of us were women. I think it was just because it wasn’t expected that women would be educated past high school.” More women have careers now than ever before. Still, Sayers said, men continue to be paid higher salaries than women for doing the same job. P.E.O. has a handful of programs to help women start or continue their post-high school education. Among them are the STAR, a one-time scholarship for female high school seniors; the Educational Loan Fund (ELF), which provides low-interest loans for women completing their education; and the Program for Continuing Education (PCE), a needbased grant for women returning to school.
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47 hometown living at its best Each chapter conducts an extensive interview with applicants before recommending them to the international organization. During the interview process, the P.E.O. leadership comes to know the women and their stories and takes a vested interest in their success. “Every time somebody gets a loan, grant, or a scholarship we’re all very excited,” Sayers said. In one of San Angelo’s now dissolved P.E.O. chapters of which Cummings was a part, they interviewed and recommended a candidate for the PCE, Cummings said. A divorcee with three children under the age of 5, she was an early childhood specialist who wanted to return to school for a new certification that would increase her salary. “We ended up having birthday parties for her children and really getting involved with the candidate and her family,” Cummings said. “That was special for our group. She came to some of our socials. The entire group got to know her.” San Angelo now has one P.E.O. chapter with nearly three dozen paying members, Sayers said. Membership dues help with the organization’s operations and aid in
covering the cost of sending a P.E.O. member to the annual P.E.O convention. The group also holds fundraisers, such as bake sales and yard sales, to help fund its programs. “We always send a representative to the state convention, and every year the P.E.O. International invites a percentage of groups to the national convention," Sayers said. While the organization is dedicated to opening doors of learning for women, P.E.O. members also nurture their own growth with monthly socials. These gatherings feature local experts who share insights on everything from travel and music to the work of nonprofits like the Girl Scouts and the LOSS (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) Team. “We consider ourselves an organization that is devoted to education, and so our programs educate us either about the community or an organization in the community, or maybe a skill someone might have that would educate us,” Cummings said. In the same vein, the members extend their help within the sisterhood just as they do to women outside it. “I’ve made a lot of friends,” Sayers said. “It’s a very welcoming group since we all have the same goals.” Since joining P.E.O., Sayers has stepped into several leadership roles, guided by the wisdom and support of past leaders eager to show her the ropes. That mentorship, however, has reached far beyond the walls of the organization, touching other aspects of her life not related to P.E.O., most recently when she had back surgery and needed help with her role as the organization’s president. “Everybody stepped in to help me,” she said. “They’re always willing to help and do whatever it takes.” Just seven years after co-founding P.E.O., Hattie Briggs Bousquet was the first of the founders to pass away, at just 27 years old. Yet her brief life did not diminish her vision. Her dream of women uplifting and empowering one another continues to live on more than 150 years later, a legacy carried forward by every P.E.O. chapter today. † 48 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group
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LilyFest The San Angelo International Water Lily Collection hosted its annual LilyFest on Saturday, September 20, filling the gardens with color, music, and family fun. Guests enjoyed free treats and activities throughout the day, including Kona Ice snow cones (with the first 75 on the house), face painting by Storming Designs, kids’ crafts, bouncy houses from Angelo Inflatables, and music from DJ Todd Nickels. Local vendors added to the festive atmosphere, and families enjoyed a steady stream of fun all afternoon. LilyFest is more than a celebration of San Angelo’s worldrenowned waterlilies, it’s also an opportunity to support the Elegant Lily Fund through the San Angelo Area Foundation. Donations help preserve and maintain the collection and this year, they contributed to fountain repairs and strengthening. Mark your calendars for next year’s LilyFest, which is set for September 26, 2026! 50 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group HOMETOWN Happenings Photos provided by SAN ANGELO INTERNATIONAL WATERLILY COLLECTION
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RYLEE BARRET T Photos provided by THE BARRETT FAMILY 4-H SPOTLIGHT NAME: Rylee Barrett, 17 PARENTS: Casey & Kaley Barrett SISTERS: Preslee & Allie 4-H CLUB: Lone Star 4-H Club in Tom Green County
53 hometown living at its best HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN THE 4-H AND PROJECTS? This is my 10th year to participate in 4-H. WHAT 4-H ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? I have been involved in a variety of projects including Food and Nutrition, Consumer Education, Public Speaking, Leadership, and showing sheep. Each of these activities has played an important role in shaping my 4-H journey. Public speaking and teamwork competitions, especially in my early years, helped me grow in confidence and prepared me for future leadership roles. I’ve been fortunate to serve as the District 7 Council Secretary, participate in 4-H Congress at the state capitol, and serve as both a Texas Youth Livestock Ambassador and a Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador. One of the highlights of my 4-H career has been competing on my Food Challenge team. We started together as junior members and grew so much over the years in our knowledge of nutrition, food safety, working as a team in high pressure situations, and presenting to judges. Our first year competing at the senior level, we placed 2nd at the state contest, advanced to Nationals, and earned the Reserve Champion title. While I’ve enjoyed all my projects, my favorite will always be raising and showing sheep. This project has taught me perseverance, responsibility, and the value of hard work. I love every step of the process—from caring for and training my lambs to competing in the show ring. For my senior year, I’m especially excited to expand my experiences by competing at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky, and the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado
54 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AND LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT SHOWING? One of my favorite parts of showing sheep is the constant challenge of improving my showmanship skills for the show ring. Every lamb is different, and each one requires me to adjust how I present them so they look their best, which will give me a good chance for success. Some are easier to show, while others take more patience and practice. You never really know how the lamb is going to react once they step into the show ring and that element of surprise can be an added challenge. The work that goes into learning each lamb makes success even more meaningful. I also love the time I get to spend with my family through showing. From working together in the barn to traveling to shows, preparing animals, seeing them cheer from the stands, and even enjoying the late-night dinners after the shows are memories I’ll cherish forever. As for my least favorite part, it would probably be spending so much time carefully washing, drying, combing, and wrapping legs, only to come back and find the wraps are now off and laying in their pen. HOW HAS BEING A PART OF 4-H PROGRAMS PREPARED YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE/GOALS? As a young girl, I was very shy, hesitant to talk to others, lacking in confidence, and terrified of speaking in front of a crowd. Joining 4-H changed that completely. Through years of competitions, teamwork, and countless hours in the barn, I learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and determination. With the guidance of my wonderful 4-H leaders and small successes along the way, I gradually gained the confidence to try new things, like public speaking, and eventually stepped into leadership roles where I was able to impact both the 4-H program and also my community. That shy little girl has grown into a confident leader and 4-H played a huge role in that transformation. With my passion for agriculture and my drive to succeed, I am ready to pursue my future goals, including a career in Veterinary Science.
55 hometown living at its best WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THINKING ABOUT JOINING 4-H TO PERSUADE THEM TO JOIN? I would tell them about the incredible opportunities 4-H has given me, the meaningful relationships I’ve formed, and the valuable lessons I’ve learned that exceed any other youth program I have been involved in. With such a wide variety of projects, there truly is something for everyone. I am forever grateful for the small role I’ve had in making my community and state a better place, and I would love for more youth in Tom Green County to have the same rewarding experience. WHERE HAVE YOU COMPETED AND WHAT AWARDS HAVE YOU WON? Listed below are a few highlights of awards I have won throughout my 4-H career. Stock Shows: • Reserve Champion Cross at the San Angelo Stock Show • 1st Place Heavy Weight Cross at the Houston Livestock Show • Placing in the top 5 at San Antonio with a lamb my Papa raised, twice • 2025 Senior Overall Showman at the Wall Livestock Show • 1st Place at the Austin Stock Show with my Finewool. • 1st Place Cross at the San Antonio Stock Show • 2nd Place Heavy Weight Finewool at the State Fair of Texas • Both Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Lamb at the Tom Green County Stock Show my 6th grade year, 2020. 4-H Contests: • Selected for the 2024-2025 Tom Green County Gold Star Award • Texas 4-H State Council At-Large Finalist • 2023 Reserve National Champion Food Challenge Team • 2nd Place Food Challenge Team at State RoundUp in 2023 • 1st Place Appetizer at the State Fair Food Challenge contest in 2023 • Food Challenge District 7 Champions several times. • 1st Place in the District 7 Food Show and qualifying for the State RoundUp in 2024 and 2025 • 2025-3rd Place Individual in Consumer Decision Making for District 7 and qualified for the state contest. • 1st Place with my record book in the “Sheep” category for both county and district contests. I advanced to state where I place fifth. • After winning the county level with an Education Presentation, my partner and I placed 3rd at District and advanced to State RoundUp OTHER GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS YOU’RE INVOLVED IN? I am actively involved in several organizations at Wall High School, including the National Honor Society, Hawks Helping Others Club, Art Club, Wall FFA, and Academic UIL. I am also an active member of Glen Meadows Baptist Church. WHO IS YOUR MENTOR? My mentor is my Papa, who not only inspired me to study agriculture, but also taught me to work hard, be a person of good character, and most of all be a dedicated servant to the Lord.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP? (OR) WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE AND WHAT WILL YOU STUDY? I plan to become a large animal veterinarian by first attending Texas Tech University and earning my undergraduate degree in Animal Science, and then continue at the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine. TELL US A FUNNY STORY ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED WHILE CARING FOR YOUR ANIMAL OR DURING ACOMPETITION. While at my barn and feeding my lambs, I went to pour the feed into the trough when a tiny Finewool lamb snuck behind and ran up underneath me, whipping my legs into the air and smacking me down to the ground. I may have not found it funny in the moment, but I wish I had a video of it now. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES/INTERESTS? My hobbies outside of 4-H include competing in art contests, listening to old country music, and I love traveling to new places. COMMENTS/WORDS OF WISDOM OR ADVICE: My dad has always shared this simple phrase with me and I do my best to follow it: Do what is right. 56 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group
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58 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group We are currently seeking a Sales Account Executive for the Concho Valley! If you are: • ENERGETIC • SELF MOTIVATED • ENJOY MEETING PEOPLE WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please send your resume to: casey@hometownmedia.group or call (817) 599-6167 to learn more. WANT TO JOIN OUR TEAM?
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60 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Written by CINDY KAHLER THOMAS Photos by WINPIC PHOTOGRAPHY & WILD HEART PHOTOGRAPHY and provided by THE JONES FAMILY AT JUST 17 YEARS OLD, LOCAL CHAMPIONSHIP DIRT BIKE RIDER, BOBBY JOE JONES III, IS BRINGING HOME THE ACCOLADES AND MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. From Dirt Comes TROPHIES
61 hometown living at its best CChampions come in all ages, and at the tender age of three, Bobby Joe Jones III discovered his track to greatness, and it hasn’t stopped yet. He is still a champion, now seventeen years old. Bobby Joe rides dirt bikes in competition races and excels, winning a slew of 1st place trophies, plaques, and the prizes that often come with such success. He has a gift, much to the chagrin of other riders. Bobby Joe started riding dirt bikes before he could even balance himself on a bicycle. He loves the roar of the engine, which he comes by honestly from his father and his grandfather. They all raced dirt bikes, and Bobby Joe's father says it is a family legacy. “I raced, my father raced, and now he races. His top speed is 85 miles per hour, which is not too fast in motocross,” his father explained, “My dad taught me when I was young, and the best part of my time with my dad is when we were on dirt bikes. He taught me to race and raised me up to do what I do with my boy. I decided that I am not going to hold him back. I wanted to give him the gift I had with my dad. We got him on a dirt bike when he was little, and he doesn’t know any different, just like I didn’t know any different. It is just a way of life!” GENERATION 1 GENERATION 2 GENERATION 3
62 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Bobby Joe has raced in four types of races. These are motocross, hare scrambles, cross-country, and enduros. Motocross is a race on a familiar track. A hare scramble is on a marked track that weaves through woods or other rough terrain. With crosscountry, the tracks are longer and more difficult. Enduro races are on unfamiliar terrain through woods and other natural hazards, which makes it the most difficult type of race. Bobby Joe seems to have no fear, unlike his mother, Marsha Jones. He does admit that when he is about to crash, he gets scared. He has a reverent respect for how dangerous it can be. He has only had 2 wrecks that were serious, but there was no damage, and it barely slowed him down. He is a high school student who works hard and then goes to his job in construction after school. Just like most teenagers, he has a girlfriend, Megan Fraley, who he met on the track and the two have been dating for a couple years. He also likes to fish and ride a unicycle to practice his balance and enjoys things that other teenagers do, like gaming. However, he admits that the only games he plays are motocross games.
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64 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group He got his first 1st place win at the age of four, and has won over 50 1st place trophies and 100 plus 1st place plaques as evidence of his determination and dedication to his sport. “I think it is kind of in the blood, but I also think it is also how much you work at it, and how bad you want to win,” Bobby Joe shared. His father thinks it is a “God given talent”, and his friends and family agree. He races against all ages. “He was racing at sixteen with professional motocross riders, and he won fourteen overall races, so they were like, ‘Who is this kid from Texas?’” his father said with a chuckle. An overall win means that he beat all the racers in every class, as well as different sizes of motorcycles. He has won seven state championships in a row. He has aced in Colorado, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Arizona and is sponsored by Chad Sterling with Crew Racing out of Colorado. His plans for the future include, but aren’t limited to, the American Motorcycle Association pro-motocross races, and Grand National Cross Country with hare scrambles in the woods. He also wants to race in the Loretta Lynn Amateur Race, also known as the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, of which thousands of people will be watching. One day he would like to compete in the national GSCC Europe for a six, which is a six-man team out of America, It is kind of like the Olympics of dirt bikes.
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But it is not all about him. Bobby Joe and his father are wanting to volunteer to get some sprint and enduros ready. With the New Concho Valley Motorcross Track in San Angelo, “They hope to do some co-sanctioned races there.” We haven’t had a track like that since the 80s in San Angelo,” his father said. Bobby Joe has been helping to train his younger cousin on the dirt bike, and his cousin, Blaine Ballentine, won his first trophy in his last race. But what his mother and father are the proudest of is Bobby Joe’s Sportsman of the Year Award. “In 2020, he won Sportsman of the Year. He gave up a race to stop and help someone who was hurt. Because of that, the other rider ended up being okay. He is a good kid. He has stopped to ask downed riders if they are okay. I am really proud of him for doing that. You never know if they are okay. I have always been proud of him for that. He is getting too big, our boy is growing up,” Marsha said. Bobby Joe is certainly making a name for himself, and some may say that at such a young age, his journey to success is just beginning. † 66 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group
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68 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Baptist Retirement Community is the premier choice for seniors 62+ in San Angelo. As a full service Continuing Care Retirement Community, residents enjoy endless amenities and lifestyles programming while having the peace of mind knowing higher levels of service are available should their needs change. Baptist Retirement Community is a non-profit community and part of the Buckner Retirement Services portfolio. Buckner Retirement Services is a division of Buckner International, which has a 142 year history of serving seniors. Experience premier Senior Living in San Angelo Serving All Faiths INDEPENDENT LIVING | MEMORY CARE | SKILLED NURSING | MEMORY CARE ASSISTED LIVING LONG TERM CARE | PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES | OUTPATIENT THERAPY 902-903 NORTH MAIN, SAN ANGELO, TX 76903 | BAPTISTRETIREMENT.ORG | (325) 213-7447 Crest West AL #106545 Crest East AL #106541 844. 662.1177 • BaptistRetirement.org MitchellBuickGMC.com 2026 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate
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70 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group S Written by BECCA NELSON SANKEY | Provided by BEN GREEN/CROSSROAD MINISTRIES LOCAL AGENCIES BAND TOGETHER MONTHLY TO HELP SAN ANGELO’S STRUGGLING NEIGHBORS WITH EVERYTHING FROM FOOD AND CLOTHING TO HEALTH AND HYGIENE ITEMS TO MEDICAL SERVICES, JOBS AND HOUSING. Sometimes, progress rises from rubble. On March 11, 2022, a grass fire tore through Tent City, a homeless encampment on the north side. The makeshift community offered its residents a semblance of stability — shelter in tents, warmth in sleeping bags, and the understanding of neighbors facing the same struggles. But the fire created a new struggle: Trees and structures vanished in smoke, and with them, many of the scant possessions that had stitched together fragile lives. About half a dozen agencies and churches, many of them already familiar faces to the Tent City community, joined forces to provide food and temporary shelter for the displaced residents. When residents returned to the encampment — approximately half of it burned — West Side Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church, together with Sidney Timmer of the Concho Valley Community Action Agency and Jason Priddy of West Texas Counseling & Guidance, stepped in to take on the more intensive task of building trust and forging relationships. “We ended up going every week just to eat lunch and talk with people,” said Priddy, case manager at WTCG and a Navy veteran. “We were just trying to let them know people are here and wanting to help.Eventually, they started asking us if we could help them out with things. We decided the easiest thing was to bring them to [one place] instead of sending them to eight different places in town when they don’t have transportation.” Added Timmer, then the community engagement director for CVCAA: “An hour once a week with no Wi-fi, we weren’t making much progress.” This sparked Timmer’s and Priddy’s idea to put helping agencies all under one roof — one with A/C and internet. The first Homeless Navigation Day was held in June 2022, about three months after the Tent City fire, in the basement of the Cactus Hotel. Six agencies participated, and 25 people attended, Timmer said. By the fall of 2022, Homeless Navigation Day had outgrown the basement and moved to First Presbyterian Church, 32 N. Irving St. More agencies began participating, and today, the event draws A HUB FOR Hope
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