2025 Star Citizens Award

CONTACT: Sarah Covington, Board Member & Public Relations Contact, sarahlcovington@gmail.com, Donna LaMond, Executive Director, dlamond@westutx.gov , Sami Morison, Chairman of the Board, sami.morrison@gmail.com.

West University Place, Texas – May 8, 2025 – The City of West University Place

graciously hosted the 2025 Star Citizens Awards and Friends Appreciation Luncheon on

May 7th at Los Tios Mexican Restaurant. The award recipients were the 2025 Park

Lovers’ Ball Co-Chairs Kristen and Scott Browning, Jordan and Andrew Jewett &

Elizabeth and Crosby Scofield, as well as recent Fathers & Flashlights Co-Chairs Kelly

Beth and Charlie Hapgood (2022, 2023 & 2024), Megan and Nick Nicodemus (2023 &

2024) & Katy and Chris Turner (2023 & 2024). This year’s Park Lovers’ Ball netted over

$362,000 and the 2022-2024 Fathers & Flashlights events combined a net of $318,000,

all of which has and will continue to benefit our wonderful parks in West University.

Mayor Susan Sample, along with Parks and Recreation Director Susan White,

presented the awards to the honored recipients. City Council Member Clay Brett also

attended the awards luncheon, along with Donna LaMond, Executive Director of

Friends, Sami Morrison, Chair of Friends, and members of the Friends Board.

All proceeds from these events are managed by the Friends of West University Parks

Fund and are dedicated to funding park improvements. Recent projects include

improvements to the Colonial Park West End and Judson Park, the Wier Park redevelopment

project, the Colonial Park Challenge Course and Huffington Park.

Upgrades to the Wier Park Pickleball and Tennis Courts are slated for next month.

Friends of West University Parks Fund is grateful for the efforts put forth by these

community leaders as the enhancement of the city’s pristine parks and greenspaces

would not be possible without their dedication and commitment.

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The Friends of West University Parks Fund is a volunteer based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to raising funds for the renovation, development and improvement of parks and green spaces in the neighborhood parks of the City of West University Place.  The board is appointed by City Council and raises money through foundation grants, citizens’ bequests, memorials, special events and various other programs and events including partnerships with local businesses.