2026 Star Citizens Award

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

West University Place, Texas – May 8, 2026 – The City of West University Place kindly hosted the 2026 Star Citizens Awards and Friends Appreciation Luncheon on May 6th at Los Tios Mexican Restaurant. This year’s award recipients were 2026 Park Lovers’ Ball Co-Chairs Michelle and Doug Huth & Stephanie and Bryan Magers, as well as 2025 Fathers & Flashlights Co-Chairs Angela and Daniel Androphy & Deanna and Michael McQuade. Finally, longtime Friends of West U Parks Board Members Sami Morrison and Christine Parker were honored for their continuing contributions. Morrison joined the Board in 2015 and was elected Chair in 2018. Parker joined the Board in 2013 as Treasurer and will remain on the Board as Past Treasurer as she recently passed her Treasurer duties onto new Friends Board Member, Nancy Kate Prescott.

Susan Sample, Mayor of West University, along with Mayor Pro Tem, John Barnes, Susan White, Director of Parks and Recreation and Dave Beach, City Manager, presented the awards to the valued recipients. Other attendees included Donna LaMond, Executive Director of Friends and members of the Friends Board and Advisory Board.

All proceeds from the honored events are managed by the Friends of West University Parks Fund and are dedicated to funding park improvements. Recent projects include upgrades to the Wier Park Pickleball and Tennis Courts, Colonial Park West End, Judson Park, the Colonial Park Challenge Course and Huffington Park. Upgrades to the Recreational Center are currently underway. 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 green spaces 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, expansion, 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.