Beth Van Duyne

Mr. Speaker, I use today to recognize Knot Your Average Boys, a group of students at Coppell High School led by senior Prajit Sreenivas. Together, they crochet baby caps and blankets for patients at Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas.

Veer Talsania, a former patient at Scottish Rite, participates in Knot Your Average Boys as an opportunity to give back to the hospital that cared for him. All five members are in the percussion section of the Coppell High School band and crocheting reminds them of performing together, a chance to build something bigger than themselves.

I thank Prajit, Veer, Jayden, Satvik, and Arnav of Knot your Average Boys, for giving back to our community in such a creative way.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize our Texas-24 Hometown Hero, Catherine ``Cat'' Johnson, a Southlake native and a Shelton School alumna, who recently began her journey at Texas Tech University. She has earned national recognition for her leadership and service to our North Texas community.

This summer, Cat created take-home meal kits that ensured the children would have access to healthy meals over the weekend if their families were suffering from financial hardships. Cat worked with GRACE in Grapevine to bring her project, ``Feed our Kids Weekend Edition'' to life. This project led to her earning the Girl Scouts Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting from the Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains. In recognition for her impact in the community in helping address childhood hunger she received a $5,000 national scholarship from Girl Scouts of the USA.

I congratulate Cat on this recognition for her service to our community and wish her the best in her year ahead at Texas Tech University.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize our Texas-24 Hometown Hero, Jules Peterson. She is the Founder and Director of Loving Long Ears Donkey Therapy & Sanctuary in Southlake. Since 2017, Loving Long Ears has been a sanctuary for donkeys that have been neglected, abused, or surrendered, giving them not just a new home, but also a new purpose. They serve as one of only four donkey rescues in the United States, and the only one that also offers a therapy program.

Through Jules' dedication, she has built a place where rescued donkeys are rehabilitated and trained as therapy animals. These gentle companions now bring peace, comfort, and healing to veterans, first responders, children, and adults.

We thank Jules for dedicating her time, energy, and heart to creating Loving Long Ears Donkey Therapy & Sanctuary.