Staff photo by Chris McGathey

Park Cities People raised $343 for Mad For Plaid through our dunk tank at Goar Park this morning. A big thank you goes out to our “celebrity” dunkees — which, besides the gentlemen mentioned in the previous post, included former UP Citizen of the Year Chris Murzin and HPHS valedictorian Tianen Li.

But the big money was raised via all the kids like Aubrey Stevens (pictured) who paid $5 for the privilege of being dunked. Next year, we’ll just forgo the celebrities all together.

The ample spread of coffee, donuts, and sausage rolls at the HPISD Finance Committee meeting certainly helped me wake up. But what really opened my eyes was the agenda item that said Dr. Ben Coker, the assistant superintendent of business services, would be retiring effective June 30.

Huh? As I read that item, Coker was telling the Finance Committee that he’d have a 2010-11 budget for them to adopt at their August meeting. How could that be if he’s retiring at month’s end?

Once the meeting was over, I asked Superintendent Dawson Orr for an explanation. He told me not to worry; Coker is simply moving to a half-time schedule, i.e. he’s not going anywhere.

Whew. That’s a relief. Not only does Coker do an admirable job finding ways to deal with Robin Hood, sources tell me he’s the one responsible for all the sweets at those early-morning meetings.

Editor Dan Koller snapped this summery pic on the basketball court at University Park Elementary School yesterday. Viva el sol!

Should HPISD be equipped to report no-show students?

What’s more, Rose said, a handful of other Texas school districts have opted to follow suit and only rank students in the top 10 percent. Now whether this is incidental or actually modeled after Highland Park ISD, I’ve yet to confirm — but hey. It seems to be catching on.

Kelly served as principal of Richardson ISD’s Lake Highlands High School beginning in 2008, and Richardson West Middle School from 2004 to 2008. He has also been principal of Telluride High School and Middle School in Telluride, Colo., and assistant principal of Austin’s S.F. Austin High School and Eanes’ Hill Country Middle School.

Says Superintendent Dawson Orr: “Walter Kelly is an outstanding educator, communicator, and mentor whose proven track record at pursuing and maintaining excellence makes him a perfect fit at Highland Park High School.”

Pick up this week’s issue of Park Cities People for more details.

Classes are taught by industry leaders and include lectures on professional styling, industry trend forecasting, fashion journalism, fashion retailing, event marketing, and more. The best part is, you’ll get to spend each afternoon planning and executing a back-to-school fashion show, which will presented to shoppers at 3 p.m. Aug. 7.

The show, which will be hosted by Galleria fashion stylist Holly Quartaro and a surprise celebrity emcee, will feature scenes created by campers using professional models and Galleria fashions. If only I could be a teen for one more summer! The cost is $199 and the deadline to register is June 25. If that sounds a bit pricey, the Galleria is offering two fashion camp scholarships that will allow two lucky students to attend the camp for free. Go here for more info.

Niki White gets a hug from Liz Shannon as Glynis Wimmers looks on. (Staff photo by Christina Barany)

If you are a member of the Highland Park High School Class of 2010, or you are related to a member of the class, you’re going to want to pick up a copy of Park Cities People this week. The Park Cities Two section is dedicated to the graduating seniors. It includes:

• Stories on the valedictorian, salutatorian, and Blanket Award winners
• A breakdown of the senior class by the numbers
• A quiz on the fancy footwear worn by senior girls
• Tons of photos from the commencement exercises and the all-night party