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O’Connor High School Varsity Soccer and Track Athlete, Nia LeslieABy Tracy Petersn exciting year for Nia Leslie, soon to be attending Abilene Christian University to play division 1 soccerand study nursing! Currently a senior at O’Connor High School, Leslie plays soccer and track, which definitely goes hand-in- hand. She started soccer in elementary and track in middle school, developing a passion for both competitions.With so much dedication towards her athletic career throughout Leslie’s years, she has made quite an impact already. She has set school records at both Folks Middle School and O’ Connor High School and qualified for regionals in track and playoffs for soccer multiple grades. Leslie’s soccer success is also found outside of school with local organizations, “I have been selected for the South Texas Olympic Development Program for soccer. I play in the Elite Club National League with Classics Elite Soccer Academy, which is the highest level of play for girls’ soccer in the US. I have played with a local women’s professional soccer team, the San Antonio Blossoms.” Thinking back to how she achieved her goals having opportunities to compete around the US, Leslie credits her supportive parents and team, and has instilled in herself “an undefeated mindset, grit and integrity.”BMy Grady Timmermanany 4-H and FFA participants’ hard work has concluded with both the Bexar CountyJr. Livestock Show and the Walter Gerlach Livestock Show. Children committed up to 2 hours a day and up to one year working on their livestock projects. Bexar County and Gerlach shows are not just for lovers of livestock. There is something for everyone, from art to horticulture and baking. Lucky winners went on to the Auction of Champions where records were shattered by the generous buyers from Bexar County. Last year 4-Hers and FFA kids raised aMassey Wins 2023 San Antonio WConservation Society Publication Awardhat Lies Beneath, Texas Pioneer Cemeteries and Graveyards (TwoDot Books), by CynthiaLeal Massey, has won a 2023 San Antonio Conservation Society Publication Award, joining nine other Texas authors this year. An award ceremony will be held on March24. This is Massey’s second SACS award. Her book, Death of a Texas Ranger, A True Story of Murder and Vengeance on the Texas Frontier, was honored with a 2015 SACS Award. The Society’s Publication Award recognizes the authors of the best recently published books on Texas history.What Lies Beneath, Texas Pioneer Cemeteries and Graveyards exhumes the stories of Texas pioneers, revealing the intriguing truth behind the earliest graveyards in the Lone Star State, including some of its most ancient. This guide also provides descriptions of headstone features and symbols, and demystifies the burial traditions of early Texas pioneers and settlers.One reviewer wrote, “The author’s depth of research presents not just a scholarly work, but a masterful storytelling encounter that will truly captivate. It was difficult to put this book down and I completed it in a matter of days...”Massey is a former corporate editor, college instructor, and magazine editor.HOAs---The BadBrought To You By:whopping total of $474,890 and shattered that record in 2023 raising over $600,000!These programs offer an opportunity for scholarships and a brighter future for these young men and women. Thank you to all the exhibitors, buyers, families, volunteers, and sponsors for supporting this generation of leaders and good luck to those kids that will go on to Major shows across the state!Left Mia Favela, Craft Category- Grand Champion and best in show. Right Reagan Crick, Market Goat- Reserve Division ChampionShe has published hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles and several books. Born and raised on the south side of San Antonio, Texas, she has resided in Helotes, twenty miles northwest of the Alamo City, since 1994. A full-time writer, she is a past president of Women Writing the West and a winner of the Lone Star Award for Magazine Journalism given by the Houston Press Club.“Because you have more important things to do!”$30 OFF A Dream Clean$20 OFF Your First Checklist CleanBoth cannot be combinedwith other offers & Exp.3/31/2023Professional, Friendly, Fully Bonded & Insured 210-372-9970 www.maidaffordable.comPart 2 of a multi-part series on HOAs---The Good, Bad, and Uglyhomeownership.2. High turnover of HOA managers can negatively affect maintenance operations. 3. HOAs frequently control what you can do on your property from how high your grass can grow to the color of paint on your house.4. Some HOAs don’t communicate well with homeowners which can affect trust.5. Rules, rules, rules. HOAs enforce common rules that frequently arise from homeownerHOA’s- continued on page 11 March 2023y Lou DugganBAccording to HOA-USA “there are over 370,000 homeowner associations in the UnitedStates. Collectively, this represents over 40 million households (over 53% of the owner occupied households in America).” The State of Texas reports certificates of registration for 9,809 HOAs of which Comal County has 118 residential developments governed by HOAs.The BadCritics think of Homeowners Assns asanother layer of bureaucracy and expense on homeownership. This can lead to a biased trust relationship between homeowners and an HOA. Research shows that bad HOAs usually have common antagonisms:1. Although they offer amenities and benefits, HOAs charge mandatory dues ranging from $70 to $1,000 depending on location and services. Some HOAs also include mandatory lawn and landscape services, costing $1,000s more per year. This added cost can become a burden for10www.heloteshighlights.com