By Martha Jackson
This year, our streets wore green ribbons — gentle reminders of the heartache that touched our community when six young girls from our neighborhood were lost at Camp Mystic and when others succumbed to the quiet despair of suicide.
We didn’t just lose names; we lost pieces of ourselves, and the absence still echoes in our halls, our yards, our conversations.
And yet, amid that sorrow, we soared. Our community celebrated real victories — the Scots lacrosse programs, both boys and girls, captured state championships. Our athletes, musicians, and students — on fields, in gymnasiums, and in school halls — shone brightly, giving us proud moments to clutch until next season.
Then came the moment our hearts collectively skipped: the first-ever state championship for our girls volleyball team. Highland Park High School Girls Volleyball swept through the playoffs and claimed the 5A Division I title — undefeated and unmatched. The pain and trials of 2025 felt a little lighter, because our girls gave us hope wrapped in spikes, blocks, and victory shouts.
Our football team powered through a season of guts and grit — carving out impressive wins, racking up yardage, and rallying fans under Friday-night lights. Though the ultimate championship eluded them, their grit reinforced the spirit of our community: determined, hopeful, and always pushing forward.
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Even for those that don’t always make the headlines — band performances, theater productions, art shows, volunteer projects — our young people rose. They carried community spirit in their backpacks, lit up local events, and reminded us that greatness isn’t only measured in trophies.
We also faced moments that tested us — the bittersweet win by our soccer program later forfeited due to an eligibility oversight, a hard lesson that integrity and accountability are part of the legacy we build.
Those green ribbons that fluttered on mailboxes, trees, and lampposts weren’t just decoration — they were a declaration: We are together. We honor the ones we lost, and we celebrate the ones among us who lifted us higher. In grief we still belonged, and in joy we still rallied.
As the calendar turns to 2026, I’m filled with gratitude — for this place we call home; for neighbors who show up; for students who lead; for families who embrace both the tears and the cheers.
The lesson I carry forward? Strength isn’t the absence of hardship — it’s the presence of community. It’s about being real, showing up, reaching out, and holding the line for each other.
Here’s to the new year ahead — to resilience, to hope, to being present. To the Park Cities and beyond: may we move forward with open hearts, green ribbons still waving, and a community that refuses to let anyone walk alone.
Martha Jackson, host of The Bubble Lounge Podcast, has lived in University Park for 20 years. She’s passionate about connecting with fellow moms, supporting local businesses, and finding humor in the chaos. You can find her at bubblelounge.net and on Instagram @bubbleloungepodcast.
