InTheLoopKids iReporter

When Teel Tishgart signed up to help with the Berry Family 5K race in Plano on Saturday, she had no idea that she would be the one eventually organizing the inaugural event. But it was the least she could do, she figured.

On July 2, 2011, the Berry family was returning home from vacation in Colorado when they were struck head-on by a car that had merged into their lane. The parents, who were sitting in the front, were killed instantly, while the three children in the back suffered serious injuries. The two older boys were left paralyzed from the waist down while their youngest sister suffered multiple broken bones.

Supporters across the nation came out in droves to help the children through these hard times. Teel, along with Kyle Stevens - the founder of the Berry Family 5K - teamed together to create the Berry Family 5K.

The City of Frisco's Easter Eggstravaganza was a huge success, but there's more Easter fun coming your way!  On Saturday, March 31, Frisco Parks & Recreation will host the 4th Annual Aqua Egg Hunt at the Frisco Athletic Center Indoor Aquatic Center from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Children 2 1/2 years old through age 10 are invited to participate in the Aqua Egg Hunt, and should wear a swimsuit for the event.  In addition to the egg hunt, crafts and pictures with the Easter Bunny will be available.

Participants will be provided with a mesh bag to collect eggs in the pool, but should bring a basket to carry eggs home.

Pre-registration is required for the event.  Registration is $12 for residents of Frisco and $15 for non-residents, with admission including the egg hunt, crafts, a swim pass for the day, and a gift from the Easter Bunny.

For more information and to register for the Aqua Egg Hunt, please click here.

The Frisco Athletic Center is located at 5828 Nancy Jane Lane in Frisco.

Easter is just a couple of weeks away, and to celebrate, the City of Frisco is hosting the 20th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, March 24 at FC Dallas Stadium.  

The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with the Easter egg hunt beginning at 2 p.m.  With more than 70,000 eggs available, the egg hunt is sure to be a hit with the kids.  New this year, another field full of eggs will be available for children with special needs.

There will be plenty more Easter fun in addition to the egg hunt, including bounce houses, face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny, and more.  

Crafty kids between the ages of 3 and 12 can enter the Easter Bonnet Contest.  Participants should make a bonnet at home, wear it to the Easter Eggstravaganza, and enter their bonnet in the contest.

For more information, please click here.

FC Dallas Stadium is located at 9200 World Cup Way in Frisco.

Their tragic story made national headlines in July of 2011, and now a 5K is being planned in Plano to raise money for Peter, Aaron, and Willa Berry of Houston.

While returning from a family vacation to Colorado last July, parents Joshua and Robin Berry and their three children, Peter, 9, Aaron, 8, and Willa, 6, were hit head on by another vehicle that crossed into their lane of traffic. Both Joshua and Robin were killed in the accident. Peter and Aaron sustained serious spinal cord injuries and are paralyzed from the waist down, Willa suffered broken bones. 

The Berry Family 5K, 1-Mile Family Fun Run, and Dr. Paul Rubin and Frisco Kids Dental 50-Yard Dash will be held on March 24th, 2012 at Granite Park in Plano. The proceeds, less costs to vendors to operate the race, will be donated directly to the Joshua and Robin Berry Children's Trust in Houston, Texas. The money will help cover costs for medical rehabilitation, physical therapy, psychological support and education for the Berry children.

The registration fees for the races are as follows:

5K Fees:

• $30 late registration March 1 through March 22, 2012
• $35 Race Day (cash or check only, please)

1M Fun Run Fees:

• $10 through March 22, 2012
• $15 Race Day (cash or check only, please)

Dr. Paul Rubin and Frisco Kids Dental 50-Yard Dash:

• $10 for children ages 6-10. Children 5 and under are free with adult entry.

For more information on the race or to find out other ways to donate to the Berry children, please click here.

Dr. David Abbott will be the featured Artist/Clinician at this year’s Young Artist Competition in McKinney, Texas on April 13-15.  Each year, the McKinney Musical Arts Society brings highly talented high school pianists from across Texas and Oklahoma to McKinney to compete for cash prizes and artistic recognition.

The weekend activities will begin with a concert presented by Dr. Abbott at 7:30 p.m. at the Heard-Craig Performance Hall on Church Street, just northwest of the historic downtown square.  Dr. Abbott is a graduate of the Eastman and Juilliard Schools of Music and has been Associate Professor of Piano at Albion College in Albion, Michigan since 2005.  He has performed extensively across America, as well as in Switzerland, Germany, Australia and China. 

Friday’s concert will feature works from Robert Schumann and Franz Liszt, and promises to be an exciting evening of fine classical entertainment.  The concert is open to the public.  Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for Seniors and $5 for students (no charge when accompanied by parents).  Tickets may be purchased online at www.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org or at the door. 

On Saturday the contestants will perform their competition pieces and participate in master classes conducted by Dr. Abbott.  All the contestants will present a recital Sunday afternoon, after which the awards will be announced.  The public is invited to all Saturday and Sunday activities at no charge.  More information about the concert and the competition activities may be found at www.mckinneymusicalarts.org.  

McKinney Musical Arts Society and the Young Artist Competition are funded, in part, by generous grants from McKinney Arts Commission. 

Submitted by Roy Austin, MMAS board member