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By Roxanne Watts, Reston Realtor As spring returned to Reston and the cherry blossoms dazzled along Reston Parkway, Anne Marie readied her home for sale. She and her family had filled the house with a lifetime of memories during her 40 years as its original owner. Two years ago, as an empty-nester, Anne began to envision a lifestyle with less upkeep and easier maintenance. With guidance from her realtor, she formed an intentional plan to downsize, navigating mixed feelings about leaving the home she loved. Along the way came an estate sale and, in the last month, a transformation from deeply personal spaces to a market-ready home that excites today’s buyers. Because new listings attract the most attention, the home was held open the first weekend on the market, welcoming about 20 groups each day—a typical turnout. By Monday, Anne had three offers to choose from, two with escalation clauses above the asking price. Financing and appraisal contingencies were waived. Some buyers opted for pre-inspections, others waived inspections entirely. “New” isn’t always necessary, but “fresh,” “pristine,” “immaculate,” “light-filled” and “open” are words that add value, I tell my clients. Wallpaper, like clothing, is extremely personal and, with few exceptions, is best removed. Anne’s experience is common in today’s fast-moving Reston market. The median number of days on the market is just six, meaning many homes go under contract within a week. Sales in the first quarter of 2026 (246) remain similar to the first quarter of 2025 (251), and new listings are steady, with 202 this year compared with 208 last year. While the press reports increasing inventory nationwide, Reston’s available homes have held steady for now. Interest rates briefly dropped to 5.99%, prompting price increases this month. Many homeowners also saw their tax bills rise about 4%, or roughly $350 per year, reflecting last year’s price gains. More detailed pricing trends will appear in the next article. As this tax year closes and Earth Day approaches, consider this a reminder to clear space, lighten your load and let go of items you no longer need—just as Anne Marie did. Community Shred Event Secure Shredding Onsite Please limit to 5 Banker's Boxes PLUS Make-A-Wish Bake Sale (Student Fund-Raiser) Saturday, April 18, 9 am to 12 noon 1700 Reston Parkway, 20194 Oakbrook Church - Across from Home Depot Co-Sponsored by Raf Traboulsi, State Farm and Pruitt Title

By Louise Seirmarco-Yale, Reston Artist You probably never thought of yourself as an art collector, but chances are you’ve bought flowers for one reason or another. You have been collecting beauty all your life without hesitation. Flowers succeed where art struggles because they are socially preapproved. They do not require any defense of taste. They are experienced as “emotion-first,” not “judgment-first,” so buyers feel they can choose what they like and be right. People trust their judgment about floral “personalities” because there is no penalty for being wrong. Flowers do not live long, so our choices represent low risk. Art decisions are not permanent either. We seem wired to assign personality to visual forms, especially when those forms resemble faces, like daisies or sunflowers, or gestures, like drooping tulips or upright lilies. This is much the same way we respond to abstract art. We read mood or emotion into landscapes through simple line, shape and color. We are always participants as viewers, whether enjoying nature or art. Colors also suggest mood or temperament. Red might suggest assertive, direct expression, while white might seem more restrained and formal. Yellow, like sunflowers, may feel outgoing or social. Think of a field of sunflowers. Along with daisies, they suggest optimism: open, friendly and uncomplicated, with faces outward and nothing hidden. Sunflowers feel easy and approachable—and that feels good. Art can feel that way too if we drop unnecessary expectations and simply enjoy it. Sometimes we project a backstory onto flowers, such as roses expressing love or lilies symbolizing reverence. Roses seem comforting and are often chosen when feelings need to be felt, not explained, much like art. Choose what feels good in the moment when it comes to art, just as you do with flowers. Is that arrangement connected to a favorite memory? Art tells stories, too. In a recent conversation with Rachel Rinaldi, store operator and lead designer at Blooms Reston Floral in South Lakes Plaza, it became clear that when a designer lays out a range of possibilities, it frees the buyer to trust their artistic instincts and choose what feels right. Rachel prompts each client to uncover the personality—the feel—of an event and match it with the right flowers, whether soft and romantic or clean and modern. She designs with the event’s intention in mind. For 13 years, she has helped customers express artistic instincts through floral design. Experts like her, who listen and deliver satisfying results, are worth consulting. Then you decide. You have been choosing floral beauty all your life. It was never that hard. No rules. Just instinct. What if we approached art the same way — choosing what simply feels good? Trust yourself. You know what you like. You always have when choosing flowers. Louise Seirmarco-Yale is a Reston artist, speaker, teacher, and author of “Art. You Be The Judge. Reawaken your Instincts and Enjoy Art On Your Own Terms”. (Amazon) or as a free download at www.peopleneedart.com/ ; email her: hello@peopleneedart.com , FB/IG @louise_seirmarco_art

By Meg Marsh, Reston neighbor Middle school students hop on the bus at North Point to go to Reston Town Center. Photo by TRL A few years ago, our oldest daughter taught us how the Reston Internal Bus System (RIBS) works for students. As parents, we hadn’t realized how useful this transportation option could be. From our house, it’s just a two-minute walk to a Fairfax Connector (RIBS) bus stop. Before she could drive, our daughter routinely hopped on the bus with friends to get to Reston Town Center, South Lakes High School extracurriculars, and neighborhood meet-ups. Now, our eighth-grade daughter can take advantage of the same system. Middle and high school students in Fairfax County can ride free on the Fairfax Connector bus system. We have found it to be a safe and practical way for our daughters to become comfortable with public transit. While students can ride multiple routes, the RIBS routes and stops are a convenient way to explore Reston and learn how local transit works. To ride free, students can apply for a bus pass through the Fairfax County Public Schools website: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/Free-Student-Bus-Pass-Agreement-Plus-Metrobus-2025-26.pdf/ Once you have a pass, you can explore the five RIBS routes to map the closest stop to home or your destination: https://linkrtc.org/local-transportation-links/bus-schedules-with-maps/ Our older daughter uses an app called Transit, which covers the Fairfax Connector and RIBS as well as other U.S. cities. For students planning college or a career in a metro area, this is a great way to learn public transportation. Mistakes happen—getting on the wrong route is part of the learning experience—but it teaches teens how to navigate and get back on track.

by Phantom Foodie Left: Udon Noodle Soup with shrimp and vegetable tempura Right: Terriyaki chicken. Photos by Phantom Foodie This month, in the spirit of the cherry blossoms and 10 years since first experiencing the culinary delights across the island of Honshu, Japanese cuisine seemed in order. With its entry into Reston Town Center, the regional chain Kusshi has opened its eighth location in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia region. Known for its expansive modern Japanese menu, Kusshi covers everything from traditional nigiri and innovative specialty rolls to ramen, donburi and curries. Walking in, I expected the aesthetic of traditional sushi dens but was pleasantly surprised by the buzzing, urban izakaya feel in a modern, contemporary space. The impressive bar is center stage, boasting a large selection of Japanese sake and craft whiskey. Also impressive is the wraparound sushi bar, where much of the magic happens. Moderately busy for a weekday night, the after-work crowd was imbibing specialty cocktails, while nonalcoholic Sapporo is an option for dry diners. The menu took some time to digest, with an overwhelming number of items to choose from, so I leaned on the classics: pan-fried gyoza dumplings with pork; tuna (maguro) and salmon (sake) nigiri. The quality of the fish was premium and the rice properly compressed. Teriyaki chicken with stir-fried vegetables and steamed rice was predictable. Udon noodle soup with shrimp and vegetable tempura was well executed, complete with fish cake. Price points are moderate to high, but the portions are generous and delicious. Service was friendly, knowledgeable, timely and attentive. As a finishing touch—and something I always appreciate—tableside tap-and-go checkout is available via a Toast handheld. Going with a group? Opt for an Instagram-worthy sushi boat, or maybe just the Kusshi Canoe for Two. Try to snag a seat at the sushi bar to watch the chefs work; it’s the best show in the house. I will be roll-ing back very soon. Kusshi 11909 Democracy Drive 571-777-1992 Happy Hour Mon-Fri 3:30 to 6 p.m. Online ordering for delivery or pickup Gift cards available The Reston Letter and its staff do not receive solicitation, compensation, or special endorsement from any restaurant or culinary establishment. Our reviewer dines unannounced to make the experience genuine. Our mission is to provide our readers with an accurate representation of our reviewer's experience so they may make their own informed decisions. Taste, service, and culinary preferences vary.

By Alexis Estep, mom, chef, Restonian Chocolatey, crunchy nests with jelly bean or yogurt raisin "eggs" Spring has officially sprung and we wanted to celebrate by making a classic and fun snack, Bird Nests! Now I know what you are thinking, we won’t be eating real nests, but rather ones made from chow mein noodles and chocolate. What’s not to love?! Ingredients: 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 2⁄3 cup peanut butter or butterscotch chips 1 can (5 oz) chow mein noodles Jelly beans or yogurt covered raisins Instructions: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Melt chocolate and peanut butter chips on low heat over a double boiler or in the microwave in 30 sec increments until melted and smooth. Fold in chow mein noodles until they are thoroughly coated. Spoon 2 tbsp of mixture into a pile for each nest. Top with a few jelly beans or raisins to resemble eggs. Refrigerate until set and then enjoy!

by Restonian The rumors are true. After nearly two decades of covering Reston like invasive English ivy, we’ve decided to move on to brighter, beiger pastures. That’s right—we’re swapping the earth tones of our plastic-fantastic planned community for the bright lights and particleboard charms of our neighbor to the west, Loudoun County. Back in the day, we used to derisively call this “graduating,” but we’re older and … older now. “But why?” one—maybe two—of you unrelated to us by blood or marriage might be asking. “What does Loudoun have that Reston doesn’t?” Thought you’d never ask, silly rabbits. Midscale chains. A wise man once said that when one is tired of visiting the same shops and restaurants found in exurban strip malls blanketing 98 percent of the country, one is tired of life. We do have that here, but fortunately, there’s an even greater movable feast of midscale chain eateries, shopperies, cofferies, saladaries, cupcakeries—maybe even a picklery, if we’re lucky—to our west. Unimproved roads. Ever since they added a fancy third turning lane to the intersection of Route 7 and Baron Cameron, we’ve been overwhelmed—what is this, Talladega? A windy two-lane road originally surveyed by a Civil War general, carrying traffic from dozens of massive subdivisions, would let us “bliss out,” as the kids no longer say, while sitting in never-ending traffic. Latency. When you’re in the highly lucrative online blogging business, every millisecond counts. The only way we can be sure we won’t be scooped on a critical bit of wastewater board meeting news is to have a massive data center behind our home to plug our 300-baud modem directly into. Advantage: Loudoun. Upscale vowels. The word “Reston” does roll off the tongue nicely, but having a couple of luxury “u”s in one’s address speaks to a certain exclusivity we’d like to grow accustomed to. Metro. The only thing better than a nonexpress, 50-minute train to downtown D.C.? A 75-minute one. One Loudoun, which is mathematically one better than Reston Town Center (no numerical value). Spring vibes. Thinking that the Loudoun lifestyle would be an improvement is like living April 1 every day. The end. —Restonian is a Reston blogger

By Hayley Sherwood, Columnist I often meet with parents who wonder why their children “don’t listen.” Many are exasperated after trying “everything” to motivate their kids. That often includes some combination of yelling, issuing consequences such as taking away electronics, offering rewards like shopping trips or money, imposing long or vague grounding, restricting time with friends or assigning extra chores. Instead, what if parents allowed children more say over certain aspects of their lives? Giving children age-appropriate choices helps them build the skills they will need as adults, including executive functioning, self-regulation and task initiation. As children approach adolescence, natural consequences are often more effective than parent-imposed ones. In other words, consider what outcome would most likely happen on its own. When a child has the intellectual and emotional capacity, parents can begin to step back from constant direction and control. Many children are not hungry at set mealtimes and prefer to graze throughout the day. Try to avoid bargaining with your child to “take a bite” or withholding other food if they do not like what is served. At the same time, parents are not short-order cooks. Keep a simple, nutritious option on hand—such as Cheerios—and allow your child to choose that instead of the prepared meal. Cheerios are always an option. Turning meals into a battle is a reliable way to create stressful power struggles and may contribute to disordered eating. It is OK if your child goes to school without a coat, forgets sneakers for gym or wears mismatched outfits. It is OK if they choose athletic shorts every day from elementary school through middle school and beyond. If your child can dress themselves, let them—and, as tempting as it may be, try to hold back commentary. If your child feels cold or cannot participate in P.E. or recess, they may choose differently next time. If they skip combing their hair and receive unsolicited feedback from a peer, that can be a learning opportunity, too. For middle schoolers, even something like toothbrushing can become an issue best addressed by a dentist or another trusted authority figure, rather than through repeated parental reminders. Many children need help with homework, especially early on. It can be useful to create a dedicated workspace at home, with a system for organizing papers, including a place for forms that require signatures and a brightly colored folder for items that need to be returned to school. Some children need time to develop a system that works and may benefit from practicing how to advocate for themselves with teachers, coaches and other adults. Once routines are established—particularly by late middle school—decisions about when and how to complete work should increasingly fall to the child. Teachers, administrators, other trusted adults and peers will help reinforce accountability, creating valuable real-world learning opportunities. Keep in mind that we only “have” our children for about 18 years, give or take. Allowing them the space to learn from experience is one of the best ways to prepare them for adulthood. Psych’d to see you next month! -Dr. S. Do you have a question or a topic you’d like me to address? Please submit suggestions to info@therestonletter.com. Dr. Hayley B. Sherwood is a longtime clinical psychologist in Reston-Herndon. To learn more, visit www.oakhillpsychological.com/ , or see the About Us section to learn more about the team of therapists.

By McAllister Pearce-Biney, student writer Senior Hayden Rita pitched four shut-out innings at the Hornets' home opener. Photo by Karl Majer Herndon’s baseball team has opened the season strong with a 5-2 record, including wins in its first series at home and on the road against Wakefield. The Hornets have shown early consistency at the plate and on the mound. “Preparation played a major role in our success,” said senior David Castillo. “This was a great start, but we can’t be complacent. We emphasize winning the week, and the players have shown grit, togetherness and a growth mindset.” In last week’s series, junior Max Tiboni reached third after a throwing error and scored the go-ahead run on the next pitch. Senior pitcher Hayden Rita set the tone with four shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out six. Castillo led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a triple, two runs scored and two RBIs. Senior Charlie Morgan made key contributions, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs, a run scored and a stolen base. Senior David Castillo races toward first base, going 2-for-3 on opening night. Photo by Karl Majer Herndon’s strong start reflects a program that has posted one of the best records in three of the past five seasons. “Getting a win in front of the home crowd shows the work we put in behind the scenes pays off,” Rita said, adding that the team feeds off strong community support. Coach Stephen Frank said the goal is clear. “We want to be the No. 1 seed and win our district tournament. This team is well prepared for the challenge.” He pointed to consistency on both sides of the ball as a key to the team’s early success. During spring break, the Hornets traveled to Charleston, S.C., for the Shipyard Charleston Invitational, going 2-2 against strong competition, including Vero Beach, Fla., which is 44-6 in its last 50 games. Herndon's JV and varsity teams both comfortably beat their rivals South Lakes this week. The next varsity home game is Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 against Woodgrove.

by Matt Reider, staff writer Senior third baseman Kayla Rudolph (left) and senior pitcher Meagan Maguire celebrate as Payton Berry looks on. The Seahawks softball team spent much of spring break kicking off their season. Photo by Beth Shaw While most high school students were out of the area—or at least out of classes for spring break—Coach Joe Mills spent a summerlike evening in late March at the softball field. His South Lakes varsity team was among Fairfax County squads competing in the annual Spring Break Varsity Softball Invitational. Before the game on Monday, Mills stood outside the left-field fence, coordinating his lineup while sporting a blue South Lakes shirt. His team was spread out beside him, each pair tossing a softball back and forth to warm up. It is his first year coaching South Lakes, although he has been in the softball dugout for years. Like most coaches, he liked his team’s chances. “We have a good group this year,” he said. “We just need to work on a few things.” Although South Lakes had four games scheduled for the tournament, the first, on Saturday, was rained out. The location in Hayfield is a 40-minute drive from South Lakes Drive, yet that night they were considered the home team, hosting the visiting—and undefeated—South County Stallions. Prior to the game, Meagan Maguire (No. 8) and Payton Berry (No. 30) threw warmup pitches along the first-base side. It was a perfect day for softball, the crack of the catcher’s glove echoing the velocity of Maguire’s fastball. The rest of the team took fielding practice from Mills as some parents raked the infield. After a dropped pop fly or two, the coach called out, “Stop being nonchalant and let’s go.” About 10 minutes before the game, three umpires arrived and collected the game balls from the home dugout. A quick meeting at home plate followed among the coaches, umpires and team captains. Maguire started, and the first Stallions batter walked on a 4-1 count. After settling in on the mound, she retired the next three batters in order, ending the half-inning. Like most high school sports, parents were part of the action. Ronny Shaw ran the scoreboard and announced the batters, while Sean Berry kept the scorebook. Parents staffed the snack shack selling $3 hot dogs, younger siblings ran around, and friends and family lined both sides of the field, offering encouragement and restrained commentary on the strike zone. Beth Shaw roamed the sideline taking photos. After two and a half scoreless innings, South Lakes took the lead with three runs on timely hits with runners in scoring position. South County responded in the top of the fourth with two runs. After trading runs, South Lakes held a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth. Senior Fiona Shaw on base. Photo by Beth Shaw The Stallions rallied, taking a 6-4 lead before Mills called in a reliever. Berry entered with one out and closed out the inning without further damage. South Lakes, however, could not capitalize in its final at-bat, and a strikeout ended the game. The team and coach cleared out quickly, holding a brief postgame meeting outside the left-field fence where warmups had taken place a few hours earlier. The buses were ready to depart, and the team looked ahead to the rest of the tournament. The following day, South Lakes hosted the Alexandria City Titans, and the result was never in doubt, an 11-0 victory for the Seahawks. Kayla Rudolph set the tone with two hits, including a triple. Madeline Bryant had two doubles, and Isabel Stinchcomb added two hits, while Cassandra De La Cruz, Rudolph and Maguire all contributed at the plate. Berry hit her first varsity home run, driving in three runs, and also excelled on the mound, holding the Titans scoreless with 12 strikeouts. Later that evening, under the lights, South Lakes again played at home, this time against the Washington-Liberty Generals, but fell 5-2. Maguire started and held the Generals to three hits over seven innings, striking out four. She also issued five walks, which led to four unearned runs. Defensive highlights included a double play, while Berry and Fiona Shaw each drove in a run. Now, more than a week later, as students have returned to their routines and the season has begun to take shape, the Spring Break Invitational stands as an early test for the Seahawks—one that offered a mix of promise, challenges and a glimpse of what may lie ahead under Mills’ leadership.

By Shanen Elliott, sports writer South Lakes Distance Medley Relay team came in third place at Nike Nationals. Photo by Brooks Ross, rossvisuazz The South Lakes Seahawks boys and girls indoor track and field teams wrapped up successful seasons with third-place finishes at the VHSL Class 6 State Championships at the Virginia Beach Sports Complex. The boys scored 44 points, trailing only state champion Gainesville (51) and runner-up Patriot (49), while the girls scored 51 points, behind Robinson (75) and North Stafford (53). Seniors Alex Guthrie and Blake Jackson led the boys. Guthrie claimed the Class 6 sprint titles in the 55-meter dash (6.33 seconds) and 300-meter dash (34.03 seconds, a school record) and anchored the boys 4x200 relay team to seventh place. Jackson won the long jump (23-5.5) and placed second in the triple jump (47-2.75), setting South Lakes school records in both events. The duo contributed 40 of the boys’ 44 points. Other scorers included senior Milo Wilkins (shot put, 5th), senior Hayato Tano, junior Lordweasley Ahape and senior Julian Laurence. The girls continued their relay dominance with a fourth consecutive state title in the 4x800 relay, finishing in 9:04.67 and overcoming a 60-meter deficit on the final lap. The team—freshman Quinn Jackson, junior Sarah Ghantiwala, senior Aya Ryan and anchor Caroline Elliott—ranked fifth nationally. Elliott also added 14 points with runner-up finishes in the 1,600 and third in the 1,000 meters, while Ryan placed second in the 500 meters and anchored the 4x400 relay to fourth place. Other standout performances included sophomore Tia Tuffour, third in the 55-meter hurdles, and the 4x200 relay team, which finished second. Two weeks later, several Seahawks competed at Nike’s Indoor National Championships at New York City’s Armory. Alex Guthrie finished sixth in the 200 meters, while the girls 4x200 relay also placed sixth. Both the girls Distance Medley and Sprint Medley relays earned All-American honors, with the Sprint Medley setting a new South Lakes school record of 3:59.08. The South Lakes Seahawks will carry their post-season momentum into the VHSL outdoor track and field season.

By Erin Gibbens, SLHS theatre boosters There’s something special about a musical that makes you laugh while also making you feel seen. That’s exactly what audiences will experience in "9 to 5: The Musical," on stage at South Lakes High School April 30 through May 2. Set in a 1970s office, the story follows Violet (Lily Ingraham), Judy (Jocelyn Looney) and Doralee (Sidney Walkup), three women who are very different but united by a shared experience: being underestimated. Doralee, in particular, challenges assumptions and forms an unexpected alliance built on dignity, strength and self-awareness. “Playing Doralee has been really special, not just because it’s been so much fun, but also because of what she represents,” said Walkup, a South Lakes sophomore. “Women are often judged for what they do, say or wear, and Doralee shows the importance of staying true to yourself. That’s a message I’m proud to share.” The production highlights the small, real moments of solidarity—side glances, shared laughter and the courage to stand up for one another. “It’s a story that celebrates friendship, resilience and the courage it takes to stand up for what’s right,” said Michael Viola, director of South Lakes Theatre Arts. Tickets are available for performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, and Friday, May 1, and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.slakestheatre.com/

By Ellyn Wexler, staff writer GlamourGals South Lakes founder Zahra Nikzad poses with a Brightview Great Falls resident. Photo by Azza Ali When Zahra Nikzad launched a chapter of the nonprofit GlamourGals at South Lakes High School in 2025, she hoped to make a meaningful difference. Unable to visit her own grandmother, who lives in another country, she saw an opportunity to reach out to seniors in her local community. The idea felt ambitious, but she was drawn to the organization’s mission: bringing teens and seniors together to build lasting relationships through small acts of kindness. “It’s about showing up,” Nikzad said. “That’s what makes the difference.” GlamourGals, a national nonprofit with 162 chapters, pairs students with seniors for hands-on grooming sessions and companionship. The program aims to combat social isolation and foster intergenerational bonds. Students help seniors feel confident and appreciated through thoughtful attention, whether painting nails, styling hair or sharing a relaxed conversation over tea. For Nikzad, the most rewarding moments come from seeing seniors light up when someone listens, laughs or takes the time to engage. A resident at Brightview Great Falls shows off her manicure alongside GlamourGals volunteers Charlotte Kaple and Lily Bowen. Photo by Zahra Nikzad Treasurer Noor Atiya never expected that a simple manicure or conversation could spark such meaningful connections. “I thought it was just about doing nails, but it’s so much more,” she said. “Even a smile or kind word can brighten someone’s day and teaches patience, empathy and the value of listening.” Vice President Mena Yacob agreed. “It’s not about the nails or the hair,” she said. “It’s about building real relationships. Listening to their stories, laughing at their jokes and learning from their experiences—those are the moments that stay with you.” For many students, GlamourGals has been a chance to step outside their own routines and gain perspective. “I’ve been struck by the humor and resilience of the seniors I meet,” said club member Azza Ali. “They tell stories you’d never hear in school and they have this amazing ability to find joy in little things.” Students often bring personal touches to their sessions, such as themed nail art, crafts or favorite music. Nikzad said these gestures deepen connections and leave lasting impressions. Books, games or personal photos from students’ lives often spark laughter and conversation, creating bonds that extend beyond the time together. Nikzad observed students applying nail polish while chatting with residents, laughing over shared stories and gentle teasing. One initially shy resident lit up when a student asked to see her favorite family photos. She proudly showed the photos and told stories about her grandchildren, a moment that showed these experiences are equally rewarding for seniors and students. Nikzad said she’s seen how these visits lift spirits and encourage conversation among residents. GlamourGal volunteer Azza Ali works on a manicure for a resident of t Brightview Great Falls. Photo by Zahra Nikzad Through these interactions, students say they’ve grown more confident, compassionate and aware of the challenges seniors face. “You realize that gestures of attention and support can make a real impact,” Nikzad said. “It’s motivating to see that what we do matters, not just for the seniors but for ourselves too.” In just a few months, South Lakes’ GlamourGals chapter has grown from a single idea into a lively program that bridges generations. More than a club, it’s a place where students and seniors connect, swap stories, share laughs and spread a little joy, proving that even small acts of kindness can leave a big mark.