< Previous28 COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 COVER CONFIDENTIAL MEET IRELAND BANNER Ireland Banner, born and raised in San Antonio, is a third-year medical student at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galves- ton with deep roots in the Lone Star State. Tell us about your family and growing up in Texas. I started dancing at the age of 3, played tennis, piano and did horseback riding. My mother and grandma both grew up in San Antonio, as well and my dad’s side of the family is all from Houston, so we are full Texan through and through! My sister and I are three and a half years apart but have always been inseparable. We did everything together from matching in our little Rice University cheerleading outfits when we were younger visiting my dad’s alma mater to doing a duet in our annual dance recitals, or taking horse- back-riding lessons together. My sister is a Make-A-Wish coordinator for Central and South Texas and the head dance team coach at a local high school. My father is a physician and graduated from dental school and medical school in San Antonio. He is an avid golfer and loves to play different courses all over Texas. My mother is a meteorologist for News 4 WOAI in San Antonio and also is an antique guru. She has two antique stores, one in Comfort, Texas, and one in Rockport, Texas, which focuses on unique treasures from all over the world and highlighting Texan artists. Growing up in San Antonio with my fam- ily was always fun and there is never a dull moment in the Buckley house! Fun fact: My great-grandfather was J.W. Sartwelle, who is credited for coining the name “Brahman” bull for this breed of cattle and co-founded the American Brahman Breeders Associa- tion and The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 1932. What led you to medical school? I have dreamed of following in my dad’s footsteps and becoming a doctor for as long as I can remember. I am planning on going into pediatrics and becoming a pediatric hospitalist. I plan to practice medicine in ireland Banner leads Kimber along the beach between Surfside Beach and Galveston. COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 29 Texas with my husband, who is also in med- ical school, and we are excited to see where residency takes us in Texas in the future. I also am a certified fitness instructor and teach barre and Pilates at Bent on Healthy Living Wellness Center in Galveston. This has been such a fun experience to connect with the local Galveston community and promote health and wellness. What is the most Texas thing about you? I think the most Texas thing about me is my bubbly personality and hospitality. Growing up, everyone said “hi” to everyone and always offered a helping hand. That was a great example for me as a child because I saw the impact those small gestures had on others. I try to remind myself that one small act of kindness can make a large impact on someone’s day. And, of course, my love for good food of all types of cuisines and saying “y’all” without even thinking about it! Do you have a favorite pair of boots or hat? What do you like the most about it? It’s hard to choose between my two favor- ite pairs of boots because they are so unique in their own way. My first favorite is my pair of brown Tecovas that have colorful flowers along the side, adding a bright pop of color that matches with any outfit and makes me feel feminine and fun. My second favorite pair of boots were a gift from my parents. They are a custom set of black Lucchese boots that are Spurs- themed. They have the Spurs NBA logo on one boot and “Go Spurs Go” on the other boot, making them so festive and fun to wear to games and out and about in San Antonio. I remember my sister and I used to fight over who got to wear those boots to the Spurs game when we went as a family because we both love them so much! Do you think growing up in Texas has shaped who you are? I definitely think growing up in Texas has shaped me into the person I am today. Texans are known for their friendliness and hospitality, and that’s something I try to carry with me in my daily life and in my pursuit of a career in medicine. The diversity of the state, living in many different cities over the years, has given me an appreciation for dif- ferent cultures, traditions and ways of life. Growing up in San Antonio, I loved how the city celebrates everything — whether it’s Fiesta, Día de los Muertos, or the magical lighting of the River Walk at Christmas. This taught me the importance of celebrating everything in life, from large wins to small mundane everyday successes. Then, spend- ing my college years in Waco, which pro- vided me with an amazing experience that focused on community and tradition. Now, living in Galveston, I’ve come to love the easygoing island feel of the city. It’s a place where you can relax by the beach and enjoy the coastal vibe, yet it’s only 45 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Houston. Texas has a way of making me feel proud of where I come from and excited for each new city that I move to for the experiences that shape me even more, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Who is your Texas hero? George Strait is my Texas hero because he embodies everything great about the state — his music, humility, family focus and deep Texas roots. As the “King of Country,” he stayed true to traditional country music while celebrating Texas culture through songs like “Amarillo By Morning” and “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.” I remember driving around in my dad’s car, singing every George Strait song we knew, thinking how cool is it that I get to live in the same city as him? Even after all of his success, he still chose to make Texas his home, which I think speaks loudly of his character, down-to-earth personality and the greatness that Texas has to offer. Despite his fame, he remains humble and proud of where he comes from, making him a true Texas legend and my Texas hero! What part of Texas do you like the most? I love Texas because of its incredible di- versity — there’s something for everyone, no matter what you’re looking for. Each part of the state has its own unique charm. In San Antonio, you get rich history, vibrant culture and celebrations like Fiesta. Austin is the live music capital of the world, full of creativity, great food and outdoor fun at places like Barton Springs. Houston is a melting pot of cultures, with world-class museums, incred- ible food from every corner of the globe, and NASA’s Space Center. Dallas-Fort Worth blends modern city life with classic Texas traditions, from big business to stockyards and rodeos. West Texas offers breathtaking landscapes like Big Bend National Park, perfect for adventure seekers. And the Gulf Coast, with places like Galveston and Corpus Christi, brings an easygoing beach vibe that is the perfect weekend getaway or family trip. No matter what you’re in the mood for — history, music, food, nature, or sports — there is no need to travel far, Texas has it all! My other favorite part of Texas is the hospitality. It truly makes this state feel like home. Texans have a way of making people feel welcome, whether you’ve lived here your whole life or just arrived. There’s an unspoken rule that kindness and gener- osity go a long way, and you can see it everywhere, from small towns to big cities. Growing up here, I saw firsthand how wel- coming Texans can be. When my college roommate from Wash- ington was surprised by how people held doors open for her, strangers smiled at her walking to class, and classmates asking ques- tions about her hometown to help make her feel comfortable in a new state, it reminded me that kindness and generosity are second nature in Texas. This hospitality is not just seen in small gestures, they’re celebrated in big ways, too. From massive festivals like San Antonio’s Fiesta to the way entire towns rally together after natural disasters, Texans take care of each other. It’s a state where you can feel at home, and that is something I will never take for granted. “Texans are known for their friendliness and hospitality, and that’s something I try to carry with me in my daily life and in my pursuit of a career in medicine.” IRELAND BANNER30 COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 MEET CODY GASPARD Cody Gaspard was born in Galveston and grew up in Santa Fe, Texas. While he’s more apt to wear a ball cap and steel-toe boots, he’s a true Texan. Tell us about where you were born and grew up and about your family. My roots run deep in this state. Growing up, our large Czech family gathered ev- ery Sunday for dinner, a tradition that has shaped my sense of community and family values. What do you do for a living? I started as a grunt at a metal company in Galveston and worked through the ranks to finally become a salesman for the products that we manufactured. What is the most Texas thing about you or that you’ve done? I thought, growing up, that living in Col- orado was the move, but after frequenting Colorado for the Steamboat music fest, I realized that I would much rather mow grass than shovel snow every day. I went to a place in Uvalde, Texas, called the “Ox Ranch” for my bachelor party. Out- side of the guns we shot, the cannon I fired and the flamethrower, the most Texas thing that I can honestly say is I had to hit the brakes on the tank I was driving because a giraffe was crossing the road. Do you have a favorite pair of boots or hat? What do you like the most about it? To be honest, I’m more of a ball cap guy. But I do believe that everyone should own a winter (felt) and a summer (straw) cowboy hat for those special occasions. Similar with boots. I need steel-toe boots for my occupation, but I also own some dress boots for the right settings. Do you think growing up in Texas has shaped who you are? I wear being a Texan as a badge of honor. We are one of the most culturally diverse states and are very proud of our indepen- dence. As George Strait says, “Texas is a place I dearly love to be.” COVER CONFIDENTIAL Who is your Texas hero? Charlie Robison is a true Texas hero. He was a pioneer in the Red Dirt Music move- ment and is a pivotal character in most mil- lennial-aged Texans’ lives. “My Hometown” was a gateway song for anyone learning to play a three-chord song in the early 2000s. What part of Texas do you like the most? The greatest part of Texas has to be the Hill Country. Nothing is better than floating a tube on the Guadalupe in New Braunfels or the Frio in Leakey and going to Gruene Hall or House Pasture for some live music! Cody Gaspard with Sonny Boy, an American Quarter Horse from Galveston Island Horse & Pony Rides. Gaspard, who was born in Galveston and grew up in Santa Fe, takes prides in being a Texan, he said.32 COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 CURRENTS | ART ‘THEY’RE MAJESTIC’ Artist known for Western work finds new inspiration in island birds and scenery story by EMMA BROCATO photos by STUART VILLANUEVA A rtist Vickie McMillan-Hayes portrays Western culture and the cowboy life with an emphasis on the hunting-based conservation model. “I’m a conservation artist,” McMillan-Hayes said. “I believe in culling and protecting and not over-hunting or over-culling different species.” Her work has been displayed in galleries such as the Briscoe Western Art Museum in San Antonio, the Broadmoor Galleries in Colorado Springs, the Mountain Oyster Club in Tucson, Arizona, and many more. McMillan-Hayes, who recently moved to Galves- ton, graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in painting and drawing, having majored in watercolor. Although she loved watercolor, her disability later made it necessary for her to switch to acrylic, her current medium, she said. Since age 16, McMil- lan-Hayes has had essential tremors, or involuntary shaking in her hands. The condition meant that watercolor revealed the movements of her hands. But acrylic is more forgiving because of its texture, she said. Her in-home studio is full of these textured paintings — depicting cows, cowboys, hunters and mystical landscapes. Natural light spills in through the windows and a leather apron hangs over a chair. A taxidermied pheasant sits on the front table to provide reference for painting. Since moving to Galveston, McMillan-Hayes has (Right) Galveston artist Vickie McMillan-Hayes’ work centers around Western themes, cowboy culture and wildlife. COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 3334 COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 CURRENTS | ART continued to take inspiration from nature. “I spend a lot of time walking on the beach,” she said. “I spend a lot of time boat- ing with my sons. We fish a lot.” She studies the currents and fish to get a better understanding of her subject, she said. McMillan-Hayes often practices plein air painting, sitting outside and capturing her subject directly. Galveston’s landscapes are changing her colors, inspiring more pastel shades on her palette, she said. She also has taken inspiration from the many birds that call the island home. Her painting titled “Freedom” depicts a white heron. “I think that they’re so beautiful, the way the white feathers are blowing in the wind,” she said. “They’re majestic, the birds. So we’re surrounded constantly with the flux of migra- tion that comes through here.” McMillan-Hayes is working on an outdoor art installation at The Bryan Museum in Gal- veston, which will be unveiled in September to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the 1900 Storm, which killed between 6,000 and 8,000 people, with some accounts re- porting as many as 12,000 deaths; making it the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Members of the public will be invited to contribute a stroke of paint. She plans to spend six weeks researching to make the project as accurate as possible. “It’s going to be a painting of hope; it is not a painting of devastation,” McMillan-Hayes said. “But I have to be accurate.” (From left) Vibrant colors, wildlife and nature all are hallmarks of Galveston artist Vickie McMillan-Hayes’ work; a hunting scene is featured in one of McMillan-Hayes’ paintings. “I’m a conservation artist. I believe in culling and protecting and not over-hunting or over-culling different species.” VICKIE MCMILLAN-HAYES36 COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 CURRENTS | ART KEEPING A COMMITMENT Moody Mansion showcases influential islander’s Native American collection story by LAURA PENNINO | photos by JENNIFER REYNOLDS M ary Elizabeth Moody Northen made a lifelong commitment to supporting Native Americans after seeing an outdoor play about the Trail of Tears that depicted the plight of tribes, mostly Cherokee, who experienced the forced relocation from their ancestral lands in pres- ent-day Oklahoma in the mid-1800s. Thousands of Indians died in the process. To commemorate what would have been Northen’s 133rd birthday and to demonstrate her passion for native people and their culture, Moody Mansion opened a Native Amer- ican Collection on Feb. 9. Woven baskets, rugs, clothing, baby moccasins and a rare necklace made of bear claws, bone and wood are just some of the special items chosen for the collection. An impressive squash blossom necklace made of sterling silver and turquoise jewelry is one of many items that stand out. Northen was the first child born in Galveston to Libbie Rice Shearn and William L. Moody Jr. on Feb. 10, 1892. Her grandfather, Col. W.L. Moody Sr., a native of Virginia, was a prominent business leader who established successful cotton, wool, banking, railroad and other ventures in Gal- veston after the Civil War. She married insurance company owner Edwin Clyde “Mike” Northen on Dec. 1, 1915. Throughout her life, Mary Moody Northen supported COASTMONTHLY.COM | ApriL 2025 37 A Plains Indian beaded dress and pipe bag are part of Mary Moody Northen’s Native American Collection on display at Moody Mansion in Galveston. (Opposite) Sharon Batiste Gillins, a genealogist and research associate for the Mary Moody Northen Endowment, served as the lead exhibit director for the Native American Collection.Next >