< Previous70 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuLY 2025 SHIP SHAPE exercise and social connection,” Ryan said. “We use pool noodles and aquatic weights in shal- low water to assist with improving flexibility and strengthening muscles, so our classes are varied. We tell jokes, and we have fun.” Lasker Park Community Pool in Galves- ton offers 14 water fitness classes Tuesdays through Sundays for people ages 16 and older, said Jami Huygens, aquatics manager for the city of Galveston Parks and Recre- ation Department. Six instructors conduct water fitness classes at the Lasker Pool — Kathy Aaron, Peggy Bald- win, Kim Shelton, Lee Ann Simon, Gina Smith and Bernice Torregrossa — and they have an impressive set of aquatic fitness credentials. “Our instructors play their own music that suits their class style the best,” Huygens said. “We have equipment that can be used such as pool noodles, water weights, kick boards and tennis balls. We even had an instructor using drumsticks in a recent class. But our instructors do not always use equipment.” Torregrossa likes to incorporate flotation devices for core workouts or kickboards for resistance exercises, she said. “One of my favorite pieces of equipment is the pool wall — it’s a great way to work the core muscles,” she said. “Water fitness can be a great all-around workout that incor- porates all major muscle groups, improves balance, strength and flexibility, and offers cardiovascular benefits. Swimming skills are not necessary for water fitness classes.” Aaron enjoys teaching water fitness classes as well as being a participant, she said. “People of all fitness levels, ages and sizes can participate,” Aaron said. “We may have one person who comes in with a walker, and one who does half marathons, and they do the same workout with modi- fications or intensifiers. Speaking as a par- ticipant as well as an instructor, I can work out longer and harder in the water than I can on land. That allows me to build mus- cle and increase cardiovascular endurance without any pain in my joints. Additional- ly, water fitness classes provide essential socialization, fresh air and stress relief that supports emotional wellbeing.” Some professional sports teams incorpo- rate water workouts as a regular component of their training regimen, Shelton said. “I’ve taken classes from a few certified instructors from other states, including some who work with NFL teams, NBA teams and I think one or two soccer teams. It’s fascinat- ing,” Shelton said. Clear Lake City Sports and Recreation Complex: www.clcca.org Lasker Park Community Pool: www.galvestontx. gov/530/Lasker-Park-Community-Pool Nancy Ryan, center, guides her students through exercises during her class at Clear Lake City Sports and Recreation Complex. COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuLY 2025 71 Compassionate Guidance in Your Time of Need. E. R. Johnson Family Mortuary has been serving Galveston County and surrounding areas with empathy and reverence for several decades. Our roots are deeply ingrained in the community by standing side by side with families as they take their first steps towards healing. During this time, you will seek guidance from someone who understands the needs of families in celebrating the life of their loved one with dignity. Making sure that we take all precautions in maintaining a safe environment to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of everyone. E. R. Johnson Family Mortuary has always been at the forefront of making sure the families we serve receive our utmost attention and care. We look forward to being your source for compassionate care and exemplary service. We stand ready to help you honor your loved one by keeping the tradition of offering “Quality, Distinctive and Professional Service”. 3828 Ave O | Galveston, TX 77550 409.762.8470 E. R. Johnson Family Mortuary COAST MONTHLY delivered to your inbox! galvnews.com/ newsletters Sign up for our monthly newsletter72 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuLY 2025 FEATURE ‘CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM’ Juneteenth pageants help contestants showcase talent, further their education story by LAURA PENNINO A round the world, Galveston is known as the birthplace of Juneteenth. And now, the upper Texas coast is becoming known for host- ing Juneteenth pageants for girls and young women. While the Civil War was still raging, Presi- dent Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipa- tion Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. But about 250,000 enslaved people in Texas weren’t informed they were free people for more than two years. Juneteenth commemorates that histo- ry-making and life-changing day — June 19, 1865 — when U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3 in Gal- veston announcing to enslaved people in Tex- as they were free. The United States Colored Troops were instrumental in ensuring this message of freedom was delivered. Two cities on the upper Texas coast will host Juneteenth pageants this year. Texas City will host Miss Juneteenth Texas contes- tants in July, and Galveston will host Miss Juneteenth USA contestants in October. The national pageant is an educational and scholarship-driven program focused on community service, education and cultural awareness, Miss Juneteenth USA co-founder Sylvia Lewis-Harris said. The winners of state-level Miss Juneteenth pageants advance to the national pageant and serve as ambassadors for freedom, op- portunity, achievement and female empow- erment, Lewis-Harris said. “Juneteenth pageants are much more than beauty contests,” she said. “These pageants have been held for decades in several states, including Colorado, Oregon, Delaware, Flori- da, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Illinois and Texas. Supporters wanted to continue the tradition of celebrating young women on a national platform. So, we held the first National Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant Program during the Covid pandemic in 2020 in Mem- phis, Tennessee, with three contestants.” Participation in Juneteenth pageants is growing. More than 20 girls and teens will participate in three Juneteenth Texas pageant age categories July 10-13 in the Texas City High School Auditorium. The public is invited on July 12 when winners and finalists are an- nounced. The admission fee is $15 per person. Texas City resident Madison Swain was named the first Miss Juneteenth Texas in 2023 when she was 18. She advanced to the Miss Juneteenth USA pageant in October 2023 in Philadelphia where she was named first runner-up. She also won the talent COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuLY 2025 73 Madison Swain, from Texas City, was the first Miss Juneteenth Texas in 2023 and named first runner-up in the Miss Juneteenth USA pageant the same year. Swain is choreographing the opening dance routines for this year’s competitions. JENNIFER REYNOLDS74 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuLY 2025 FEATURE competition at the national level. “Juneteenth pageants are important because they are a celebration of free- dom and Black culture,” Swain said. “These pageants offer a platform for young women to showcase our talent, leadership and commitment to our communities, and the pageants further our education. Most of these pageants around the country offer scholarships.” Organizers and supporters covered her registration fees, airfare and ac- commodations so she could partici- pate in the Miss Juneteenth USA 2023 pageant, Swain said. Through her participation in both the Texas and national pageants, she also received scholarships and book vouchers worth about $4,000 that enabled her to pur- sue and earn an associate’s degree at Blinn College. She will attend Prairie View A&M University this fall. Swain is involved in the Miss June- teenth Texas pageant and the Miss Juneteenth USA pageant this year. She’s choreographing the opening dance routines. She also will be on call to help behind the scenes and offer advice to the girls as needed, she said. Karrie Hargrave, who has been serving as the Miss Juneteenth Texas pageant director since 2023, said Lew- is-Harris encouraged her to organize and host a statewide pageant. So, she did. In addition to her role in produc- ing the pageants in Texas City in July, she also is one of the lead organizers for the Miss Juneteenth USA pageant in Galveston this October. “I would like to pack the Texas City High School Auditorium in July with 400 or 500 spectators,” Hargrave said. “I want to increase participation in Juneteenth pageants in terms of contestants, spectators and scholarship sponsors. Currently, we are able to provide a $1,000 scholarship to the winner of Miss Juneteenth Texas. But I would like us to award $2,500 to $5,000.” 2024 Miss Juneteenth Texas contestants, back row, from left, Jermoni Taylor, Arianna Beasley, Kelliyah Kennedy, Skylar Jones, Madison Swain 2023 Miss Juneteenth Texas, Fallon McMurrin, Kaidlen Key and Toneisha Martinez; front row, Rhylei Porter, Lauryn Johnson,Teyah Fanuiel and Lauren Lavender. Key was crowned 2024 Miss Juneteenth Texas. The 2025 competition is set for July 10-13 in Texas City. CO u RTESY COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuLY 2025 75 Bay Area Kitchens Our Showroom is Open BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 17306 Highway 3, Webster, TX 77598 281.338.2737 We Begin With Thoughtful Design. MINDFUL KITCHEN DESIGN | GOURMET APPLIANCES | LUXURY CUSTOM CABINETRY SCAN TO VIEW OUR WORK YOU WANT YOUR INBOX THE NEWS DELIVERED TO scan the QR code with your smartphone or visit galvnews.com/ newsletters76 COASTMONTHLY.COM | LY 2025 YOU WEAR IT WELL “These are Kendra Scott shell earrings and I wear them all summer because they are white and go with everything.” “I would wear these stars and stripes earrings by Jess Lea to a Fourth of July party. They are so on trend as they have both bows and pearls.” “This David Yurman ring is silver, gold and has pavé diamonds. Wearing mixed metals was taboo, but now it’s fashionable. I love having mixed metal pieces because then you can wear gold and silver jewelry together.” “These BuDhaGirl bracelets come in stacks of nine. They are plastic tubes filled with real gold flakes and are super fun. You can wear them in the shower and at the beach. They encourage mindfulness as you reflect on your day and goals when you put them on in the morning.” “Three-inch wedges are my signature shoe. These white, strappy Blowfish brand shoes are perfect for summer. Fun fact — they float. I actually wore them on a float down Galveston Bay.” “Michelle McDowell designed my red, white and blue dress. She does a lot of game day and resort wear and I just love her.” “This Sugarlips maxi dress is so me. It has pockets and bright colors and I will wear it all summer.” Each month, Coast Monthly puts the spotlight on some of the most stylish people on the upper Texas coast. “The Brighton watchband is a brand we stock and it works with any Apple watch.” COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuLY 2025 77 (713)588-1788 paul.vincent@primelending.com ThePaulVincentTEAM.com PaulVincentandhisteamwishyoua Safe,Happy&HealthyIndependenceDay! 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BELLE OF THE BALL Boutique owner loves glitz and glam of Texas fashion story by SHANNON CALDWELL photos by JENNIFER REYNOLDS F ashionista Jennifer Pruett believes more is more when it comes to fashion. “I love bright floral prints, lots of pink and maxi dresses,” Pruett said. “I wear 3-inch wedges even if it’s just a backyard party. I always do my hair and makeup and usually wear my signa- ture hot pink lipstick.” Her 91-year-old grandmother Lee, who is always immaculate whether she’s at a bunco game or the grocery store, is Pruett’s fashion icon, she said. Lee is the namesake of Pru- ett’s two Belle Lees boutiques in Kemah and Galveston. A third store — Belle’s Bubbly Bar & Boutique — will be opening on The Strand in downtown Galveston this summer. An entrepreneur since her teenage years, Pruett was a teacher and network marketing salesperson before deciding to launch her own business. The secrets to her success are having a great team, finding unique items at markets in Dallas and Las Vegas, and helping customers to style their outfits. “I do follow fashion but I know what trends my customers won’t like and what they will like,” she said. “Someone told me leopard print is back and I said I didn’t think it ever went away.” She loves the glitz and glam of Texas fash- ion from big hair to coordinated accessories, she said. “My son is in the Navy and when he was stationed in Virginia I would try to tone down my look when I visited him but I still stood out,” she said. Now that he’s posted to Italy, Pruett is excited to visit, she said. “Who knows, I might open a store there next,” she said. 78 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuLY 2025 The Daily News named Gina Spagnola, president and CEO of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce, its 2025 Citizen of the Year during an event May 21 at The San Luis Resort in Galveston. More than 100 guests attended the event honoring this year’s 10 finalists. The Daily News also presented three new awards at the ceremony, including the Legacy Award to College of the Mainland President Warren Nichols, Business Person of the Year to Galveston restaurateur Paco Vargas and Nonprofit of the Year to assisted living facility The Independence Village. Photos by Aymiel Fleming THE DAILY NEWS CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS DINNER PARTY PICS PICTURED: 1. Legacy Award winner Warren Nichols and his wife, Chris. 2. Caroline Spagnola, Federica Fileccia, Citizen of the Year Gina Spagnola and her husband, Bob. 3. Citizen of the Year finalist Dennis Byrd and Vic Pierson. 4. Independence Village board members Fred Kindervater, Connor Doyle, Rebecca Millo, Jennifer Ott, retiring Executive Director Judy Slocumb, Mary Ann Klusman, incoming Executive Director Janice Johnston, Bill McGarvey and J.B. Pritchett. 5. Maryrine and Leonard Woolsey, publisher of The Daily News and president of Southern Newspapers Inc. 6. Tara Mize, Catherine Boudoin, Daily News Circulation Director Yvonne Mascorro, Bianca Jenson, Daily News Revenue Director Michelle Robinson and Catherine Sachko. 7. Raymond Fuentes, Ina Rabacu, Cristina Rabacu and Luis Plata. 8. Coast Monthly Editor Laura Elder, the Rev. Ray and Vivian Pinard and Daily News Editor Michael A. Smith. 1 2 3 4 65 78 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuLY 2025 79 The Dickinson Independent School District Education Foundation pre- sented its Havana Nights gala May 16 at South Shore Harbour Resort in League City. The annual event brings together community leaders and supporters to raise funds for the students, teachers and staff of the Dickinson school district. Guests enjoyed dinner, music, casino games, silent and live auctions. Photos by Carla Peoples DICKINSON ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION GALA PARTY PICS PICTURED: 1. Carissa Deats, James Deats, Phyllis Deats, Eddie Brickell, Christine Morrison and Joseph Morrison. 2. Manny Torres, Vicki Mims, Melissa Torres, Dickinson ISD Superintendent Rebecca Brown and Roy Montalbano. 3. Eric and Tonia Johnson. 4. Seated: Kylie and Mike Gonzalez; standing: Sonja Fuqua, Emily Sereni, Paulina Biscamp and Brittany Slayton. 5. Mandie McMillian Crowder with Keith and Holly Lilley. 6. Amy and Jason Garza. 7. Jordan and Heidi Doddek with Kinsey and Nick Droege. 8. Arron and Angela Willingham. 9. Jim Rubach, Renee Casey, Steve Casey and Sam Mims. 1 2 6 5 43 789Next >