FSM June 2022

People to Watch

A s Frisco has Barbara Fasola to address the gaps and
rapidly grown deficiencies in health and
and developed, Chief Executive Officer wellness benefits in America
so have so and adjust the company
Careington International Corporation

many of the companies accordingly so that we can

and corporations that are headquartered here. Barbara provide innovative products and services for companies

Fasola, chief executive officer of Careington International and individuals who need our solutions.”

Corporation, has had a front-row seat as both the city and Outside of her corporate role, Fasola is most proud of

the company have grown and developed. the nonprofit organization she founded called Families of

Fasola began her career at Careington International World War II Veterans, which helps preserve the legacies of

Corporation in 1988 as a sales representative and worked those who served in the war while providing scholarships

her way up the ranks to become CEO in January 2000. for deserving students. “We want to help students …

She currently serves in that capacity for Careington and throughout their college career. My goal was to find a way

its affiliate companies. She became a Frisco resident in to teach future generations about the important lessons of

2001 when Careington moved its corporate headquarters the war while raising funds for college scholarships.” The

from Dallas to Frisco (it was one of the first corporations organization awards scholarships to deserving students in

to break ground here). “I’ve always believed that Frisco is a Frisco and across the nation annually.

community that fosters business, innovation, inclusion and Additionally, Fasola was recently selected to be a

diversity, which has helped make it possible for us to not member of the Boys & Girls Club of Collin County Capital

only expand our business model, but also attract and retain Campaign Cabinet. She is also a supporter of the American

staff,” she says. "Careington started with only 40 employees Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and has served on the

and today we have nearly 500 employees.” Board of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation

Finding daily motivation in those with whom she since 2015 on the Government Relations Committee for the

works, Fasola says she continually seeks to further both City of Frisco.

Careington’s mission as well as her own. “What motivates

me each day are the people I get to work with, including Allie Spletter is a freelance writer who can be found roaming the

Careington’s employees, our network of providers and aisles of Target, getting lost in a good book, or watching Hamilton
the clients we serve,” she says. “My personal mission is … again.

JUNE 2022  51

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DIDYou Know?

Hospital receives high marks Cost projections updated

Medical City Frisco was the recipient of an “A” Leapfrog The pending Frisco Performing Arts Center, a joint-
Hospital Safety Grade for spring 2022. This national partnership project between the City of Frisco, HALL
distinction recognizes the facility’s achievements in Group and Frisco ISD, could end up costing more than
protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the initially planned. The Frisco Enterprise reports that a
hospital. An independent national watchdog organization, cost summary update for the project was presented
the Leapfrog Group assigns grades to general hospitals during a recent Frisco ISD Board of Trustees meeting, and
across the country based on more than 30 national revealed that estimates are more than double the dollar
performance measures. The peer-reviewed grading amount that is currently set for construction. Estimated
system is fully transparent and results are available free to total costs could range from more than $135 million to
the public. Grades are updated twice annually. construct a 1,250-seat venue to upward of $181 million for
a center with capacity to seat 1,750 people.
Scholarship winners announced
Currently, $67 million in funds are available to build the
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced center, with $43 million coming from Frisco ISD courtesy
this year’s National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners of a bond that passed in 2018; $10 million being provided
and corporate-sponsored scholarship winners, who by the HALL Group; and $14 million from the City of Frisco.
include 28 Frisco ISD students. The students entered the The revised estimates are related to the project’s theater
2022 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the and do not include the land upon which the center will be
Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test situated nor a planned parking structure. Rising costs for
during their junior year. The highest-scoring participants, materials and equipment as well as labor reportedly played
representing less than one percent of the nation’s a role in the increased estimates. As a result, the final size
seniors, were named semifinalists including 110 FISD and scope of the project, as well as its overall viability,
students. Semifinalists had to fulfill several requirements could be re-evaluted.
to advance to finalist. Scholars were selected by a
committee of college admissions officers and high school Company comes to Frisco
counselors. Only 15,000 students from across the country
were named finalists in the 2022 program. A list of Frisco Ruiz Food Products, Inc. recently announced that it is
ISD finalists is at friscoisd.org/news. establishing a regional headquarters at Frisco’s Hall
Park, which will operate in conjunction with its existing
The picture of health regional headquarters in California. Dan Antonelli, the
company’s president and CEO, said it realized a need
According to the recent 2022 County Health Rankings for a centrally located regional headquarters in a larger
report, produced by the University of Wisconsin metropolitan area. The selection of Frisco “will allow for
Population Health Institute, Collin County is the healthiest greater business opportunities, more efficient access to
county in Texas. Denton County was ranked in second each of our facilities and easier recruitment of talent with
place out of all 254 counties statewide. The Dallas important skill sets, such as consumer products, IT, and
Morning News reports that the such factors as overall marketing experience.” An initial group of the company’s
life expectancy, quality of life, clinical care and health senior executive leadership will begin operating here soon
behaviors were evaluated to determine the results. Other and the company projects to employ at least 125 additional
counties that landed in the top 10 were Williamson, Fort team members by 2026. Ruiz Foods is the nation’s largest
Bend, Rockwall, Travis, Kendall, Hays, Hemphill and Comal. frozen Mexican food manufacturer.

Musicians sought for event Piano bar planned

Audition applications are being accepted through June A dueling piano bar will soon debut at The Star in Frisco.
6 for musicians who are interested in performing on the The Dallas Morning News reports that Low Key Piano Bar is
Community Stage during this year’s Frisco Freedom Fest scheduled to open later this year in a space that previously
events scheduled July 3-4. Frisco-based musicians, housed the Jihwaja Korean BBQ restaurant. The piano
bands and soloists are encouraged to apply by submitting bar has a location in Tempe, Arizona, which is famous for
a sample of their work and additional information at its “fishbowl”-style drinks as well as a menu that includes
friscofreedomfest.org. pizza, chicken wings and hot sub sandwiches.

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Household incomes ranked Art students compete

Residents of Frisco’s 75035 zip code should know Frisco ISD visual arts students set a new district record
that their median household incomes are among by winning a record number of Gold Seal awards at the
the highest in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This is recent Texas Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) Contest.
according to a recent study by the data analysis At the high school level, the contest recognizes exemplary
website Stacker, as reported in the Dallas Morning student achievement in the visual arts. More than 31,000
News. The results revealed that in 2020 the national artworks were entered in VASE across the state this year.
median house income was $67,521. Frisco ranked in Of the approximately 2,000 artworks that advanced to the
the No. 10 spot on the list locally with a median household state round, 71 were produced by Frisco ISD students. Of
income of $134,636. Meanwhile, more than 66 percent of those, 19 student works received the Gold Seal, which is
its households reportedly earn $100,000 or more. Nearby the highest honor bestowed by the Texas Art Education
Prosper (75078) took sixth place with $151,066. Southlake Association. A list of the winners is available at
(76092) in Tarrant County landed in the top spot with friscoisd.org.news.
$240,507.
Competition winners announced
Brewery on tap
Third-grade students from Frisco ISD’s McSpedden
A brewery is on target to open in Frisco’s Rail District later Elementary recently placed second in the 30th annual
this year. According to Community Impact, Three Empires Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision C hallenge, the world’s
Brewing Co. will be located at 6990 Main St., and will largest K-12 science competition, the Dallas Morning
feature a biergarten and patio as well as a rotating slate of News reports. Among the eight national award winners
beers and seltzers that will be produced onsite. The facility are students Nirvaan Das, Surabi Janakiraman, Naisha
had previously been planned for the Main Street Food Hall Tawari and Vidyuth Vignesh. The students designed what
on John W. Elliott Drive, which has yet to open. they named the Diabetic Balance Shoe, which works to
help detect diabetic foot ulcers via sensors that track
Young journalists awarded pain, blood flow, blood pressure, blood sugar and body
temperature. The shoe’s sensors are connected to a
For the seventh consecutive year, students at Frisco ISD’s smartphone with Bluetooth technology. Each winning
Liberty High School, who produce its Wingspan news student will receive a $5,000 savings bond.
and sports website, have been awarded the the NSPA
Online Pacemaker Award, the highest honor in the nation Office towers in the works
for student journalism, by the National Scholastic Press
Association. Pacemaker judges studied approximately A seven-story office building is set to be constructed in a
140 websites that were submitted from 31 states and 60-acre development at Spring Creek Parkway and State
three countries. The entries were judged by teams of Highway 121 in Frisco as part of an $850 million mixed-
professionals based on coverage and content, quality of use development. The Dallas Morning News reports that
writing and reporting, leadership, design, photography and construction on the $50 million, planned SouthStone Yards
graphics. NSPA awarded Pacemakers to 20 online sites in office development may begin this summer. The building
12 states. Wingspan was among three Texas-based sites will be designed by architect Gensler and owned by Dallas-
to receive the award. based Crow Holdings. It is scheduled to open in late 2023.
Other nearby office projects currently being developed
Athlete of the Year honors include an 11-story, 314.000 square-foot tower at The Star;
a 16-story, 410,000-square-foot office tower at Hall Park;
Mckenna Godsey, a recent graduate of Legacy Christian and a 420,000-square-foot office tower at Granite Park.
Academy in Frisco, was named the 2021 USA Volleyball
Junior Female Athlete of the Year. The teen has been a JUNE 2022  53
dual-sport athlete in the LCA athletic program since 2018.
She was a four-year starter on both the LCA girls varsity
volleyball and soccer teams. In her freshman season,
Godsey helped lead the Lady Eagles volleyball team to
its first playoff appearance in three years as well as the
TAPPS-5A Regional Final. She also propelled the team into
the playoffs each of the three following seasons, which
included a pair of bi-district championship appearances.
She was a three-time 1st Team All-District Selection and
LCA Defensive Player of the Year in 2019-2021.

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A Summertime Staple

by Stephen Hunt

F or many, their worth is stand when she was 10 and considers than to see if (customers) make a
measured by how many 40 years in business to be an amazing face (after tasting it) or if they really
people they positively impact milestone. However, she gives as like it.”
during their time on Earth. much credit to Frisco as she does to
Mary Mathis Sanchez, better known her mother. Truly Humble Beginnings
as the Frisco Snow Cone Lady, has
positively impacted thousands of “It’s amazing to think that my mom Sanchez grew up in Durant,
lives through her snow cone stand, could, back in the ‘80s, open her own Oklahoma. She remembers tasting
located at 6427 Elm St. in downtown business and (have) it thrive and last her first snow cone at one of her
Frisco. for this long,” Hampton said. “It says brother’s Little League games, it’s
a lot about not only my mom, but the sweet syrup running out the bottom
Recently, Sanchez, along with people in this community.” of the cup.
members of her family and staff,
opened the beloved stand for the The Snow Cone Lady is open She moved to Frisco in 1972 and
40th consecutive year – a milestone Tuesdays through Saturdays. Anyone opened a snow cone stand for the
that is hard for this affable Frisco who has visited the stand in the first time a decade later, entering the
icon to fathom. She is as much a part summertime knows that lines can be business after her then-teenage son,
of summers here as fireworks on the quite long at times, but Sanchez and Shane, suggested that she purchase
Fourth of July. her employees work to ensure that the local stand where he worked.
the service is quick and that every
“I can’t believe it’s been 40 years,” customer – young and old – leaves “I was a single mom and had two
Sanchez, who turned 75 in April, with a smile on their face. kids. I thought, `It doesn’t sound like
told Frisco STYLE recently. “I’m like, a bad idea,’” Sanchez recalled. “I went
`Where did the time go?’ ... It’s just More than 50 flavors of snow to my mother and talked to her about
been phenomenal for me for the 40 cones are offered, including new it. She said, `Let’s go to the bank, get
years. I’ve loved every minute of it. I concoctions from time to time. Prior you a little loan to buy the stand.’”
love the people and I love to see them to opening for the season, Sanchez
grow up. It’s just as sweet as it can was hesitant to reveal the new flavors Since that inaugural year, visits
be.” for 2022. “I do have some ideas. … I’ll to the Snow Cone Lady’s stand have
try a couple (flavors) and (see) which become an integral part of summer
Sanchez’s daughter, Brandi ones do the best – that’s what we’ll for many Frisco residents who say
Hampton, started working at the go with. There’s no better truth-teller the season doesn’t officially start
until they can enjoy their first frozen

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JUNE 2022  55

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treat from there. mom-and-pop convenience store. She’s moved locations
The Snow Cone Lady has legions of loyal customers due a couple times since then. I’ve known her since she had a
little 3x3 hut with a small ice shaving machine. She was the
in large part to the great snow cones and solid customer destination for Frisco treats.”
service it offers as well as the magnetic personality of
Sanchez, who loves seeing the smiles on her customers’ A Local Institution
faces, especially the youngest ones.
Frisco’s downtown water tower is one iconic image
Aaron Wiginton is among that group. For three decades many associate with the city, and many people argue that
since moving to Frisco when he was four years old, he Sanchez is worthy of equal billing as a local institution
has been a frequent customer and never deviates from and icon. However, such labels are of little concern to The
ordering the flavor he first enjoyed as a child. Snow Cone Lady. “I know they say that all the time, but I’m
just me,” she said. “I’m nobody special. I don’t go looking
“My dad was the first person that took me (to the stand). for praise. I just enjoy what I do and want to make people
I had a cherry snow cone … and have never had another happy.”
flavor from (Sanchez) in my entire life,” he said. “I started
going to Mary when she was on Main Street between a

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Hampton, her daughter, agrees that becoming a local “She makes you feel good inside. She’s one of the last parts
institution was never a goal for her mother. Still, she finds it of old Frisco. If you’re used to going to a Friday night football
humbling that Frisco has embraced Sanchez over the past game, she’s in that same breath. … She could have retired …
four decades. but she’s made it a part of her life to be part of Frisco. That’s
where the uniqueness of Mary the Snow Cone Lady comes
“She always had the philosophy of keeping prices low so in.”
any child that walked by could afford a snow cone,” Hampton
said. “As a little kid, I was always like, ‘Let’s raise the Over the past four decades, Sanchez has brightened the
prices so I can get a cool car.’ … But she took the time and lives of thousands and quenched more than a few summer
explained it to me. I think that’s why everybody loves her so thirsts at her downtown Frisco stand. Making and selling
much. She’s just being the great person she is.” snow cones remains a labor of love for her. “There is nothing
like a child’s smile to brighten your day,” she said.
Wiginton agrees. Not only does Sanchez and her staff
make a great snow cone, but he said they also make every Stephen Hunt is a Frisco-based freelance writer and self-
customer feel good and refreshed on hot summer days. appointed snow cone connoisseur.

“She’s a staple of the community honestly,” Wiginton said.

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One Day in Frisco

photo by Bri Morales