Latest news with #GoldStars
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Baton Rouge honors fallen heroes with flags, ceremony, six-mile march
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Baton Rouge community came together to honor the lives of Louisiana's fallen service members during Memorial Day weekend. The event, which included the placement of over 11,000 American flags, a six-mile commemorative march, and a ceremony at the Louisiana State Capitol, drew hundreds of families, veterans, and local leaders in a powerful display of patriotism and remembrance. The day began with the reading of names, one by one, of Louisiana service members who gave their lives from 9/11 to the present day. Each name was met with a respectful pause, the sound of a bell, and the unwavering attention of those in attendance. Memorial Day 2025: Events in, near Baton Rouge 'For them, it's their child being remembered — their brother, their father, their mother, their sister,' said Natalie Truax of the Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana. 'And that means the world to them, because their loved one died for our country. They died for our freedom, and people tend to forget that.' One Gold Star family member shared, 'I have a hole in my heart that won't be closed until the day I go to heaven.' At the top of the hill near the State Capitol, a sea of red, white, and blue stretched across the grounds, each flag symbolizing a life lost in service. 'Those 11,000 flags represent lives,' said Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. 'We live our lives free every day because of the men and women that those flags represent.' The flags were carried to the State Capitol by military personnel, veterans, and families — a six-mile journey that served as a living tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who served. 'We're just a heartbeat away, a breath away—where any military family could be in that same predicament,' Truax said. 'It's important to be there for our Gold Stars. To give them a sense of community, a sense of support.' As bagpipes played and tears were shed, the day served as a heartfelt reminder that Memorial Day is a day of reflection and gratitude for those who gave their all. The flag display will remain at the State Capitol through May 31. The public is invited to help respectfully remove the flags next Saturday at 9 a.m. What stores, restaurants are open for Memorial Day 2025? Storms across the country could upend Memorial Day travel Earthquake recorded 70 miles off the coast of Gulf Shores Got a 'Temu' job offer via text? Why people who replied are warning others Baton Rouge honors fallen heroes with flags, ceremony, six-mile march 'Enraged' Florida woman beats puppy, covers it in pickle juice, hot sauce: police Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time Out
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Pop a cork! Bangkok sweeps gold in the Star Wine List of the Year Asia 2025
There's more to Bangkok than street food and skyscrapers – the capital's also making major moves in the world of wine. The Big Mango claimed six out of 12 Gold Stars in the Star Wine List of the Year Asia 2025, cementing its status as a rising star in Asia's wine scene. The awards, released annually, celebrate the best wine lists and the talent behind them across Greater China, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. With categories covering everything from list length and by-the-glass offerings to sparkling wines, regional focuses, sustainability and rising stars, the competition highlights all dimensions of wine curation. Judging is handled by an independent panel of internationally acclaimed sommeliers. For the 2025 edition, the panel included Salvatore Castano, ASI's Best Sommelier of Europe and Africa 2021, and Reeze Choi, ASI's Third Best Sommelier of the World 2023, who engaged in rigorous discussions to determine the winners across 11 categories. This year, the capital takes home six of the 12 Gold Stars – the highest recognition in each category. Inddee leads the pack with three wins: Best By the Glass List, Best Medium-Sized List and the prestigious Grand Prix. Other standout winners include Haoma, recognised for Best Short List and Sustainable Wine List and Sühring, which claimed Best Austrian Wine List. But the excitement doesn't end there – Gold Star winners automatically qualify for the Star Wine List of the Year International Final, set to take place in Vienna this June. So keep an eye on the announcement as we might see Bangkok shine even brighter on the global stage.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Abilene ISD team shines at TSPRA Star Awards Banquet
ABILENE, Texas () – The Abilene ISD Communications team earned prestigious recognition for their work during the 2023-24 school year, bringing home multiple awards at the 2025 TSPRA Annual Conference Star Awards Banquet in San Antonio. Their recognition includes two Best of Category awards, nine Gold Stars, four Silver Stars, and being named a finalist for the Crystal Commendation Award. This marks the first year AISD has participated in the program, where judges evaluate thousands of entries based on TSPRA's criteria. In addition to the team's success, Abilene ISD Director of Communications Dr. Jordan Ziemer was inaugurated as the association's President-Elect. He will serve a three-year term, collaborating with communications professionals across the state to enhance engagement and advocacy for public schools. Abilene ISD Video Portfolio Video Marketing: School Showcase | Mann Middle School Video Live Sports Event: AISD Live Southdown Showdown Broadcast 2023 Photo Academic/Classroom Subjects: Abilene High School Graduation Photo Photo Academic/Classroom Subjects: Cooper High School Graduation Photo General Event Video: Teacher of the Year Award Ceremony Video Feature Story: Future Ready | ATEMS Sensor Project Video Feature Story: Feature Ready | Graphic Design Part 2 Video Feature Story: Feature Ready | Graphic Design Part 1 Video Feature Story: Impact Awards | Sly Wilson Video Feature Story: Teacher of the Year Submission Video Promotional: Teacher Appreciation Week 2024 Video Marketing: School Showcase | Mann Middle School Video Live Sports Event: AISD Live Southdown Showdown Broadcast 2023 Photo Other Subjects: I Love America Parade Photo Special Event: Abilene ISD Annual Retiree Dinner Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Midway ISD Communications Team recognized at TSPRA State Star Awards
HEWITT, Texas (FOX 44) – The Midway Independent School District's Communications Team has been recognized among the best in Texas! The team earned multiple top awards at the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) State Star Awards for the 2023-24 school year. The team brought home six Gold awards, including four Best of Category honors, celebrating excellence in school communications. According to the district, the team was recognized for outstanding creativity and strategy across a variety of communications efforts: Gold & Best of Category – Holiday/Greeting Card Gold & Best of Category – Communication Plan (Crisis Communication) Gold & Best of Category – Website – Original Design (Eclipse 2024) Gold & Best of Category – Logo, Trademark, Symbol (Midway ISD PD logo) Gold – Published News or Feature Gold – Published Print Ad Midway ISD says its success is particularly impressive given the size of the district compared to other top winners. Despite serving just 8,800 students, the district earned four Best of Category awards—matching the total number of awards won by much larger districts like Killeen ISD (44,000 students), Richardson ISD (39,000 students), San Antonio ISD (45,000 students), and Socorro ISD (47,000 students). The only district to surpass Midway ISD in Best of Category wins was Cy-Fair ISD (118,000 students)—one of the largest school districts in Texas. The district says the TSPRA Star Awards recognize outstanding school communication efforts across Texas. Entries are divided into three divisions based on the number of students served – under 15,000 students; 15,000 to 40,000 students; and over 40,000 students. Independent judges evaluate and score each entry based on its own merit. Bronze, Silver and Gold Stars are awarded based on set criteria. Finally, the judges review their highest scoring Gold Star winners and select a Best of Category for each division. Congratulations to the Midway ISD Communications Team—Emily Parks, Robert Pryor, and Katy Durham—for setting the standards high and leading the way in school PR excellence! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
