Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
com
Guest columnist
o f s o u t h e a s t t e x a s
Dr. Garrett peel
pinK oUt for
Michael breast cancer
Sarver awareness
Charting his course great dates
this month
gros
model mom
dreamers Nail
color
prime time
VIPersonality fashion
Virgilio Davis for fall
complimentary
The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites
Beaumont Plaza
Experience the resort feeling without the price!
inside october
04 starters 38 totally worthy
Letter from Editor 38 Michael Sarver rides the
Ferris Wheel
10 vip shelter 41 Who ya gonna call?
10 Set the stage Ghost hunters!
44 Too much personality
13 vip style for two pages: Virgilio Davis
13 A Touch of Pink
47 vip guide
41
14 Mom, model & more:
Shannon Gros 47 4 Great dates in October
17 health&beauty
17 Guest columnist
13
Dr. Garrett Peel
20 Tips for your tips
22 eating&drinking
22 Fall ritual renewed:
Tailgating
24 totally social
24 Celebrating the best
44
of events
To Register:
Schedule your screening mammogram in advance of event date by
calling your physician and requesting this special October 28 women’s
event. For non-registration questions about the event, call 409.899.7377.
Space is limited. Customary co-pay or deductibles apply.
LiveWell
WOM E N’S NE T WORK
N
Executive Editor
cheRYL RoSe
Contributing Writers
ONE OF THE PEOPLE cathLeeN coLe
featured in this issue, with gaRRett PeeL
the exception of Shannon hoLLI PeteRSeN
haLeY StRahaN
Gros, really look the part
of a “celebrity.” When Photography
you meet them, they Contributing Photographers
don’t seem like the kind SILVIa mccLaIN
of people who are jetting KYLe PeteRSeN
about the country perform- ReNe ShePPaRD
Lee StINSoN
ing on stages, working in television, modeling high couture. JUDY StoKeLY
Instead, they are unpretentious and friendly folks. Every one of them is a talented indi-
vidual who didn’t let negativity, doubt or fear stop them from reaching for something Art
bigger than Southeast Texas. On the other hand, though their work carries them far Executive Director, Advertising Services
away, they like calling Southeast Texas home, and find themselves rooted here by choice. aNNa SINgLetaRY
There is a message here for all dreamers, whether your dream is the bright lights or
an athletic accomplishment or something on a smaller scale: If you believe it, you can Manager, Creative Media
BLaNche BoND
achieve it! But prayer, hard work and strong relationships are important contributions to
all achievements. Supervisor, Creative Media
We are pleased to feature an extended guest column from Dr. Garrett Peel, with a DoN gRaY
comprehensive update on the options available in breast cancer diagnosis and treat-
ment. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Julie Rogers “Gift of Lead Graphic Designer, Creative Media
Life” Program works very hard all year to educate women about breast cancer. Show JUStIN BLaNe SmIth
your support by purchasing a Pink Shopping Card, and thanking the merchants who Contributing Designers
participate for supporting local testing and education for women KRISteN FLoReS
IVaN gaLVaN
KatIe gUIDRoZ
RIcK SteIN
Advertising
to advertise in VIP,
Cheryl Rose, 409.880.0700
Executive Editor
Contact Us
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De-personalize
and de-clutter
to make your
home a house.
House of Horrors Every real estate agent has at least one nightmare house – one they walked into to meet a potential
client or one listed by another agent that was just too horrible to believe, and here are four ...
Laurie Wilcox of American Real Estate received a call while on phone duty Vivian Todd of RE/MAX once took a first-time homebuyer to see a vacant
early in her career from a man who wanted to sell his home. The property house. When they approached it, they realized the exterior stucco was
was in a nice area and looked good so she agreed to list it. While putting up the riddled with bullet holes. “We ran to the car!” she exclaimed. At a house in
for-sale sign, neighbors approached and asked, “Did you know that a meth lab foreclosure, she and her clients discovered what looked like dried blood in the
was in this home?” Her heart sank. She contacted the owner, who said he’d ask master bathroom. “We just ran out!”
his lawyer how to put it on the seller’s disclosure. “Needless to say, I terminated
the listing agreement then and there!”
10 October 2010 | THEVIPMAG.COM
DesigneD
to Sell
text by CAtHLeen CoLe
Y
ou’ve spent so much want people to feel like they’re walking through
time adding personal your house. You want people to feel like they’re
touches that make walking through their next house.”
a house a home. Even after de-personalizing and de-clut-
But when it comes tering, a house might need some sprucing up.
time to sell, it’s wise “Paint cures many, many ills,” Johnson said.
to put away those “It’s the cheapest way to change a room.” And
family mementoes don’t forget the curb-appeal factor. Clean up
and photos and make the front walk and entrance. Freshen up the
your home a house. landscaping too. “Mulch is like paint for your
Think “show room” not “family room.” front yard,” she said.
The concept of “staging” a home to put on According to Johnson, the most important
the market has been around for decades and first step to selling your home is inviting an
“de-personalize” and “de-clutter” are its key accredited staging professional to view it and
words. “A lot of times, it’s more un-decorating give objective advice. Many real estate agents
photography by Lee e. stinson
than decorating,” said Dana Johnson, a Beau- have this accreditation and offer the service
mont-based real estate agent and an accredited at no charge. Kevin Fortney took advantage
staging professional. She recommends taking of Johnson’s expertise when he gave her the
down family portraits and boxing up collect- contract to sell his Beaumont home. “Staging
ibles. She remembers one seller whose kitchen the house is the hardest,” he said. “It is difficult
had a chili-pepper theme. There were hundreds to make your house appealing to a wide group
of chili-pepper items including salt-and-pepper of people, instead of having it match your own
shakers, oven mitts, curtains and crockery. She taste. For most people, de-cluttering is hard.
told her client to pack it all away. “That kitchen That wasn’t an issue for me!” He agrees that
was a completely different room when I walked it’s important to make it easy for the potential
back in,” she said. buyer to see themselves living in your house.
Take down those framed diplomas too, she “Some buyers can look past the owner’s tastes,
advises. An avid Aggie might be turned off by but most can’t,” he said. “At the very least, you
a UT degree. And you don’t want to advertise want to minimize any negative first impressions
affiliations with specific groups such as politi- and simple staging efforts can do that.”
cal parties or even which sports teams you root When shopping for a new home, Fortney
for. Hunters should probably take those deer contends that staging matters. “A nicely staged
heads and other animal trophies off the walls to home does leave a positive impression on me
avoid negative feelings from some potential and puts the home in a favorable light,” he said.
buyers. If you’re a smoker or pet owner, or “It makes it easier to look past minor flaws in
both, you’ll need to work extra hard to keep a home.” When looking at homes to buy, one
the odors away. Johnson tells her clients of his biggest pet peeves is pet odors. “If I can
not to smoke in the house when it’s on the smell pets or other odors,” he said, “it is hard
market. Stash your pet’s food bowls and to finish looking at a home.”
chew toys when potential buyers are on When you’re trying to sell your house,
their way over and take your pooch for a remember the motto of StagedHomes.com, a
ride in the car. leader in staging education: “The way you live
“You want to merchandise your house in your home and the way you market and sell
like a product,” Johnson said. “You don’t your house are two different things.” VIP
Dana Johnson of Keller Williams Realty remembers taking clients to see Taryn Hebert of Coldwell Banker walked into one home to meet a potential
a beautiful house with a large porch on several acres. When they walked client and could barely find a place to sit. “There was not one place in the
in the front door, they couldn’t make another move without stepping into pee entire house that had a free surface,” she said. The homeowners moved dirty
puddles. “Goats must have lived in this house,” Johnson said. “It was disgust- dishes and food items off the couch so she could sit down. Luckily, the people
ing!” decided to buy a house using Hebert as their agent and move into it before
putting their current house on the market. When Hebert returned to the empty
house, it gave her “a great sense of relief.”
theVIPmag.com | October 2010 11
12 October 2010 | theVIPmag.com
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photography by KYLE PETERSEN AND LEE E. STINSON
A
Model
Life text by HALEY STRAHAN
O
n the average
day, she’s
a busy
mother
of four. She
drops the kids
at school, makes
a trip to the grocery
store, and teaches a
few swim lessons. But
the next day, Shannon Gros
photography by SILVIA C. MCCLAIN
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WHAT IF IT’S
CANCER
Advanced innovations offer options for women
B
reast cancer is For most in our commu-
a disease that nity, the wait can be weeks,
touches all of our sometime months, until those
lives in some way. “what if” questions are finally
The statistics are answered.
staggering. Approximately one The first patient that came
in nine women in Texas will be to my office in Beaumont was
diagnosed with breast cancer a woman with several new
in 2010. Early detection and a breast lumps. She had a strong
rapid response to the diagnosis family history of breast cancer.
are keys to survival. Despite having health insur-
In recent months, I heard my ance, she had been waiting over
own wife utter those dreaded 30 days to see a surgeon for a
words: “I found a lump!” We breast biopsy.
stayed calm and gained access My job as a cancer surgeon
to a diagnostic system quickly. is to respond quickly to the
text by GARRETT PEEL, M.D., M.H.S.
However, I struggled with the patient’s diagnosis and provide
“what if” questions: What if key information to offer a plan
it’s cancer? What would happen of care, so the patient and their
if I lost her? How would we tell family can make life-saving
the children? How would she decisions. Expertise and time
look without her breasts? The count when trying to answer the
wait was horrific; full of anxi- “what if” questions.
ety, stress and a lot of her own When a cancer scare occurs,
“what ifs.” the knee-jerk reaction for >>
KNow
The latest technologies for can easily become a disease that
breast cancer detection and can spread throughout your
system. In most cases, surgery
treatment which are safe, combined with radiation and
chemotherapy, and in some in-
effective and available in stances brachytherapy, can ward
our community off a recurrence for life. Depend-
ing upon the stage of breast
cancer, and when it is detected,
Bilateral Skin, Nipple, Areolar Sparing Mastectomy Breast cancer surgery is not cos- many patients can be cancer-
metic, but lifesaving. However, the bilateral skin, nipple, areolar sparing mastectomy provides women free forever.
an alternative to the traditional mastectomy, with much more dignity. Studies show cancer recurrence You might be wondering
rates are similar to conventional mastectomy. The breasts are immediately reconstructed to provide a what happened with my wife.
After a digital mammogram
more natural look—cancer free!
and follow-up ultrasound, the
new lump does not appear to
Breast Conservation Therapy (BCT) BCT is the most revolutionary surgical innovation in be cancer. We will continue to
the treatment of breast cancer to date, and eliminates the need for mastectomy and reconstructive sur-
keep a close eye on this constant
gery. For those patients who are candidates, the surgeon removes the breast tumor and a small portion reminder of our own “what if.”
of normal tissue surrounding the cancer. Following the tumor removal, the patient undergoes external However, we both felt more in
beam radiation therapy, which targets the affected breast, and lasts for approximately 6-8 weeks. Some control of our future, because
patients may choose brachytherapy, which uses a catheter to target the radiation to a specific part of the we know the breast cancer treat-
breast and significantly cuts treatment time. Data shows the survival rate is the same for those patients ment options available to us.
undergoing BCT versus traditional mastectomy (complete breast removal), and the recurrence rate Become aware and ask your
drops from 40 to 6 percent if radiation therapy follows lumpectomy or BCT. doctor about these lifesaving, in-
novative technologies available
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Historically this technology has been reserved for large academic to you for breast cancer care
centers. Now, surgeons and radiologists in Southeast Texas work together to offer this cutting-edge procedure. here in Southeast Texas. You
Radioactive material is safely injected into the affected breast. The surgeon can then locate the first can be confident and in control
lymph node that drains this breast, usually found under the arm. The lymph node can be safely re- of your health care decisions
moved and tested for cancer cells. This procedure saves the patient a complete axillary lymph node when you know what treatment
dissection or modified radical mastectomy, and is offered along with Breast Conservation Therapy. It is options are available. Ask ques-
associated with less arm swelling and less potential neurologic complications.
tions. Demand answers.
Live well. Live long.
Targeted Partial Breast Brachytherapy Dr. Garrett K. Peel, a native
Targeted partial breast radiation, or brachytherapy, is treating breast cancer from the inside out after Texan, is Senior Surgical Con-
breast conservation therapy. Therapy is given on an outpatient basis with no need for a hospital stay. sultant and Cancer Surgeon at
The cancer surgeon inserts a specialized balloon catheter inside the lumpectomy pocket. Once treat- Previty−Clinic for Surgical Care.
ment is complete, the balloon is deflated and the catheter is removed. Treatment can be completed in He received his training and was
five days, versus six to eight weeks as required by traditional external beam radiation. This technology Chief Resident at the Mayo Clinic.
has been approved by the FDA, and shown in several clinical studies to be safe and effective, with equal Dr. Peel holds degrees in journal-
results to traditional external beam radiation. Cancer centers across the United States are adopting this ism, communication and a medical
new type of radiation therapy for the appropriate patients. doctorate from The George Wash-
ington University and a master in
The specially designed balloon catheter has multiple lumens, allowing for radiation to be targeted public health policy and manage-
internally toward cancers close to the skin or chest wall, and to the nearby tissues in the lumpec- ment from Johns Hopkins School
tomy cavity where recurrence is most common. This innovation offers fewer side effects and of Public Health. VIP
radiation-associated complications.
• Luxurious Linens
• Handmade Rugs
• Complimentary Design Service
Alyson
Jon
interiors
Nail It!
Fall into Color: This fall, nails go from
dark to darker. Style harbingers OPI revealed
dark, jeweled colors for their Winter 2010
line. “For fall, dark browns and dark reds
text by HALEY STRAHAN
Nickolina’s also offers a Serving our community since 1918 with elegant to casual
variety of seasonal elves by catering from small to large businesses. Weddings, social,
Mark Roberts including this corporate catering and more. Our attention to detail makes your
Trick or Treat Pumpkin Elf. event memorable. Call our specialist at 409.840.9051 ext.1 Book
The Painted Wall Your Holiday Parties Now!
Nickolina’s
thepaintedwall1@gmail.com 1257 W. Lucas
www.thepaintedwallinc.com Beaumont, TX • 409.896.2543 Moncla’s Catering. 2530 W. Cardinal Dr., Beaumont, TX
409.293.0999 www.nickolinas.com 409.840.9051 ext.1. www.monclas.com
Skinologie’s new
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e he e moisturizer is formulated
n.
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text by HOLLI PETERSEN
ere in our neck of the woods, we like our Spindletop Steakhouse & Continental Cuisine. This team of
barbecue sizzlin’ and our football rowdy. pigskin devotees is building a mini-football field, complete
So, naturally, we can all understand why with goal posts and Astroturf, to churn out scrumptious
locals flock to the parking lots before cuisine from their private tailgating space.
a big game. For it is in the parking lots “We’re all going to be cooking before the home games,”
where you will find some of the best eats Courville described. “Every one of us is fired up about Lamar
in Texas, fresh off the tailgate grill. football since it’s been so long since we’ve had a [college]
With the return of Lamar University’s football team. It’s really been the only vacant space in an
football program, the entire community otherwise wonderful university.
is abuzz about the upcoming wild The rest of the men echo the same sentiment. Kenneth
tailgating bashes guaranteed to go down in history. In Goolsby feels that tailgating and generating excitement
fact, many area companies and private individuals have about the game will be his small addition to making the new
purchased their own tailgating space from Lamar University, football program triumphant. “I’ve been a big Lamar fan for a
analyzing and reworking their best dishes in the ol’ tailgating long time,” Goolsby said. “I’m going to do all I can to make it
playbooks. a successful season.”
“I think Lamar recognized the spirit fans bring to the Chef Chuck Harris is eagerly anticipating a phenomenal
game when they tailgate,” said “Big” Rich Courville, owner season filled with great football and, hopefully, even better
of Courville’s Special Events and Catering. “With tailgating, food. “I am excited about tailgating and Lamar football; it is
there’s that electricity in the air that really enhances the great for the school and the community,” Harris said. “Lamar
excitement of the game.” was and is still a big part of my success here in Beaumont,
As a renowned local chef, Courville is bringing his and football will only make Lamar a more successful school.
tailgating expertise to the game with three of his best cooking I hope the community gets behind it, comes out, and is a big
buddies - Kenneth Goolsby, owner of AGS Rentals, Bobby part of ‘Big Red’ football. With a great field and more than 20
James of PRN Medical, and Chuck Harris, chef and owner of local players, plus tailgating, you cannot pass it up.” VIP
• Plan ahead.
You’ll want to prepare at home as much as you can before game day. Once you start tailgating, you’ll be without
ready utensils and ingredients. And, really, what’s a rib without rub?
• Keep it clean.
Just because you’re cooking outdoors, doesn’t mean you have to act like an animal. After all, no one likes a
dirty ref or a dirty link! Bring along cleansers so you can keep your hands and your tools sparkling.
• Stay in control.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, but don’t fumble those safety rules. Remember that whenever you
are cooking over a blazing barbeque pit, accidents can and do occur. A nasty burn can ruin your appetite and
spell the end to the exciting gridiron grappling.
PLUS ATM Fee
Refunds**
N ationwide e
• Balanc
inimum
• No M
2 3 4
Silvia Mcclain
10 11
12
Symphony Debutantes
René SheppaRd
1. Lauren Stout, Lauren Cain and Hannah
Swain. 2. Claire Dykeman, Emily Dees and
Catherine Holtmyer. 3. Nicole Brown, Lauren
Dowdy and Caroline Clarke. 4. Eric Johnson, 1 3
Lauren Straughter, Rachel Parker and Brooks 2
Cunningham. 5. Margaret Cashiola and Kelli
Tervino. 6. Trent Wong, Caleb Cooper and
Alan King. 7. Crayton Strause, Mary
Catherine Clark, Sara Glyn Bean, Annie Bean
and Taylor Wolfrom. 8. Mary Margaret
LeMasters and Lucas Mackan. 9. Mary Claire
Benning and Kathy Hawa. 10. Layla Nejad,
Madeline Kujawski and Zachary Cross.
4 5
6 7
8 9 10
KidFest
1. Gabriel Winters, Eve Compton and Jeremy
Dyer - USCG. 2. John Price IV and Jahames Price. 2
3. Bret, JB and Janina King. 4. Mickie and Maddy
Cooper. 5. Ashford, Jacoby and Brooklyn Herring.
6. Keyshona and Neveaha Price. 7. Gavin Bodin
and Tracy Tucker with Ironman. 8. Gavin Williams.
9. Dawn, Jon and Sasha Burris.
3 4 5
6 7
Lee e. StinSon
8
9
8
7396 College St. Beaumont, TX 77707 409.866.4055 Toll Free 877.281.9717 The Blind Factory
•Medical play to help children learn about various tests, procedures and surgeries
Easy’s
hem
nd
ove t
IP
me
We l
VIPT
Re
VIP Recom
com
1. Robert and Desirré Dickerson. 2. Josh
1
mended V
Yappy HO
Davis and Gay-Lynne Jones. 3. Eisha Killian
and “Hampton.” 4. Phuong Lee, Filemon Ceja
O TS
P
ded
and “Killer and Spike.” 5. Irene Ramirez.
S
IP
en
6. Victoria Paul with “Tessa and Leo.”
Hour
R
ec
7. Gordon Parrish serving Bobbie Flowers the om
men ec
om
drink of the day, “Hair of the Dog.” 8. Sara ded VIP R
Gubala and “Kennedy.” 8. “Lucy.”
2 3 4
LEE E. STINSON
6 7 8
2 3
Lee e. StinSon
4 5
6
7
Kyle Petersen
• Emphasizing Preventative Medicine
*BOARDING 2 3
AVAILABLE
4 5
3
AMY HURD
chow, 2 bags of dog food, and 2 bottles of Fabuloso to
benefit the shelter.
fabulous finds
Gunn’s PhotoGraPhy
Little Cypress Drill Team 1st row: Staci McFarlane, Assistant Director; Ashley Benson, Lieutenant; Bailey Gilbeaux, Co-Captain; Jaleeca Morris, Captain;
Katelyn Peasley, Captain; Lacy Woodard, Lieutenant; Kristin Yokum, Lieutenant, DeAnn Lumpkin, Director. Middle Row: Gabrielle Johnson; Lauren Reeves; Megan
Daniels; Jennifer Raymer; Jessica Mugleston; Megan Mosier; Courtney Will; Caitlin Wayman; Emily Dodd. Back Row: Kristin Ashworth; Anika Marshall; Raevyn
Smith; Maggie Lucia; Lauren Purgahn; Maygan Crosslin (manager); Taylor Bloodworth; Kaitlyn Stewart; Patricia Newman; Megan Lisle; Alexis Johnson.
Join the Honey Bears at the Bulls and Barrels Rodeo, Oct. 23, 6p.m. at the Sheriff’s Posse Arena.
Honda 2
Nissan 1
Ford 1
Mazda 0
JK SUBARU
Beaumont Orange
Hwy
Houston 69
I-10
JK
1. Allison Smith and Cynthia Doucette. 2. Betty Greenberg, Les Warren and
Ramona Young. 3. Susan Bruyn, Dr. Mark Bruyn and Maris Mehaffey.
Lee e. StinSon
4. Jennifer Parker and Slate Babineaux. 5. Event chairwoman Allison and
Mike Getz. 6. Fred Simon, Bill Keating and WL Pate Jr. 7. Gero Jasso, Jim
Engman and Nic Tweedel. 8. Lee Morrison, Carol Stephenson and India Minton.
9. Ron and Joanna Clark. 10. Becky Savant and DeNessa Savant.
11. Candi and Thad Angeller.
3
2
4 5 6
8
7
9 10 11
Judy Stokely
Feldschau. 3. Dory and Amy
Stubblefield. 4. Eric and Roxanne
Hellberg. 5. Guest speaker Pam
Tebow and Claire Culwell. 6. Jason
and Cynthia Gilcrease.
5 6
3 4
2 3
6
Judy Stokely
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text by CHERYL ROSE
riving into
Jasper after long
days on the road,
Michael Sarver
feels himself
instantly relax
when he sees the
first traffic light
by the Lowe’s.
“I love being
home. I love my city,” said the young
singer, whose boyish face and positive
attitude have won him so many fans.
For the past two years, Sarver has
been on a roller coaster journey to
fame and fulfillment. In 2008, he took
a risk and auditioned for the singing
talent contest “American Idol.” Among
hundreds of contestants, he finished
10th, making it into the crucial Top 10
of the series’ eighth season.
In his audition, the judges were
photography by JUDY STOKELY
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40 October 2010 | theVIPmag.com
vip worthy
m y s t e r i e s
The San Lucas Prison in Costa Rica was miserable and “definitely creepy.”
The Nicaraguan prison, where captives were brutally tortured and killed, was a top spot too.
Scouting out creepy places good for him and what was good for the show were two different
Sampson worked as a field story producer for the show for about things. “A favorite place for me was always one with electricity
18 months and saw plenty of creepy places. After the network ap- and warmth … and working toilets,” he said. “The miserable loca-
proved a spooky spot, Sampson and the production crew were sent tions tend to be the best.”
to scout and film the location and interview the people privy to the The San Lucas Prison in Costa Rica was miserable and “definite-
paranormal activity – all in about a week. “For us, we had to roll ly creepy.” The Nicaraguan prison, where captives were brutally
pretty quickly,” he said. “We had a limited amount of time.” When tortured and killed, was a top spot too. “There was still blood
the hunters showed up, he’d report his findings and they’d start on the walls,” he said of the place also purported to have hosted
their investigation. satanic worship and sacrifices. “It was still very disturbing.”
But is it real? “Everybody always asks me that,” he said. The
ghost-hunting team told him to never do anything, such as drop- The possibility of ghosts
ping an object on purpose, to create an event. The production Sampson left the show last summer, not because he was scared,
crew, he confirms, never has anything to do with the team’s find- but because he wanted to stay put in Los Angeles and try to land
ings. “They take it very seriously,” he said of the ghost hunters. a writing gig. Ghost Hunters International had him traveling out
And what were his favorite locations? He admits that what was of the country for six to seven months at a time with only about
a month of down time before production ramped up again. “My
experience with Ghost Hunters International provided me with a
unique experience,” he said. “It was great.” But now he wants a
different challenge. “I’m trying to expand my experience,” he said.
“I really enjoy television.” His dream job, he says, is being the
executive producer and/or the head writer of a television drama
series.
photography by SILVIA C. McCLAIN
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theVIPmag.com | October 2010 43
vip magazine
v i p e r s o n a l i t y
ELY K
by JUDY STO
text by HOLLI PETERSEN
photography
02
His deep, buttery voice resonates and that was it,” Davis recalled.
right down to the tips of your toes. He “I just loved it from then on. I
is purely magnetic - a jovial, buoyant think it was the reaction I got
individual that borders on zealous from the audience. I’ve always
when discussing his career. been a performer that likes to
Clearly, Davis was born to be an look the audience dead in the
actor. eye. That is how I communicate
Perhaps his career choice was with them. It’s really a
unexpected at the beginning. Born personal conversation.”
in the Republic of Panama, the Davis In college, Davis unearthed
family began the immigration process more of his treasure trove of
in 1978, eventually making their way talents. Majoring in visual
to Houston, Texas in 1984. Stopping arts, he became a portrait
halfway in Beaumont, they decided artist. He became classically
they had found “home” and quickly trained in singing and
began establishing roots, sending performed with the Shreveport
Davis to Monsignor Kelly High Opera in Louisiana. He also began
School. performing in stage productions, even
Always creative, Davis dreamed of traveling with a theater company
one day becoming a cartoon animator through Greece, Rome and England.
so that he could act with his pencil. It Over the years, Davis has performed
never occurred to him that he could in countless supporting and lead roles
act for himself. That is, until a music in television, film and stage.
teacher forced him to sing a solo his Davis, a self-described homebody,
freshman year of high school. broke the mold by choosing not to
“They gave me a standing ovation, make the characteristic exodus to
When the curtain closes and the credits roll, you’ll find me… I never leave home without…
Hungry enough to order the left side of the menu at Tokyo Steakhouse. Talking to God at my front door, like He’s standing there like a parent
holding my coat.
Teaching students is like…
Having a huge Starbucks coffee meeting seven periods a day with a new My message about living your dream is…
group every time – laughing, encouraging and learning about each other. Find people who encourage you and heed their words.
theVIPmag.com | October 2010 45
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octoBeR 4
Frances Ann Lutcher:
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October 8 Putting on the Pink 6:30p.m. Lutcher Theater. Reception
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the football game against
Langston on Oct. 9, October 18
2010 Red, White & You
including the crowning Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” annual event Celebration Kick Off
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409.833.3663, giftoflifebmt.org
octoBeR 5
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