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Syra Castillo

I am a Mexican-American undergraduate student at Southern Methodist University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English and journalism with a minor in Italian. My career goal is to become a news reporter for an English—or Spanish-speaking news network, where I can combine my love for storytelling with my commitment to delivering accurate and impactful news for the DFW community. As part of the Pleasant Grove community, I am looking to partner with Spanish-speaking news stations so that I can continue to grow connections with my community.

The Daily Campus •

Finding your G.I.F.T: SMU alumnus R. Mateo Magdaleno inspires students with passion

When R. Mateo Magdaleno ‘06 stepped onto the stage, he didn’t stay there long. Within moments, Magdaleno walked through the aisles, shaking hands, laughing and radiating the same energy that has defined his life’s mission: to help others discover their G.I.F.T., which he describes as being “Grounded in Faith and Truth.”
On Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Hughes-Trigg Oren Family Auditorium, Magdaleno’s keynote address was part of SMU’s Social Change and Intercultural Engagement (SCIE) Office’s Hispanic...
Dallas News •

All-you-can-eat mainstay Cicis Pizza has Plano native at the top

Jeff Hetsel never imagined he would lead Cicis Pizza, the brand that pioneered the all-you-can-eat pizza buffet, as president. Growing up, his dream was to have his own spot.

“I absolutely thought I was going to have more of a four-star dining restaurant that I owned, and that was going to be my path,” he said. “It certainly wasn’t in pizza or franchising.”

Today, Hetsel helps steer the nationally known brand, based in Coppell, as it strives to stay relevant and affordable in a crowded and com...
Dallas News •

9 festivales de comida que no se puede perder en Dallas-Fort Worth este 2025

Syra Castillo is an intern with The Dallas Morning News' Arts & Entertainment team and is a student at Southern Methodist University. Her coverage areas with the newspaper include food, entertainment, events and more.

Syra Castillo is an intern with The Dallas Morning News' Arts & Entertainment team and is a student at Southern Methodist University. Her coverage areas with the newspaper include food, entertainment, events and more.
Dallas News •

9 food festivals not to miss in Dallas-Fort Worth in 2025

From whiskey tastings to barbecue throwdowns, North Texas is packed with food and drink festivals in 2025. Here are nine events for foodie and fun-seekers across Dallas-Fort Worth.

America’s largest traveling whiskey festival will be returning on Saturday, March 15 at Fair Park from 4 to 7 p.m.

Perfect for whiskey lovers and the whiskey curious, Whiskey Riot will bring a wide variety of whiskey brands such as Milam & Greene, J.T. Meleck American Rice Whiskey, Von Payne Whiskey, and more.

Gene...
Dallas News •

How the ‘Keith Lee Effect’ impacted D-FW restaurants, 1 year after food critic’s visit

It’s been a year since TikTok food critic Keith Lee visited nine restaurants and food businesses across Dallas-Forth Worth, delivering his standard one- to three-minute reviews that instantly sent the local establishments into the spotlight.

With 17 million TikTok followers, Lee’s opinion and reach has the power to influence the perception and reputation of a business, leading to a phenomenon dubbed the “Keith Lee Effect.”

Lee typically only visits a restaurant once and orders takeout under a...
Dallas News •

Frisco-founded cookie company continues to grow

“Can we turn this into a cookie?”

It’s a simple question that husband and wife Jeff and Marissa Allen ask themselves anytime they visit a restaurant or try a new food.

The Allens have loyal fans across Dallas-Fort Worth for the unique flavor combinations they infuse into the sweets they make at their bakery Cookie Society.

The couple opened their first brick-and-mortar Cookie Society location during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 in Frisco. The brand has since grown to include three more store...
Dallas News •

This Dallas soul food cook-off is back in 2025

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center will host its third annual “Taste of Soul,” a soul food cook-off on Saturday, Feb. 22.

This event, which is free to attend and supported by the City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture, features an array of food samples, live entertainment and raffles, among other activities, for attendees to enjoy in celebration of Black History Month.

One of the competition’s stars is Emanuel Cortez, a 16-year-old high school student at Lancaster High School Ear...
The Daily Campus •

SMU alumnus Dr. Jesus F. Martinez reshapes Sunset High School’s legacy with heart

For nearly a century, Sunset High School has lived powerfully through numerous historical events, from the Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, and school desegregation in the 70s. With such a storied past, it is no surprise that Dallas ISD chose a principal that could stand on par with the legacy of Sunset.
Known for always wearing suits with extravagant cowboy boots, Dr. Jesus F. Martinez has served Sunset High School for the past four years as its lead principal.
An alum...

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