CARROLLTON, Texas — An Armenian Orthodox church in Texas has been named U.S. Building of the Year by an international group of architects and engineers.

Saint Sarkis Armenian Church, located north of Dallas, was voted as the top American architectural work in 2022 by World-Architects, an online publisher with national and regional platforms representing architects, landscape architects, interior designers, engineers, lighting designers, manufacturers, and architectural photographers from over 50 countries.

Spanning over 4.5 acres, the church site includes three separate structures: the church building and sanctuary, gym and youth center, and a hall for offices, classrooms and a kitchen.

Saint Sarkis held its first Sunday service on April 24, 2022, coinciding with the day of remembrance for the 1.5 million victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, a theme that figures prominently in the church’s design.

In honor of the Genocide’s victims, on the walls of the sanctuary are engraved 1.5 million circular icons, each uniquely designed as a testimony to the lives that were lost. And when viewed from a distance, the icons blend seamlessly into a “Tree of Life” in the shape of a traditional Armenian cross that overhangs the glass doors leading into the sanctuary.

Designed by architect David Hotson, the sanctuary building hearkens back to the architecture of what is considered to be the world’s first Christian nation of Armenia, which adopted Christianity in the early third century.

As are all Armenian Orthodox churches, Saint Sarkis is modeled after the ancient church of Saint Hripsime, which was completed in 618 AD and is still standing in the Armenian capital of Yerevan.

Inside the sanctuary at Saint Sarkis is an altar with an image of a young Jesus sitting in the lap of Mary which is adorned with flowers and other artifacts in the tradition of Armenian Orthodox churches.

Led by Fr. Ghevond Ajamian, Saint Sarkis began as a community of just a handful of families in the late 1970s and early 1980s, meeting at a private home before the house was converted into a church in November 1991.

With about 800 families now involved with the parish, the church is run by Ajamian and a parish council that consists of nine members voted on annually by the parishioners. Saint Sarkis serves as the parish home for all Armenians in North Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

After a groundbreaking ceremony in 2016, Saint Sarkis took about six years to build, Ajamian said, “mainly because we didn’t account for COVID, or supply chain issues, or just random mistakes.”

When asked about being named the U.S. Building of the Year, Ajamian said while he wasn’t personally impacted one way or the other, it’s definitely an honor to have that recognition.

“From what I have heard, it is a very big deal and everyone is excited about it,” he said.

Funded by entrepreneur Elie Akilian at an estimated cost of upwards of $20 million, the project took longer than anticipated, pushing the original consecration date back from February 2018 until it was finally completed in April 2022.

Under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church in America and the Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin, located in Armenia, Saint Sarkis adheres to the Nicaean Creed from the Council of Nicea in 325 AD.

Rev. Johnnie Moore shares why it's important to keep the stories of martyred Christians alive

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The church itself is named after a 4th-century Roman soldier who became a Christian and was later martyred for his faith.

But despite the church’s rich Christian heritage, being located in the “belt buckle of the Bible Belt,” Ajamian said, has its unique challenges, especially in a culture dominated by Baptist and nondenominational megachurches.

“It’s not so much, ‘Alright, you do incense,’ or ‘Oh, you celebrate Christmas on this day and I do it on this day,’” he said. “It's more like, ‘Do you preach the Gospel? Do you try and show Christ in your actions and do you bring people to Christ?’”

“If you’re doing these kinds of things, then I think we’re all on the same page.”

Meredith Ladd serves as the City Attorney for the City of Carrollton where she is the chief legal advisor for the city. Ladd’s favorite part about her job is working with other city departments to find solutions and when she’s not working, Ladd can be found spending time with her family, walking the trails, or reading.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I wasn’t born in Texas, but both my parents were raised here. I lived in several states as a child as my father was a U.S. Marine pilot, flying the F-4 Phantom jet. I graduated high school in Portland, Oregon. After high school, I moved back to Texas to attend college and graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in History from Texas Wesleyan University, and my Juris Doctor from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, having received a full tuition and fees scholarship. My two sisters, with their families, and my mother all live in North Texas. I live with my long-term boyfriend and our two children. I also have an adult son, who lives in Dallas. We love to travel, especially to Germany to see Chris’s mother, who still lives there, and all his childhood friends.

What do you do in your role as City Attorney for the City of Carrollton?

The City Attorney’s role is the chief legal advisor of the city, which acts through the City Council, as a body, and the City Manager, the Council’s administrative head. I represent the entity, not any individual, and it is my office’s job to help the city administration achieve City Council’s strategic goals. As an example, I work closely with staff on large projects, such as the new Trinity Mills Station development, provide regular guidance to staff and council members on a wide variety of issues, and work with outside counsel to defend the city, the council, and the city’s employees. I also provide interpretation of ordinances and the charter, and work with staff to ensure that the city complies with the law and applies rules and regulations fairly.

What is your favorite part about your job?

My favorite part of my job is working with other city departments to find solutions to problems that will achieve council goals, and hopefully resolve a situation that was causing the public a concern. It is not my job to create or implement, but instead to provide legal backing, determine risk, and identify potential for liability regarding projects or programs. The legal department helps ensure the soundness of proposed ideas.

How did you know this career was something you wanted to pursue?

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to clerk with the City of Arlington during law school. I knew that I wanted to focus on areas of law that were more administrative in nature, rather than litigation. After working in Arlington over the summer, I was invited to continue the clerkship through the fall semester. After graduation and taking the Bar Exam, I applied for a position with the City of College Station and started clerking until I received my Bar results and was sworn in.

Where is your favorite place to spend time in Carrollton?

I really enjoy walking on the city’s trails. I look forward to exploring them all eventually, but my favorite so far is the Blue Trail. It really doesn’t feel like I am in the middle of the city.

What do you like to do in your free time?

With two kids in the house, I spend a lot of time transporting them. I really enjoy walking, especially when the weather is nice. I also enjoy reading, mostly historical fiction or nonfiction.

What are you passionate about?

I think I am most passionate about traveling. I love when I can travel to a city and experience what is the norm for other people. A few years ago, we went to the Alsace region of France and visited Strasbourg, Nancy, and Mittelbergheim, and each has an incredible history. We walked around a residential neighborhood with homes that were built hundreds of years ago. I try to imagine the lives of the families who had lived there and take in the beauty of the community. We visited wineries that date back to the 14th century. It is awe inspiring. Last year, we visited good friends in Stendal, Germany and toured a home that had not been updated since the wall came down. Visiting more rural areas of the old East German region is humbling, at best. Seeing how the members of the community lived and kept their homes with what they could find made me appreciate all we have.

Who or what inspires you?

I get inspired when I am provided opportunities to grow and change. I recently became an International Municipal Law Association fellow. Having met the qualifications to achieve this designation has inspired me to return to speaking at conferences and, thereby, researching and writing. It is so easy to get busy doing our regular work, which can also be challenging and rewarding, and forget to try new things. However, I believe it is essential to test my abilities in new areas so that I continue to grow and learn.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to be a city attorney?

I “grew-up” in my legal career as a generalist. I have been fortunate to have had exposure to a variety of facets of municipal law. I do not believe that it is necessary to specialize in one area, but instead having a wide knowledge provides me the foundation to help my client across the board. Since the law is constantly evolving, it is important to stay up to date, as well. For any new attorney, I would suggest that they find an area of law, or role, that they enjoy. I love my job and helping find solutions that allow ideas to come to fruition. The word “no” should be the exception, not the rule. Customer service can go hand in hand with legal services.

Please share anything else that you would like the community to know!

As the City Attorney, I cannot provide representation to citizens. My role is to help the members of the City Council whom the community elected achieve their goals. I take pride in helping the community.

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Arianna Morrison is a reporter for Star Local Media, covering the communities of The Colony, Little Elm, Carrollton, Lewisville, Flower Mound and Coppell. Email her with story ideas and more at amorrison@starlocalmedia.com.

When a wrist injury sidelined Hebron senior Alex Cotton for the first three months of the season, the Hawks didn’t have their leading scorer from last season in the lineup.

After all, Cotton, a North Texas signee, has been a dynamic scorer during his high school career. As a junior, he poured in 17.1 points per game for the Hawks, who finished in a fourth-place tie with Lewisville. Cotton added 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game and was named to the Star Local Media all-area second team.

And while Cotton’s absence left a big hole for Hebron, the Hawks stuck together. Head coach Eric Reil told Star Local Media after last Saturday’s 56-43 win over Coppell about how proud the fifth-year bench boss is of “the guys in the locker room that have busted their tails all year long.” Hebron went 20-9 without Cotton, and at times, without senior Nate Mercer and junior Graham Moore.

But when Cotton is on the court, he makes Hebron’s offense more explosive. Cotton received his first minutes of the season last Friday, scoring eight points to lead the Hawks to a 69-17 win over Flower Mound. Less than 24 hours later, Cotton netted three 3-pointers and scored 11 points in a 13-point victory for Hebron against a Coppell team that came into the game tied for fourth place in District 6-6A with Lewisville.

Hebron’s win over Coppell clinched a playoff berth for the Hawks.

In this week’s Star Local Media student-athlete profile, Cotton chats about his return to the court, a potential deep playoff run for the Hawks and what he liked about the North Texas Mean Green men’s basketball team.

SLM: It’s good to see you back on the court. How did it feel to be playing with your team for the first time this season?

AC: It felt great to be back out there with my teammates. It felt pretty fluid. It didn't feel like I missed a beat besides a couple of things. Conditioning wise, I've been running for the past month. I think I'm further ahead of where I was about a month ago. I'm still a little out of shape but I'm definitely getting there.

SLM: Hebron went 20-9 in games that you were sidelined because of the injury. How proud are you of what your team has accomplished, regardless who is out of the lineup?

AC: I wasn’t really that surprised. Our team doesn’t revolve around us three (Cotton, Nate Mercer and Graham Moore). We play as a team. Us three have been cheering on the bench. It wasn’t that surprising.

SLM: What has been the most pleasant surprise about your overall game in the first two games that you’ve played this season?

AC: I’m a really good shooter. I just need to see one go in and we’ll be fine. Everything has been fluid. Everything has been a blessing.

SLM: What is the potential of this team in the playoffs when everyone is at full strength?

AC: If we’re at full strength, I think that we can compete for a state championship. But we just like to take it one game at a time.

SLM: What was it about North Texas’ men’s basketball team that appealed to you?

AC: Don’t get me wrong, being local and close to my mom is great. I think North Texas was a real genuine place when I went on my visit. I think I’ll fit perfectly into their system. With my defense, I feel like I’ll be able to get some minutes right off the bat as a freshman. Every team also needs a shooter and I think I’ll fit that role perfectly.

SLM: How did you get into basketball?

AC: My first sport was ran track. I played football, and some of my football teammates played basketball, so I started to play basketball. I think I was 4 or 5. I remember the first gym was the Richardson YMCA. I played there for two seasons with my friends and teammates.

SLM: Who are some people over the years that have helped to make you the shooter and scorer that you are today?

AC: One of my coaches, Robert Jones, has helped me a lot. Michael Christian is another one of my coaches, and so is Gary Anderson. They were my coaches from elementary school to middle school and now to high school.

SLM: What has the coaching staff at Hebron High School meant to your development as a player?

AC: I’ve played here all four years. I’ve had the opportunity to go to any high school in Texas or America but I’ve always been around Hebron in general. It’s been great. I like the system and I hope that we make a deep playoff run.

SLM: Who are basketball players that you have looked to over the years?

AC: Probably Kevin Durant, Paul George and LeBron James. KD can score at all three levels. LeBron carries himself well. I really like that. I think PG, out of the three, is where I fit player-wise.

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Williams Will Be Leading the Integration of Third Party Property Management Software with CellGate's Access Control Product Lines, through the TrueCloud Administrative Web Portal.

CARROLLTON, Texas (PRWEB) March 13, 2023

Wireless access control company, CellGate has made a key personnel hire in their efforts to penetrate the multi-tenant community marketplace with their Watchman line of visitor management and access control products, and their recently released OmniPoint multi-point wireless access control solution.

CellGate President, Noel Gouldin, has hired Debi Williams as the Company's new Head of Strategic Projects. This is a completely new role within the Company, and it was created to help lead CellGate's integration efforts with various third party property management software companies who would benefit from having their management software work seamlessly with CellGate's access control solution administrative software arm, called TrueCloud™.

Debi Williams comes with over twenty years' experience at RealPage, Inc, a real estate property management software solution company. She has extensive design and software product development experience specifically in the multi-tenant community industry, and brings a large network of industry contacts from her 20+ years of work with RealPage. Williams is also adept at both project management and development of go-to-market strategies, which will be crucial for CellGate as they release their first integrations with third party software later this year.

Gouldin knew that bringing Williams to CellGate was an ideal way to expedite the Company's third party software integration efforts, and that because of her industry experience, she could ‘hit the ground running.' "We are so excited to have Debi Williams on board as our new Head of Strategic Projects," said Gouldin. "She has the perfect background to project manage not only these third party integration efforts, but other key initiatives the Company has planned in the coming years. We are so fortunate to have her on the team, and know she will immediately add tremendous value to our ranks."

Williams began her employment with CellGate in February 2023.

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CellGate has been providing access control and security monitoring products utilizing cellular and internet network technology since 2006. They are the only technology company with a complete suite of cellular-based security products—encompassing integrated streaming video, access control and camera solutions. With their Watchman and OmniPoint product lines, proprietary web-based TrueCloud™ portal built on Microsoft Azure's cloud service, and the easy-to-use CellGate app, CellGate offers flexibility found in no other access control or monitoring solution. Visit http://www.cell-gate.com to learn more.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/wireless_access_control_company_cellgate_hires_debi_williams_as_its_new_head_of_strategic_projects/prweb19220603.htm

© 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Carrollton Public Library is gearing up for their C-Con event, which is set to take place on Friday, March 17 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Josey Ranch Lake Library. This event is a celebration of fandoms and pop culture for all ages and is the library's first signature event since 2019.

With the local schools out for spring break, the library staff hopes families will visit the library and maybe even discover a new favorite fandom at C-Con. The event is open to fans of all ages and offers a variety of activities, including costumes, trivia, escape rooms, anime streaming, crafts, storytime, and K-pop dance lessons. Attendees will also have the chance to take pictures with their favorite characters and challenge themselves in an escape room.

“This is only the second time we’ve been able to bring C-Con to the community, and this is the first signature event we’ve hosted since 2019,” said Rachel Young, Library Manager at Josey Ranch Lake Library. “We knew that we wanted to begin offering these large programs again, and C-Con was our answer to start. It’s a celebration of fandoms and pop culture for all ages, and we get particularly excited about it because it lets us highlight so many wonderful characters and series from fan-favorite graphic novels, comics and manga. It’s important for us to showcase the library’s love of these things by offering a free event for all ages.”

The event will be offering special extended hours, and while some activities will be scheduled for certain times, several come and go activities will be available throughout. The library is hoping to see between 200 and 300 people this year. In the past, the library has seen more than 1,000 attendees at some signature events, but this is the first time that C-Con is being offered in the spring.

“My favorite part of this event is the cosplay and the escape rooms and the trivia,” Young said. “Seeing our community members coming together to celebrate their personal favorite not only lets them show off their style and knowledge, but also introduces other attendees to potentially new fandoms. I’m also really excited that we’ll have escape rooms this year, as that is something we’ve done at other events that is always fun and well-received.

Costumes are encouraged for any fandom, theme, or universe, and snacks and craft materials will be provided. Those interested in attending can visit the Josey Ranch Lake Library located at 1700 Keller Springs Road on Friday, March 17 from 4 to 8 p.m.

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