One of many attractive views of this front yard on Royal Crest Drive. (Staff Photo: Alana Harrison)

This lavish lawn is featured in the Homes & Design section of our May 18 edition of Preston Hollow People. If looking at it makes you green with envy, then head to the Hillcrest High School plant sale. The fundraiser features around 20 different plants priced from $5 to $20 and proceeds will benefit the Class of 2013.

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday

Where: Hillcrest High School 9924 Hillcrest Road (sale is on the Aberdeen Avenue side of the building)

You know what’s more fun than one dance team performing? Five dance teams performing, plus unidentified “special guests.” Hillcrest High School’s spring show will feature the Panaders, Cheerleaders, Step Team, Franklin Middle School Falconettes, the Panadettes, and more than a few surprises. Catch all the action at 7 p.m. Thursday in Hillcrest’s auditorium. Tickets range from $5 to $10 and are available at the door.

U.S. News & World Report has released its ranking of the top 100 schools in America. The No. 1 spot went to the School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center in Dallas. While Hillcrest, Thomas Jefferson, and W.T. White didn’t make the national cut, the Longhorns did snag a No. 60 ranking in Texas and silver medal distinction. Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts grabbed the 15th state spot and a gold medal, in addition to a 134th ranking nationally.

Although U.S. News is a reputable organization, you should still take their reports with a grain of salt. If you believe everything they’ve written, Highland Park ISD has two high schools, and Thomas Jefferson High School is actually “Thomas Jefferso High School.”

Calling all future Tri-Delts, Pi-Phis, Chi-Os, and more. Hillcrest High School is hosting an event today at 7 p.m. for seniors interested in going through sorority recruitment. Learn the ins and outs of Panhellenic procedures, references letters, and anything else you’d like to know. The meeting will be held in the school’s library. RSVP to Soozie Bül at sbul@virginiacook.com

Painting winners: Michelle Yanez (second place), junior Jack Stein (first place), sophomore John Beritan (third place)

Hillcrest High School students participated in the annual Ethics Faire, sponsored by the Park Cities Rotary Club, on Feb. 8. First through third places were awarded in three categories. For the winners in visual arts and creative writing, go to the jump. Read More…

On Saturday, Hillcrest High School will compete in the final round of the DISD Mock Trial competition. The Panthers are one of only four teams to advance to the city championship and will face defending champs Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Skyline High School, and Judge Barefoot Sanders School of Law.

The winning team will advance to the state championship in March.

DISD has announced that five of its teachers earned the highest professional credential in the field of teaching, National Board Certification, in 2011, and two of those five teach in the Hollow: Theresa Oriabure of Hillcrest High and Georgianna Wood of Preston Hollow Elementary.

The National Board Certification is a voluntary process established by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The certification process involves a rigorous performance-based assessment that can take up to three years. Through the assessment process, teachers document knowledge of their subject matter; provide evidence that they know how to teach the content to students most effectively; and demonstrate an ability to manage and measure student learning.

Hillcrest High School graduate Greg Pak has a new comic book in stores today. Click here for a preview of Dead Man’s Run #1.

While professional ball players like Albert Pujols can pull down a cool $250 millon contract, high school players are still scraping by.

You can help send the Hillcrest baseball team to a training camp in Tampa by hiring players to do odd jobs. Duties include, but are not limited to, window washing, errand running, dog walking, and Christmas light hanging. Email your needs to panpaws@gmail.com or call Esther at 214-394-7907