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In a heartfelt tribute to a cherished community member, Mayor Rachel Proctor declared May 4th as “Arlana Miller Day” in DeSoto.

This declaration honors the memory of Arlana Miller, a cheerleader at Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana who took her own life by walking into the Mississippi River.

Miller, the daughter of Janice Tappin-Miller, who established the Arlana J Miller Check on Your Strong Friends Foundation and Scholarship led a life that profoundly impacted those around her.

The month of May is considered to be mental health awareness month and with the anniversary of Miller, mental health continues to be a priority for her mother.  

Miller, a bright 19-year-old cheerleader at Southern University, was known for her vibrant spirit and her dedication to uplifting others.

Her tragic passing in May of last year sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the urgent need for mental health awareness and support.

“We’re letting people know it’s okay to not be okay,” said Tappin-Miller.

“Don’t hide because in our community we are looked at as being weak if we say that we’re not feeling okay.”

Since her daughter’s passing, Tappin-Miller has made it her mission to get legislation passed in Louisiana requiring a licensed counselor to be assigned to every sport from high school to college.

The proposed legislation would also require student-athletes to have a licensed counselor throughout their recovery process.   

“We just want to continue to educate people and let them know that your mental health does matter,” said Tappin-Miller

“We’re trying to save our youth especially because they are suffering and it breaks my heart because they’re our future and if we don’t help them now, we’re going to keep losing them.”

The scholarship fund honors Arlana’s legacy by awarding current and future high-achieving cheerleaders at Southern University and A&M College during their matriculation.

Tappin-Miller is not only a mother but an educator, whose family has been pillars in the DeSoto community for years.

Arlana’s story is a stark reminder of the silent battles many face and shows the importance of a supportive community.

“Arlana’s legacy will live on forever and we will help you uphold it by advocating for the importance of mental health awareness and encouraging regular check-ins with those we love!” said Mayor Proctor.

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DeSoto residents will no longer have to travel to Cedar Hill or Dallas to buy their favorite chicken sandwich meal as Chick-fil-A is set to open a brand new location in the city.

Chick-fil-A DeSoto will be the 149th Chick-fil-A franchise location in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

The newest location for the popular chicken restaurant is located at 616 W. Belt Line Road in DeSoto.

The restaurant is open for dine-in, carry-out, and delivery from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 

The new Chick-fil-A will also feature Mobile Thru, a fully dedicated drive-thru lane where guests can pick up orders placed ahead of time on the Chick-fil-A App.

The addition of Chick-fil-A in DeSoto will help bolster the local economy by bringing approximately 100 jobs to the community.    

The restaurant is locally owned and operated by James Pruitt who will be responsible for all day-to-day activities of the business. 

“I am excited to bring Chick-fil-A to DeSoto, where our commitment goes beyond serving delicious food; it’s about fostering a tight-knit culture of growth and development for our Team Members,” Pruitt expressed.

In celebration, Chick-fil-A DeSoto will recognize 100 local heroes making an impact in the DeSoto area and provide them with free Chick-fil-A entrées for a year.

Marking its newest location in DeSoto, Chick-fil-A, Inc. has donated $25,000 to Feeding America to support local hunger relief efforts of North Texas Food Bank.

The Restaurant will also participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program, an initiative that redirects surplus food from the restaurant to local soup kitchens, shelters, food banks and nonprofits in need. 

“Alongside my wife, Azucena, who will lead talent development, we are dedicated to not only creating great experiences for our Guests but also nurturing the potential within each member of our team. Together, we look forward to making a positive impact in DeSoto,” said Pruitt.

The post Chick-fil-A DeSoto Set to Open Bringing Jobs and Community Impact appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

“Because of you, we are who we are today. Happy Mother’s Day!”

This Mother’s Day, let us celebrate and honor the incredible mothers!

Their unconditional love, tireless efforts, and unwavering dedication are truly remarkable.

To all the mothers out there, we want you to know that we see your strength and resilience.

You are the backbone of our families, and we appreciate you more than words can express.

To show our appreciation, we encourage everyone to take the time to share a thoughtful gesture of appreciation with their mothers.

The DeSoto Tribune staff and personnel join millions around the world in celebrating Mother’s Day and expressing gratitude for all the sacrifices made by mothers.

The post DeSoto Tribune Staff and Personnel Celebrate Mother’s Day appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.