A San Antonio woman is turning her painful past into a bright and resilient future for victims of violent crimes across south Texas. Margaret Fernandez is the founder and CEO of the non-profit 3rd Street Closet.

From a Hip Hop majorette dancer to a Bexar County Deputy luchador fighting at night, What Up South Texas exploded with fun in 2021.

A 9-year-old San Antonio girl is showing that her passion for giving is larger than life as she collects hundreds of toys to be donated to children in need.

A San Antonio Air Foce veteran has combined his love for serving his country and his love for real estate to start a business dedicated to helping other veterans experiencing homelessness.

A teen artist is hoping to turn his hobby of intricate artwork into a thriving career one day. Cypress Rabke, 14, has been drawing since he was a small child.

A young man in San Antonio started his own business, and now, he’s showing others the benefits of being an entrepreneur.

An aspiring chef diagnosed with a rare blood disorder is hoping her story encourages others to become blood donors in the community.

A Cibolo couple did not let the pandemic stop them from serving essential workers a free meal thanks to a pay-it-forward idea their son thought of years ago.

A San Antonio single father is hoping his bond with his daughter inspires others to always put family first in life.

Two ladies living at the Army Residence Community are giving the name ‘cat lady’ a whole new and productive meaning. They trap, spay and neuter neighborhood cats, strays, and feral cats before releasing them back into the community.

A San Antonio police officer nearly killed in the line of duty dedicates his life to bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community in honor of his fallen partner.

A Helotes musician and avid walker is hoping his story inspires others to get up and stay active.

A Bexar County Sheriff’s deputy is not letting his day job stop him from following his passion as a Lucha Libre luchador. Roger Musquiz, 54, has been at the BCSO for over 20 years.

Two brothers credit their successful barbering business and passion to give back to their community to their mother who raised them to be the men they are today. Fonzie and Gilbert Lopez started Barber Bros in 2015.

A multi-talented San Antonio 6th grader combined her skills of performing to create a public service announcement that earned her first place out of 200 participants in the Take Care of Texas campaign.

Learn your passion and stick with it — that’s a message one Southside ISD music director has for others after watching her father play conjunto music growing up.

A San Antonio man is turning his dark past of homelessness into an opportunity to motivate and inspire others in the homeless community.

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man is hoping to inspire others to stay creative in life through his graffiti art throughout the city. “My mom said I started drawing on the wall when I was three and I never stopped,” Soupe said. I also learned the process and procedures about art when my stepfather would take me to museums and give me books. “I was like, ‘I am going to paint it bigger and put it everywhere!’ That is what graffiti is. Soupe has also dealt with his own struggles like with depression but art helps him cope with that struggle.

San Antonio – A San Antonio teen is using her technology skills to help the younger community live healthier lives. She created the app, “My Fun Food.”“The whole goal was to promote a healthy lifestyle in San Antonio,” said Jimenez. The app’s creation also started from a personal experience of Jimenez, who is a very active student athlete. The app also includes games for children to play while they are waiting for their food to cook. : Teen to skate over 800 miles across Texas to raise awareness for clean roads

“I was also playing my guitar more and more.”He said during that time, he realized the sound of a plastic guitar pick bothered him. “Anytime I wanted a different sound or a different timber, I used a different wood,” Oliver said. “You know every wood has a different sound,” Oliver said. “You can really create a whole different sound for yourself. “I am lucky to have come through that because many people don’t,” Oliver said.

San Antonio – A San Antonio 16-year-old hopes to raise awareness about road cleanliness by skateboarding 800 miles across Texas. It is a big escape.”While skating locally, Reagan said he noticed more and more litter on the roads. I have just been very infatuated with things like that.”Reagan is planning the big trip in May. “I plan to skate 828 miles from Brownsville to Perryton, Texas,” Reagan said. Just find your passion and go with it really.”RELATED: What’s Up South Texas!

Jordan wrote and published his first book, “Not Too Little to Play.”“I made this book about love,” Jordan said. Then I created this book.”The book is about a small boy named Elijah who accomplishes his goals of scoring touchdowns despite many people underestimating him. “At first, I was very concerned when I learned from doctors that he had ADHD,” said Rachel Hinton, his mother. Hinton, who is a single parent, started working to give Jordan a better life when he was a toddler. Let God order your steps and keep him first and you can accomplish anything.”RELATED: What’s Up South Texas!

New Braunfels – A New Braunfels man is sharing his passion for music and ministry with his community through his collection of unique instruments. He has collected, rebuilt, and played different organs including the Caracal Organ, or band organ, which features many different instruments, and the Calliope organ, which is sitting on an old Model T car. You can see it in their eyes.”AdFey said he and his brother began this journey of this unique way of sharing music. Christmas music, classical music, patriotic music, Rock and Roll. “I think anybody with unique talents, if they are open to sharing them with people, I think that is a plus for the people you are serving and for yourself.”RELATED: What’s Up South Texas!

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman is hoping to change the lives of the youth in the Alamo City through majorette dancing. It is pretty difficult because you have to be flexible.”In March 2020, she founded the Prestigious Jewels Majorette Team for ages 7 to 18. It helped a lot more people speak to me and it made me a lot more comfortable.”Her high school team was like her family. “If I can go back to my hometown in Memphis and start a dance team there, that would be great.”AdShe said the Prestigious Jewels Majorette Team welcomes any dancer who wants to join, especially those who need an outlet in their lives. Below are ways to contact Jones if you’re interested in joining the team:RELATED: What’s Up South Texas!

SAN ANTONIO – One South Side man is passionate about keeping his love for comic books alive in the community. We have to open up.’ This was everything we had.”In the beginning, their store looked a lot different from what it looks like today. Through it all, he said the passion for comic booking started with his love of reading. It is like a little group.”He said it makes him happy seeing the community having the same experience he has when he reads comic books. But I love what I do.”AdHe said the biggest enjoyment is serving the South Side community.

SAN ANTONIO – A 12-year-old makeup artist is using her passion for makeup to give back to the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Adrialynn Alvarado started doing makeup a year and a half ago. “I wasn’t upset about the makeup part because she had been doing that since she was a very little girl. Alvarado has been doing live makeup tutorials online since. She was given the opportunity to create her own makeup pallet to be sold.

San Antonio – A Steele High School junior with a visual impairment is hoping her story will encourage others to overcome their obstacles in life. Jazmine Harper, 16, has always been visually impaired since she was born, but was diagnosed with glaucoma at age 8. Jazmine Harper is in Girl Scouts, on multiple swim teams, the marching band and the orchestra. Ad“She found that a lot of it was that people just don’t understand it,” Jennifer Harper said. “Everybody has their own battles, so don’t let yours stop what you are trying to accomplish,” Jazmine Harper said.

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman has dedicated her life to sewing children’s clothes for charities in need. “I have done about 70 to 80 outfits so far this year and it only takes a day,” Gamble said. “I was about 5 ½ years old and my kindergarten teacher suggested I needed to be tested academically,” Gamble said. Ad“When I was going through that, ‘I don’t know if I am smart, so I am going to assume something is wrong with me,’ he looked past that. : Woman dedicates life to advocating for birds

San Antonio – A South Texas woman has dedicated her life to helping veterans overcome Posttraumatic Stress Disorder by training shelter dogs to become service animals. Our job is to train a dog to alleviate those symptoms.”AdShe said they look for five things in a potential service dog. “The thing with shelter dogs is that they have a shelter way of being,” Jenkins said. “The main obstacle is the misinformation and education lacking for service dogs and service dog training,” Jenkins said. The main issue I would say is the service dog registries which are fake and not real nor is it associated with anything.

SAN ANTONIO – A 7-year-old boy in San Antonio has spent his time in quarantine helping other children learn math by way of a YouTube channel. “This child has been unique from the time he was born,” said Sharon Ackah, his mother. Ad“His grades are great, but he talks to much in class,” Sharon Ackah joked. “When you have a gift, you have an obligation to share it,” Sharon Ackah said. I need another videographer!’”Josiah has received many great reviews on his channel called, ‘Mathematicals.’“They will ask him to do more videos or do them in Spanish,” Sharon Ackah said.

SAN ANTONIO – A local registered nurse has transformed her passion of helping others in the emergency room to helping people through her non-profit tattoo removal program. “The side effect was that it caused a burn, but it healed without a scar but I could scar,” Kent said. Kent said depending on the tattoo, it varies as far as how many treatments it takes to have a tattoo completely removed. “It is a fading process,” Kent said. It’s nice.”Kent said the biggest reward she gets is knowing she has help start the change in someone’s life.

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman has dedicated her life to advocating for birds and hopes to inspire others to do the same. “It is very relaxing and a place for me to forget about work,” Garlock said. “I advocate for the birds,” Garlock said. “What we have in our parks is a blessing because you wouldn’t see the kind of birds, we have nesting in an urban city. The only way to educate the public in a meaningful way is to show them.

Crystal Sanders with TouchTunes Bartender of the Year award (Courtesy Crystal Sanders) (KSAT)Crystal Sanders, 40, is not only a bartender at Brewer's Grill, but she is a direct care specialist at ALPHA Home. Crystal Sanders as a child (Courtesy Crystal Sanders) (KSAT)"Things like that change you," Sanders said. AdSanders stopped drinking alcohol but it was a scary experience starting off. Crystal Sanders with her children (Courtesy Crystal Sanders) (KSAT)Crystal Sanders with her son (Courtesy Crystal Sanders) (KSAT)"For the longest time, my oldest sons didn't speak to me but they allowed me to stalk them on social media," Sanders said. “You either struggle to stay clean or fight to stay high every day,” Sanders said.

What’s Up South Texas! : Man with troubled past paints to inspire othersPublished: January 13, 2020, 4:47 amA local painter is turning his troubled past into beauty through elaborate portraits he creates while at local bars around the city.

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman is not letting her disability stop her passion for helping the homeless and is making crosses to share her faith. I need to pray over her.’ I fell into a dream and God told me ‘I can’t let you go, Doris. I don’t think, if I didn’t have my crosses in my life, I would be happy.”She said taking care of her husband is no easy task. I told God ‘Don’t take him. “I don’t think people deserve to be out in the street,” Laque said.

Jeremy Evans, also known as Remy Bones, has been street performing the past few years of his life. Coming up short on rent sometimes.”But that struggle did not stop Evans from following his dream as a drummer. I was like all I want to do is play drums and make money. “I was like, ‘I can just play drums for the rest of my life.’ Everyone was like ‘What are you doing! Evans enjoying time with his daughter Aurora (Contributed Photo)“When I had my daughter was one of the life changing moments in my life,” Evans said.

Clayann Holbrook made state finals at the Texas Junior High Rodeo Association last year, but starting out, she knew nothing about the sport. “We were on vacation in the Dominican Republic,” said Daniel Holbrook, Clayann dad. “My coach she was tough love,” Clayann said. Her family said her tough love instructor is now one of her best friends and biggest mentors pushing her in the sport. “The goal is to ultimately make nationals,” Clayann Holbrook said.

What’s Up South Texas! : Rodeo teen barrel races past life’s obstacles to find successPublished: November 10, 2019, 11:01 pmA 13-year-old barrel racing Ray D. Corbett Junior High School student is inspiring others to push through challenges while following your dreams.

“The Lord ordered me to stay home and read a book and pray,” Nakpodia said. “Just to take a day off.”Her passion for serving others while serving God started at a young age growing up in Nigeria. “My heart was just seeking God,” Nakpodia said. That man came to San Antonio to find a job and eventually, Nakpodia came to San Antonio and had two more children. She said the building for a new church came to her in a vision.

SAN ANTONIO – A World War II veteran is sharing his story in hopes of encouraging others to happily live their lives to the fullest. “I was raised in a hotel,” Stinson said. “My daddy started Double Dip, selling ice cream two scoops for a nickel,” Stinson said. “Flying is so wonderful — to be able to fly and see how beautiful the country is," Stinson said. Then, when the war was about over, we started flying into Japan.”Stinson said his experience in Japan was amazing, despite almost losing his life on one of their flights.

SAN ANTONIO – A Smiley, Texas woman has let her disease diagnosis fuel her passion and drive to rehabilitating horses in full force in her lifetime. Darla Cherry, president and CEO of Meadow Haven Horse Rescue, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000. “I knew of Meadow Haven Horse Rescue and there was this blind horse,” Cherry said. “In 30 days, I had 30 horses,” Cherry said. The saying is, I have MS. MS doesn’t have me.

'”Because Allen knew how much she meant to Lozano, she didn’t want to risk their lives being separated. “In my mind, I am like ‘If you get on the list, you will get a kidney,’” Allen said. “Last year, she got really sick,” Allen said. I knew something was going on but I didn’t know how much of what was going on because she didn’t want me to worry.”One day, Lozano didn’t come to treatment. “You never know who God will place in your life,” Allen said.

SAN ANTONIO – Being bullied has always had a major impact on one San Antonio 14-year-old, which is why she has transformed her life from being a victim to being a confident roller derby athlete. “Roller derby is a high contact sport on wheels,” said Brenna Schrade. “I used to go to public schools, where I used to get bullied by other people,” Schrade said. I wanted to do roller derby." “I just thought, ‘I am going to suck at this.’”But for nearly two years, Schrade has learned and nearly mastered the sport, competing with two teams called the Rockin' City Rebels and Texas Junior Roller Derby.

"I left the computer recording and then I heard this playing on the piano," said Eric Estrada, Abram Estrada's dad. I stopped the recording and listened and thought it was pretty progressive," Eric Estrada said. "In elementary school for fourth grade, I did the dance and talent show there," Abram Estrada said. Abram Estrada also has a two-hour radio show he does for a local radio station to show off his skills. "We are trying to get over that stigma that children cannot do this," Eric Estrada said.

When I first got to San Antonio, I was surprised because I was expecting cowboys and Indians and stuff like that. “I told her I think God might be calling me to it. “Before, my friend was running a dating service and she called me up and said ‘I want you to start a dating service in San Antonio. “It said, 'Do free wedding on the courthouse steps in San Antonio on Valentine’s Day,'” Sullivan said. Then we had one at 10 and then noon and then God told me to open it up until midnight.

SAN ANTONIO – Paddling a canoe is more than just a sport for one group of people, which is why they have made it their mission to educate the community about the Hawaiian tradition of family. The San Antonio Outrigger Canoe Club has been around for about three years with an official nonprofit status of two years. Career wise and a lot of other things.”He got the idea of outrigger paddling in Arizona. Forti, Arocha and nearly 30 other people now make up the San Antonio Outrigger Canoe club which participates in many causes in our community including doing races to raise money for causes. “It changed my life,” Forti said.

Ricky Rodriguez was diagnosed with autism at 18 weeks. “I’ll see the word and I am like ‘There is no way that is a word,’” Erin Rodriguez said. “Around this time, my oldest was practicing for the spelling bee,” Erin Rodriguez said. He is really good at losing now and when he wins big, we are all super excited. “I think he can be a really good play one day if he continues to work hard like he is doing.