The Heart Behind the Back to School Extravaganza

• John Wayne Southerland

  Founder & President

  John Wayne Southerland is a seasoned entrepreneur and philanthropist. As the owner of The John Wayne Insurance Agency, John has established himself as a leader in the insurance industry since 2009, bringing a strategic approach and a commitment to excellence to every endeavor. As a competitor in semi-professional rodeo, John Wayne embodies resilience and determination—qualities that have defined both his personal and professional life. Married for 16 years and a dedicated father of three, he is also guided by his strong faith and is proud to be known as a friend of Jesus. Beyond his professional achievements, John Wayne is the visionary Founder of the Back to School Extravaganza. With a deep passion for serving children in need, John felt a profound calling from God to make a difference in the lives of young people facing adversity. This calling led him to transform his vision into a powerful mission—providing resources, opportunities, and hope to children in central Texas. Through his unwavering dedication, John has created a lasting impact, helping countless children succeed in school and life. His commitment to giving back is not just a charitable act but a fulfillment of a divine purpose, one that continues to inspire and uplift the community.
  
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• Dominic Mastrangelo

  Vice President

  Dominic Mastrangelo has been a steadfast supporter of the Back to School Extravaganza since its early days, playing a pivotal role in its growth and fundraising efforts. As the owner of Net Solutions & Security, he has consistently sponsored and contributed to the organization's mission of providing school supplies and clothing to economically challenged students across Central Texas. Dominic's unwavering commitment and generosity have been instrumental in expanding the reach and impact of the Back to School Extravaganza, helping to serve over 300 students annually. His dedication to the community and passion for supporting education continue to inspire others to join in making a difference in the lives of local children. In recognition of his contributions, Dominic and his company, Net Solutions & Security, have been honored as the "Big Lebowski" sponsor, reflecting their significant role in the success of the organization's events and initiatives.
  
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• Trisha Hendrickson

  Public Relations & Marketing

  Trisha Hendrickson serves as the Public Relations & Marketing Chair for the Back to School Extravaganza and is Chairing the inaugural Back to School Gala. As the CEO and Founder of Moxie360 Marketing, Trisha brings her extensive expertise in branding, marketing, and business development to elevate the organization’s mission and connect with the community. A proud mom of three adult children and grandma to two grandchildren, Trisha’s passion for education began when she became a mother, inspiring her dedication to helping children succeed. Since moving to Texas from Minnesota in 2021, she has become a passionate advocate for children in need, leveraging her skills to expand the organization’s reach and influence. With a strong history of volunteering for various community initiatives, Trisha's leadership inspires others to get involved and make a difference. Her dedication to empowering young lives reflects her belief that giving back is one of the most impactful ways to create a better future.
  
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• Garrett Rowe

  Treasurer

  Garrett Rowe is an independent financial advisor and a partner for A Sling and A Stone, a Registered Investment Advisory firm committed to helping clients achieve financial clarity and confidence. A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Garrett Rowe earned a degree in Finance in December 2013 and has since dedicated his career to providing thoughtful, personalized financial guidance. Deeply invested in community service, Garrett Rowe is passionate about supporting youth and civic engagement in Central Texas. He is an active member of the Rotary Club and serves on several local nonprofit boards. In addition to his role on the Back to School Extravaganza board, he is the Vice President for the Boys and Girls Club of the Highland Lakes and also serves on the Board for the Friends of the Library in Burnet, TX. Garrett Rowe brings both professional insight and a heart for service to every endeavor, striving to make a meaningful impact both financially and personally in the lives of those he serves. A graduate of Indiana University with a double major in Theatre and Media Advertisement, Garrett has been instrumental in nurturing young talent through his roles at the Black Box Theatre Company and University Players. His commitment to fostering creativity and providing educational opportunities for children reflects his passion for making a positive impact in their lives.
  
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• Jasmyn Yu

  Creative Director

  Jasmyn Yu serves as the Creative Director of Back to School Extravaganza. She is an entrepreneur, real estate investor, and philanthropist dedicated to creating lasting legacies for both her family and her community. As the Founder and CEO of 999 Legacy Holdings, a premier real estate investment firm specializing in luxury short-term and long-term rentals, Jasmyn has built a reputation for excellence, vision, and integrity in the real estate industry. Since beginning her investment journey in 2010, she has transformed her passion for real estate into a multimillion-dollar enterprise that empowers others to build wealth through ownership. Driven by faith, purpose, and a heart for service, Jasmyn is deeply committed to giving back. She proudly supports causes that uplift families and children, including local food banks, diaper banks, animal shelters, women’s shelters, and the Texas Paralyzed Veterans Organization. As a board member of the Back-to-School Extravaganza, she continues to extend her mission of impact—helping provide resources, confidence, and opportunity to children across Central Texas. A devoted mother of three daughters, Jasmyn leads by example, raising the next generation of leaders, innovators, and world changers. Her journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of giving back—a true reflection of living with purpose and building a legacy that lasts.
  
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• Michelle Grumbles

  Director of Events

  Michelle Grumbles brings a rare combination of operational precision and genuine hospitality to everything she touches. By day, she works as an HR and operations leader, building culture, developing people, and solving problems for organizations navigating growth and change. Her event background started at EPIC, where she cut her teeth on boots on the ground production for in person conferences ranging from 50 to 10,000 attendees, experience that would later shape how she approaches every event she touches. That foundation came into full focus when she stepped in as a Volunteer for the Back to School Gala, a role that revealed her true calling for creating systems and experiences where people feel welcomed and valued. That work led to an invitation to join the Back to School Extravaganza Board of Directors, where she now channels her love of logistics and people into helping more children start the school year with confidence.Michelle has been married to the love of her life, Billy, for nearly 25 years, and together they've raised two grown sons, welcomed a 4 year old grandson into the family, and taken on a handful of godchildren along the way. Giving back has always been a family value. For years, the Grumbles' have sponsored families for Christmas at the Texas Baptist Children's Home and are longtime donors to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital. One of their favorite ways to give is sponsoring a "no more chemo" party or gifting a wagon, the ones used to pull kids down the hospital halls to treatment, in someone else's name, so a child who needs nothing more than to be celebrated gets an unforgettable moment. That same spirit of showing up for others is what drives Michelle's work with Back to School Extravaganza today
  
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