Bishop Lynch High School graduation

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Auxiliary Bishop Mark J. Seitz delivers the Blessing of the Class of 2010 during the Commencement Exercises for the Bishop Lynch High School class of 2010 at the Special Events Center in Garland on Sunday, May 23, 2010.


Larry Allen of Dallas makes photos with other parents as his daughter Natalie Allen enters in the processional during Commencement Exercises for the Bishop Lynch High School class of 2010 at the Special Events Center.


Ashley C. Barraza gives the Commencement Address during Commencement Exercises for the Bishop Lynch High School class of 2010.


Auxiliary Bishop Mark J. Seitz presents a diploma to class valedictorian Victoria M. Ehlinger (center) during the Commencement Exercises for the Bishop Lynch High School class of 2010.


Daniel Robert Love celebrates his graduation during the Commencement Exercises for the Bishop Lynch High School class of 2010 at the Special Events Center.



The Bishop Lynch Class of 2010 throws their caps at the conclusion of the Commencement Exercises for the Bishop Lynch High School class of 2010 at the Special Events Center in Garland.

Catholic Biblical School graduation mass

Graduates change locations before a graduation mass for the Catholic Biblical School, Adult Faith Formation and Graduate Program in the Maher Athletic Center at the University of Dallas in Irving on Saturday, May 15, 2010.


photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic


Bishop Kevin W. Vann of the Fort Worth Diocese (center) prepares the Eucharist during a graduation mass in the Maher Athletic Center in Irving.


Bishop Kevin W. Vann (left to right); Thomas W. Keefe, University of Dallas president, and Brian Schmisec, School of Ministry dean, congratulate Raymond Perez (right) upon his graduation from the Adult Faith Formation for the Catholic Biblical School, Adult Faith Formation and Graduate Program in the Maher Athletic Center.


Friends and family document the occasion as graduates surround Bishop Kevin W. Vann after a graduation mass for the Catholic Biblical School, Adult Faith Formation and Graduate Program in the Maher Athletic Center at the University of Dallas in Irving.

Independence Day Children's Parade

Strollers, bikers, carters, wagoneers and walkers begin the Independence Day Children's Parade on Timber Creek Road on July 3, 2010 in Flower Mound.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


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Strollers, bikers, carters, wagoneers and walkers begin the Independence Day Children's Parade on Timber Creek Road in Flower Mound.

Also named in this slideshow are:   Skylar Witte, Linley Phillips, Maggie Phillips, Amelia Ryan, Thomas Ryan, Aiden Morris, Genevieve Robins, Schadle Landry, Alex Alexandrov, Pat Alexandrov, Justin Alexandrov, Yohanna Garcia, Claire Henderson, Lindsay Henderson, Josh Bennett, Ella Bennett and Eve Bennett.

Kitchen Dog Theater rehearsal

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

(From left to right) Drew Wall (Chris), Bruce DuBose (Billy), Ivan Jasso (Nini) and Ani Celise Vera (Violetta) rehearse a scene from the Kitchen Dog Theater performance of "Long Way Go Down" by Zayd Dohrn at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary in Dallas on May 28, 2010.


Ani Celise Vera (Violetta) and Drew Wall (Chris) rehearse a scene from the Kitchen Dog Theater performance of "Long Way Go Down" at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary.



Ani Celise Vera (Violetta) and Drew Wall (Chris) rehearse a scene from the Kitchen Dog Theater performance of "Long Way Go Down" in Dallas.



Ani Celise Vera (Violetta) and Drew Wall (Chris) rehearse a scene from the Kitchen Dog Theater performance of "Long Way Go Down" by Zayd Dohrn at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary in Dallas.

Class 4A Region II quarterfinal baseball series

© Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Frisco Wakeland sophomore Hayden Nixon (17) pitches to Rockwall junior Cory Mills (15) during a Class 4A Region II quarterfinal series game at McKinney Boyd High School on May 20, 2010 in McKinney.


Rockwall senior Cole Harris (5) pitches to Frisco Wakeland junior Eric Swann (8) during a Class 4A Region II quarterfinal series game at McKinney Boyd High School.

Texas Horse Park Trail Ride

Loyd St. John of Ovilla holds on as Candy, a 10-year-old Silver Chocolate Rocky Mountain, rears at a backing obstacle during a trail ride to break a world record at the Texas Horse Park in Dallas on June 13, 2010.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


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Horses and riders participate in a trail ride to break a world record at the Texas Horse Park in Dallas. More than 60 horses and riders traversed a six-mile obstacle course to help break the record for the most simultaneous rider teams in one country.

Also named in this slideshow are: &nbsp Diana Williford, Cody Hampton, Suzanne Creel, Mary B. Rhoades, Marianne Marsden, Margo McClinton, Jennifer Robinson, Loyd St. John, Kevin Woods, J. Williams, Sylvia Harmon, Gary Patrick, Mark Limsky, Judy Limsky and Dallas Police Department Sr. Cpl. Dale Baugh.

Epic Roadtrip - Kemah

photos © Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

Visitors scream on rides near Babin's Seafood House on the Kemah Boardwalk in Kemah on July 20, 2010.


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Fayrouz Hancock visits the Kemah Boardwalk in Kemah on July 20, 2010.

Epic Roadtrip - NASA Space Center Houston

photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Fayrouz Hancock poses for a portrait next to a painting of the Apollo XIII astronauts in the Saturn V building at NASA's Space Center Houston on Tuesday, July 20, 2010.


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Fayrouz Hancock tours NASA's Space Center Houston in Texas.

Epic Roadtrip - Galveston

Fish swim in aquariums at the Rainforest Cafe in Galveston on Monday, July 19, 2010.



photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com


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Fayrouz Hancock visits the Moody Gardens Aquarium and enjoys dinner at the Rainforest Cafe followed by coffee on The Strand in Galveston on Monday, July 19, 2010.

Epic Roadtrip - Schulenburg

Fayrouz Hancock poses for a portrait with her coffee and flavored popcorn in front of the Potter Country Store in Schulenburg, Texas during a lunch stop on The Epic Roadtrip across Texas on July 19, 2010. We had to stop for for a few bags of their famous cinnamon-glazed pecans.

Epic Roadtrip - The Alamo

Fayrouz Hancock visits The Alamo in San Antonio on Monday, July 19, 2010.


photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com



The Alamo stands as a monument of Texas independence in San Antonio.


A groundskeeper cleans the sidewalk in front of The Alamo in San Antonio.


Fayrouz Hancock visits The Alamo in San Antonio on Monday, July 19, 2010.

Epic Roadtrip - Hard Rock Cafe'

© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

The Hard Rock Cafe' in San Antonio has a stained glass and wood mural featuring iconic Texas artists such as Buddy Holly, Janis Joplin and Stevie Ray Vaughn at the cafe' in San Antonio on Sunday, July 18, 2010..



The Hard Rock Cafe' in San Antonio features world-class music memorabilia in addition to a quirky 23-foot-long Cadillac hearse parked upside-down on the ceiling at the cafe.

Epic Roadtrip - SeaWorld San Antonio

photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Takara and her calf Sakari perform during "Shamu Rocks" at SeaWorld San Antonio on Sunday, July 18, 2010.


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Marine mammals perform at SeaWorld San Antonio on Sunday, July 18, 2010.

The marine mammal park, oceanarium and animal theme park is located in Westover Hills. It is the largest of the three SeaWorld parks and the world's largest marine-life theme park.

Animals included in this slideshow: killer whales (Takara, Sakari [Takara's calf], Kyuquot, Keet, Unna, and Tuar), beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, California sea lions and a walrus. Shows included in this slideshow: "Believe," "Azul," "Sea Lions Tonight" and "Shamu Rocks." Areas included in this slideshow: Shamu Stadium, Seal and Sea Lion Stadium, Beluga Stadium and an aviary Habitat.

Epic Roadtrip - San Fernando Cathedral

iPhone photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

A fountain leaps in the sunlight in the plaza after mass at San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio on Sunday, July 18, 2010.


The 18th-century-style retablo is gilded in 24-karat gold at San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio.




Fayrouz Hancock prays after mass at San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio.




San Fernando Cathedral was founded in 1731 in San Antonio and is the oldest, continuously-functioning religious community in Texas.

Epic Roadtrip - San Antonio Riverwalk

photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Two river barges pass along the Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio on Saturday, July 17, 2010.


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Tourists visit San Antonio's famed Riverwalk during the Epic Roadtrip across Texas on Saturday, July 17, 2010.

Epic Roadtrip - Wonder World

photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Deer rest in the shade of a hot summer afternoon at Wonder World Park in San Marcus on Saturday, July 17, 2010.


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Fayrouz Hancock visits Wonder World Park in San Marcus during the Epic Roadtrip Across Texas on Saturday, July 17, 2010.

The tour includes a walk through a natural cave, a view of the Balcones Fault Line from atop the Tejas Observation Tower, the Anti-Gravity House and a tram ride through a private exoctic animal wildlife park.

It was our first time to visit this place. I doubt I'll ever go there again. It wasn't a negative experience. However, it was not worth our time. I heard (afterward) that nearby Natural Bridge Caverns and/or Inner Space Caverns are both better.

Epic Roadtrip - Mesquite Championship Rodeo

photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

A saddle-bronc rider tries to stay up for the full eight during the Mesquite Championship Rodeo on Friday, July 16, 2010.


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Fayrouz Hancock attends the Mesquite Championship Rodeo on Friday, July 16, 2010.

We logged about 1,100 miles inside Texas during a five-day roadtrip. We drove a triangle from Dallas to San Antonio to Houston and back. The miles we drove have the following one-way approximate equivalencies:

Portland, ME -- Savannah, GA
New York City, NY -- Birmingham, AL
Tijuana, Mexico -- Cheyenne, WY
Vancouver, Canada -- Fresno, CA
Paris, France -- Kaliningrad, Russia
Milwaukee, WI -- Dallas, TX

In one week we hit these cities:
Addison - dinner at Magic Time Machine served by the Mad Hatter
Dallas – Dallas World Aquarium, Sixth Floor Museum (JFK), West End Marketplace
Mesquite – Mesquite Championship Rodeo along with an all-you-can-eat-and-drink BBQ
Waco – lunch at Collin Street Bakery
San Marcos – Wonder World caverns (a waste of time)
San Antonio – Sea World, The Alamo, walked and took a river barge tour on The Riverwalk, Mexican dinner on the river and late-night burgers at the Hard Rock Café, San Fernando Cathedral and plaza
Schulenburg – lunch and fresh cinnamon-glazed pecans for the road
Galveston – Moody Gardens Aquarium, dinner at the Rainforest Café, drove along the seawall, coffee on The Strand with a dear friend
Clear Lake – toured and dined at NASA's Space Center Houston
Kemah – dinner and shopping on the Kemah boardwalk
Plano – shopped at Willow Bend Mall, several meals

Epic Roadtrip - Downtown Dallas and JFK

Flowers bloom near the Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture (formerly the Dallas County Court House) at Dealey Plaza in Downtown Dallas on Friday, July 16, 2010.


photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com


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The Sixth Floor and Old Red museums at Dealey Plaza draw visitors in Downtown Dallas on Friday, July 16, 2010.

The museum doesn't allow general photography, so there are no shots from this visit. However, please see my previous photo story about the museum and other JFK-related shots for The National newspaper of Abu Dhabi.

Epic Roadtrip - Dallas World Aquarium

A dancer with Grupo Pakal Mayan performs a ritual dance with a Scarlet macaw and rainstick at the Dallas World Aquarium in Downtown Dallas' West End on Friday, July 16, 2010.


photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com



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Fayrouz Hancock visits the Dallas World Aquarium in Downtown Dallas' West End on Friday, July 16, 2010.

The Dallas World Aquarium also features live Netcams for the Leafy Dragons and the manatees.

This slideshow features treks through the aquarium's various exhibits including: The Aquarium, Wilds of Borneo, Orinoco - Secrets of the River, South Africa exhibit with the seasonal Madagascar display and the Mundo Maya exhibit with a 40-foot tunnel through a Cenote.

Also featured in this slideshow are: Grupo Pakal Mayan (Mayan dancers), tamarins, crocodiles, turtles, manatees, catfish, anemones, sea dragons, regal tangs (Dory), moorish idols (Gill), sharks, hammerhead sharks, stingrays, sawfish, a jaguar, Scarlet macaws and flamingos among various other fish.

Harris' rough day at the office

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

FC Dallas' Atiba Harris (16) takes a tumble as he chases the ball between D.C. United's Clyde Simms (19) and Jordan Graye (16) during a Major League Soccer game at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco on May 8, 2010.


FC Dallas' Atiba Harris (16) gets a toe on the ball as he races against D.C. United's Devon McTavish (18) as Bill Hamid (28) scoops the ball during a Major League Soccer game at Pizza Hut Park.


FC Dallas' Atiba Harris (16) looks back as D.C. United's Devon McTavish (18) lands on the back of goalkeeper Bill Hamid (28) during a Major League Soccer game at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco. FC Dallas won 1-0.

Richardson High School baseball

Richardson's John Beggs (19) slides home for a run during a district baseball game against Carrollton Creekview at Richardson High School on April 6, 2010.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Richardson's Gerry Sifuentes (4) dodges a bad pitch during a district baseball game against Carrollton Creekview in Richardson.



Richardson's Chase Weaver (22) pitches during a district baseball game against Carrollton Creekview at Richardson High School.



Richardson's Chase Weaver (22) pitches during a district baseball game against Carrollton Creekview at Richardson High School in Richardson.



If there ever was a reason to shoot too much to cover your rump, this assignment was it.

I was only assigned to shoot the pitcher for an upcoming feature. However, I wanted to see if I could manage an "eye popper" to run as a daily shot. I'm lucky to have stayed.

The disk was corrupt.

Had I shot the pitcher and split, I wouldn't have anything. Instead, I shot until I knew I had some killer shots. Of course, all those freaking died with the disk. But, I had enough other shots after a recovery program to salvage the shoot.

Whew!

Class 4A Region II track & field champs

Lancaster's Tyler Stephenson (289) and Kendall Hayes (269) react as they cross the finish in the Men's 300 Meter Hurdles during the Class 4A Region II track and field meet at Fouts Field in Denton on May 4, 2010. Stephenson crossed ahead of Hayes. Both advanced to the Texas state meet.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Whitehouse's Chasity Stewart (894) and Greenville's Jessica Franklin (364) leap over the final hurdle in the 100 Meter Hurdles during the Class 4A Region II track and field meet at Fouts Field in Denton. The top two finishers in each event advanced to the Texas state meet.


Mesquite Poteet's Veronica Jones (568) sprints ahead of Longview's Kiersten Brewer (473) to win the Women's 100 Meter Dash during the Class 4A Region II track and field meet in Denton.



Frisco's Ajani Brown (220) wins the Men's 400 Meter Dash during the Class 4A Region II track and field meet at Fouts Field.



Carrollton Newman Smith's Courtney Okolo (7) runs in the Women's 400 Meter Dash during the Class 4A Region II track and field meet. She won with a time of 54.05.


Highland Park's Sara Sutherland (135) runs in the Women's 1600 Meter Race during the Class 4A Region II track and field meet at Fouts Field. She won the event.



Lancaster's Kenny Penny, left, hands the baton to Kourtney Payne, right, in the Men's 4x400 Meter Relay during the Class 4A Region II track and field meet at Fouts Field in Denton.

Gov. Perry at Texas Home School Gala

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Governor Rick Perry kids with Congressman Pete Sessions before the Texas Home School Coalition Gala at Southern Methodist University in Dallas on Friday, April 30, 2010.


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Governor Rick Perry delivers the keynote address to the Texas Home School Coalition Gala at Southern Methodist University in Dallas on Friday, April 30, 2010.