The White Rock Home Tour began in 2006 when a small group of Hexter Elementary parents set out to combine their love of mid-century modern architecture with a passion for supporting their neighborhood school in Old Lake Highlands.
Many of the founding families lived on a street lined with distinctive Ju-Nel homes designed by Lyle Rowley and Jack Wilson. Known for their low horizontal rooflines, open living spaces, and expansive glass that fills the interiors with natural light, these homes inspired the tour’s original mission: to showcase the area’s remarkable collection of mid-century modern architecture. Today, the tour continues to highlight some of the most interesting — and sometimes hidden — modern and mid-century homes in the neighborhood.
Every dollar raised benefits the Hexter Elementary PTA. A National Blue Ribbon school and one of the highest-performing elementary campuses in Dallas ISD, Hexter provides an exceptional public education to a diverse student body. Proceeds from the tour support campus improvements, technology, and literacy programs.
We’re proud to be part of a community that celebrates great architecture while investing in public education.
“White Rock Home Tour was conceived in 2006 to celebrate the untold story of two up and coming Dallas architects from the 1950’s whose mid-century modern home designs shaped the northeast side of White Rock Lake. The tour draws together a group of people who appreciate good design, who are drawn to White Rock Lake, and who support strong neighborhoods and the schools that serve them.”
Christine Rogers
Founder, White Rock Home Tour
MEET THE 2026 WRHT COMMITTEE
Skyler Colman
Event Chair
Skyler is a business professional in the Food and Beverage industry and a parent of three children at Hexter Elementary, in 3rd grade, 1st grade, and Pre-K. Although a proud Oklahoma Sooner alum, he is married to a UT Longhorn and has made Dallas their home since 2011. When he is not working on the White Rock Home Tour, you might find him training Brazilian jiu-jitsu or trying a new baking recipe with my daughter.
“The tour is meaningful to me because I am proud of our neighborhood and believe real change begins in strong local communities. The White Rock Home Tour is a powerful investment in East Dallas, and I love seeing the collaboration it brings together, from the school and PTA to feeder schools, local businesses, nonprofits, and community partners across Dallas.”
Matt Melo
Sponsorship Director
Matt is a real estate professional and a proud parent of a third grader at Hexter Elementary. He has lived in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex for most of his life, and he and his wife moved their family to Dallas in 2018. Since 2021, they have happily called East Dallas home. This is his third year being involved with the White Rock Home Tour, an event he cares deeply about.
“I love how the tour brings neighbors, local businesses, and families together while raising meaningful support for our school. When I’m not working or volunteering, you’ll usually find me playing soccer, running through the neighborhood training for my next half marathon, or spending time with my family enjoying the community we’re lucky to be part of.”
Shannon Ramirez
Home Sourcing Director
Originally from Oklahoma City, Shannon moved to Dallas 16 years ago to pursue a career in the wholesale interior design industry, spending more than 22 years growing and learning in a field she loved. Now, as the mom of a 5th grader at Hexter Elementary, Shannon cherishes being as involved as she can in supporting students and the school community. In fact, for the past two years, Shannon has led the garden program at Hexter Elementary, an experience that has been incredibly meaningful to her.
“When I was asked to serve as Home Sourcing Director for the White Rock Home Tour, it was a no-brainer. This fundraiser directly supports the garden program, which holds such a special place in my heart. When I’m not working on WRHT, you can usually find me gardening, relaxing at the lake, or hunting for bugs alongside the students. The tour is especially meaningful to me because I see firsthand the joy on students’ faces when they’re outside learning. Time in the garden nurtures more than plants — it supports their social and emotional development and is truly good for their souls.”
Susie Burkybile
Volunteer Director
Susie Burkybile has been an active PTA board member since 2022, serving as Room Representative Coordinator, Silent Auction Chair, and currently as a member of the White Rock Home Tour board assisting with volunteers. She is excited to be part of a group that raises funds benefiting the school in so many meaningful ways — supporting our garden teacher, funding a full teacher assistant position, funding the school musical, providing school supplies, stocking the food pantry, and creating many other opportunities for students and staff.
Susie enjoys serving the East Dallas community and looks forward to helping with this historic and special event as it brings the school and community together. One of her greatest joys is to connect people together in ways that impact our wonderful East Dallas community and school!
In her professional life, she is a licensed massage therapist and certified fascial stretch therapist, bringing a passion for wellness and care into everything she does.
Chris Stevens
Ticket Sales
Chris is a data scientist in the semiconductor industry, specializing in electrical engineering and leading a technical team. He has lived in the Dallas area for most of his life, leaving only to earn his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Austin. Chris and his wife enjoyed their time in Austin so much that they chose it as their son’s middle name. A devoted Longhorn fan, Chris enjoys watching and playing sports, especially football, with his wife and kids, and values any opportunity to spend time with family, friends, and community.
“After living in Bryan Place for 8 years, we looked for some more space to have our second child and really fell in love with the area. I honestly didn’t know much about it besides going to the Arboretum until we started looking for our forever home. That’s why I’m excited to be working on the tour this year. The White Rock area is uniquely beautiful in Dallas and has an irreplicable sense of community. I feel really lucky to have found and picked this place and hope I can help show it to neighbors and architecture enthusiasts around Dallas.”
Ola Kuzmiankova
Social Media & Marketing Director
Ola is a Dallas-based real estate professional known in the local community for her passion for architecture, thoughtful design, and the character of homes. Originally from Belarus, she has traveled extensively and lived in China before ultimately choosing to call Dallas home in 2021. Her global perspective and appreciation for craftsmanship shape the way she approaches her work and have fostered a deep admiration for the architectural heritage and vibrant community surrounding White Rock Lake.
When she isn’t working on the White Rock Home Tour or helping clients find spaces that truly resonate with them, you might find her hiking a remote trail or traveling to Europe to visit her family. Ola is honored to be part of the team organizing and documenting this year’s tour and to serve as a sponsor in support of Hexter Elementary. She believes that celebrating beautiful homes and strengthening local schools are both meaningful ways to invest in the community.
Chris Hudgens
Program Manager
Bio coming soon…
Liz Van Hoek
Hospitality and Reception Coordinator
Bio coming soon…
Ashley Slocum
City Permits Coordinator
Ashley has called the OLH community home for the past 13 years. She and her husband, Brent, are raising their children in OLH with one attending Hexter. Ashley is excited to participate in this year’s event, supporting an organization that gives back to the community that her family loves so dearly.
Blake Pearce
Event Operations
Bio coming soon…
