TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
Where was your favorite place to shop in Texarkana? Being the country girl I was, the North Forty was the best. I loved the smell of saddle leather, going back to the simple days of no AC or heat, roasted peanuts on the wood-burning stove in the winter, and Robin and Jim Morse, who were like family. I truly looked forward to going by there, even if it was just for horse feed. What do you miss about Texarkana? The majority of my family is in Texarkana. My brother, sister, cousins, and I all moved away, but some cousins have made their way back home. I miss that every Sunday after church was like a family reunion, eating out or at someone’s house. I miss having my family there for every life event as the world’s greatest cheerleaders. Where was your favorite place to eat in Texarkana? My favorite place to eat while I was living in Texarkana will age me a bit. While I was in high school, McAlister’s entered the restaurant scene. This was a fun, new place to eat and hang out. After games, you already knew everyone was going to be at McAlister’s. Plus, they made it fun and welcoming for us high school kids by putting all the local teams’ jerseys on
TXK ROOTS Jennifer Day
the walls—kind of brought us all together. What would you change about Texarkana?
Jennifer Day grew up on her parents’ farm in the pecan bottoms of Wamba in Texarkana, Texas. She now lives on her own 100-acre ranch just north of Waco. A former high school rodeo cowgirl and athlete at Pleasant Grove, Jennifer earned a pole vault scholarship to Arkansas State University, where she received a degree in graphic design. After graduation, she pursued studies in equine and canine sports massage therapy and osteopathy, quickly realizing she needed a career that kept her out of an office and connected to the work she loved. Today, Jennifer runs her ranch with cattle, horses, and hay production. She has owned her hydromulch company, Optimum Hydroseeding, since 2018. In 2022, Jennifer founded Ur Purpose Co., an all- natural, clean-ingredient skincare and home products company created to remove chemicals, dyes, toxins, and artificial fragrances from everyday products. Through education and truly clean products that genuinely work, the company reflects Jennifer’s passion for helping people live healthier, more intentional lives. Ur Purpose Co. bridges the many paths of Jennifer’s life and allows her to connect with people from all walks of life—an opportunity she embraces with deep excitement as she brings others along on the journey.
Richmond Road traffic… Who is with me on this one? Who is someone from Texarkana who impacted your life? Oh, there are too many to name them all. Obviously, my entire family and several PG teachers. But one individual that I must name is Sue Camp. She was such a true friend and mentor in my first job after college at Williams Memorial UMC as the communications director. She was the one who really encouraged me to follow my dreams and passions, even if that meant leaving the comforts of the TXK bubble. She may not remember it the way I do, but let this be a reminder that the smallest gestures and simplest conversations can be life- changing for others.
Another person I have to mention is Coach Kendrick Smith. He is the true definition of a coach: encouraging on and off the field, recognizing true potential even if you don’t see it yourself, and going above and beyond what is required of him to make sure his athletes
have all the opportunities to reach the next level. He was one of the most influential people in my track career, who led me to a full-ride scholarship. That opened so many other doors. His motivational speeches were the absolute best! I wish I could get one of those for this post-sports real-world life.
TXK Roots is Texarkana Magazine ’s forum to highlight and honor Texarkana natives who have accomplished big things in the world. These folks may have relocated, but they took the values, education, work ethic, and creativity instilled in them by growing up in this unique border city and used these qualities to blaze extraordinary trails. We asked them to share their thoughts about growing up here. No matter how far from Texarkana they may find themselves, we will always consider them our neighbors and we are proud to claim them as forever members of our extended Texarkana community. After all, “everyone is famous in their hometown!”
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TXK ROOTS
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