By ALLISON WISK

neighborsgo editor

Volunteerism is at the heart of University Park residentJulie Kupp’ s life, and her involvement in Highland Park ISD is no different.

As the mother of 10-year-old twins Jeffrey and Katie, Kuppis never far from the University Park Elementary School campus, where herchildren are students. As vice president of communications for the school, hercalendar is booked with nearly every event that takes place there, and she’s aconstant presence at each, with camera in hand.

Capturing memories on film wasn’t always Kupp’s forte,however. The daughter of a father in the oil business, Kupp globe-trottedbefore attending high school at Singapore American School, then returned to theUnited States to attend college at Southern Methodist University. As asuccessful CPA, Kupp worked for Ernst &Young, and she later worked as vicepresident of Investor Relations at Sterling Software.

When she and husband Jeff settled in the Park Cities in1997, Kupp left the corporate world and saw her people skills develop as sheimmersed herself in volunteer work for the Junior League of Dallas.

“Prior to my kids starting at the elementary school I hadalways been involved with organizations like the Junior League of Dallas,” Kuppsaid. “I was newsletter editor for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Childrenthrough my Junior League placement. As the kids got older, I knew how importantit was to shift some of my volunteerism to things where I could see my childrenin the middle of the day.”

When she joined the University Park Elementary School PTA,Kupp found herself using her accounting skills once again as she worked toorganize several events, including the school auction and wildly-successfulcarnival.

“Once you’re pegged as the treasurer, you’re always thetreasurer,” Kupp said. “I’m really committed to fundraising for these schools.”

As her children change schools to enter fifth-grade at McCullochIntermediate School next year, Kupp anticipates her involvement with thedistrict will continue.

“It’s amazing how many volunteer hours are required to keepthe schools running,” she said. “It’s really important to me. I love our schoolcommunity; it’s a pleasure to be a part of it.”