PR internships aren’t just college requirements — they are the foundation for lifelong legacies.
It would have been the fall of ’98 or the spring of ’99 when I first spoke to Ashley Antle, APR’s class at Texas Christian University while working at Texas Health Resources. (It may have even been Doug Newsom Chapter PRSSA – TCU’s class where I had spoken.)
Shortly after that guest appearance, Ashley reached out to inquire about an internship. My first daughter had just been born so I was actually on maternity leave when we met to interview that summer. I can still see Ashley sitting there with Bryn in her infant carrier right beside us while we chatted. Ashley joined our team that following fall, and it was the start of a 27-year journey.
More Than a Professional Connection
Space doesn’t allow me to list every milestone we’ve shared since then. I was there to hear how she met her future husband Sean Antle, I attended their wedding and sat with Barclay Berdan, Debbie Brown and a host of Harris friends, and I celebrated the birth of her children — just as she had always done for me. I’ll never forget her decorating my hospital room at Harris Methodist when Blaine Van Hoosier and Bella were born.
Throughout my career, whenever I needed to assemble an “A-Team,” Ashley was the first person I wanted at the table.
The Power of the PRSA Network
The tribute Ashley wrote for my mom (Mimi) focuses on a story from a PRSA International Conference. It is a beautiful reminder of resilience and the power of the PRSA network. These industry connections aren’t just about business cards; they are about the deep, global friendships that sustain us through life’s twists and turns.
PRSA’s national chair Heide Harrell, MA, APR just made this invaluable point to me recently.
Full Circle Moments
My mom was a lifelong educator who loved Ashley like her own; she would be so touched by these words.
The story comes full circle again today: my niece Vivian Moore, a PR student finishing her studies at the University of Central Florida, created this beautiful artwork for us over the weekend. She is a rising star — if your company is looking for intern talent this summer, she is the one to watch.
My takeaway for my network: You never know what kind of connections you’ll make when you say “yes” to being a guest speaker at a college or high school class. I hope you’ll consider getting involved with your local university or ISD this semester to grow the next generation of professionals.
But most of all, I hope you’ll read this tribute to the woman who was a lifelong educator: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/04/10/rebecca-rowntree-moore-dec-20-1936-jan-19-2026/