Athena's Angels

05/27/2026

05/19/2026

Bobo Crossing has been part of Wise County’s landscape for more than a century.

Digging through old records this morning, I found the crossing was likely named after an early settler known as “Bobo,” who operated a cotton gin near the Trinity River along what is now County Road 4668.

For most of its history, Bobo Crossing was probably only familiar to locals or to the people who tracked county roads and bridge projects.

Not anymore.

Now, the name carries something far heavier. It’s tied forever to the memory of .

Over the weekend, Athena’s mother, Maitlyn Presley Gandy, commissioned a memorial at the crossing where Athena was ultimately recovered by investigators.

For a long time, a simple pink cross stood there.

Now, it’s protected inside a small structure filled with Barbies, stuffed animals, and reminders of the little girl so many people came to know.

A local contractor built the memorial and plans to maintain it moving forward.

It’s strange how places evolve over time.

A crossing once tied to cotton and river traffic has become something else entirely…it carries the weight of a 7-year-old girl many will never forget.

05/19/2026

Oh miss my sweet baby girl 💔🩷

05/19/2026

Athena’s You Can Be Anything Scholarships! Great job Maitlyn!

Yesterday being May 15, 2026, I had the honor of speaking to the Paradise ISD student body and selecting two of their graduating seniors with the first ever Athena Strand’s Army “You Can Be Anything” scholarships.

The “You Can Be Anything” scholarship is a $1,000.00 one time scholarship.

Thank you to the Paradise Superintendent Mrs. Gibson, as well as the other staff, for allowing me the honor to come to your beautiful school.

05/18/2026

Please follow Athena Strand’s Army By Mommy. I am so proud of the kind of Warrior Maitlyn Presley Gandy has been for our Athena.