From Popsicles to Politics: How One Grandfather's Question Sparked a Lifetime of Public Service
- Catherine Huckaby
- Aug 20
- 9 min read
When Shona Sowell's grandfather used to pull out the newspaper and discuss inflation rates with his seven-year-old granddaughter, he'd always end their conversations with the same challenging question: "What are you going to do about that?"
At the time, young Shona remembers thinking, "I'm just a kid eating a popsicle!" But that simple question planted a seed that would eventually grow into a decades-long commitment to public service, taking her from PTA meetings to the Frisco City Council chambers, and now to a campaign for mayor.
Today, as she prepares for her 2026 mayoral race while working in community relations at Texas Health Hospital Frisco, she carries forward the same philosophy her grandfather instilled in her: when you see problems in your community, you don't just complain about them—you step up and do something about them.
The Foundation: Where Public Service Really Begins
Shona's path into public service didn't start with grand political ambitions. Like many community leaders, it began with motherhood and a desire to be involved in her children's education through their Parents as Teachers Association. But her mother had already laid the groundwork years earlier with a simple yet powerful message about responsibility.
"She always said, 'you have unique gifts that God has given you. How you use those and how you serve with those is up to you, but it is absolutely a responsibility.’"
This early foundation of service as responsibility, not just opportunity, shaped how she would approach every role she took on. When she moved to Frisco, Texas 23 years ago with her two-year-old daughter and another child on the way, she wasn't just looking for good schools—she was looking for a community where she could grow alongside her neighbors and contribute to something larger than herself.
"I wanted a growing community that I could engage with at the ground level and be a part of what that was going to look like," she explains.
Breaking Down the Barriers: Why Local Government Matters Most
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about making a difference is that they need to focus on federal politics to create real change. Shona passionately disagrees with this perspective, and her experience gives her the credibility to make this case.
"The federal government and the issues happening there are the loudest. It's the ones you see the most of in social media and on the news. It's the noisiest clanging gong in trying to get your attention. But the one that has the most impact on your everyday life is your local government. And it's also the one you have the most impact on in your voice and your vote."
The math is simple but powerful: in local elections, your individual vote carries significantly more weight than it does in federal races. "Your one vote percentagewise is a lot more impactful in your city than it is on the federal government level," she points out. "So, when you talk about wanting to make a difference, this is the place to start."
The Real Skills Every Public Servant Needs
Through her six years on the Frisco City Council (2016-2022), she learned that successful public service requires a specific skill set that many people don't fully expect or appreciate.
1. Collaborative Disagreement
"Your ability to collaborate with others in disagreement" is perhaps the most crucial skill, according to her. "You can disagree. In fact, I believe disagreement and the challenge of ideas is not only important, but also absolutely necessary."
But here's the key difference between productive disagreement and destructive conflict: "You must be able to find a way to maintain the relationship. Once you make the decision, the relationship still has to exist because you're still a working body."
2. Solution-Oriented Problem Solving
Too many people are comfortable pointing out problems without offering solutions. "A lot of people want to say, 'I don't like that. No, we're not doing that.' But then they’re not willing to problem solve," she observes.
Real public servants ask: "How do we evaluate and propose solutions?"
3. Communication Excellence
"You must be able to communicate your ideas and positions on things. And you've got to be able to do that both in writing and verbally."
This isn't just about being articulate, it's about being able to explain complex decisions to constituents who trusted you with their vote.
The Hidden Reality of Public Service
One of the most eye-opening aspects of our conversation was Shona's candid discussion about what public service really costs, not in terms of money, but in time, energy, and emotional investment.
"I don't think people would recognize the amount of time and energy that goes into it if you’re trying to do it right. How much time away from family or the preparation it takes for a two-hour meeting."
But the emotional weight goes even deeper. She describes the mental burden of making decisions that will affect your community for years to come:
"There were some decisions that were very difficult to make, one way or the other. All of the energy that I put into wanting to make sure I did the right thing for the majority of the residents in this community weighs heavily."
Shona carries the weight of every decision, thinking about the people who put campaign signs in their yards to support her.
"I need to be able to go back to them and explain, even if they disagreed with me, what my decision was, what it was based on, and why."
A Personal Journey Through Challenge
In February 2022, her journey took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, just as she was up for re-election for her third council term. Rather than campaigning while fighting for her health, she made the difficult decision to step down and focus on her recovery.
"I chose not to go through the re-election process, believing at the time that I had stepped out of politics for good."
But sometimes life has other plans.
After three years away from elected office, she found herself looking at the upcoming mayoral race and asking the same question her grandfather had posed decades earlier: "What are you going to do about it?"
"When I surveyed the community and looked at the field of who I thought might be interested in running, I looked at their skills and questioned whether the city was going to be in good hands."
The answer led her to announce her candidacy for mayor in March 2025, with elections scheduled for May 2026.
Five Ways to Start Making a Difference in Your Community
For those inspired by her story but unsure where to begin, Shona offers practical advice for getting involved:
1. Start Small and Local
"Just attend or watch online a couple city council meetings to see what's happening in your community."
Sign up for community newsletters and social media updates to stay informed about local issues and volunteer opportunities.
2. Take Advantage of Civic Education Programs
Most communities offer programs like City Hall 101: "It's a six-week program where you learn about all the different key elements of a community and city government."
3. Volunteer for Community Events
"I'm not saying you have to do 10 hours a week, I'm saying sign up for one event. Go participate in that event. One, you're going to meet people. Two, you're going to find out how much you enjoy doing it."
4. Participate in Community Surveys
"Almost every community does a survey at least once a year, where we are learning from you--what do you want from the community, what do you think is working right. Participate in those to share your feedback."
5. Use Technology to Engage
Download your city's app (like Frisco's "MyFrisco" app) to report issues and communicate directly with city staff.
"When you see something that needs to be addressed, send it on the app because that helps the entire community."
The Power of Showing Up
Perhaps the most powerful lesson from her experience is how much impact neighbors can have simply by showing up. Shona shares a story about neighbors who wanted a stoplight installed.
“When they asked me how they could make it happen I told them to show up at the city council meeting. It's difficult to see how important it is just because you are saying it on social media. A lot of people do that. Come to our meetings so we can have a chance to ask you questions and understand the need and the issues."
What happens when people take the time to attend meetings and engage in person? "People often make decisions based on those who show up and those who vote. They're the ones that are in your ear. They're the ones that are emailing you, calling you, and showing up to events."
Looking Forward: Building the Next Generation of Leaders
As she prepares for her mayoral campaign, Shona is also focused on encouraging the next generation to see public service as both an opportunity and a responsibility. Through mentoring high school students interested in politics and public service, she's learned that many young people have narrow views of what public service looks like.
"I take advantage of opportunities to introduce them to someone in every single field that I know in politics or public service, so they are exposed to every opportunity," she explains. Often, these students discover that "you opened doors I didn't even know existed."
For young people overwhelmed by the constant stream of negative news and global problems, she offers this perspective: while federal issues may be louder and get more attention, local government is "the place that you actually can come together and see the changes occurring."
The Legacy of Service
She also reflected on the generational impact of service. Just as her mother's words about using gifts responsibly helped shape her path, Shona is now passing that same message to her own children and stepchildren.
"We have four children between us. And we're constantly asking them what they are going to do. We've given them great opportunities and a great education. They need to go and live their dreams and have careers and do what they want to do. But then, what are they going to do to give back?"
This generational passing of the service torch is perhaps the most important work any community leader can do. It ensures that the question her grandfather asked her all those years ago—"What are you going to do about that?"—continues to inspire new leaders to step up, speak out, and serve their communities.
Your Turn to Answer the Question
Shona Sowell's journey from PTA mom to mayoral candidate proves that public service isn't reserved for a special class of people with political science degrees or family connections. It's for anyone willing to look at their community's challenges and answer that fundamental question: "What are you going to do about that?"
Whether you're inspired to run for office, volunteer for a local nonprofit, attend your first city council meeting, or simply start paying attention to local issues, remember that your voice and your vote matter more at the local level than anywhere else.
The next time you see a problem in your community—whether it's a dangerous intersection, an underserved population, or a lack of community engagement, don't just scroll past it on social media. Ask yourself her grandfather's question and then take the first step toward being part of the solution.
Your community is waiting for you to show up. What are you going to do about that?
Resources and Organizations Mentioned
Ready to take your first step into community engagement? Here are the organizations and programs Shona highlighted during our conversation:
Leadership Frisco - A comprehensive community leadership program that exposes participants to all aspects of Frisco's government, business community, and nonprofit sector while building essential leadership skills. Many graduates go on to serve on boards, commissions, or run for elected office.
PTA (Parent Teacher Association) - Often the gateway to community involvement for parents, PTA teaches you everything about community dynamics, collaboration, and grassroots organizing. It's where many future leaders cut their teeth on public speaking, event planning, and working with diverse groups of people.
Frisco Chamber of Commerce - The business advocacy organization where Shona honed her policy skills before running for city council. Chambers of commerce connect business leaders with community needs and often serve as launching pads for civic engagement.
Texas Health Hospital Frisco - Opened in 2019, this community hospital focuses on being a true community partner rather than just a healthcare provider. Their community relations approach demonstrates how businesses can authentically integrate into local culture and traditions.
City Hall 101 - A six-week educational program offered by many municipalities that teaches residents how local government works, from budgets to city services. It's perfect for anyone who wants to understand their city better before diving into deeper involvement.
Citizens Police Academy - An engaging program that gives residents behind-the-scenes access to police operations, including ride-a-longs, and hands-on training experiences. Participants gain valuable insight into public safety challenges and budget considerations.
Citizens Fire Academy - Similar to the police academy, this program educates residents about firefighting, emergency response, and the community engagement aspects of fire department work. Graduates often become strong advocates for public safety funding and programs.
MyFrisco App - Frisco's official mobile app that allows residents to report issues, access city services, and stay informed about community events. Most cities now offer similar apps that make civic engagement as easy as sending a text message.
