Gilbert Sun News; March 2015: Youth

Mesquite students to donate toys to Phoenix Children’s

BY ALISON STANTON

Thanks to the hard work and generosity of the speech and debate team at Mesquite High School—as well as their coach, other teams and community members—hundreds of kids with cancer will receive a new building block set.

Cassie Alber, the speech and debate coach and an English teacher at Mesquite High School, says this is the second year that the team has organized a drive to collect new and unopened building block sets for Bricks 4 The Brave. The organization delivers building block sets made by LEGO and other similar companies to kids with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Last year, the team collected 200 sets. This year, Alber says they hope to donate 300 sets to Phoenix Children’s Hospital during spring break.

and Ryley

Alber says she was inspired to support the Bricks 4 The Brave program after meeting the first recipient of one of the sets. Through a friend of a friend, Alber met a young boy named Taylor in Colorado, who died from leukemia at the age of 11.

“He was 5 or 6 years old when he was diagnosed, and he was an amazing young man who fought bravely and touched so many people during his life,” Alber says.

As a way to honor Taylor, Alber brought up the idea of organizing a building block set drive with last year’s speech and debate team.

“They were very receptive to it. I got emotional when I was talking about it, and the students really see this as something meaningful and long lasting rather than just going somewhere to volunteer for a few hours,” she says.

“I’m really moved by their willingness to work so hard and make this an effective community service project that is impactful to kids.”

Alber says this year’s donations are coming in steadily; in addition to the building block sets, they are also accepting cash donations. March 6 is the final day to donate this year, she says. While building block sets for any age

Sister Cities announces youth ambassadors

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

Four Gilbert high school juniors are preparing to head to Newtownabbey, Ireland, or Lesha, China, as part of the Gilbert Sister Cities youth ambassador program.

Founded in 1995, Gilbert Sister Cities allows kids to live with a host family for three weeks.

Gilbert high school juniors Ali Allred, Chloe Crawford, Cassie Hancock and Jacinda Shelton were chosen as youth ambassadors and will travel abroad. Katherine Zubler was chosen as an alternate. The ambassadors will live with host families who, prior to the trip, will have housed that city’s counterpart teen ambassador. Allred and Crawford will travel to Leshan and Hancock and Shelton will travel to Newtownabbey.

“The application process was a lot of work, but it was such a learning experience and a rewarding one,” says Allred, a Highland High School junior who will travel to Leshan, China.

“I spent hours studying about Arizona, the United States, Leshan and Newtownabbey. I loved learning about something I was so excited to be a part of.”

She says she was “excited and nervous” about the impending decision.

“The Monday I found out I was going to Leshan was a really long day,” says Allred. “I was so excited and nervous the entire day waiting for my interview and to find out if I was accepted into the program.”

After her final interview, a congratulatory phone call was made to her the same day.

“I was in shock and I could not stop smiling. I would have been happy to go to Newtownabbey but Leshan was my first choice, so I was ecstatic,” says Allred. Allred has dreamed about traveling for as long as she can remember. She’s very interested in meeting and learning about the people of Leshan and trying their cuisine.

are just fine, Alber says they are hoping to donate larger sets that will help a child pass the time for more than just a few minutes.

“We want these sets to be something that will help to take their mind off of things for awhile,” Alber says.

In addition to the speech and debate team, Alber says the school’s National Honor Society has donated a couple of dozen sets, as have other teachers and students. Desert Ridge High School’s debate team is also donating 50 sets to the cause, as are some other teams.

Kimberly Berlat, a board member and instructor with Southwest Speech and Debate Institute, says she feels the Mesquite High School speech and debate team and Bricks 4 The Brave are “a perfect fit.”

“At camp, we constantly emphasize that students should give back and be instrumental in growing communities. With Bricks 4 The Brave, the team is doing exactly that by putting smiles on faces and providing a creative outlet to kids who really need it,” she says.

For more information on Bricks 4

The Brave, visit www.facebook.com/ Bricks4TheBrave.

Animal clinic hosting open house

Anasazi Animal Clinic will open its doors to the community from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 7. Kids and their families can enjoy face painting, balloon animals, refreshments, hospital tours, and meetings with the doctors and staff. Children can even be a “doctor for the day.”

Anasazi Animal Clinic is located at 425 W. Guadalupe Rd., Suite 112, Gilbert. For more information, call (480) 497-0505.

Boys & Girls Clubs president/CEO to retire June 30

After more than 40 years of serving tens of thousands of kids in the East Valley, Ramon Elias, president/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley, has announced his retirement effective June 30.

“I graduated from Arizona State University in 1972 and started working at the Tempe Boys Club because I wanted to help create great futures for young kids,” Elias says.

“I did not ever dream that I would be helping thousands of kids for more than 40 years, but looking back I can honestly say that I have had as much fun and enjoyment from my career as I could have ever imagined. I truly feel blessed to have spent 40 years working with a fun and caring staff, passionate and hardworking board members, and the best group of donors and volunteers that a person could ever hope to.”

as program director and director of operations. In 1996 he was elevated to president/CEO for the organization.

Under his leadership, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley has added seven new branches, including clubs in Apache Junction, Gila River Indian Community (two), Globe, North Tempe, Queen Creek, and Stevenson Branch in Mesa.

Elias became the first Boys & Girls Clubs executive in Arizona to receive the prestigious “Masters and Mentors” honor, which is the highest honor bestowed upon a Boys & Girls Clubs professional staff member in the movement. Only 30 individuals across the country have ever received this honor. Elias was also named 2009 East Valley Man of the Year by the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation.

was honored at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Board Leadership Conference with the prestigious Herman G. Prescott Award, which is presented to a dedicated advocate of the principles of empowerment and inclusion of all individuals within the decision making process; not only in the work place , but life as well.

“I have known Ramon for more than 30 years, and since the very beginning he placed improving the lives of kids and serving the youth in our community at the top of his to do list each and every day,” says former BGCEV board member Carol Royse.

“I will miss him, as will many of the donors and volunteers with the BGCEV.”

Fellow former board member Lisa George with BMO Harris Bank echoed that sentiment.

thousands of youth in our East Valley communities is a legacy that very few individuals can lay claim. Our East Valley communities are lucky to have had someone with his passion and skills looking after our youth for so long.”

Elias’ service to the community did not stop at the Boys & Girls Club. He is past president of the Tempe East Rotary, the Sun Devil Lions Club, the Boys & Girls Clubs Professional Association and former member of the Executive Council-Valley of the Sun United Way. Elias is a member of the Chandler Compadres, City of Tempe Mayor’s Gang Task Force and City of Mesa Gang Task Force.

After graduating from ASU, Elias joined the Tempe Boys Club as the physical education director. He moved up the organizational ladder quickly, with stints

During this tenure as president/ CEO, the organization also had two youth members win the prestigious National Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year: Donald Smith in 2002 and Mona Dixon in 2010. In October 2014, Elias

“Ramon is not only a great person, but a very passionate leader who was easy to work with as a board member. The growth in kids and youth development programs that we experienced under his watch was phenomenal.”

Current BGCEV Board Chairman Mike Neil says, “Forty-plus years of serving

His plans are to stay active with the organization on a part-time basis working on special projects in the community, in addition to spending a little more time working on his handicap at many of the local golf courses.

An announcement will be forthcoming regarding a retirement party open to the public. The organization will name a new president/CEO prior to Elias’ last day at the helm.

Run to Fight Children’s Cancer benefits local families

BY MEGHAN MCCOY

Nanette Ochoa first noticed her son Sergio’s limp. Then Sergio complained of pain in his ankle. Upon further examination, his mother felt a bump there.

An X-ray soon led to further tests and a biopsy. The family learned last year that Sergio was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

While Sergio’s battle against bone cancer continues with surgery and chemotherapy this year, members of the Ochoa family will be showing appreciation for the support they’ve received from the Children’s Cancer Network. They plan to attend the fifth annual Run to Fight Children’s Cancer to give back to the group that has done so much for them since last year.

The fifth annual Run to Fight Children’s Cancer, which also benefits the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, will be held on Saturday, March 7, at Grand Canyon University, 3300 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix.

When she put Bengay on her son’s ankle, she felt a bump.

“It didn’t occur to me that it could be more serious,” Ochoa says. “I thought let’s see what happens and give it some time.”

So the family headed to Mexico with Sergio on crutches to celebrate the anniversary of Nanette’s husband’s parents. A family member took X-rays and noticed that something more serious was happening.

“He noticed there was bone missing in that area,” Nanette says. The relative said that they needed to see a specialist because he could not diagnose what the problem was.

“We definitely want to be there,” says Nanette Ochoa, a Gilbert resident. “It’s kind of hard to schedule anything because of the chemo. It’s really hard to plan anything, (but) we are planning to be there.”

The Children’s Cancer Network provided unexpected Christmas presents to her son, Sergio, as well as an opportunity to ride in the Bat Mobile. Sergio always has faced challenges throughout his life, his mother says.

Nanette’s son was born at 28 weeks after she had a chronic asthma attack that complicated her pregnancy. Sergio, who weighed 2 pounds, 4 ounces at birth and was 14 and a half inches long, spent three months in intensive care.

“He came into this world fighting,” Ochoa says. “He’s a fighter from the beginning.”

Around July of last year, she says she noticed her son limping a little bit. After Sergio said nothing was wrong and he stopped complaining, she let it go. When Ochoa found her son one afternoon practically in tears holding his ankle, she looked at the ankle and noticed it was red and swollen.

“I immediately thought it was sprained or he hurt it,” Ochoa says, adding that she soaked it with warm water and put salt on it, which did not alleviate his pain.

“I would love to be able to go to the Great Wall of China while I am there,” explains Allred. “Most people don’t have the opportunity to go visit China, let alone live with a Chinese family for three weeks. I get to experience China in a very unique way.”

Newtownabbey and Leshan are Gilbert’s global counterparts in the program because of their similarities and stark contrasts, respectively, to Gilbert. Newtownabbey was Gilbert’s original sister city.

“Newtownabbey is most like Gilbert from the aspect that they are very family oriented and they have a lot of industry in the community and surrounding area,” states Gilbert Sister Cities president Greg Tilque.

looking forward

is most famous for,” says Lunt. “It’s a 1,300-year-old carving of the Buddha into the side of a mountain cliff directly where the three main rivers in Leshan all merge into one.”

Numerous tests and a biopsy diagnosed Sergio with osteosarcoma.

On Sept. 4, Sergio began chemotherapy. He still has nine chemotherapy treatments left because the treatment only killed half of the cancer cells.

“Around that time we found out that we had to amputate the foot a little below the knee,” Nanette says.

The surgery took place on Nov. 26 and Sergio is scheduled to receive a prosthetic leg very soon.

Ochoa says her son has been a rock and a superstar during the whole thing.

“His attitude has been a good attitude towards everything,” she says.

The Children’s Cancer Network has been a great help to the family, Ochoa says.

“They help make his whole entire battle more enjoyable,” Ochoa says, adding that they provide an escape for her son from the disease and the treatments.

Race Director Sussely Morales says the Children’s Cancer Network focuses on items to assist families, such as gas cards to help families get to and from the hospital, goodies for the children when they are at the hospital and scholarships.

The Run to Fight Children Cancer began because the Grand Canyon University Foundation was looking for a different way to get involved in the community. Morales says they decided to focus on childhood cancer after finding out that former department members were dealing with cancer.

She says the majority of the kids and families that participate in the race are either affiliated with the Children’s

Leshan, China, was added as a sister city to Gilbert in 2002.

“Leshan isn’t anything like Gilbert which is one of the reasons we chose them,” Tilque says.

“We wanted a very different culture. The main reason they were chosen is that they have a manufacturing facility for ON Semiconductor in Phoenix and we wanted the economic development connection.”

Highland High School senior Curtis Lunt traveled to Leshan in 2014 as one of that year’s Sister Cities ambassadors.

“I got to see the Grand Buddha while I was there, which is probably what Leshan

Paint, Craft and Sewing Classes have been scheduled. Contact Mary for complete details.

He also saw giant pandas, had a close up encounter with a monkey, visited Buddhist temples and stayed on Mount Emai, one of four mountains considered holy to the Buddhists of China.

Although the family dynamic in China is different, Lunt found that teenagers in Leshan were similar to those in Gilbert. They like to go to movies and share the same concerns about school and work. Although the parents of host family he stayed with didn’t speak English well, Lunt was appreciative for the experience. Teens interested in applying for the 2016 school year program should visit www.gilbertsistercities.com.

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Ka-POW! Superhero Run is fun for all ages

BY MEGHAN MCCOY

Superheroes—young or old—are invited to participate on Saturday, March 28, in an obstacle course that is guaranteed to be a fun morning for families.

Ka-POW! Superhero Run is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at Freestone Park, 1045 E. Juniper Ave., Gilbert. Early registration is $15, or $20 the day of the event.

Registration includes the participant’s choice of a pair of socks from a variety of superheroes, according to Mike Leppert, recreation coordinator for special events.

Runners will be assigned their wave time once they are registered. He says the earlier someone registers, the earlier wave time they receive.

Leppert says the run began four years ago because the Town was looking for a fun, healthy spring event that was geared toward families. With the popularity of superheroes and obstacle courses, KaPOW! Superhero Run was the perfect fit.

“We encourage everybody to come dressed as superheroes,” Leppert says.

The first wave begins at 8 a.m. and then every five minutes thereafter. He says each wave contains 20 to 30 people because they do not want too many obstacles backing up.

The course consists of approximately

a mile and a half of obstacles that range from easy to somewhat difficult. Some of the obstacles include a 40foot downhill water slide, tunnels, tires to hop through, inflatable obstacle course and a large cargo net that participants have to climb up and over.

“It is not timed,” Leppert says of the course. “There is no need to run through the whole thing.”

Participants also have the option of bypassing an obstacle if it is too challenging.

“Some of the other obstacle runs are geared toward adults,” he says. “This is something you can do with the kids.”

Once participants complete the KaPOW! Superhero Run they will receive a bag with the Ka-POW! logo.

Healthy refreshments will also be provided. Leppert says Famous Dave’s will distribute free products at the end of the obstacle course.

From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. kids can enjoy Gotham City—a free-with-registration area that features vendors and activities for kids, including bounce houses.

Photo opportunities will be abundant during the Ka-POW! Superhero Run. Leppert says they have a huge backdrop of the Ka-POW! scene for families to take their own pictures. Large cutout superheroes will also be available next to the backdrop, so individuals can choose which character to include in their photograph.

For more information, or to register for the event, visit www. gilbertrecreation.com, and enter registration code 80030.

Cancer Network or are being treated at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

“I think the most gratifying part is the cancer survivor walk,” Morales says about the short lap that is made around the campus. “Everyone can visualize where their dollars are going. When they see the little kids...I guess you can put a face to the cause, knowing that these are the kids that they are helping.”

Last year the race attracted more than 3,000 runners, which was the highest attendance thus far. This year, Morales says they are shooting for 4,000 runners.

Since this year marks the fifth annual event, Morales says they are doing a fundraising campaign. Individuals can text “Gimme5” and make a donation right from their phone to the cause.

Registration will begin at 5:30 a.m. The 10k will start at 7 a.m. with the 5k race following at 7:45 a.m. The quarter-mile cancer survivor’s walk will begin at 9 a.m.

The honorary race starter this year will be Chandler resident Mia Bryant, 7, who was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in 2014.

Jump castles, face painting, balloon artists, arts and crafts, zumba and a DJ and music will all be included in postrace activities.

For more information or to register, visit www.runtofightcancer.com. Registration for the race ranges from $25 to $35.

STUDENT CHRONICLES

Around the district

Have school news? Send items to christina@gilbertsunnews.com

Boulder Creek Elementary School

Boulder Creek Elementary School will have a book fair from Wednesday, March 18, through Friday, March 20, and again from Monday, March 23, through Wednesday, March 25.

The Character Counts breakfast for second- through sixth-grade students will be held from 8:40 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursday, March 26.

Carol Rae Ranch Elementary School

The Carol Rae Ranch Elementary School is having a Crazy Super Hero Day on Wednesday, March 25.

Gilbert Elementary School

Gilbert Elementary School collected more than 750 pairs of shoes for families in Africa during the Student Council shoe drive.

Mesquite Elementary School

The Kick-Off Boosterthon Fun Run Assembly will begin on Monday, March 16. The assembly will include huddles and the collection of pledges all week before the Boosterthon Fun Run Day Wednesday, March 25.

Playa del Rey Elementary School

The Playa del Rey Student Council is hosting “Bench the Bag” through Friday, March 6, as a way to collect and recycle soft plastic that typically goes to the landfills. Students can bring plastic bags, shrink wrap, Saran Wrap, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, produce bags, cereal bags, Ziploc bags, bubble wrap and ice bags to the dropoff bin in the front office.

Settler’s Point Elementary School

Settler’s Point Elementary School will host a Donuts with Dad event from 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 19, and a Family Science Night from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, on campus.

Campo Verde High School

Campo Verde High School will have Project Graduation 2015, from 11 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20. The event will include entertainment, fun and games and prize drawings. Tickets range from $60 to $100. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ cvhsprojectgradution, call Sabrina Langford at (480) 857-6936 or email sabrina_langford@yahoo.com or Kenna King at kennasue@yahoo.com.

Desert Ridge High School

Students will perform “Guys and Dolls” in Desert Ridge High School’s auditorium from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 26, Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28.

Gilbert High School

Deadlines are approaching for scholarships on the following dates: the Homa & Irene Woods Foundation Scholarship, Wednesday, March 4; the Sybil B. Harrington Scholarship, Friday, March 13; the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, Sunday, March 22; the GEF-Charlee Hawkins Memorial Scholarship, Gilbert Rotary Club Scholarship, and the Manuel Lerma Memorial Scholarship, all are Tuesday, March 31, and the Otto & Edna Neely Foundation Scholarship, Monday, April 6.

Gilbert High School’s cap and gown pictures will take place from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19. The cap and gown distribution will take place in room 8102 on Tuesday, March 24, and Wednesday, March 25.

Highland High School

The Extra Mile Club—Relay for Life—has scheduled a fundraiser from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, at Dairy Queen on Higley and Baseline roads. Pick up a flyer and receive 15 percent off an order.

The student council elections meeting will be held in Lecture Hall at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 24.

Is the student in your family doing something special? Share it with us. Send the news to christina@ gilbertsunnews.com.

James M. Thompson earned a Master of Science in computer information

systems from Boston University. He was one of 1,664 January graduates.

Jazmine Burkett was named to the Seaver College dean’s list for the fall 2014 semester. The college is located in Malibu, California.

Elementary schools aim to save 1M plastic bags from landfill

More than 20 Gilbert Public Schools and Higley Unified School District elementary schools are committing to “Bench the Bag” between Feb. 9 and March 6; working together to keep 1 million plastic bags out of the landfill.

The “Bench the Bag” program, spearheaded by the East Valley Recycling Alliance, is not limited to plastic bags. The program also includes various types of plastic films that can be recycled, including grocery, department store, dry cleaning, bread, produce, and Ziploc bags. Any type of overwrap (paper towel, toilet paper, etc.) or shrink wrap will also be accepted.

All bags must be clean; with no paper, receipts or leftover food inside. Soft

The ASU Jazz Festival will be held in the auditorium on Thursday, March 26, Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28. Tickets are $20 to watch some of the most influential jazz artists in the country. Tickets can be purchased at www.highlandjazz.com.

Senior cap and gown photos will take place from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium lobby on Tuesday, March 31.

Mesquite High School

Mesquite High School is hosting the Speech and Debate Tournament from 12 p.m. Friday, March 6, until 11 p.m. Saturday, March 7.

The University of Utah will be at the Career Center on campus during first hour Monday, March 16. During third hour, Montana State will be at the Career Center Thursday, March 19.

The Wildcat Jazz Ensemble will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 31.

plastics from bulk or retail stores that are already being recycled or materials that have not been used should not be donated.

One school from both Gilbert Public Schools and Higley Unified School District will receive a bench for their school from Trex Company Inc., a company that produces woodcomposite decking out of the recycled bags. In addition, each participating school will receive planter boxes.

For a list of participating schools accepting public donations, visit gilbertrecycles.org. For additional information, contact Gilbert’s Environmental Outreach Specialists at (480) 503-6459 or via email at recycle@ gilbertaz.gov.

—Peter

Donnelly, Australia

Make fitness a family affair at The Little Gym

Children learn from the examples set by their parents—especially those related to a healthy lifestyle, diet and exercise.

Carol Schroeder of The Little Gym of Gilbert says the key to getting those healthy habits to “stick,” is to ensure that they are actually rewarding and enjoyable for your children.

What can you do to encourage your child to develop healthy habits? “As a parent, you pass more than genes down to your children – you pass down your habits too,” Schroeder says. “If you make healthy food choices, your children are more likely to do the same. And if you make fitness part of everyday family life, your children are more likely to regard being active as fun, and not a chore.”

Schroeder offers these suggestions to help parents get the whole family up and moving.

1. Incorporate physical activity into the family routine with a nightly family walk or bike ride.

2. Train as a family for a charity run or walk.

3. Celebrate special occasions—like birthday or anniversaries—with

Helping your children develop healthy habits early in life may even help them do better in school over the long term, according to a New York Times article that highlighted the findings of a study published in Pediatrics. The results of that study demonstrated a strong link between physical activity and development of the part of the brain that controls “executive functions” like mental multitasking and concentration. These executive functions are the thinking skills that have the strongest influence on your child’s academic performance.

“Children like to play. That’s why making physical activity fun is the best way to encourage children to get and stay active,” says Schroeder.

“And that’s a great start on a lifetime habit that pays dividends in both physical and mental health.”

For more information about the fun fitness programs for children at The Little Gym of Gilbert, contact Carol Schroeder, owner of The Little Gym of Gilbert, located at 538 S. Gilbert Rd., Suite 109, at (480) 855-7766 or tlgnorthgilbertaz@ thelittlegym.com, visit them at www. thelittlegym.com/GilbertAZ, or go to www.TheLittleGym.com.

Burk Elementary beats odds, wins gold award

Six Valley schools with minorityintensive, low-income student populations have overcome obstacles to win gold awards and be named “Beat the Odds Schools” by Beat the Odds Institute, an initiative of the Center for the Future of Arizona.

One of the winners was Burk Elementary. The student body celebrated Feb. 6 at the school, 545 N. Burk St., Gilbert.

Beat the Odds is a rigorous, multiyear school improvement program based upon research led by best-selling author Jim Collins.

The six keys to success include: Clear Bottom Line: Emphasize the achievement of every student in every classroom and take responsibility for that performance. No excuses.

Ongoing Assessment: Assess student performance early and often. Use information to drive improvement rather than to assign blame.

Strong and Steady Principal: Leaders are focused on the things that truly improve schools and keep pushing ahead, no matter what the roadblocks.

Collaborative Solutions: Responsibility for improvement is shared among all,

not concentrated at the top. Stick with the Program: Magic occurs when the school finds a good program and sticks with it.

Built to Suit: Customize instruction and intervention to fit the needs of each student. One size does not fit all. Only schools that attain gold-medal status—the highest level of achievement in the Beat the Odds program—are conferred the title of a Beat the Odds School. Beat the Odds Gold Level schools must have a “B” or better from Arizona Department of Education and must demonstrate consistently improved AIMS scores over three years, plus other criteria. Other gold award winners include Litchfield Elementary District, L. Thomas Heck Middle School; Glendale Union High School District: Cortez High School and Washington High School; Mesa Public Schools: Emerson Elementary School; and Phoenix Union High School District: Franklin Police and Fire High School. Participation in Beat the Odds, now in its eighth year, is open to kindergarten through 12th grade public charter and tribal schools throughout the state. Additional information is available at www.BeatTheOddsInstitute.org.