SanTanSun; 6-6-15: Youth

Hamilton students win Gammage theater awards

BY ALISON STANTON

Inspired by theater since they were youngsters, two Hamilton High School students were given ASU Gammage High School Musical Theater Awards during the inaugural ceremony for pupils statewide.

Lauren Anderson, 17, won an ASU Gammage High School Musical Theater Award scholarship worth $500, and

Gabi Giusti, 16, received an Outstanding Technical Award for costumes.

Gabi said the high school students performed numbers from their spring musicals during the awards ceremony. In addition, she said judges attended one of the earlier performances of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at Hamilton.

“During the first half of the awards we sang ‘Serious’ and ‘What You Want’ from

‘Legally Blonde: The Musical,’ and the second half was the award ceremony,” Gabi said.

In addition to playing the lead role of Elle in the musical, Gabi worked behind the scenes to help create about 100 costumes.

“One of my favorite costumes that I worked on was a conductor’s costume that Elle wears during ‘What You Want.’ It’s a ridiculous conductor’s outfit with a huge hat,” Gabi said.

Gabi, who has been involved in theater since she was 6, said she couldn’t believe it when the announcer said she won the Outstanding Technical Award for costumes.

“It was really stressful to put everything together so it was so cool to win an award for something I had worked so hard on,” Gabi said.

Like Gabi, Lauren has loved theater since she was little.

“I have been in theater since I was 9. I grew up with a mom who is a theater lover, and she never forced me to do it or anything; I just chose to keep with it,” Lauren said.

The scholarship was based on her involvement in the community and her leadership on stage.

“I had to send in a bunch more

information about myself including examples of my community service and the other shows I’ve been in,” Lauren said. “For example, I was treasurer of the theater department at Hamilton and I held a lot of other different positions in the theater department.”

Lauren said she, too, was surprised by the win.

“It was definitely one of the highlights of my entire high school career,” she said.

Lauren, who graduated from Hamilton High School last month, said she is looking forward to attending ASU this fall where she plans on majoring in theater design and production. Although she loves being on stage, she is ready to work behind the scenes.

“I’m more of an in-charge person, so I’d love to do some directing,” Lauren said.

Gabi, an incoming senior, also plans on being involved with theater for as long as she can.

“There’s no way to not have theater in my life,” she said.

Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at alison@santansun.com.

Pueblo musicians perform at Disneyland Resort

Members of Pueblo Middle School Combined Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band became stars of their own Disney show on April 30 when they entertained resort guests at the Hollywood Backlot Stage at Disney California Adventure Park. The group traveled to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim to take part in the Disney Performing Arts program.

Dance, vocal and instrumental ensembles from all around the world apply to perform each year as a part of Disney Performing Arts at both the Disneyland Resort in California and the

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Once selected, they are given the opportunity to perform at the resort for an international audience of theme park guests. Millions of performers have graced the stages of the Disney Parks in the more than 25-year history of the program.

For more information, visit www. DisneyPerformingArts.com or call (800) 603-0552.

Young programmer creates video game, starts company

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

A homeschooled Chandler teen has taken his love for gaming and programming to the next level.

Maximillian “Max” Polhill, 16, created an engaging new video game, founded his own company and in early June will take it all to Las Vegas for a licensing convention.

Max’s mother, Ronda Polhill, wasn’t too surprised about her son’s natural interest in computers and programming.

“We’ve been doing homeschooling for about 18 years now and it just sort of works for our family,” said Ronda, who has homeschooled her five children.

“Kids learn at different rates and I’m into letting them guide their own interests.”

One of Max’s interests is programming.

“I’ve always been interested in computers since I was kid,” Max said. “I got my first computer when I was 2 years old. My sister was going to college for computer science and she and my dad would talk about programming and when I was 11 I got interested in programming.”

Ronda added, “He was listening to conversations and picking up the computer science book and holding conversations like he understood what he was seeing, which is what surprised me.”

Ronda encouraged her son to read books about computer science. Max then began doing his research on programming on the Internet.

Max took a particular liking to JavaScript, developed a few smaller games and slowly but surely began building “Stellar Alien,” a game that is available to a

wide audience.

“Stellar Alien” features colorful little aliens and fun and challenging interplanetary maze play with increasing levels of difficulty that involves blasting asteroids and obstacles with lasers.

“Starbli is the star alien and he’s a cute little guy who is trying to save the stars from an evil guy, Rosso, who is the villain,” Max explained.

The game features crisp and colorful graphics that are devoid of gore and violence. It still appeals to a wide age range of players. Max wrote the music for the game and enlisted the help of his older sister to help write some of the script for “Stellar Alien.”

Max founded the game company Xavier Games.

“That is my developer alias and Xavier Games—that’s me,” Max stated.

He has other game ideas in the works and is hopeful that he will be able to create video games for a living.

“I’m working on another game similar to this—kind of like a spin-off game called ‘Star Comeback,’” he said. “It will be multiplayer and you’ll be able to play with your friends online.”

From June 9 through June 11, Max and his parents, Ronda and John, will travel to Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay to showcase “Stellar Alien” at Licensing Expo 2015. While there, Max will try to leverage his Xavier Games brand and present it to the various large companies in attendance.

“There are over 500 exhibitors and literally tens of thousands of attendees,” Ronda said. “This is where you go to try

and get licensing deals done and get items manufactured. This is where the retailers go.”

Companies that will be present at Licensing Expo 2015 include DreamWorks, Hasbro, Disney, Mattel, NFL and various food brands. Max and Ronda see the marketing possibilities for “Stellar Alien” and its adorable set of video game characters.

“We can see Starbli on a back pack,” said Ronda with a laugh.

Max is graduating from high school in 2016 and plans to study computer science, but doesn’t have a lock on a particular college. He says that ASU, Stanford and UC

Berkeley are possibilities because of their strong computer science programs. Max is also a competitive bowler and participates in out-of-state tournaments several times a month.

Polhill’s “Stellar Alien” game is available for free at Amazon.com and the Android and iPhone app stores. For additional information, visit www.stellaralien.com.

Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be contacted at lynette@santansun.com

into

for the 21st

do this by teaching the skills necessary for success: the ability to

through creativity, the ability to communicate clearly, the ability to apply critical thought through analysis & questioning the world around us & through building virtue & character in order to demonstrate ethical judgment & integrity.

BASIS students come together for science bowl’s regional tourney

BY SYDNEY BOWEN

Two groups of BASIS Chandler students learned all about teamwork while showing off their impressive math and science skills at the 25th annual U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl’s regional competition held recently at the ASU West campus.

The Quantum Leapers didn’t make it through the double-elimination round, while The Biohazards placed fourth.

“BASIS Chandler students love academic competitions,” said Theresa Gburek, an educator at BASIS Chandler and one of the science bowl coaches.

“The students have already been recruiting the up and coming ninth graders to join the BASIS Chandler Science bowl teams, so we are very much looking forward to attending the Regional Science Bowl competition again next year.”

The Quantum Leapers and The

Biohazards arrived at the campus eager to compete in the “Jeopardy”-like competition. But, they admitted, they were a little apprehensive.

“The kids were a little nervous of course, but they were also very excited,”

Gburek said. “We’ve been preparing for a long time and many of the students were looking forward to competing against the teams that they competed against last year.

“The day of the competition was so exciting. We were all excited to wear our matching T-shirts we had designed, and ordered for the competition, and the kids brought practice questions to study while we were waiting.”

There were six rounds of roundrobin matches and six rounds of double elimination. The students prepped for eight months for the event.

“We began having weekly, one-hour practices in the first week of September,” Gburek said. “We also held an Inter-BASIS

Free SAT, ACT practice test at Tutor House

High school juniors and seniors are invited to take a free SAT or ACT practice test on Saturday, June 13, at Tutor House Tutoring Services.

Testing is from 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a welcome and registration from 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Students should bring a calculator to the session.

Taking the practice test is a way for

students to find strengths and weaknesses in a low-pressure environment. Participants will become familiar with the test format, question types, timing, and content tested on these college entrance exams. Test results and analysis are given by email. Separately scheduled conferences are available.

This free practice test is offered in

Science Bowl practice competition a month prior to regionals where teams from BASIS schools across the Valley came together for mock competitions.”

Also participating in the regional competition were BASIS schools in Mesa, Peoria, Ahwatukee, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson.

The students’ attitudes toward the bowl and how they placed show they are not just in it for the win. They truly enjoy competing, learning and sharing memorable experiences.

“The overall experience of the

addition to Tutor House’s regular SAT and ACT prep programs. Tutor House is a family-owned and -operated learning center helping students reach their full potential by providing an individualized approach to education. The tutoring process begins with a skills assessment that will identify students’ academic strengths and weaknesses; test results are then reviewed with parents, and a program is designed to address the student’s individual needs.

Regional Science Bowl competition was wonderful,” Gburek said. “I think the Science Bowl is a fun and healthy way for students to test their scientific knowledge against the knowledge of their peers.”

The winners of the Regional Science Bowl head to the national event in Washington, D.C., with schools from around the country.

Sydney Bowen is a student at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She can be reached at news@santansun.com.

A wide range of one-on-one and small group tutoring for students in grades K-12 is available, including tutoring in reading, math, writing, study skills, algebra, geometry, calculus, chemistry, physics, biology, SAT/ACT prep and more.

Sign up at www.TutorHouseAZ.com on the homepage to reserve a seat. For more information, call (480) 8571222 or email Tutoring@TutorHouseAZ. com. Tutor House is located at 1256 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite F, Chandler.

Great Hearts to open in Chandler

Great Hearts Academies, a network of classical, liberal arts public charter schools, will open a new academy in Chandler this fall as its high-performing model continues to perform across the Valley.

Construction is underway and progressing on schedule for Great Hearts new Archway Classical Academy Lincoln, which will be co-located with Lincoln Preparatory Academy at 2250 S. Gilbert Rd., in Chandler. The new academy is enrolling for grades kindergarten through eighth grade and will open for the 2015-16 school year on Aug. 11.

Hearted”

Hamilton High School student receives scholarship

Tata Bharath of Hamilton High School won a $2,500 scholarship as part of the 2015 AXA Achievement Community Scholarship Program. He was one of five students from within Arizona who received a $2,500 prize.

Anvita Gupta, a high school senior at BASIS Scottsdale, received $25,000 as a national winner of the 2015 AXA Achievement Scholarship in association with U.S. News & World Report. Anvita is one of 52 students, one from each state, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico who has been awarded scholarships of $10,000. Of those 52 students, only 10 nationwide, including Anvita, were chosen to receive an additional $15,000 scholarship award.

The program is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a

program of Scholarship America, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit private sector and educational support organizations.

Funded by the AXA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AXA Advisors, AXA Achievement was established to address the financial barriers faced by college-bound high school students. Another component is the highly successful AXA Achievement Scholarship in association with U.S. News & World Report, which awards $670,000 in annual scholarships. Since the program began, AXA Achievement has awarded $22.8 million in college scholarships to more than 5,100 students.

“Our Southwest branch has a history of community involvement and we are proud to provide information and support to families, so that they can help their children financially prepare for, attend and succeed in college,” said Dillan Micus, executive vice president of AXA Advisors Southwest. “AXA Advisors is about investments and we consider these scholarships an investment in these students and in our community.”

Great Hearts offers an unparalleled, tuition-free liberal arts education and distinguishes itself by graduating “Great Hearted” students with the capacity for meaningful leadership. The schools offer a diverse and robust curriculum that includes music and art, along with competitive athletics and a range of extracurricular activities.

Great Hearts prepares graduates for success in the most highly selective colleges and universities in the nation. Networkwide, 100 percent of Great Hearts graduates attend a two- or

four-year college and 84 percent of the Class of 2014 received merit-based scholarships, totaling $30.35 million. The average SAT score at Great Hearts is 1820, which is more than 300 points above the national average. The average ACT score is 27.2, which exceeds the national average by more than six points.

Archway Lincoln and Lincoln Prep are still accepting applications for the 2015-16 school year. To apply or learn more, visit www.lincolnprep.org for sixth through eighth grades, or www.archwaylincoln.org for students set for kindergarten through fifth grade. Parents can also call office manager Suzanne Seidl at (602) 424-1796.

Basha Basketball Bear Camp begins

The Basha High Basketball Bear Camp will return this June for boys and girls in kindergarten through eighth grade. The camp will be held at Basha High School’s gymnasium, 5990 S. Val Vista Dr., Chandler.

The camp will feature offensive skills, defensive fundamentals, team fundamentals and some friendly competitions. It will be held from Monday, June 8, through Thursday, June 11; Monday, June 15, through Thursday, June 18; and Monday, June 22, through Thursday, June 25. The camps for

Being Grateful For Our Community

From Dr. Chamberlain’s Desktop

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Chandler National Little League Mid-season Jamboree event at Snedigar Park. As I was walking up to the fields I noticed a long line of people with large gift baskets in their hands. They were setting up for their annual auction to help support the league and their teams. I was impressed with the creativity and the abundance of the gift baskets. There

Dr. Thomas Chamberlain

was everything from an assortment of family games, sports tickets, autographed items, grilling equipment etc. The teams were out on the fields and warming up for their games that morning and with the morning fresh crisp air and the baseball all around, I couldn’t help but think that this is the iconic American feel. It’s a feeling of comfort and community. It was a sense that you belong and get along with all your neighbors and

kindergarten through fourth grade will be held daily from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grades fifth and eighth will be held daily from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

It is $75 for one week of camp, $140 for two weeks.

All proceeds from the camp will benefit Basha boys and girls basketball programs. Those interested can register online at www.cusdcommunity.com. If paying by check or money order, visit the Community Education Office at 1525 W. Frye Rd., Chandler.

their families. I mentioned this to my friend, Vivek and he felt the same way. It was a wonderful moment to share and to feel such a part of the community. The day went along as usual. We set up our Chamberlain Orthodontics sponsor booth and gave a lot of baseball bats and balls away to excited and grateful kids. I bid on some auction baskets and I’m not sure if I won. But I am grateful for those moments when I was able to feel the American spirit. The spirit of giving, sharing, family and sport. To the community of Chandler I say, we are doing a lot of things right and it’s gratifying to be part of such a remarkable community.

Aspire hosts regional T&T championships

Aspire Kids Sports Center hosted the USAG Trampoline and Tumbling Regional Championship Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 17, at Rawhide Western Town in Chandler. The championships were held to name the regional champions in the USA Gymnastics Jr. Olympic program and Elite Program in trampoline, double mini trampoline, synchronized trampoline and tumbling.

Regional Championships is a qualification meet for the 2015 National Championships. Athletes from California, Hawaii, Nevada and Arizona competed. Some of the athletes included U.S. National Team Members Austin White, Casey Chandler, Logan Dooley, Charlotte Drury and Neil Gulati.

Trampoline and Tumbling, also called T&T, is a relatively new sport to Arizona. Many people were exposed to it for the first time during the Sydney Olympic

Games. T&T consists of three different events—trampoline, power tumbling and double-mini trampoline.

Aspire Kids Sports is a 32,000-squarefoot gymnastics and swimming facility in Chandler. It offers classes for all ages in gymnastics, swimming, dance, martial arts, cheer, tumbling and trampoline. Aspire is home to an 80-foot trampoline, the largest Tumble Trak in Arizona. Aspire also offers year-round swim lessons in an indoor, heated swimming pool.

Aspire is located one block west of the Chandler Fashion Center and one block south of Chandler Boulevard at 50 S. Hearthstone Way.

For more information about Aspire Kids Sports Center, contact Bethany Juarez at (480) 820-3774, email bethany@ aspirekidsports.com, or visit www. aspirekidsports.com.

Wildman Phil Rakoci will entertain all ages

Wildman Phil Rakoci will bring his live reptiles and animal show to the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at AkChin Circle at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 6.

Nationally recognized for his educational take on the reptile world, Wildman Phil has been a guest on TV stations across the nation, including numerous times in the Phoenix area.

Attendees can expect a fun-filled program, while learning interesting facts on topics such as respect for wildlife and the environment; animal defenses and their roles; ways to identify dangerous creatures and harmless animals; fact versus fiction and much more. The hands-on hour-long show is free to the public and will be held in the lobby. All ages are welcome. The UltraStar Multi-tainment Center is located at 16000 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopa.

For more information, call (602) 282-0202 or email info@phoenixmarketingassociates. com.

Ocotillo health club offers Kids

Summer Fitness Camps

Valley moms and dads have the option of keeping their kids healthy and happy this summer during the Village Health Clubs & Spas Kids Summer Fitness Camps.

The camps will be offered at the new Ocotillo Village Health Club & Spa, 4200 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler. It runs from Monday, June 1, through Friday, July 17.

The camp is offered for facility members and nonmembers and features such selections as basketball, yoga, field games,

dance, soccer and swimming. It will also feature Field Trip Fridays to places such as Sunsplash and Stratum Laser Tag. The camp will also include Village Health Clubs & Spas Specialty Programs, such as junior tennis tournament training camp and capoeira. For a complete list of classes and offerings, visit www.villageclubs.com/ village-kids/. For more information, call (480) 656-0045.

CHANDLER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

July 7-July 10, July 13: New teacher orientation—Destination Chandler

July 14: Returning teachers report

July 14-July 17: Teacher inservice/workdays

July 20: First day of school for students

Registration: Hancock Elementary School is registering for kindergarten through sixth grade for the 2015-2016 school year. Packets will be available in the front office until Tuesday, June 16. The office will be closed starting Wednesday, June 17, and will reopen on Monday, July 6. Bring proof of

Hancock Heat

residence, birth certificate and updated immunization records at the time of registration.

Preschool Openings: Hancock Elementary School still has openings in its Community Preschool. Check www.mychandlerschools.org under the

community education tab. The available openings are two-day a.m. and p.m. and five-day p.m.

Helping Others: Hancock’s Student Council collected more than 1,650 cans of food that was donated to the Chandler Care Center.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Calendar: Thursday, July 16: Meet the teacher/ curriculum night Monday, July 20: First day of school

—Amy Fricke

students with the skills necessary to use technology as a tool for creating intricate and artistic art.

IMPRESSIVE WORK

his church community service project to end world hunger. Everyone was proud of his efforts and they were especially impressed with his character writing in Mandarin on his box. Photo submitted by JoAnne Cawley

STUDENT CHRONICLES

Michael Anthony Castellano received Magna Cum Laude from Campbellsville University. Jared Fleming was named to the Dean’s List for the winter 2015 semester at Davenport University.

Kathryn Keenan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Arts and Sciences at Creighton University.

Asya Shafiq graduated from Nazareth College with a Master of Science degree in human resource management.

Sarah M. Smith graduated from Oregon State University with a Master of Science degree in food science and technology.

Cristina Acuna graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Benedictine University at Mesa.

Chelsea Brumby graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Benedictine University at Mesa.

Lindsay Wantland graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication arts from Benedictine University in Mesa.

Sari Rajjob graduated from Lehigh University with a Master of Engineering degree.

Molly Kervin graduated from Ashland University with a Master of Arts degree in American history and government.

Brooke Huppenthal made the dean’s list at Belmont University for the spring 2015 semester.

Bethany Seifert made the dean’s list at Belmont University for the spring 2015 semester.

Emily Marie Kaup graduated from Bryant University with a Master of Arts degree.

Kofi Kusi graduated from Nicholas College with a Master of Science in organizational leadership.

Samuel Curl made the spring 2015 Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering Dean’s List at ASU.

Mary Briquelet graduated with Bachelor of Science in psychology from Upper Iowa University in December.

Carlos Salas graduated from Champlain College.

Jessica Laflin presented her undergraduate research symposium, “The Effect of Social Exclusion on Consumer Purchasing Decision” and “Stress in College Students: A Literary Review on the Long-Term Effects of Anxiety and Stress” as part of a series discussing psychology research and biology senior seminars at Central College of Pella.

Sarah Anderson, a senior crosscultural service major, was named to the president’s list at Bob James University.