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Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Youth-led project connects students BY SUMMER AGUIRRE Foothills Focus Staff Reporter
“ OPINION........... 10
Bluhm ready for the end of an “un-brr-lieveable” winter
BUSINESS.......... 15
Kuunganisha” means “to connect” in the African language of Swahili, and teenagers Aiden Thatcher and Alexia Shafran aim to help students do exactly that with the launch of their international service project. Project Kuunganisha (pronounced hoong-ah-ni-sha) is a youth-led ESL tutoring program through a collaboration between the organizations Meaningful Teens, BetterMe and Pamoja. Spearheaded by Anthem native and Boulder Creek High School junior Thatcher and Shafran, a sophomore at Calabasas High School in Los Ange-
see YOUTH-LED page 4
Platinum Living Realty continues to expand
FEATURES......... 19
NHRA’s Erica Enders is ready for a sixth win
OPINION.................... 10 BUSINESS.................. 15 FEATURES................. 16 YOUTH....................... 20 CLASSIFIEDS............. 22 Zone I
Anthem native Aiden Thatcher (top far left) and Alexia Shafran (top far right) have co-founded an ESL AND SA SHOP LOCAL tutoring program, Project Kuunganisha, through the organization Meaningful Teens. (AIden Thatcher/Submitted)
• Replacement Windows SHOP LOCAL AND SAVE • SHOP New Construction Windows LOCAL AND SA
Veterans honored at mobile exhibit in Valley
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BY COLE JANUSZEWSKI Foothills Focus Staff Writer
W
reaths Across America’s mission is simple: remembering fallen U.S. veterans, honoring those who served and teaching children the value of freedom. One of the ways it does this is through
its Mobile Education Exhibit, which travels across the country. It will make several stops in Arizona through April. “The MEE fits into (our mission) because it is our largest tool in our teaching toolbox, literally,” said Trish Gardner, the MEE manager. “It’s 70 feet long. So, the MEE goes out on the road and we travel through the United
States and we teach people about Wreaths • Entry, French and Patio Doors Across America.” Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit that places wreaths at veterans’ graves every December. To accomplish its goals, the Mobile Education Exhibit shows plaques, tombstones and a 24-person screening room with
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see VETERANS page 9
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4454 E Thomas Road • 602.508.0800 • www.liwindow.com
602.508
4454 E. Tho 602.508.0 Mon-Thurs 8:30-5p.m 602.5 4454 E.602.5 Thom