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This Week
Centennial football player spreads hope BY JESSICA GONZALEZ
Peoria Times Contributing Writer
C SPORTS......... 10 Liberty looks to meet sky-high expectations
September 15, 2022
Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
entennial High School senior Salehe Koonooka is using his visibility on campus and following on social media to help save the lives of teenagers during Teen Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September. The star defensive end and fullback is part of a group of 20 high-profile football players and one cheerleader representing 18 Arizona high schools in the Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma areas calling attention
to the issue of preventing teen suicide. He was nominated as a participant by his coach. Koonooka will be featured in a series of professionally produced video public service announcements (PSAs) organized by Teen Lifeline and the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC). “Today more than ever, teens are looking for a connection,” said Michelle Moorhead, executive director of Teen Lifeline. “That’s why this campaign is so important, the peer-to-peer message that what they may be feeling is normal, that
there is always hope and that help is available whenever they need it.” For Moorhead, the message in Koonooka’s PSA is all the more powerful because he’s talking to students and teens just like himself. While his passion is football, Koonooka has many interests outside the sport, including fishing, playing basketball for fun, and spending time with his family and friends. Some of those friends have dealt with SEE HOPE PAGE 3
Sen. Kelly holds campaign event in Peoria BY JORDAN ROGERS
Peoria Times Staff Writer
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RELIGION.......................18
en. Mark Kelly has been making his way across Arizona to fire up his supporters ahead of the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 8. On Sept. 9, he made a stop in Peoria. Held at the Peoria Mission for Arizona Office, 7240 W. Cactus Road, Kelly wasn’t alone at this event. With him were Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United. Klobuchar likens Kelly to his Republican counterpart, Blake Masters. “What I love about Mark Kelly, though, he is true to himself,” she said. “He’s true to himself and his leadership. He’s introduced dozens and dozens of bipartisan bills
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SEE KELLY PAGE 4
RELIGION...... 19 High Holy Days set at Temple Beth Shalom
OPINION..........................6 SPORTS..........................10 FEATURES......................12 CALENDAR....................14
Sen. Mark Kelly, along with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United, hosted an organizing meet and greet in Peoria to fire up voters, organizers and volunteers in the area. (Mark Kelly for Senate/Submitted)
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