SanTan Sun News: Youth - March 19, 2016

Chandler Library hosts annual LibCon for teens March 26

Chandler Public Library is hosting its sixth annual LibCon celebration for teenage fans of comic books, Japanese manga and anime, role-playing, cosplay, video games and other fantasy and science fiction entertainment from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 26.

The popular gathering of pop culture fans ages 12 to 18 takes place at the Boys and Girls Club, Compadre Branch, 300 E. Chandler Blvd.

LibCon is free, and online registration is open at www.chandlerlibrary.org/libcon.

Since it began in 2011, LibCon has grown from 70 participants to the more than 300 enthusiastic teens expected to attend this year’s festivities. One of LibCon’s biggest supporters is Councilman Rene Lopez, who also will serve as a presenter in this year’s program. He will discuss his favorite zombie books, movies and television

shows and may even share his own zombie apocalypse survival plan.

“LibCon offers a safe and encouraging environment for our teens to be creative and express themselves without any judgement,” Lopez said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for teens to be able to nerd out, share appreciation for sci-fi, manga and all things different, all while having a fun time experiencing it with similarminded friends. I am excited about this year’s event, and I think it’s a fantastic program for our Library staff to host.”

LibCon 2016 will feature some fanfavorite presenters and vendors from previous years, as well as offering new and exciting opportunities for teens interested in anime, manga, comics, sci-fi/fantasy, cosplay and gaming. A vendor hall and gaming area will be available throughout the event, and panel presentations will

start at 12 p.m.

For those attending LibCon for the first time, Cosplay 101 with Jasmine will cover all of the ins and outs of making the event an enjoyable experience. There will be craft panels to learn how to make paper beads from comic books and create and color fantasy shrink dinks. A comic book artist will be on hand to demonstrate how he creates characters with super powers. New to this year’s program is Anime Family Feud in which participants can test their knowledge of anime in this fast paced fun game. LibCon will conclude with dinner and a DJ.

Library Assistant Elisia Simmons is one of the originators of LibCon.

“When I first started working with teens at the library, I realized that every day we work with people to find that connection to each other, through books,

movies, music and more,” Simmons said. “It seemed like a perfect fit to bring a pop culture convention to the library.”

For members of the LibCon planning committee, the goal is to encourage and support teens as they discover their creative talents and their potential for leadership in the community, whether they are making candy sushi, selling manga artwork or organizing a panel discussion on Dr. Who.

A recent episode of the City of Chandler show “Chandler in Focus” featured Lopez discussing LibCon with special guests. It can be viewed on Chandler Channel 11 or online at www. chandleraz.gov/video.

More information and LibCon registration details can be found at www.chandlerlibrary.org/libcon, or by calling (480) 782-2800.

Interactive storytime planned for East Valley JCC

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Therese Smith, early childhood educator from the East Valley JCC, will present a fun, interactive story time at the Sunset Library in Chandler from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, March 24. This free event is open to the community and will feature books, finger plays, stories and songs about the holiday of Purim. Purim is the Jewish holiday that celebrates and retells the Book of Esther.

The free program is geared toward small children ages birth through 6 years old.

The library is located at 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. For more information, call Pamela Morris, early childhood education director, at (480) 897-0588 or email pam@evjcc.org.

Hamilton debate team heads to New York City

BY TIM J. RANDALL

Five dedicated and highly motivated Hamilton High School students are making a name for themselves and the school, as the talented team is heading to New York City April 1 through April 3 to compete in the Elite 8 of the Brewer Foundation/NYU International Public Policy Forum.

“We are extremely excited to be representing Hamilton on the international stage and eager to have fun while bringing the best we can,” said team member and senior Iris Chang. “The team expects the Elite 8 to be tough but rewarding. It is an honor to have the opportunity to meet and to engage in lively discussion with great debaters.”

According to the Brewer Foundation website, the Public Policy Forum is the “first and only contest that gives high school students the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. Founded in 2001 as a national program, the contest has now expanded to involve hundreds of schools from all corners of the globe.”

Besides Iris, the Hamilton squad is senior Molly Chou, and juniors Vignesh Viswanath, Mani Kandan and Rahul Ramesh. They earned their trip to the finals after a rigorous eight-month process including single-elimination competitions against teams from across the globe.

In July 2015, 300 international teams submitted a 2,800-word qualifying essay for consideration by Public Policy Forum judges on the topic: “Resolved: Genetically modified organisms are essential to

global food security.” Sixty-four teams were then selected based on the quality and thoroughness of their responses, to further articulate their positions in three elimination rounds, ultimately leading to selection by the judges for the Elite 8 finals.

“Our team approached answering the initial resolution through a series of arguments that correlated to the specific goal of the resolution,” Molly said. “Answering our opponent’s paper, we would all collectively write comments on the paper through Google Documents for possible responses to the arguments, and then we would compile specific research such as stats and studies that support our responses.”

At the New York event, three members of each competing team will make their case in 5-minute oral arguments that include opening remarks, a second speech and a rebuttal. Students will also respond to cross examination statements, as well as answering queries from the judges.

“Initially, we did not think we would have made it this far, but we always hoped for the best and tried our hardest, encouraged by those who believed in us,” Iris said. “We saw each stage in the competition as stepping stones and tackled each round individually.”

One of those believers is Hamilton High Principal Ken James.

“This group of students is special because of their dedication and commitment to this event,” he said. “Not only is it hard work, but they are having fun. Their success enhances the

positive reputation of Hamilton High. We have students successfully competing internationally.”

The Hamilton five will not only be vying for the “Brewer Cup” and a $10,000 cash prize ($5,000 for the victorious school and $5,000 for the team), but also continuing the winning tradition of the school, as its 2014 team took home the trophy.

“There is great pride in giving the school a second chance at the championship; Hamilton prides itself in successful legacy not only in sports but also in academic extracurriculars like speech and debate,” Molly said. “Being a part of this chance to continue Hamilton’s name internationally is a huge opportunity our team appreciates being a part of.”

The squad members already have won, as their trip to New York is expenses-paid by the Brewer Foundation. In addition to the competition, the team will visit the recently completed World Trade Center.

“The team expects to have fun from

sightseeing in New York while trying not to freeze since weather in Arizona is quite unlike that of New York,” Iris said. “One thing our team is definitely looking forward to is great New York food.”

Results of the competition aside, the team members are very close and enjoy their time and experiences together.

“Our team is more than a team; we are a family,” Iris said. “While we all have had our tough weeks with homework stacked on top of late-night Skype calls, we are all extremely dedicated toward working together and dividing up the researching and writing in order to be efficient. However, we all love to have fun and goof around once in a while, which creates a team environment that is irreplaceable.”

Iris, Molly, Vignesh and Rahul live in Chandler, while Mani resides in Gilbert.

For more information about the Brewer Foundation/NYU International Public Policy Forum, or to watch the debates live, visit www.ippfdebate.com

Enjoy SPRING ACTIVITIES with THE CIT Y OF CHANDLE R

SATURDA Y, MARC H 26 | 9 A .M.- NOON

SNEDIGAR SPORTSPLEX

Hippity Hop over to the Snedigar Sportsplex for the City of Chandler’s annual Family Easter Celebration featuring “egg-cellent” activities. Easter Egg Scrambles start at 10:30 a.m. for kids up to 9 years of age. Make sure to bring your basket – we’ll have 12,000 eggs! The morning will also be hopping with Easter crafts, face painting, interactive amusement, musical performances and more. Grab the whole family and don your best smile as photos with the Peter Cotton Tail will be available for purchase too.

FRIDAY, APRIL 1 | 5 -10 P.M. and SATURDA Y, APRIL 2 | 5 -10

DOWNTOWN LIBRARY PLAZA

Ready to jazz up your weekend? The annual Chandler Jazz Festival returns to Downtown for its 17th year bringing sweet tunes to the City. Head over to Downtown Library Plaza with your blankets and lawn chairs. The free festival keeps guests grooving all weekend long with regional and local musical acts – over 14 bands and 70 jazz musicians –highlights include performances by El Chicano, RD Olson Blues Band, and Paul Cruize Blues Crew. Pair the performances with eats and drinks and you’re set for some spring fun.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please call 480-782-2735 or

Youth golfer playing in LPGA event in Phoenix

BY TIM J. RANDALL

Hannah O’Sullivan’s life has been a whirlwind since her February 2015 victory at the Symetra Gateway Classic, the Ladies Professional Golf Association.

“The victory last year opened so many amazing doors for me,” said the 17-yearold athlete. “I am so fortunate and blessed to have these opportunities.”

She also won the 2015 U.S. Golf Association (USGA) Women’s Amateur Championship, adding to her alreadyimpressive accolades. But now she is realizing one of her long-held fantasies: the Hamilton High School senior qualified for the pro tour and is playing in the sixth annual JTBC Founders Cup through Sunday, March 20, at Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix. For tickets, visit www. lpgafounderscup.com.

“Playing with the best in the world in my home state is a dream come true,” she said. “To earn this sponsor’s exemption is a real honor.”

Long-held goals

It seems as if the Chandler native did nothing but win in 2015. She followed her Symetra victory, where she claimed the title of youngest winner on that tour, with first-place finishes at the Arizona Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic, AJGA Rolex Junior Championship, AJGA Rolex Tournament of Champions and as mentioned, the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.

“That was such a wonderful week,” Heather said. “My mom [Sarah] was caddying for me, which was special.”

Along with her victories, the young talent ended her 2015 campaign as the No. 1-ranked American women’s amateur golfer (WAGR) and world’s No. 2. Oh, and let’s not forget that she made the cut in two of the LPGA majors—the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open with a (T53) and the 2015 Evian Championship with a (T50).

How is 2016 shaping up? She obtained a sponsor’s invite to the upcoming ANA Inspiration, the LPGA’s first major of the season at the end of March. Then there is the Curtis Cup, the amateur version of the women’s Solheim Cup, which pits golfers in a team competition between United States and Great Britain and Ireland.

“I am very excited to represent my country in Ireland this June,” she said.

And, of course, Hannah will defend her U.S. Women’s Amateur title in August. Despite all of the success, the star is excited to become a Trojan; she’ll earn her bachelor’s degree and play golf for University of Southern California (USC).

“I want to earn my degree before I pursue a career in golf,” she said. “I am excited to join my teammates at USC.”

The pursuit of an education over the allure of glamour and money is testament to the values that Hannah’s parents have instilled in her.

“I am so fortunate to have parents who have supported me at every step along the way,” she said about her family, which includes father, Greg. “I would not be the golfer or the person I am without their inspiration.”

She has also picked up a few tips from

#1 Reading Program

Submitted photo

her idols, Golf Hall of Famers Julie Inkster and Annika Sorenstam.

“Each are such great people, they have been so supportive and great mentors,” she said. “I look up to them so much.”

With so much passion and spirit, Hannah is poised for great things in the game. “I want to continue my journey of becoming the best player in the world.”

Nonprofit seeking local host families for exchange students

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is looking for local families to host boys and girls between the ages of 15 to 18 from a variety of countries, including Norway, Denmark, Spain, Italy and Japan.

ASSE students are enthusiastic and excited to experience American culture while they practice their English. They also love to share their own culture and language with their host families. Host families welcome these students into their family, not as a guest, but as a family member, giving everyone involved a rich cultural experience.

The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance. ASSE students are selected based on academics and personality, and host families can choose their student from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and personal interests.

To become an ASSE Host Family or to find out how to become involved with ASSE in your community, call the ASSE Western Regional Office at (800) 733-2773 or go to www.host.asse.com.

• Comprehensive Pediatric care from Birth to 18 Years

• In-house Lactation (Breastfeeding) consultation

• In-house consultation in Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

• Medical home for children with Special Health Care Needs

• Complimentary Meet the Doctor visit for expecting parents

• Evening hours Monday-Thursday until 8pm by appt only

• Saturday hours from 8am-12pm by appointment only

• Bilingual office staff and providers

New rule to limit high school baseball pitch counts

BY MATT LAYMAN

The Arizona Interscholastic Association’s (AIA) legislative board voted March 4 to implement MLB’s Pitch Smart guidelines, which will impose pitch count limits on high school baseball pitchers for its member schools.

The guidelines, supported by Major League Baseball, are intended to prevent pitchers from suffering elbow injuries, particularly torn ulnar collateral ligaments (UCLs). According to the website for Pitch Smart, “numerous studies have shown that pitchers who throw more pitches per game and those who do not adequately rest between appearances are at an elevated risk of injury.”

All four of Chandler Unified School District’s public high schools—Basha, Chandler, Hamilton and Perry—are members of the AIA’s 5A conference, and will therefore be subject to the rule at the start of next season.

The subject of torn UCLs—and the corrective operation that often follows, known as Tommy John surgery—has been in the spotlight within baseball in recent years as pitchers have increasingly suffered the career-jeopardizing injury.

Still, concerns were raised at the

legislative body’s meeting when the implementation of Pitch Smart guidelines was discussed, particularly by smaller schools. A 2A Conference school in Tombstone High School—which has 350 enrolled students, according to its website—was represented at the meeting by its principal, David Thursby.

“We only have 18 players, and we have one really good pitcher,” Thursby said. “Next season, we’re going to have to look at students’ ages. We know that they have a pitch count, so we’ll have to see if we’re going to be able to complete the entire season, if we have to adjust our schedules to play the minimum number of games instead of the maximum number of games, and then if we don’t go to any tournaments.”

Fountain Hills High School’s varsity baseball coach and athletic director Mike Briguglio said he anticipated the change for his 3A Conference school, and planned accordingly.

“As a baseball coach and as an AD, seeing this was coming down the road, I prepared for that,” he said. “We developed some extra pitchers this year that I probably normally wouldn’t have. I think one gentleman mentioned he only

had one pitcher for his whole team, well you can’t do that. If you’re going to have a team, you have to have more than one pitcher.”

Briguglio did, however, express concerns of how the new rules would be enforced, a subject that went mostly unaddressed at the board’s meeting.

“It’s a matter of safety... It’s just more the practical—in the middle of a game, it could be a championship game, your pitcher’s got a 3-2 count on a guy and he fouls off four pitches. Then you have to take him out and put in the lesser guy. When it affects the competition of the game to that point, I think there needs to

Make mealtimes pleasurable for the little ones

Baby Bloom Nutrition will teach parents how to make mealtimes easier for them and their children during “The Toddler and The Table: Creating a Healthy Relationship with Food” at 7 p.m. Monday,

April 4, at East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler.

“The Toddler and the Table” is an educational class for parents and caregivers to learn about healthy ways to

make meal times productive, pleasurable and drama-free.

Join Yaffi Lvova, registered dietitian/ nutritionist, for the program that costs $15 per person. Reservations are required

be a little bit of...finish the at-bat, at least, or something.”

Nobody at the meeting publicly refuted the guidelines’ potential to improve player safety, however, including Perry High School athletic director Jennifer Burks.

“It’s good that it’s approved for the safety of kids out there exceeding what’s reasonable for an athlete to pitch,” Burks said. “I think most of our coaches do the right thing and don’t need a pitch count rule to coach appropriately. But honestly, if it’s to legislate people from doing inappropriate things with our kids, then it’s good.”

by calling (480) 897-0588 or emailing pam@evjcc.org. The first five paid registrants will receive a free 20-minute counseling session.

CHANDLER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

March 21: Teacher inservice workday— no school

March 25: Spring holiday—no school

HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration is in progress for the 2016-2017 school year. Children who turn 5 by Aug. 31 are eligible to enroll in kindergarten. Bring proof of residence, birth certificate and up-todate immunization records at time of registration. Hancock is giving away goodie bags for the next 25 students who register.

Bench the Bag

Hancock participated in the City of Chandler’s Bench the Bag program. Hancock students collected plastic bags to help save the environment and compete with other Chandler schools with the hopes of winning a bench made of plastic bags donated by Trex. Submitted photo

Tutu

Tutu the Ostrich from the Ostrich Festival visited Hancock Student Council officers and the kindergarten classrooms. Submitted photo

Calendar

March 25: No school spring holiday

April 4: PTO meeting

May 2 to May 6: Teacher Appreciation

Week

May 12: Volunteer luncheon

May 24: Last day of school

—Amy Fricke

Free SAT, ACT practice tests at Tutor House

High school juniors and seniors are invited to take a free SAT or ACT practice test on Saturday, April 2, 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 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.

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

Tutor House is located at 1256 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite F, Chandler. Sign up at www.TutorHouseAZ.com on the homepage to reserve a seat. For more information, call (480) 857-1222 or email Tutoring@ TutorHouseAZ.com.

STUDENT CHRONICLES

Know a student who is doing something remarkable? Email the news to christina@santansun.com.

Chelsea Santiago, an international relations-undeclared major in the Colgate University class of 2019, has earned a dean’s award for academic excellence for the fall 2015 semester. A graduate of Hamilton High School, Chelsea earned her award for scoring a 3.30 or higher term average.

Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, is a highly selective residential liberal arts institution distinguished by its commitment to global engagement, student-faculty research, off-campus study, sustainable practices, and utilizing technology to enhance the teaching and learning experience.

Colgate offers 54 majors to a diverse student body of approximately 2,900 undergraduate students, and supports 25 Division I athletic teams.

Gabriel Martinez was named to the fall 2015 dean’s list at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

Martinez is a senior in the Heider College of Business. Full-time students who earn a 3.5 grade-point average or better on a 4.0 scale are eligible for the dean’s list.

Creighton University enrolls 4,100 undergraduates and 4,200 graduate and professional students among nine schools and colleges. No other university its size offers students such a comprehensive academic

environment with personal attention from faculty-mentors. Jesuit and Catholic, it affords incomparable interprofessional education, bridging health professions programs with law, business and arts and sciences. Creighton has been top-ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 20 years. For more information, visit www.creighton. edu.

Several local residents received their degree from Western Governors University (WGU) in Salt Lake City. The university held its 30th semi-annual commencement ceremony in Orlando on Feb. 6 and celebrated the graduation of more than 7,300 graduates. The students are:

• Kimberly Warren , Master of Science in nursing-education

• Loran Greenwall, Master of Science in nursing-leadership and management

• Doneen Grimm , MBA in health care management

• Maria Kisslinger, Bachelor of Science in nursing

Allen Thigpen was recognized as a Student Athlete of the Week recently at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. Thigpen is majoring in business administration while being a part of the 2015-16 Skyhawks football team. Fort Lewis College is the Southwest’s crossroads of education and adventure. Its blend of small classes, dynamic academic programs, and a liberal arts perspective leads to transformative learning experiences that foster entrepreneurship, leadership, creative problem solving and life-long learning.

Scott Schreiber is one of more than 350 graduates who received a diploma at Harding University’s commencement exercises Dec. 19 in Searcy, Arkansas. Schreiber earned a Bachelor of Science in health and kinesiology. Graduates include students from the College of Allied Health, College of Arts and Humanities, College of Bible and Ministry, Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration, Cannon-Clary College of Education, Carr College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy and College of Sciences.

Several local students have been named to the University of Iowa’s dean’s list for the 2015 fall semester, including Marina Gibbs and Chantel Haughton

Anil Adharapurapu was named to the dean’s list at Rochester Institute of Technology for the fall semester 2015-2016. Anil is studying in the biomedical engineering program. Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for dean’s list if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any grades of “incomplete,” “D” or “F;” and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours. Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls 18,600 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the United States. The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in business,

computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo.

Blakelee Evans , a Christian Ministry major at Azusa Pacific University, served in ministry through the Center for Student Action during the fall semester at Mexico Outreach. Azusa Pacific University is located in Azusa, California. Throughout the year, students have numerous opportunities to build relationships in the city of Azusa, greater Los Angeles area and Mexico. From assisting in food banks to providing after school tutoring and mentoring, the Center for Student Action at Azusa Pacific mobilizes and educates students toward responsible and transformational service locally and globally through a collaborative network of offices and programs. Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical Christian university committed to God First and excellence in higher education. With 61 bachelor’s degrees, 40 master’s degrees, 17 certificates, 11 credentials, eight doctoral programs and four associate degrees, the university offers its more than 10,000 students a quality education on campus, online and at seven regional centers throughout Southern California.