SanTan Sun News: Youth - April 16, 2016

Home-grown robotics team off to prestigious world competition

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

Five boys from Chandler and Gilbert, who have been building a robot in their home garages for more than a year, are about to leave on an unforgettable trip.

Connor Nail, 15, Davie Hayward, 16, and 17-year-olds Timothy Graunke, Nick Ruiz and Nathan Rossi will be in Louisville, Kentucky, from April 20 to April 23 to participate in the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship.

The contest is the robotics equivalence of the Super Bowl.

“They like to call it the Super Bowl of Smarts,” Timothy said.

The teens, all whom are homeschooled except for Nick, who attends Campo Verde High School, together comprise Arizona’s best high school robotics team, if judged in the context of the VEX Robotics Competition.

The “Phoenix Lights,” as they call themselves, won the state championship in March. Now, they are hoping that Chompy the Robot will score the most points and land them the title even amid the stiff competition provided by the best 850 teams drawn from 30 countries around the world.

Each year, the VEX Robotics Competition, presented by Greenville, Texas-based Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, throws an engineering challenge in the form of a game.

This year’s “Nothing but Net” game consists of a robot collecting and shooting balls into a net across a field to score in a 2.5-minute robotic basketball game. The game has two teams, and the

teens have to drive the game.

“It’s challenging; you are not only trying to be able to score, but to be able to do it quickly and to get as many points as possible,” Nathan said.

Meeting three times a week, the teens have worked on programming, design, prototyping, building, mechanics and electronics to create Chompy.

“There are a lot of mechanisms,” Timothy said. “We try to make sure everything is close to perfect. We have a very high level of quality we want to get to, when you want to be the best, and it takes a lot of time and effort to get there.”

The VEX Robotics Competition seeks to develop STEM—science, technology, engineering and math—subjects and also teach life skills to junior high and high school students. Among them is team building.

The teens, who have worked together for more than a year, have assigned different tasks to each member and said that they trust each other’s judgment.

Nick, who has good hand- and eyecoordination and performs well under pressure, drives the robot; Timothy handles mechanics and manipulates the many components; Connor mainly does the programming; while Nathan decides on the mechanical design, strategy and how the game is played.

In addition, there’s the engineering notebook painstakingly kept up by the whole team to document each season’s work, ideas and strategies that together present the whole picture of how they got to this point.

Fundraising is another aspect of the project that they had to tackle by themselves. Without the backing of a school or a sponsor, the teens washed more cars than they care to remember, and taught robotic skills camps to junior high students to raise the $3,000 they needed. They also recycled parts from previous year’s competitions.

Becoming the best team in Arizona took hours of work, many sleepless nights and sacrifices, they said. However, they didn’t sacrifice their school work, the Boy Scouts meetings, swimming and the myriad other activities that highlight the typical teen years.

“We’re not going to let our grades drop because we have a robotic program,” Nathan said.

The boys alternate their meetings and

work sessions at each of their homes, and enjoy the support of their parents.

Timothy’s mom, Kathryn Graunke, said that robotics has grown in the United States.

“Most people don’t realize how much its grown in the United States, how many teams there are, how many kids are involved in this,” she said, noting that robotics is a varsity lettering sport in Arizona and that colleges actively recruit those who have engaged in it.

More than anything else, it was keeping her son—and his friends— productively engrossed in a wholesome activity.

“What else do I want my kids to do on Friday nights?” she asked.

To contact the Phoenix Lights, write to davidjh@future-call.com.

Willis earns spot at robotics competition

The Willis Junior High Robotics Team, the Firebots, has received a hard earned spot in the upcoming VEX Robotics World Competition. This event brings together the top robotics teams from around the world to celebrate their accomplishments and compete against one another.

“I’m excited to go to Kentucky and meet teams from around the world,” said Cameron Braddock, president of the Willis Junior High Robotics Club. The competition takes place from April 20 through April 23 in Louisville, Kentucky.

“Through robotics, students learn engineering design process, programming, leadership, problem solving and how to think flexibly,” said Jason Prichard, a Willis science teacher and the Firebots Robotics coach.

The Firebots spent the year designing, building and programming robots to compete in tournaments against various Arizona teams and they’re the only middle school team from the Phoenix area attending the VEX Robotics World Competition. The Firebots will face teams from around the world, including Bahrain, Singapore, China, Paraguay and

Willis is a Title I school that addresses the needs of one of Chandler’s oldest and most economically depressed communities. While traditionally the most successful robotics teams are from more affluent parts of the Valley, Willis is the most decorated middle school robotics team for the past two seasons.

Willis Principal Jeff Delp knows that his students persevere through obstacles that other teams may not have to face.

“I’m proud of these kids,” Delp said. “Willis serves the lowest socioeconomic area of Chandler and because of that, many have the impression that our students have less potential than other schools. That’s not true. Our kids have proven in many ways that they are bright, resilient, creative, and possess unlimited potential.”

This is second season in a row that The Firebots have been invited to attend the VEX Robotics World Competition. The event provides an amazing opportunity for students to learn, travel, and interact with diverse peers.

These Chandler Girl Scouts are golden

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ

This year, the Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council named five Chandler girls—Reeti Banerjee, Ruchi Banerjee, Katelyn Boisvert, Rebecca Jernigan and Hannah Stevenson—who have been honored with the highest award in Girl Scouting: the Gold Award.

“One of the most impactful parts of Girl Scouting is earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of Girl Scouts–Arizona CactusPine Council. “This prestigious award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting and challenges girls ages 14 to 17 to initiate meaningful, sustainable change locally, nationally, or globally through unique ‘Take Action’ projects of their own creation.”

According to Woodbury, 2016 is meaningful to the Girl Scouts as they are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Gold Award. Earning the Gold Award is somewhat comparable to the Boy Scouts’ Eagle Scout. While both achievements require developing and completing a service project, Girl Scouts must create a project that is sustainable and continues to give back to the community long after she moves on. Overall, the process usually takes 18 to 24 months and often involves seeking in-kind donations and recruiting volunteers.

Others recognize the value of the Gold Award, too. Some universities and colleges offer scholarships to award recipients and girls who enlist in the U.S. armed forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

“Empowering girls to lead is one of the greatest investments we can make,” said Woodbury. “When women adopt leadership roles, they contribute a unique set of skills, ideas and life experiences that enrich and strengthen communities. Girl Scouts, and the Gold Award specifically, gives girls the support and guidance they need as they step into impactful leadership roles.”

For many of these girls, this award is the culmination of more than 10 years in the Girl Scouts.

Here is a snapshot of the honorees’ projects:

Reeti Banerjee: oral health education

With hopes of one day becoming a dentist, Reeti’s mission was to educate young children about the damaging effects of poor dental hygiene. Reeti researched the topic, and with a team of volunteers gave eight presentations, resulting in approximately 300 children receiving information and training on dental care.

Ruchi Banerjee: socioeconomic consequences of teen pregnancy

Ruchi’s Gold Award focused on educating fellow students about the socioeconomic consequences of teen pregnancy, including health challenges, low income and limited career opportunities. Through the use of informational posters and announcements over the intercom at five high schools, Ruchi was able to reach more than 11,000 students.

Katelyn Boisvert: addressing the plight of Monarch butterflies

Katelyn’s Gold Award addresses the conservation of Monarchs and pollinators of all kinds, while also preserving biodiversity, promoting community awareness, and encouraging citizen involvement. With the help of 50 volunteers, she constructed a Monarch butterfly waystation and pollinator garden at Chandler Preparatory Academy.

Rebecca Jernigan: dogs helping people Rebecca’s mission was to strengthen the connection between humans and dogs. She held training sessions for junior dog trainers and made the training information widely available by creating

a website. There have been more than 70,000 hits on her website. To connect junior trainers with trainers worldwide, she created a Facebook group, which has grown to 115 members.

Hannah Stevenson: PHS girls volleyball website development

Despite the success of Hannah’s high school volleyball team, there was a lack of support from fellow classmates. Hannah focused on increasing support of the women’s volleyball team by improving communication. To do this, she created a website for her team, developed its format and works year-round to keep the content updated.

Seton senior named ‘Top 60’ Scholar Athlete Class

Seton Catholic Preparatory senior Brandon Garcia of Casa Grande is at the top of his game on and off campus, having been selected to the “first team”—one of 11 high school students in Arizona—for the 2015-2016 National Football Foundation (NFF) Valley of the Sun “Top 60” Scholar Athlete Class.

This prestigious honor places Brandon among the best of the best from more than 258,000 students in 186 Arizona high schools. The NFF rankings are based on 40 percent academic performance, 40 percent football accomplishments, and 20 percent school and community citizenship and participation. Brandon and fellow star student athletes from across the state were recognized at a black tie awards banquet recently at Hilton-Scottsdale Resort and Villas.

Brandon’s NFF recognition stems from a nomination from Seton varsity football coach Gary Galante, who considers his senior running back a “game changer” on many levels.

“I’ve never seen a kid who has done so much for his school than Brandon has for Seton,” Galante said. “He’s an exceptional talent with a lot of heart and desire, academically in the classroom, and leadership on campus and on the field. Brandon is both gifted and hardworking. I’m proud to call him ‘one of my nine,’ a roadbuilder on the team who was willing to take on a lot of responsibility, carry on the character inscribed upon him and pay it forward.”

Garcia attended St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in Casa Grande. Admission to Seton meant Garcia’s family had to commit to the daily 37.5-mile drive (each way) to Seton’s Chandler campus. In addition to playing varsity football, he has served as student body president for the past two years. He is president of the National Honor Society, chairman of the Student Ambassador program, and he holds varsity track and field records for both the 4x400 and 4x100 meter relays. Upon graduating from Seton this May, Garcia will attend the University of San Diego and eventually plans to go to medical school to become an obstetrician.

We Love Learning!

Allstate, teens team up to fight texting and driving

Students from Hamilton High School took a pledge on April 1 to put their cellphones down and focus on the road as part of Allstate’s national “X the TXT” campaign. The Allstate Foundation partnered with Health World to urge students to stay distraction-free behind the wheel and raise awareness of the dangers of texting and driving.

Allstate agency owner Jacque Riggs discussed those dangers while participants added their thumbprints to a banner, symbolizing their promise not to text and drive.

“Hamilton High School students pledging not to text and drive is a simple act that can make a significant difference,” Riggs said. “That thumbprint symbolizes more than a promise: It’s peace of mind for parents and safer roads for all drivers. No text is worth risking a life.”

Research indicates that texting while driving takes teens’ eyes off of the road for an average of 5 seconds—enough time to drive the length of a football field at 55 miles per hour blind. On average, eight teens die in a car crash each day.

“It is important to ensure that teens know the dangers of distracted driving, and our partnership with Allstate gives us the tools to promote this education,” said Health World Executive Director Peter Rusin. “Bringing X the TXT to Hamilton High School in Chandler was fulfilling and impactful.”

Texting is one of the most dangerous distractions facing teen drivers today.

According to recent research by The Allstate Foundation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• 75 percent of teens admit they find themselves reading and responding to texts behind the wheel, yet more than 40 percent still admit to texting and driving.

• 49 percent of teens admit to being extremely distracted by texting while driving.

• 82 percent of teens say they use their cell phones behind the wheel.

• 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes are from distracted driving. Four out of five teens said their parents would be the best influence in getting them to drive more safely. As a way to get started, The Allstate Foundation and Allstate have created the Parent-Teen Driving Agreement. It can help parents outline their teen’s driving responsibilities and define the parents’ role in helping their teen succeed. Since its launch, more than 2 million people have made the pledge and X the TXT events have taken place across the country. Upon pledging, participants receive thumb bands with the words TXTNG KLLS to wear as a daily reminder of their commitment. Pledge Cards are passed out to everyone who makes the pledge to help get a conversation started at home and encourage families to commit to safer, focused driving.

To make the pledge not to text and drive, or for more information on the X the TXT pledge program, visit www.facebook.com/ xthetxt.

Hamilton debate team enjoys New York City

BY TIM J. RANDALL

The five members of the Hamilton High School debate team returned from their April trip to New York City without the Brewer Foundation/NYU International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) top prize, but they enjoyed the opportunity to bring pride to their school and community.

“The debates, regardless of winning and losing, are a reflection of how much we have learned and researched throughout this long process,” said junior Vignesh Viswanath.

Vignesh along with seniors Iris Chang and Molly Chou, and juniors Mani Kandan and Rahul Ramesh journeyed to the Big Apple to hopefully claim the prize as top high school debate team from around the globe.

Their journey began last summer, along with 300 other contenders, with the submission of a 2,800-word tome dissecting arguments on the topic of genetically modified organisms and global food security. After eight months of grueling competition, only eight teams remained.

“This team has had its share of ups and downs, but the priceless moments are the ones when we all can sit at a meeting and laugh/giggle endlessly about one silly phrase or when we all are so tired from working that we sound like zombies,” Iris said.

The intrepid scholars orated their hearts out in the Elite 8 round, but fell short, losing to the eventual winners from Plano, Texas.

“We are very proud of the students’ performance,” said Ken James, principal

Hamilton High School.

“Advancing to the final eight from over 300 teams internationally is a tribute to their hard work and dedication. This group of students are a great representation of Hamilton High School.”

Rahul said that even though the team lost, it learned about high-level debates and the judges’ preferences.

“Now we know what to expect, and we can work on better appealing to judges,” Mani added.

The trip though was far more than debate preparation and the forum. The students relished in the glow of the “City that never sleeps” experiencing the incredible sights and sounds of Manhattan.

“It was amazing to see these iconic figures in real life, which could only be seen from the screen of a laptop,” Mani said.

Iris explained that seeing the statue of famed Alaskan rescue sled dog Balto, Central Park and Times Square was “a true eye-opening and thrilling experience.”

“Additionally, being able to go to the top of Freedom Tower as well as partake in the memorial of 9/11 was also a humbling and emotional part of the trip,” Iris added.

Vignesh indicated that his “favorite part was debating in the Harold Pratt House and meeting and taking a picture with John Sexton,” the former New York University president.

Rahul said he was moved by a fellow traveler.

“I met a really cool person on the plane ride to New York. She’s traveled the world and had awesome experiences she told us about. Additionally, I liked walking through Central Park.”

Amidst the tremendous experiences, however, the team began to reconcile that their senior leadership would be moving on, and the remaining junior squad would begin the process of getting back to the Elite 8 in 2017.

“This year serves as great experience going into next year,” Mani said.

Rahul added that it was definitely a learning experience.

“We know the strategies for how the essays are written and how we should prepare for the oral debates which will guide us in next year’s competition,” Rahul said.

As for adding new teammates, Vignesh

said the group may not take on new members, “but if we do, we will look for our friends and classmates who are exceptional, critical thinkers, writers and/ or debaters.”

After all, the team is a close-knit group of friends.

“This team is actually a family and we even have given each other familial roles, such as mother/father to keep us in charge, and children for the ones who goof around more,” Mani said.

“This team truly is rooted in and revolves around more than just IPPF,” Iris added.

Cruz walk-off gives Bentley doubleheader sweep of AIC

Freshman left fielder Cameron Cruz— who attended Hamilton High School— lined a two-out, two-run walk-off single to left center in the bottom of the ninth to give Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, a wild 10-9 victory over American International College in the second half of a Northeast-10 Conference cross-divisional baseball doubleheader April 10 at DeFelice Field.

Bentley also took the first game, 5-3, behind the hitting and pitching of designated hitter Nick Neshe. The sophomore broke a 2-2 tie with a seventh-inning double and came in for a four-out save.

Cruz’s game-winner, his fourth hit of the twin bill, accounted for the fourth lead change of the nightcap. The Falcons were up 5-0 before AIC struck for six runs in the seventh and another in the eighth. Bentley came back with three in the

bottom of the eighth to go up 8-7, only to see the visitors regain the advantage with two in the top of the ninth.

In the bottom of the ninth, freshman right fielder Brandon Grover reached on a one-out error. Neshe followed with a single to right center and a ground ball out put both in scoring position, setting the stage for Cruz’s heroics.

Neshe and Cruz set the tables for Bentley’s eighth-inning rally with a walk and double, respectively. A wild pitch allowed Neshe to score and a single up the middle from sophomore third baseman Mike Samko plated Cruz with the tying run. After a ground out that moved Samko into scoring position, graduate student Mike Muir brought him home with a single to right center.

Samko and Cruz both had three hits and two runs scored in the second game, and Muir was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

In the opener, with the score knotted at 2-2, Grover led off the seventh of the opener with a triple to right. Neshe followed with a double down the left field line, scoring Grover with the g0ahead run.

Later in the inning, an RBI single to center by Samko brought in Neshe with the Falcons’ fourth run and Samko scored on a single to right by Muir.

AIC got one run back in the eighth and had the bases loaded with two outs when Neshe got the call. He needed just one pitch to get out of the inning and stranded two more runners in the ninth. All told, the Yellow Jackets left 14 runners on base and were just 5 of 20 at the plate with runners on base.

Bentley grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first when Samko walked and scored on a single up the middle by grad student Ryan O’Connor. AIC answered in its next at bat

Basketball academy begins at Tumbleweed center

Teens looking for something to do on Friday nights can participate in basketball games and friendly competition at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center.

Designed for children and teens 12 to 17 years old, the REACH Basketball Academy is open from 10 p.m. to midnight every other Friday through May 20, at the TRC, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. Fees are $33 for Chandler residents and $45 for nonresidents.

Teenagers can sign up for twilight

basketball clinics, play in 3-on-3 competitions and more. All skill sets are welcome.

“Whether you’re picking up a basketball for the first time or aspire to play at the high school level and beyond, REACH Basketball Academy is a great opportunity for teens looking for a little bit of glory, a good workout and a sense of community,” said Shawn Peoples, recreation coordinator.

The academy gives Chandler youth

a place where they can “hang out on Friday evenings in a safe, monitored environment that’s fun,” Peoples said.

This sports clinic, a collaboration between the City of Chandler and the REACH Basketball Organization, a sports clinic helps young athletes acquire fundamental basketball skills and learn life lessons, including accountability, teamwork and leadership. Founder and head coach Rodger Farrington brings more than 25 years of professional

and it remained a 1-1 game until Cruz hit his first career home run in the bottom of the fifth.

The Falcons’ three-run bottom of the seventh was preceded by AIC scoring a tying run in the top half of the inning. Freshman second baseman Travis Seymour led off with a double and scored on a squeeze after being sacrificed to third.

It was a big game for the Falcons’ three graduate students as Muir and O’Connor both had two hits and Bill Sullivan earned the win, his third of the year. He pitched 7.1 innings, struck out seven and allowed seven hits, three runs and two walks.

The sweep boosted the Falcons to 9-15 overall and 4-5 NE-10 while AIC dropped to 6-25 (1-15 NE-10).

basketball experience to the program.

Teens also can enjoy the Teen Lounge’s video games, ping-pong and movie nights at the center from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. every other Friday through May 20. Fees are $3 for residents and $5 for nonresidents.

For more information, contact Shawn Peoples at (480) 782-2746 or e-mail shawn.peoples@chandleraz.org.

to 6264 s/f of office or

Location: I-10 & Elliot

Excellent location with easy access to I-10, Sky Harbor Airport, Tempe, ASU or Downtown Phoenix.

2353 s/f of finished office or medical space at $13.50 NNN, with reception areas, large private offices, large open areas with break room facilities, board/meeting rooms and two washrooms. Owner is creative and may change to suit. These are also owner-managed twin buildings showing pride of ownership, with a low CAM/NNN fee of approx. $3.75 per sq. ft.

Join these great tenants: Edward Jones, Ahwatukee News, JMW Construction, Wilson Properties, Cottam Chiropractic and Piller Child Development Center. Floor plan is available. Exit I-10 at Elliot, go one block west and turn right on 51st Street. Take the next right off 51st Street and a quick left into the parking area. We are right next to the Wells Fargo Bank. Easy to show, call anytime: Richard 602-695-5491.

Classic Soccer Club is kicking it up a notch

BY TIM J. RANDALL

Youth soccer in the Unites States is growing rapidly, particularly in Arizona where a proliferation of organizations and clubs are teaching more than 50,000 kids to pass, kick, defend and score, according to U.S. Youth Soccer, the country’s largest youth soccer organization.

One such entity, Classic Soccer Club (Classic SC), has been helping determined young players acquire the tools to become their best.

Jamie Landerman, president of Classic SC and an 18-year Ocotillo resident, wants parents and their soccer-playing sons and daughters to consider the following: “If you are seeking seeking a club that is focused on developing top soccer players to reach their potential, Classic SC was created to do just that “We aren’t striving to be the largest club, but we are pursuing players who are willing to make sacrifices to become elite players.”

In May, Landerman and his teaching squad will hold open tryouts for boys and girls under the age of 7 (U7) to under the age of 18 (U18) for their elite and high intensity squads.

The times and dates are:

• U7 (2010) through U12 (2005): 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 2, and Wednesday, May 4, and 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 7.

• U13 (2004) through U18 (1999): 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 9, and Wednesday, May 11, and 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 14.

For more information, visit www. classicsc.org/Default.aspx?tabid=945597

“Classic SC provides a structured and professionally driven year-round soccer-specific program, which develops talented young soccer players to their greatest potential,” Landerman said.

“We provide a high-quality training program through full-time professionally licensed coaches, which allows us to grow composed and confident soccer players who are technically proficient and tactically astute.”

Founded in 2001, the club hit a new level of excellence under the leadership of Landerman who became the captain of the organization in 2014.

“We work with the best soccer players in the Valley,” he said. “Whether it is to make the team, become a starter, earn a scholarship or go pro. We provide authentic training, nutrition, motivation,

skills and gear advice from the best coaches and performance experts.”

Landerman and his talented team of coaches and trainers possess more than 30 years of collective experience. They have worked with athletes who have earned $300 million in scholarships. Additionally, the group has trained three World Cup women’s players and multiple men’s stars including Brad Evans of the U.S. national team and a defender for Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders.

The workouts will be held at Goodwin Park in Tempe and will provide an opportunity for young talents who desire to get better, the stage to perform.

“Our curriculum is based on the total soccer training concept, focused on the details that develop top-level soccer players,” Landerman said. “We want our players to succeed as athletes on the country’s top collegiate teams, United States National Teams, or professional soccer teams.”

Classic SC has a variety of training programs, competitive teams and instructional offerings. For Landerman however, the core of the program is about “developing well-rounded young people and human beings, which goes hand in hand with a successful, future focused, sports program,” he said. “Good manners, respect for and humility toward fellow players, coaches, and referees are hallmarks of the players in our program.”

• Enhanced Pre-K and Kindergarten Programs

CHANDLER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

May 23 through May 24: High school early dismissal

May 24: Fourth quarter ends

CTA INDEPENDENCE

Grand Canyon Fieldtrip

The entire fourth grade at CTA Independence had the opportunity to explore and visit the Grand Canyon. During their visit, they learned first-hand about the weathering and erosion that took place over millions of years to form this wonder.

AZ Opera

CTA-Independence had an amazing opera-tunity on March 30. AZ Opera, a professional opera company, visited the second- and third-grade students, who enjoyed a performance of “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” It included a mashup of the stories “The Three Little Pigs” and “Little Red Riding Hood.” Little Red and the three little pigs, helped the big bad wolf find the error of his ways in this delightful show. Students enjoyed this child-friendly opera and learned a little about the art form along the way.

She’s a winner

Fifth-grade student ZiQing Kuang recently won the Creative Communication Spring Writing Contest. She is a bright, young girl with an amazing ability to write. She is constantly surpassing all grade level expectations when it comes to writing. Her imagination is vast and her word choice is phenomenal. Writing is a passion for her and it shows with her latest achievement.

Volunteer celebration

The Volunteer Celebration from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. is an opportunity for teachers to say thank you to parents, grandparents and family members who give endless hours of their time. The school appreciates everything their volunteers do for students and staff.

Making music

CTA Independence families and friends are invited to the school’s spring band and orchestra concert from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, in the MPR.

Summer school

CTA families can consider registering their students for summer school for review of Spalding over the summer. Registration is available online at www.CUSDcommunity. com. The session runs from May 31 to June 17.

Calendar

April 22: General PTO meeting, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the media center

April 27: Second Grade Patriotic Music Program, 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. in the MPR.

May 2 to 6: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 10 through May 13: KIST testing, before and after school

May 11: Field Days for second, third and fifth graders

May 12: Sixth grade dinner-dance

May 13: Field Days for fourth, fifth and sixth graders

—Jana Thrash

HALEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Spirited Tigers

Haley Elementary girls cheer took home first place in the dance category and the

Gateway Pediatrics

205 S. Dobson Rd, Suite 1, Chandler AZ 85224 (480) 963-6668

Our distinctive services:

• 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

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS OF ALL AGES!

★ Dr. Sudha Chandrasekhar, MD, FAAP, IBCLC

★ Dr. Mariah Scott, DO, FAAP

★ Dr. Cristina Tamez, MD, FAAP

★ Sandra Sexton, CPNP, IBCLC

★ Dorothy Rzewnicki, CPNP, PMHS

★ Paulie Gatchell, RN, IBCLC

spirit stick for being the most spirited. Haley competed against seven other in district teams. Sign-ups for this program are through Chandler Community Education website.

Haley’s Spring Carnival

Haley’s annual spring carnival was Friday, April 8, and all of the proceeds were donated to the family of Crystal Dean, a third-grade teacher who died unexpectedly on April 3. The Haley staff would like to thank everyone who attended and volunteered at this event.

Celebration of learning

Celebrate an amazing year of learning with Haley students at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28.

—Stephanie Palomarez

TARWATER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Toro Ambassadors

The 25 student Toro Ambassadors have provided more than 659 hours of community service this year by serving at the Chandler Christian Community Center, Feed My Starving Children, The Gardens at Ocotillo Senior Living Center and The Clothes Cabin. The end-of-the-year party was held Thursday, March 24.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is the week of May 2. For the event, the PTO is collecting donations for the annual staff raffle, which includes gift cards, baskets of goodies and other new items. School officials appreciate the contributions to this fun and fantastic event for the Tarwater staff. They are also encouraging donations. Business owners and other donors may be eligible for a tax deduction for their donations.

Tarwater Toro Running Club news

The Tarwater Toros Running Club just

finished an excellent season. The 212 team members dedicated themselves to hard work and improving their running abilities. The season was a huge success, and they are looking forward to 2016-17 season. Thank you, Jennifer Traficano, for coaching the team.

Jump Rope for Heart

Tarwater raised more than $8,000 for the American Heart Association through its Jump Rope for Heart event in February. Officials would like to thank everyone who participated and made the event such a success.

—JoAnne Cawley

WEINBERG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

AZMerit

Weinberg Elementary completed AZMerit recently.

Adopt-a-Pilot

Fifth-grade students are working with Southwest Airlines for its Adopt-a-Pilot program. The pilot is Capt. Booher and he has been teaching students about geography, math, flight tracking and patterns and job opportunities. He recently visited on April 8 when he conducted hands-on experiments to show students how an airplane flies.

Mathleague success

The Mathleague state competition is May 7 and eight mathematician Wranglers qualified.

Outstanding student

The Gilbert Town Council gives student of the month awards to pupils who are outstanding. Caleb Baysinger received March’s award. He went to the March 24 award ceremony and shook hands with the mayor.

—Heidi Huggins

Call for entries for the Student Production Awards

The CBI Board of Directors is accepting submissions through Friday, May 13, for the 15th annual Student Production Awards. Awards will be presented as part of the fifth annual National Student Electronic Media Convention from Oct 20 through Oct 22 at the Philadelphia Sonesta.

The National Student Production Awards honor outstanding student work in electronic media, and include more than 20 submission categories— including promos, news reporting, best DJ, comedy, entertainment, many sports categories and more for video and audio—as well as general categories in station imaging, website design and social media presence. For each category, up to four finalists are chosen and announced before the conference. Winners and finalists are honored at the awards presentation.

For a complete list of all 24 categories, visit 2016 National Student Production Awards page, https://cbi. secure-platform.com/a.

Last year, nearly 900 entries were submitted, and 96 entries chosen as finalists and winners. The awards ceremony was standing room only, and

preceded by the convention keynote with Clinton Forry, vice president of content strategy at Weber Shandwick.

“The awards provide a great opportunity for students to showcase their work in a nationally recognized competition,” said Awards Coordinator Steven Hames. “With multiple categories in audio, video and multimedia, there is something for every type of station out there—radio, television, online or a combination.”

College Broadcasters Inc. represents students involved in radio, television, webcasting and other related media ventures; ensures a commitment to education and the student pursuit of excellence through active involvement in electronic media; promotes cooperative efforts between the association and other national, regional, and state media organizations; facilitates the discussion of issues related to studentoperated electronic media; and other community oriented programs. CBI represents more than 200 active radio and television stations.

Teens gain work experience through ‘Leaders In Training’ program

With summer looming, the City of Chandler is encouraging young adults to spend summer break wisely, by turning downtime into leadership opportunities.

Teens can develop invaluable skills that will help them in high school, college and beyond by participating in Chandler’s Leaders in Training (L.I.T.) program scheduled for June 6 through July 15.

The L.I.T. program educates and prepares teens for the professional world and shows them how service positively impacts the community. Young adults participate in a six-week series of leadership development workshops guided by an esteemed mentor and shown tools for success in both the private and civic sectors.

“Utilizing volunteerism as a teaching tool, the City provides meaningful work experiences and invaluable on-the-job training,” explained Shawn Peoples, a recreation coordinator at the Chandler Community Center.

“It’s a win-win that makes our community stronger while helping these outstanding students become future leaders.”

Teens are treated as regular employees, as much as possible, and are held accountable for their punctuality, attendance, attitude and overall performance. The work week begins on Mondays with professional development workshops presented by members of the local business and government community. Tuesday through Friday, teens are assigned to work four-hour shifts in the morning, afternoon or evening for a minimum of 12 hours per week. Students may opt to work more hours with approval from their mentor.

“The program was very helpful in gaining knowledge in the areas of customer service, networking and accountability,” explained 2015 L.I.T. alum Heba Shiban. “The workshops on Mondays provided me with real-life experiences in the work force.”

Teens work in a variety of fields including accounting, aquatics, business development, economic development, chamber of commerce administration, public housing, public safety, central supply, recreation and with several community partners. They also

STUDENT CHRONICLES

Know of a student who is doing something outstanding? Tell us about the news by emailing christina@ santansun.com.

Jing Zhang was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Jing was initiated at The University of Texas at Dallas. Jing is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership.

have the opportunity to attend unique field trips including end-of-summer college tours and an overnighter.

Applications for the program are due into the City by Friday, April 22. The registration fee is $17 for Chandler residents and $23 for nonresidents. Applications can be downloaded from www.chandleraz. gov/teens, or picked up at the Chandler Community Center, Snedigar Recreation Center, Tumbleweed Recreation Center, Environmental Education Center and at all Chandler libraries.

Participation in the program is voluntary and the teens do not receive payment. Transportation to and from the assigned job sites and workshop locations is the responsibility of the participant. The training culminates with a graduation ceremony featuring a special guest speaker and dinner.

Since its inception 2001, more than 750 students have completed the L.I.T. program and gone on to hold notable jobs, including jobs with the City as recreation leaders, customer service representatives and parks maintenance workers.

The L.I.T. program is part of the City of Chandler’s ongoing commitment to provide individuals with access to opportunities that will bolster their life skills while also benefiting the community.

“Armed with an adventurous spirit and a thirst for impacting change, we empower our youth to experiment, to grow and ultimately, to thrive,” Peoples said.

For more information, contact Shawn Peoples at (480) 782-2746 or e-mail shawn. peoples@chandleraz.gov.

Chandler McDonald’s to host Día de los Niños to promote early literacy

Beginning at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 30, the first 100 parents to visit their local Chandler McDonald’s restaurant will receive a 2016 Happy Meal book and free vanilla cone or apple slices in celebration of Día de los Niños and to raise awareness about early literacy.

About 20,000 books provided in partnership with Southwest Human Development and Reading is Fundamental will be given away to families at Phoenix and northern Arizona McDonald’s restaurants. The free book and cone offer excludes Walmart McDonald’s locations.

Four Harper Collins children’s books from the 2016 Happy Meal Book program will be distributed: “Pete the Cat,” “Paddington,” “Clark the Shark” and “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse!”

On April 30, 20 cents from every Happy Meal sold at Phoenix and northern Arizona McDonald’s restaurants will be donated to Southwest Human Development’s First Edition: A Book for Babies and Toddlers Too! Project, to help fund early literacy programs that prepare young children for school.

Southwest Human Development, Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development, created Books for Babies...and Toddlers, Too!, a comprehensive early literacy social venture that incorporates crowdfunding, a children’s book writing contest, and essentially turns the nonprofit into its own children’s book publisher. For every book purchased, Southwest Human Development will provide an additional book to a child in

Graduate students in the top 10% of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Chandler High School senior Neil Stevens is expected to graduate with his associate’s degree from Chandler-Gilbert Community College in May. He is an active participant of the HOOP Program.

Chandler High School sophomore Kyle Stevens was recently invited and accepted into the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

need. The initiative also helps fund highquality early literacy programs throughout the Valley that support parents to ensure their children are ready to learn when they begin kindergarten.

“Our First Edition project goes beyond just putting more books in the hands of children,” said Jake Adams, chief development officer of Southwest Human Development. “The revenue generated from this initiative funds our early literacy programs that provide families with the tools and resources they need to ensure healthy learning experiences for their young children.

There’s only one book for every 300 kids in low-income neighborhoods, and we’re looking to change that,” he explained.

“We are thrilled McDonald’s is raising awareness of the importance of early reading with this event and able to help meet a critical need for many Arizona families.”

“This event is part of our ongoing strategy to enrich the lives of families across Arizona, and with the support of Southwest Human Development, inspire more family reading time,” said Michelle Slayton, Chandler McDonald’s owner.

“We’re excited to help raise funds for Southwest Human Development to help young children prepare for and enter school ready to learn. Supporting education and literacy is a priority for McDonald’s local owner/operators in Phoenix and northern Arizona.”