SanTan Sun News;12-19-15: youth

CYF Pop Warner event awards participants for academic prowess

BY DAMIR LOLIC

Chandler Youth Football praised more than 200 participants during the CYF Pop Warner Little Scholars Recognition Event held at Basha High School on Friday, Dec. 4. The event recognized the studentathletes and cheerleaders for their academic prowess; honoring them with certificates stating that they maintained a B or higher grade-point average throughout the scholastic season.

Proud parents snapped photos at every turn, and even though battle scars from the season forced some of the boys to limp up in order to accept their certificates, they were gleaming from the plaudit received that evening.

The two-hour program also featured a

montage including highlights of the 2015 season. Noteworthy guest speakers such as ASU quarterback Mike Bercovici, ASU Senior Associate Athletic Director Jean Boyd and Chandler’s Vice Mayor Kevin Hartke were in attendance. Each one of them echoed the sentiment of education, stressing the point of football being a “vehicle” for the various tools of life.

“We have a responsibility to help young people use football for what it offers because the game takes a lot out of you,” Boyd said. “We want to make sure they’re getting everything out of it that they can; education stands at the forefront of that.”

Bercovici knows what it takes to be academically inclined while performing at peak levels on the football field. In early

December, he was named the 2015 Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year. His message to the student-athletes was greeted with a standing ovation.

“Football gives you a platform, hold yourself to a higher standard not just on the football field, but in the classroom and around the campus as well,” said Bercovici.

“It’s an honor for me to be out here speaking to the kids, I used to be in their shoes when I was younger, so I wanted to encourage them to continue managing schoolwork with football and the accolades will pile up.”

Hartke applauded the studentathletes, and heaped praise upon the CYF organization for their aptitude in acknowledging academic achievement.

“On behalf of the mayor’s office, I would like to say kudos for all that you do in ensuring the kids demonstrate they are champions on and off the football field.”

CYF Vice President Norris Thomas was extremely pleased with the outcome of the event and wanted to thank the parents, sponsors and guest speakers for their continued support.

“Give yourselves a round of applause for all the efforts you’ve made to make nights like this one possible,” said Thomas.

The evening was capped off with the indulgence of cupcakes in celebration of CYF’s 40-year anniversary.

CUSD schools rank within the top 10 percent in AzMERIT tests

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

Chandler Unified School District officials are pleased with how their schools have fared overall in the new AzMERIT tests.

The district ranked in the top 10 percent in most grade subject areas compared to other districts in the state, according to Matthew Strom, assistant superintendent of K-12 Educational Services.

“We always have areas to improve on, but we were pleased with our first year’s performance in terms of our performance relative to our counterparts’ throughout the state,” he said.

AzMERIT, which measures how well students have mastered the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards, replaced Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards, or AIMS, in the spring. The new test is partly based on Common Core, a set of nationwide standards.

Under AzMERIT, students are graded whether they are “proficient,” “partially proficient,” “minimally proficient” or “highly proficient” in math and reading.

In Maricopa County, 37 percent of all students passed English language arts, while 38 percent passed math, according to a report released in December by the Arizona Department of Education.

In the Chandler district, 52 percent passed English language arts, while 53 percent passed math. Of that, 13 percent of students reached the

“highly proficient” performance level in English language arts, while 20 percent of students reached the “highly proficient” performance level in math.

The top performing five schools in Chandler are Knox Gifted Academy, Arizona College Preparatory - Oakland Campus, Chandler Traditional Academy, Arizona College Prep - Erie Campus and Ryan Elementary School.

Knox Gifted Academy, Strom said, “Pretty much, across the board, were either the top performing school or the second-best performing school in the state depending on what grade level and subject.”

Even though the overall, relative results are “pleasing,” the district seeks improvement continually, Strom said.

“We already have identified critical areas in which we can do better and we hope to seek improvement in future years,” he said.

Strom said that when scores are analyzed in certain ways, some domains, or areas of study, indicate they can be improved. Examples are “measurement” and “geometry” in math and “reading for information” in English language arts.

“We figure out what we can improve on and try to maximize our results on those areas,” he said. “This is done more at a school level.”

Overall, AzMERIT test scores are lower than AIMS scores.

“AzMERIT is a different exam with different cut scores. The cut scores are

aligned to NAEP (National Assessment for Educational Progress), and when we align the cut scores to NAEP in the state, the cut score got more difficult,” he said.

“AIMS didn’t have a nationally aligned cut score. If it did, the scores on AIMS would have been worse as well,” he added.

The assistant supervisor indicated that the district’s plans for next year include a new math curriculum that betters aligns to the AzMERIT standard and an analysis of its inhouse assessment systems for better efficiency.

The assessment system monitors students on a more frequent basis

than at an annual test, and indicates the point at which students need extra help.

Strom, however, cautioned against placing an inordinate value on the AzMERIT test results.

“We also recognize the need for a balanced approach to education and that includes things like the arts and athletics and things like the sciences which are not tested near as heavily,” he said.

“While we are very competitive in Chandler, and like to perform to the best of our abilities, we also know there are many other learning outcomes that we value,” he added

Basha marching band to perform at the Holiday Bowl

BY ALISON STANTON

On the morning of Sunday, Dec. 27, 88 band members from Basha High School will board two large charter buses and head to San Diego for the performance of a lifetime.

Nathan Johnston, director of bands for Basha High School, said WorldStrides OnStage programs has invited the marching band to perform at the Holiday Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 30.

Johnston, who directs the band along with Associate Director of Bands Russ Biczo, said the group will join around 10 other marching bands from around the country to perform in the halftime show.

“The other bands are from other states including Utah, Nebraska and Minnesota. We are the only one from Arizona,” said Johnston.

WorldStrides invited the band to perform because of their reputation as being professional musicians who are well-behaved and among the top students in Chandler.

“They contacted us last May and asked if we wanted to be part of it, and we didn’t commit until August,” Johnston said.

During the halftime show, the bands will play six songs. The coordinated show will include fireworks and a vocal track, Johnston said.

To prepare for the performance, Johnston said the band has been busy practicing the six songs.

“We are rehearsing three to six hours a week and we are practicing

so students go to Holiday Bowl prepared,” Johnston said.

Once the band arrives in San Diego, Johnston said the students will rehearse with the mass band and learn from nationally acclaimed adjudicators.

They will also take part in a band competition and, in their spare time, see some of the sights the city has to offer.

“We will also be in the big balloon parade that goes along the ocean,” Johnston said.

Johnston said the band members and their parents were excited to learn about the opportunity to perform at the Holiday Bowl.

To cover meals and other expenses, the band has been busy raising money, he added.

“The students feel honored that they were selected to perform because of their reputation and hard work. It’s also a nice opportunity for them to bond with their peers,” Johnston said.

Mike Baker, a senior who plays baritone, said he was “more than excited” to learn the band was invited to perform at the Holiday Bowl.

“I have enjoyed all of our band’s trips in the past and this will be an awesome way to end my senior year in marching band,” he said.

In addition to playing on the field in a large stadium in front of a huge audience, Mike said he is looking forward to seeing the game.

“I am a huge fan of football, along

with being an active member of my band program,” he said.

Morgan Clark, a senior who is a member of the color guard in the Basha Bear Regiment, said she was ecstatic when she heard the news about the Holiday Bowl.

“It’s a complete honor to be the only band in our state invited to perform and play in the Holiday Bowl,”

she said.

“We have worked incredibly hard throughout all of this season and truly do deserve this privilege.”

For information on helping Basha High School’s marching band with fundraising, contact Eddie Garza at bashahighschoolbands@gmail.com.

BASHA STUDENTS SALUTE VETERANS

Two local schools receive funds from D-backs for improvements

BY MEGAN MARPLES

Two Chandler schools are slated to receive funds from the “D-backs $100,000 School Challenge,” as recently announced by the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation.

Conley Elementary School and Jordan Center for Early Education received money that would go to school improvements.

Conley Elementary has been working on raising funds to build a playground for its special needs children. With a $5,000 grant from the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, it is closer to making its goal a reality.

“The special needs playground is just like a regular playground except it has adaptive swings, slides and other play activities,” Principal Dr. Joe Walters said. “Children who are confined to wheelchairs or who are limited with mobility issues will have access to the same opportunities as our other children.”

In October Conley finished the first phase of the $75,000 playground. Future plans include additional play areas, a garden and a shade structure. The project is set to be completed in February.

Jordan Center for Early Education received a $5,000 grant to better connect home and math. Lakeshore Learning math kits will be ordered for students to help reinforce math topics outside of the classroom.

“It’s a fact that students learn and

retain the most information when they are learning with hands on manipulatives and active participation,” said early childhood special education teacher Marianne Burr. “The children will be excited about learning and the parents can reinforce the activities and lessons learned at school.”

The materials purchased could be used multiple times which increases the number of students able to learn.

“The D-backs are excited to once again partner with University of Phoenix to provide Arizona schools with much needed funding through our School Challenge program,” said D-backs President and CEO Derrick Hall in a press release. “Each year the applications get more creative and we see that in many cases this type of funding is a necessity. We are proud to be able to help schools across the state to encourage innovative educational programs and to assist where it is so desperately needed.”

The two Chandler schools were chosen from more than 300 submissions.

According to a D-backs press release, each winning school will be honored and receive a check on the field at a 2016 D-backs game next April and May at Chase Field. The D-backs will donate 1,000 tickets for students, parents, teachers and staff to attend the D-backs’ game in which their school will be honored.

Hamilton investment team finishes second at competition

BY KEN ABRAMCZYK

A team of Hamilton High School students recently showed that they can invest with the best of their peers.

The group won silver at the recent ninth annual Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge. More than 400 students competed in this stock market simulation.

The team, called “The Short Sellers,” increased its portfolio by more than $977,000 or about a 96 percent rate of return. Each team of five students received a hypothetical $500,000 portfolio to invest over a 90-day period.

The Short Sellers team from Hamilton High School prepares for the Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge. From left, team members Michael St. Onge, Vineet Maheesh, and Jared Byrd (wearing white shirt and lanyard), along with Dallin Thomas, who is on the school’s yearbook and newspaper staffs, talk with instructor and coach Mike Lisi, and team member Zheng Dong Wang. The fifth team member, is Luke Zhang, who is behind Vineet Maheesh. Submitted photo

The team was comprised of Zheng Dong Wang, Vineet Mahesh, Luke Zhang, Jared Byrd and Michael St. Onge.

Mike Lisi, who teaches students in grades nine through 12 at Hamilton, gave the team some early preparation.

“I gave the students some instruction (one to two lessons) on the stock market and how to do some investing,” Lisi said. “We had some volunteers from JA come in after that and teach three lessons about the competition and how it works.”

The teams could invest in 30 fictitious companies, which were modeled after Facebook, Verizon, Apple and others.

Hamilton sent four teams to the competition.

Lisi said the competition was similar to day trading with the entire day simulated to a 60-day trading period, so that every 1 1/2to 2-minute period represented a trading day with news and events unfolding for some of the companies.

That simulation was “very realistic,” Lisi said, as students learned problem solving and honed critical thinking skills.

“The students had to be very aggressive and process all of the data in real time and then make investment decisions based on what the overall market and stocks were doing,” Lisi said.

Students learned to research before

purchasing stocks and that investing “takes time.” “They realize that the stock market can be very risky, but there is an opportunity to increase their portfolios if they do their research,” Lisi said. “They also learned that investing is a long-term goal and commitment and that day-trading is not the ticket to building wealth. [Their] advice would be to stay the course and invest for the long run in companies that produce quality products and services.”

Lisi said students take business management classes from him, including Level 1 (personal finance), Level 2 (owning and operating a small business enterprise) and Level 3 (a paid job internship in the local community). Junior Achievement offers other programs besides the stock market challenge, including JA Finance Park, JA You’re Hired and JA Economics.

Lisi called JA “one of the premier nonprofit organizations in Arizona.”

“All of their programs that they offer to schools are quality programs that add value to student learning,” Lisi said. “One of their mottos is ‘empowering young people to own their own economic success.’”

Lisi said more money should be invested in JA because of the “quality of education they provide to our students.” “They definitely could use some more sponsors,” Lisi said.

Formula One competition accelerates STEM education for 11 teams

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

Designing, coding and manufacturing using state-of-the art technology would usually take place in an office environment.

Recently, 11 teams of students, mostly from the Chandler Unified School District, did just that in school.

The students participated in the Formula 1 Technology Challenge, which involved learning 3-D computer-aided design software and other technical tools to design a Formula One car of the future.

The F1 in Schools competition is a Society of Automotive Engineers program aimed at middle and high school students to build skills in science, technology, engineering and math, known collectively as STEM. It is active in 40 countries and engages about 20 million students.

At the F1 in Schools Arizona Regional Competition Race held at Perry High School recently, the cars were raced on a model 20-meter track built in the school cafeteria building. Each second mattered, as the teams were pitted against each other.

Legacy Traditional School comes to Chandler for 2016-17 school year

A new campus of Legacy Traditional School (LTS) is set to open in time for the 2016-17 school year near the corner of Warner and North McQueen roads.

The announcement comes fresh off the success of LTS’ new campus in Surprise, which opened this fall at capacity and with more than 1,000 students on an enrollment waiting list.

“We’ve seen a groundswell of support for our tuition-free, public schools in each community where we’ve chosen to locate, and I am confident North Chandler will embrace this new campus, as well,” said William Gregory, one of LTS’ four executive directors. “Parents love that we provide a safe, structured environment in which learning is the highest priority.”

The LTS network of public schools is internationally accredited and A-rated by the State of Arizona. In fact, LTS scored highest among all K-8 charter districts in Arizona during the 2013-14 school year, according to the Arizona Department of Education. LTS was also voted the No. 1 charter school system in 2015 by Ranking Arizona.

But LTS also knows a quality education means more than just solid academics. The LTS model emphasizes timeless values—namely, character, love of country and the responsibilities of being a good citizen. And with

its Momentum Fitness Program and Mozart Performing Arts Program, LTS offers an extra dimension to its quality academics.

“Education fads will come and go, but those of us at Legacy Traditional School believe in a formula that has stood the test of time: supported teachers, involved parents and high standards,” said Aaron Hale, executive director of LTS.

“Our North Chandler students will follow an accelerated, back-to-basics curriculum but will also have access to the latest instructional technology and amenities.”

As with every LTS school, the campus will include a computer lab; library; full-size gymnasium with wood floor; full-service, commercial kitchen and cafeteria; athletic fields for baseball, soccer and football, plus outdoor basketball courts; and playgrounds separated according to grade level.

For more information, visit www. legacytraditional.org.

Apex, a six-member team from Hamilton High School, became the overall first place winner. Seismic and Four Horsemen, both teams from Perry High School, won second and third place respectively. The first two teams will participate in the U.S.-Canada national competition to be held next spring. If they gain traction there, they will race their model in the international competition.

The cars, milled from balsa wood, are judged based on safety, aerodynamics, engineering, aesthetics and other criteria.

“It’s hands-on engineering,” said Don Robins, a local mentor and retired engineer from General Motors. “Students don’t always get an opportunity to design in a 3D CAD system.”

Apex began working on the project in the summer. Mastering the technical tools took a few months, team member Tyler Goudie said, and about 12 models were made and discarded before they decided on the “perfect” one.

Classes ages 6 months and up:

• Gymnastics

• Tumbling

• Trampoline

• Acrobatic Gymnastics

• Ballet, Hip Hop and Tap

• Martial Arts

• Swimming

Independent gymnastics classes for 2-year-olds offered !

CHANDLER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

Dec. 21 through Jan. 1: Intersession Jan. 4: Return to school

CTA INDEPENDENCE

Variety show

Get your acts ready for the variety show. Afterschool auditions are Jan. 11, Jan. 12 and Jan. 14. Visit the activities page on the school’s website for more information.

Registration coming

Open enrollment and registration for new students is coming Jan. 11. School tours for prospective parents will be held Jan. 7. Kindergarten registration for boundary students starts Jan. 11. Open enrollment and registration information for new students and other siblings of current students will be announced soon.

Honoring veterans

Students took on a Veterans Day service project where they donated candy to active military troops. The school shipped 34 pounds of candy to Operation Gratitude, a company that makes care packages for troops. In addition, sixth-grade students have joined with a Hamilton High pupil to be pen pals with the troops. Way to go Hawks!

Taking CARE

The student council’s cereal drive netted nearly 500 boxes of cereal for the Chandler CARE Center. Thank you on behalf of student council and the Chandler Care Center for all donations.

Donations sought Families, friends and community members are encouraged to make an online tax credit donation to CTA Independence.

Donations go directly to the school and are used for clubs and field trips. All donations are returned in the form of a tax credit. Visit the school or district website to donate online.

—Wendi Olson

Congratulations to the 13 sixth graders pictured above who were inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) in a ceremony held on Nov. 4. under the direction of Mrs. Dussault, Mrs. Walter and Mrs. Babcock. School officials are proud of their academic achievements. CTA Independence is only the second elementary school in the district to be able to honor these academically distinguished students through NEHS. Submitted photo

HALEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

NFL

Play 60 Challenge

Haley Elementary was chosen to participate in the NFL Play 60 Challenge at University of Phoenix Stadium. All fifth and sixth graders were given a four-week challenge to see who could record the most minutes of activity time. The top 25 students got to go on a field trip on Tuesday, Dec. 1, to the University of Phoenix Stadium to participate in a huge field event with the Arizona Cardinals training camp.

Food drive

The student council’s annual food drive was a huge success and it donated about 1,700 items to the Chandler Crisis Center.

Basketball champions

Haley’s fifth- and sixth-grade intradistrict basketball team (run through

Chandler Sports League) brought home the championship for this season.

Third grade

After reading a story called “Aero and Officer Mike,” Haley third graders were treated to a visit from Officer Hullings and Mr. Robbie, the police dog, courtesy of Chandler Police Department. The officer discussed his job and what life is like with a police dog.

—Stephanie Palomarez

HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Hancock Basketball

Hancock’s coed basketball team consisted of 10 players from the fifth and sixth grade coached by Mr. Lee. The team practiced one hour a week for six weeks and played in five games. They worked on developmental basketball skills, including dribbling, rebounding, passing and defense. The goal of the team was to go out and have fun, while improving on the basic fundamentals of basketball. It was a very successful first season of Hancock basketball.

Kindergarten enrollment for the 20162017 begins at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11.

Calendar

Jan 11: Online open enrollment begins at 7:30 a.m.

Jan 11: Kindergarten registration begins at 9 a.m. Jan 19: Kindergarten open house is 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

—Amy Fricke

TARWATER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Tarwater Spelling Bee

Congratulations to the spelling bee contestants who showed amazing sportsmanship. The bee winners were Zoe Smith, first place; Dominique Moise, second

All About Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is now offering the latest in BIOLASE LASER therapy for infants with lip and tongue ties who are experiencing difficulty nursing. If you or your baby are experiencing these symptoms call us for a consultation.

place; and Gage Frizzell, third place. Great job Toros. Zoe will compete in the Chandler District Spelling Bee on Jan. 29.

Box Tops and Labels for Education

Continue to save your Box Tops and Labels for Education. This is the time of year when folks are using Campbell’s, Pillsbury and many other products that help the schools earn valuable rewards.

Calendar

Jan 14: General PTO meeting at Barro’s at Alma School and Germann roads

Jan. 24: Chandler Schools All-in 5K Run/1 Mile Walk at Perry High School

—JoAnne Cawley

WEINBERG ELEMENTARY LIBRARY

Café party

Fifth-grade Weinberg students celebrated the end of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) by having a “café,” which consisted of drinking warm drinks while listening to excerpts from each student’s novel.

Spelling bee winner

Congratulations to the school’s spelling bee winner, sixth grader Marissa Acuna. She took home top prize in the schoolwide spelling bee for the second year in a row and will be representing Weinberg at the district spelling bee. Good luck, Marissa.

Talking hockey

The Arizona Coyotes Youth Development team came to Weinberg Elementary Dec. 10 through Dec. 12 to help spread the word about the sport of hockey. Students participated in hockey skills and games, and heard the story of the Coyotes, including their origins as the Winnipeg Jets.

—Laura Thornburg

❑ Baby

• Poor weight gain

• Non-effective latch

• Prolonged feeding times

• Gassy, colic, and reflux

❑ Mother

• Severe pain with latch

• Plugged ducts

• Mastitis

• Cracked and bleeding nipples

Team members spoke of long periods of concentration, errors and stress before things came together.

“It was a painful process, but it was slow and steady,” Goudie said.

Dillon Maluski was in charge of the manufacturing process for the team. “Making these cars with the limited amount of resources that we had just desired so much from these tools,” he said. “You can do so much with what you have. It was a learning process with the tools.”

Besides building the fastest model possible, the teams had to draw up a marketing plan, develop a budget and carry out many of the real world activities connected to such a project.

Harry Campbell handled the marketing process for Apex. “The competition really helped me delve into the creative aspect in the engineering process and I was able to learn new programs as well,” he said.

Similar to Apex, the team named Hot Pursuit from Perry High had to do several trial attempts before perfecting its car.

“We would put a new code in and every week see what came out and we would test those in class,” said team member Casey McMahon. “And we would make amendments to the design and go in the next week and mill something else.”

McMahon and her team members Daniel Estrella and Edward Lumpkin found the process rewarding.

“Each week we got a whole new car and we were very proud of the work we were putting out,” McMahon said.

Retired engineer Bill Klein, who judged the competition, said the process is “tricky”

because all the different design dimensions have to be met. While adhering to stringent guidelines, creativity and ingenuity are rewarded, he said.

“The rule on Formula One is, if it’s not addressed in the regulations, then it’s a go ahead. You can have fun if you want. It makes for creativity,” he said.

The push for STEM education is timely.

“Right now, the United States is short on good engineers. This is an accepted fact and this is a way of helping society,” said Klein. “Besides, I’m having a great deal of fun as a retiree and it keeps me thinking of my engineering skills.”

Last year, three teams from Hamilton High competed in the program and one team was selected to participate in the U.S.-Canada event.

This year, Sun Lakes Rotary Club is sponsoring the travel expenses of the winning team. During the event at Perry High, club president Bill McCoach presented $1,000 to the Chandler Unified School District.

New Vistas Center for Education

NASA rocket scientist previews Mars mission for New Vistas’ students

NASA scientist Eric Lira of the Launch Services Program (LSP) at the Kennedy Space Center gave New Vistas Center for Education students a glimpse into the space agency’s next mission to Mars.

Lira—who provides the oversight for the commercial rockets that deliver the agency’s payloads to space, in this case the Mars Lander—answered questions from first- through sixth-grade students about the InSight Interplanetary Mars Mission.

The project is a joint effort of NASA and its industry partners, with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory managing the spacecraft development, and LSP managing the rocket launch.

NASA and scientists from the United States, France, Germany and Switzerland are involved in interplanetary mission. Experts in the fields of engineering, aerodynamics, robotics, cryogenics, propulsion, mechanics and materials sciences each handle different phases of the complicated mission.

“The team approach to successful space exploration exemplifies the many fields available to students who do well in math and science,” Lira stated. “It’s important to inspire young minds to see beyond their school careers to the exciting future careers available to them. What they do today has a payoff later.”

Lira explained that InSight—or Interior Exploration Using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport—is more than

a Mars mission. It is a terrestrial planet explorer that will address one of the most fundamental issues of planetary and solar system science—understanding the processes that shaped the rocky planets of the inner solar system, including Earth. Students viewed an animated simulation of the InSight Mars Lander and the experiments the lander will conduct. Chief among them are experiments to determine the composition and temperature of the Martian core, the magnitude and rate of seismic activity and tectonic movements, and meteorite impacts on the surface of the red planet.

Students from New Vistas will have a front-row seat for the March 4 launch from their classrooms. They will view the launch on NASA TV broadcast from Vandenberg Airforce Base in California. The launch will be a high point of their study of Mars. The students will then follow the landing of InSight on Mars in September as well as its findings that will begin in October.

New Vistas Center for Education, named a Top 10 School by Johns Hopkins University CTY, was founded in 1979. It is a private preschool through sixth grade school from August through May, and a preschool through high school in June through August. Now in its 36th year, the school is located at 670 N. Arizona Ave., Suite 35, Chandler. For more information, visit www.newvistasaz. com or www.newvistasblog.com.

Youth

Seton Catholic seniors earn Eagle Scout rank

Four Seton Catholic Preparatory seniors have earned the rank of Eagle Scout—the highest achievement in Boy Scouting that is only attained by 2 percent of scouts nationwide.

Dalton Beach, Connor Peterson, Freddy Alexander and Eduardo Gámez have participated in scouting together since joining Troop 77 in grade school at St. John Bosco Catholic School in Ahwatukee. They share a strong commitment to school and community service.

Freddy of Chandler achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as a Seton sophomore, six years after joining St. John Bosco Boy Scouts Troop 77 as a fourth grader.

Freddy’s father served as both scoutmaster and assistant scoutmaster to Troop 77. He joins a long line of Eagle Scouts within his family, including his uncle and several cousins. In addition to scouting, he has been involved in Seton’s fine arts, track, basketball and soccer programs. He also participates in Seton’s mentor program, is a Seton Ambassador and a yearbook

photographer. He plans to attend ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism to obtain a degree in sports journalism with an emphasis in photojournalism to fulfill his goal of becoming a sports photographer.

Dalton of Chandler achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as a Seton senior, advancing up the ranks in scouting since joining St. John Bosco Troop 77 as a fourth grader.

Dalton has participated in Seton’s track and field and soccer teams as well as the drama club, Anime club, and Seton Buddies club. An exemplary student, he achieved Commendation Status for the National Merit Scholarship Program and has been a member of the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth since eighth grade.

In addition, he participates in the Columbian Squires of the Knights of Columbus at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Upon graduation, Dalton plans to attend the U of A to pursue a degree in the medical field.

Eduardo of Chandler achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as a Seton senior, having been

STUDENT CHRONICLES

Kalyn Marquez performed in the Cornell College Holiday Concert on Dec. 5. The combined Orchestra, Choir and Chamber Singers concert featured works by Franz Josef Hayden, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Eric Whitacre, Felix Mendelssohn and more. Marquez performed as a member of the choir. The Concert Choir, conducted by Lisa Hearne, performed “Lux Aurumque” by Eric Whitacre and “I Will Lift Mine Eyes” by

Jake Runestad. One of the select “Colleges That Change Lives,” Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a national liberal arts college with a distinctive One Course At A Time curriculum. The One Course schedule provides students the chance to dive into their studies, focus more intensely on the disciplines of their choice, and learn authentically with the unique freedom to shed the confines of the

Montessori school seeks photos, videos for contest

Inspire Kids Montessori School (located on the southeast corner of Chandler Boulevard and 40th Street) is seeking photos of drawings or creative projects, or videos 1 minute in length or less, from Ahwatukee, Tempe and Chandler kids ages 3-5 for a Facebook contest. The winner will receive two free weeks early education for young children.

Parents can email their child’s photo or video to info@inspirekidsmontessori. com, or post their entry to the Inspire Kids page at Facebook.com/ inspirekidsmontessori. The deadline to enter is Thursday, Jan. 7. The submission with the most social media “likes” and “shares” on Friday, Jan. 8, will win. An additional 10 bonus points may be given by Inspire Kids teachers based on originality and creativity. Holidaythemed entries are encouraged but not required.

According to Diana Darmawaskita, owner and director of Inspire Kids, “We want children to truly enjoy this activity and use their imaginations. We are very excited to see the entries and hope that families have fun with this.”

She adds that if parents do not have access to a computer they may drop off their entry to the school at 4025 E. Chandler Blvd. between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parents are asked to include their contact information and the child’s first name

and age with each entry. Each photo or video entry received will be posted on the Inspire Kids Facebook page.

The school, which opened in mid2010, moved to its current location and larger facility after four years to accommodate its growth and enable it to extend the program offerings to infants and children up to 6 years old. It will be opening a new program for ages 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 in January.

Inspire Kids Montessori’s programs emphasize cognitive and social development as well as the care of environment and self. The campus is located in the Trader Joe’s Plaza and is equipped with “Back to Nature” outdoor playgrounds, school gardens and increased security measures.

Parents can call (480) 659-9402 for more information or visit the new Inspire Kids mobile and tablet accessible website at http://inspirekidsmontessori. com to learn about the benefits of Montessori education.

a boy scout in St. John Bosco Troop 77 since second grade. Gámez is a member of Seton’s cross country and track and field teams. He has a passion for music and has a side job as a DJ. He participates in the choir and plays drums and guitar during the teen Mass at St. Andrew the Apostle. He is exploring colleges and plans to concentrate on medicine, perhaps with a focus in the areas of pathology and toxicology.

Connor of Phoenix achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as a Seton freshman, advancing up the scouting ranks since joining St. John Bosco Troop 77 as a fourth grader. As a Seton student, Connor has participated in the Latin club and as a co-leader in the Anime club. He participates in the Columbian Squires of the Knights of Columbus at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Following graduation, Peterson plans to study computer science at Grand Canyon University.

traditional classroom to study off-campus, pursue research or accept an internship—all without missing out on other classes. For more information, visit www.cornellcollege. edu.

Kayla Glenn, a University of Dallas student, was a member of the women’s soccer team for the Fall 2015 season. Her position was midfielder. The team made it to the first round of the 2015 SCAC Women’s Soccer Tournament. The University of Dallas, located in a metropolitan area of nearly

“At Seton Catholic Prep, we are proud to produce well-rounded students who excel and contribute in and outside of the classroom,” said Principal Pat Collins. “The impressive scouting achievement by these students speaks to their high character and the exceptional multiyear commitment and dedication on the part of the boys and their families.”

7 million people, is a leading Catholic university widely recognized for academic excellence by well-known publications, organizations and accrediting bodies. It offers distinctive individual undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in the liberal arts, business and ministry that are characterized by an exceptional, engaged faculty, a commitment to shaping principled, well-skilled leaders and academic rigor in the Catholic intellectual tradition. For more information, visit www. udallas.edu.