Three school leaders mourned, service to students and communities remembered Three Arizona communities are mourning the loss of local leaders whose service to students and their communities will be missed but long remembered. Nancy Richardson, who had served on the Sierra Vista USD governing board for the past seven and a half years, passed away April 11. Ruth Roessel passed away April 14. She had served on the Red Mesa USD governing board for the past 11 years and was instrumental in the creation of Diné College, the first tribally-controlled college in the U.S. Joan Bennett, who served on the governing board of Deer Valley USD from 1993-2004 and remained a deeply involved education advocate after her elected service ended, passed away April 24.
Balsz ESD governing board receives national board leadership award The governing board of the Balsz Elementary School District (Phoenix) has been honored with a 2012 Magna Award from the American School Board Journal for the district’s successful implementation of a 200-day school year. This national award recognizes exemplary leadership by local school boards to advance student learning. Members of the board are Vic Grace, Fred Andersen, J. Will Roberts and Todd Schwarz. The award was presented Saturday, April 21, at National School Boards Association Annual Conference in Boston. Superintendent Dr. Jeff Smith was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the board.
Nogales H.S. mariachi performs at NSBA conference Mariachi Apache from Nogales High School made Arizona proud at the National School Boards Association Annual Conference in Boston in April. The group, performing under the direction of Alan Aguirre, wowed the crowd at a morning general session on April 21. Mariachi Apache, formed in 1996, is comprised of high school students that take the mariachi class as part of the district’s music Nogales High School’s Mariachi Apache curriculum. The group secured the coveted spot after Superintendent Steve Zimmerman sent in an audition CD to the selection committee, which chose the group out of approximately 300 entries. In addition to the NSBA honor, Mariachi Apache is featured in the “I Am Music” exhibit at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), which is located in Scottsdale. This exhibit celebrates Arizona’s centennial and is an officially recognized Legacy Project of the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission.
Spring 2012 I ASBA Journal 7