Check out the annual Graduate Keepsake Edition on Pages 5-8
San Manuel
MINER
Proudly serving as the Tri-Community’s source of weekly news since 1954 Vol. 57 No. 21
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Periodicals Postage Paid at San Manuel, Ariz. 85631
50 Cents
Plane crashes on Copper Creek Road; no injuries reported
A small plane rests on its top after it flips on landing. (Parrish Traweek photo) Sight seers seeking the ghostly remains of Copper Tree Town last week nearly became ghosts themselves after the plane they were in flipped when they tried to land on a back country road. According to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, pilot Thomas John Trotter reported that when he and his passenger, Christopher Gardett, tried to land on Copper Creek Road the wing caught a bush on the side of the road which caused the plane to flip onto its roof. Neither Trotter or Gardett
were injured. Parrish Traweek, Assistant Manager at the Ray Blair Airport in San Manuel and local pilot/flying instructor, said the airplane was a Maule and was designed for backcountry landing such as they do in Alaska.. Traweek said that the plane was not based out of San Manuel. PCSO secured the accident scene so that it could be turned over to the National Traffic Safety Board which investigates plane crashes.
Academically speaking ... These two young ladies have worked hard to get where they are: Brittney Smith, left, is the San Manuel High School Class of 2011’s Salutatorian, while Priscilla Enriquez, right, earned the title of Valedictorian. The two will give their traditional speeches to classmates and guests on Thursday, May 26, at 7 p.m. at the San Manuel High School Fred Littau Field. They and 76 of their classmates will graduate pending completion of all requirements. (Jennifer Carnes photo)
Seat open on M-SM School Board
Star science student ...
Star (pictured), Izabella, and Marissavell won first place for the first-second class combination with their project, “Plant germination and growth.” See more Mammoth STEM School Science Fair photos, Page 11. (Lana Jones photo)
Vin Coxon, right, presented the first Helen Coxon Memorial Scholarship to Priscilla Enriquez. (Jennifer Carnes photo)
Super spellers ... Mountain Vista School held its 12th annual Primary Grade Spelling Bee, on Tuesday, May 17. There were 35 students that participated in this spelling bee. It consisted of five students from each first, second and third grade class. After 35 rounds a winner was declared. Taking first place was third grader, Reagan Martin. Kayla Peck took second place and Kevin Valenzuela placed third. Kayla and Kevin are both second graders. The coordinator for the spelling bee is Mrs. Janie Sanchez. The judges were Helen Nack, counselor, and Jodie Koerner, classroom volunteer. Pictured from left are: Reagan Martin, first place; Kayla Peck, second place; and Kevin Valenzuela, first place. (Submitted photo)
Due to the resignation of Board Member Cindy Blair, the MammothSan Manuel Unified School District Governing Board has a vacancy. The vacancy will be filled by appointment made by Pinal County School Superintendent Orlenda Roberts. The successful candidate will serve through December, 2012. Any eligible resident within the Mammoth-San Manuel Unified School District who is interested in being appointed can apply online at www. pinalesa.org (click on the Elections tab, click on the Board Member Vacancies, click on Application for School Board Appointment). The application can be completed online, but it must be printed out, signed, notarized and mailed or hand delivered. You may also submit a request for an application to: Tonya L. Taylor, Chief Deputy, Pinal County School Superintendent’s Office, P. O. Box 769, Florence, AZ 85132 Email: ttaylor@pinalcso.org (520) 866-6579. The deadline for applying is no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2011.
Gift to a Graduate: First Helen Coxon Memorial Scholarship offered to Enriquez
By Karen Coxon Woodford Helen Coxon, one of the “pioneers” of San Manuel, was lovingly remembered on Sunday at the San Manuel High School Baccalaureate and Honors Ceremony when her husband of 70 years presented the first Helen Coxon Memorial Scholarship. Vin Coxon, at 95 years of age and a former Mammoth-San Manuel school board member, shared highlights of Helen’s life and told the audience why the scholarship was created. Mr. Coxon explained that he and Helen were early residents of San Manuel, moving here in 1955 and raising four children (Karen, Gary, Jim and Judi) all of whom were graduates of San Manuel High School. Additionally, all the Coxon children went on to graduate from the University of Arizona as Helen was passionate about the value of education
and strongly encouraged her children to take advantage of the college opportunity. The Coxon family lived at 931 Sixth Avenue for 50 years. Helen Coxon was an Arizona native and a graduate of the U of A. While at the University, she lettered in two sports, softball and field hockey. Additionally, she was a Business major, which was unusual for women at the time. Helen graduated, with honors, from the U of A in 1941 and started her married life with Vin immediately afterwards in the Globe/Miami area. Upon her death on Sept. 7, 2010, the Coxon family committed to develop a college scholarship for a deserving San Manuel High School graduate through the Mammoth-San Manuel Education Foundation. Helen loved her life in San Manuel and believed in the value of an extended education.
A San Manuel High School scholarship in her honor seemed like a fitting memorial. At Helen’s death, many generous donations were received that helped to start the scholarship. The scholarship is for $5,000 to be paid out over two years. Future Helen Coxon
The late Helen Coxon
Memorial Scholarships will be presented in 2012 and for an undetermined amount of years following. Mr. Coxon told the audience that the entire family is thrilled to see Priscilla Enriquez receive the first Helen Coxon Memorial Scholarship. Priscilla has been an outstanding student at San Manuel High School and is headed to the University of Arizona. While managing to acquire a 4.33 grade point average, Priscilla was also active in extra-curricular activities including running cross country, track and cheerleading. Additionally, while in high school, she volunteered as a tutor for math students. Priscilla is the 2011 Valedictorian for San Manuel High School.