Meet two middle school students from Luke Elementary School who self-published their own novel!
Heart & SOuL: Rebuilding a Library
Teacher Tips: Preparing for Tests
Full Calendar of Events for the Spring +
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IN THIS ISSUE
Calendar of Events for the Local Community
CONNECT communi community
Spotlight: Shadow Ridge Earns Purple Star
Student Voice: Why I Joined the JROTC
Cover Story: Perfectly Imperfect
Teacher Tips: How to Prepare for Tests
Feature Story: Heart and SOuL
Story: Real World Training
Parent Perspective: Support Students Together
Community Capture Artwork
15802 N Parkview Place Surprise, AZ 85374
Editorial Staff
Renee Ryon
Ryan McGinley
Sarah Catalano
Stephanie Jones
Contributing Writers
Sarah Davis
Kevin Sartor
Jenna Linde
Contributing Artists and Photographers
Carly McVay
Robert Pitman
City of Surprise
Advertising
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Story Ideas?
The Community Connect is always looking for story ideas and contributing content. If you know of an idea or person that should be featured, please feel free to reach out to us at publicrelations@dysart.org.
About Us
The Community Connect Magazine is a publication aimed at telling the stories of students, staff, and community members who make extraordinary contributions to our community. The magazine has one of the largest circulations in the Northwest Valley. The mission is to provide a publication for the community, about the community, through the support of community business advertisements.
ON THE COVER
Madina Chougui (left) and Jocelyn Sanchez (right), both 8th graders at Luke Elementary School, pose with their selfpublished novel, “Anything But Perfect.”
Shadow Ridge Presents The Lightning Thief
Come check out this dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling book. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods. The theatre performance will take place at Shadow Ridge High School April 23-25th at 7pm. Tickets are available at www.onthestage.tickets/show/shadow-ridge-high-school-theatre
City of Surprise Vet Fest
Surprise’s Vet Fest is a fun-filled evening offering those who have served, are currently serving, or are looking to serve in the military a chance to connect and learn about the support and resources available to veterans. Learn more at surpriseaz.gov/VetFest
APR 12 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Eggstravaganza
Egg hunters are invited to join the search for candy and toy-filled plastic eggs as part of the City’s Eggstravaganza event at the Surprise Recreation Campus. Learn more at surpriseaz.gov/ Eggstravaganza
APR 18 @ 5:00 p.m.
Surprise Stadium
Events Notice:
All calendar events are subject to date, time, and location changes and/or cancellation. Please check with the hosting venue and/or organization for the most up-to-date information on the event.
City of El Mirage Spring Faire
Join the community at Bill Gentry Park for live music, food trucks, photos with the Easter Bunny, bounce houses, and a Children’s Entrepreneur Market.
APR 4 @ 5:00 p.m.
Bill Gentry Park
Dysart High School presents The
Little Mermaid Jr.
Journey “under the sea” with Ariel and her aquatic friends in Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR.
onthestage.tickets/show/ dysart-hs/
APR 9-10 @ 7:00 p.m.
Dysart High School
Teacher Appreciation Day
May 5-9 is Teacher Appreciation Week, and specifically May 6 is Teacher Appreciation Day. We encourage everyone to take a moment to thank an educator who has had a positive influence in their life. Teachers guide students toward limitless possibilities, spark curiosity, and brighten the future of the children. Join us in celebrating their remarkable contributions to our community through positive affirmations, comments on social media, and acts of kindness.
MAY
TRES de Mayo
Thompson Ranch Elementary School will be hosting a Musical Showcase and Ballet Folklorico celebrating Cinco de Mayo MAY 1 @ 5:30 p.m. dysart.org/thompsonranch
Dysart Schools Graduations
Dysart Schools will host high school graduation ceremonies for the 2025 senior class on Wednesday, May 14. The four graduation ceremonies will take place at the following times at the Desert Diamond Arena located at 9400 W Maryland Ave, Glendale.
Willow Canyon High School - 10:00 a.m.
Dysart High School - 12:30 p.m.
Valley Vista High School - 3:00 p.m.
Shadow Ridge High School - 5:30 p.m.
Spring Choir/ Band Concerts
Many Dysart schools will be hosting Spring concerts for choir and band to perform the songs they’ve been working on all semester. The community is encouraged to check out the arts calendar and come out and support the students.
VARIOUS DAYS IN MAY www.dysart.org/arts
Last Day of School
Schools in the Dysart Unified School District will dismiss for Summer Break on May 22, 2025. We hope you have a safe break filled with lots of fun and learning! School resumes for the 2025-2026 school year on Thursday, July 31, 2025
MAY 22
District Wide
Shadow Ridge Named Second Purple Star School in Northwest Valley
Shadow Ridge High School became the second school in the Dysart district to be named a Purple Star School in the state of Arizona for their strong support of military families.
A Purple Star School designation indicates that a school is committed to supporting the unique needs for militaryconnected children by providing staff and programs to support students during their school transitions or deployment. Criteria to meet this designation include:
• Designated staff point of contact for military students and families
• A student transition program
• Dedicated web page with resources for military families
• Professional development for staff (70%) that helps familiarize and equip them to support the needs of military students
Shadow Ridge High School hosted a celebration ceremony and ribbon cutting on January 21, 2025 to announce the news to the students, parents and staff. The school and district have had numerous partnerships in place with neighboring Luke Air Force Base for many years due to the close proximity to the base and high
number of military families served.
Currently, Shadow Ridge High School has a Student Ambassador program, where students are trained to become leaders within the school community. Ambassadors play a key role in supporting militaryconnected students transitioning to Shadow Ridge, organizing quarterly Military-Connected Meet and Greets, and volunteering at various school events throughout the year.
Quarterly themed Meet and Greet activities will take place throughout the year, and in April, the Month of the Military Child will be recognized and celebrated throughout the school. While there has been strong staff support at the school previously, school staff received specific Purple Star School support training in October.
Shadow Ridge’s designation follows Luke Elementary School, which was the first Purple Star School in the state of Arizona and the Dysart district. Shadow Ridge High School is an “A” rated school of more than 2,200 ninth through twelfth-grade students. It recently became the first high school in the west valley to be named a National Blue Ribbon School in over 40 years, and has been a U.S. News & World Report Best High School for several years.
Leadership from the Dysart Unified School District, Shadow Ridge High School, Luke Air Force Base, and the City of Surprise cut the ribbon during a ceremony celebrating the Purple Star School designation for Shadow Ridge in January.
WHY I JOINED
JROTC
By Jenna Linde, Senior at Dysart High School
Joining Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) was one of the most defining decisions of my life. It started as a curiosity, something I thought would be an interesting extracurricular to fill my time, but over time it has proven to be much more. It has helped me grow in ways I never expected, instilling values of discipline, leadership, respect, and responsibility.
At the start, my decision to join JROTC was based on a sense of curiosity and a desire for structure. Before I came to high school, I was searching for something to give my life more direction. I felt that the traditional school experience wasn’t enough to prepare me for the challenges of my future. When I first heard about the JROTC program, it piqued my interest. The idea of learning about leadership, military principles, and serving my community seemed both intriguing and promising. Initially, I didn’t have a clear understanding of what JROTC truly entailed, but I felt that it would provide a unique opportunity to develop my
character and leadership skills.
My first day in JROTC was a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I remember seeing higher ranking cadets dressed in their uniforms, and there was a sense of order and discipline that I wasn’t accustomed to in school. At first, I struggled to adjust to the rules, uniform requirements, and military-style instructions. However, over time, I began to see the value in these practices. I learned that discipline is more than following rules—it’s about developing habits that support success in all areas of life. The structured environment of JROTC encouraged me to organize my time better, focus on my studies, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Each drill, each lesson, and each uniform inspection became a small part of a larger process of self-improvement.
JROTC has also played a critical role in helping me develop leadership skills. In my first year, I was just another cadet following orders. However, as I progressed through the program, I was given opportunities to take
Jenna Linde
on more responsibility. By becoming the Special Projects Officer in the staff class, then the Executive Officer, and finally the Battalion Commander, I was tasked with guiding my peers, making decisions, and ensuring that everyone adhered to the standards set by the program. This was a significant learning experience. I made mistakes along the way, but I also learned how to improve, adapt, and motivate others. I realized leadership is not just about issuing commands, but about understanding your team, listening to their concerns, and leading by example.
One of the most important lessons I have learned in JROTC is the value of teamwork. It is often said that no one achieves greatness alone, and JROTC has made this lesson abundantly clear. Whether it was organizing a community service project, preparing for a raider competition, or working on a class project, the success of the group depended on the cooperation and dedication of everyone involved. I have learned to value the input of others, respect differing opinions, and work toward common goals. These experiences have not only improved my ability to work as part of a team but also increased my understanding of what makes a successful team dynamic. The importance of communication, trust, and mutual support cannot be overstated.
a skill that will serve me well in my future career and personal life. Additionally, JROTC has instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility. As a cadet, I am expected to maintain high standards of conduct, punctuality, and academic performance. The program emphasizes that each cadet is accountable for their actions and the actions of their peers. This has helped me develop a strong work ethic and a sense of pride in my achievements. Whether it’s ensuring that I keep my uniform clean and pressed or that I complete my assignments on time, JROTC has reinforced the importance of accountability in all aspects of life.
JROTC Cadets at Dysart High School pose in front of 7,295 non-perishable items that they collected as part of a community service project. The non-perishable items were donated to St. Mary’s Food Bank this past holiday season.
Another part of JROTC that has helped me tremendously is the focus on citizenship and service. Through various community service projects and initiatives, I have had the opportunity to give back to my community and make a positive impact. This has taught me the value of serving others and the importance of being an active and engaged citizen. It has made me more aware of the
challenges people face and more empathetic to those in need. Whether it was organizing a canned food drive or participating in an Adopt-a-Street event, these experiences have broadened my perspective and reinforced my commitment to making a difference.
Beyond leadership and teamwork, JROTC has also advanced my personal development in other significant ways. For instance, it has helped me build confidence in myself and my abilities. The first time I had to speak in front of a crowd during a ceremony, I was terrified. However, after completing several public speaking exercises, I grew more comfortable with expressing myself. Today, I can speak confidently in front of groups,
Lastly, JROTC has helped me academically. The skills I’ve developed—discipline, time management, leadership, and teamwork—have directly translated into my schoolwork. I find that I am more focused and organized in my studies, and I approach challenges with a problemsolving mindset. JROTC has been an incredibly rewarding experience, which is why I have chosen to continue my education after high school and pursue a career in the military.
Imperfect Perfectly
Once upon a time...
That’s how many of our favorite childhood stories begin. Simply hearing this familiar phrase transports us to far-off kingdoms where princes and princesses embark on grand adventures. Along the way, our heroes encounter villains and have to perform tests of courage, or prove that they’re pure of heart. Inevitably, the villains are defeated, every conflict is resolved, and they all live happily ever after. It’s a time-honored narrative that some argue makes for a perfect fairytale.
But what if things weren’t so perfect? Consider a princess who is flawed, apprehensive, and wrestles with self-doubt. As a member of royalty, she would be pressured to stand tall, even with the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her bright smile would have to conceal a dark reality, including a less-than-charming prince. Would that story still be perfect?
This was the intriguing idea behind Madina Chougui’s debut novel, Anything But Perfect. The book’s ingénue, Ophilia, becomes a young queen in the midst of war. She struggles under the weight of the crown as she discovers more about her own family’s insidious past and about her true self. There are no traditional villains, but rather a cast of suspicious characters that keep the reader guessing who the protagonist can trust. All the while, our young hero attempts to maintain her regal demeanor for the sake of her kingdom.
It seems fair to say that this is not your average fairy tale. Then again, Madina’s not your average author. For starters, she’s only 13 years old. The eighth grader from Luke Elementary School shared that her love of literature began back in the second grade, when her teacher recommended the first book in the Harry Potter series to her.
“That’s when I fell in love with reading,” Madina recalls. Since then, she’s become an avid reader for whom no genre is off limits.
pose together in celebration of their new, self-published book. Madina wrote the novel while Jocelyn provided the artwork.
“I love young adult romance books. Those are my favorite,” Madina said. “But I can do a nice thriller/suspense, or historical fiction.”
Making the transition from reader to writer also came as a result of a teacher throwing down the proverbial gauntlet. Madina’s full length novel - 237 pages to be exact - started out as a short story. The assignment was to write a 15-page original story on a topic of choice. The then-fifth-grader started looking for inspiration among her personal interests.
“At the time I was really into a show with a historical vibe,” she admits. While the period drama may have been the inspiration for the story’s setting, Madina still needed a theme. For that, the young author turned to more recent historical events.
“I remember looking at Princess Diana on television. She always looked so fearful and scared, like she didn’t want to be there.” That observation sparked the idea that life behind palace doors may not be so ideal. From there, it was an easy decision for Madina to write her story from the perspective of a princess whose life doesn’t quite live up to everyone’s expectations.
Ironically, after successfully completing the assignment, Madina wasn’t satisfied leaving her self-described “silly creative story” about self-acceptance in the short format. She wanted to turn it into a full fledged novel. She knew it would be a long road, but with the support of her family, especially her mom, she was determined to stay the course.
“Every time I wrote a chapter, I’d read it to [my mom] and ask her if she likes it. She always said yes,” Madina recalls with a laugh. “But I liked to ask anyway. She was the first one who got to read the book.”
Madina’s mom was much more than just an agreeable sounding board. “She was there to support me. Sometimes things got hard with writer’s block, and she would tell me, ‘It’s ok, you’ve got this! You’re going to make this into a book.’”
Over the next few years, the storyline blossomed as Madina delved deeper into the tale’s events. She also fleshed out the cast of characters, making them realistically complex and relatable. But no matter how much the story evolved along the way, Madina’s message never waivered. The story remained an unapologetic cautionary tale about the pressures of perfection.
Madina Chougui (left) and Jocelyn Sanchez (right), both 8th graders at Luke Elementary School,
“I would say I wrote it for the perfectionist who thinks perfection is all they wanted. You have to realize that being yourself is more important than societal expectations,” Madina said.
Now that Anything But Perfect had been reincarnated as a novel, Madina realized she would need one more crucial element to complete her passion projectcover art. For that she knew just who to turn to.
Fellow Luke Elementary eighthgrader, Jocelyn Sanchez, has been interested in art since she was little. While she considers drawing more her forte, she has been known to paint and sculpt as well. Her talents cross over from the visual arts to the performing arts as an accomplished guitar and piano player.
better.”
It was that perseverance and dedication to her art that made her the ideal choice for the ever-growing Anything But Perfect project. Madina wasted no time recruiting her talented friend.
I felt that maybe some people could benefit from my story, even if it’s just one person who read what I wrote and said, ‘I’m not the only one who feels this way!’ “
- Madina Chougui
The Van Gogh inspired illustrator admits her early works were somewhat amateur, but that didn’t deter Jocelyn from pursuing her passions.
“Even though [my drawings] weren’t the best, I would still love to draw. I joined Art Club at school, and I just started practicing more and more and over time I got
Madina exuberantly recalls, “It was August 1st, the first day of school this year. I asked Jocelyn, ‘Hey, remember how I told you I’m writing a book? You’re an amazing artist, do you mind reading it and then making a cover?’”
“
Jocelyn happily accepted the challenge and set off to work. She quickly discovered that epitomizing an entire novel in a single illustration is no small feat. However, after reading the story and getting to know the characters, she knew exactly what the cover should convey.
“It’s just the way that Ophelia felt throughout the whole story, and especially the way that she would feel when she was outside,” Jocelyn said. “I think [the design] was a good idea because readers don’t fully understand the cover until they’ve read the story and then look back.”
With her inspiration for the cover art, Jocelyn went to work. She would sketch at home and then collaborate with Madina during their free time and lunch breaks at school. But much like the written work started out as a first draft, the cover also went through a few versions.
“On the first cover, her dress was going to be green,” Jocelyn recalled. “But we realized it wouldn’t pop with the background, so we switched it to white.”
Not one to be derailed, Jocelyn was willing to revisit and revise the cover art until it was a true reflection of their vision.
With a complete novel in hand, Madina and Jocelyn started looking for ways to get their work published. Getting their book into the hands of young readers was more than a personal goal. Madina genuinely wanted to spread her message of self-acceptance.
“I felt that maybe some people could benefit, even if it’s one person who read what I wrote and said, ‘I’m not the only one who feels this way!’”
Madina Chougui works on her computer writing. Her book, Anything But Perfect, started out as a short story for a class that blossomed into a full length novel.
The final cover of the book, Anything But
, is seen along with
drafts. The cover art went through several variations before the girls decided on a final drawing and design that properly reflected the story.
Perfect
Jocelyn Sanchez’s
With an unwavering resolve to get their novel published, the girls turned to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. According to Madina, the process is fairly straightforward: an author submits their book, title, and cover art, and then it gets reviewed for up to seven days.
But like most things that seem simple on the surface, the process had a few unexpected snags.
Madina recalls, “I didn’t format the first copy correctly, so I was in tears. Like, oh my gosh, I ruined it, now I have to redo everything!”
Luckily, it only took a bit of research to figure out how to make the needed corrections. In the end, they both agree that it was worth overcoming the setbacks and frustration in order to see the final result.
These unflappable young ladies not only wanted to be encouraging to others via their book, but their tenacity during the entire process served as an example of hard work paying off.
almost in tears because she was the first person to see it. She was there for every single second, so it was more surreal to her.”
Since its release, Anything But Perfect has been the featured title for the staff’s book club at Luke Elementary. It quickly became recommended reading for other teachers and administrators, making Madina and Jocelyn district-wide celebrities overnight. Categorized as a teen and young adult wholesome romance, the novel also currently enjoys a perfect five-star rating on Amazon.
Jocelyn Sanchez works on a drawing in her notebook. Jocelyn designed the cover for her friend’s book to help convey the themes of the novel.
Jocelyn has this message for her peers, “Just try your best, you don’t have to be good at it. What matters is that you like doing it. Sometimes you may think you don’t have talent, but if you have passion you can push through.”
It was only fitting that Madina and Jocelyn received the news that their book was officially published and available for purchase during Thanksgiving Break, surrounded by the families that had supported them.
Jocelyn shared, “My family was happy and proud. They were going to post the link everywhere so everyone could buy it!”
Madina’s family was equally emotional, “My mom was
The next chapter for Madina will be as a freshman at Dysart High School, where she intends to take AP English along with other AP courses. She ultimately would like to become a crime scene investigator and plans on studying criminology and forensics in college. While this may seem like a departure from her authorial roots, she would like to continue writing as a hobby.
Jocelyn is considering Shadow Ridge High School for next year. She would like to avail herself of the art classes there. She hopes to someday combine her artistic skills with her love of architecture and pursue a career as an architect.
So, do these career paths mean readers have heard the last of the perfectly imperfect Ophelia, or is there another Madina and Jocelyn collaboration on the horizon? Both girls smiled silently, looking at one another when asked this question, but the twinkle in their eyes gave it away.
Madina excitedly confessed, “Ok, I wanted to keep it a secret, but yes! We’re testing out a sequel!”
A sequel. That sounds perfect.
POP
By Sarah Davis, High School Counselor at Shadow Ridge High School
The world of high school standardized testing can be overwhelming and stressful! Here is a short guide on how to navigate the testing world and best prepare your student for their next chapter after high school. Need help sifting through the standardized test world or deciphering which test to take? Our school counselors can help! School counselors are an incredible resource to students exploring their post-secondary options. If you have yet to meet your school counselor, be sure to utilize them throughout your high school career! Their contact information can be found on your high school’s website.
ACT & SAT INFORMATION
The ACT and SAT are two standardized tests that are included as components to college applications. Many colleges have deemed these tests as optional for admissions; however, school counselors encourage students who are planning on attending a 4-year university to take both the ACT and SAT as their scores can still be included in their applications for boosts, especially if performed well.
Benefits of taking the ACT and/or SAT:
• College admissions (doing well on a test may improve chances of admissions)
• Scholarships and financial aid (many merit-based scholarships require an ACT/SAT score)
• College course placements (ACT/SAT score may determine which classes your student gets placed in college. Scoring high may allow your student to skip an introductory level course)
• College/career readiness (knowing where your skill set lies in choosing a major and career path)
• Grade bumps per District guidelines. DUSD provides final grade bumps for high scores. Please see your school counselor for more information.
How to sign up:
Per state guidelines, all juniors will be registered to take the ACT at their high schools in April. Students can register to take the ACT on their own through act.org. Students can register for the SAT through collegeboard.org.
When to take and how to prepare
The ACT and SAT are generally taken spring of junior year and summer of senior year as many of the math and reading skills required for these exams are learned through junior year high school course work. While there is
Top 1% 34-36 1520+ Elite Schools (Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, etc)
not a limit to how many times a student can take the ACT or SAT, scores may not improve unless students prepare themselves. Preparation includes consistent, dedicated, weekly studying for 3-6 months with an increase in intensity about one month before the test. The best way to prepare for these tests is to take timed practice exams and learn where your strengths and weaknesses lie.
Do students need to take both?
The Dysart School District requires all students to take the ACT, as it serves as a state assessment. Students do not need to take both exams; however, it is highly encouraged that four-year university bound students take both exams because each is formatted differently. For example, students who excel at science and higher-level math may score better on the ACT since it has a heavier math and science focus. There are no admission penalties for low scores on these tests. Scores can only be used to help a student’s college application, not hurt it.
Study tools & resources:
• ACT.org and collegeboard.org both provide free testing
materials for students to prepare.
• Khan Academy
• Third party books including: The Princeton Review, Kaplan, Prep Scholar and Barron’s
• ACT and SAT prep apps including Magoosh and UWorld.
Study tips:
• Time Management: dedicate two hours of studying per week
• Simulate the test environment (time, no distractions)
• Review mistakes and analyze weak areas
• Take at least three to five full-length practice tests before exam day
ASVAB TEST INFORMATION
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a standardized test that assesses students skills, strengths and abilities through nine sections (ten for paper version): general science, arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, mathematics knowledge, electronics information, Auto/Shop Information, Mechanical Comprehension and Assembling Objects. The test is a mandatory requirement for military enlistment; however, it is highly recommended that all students take this exam to get a better understanding of where they may excel in the workforce. The ASVAB is offered for free every year through DUSD high schools. Please speak to your school counselor if you are interested in signing up. Taking the test does not mean you will be enlisted in the military!
How to prepare:
• Take practice tests through the officialasvab.com, march2success.com and Union Test Prep
• Review basic math, science and vocab
• Time yourself to simulate testing environments
Enlistment
HEART AND
Members of the group, SOuL, or Smiling Out Loud, pose for a photograph at Thompson Ranch Elementary School. The ladies from Corte Bella in Sun City West have been volunteering in the school’s library and helping students read.
Itstarted about 16 years ago with five women from the small community of Corte Bella in Sun City West. They wanted to create an organization that would give back to the community while promoting love and sunshine. So, SOuL was born. It stands for “Smiling Out Loud.”
“The reason we have the sun and Smiling Out Loud is that we try to keep smiling, try to keep working, try to be happy, and try to be positive,” said Linda Wright, a member of SOuL. “We try and make a good, positive impact wherever we’re serving.”
The organization supports a number of worthy charities
including the Salvation Army, an organization helping at-risk teens, Valley View Food Bank, StreetLightsUSA, which works with girls who have been victims of human trafficking, and Ryan’s Cases for Smiles that makes pillowcases for children suffering from cancer.
“What I really like about SOuL, what I think is important is we’re focused on the West Valley,” said Tracy Lewchuk, President of SOuL. “So what we’re doing, we can see the need, and we’re able to fulfill it. And you can see what you give back.”
“SOuL gives back,” said Gail Garey, SOuL member. “It
gives to people that don’t have a lot, and that’s a biggie.”
Additionally, for the past 10 years, SOuL has also been working with Thompson Ranch Elementary School in El Mirage with a variety of supports and donations.
“Because we cannot support the school with money, because we’re a 501c3, we support them with in kind donations,” said Wright. “We donate shoes in various sizes because there are children here that need a new pair of shoes. Every Thanksgiving we give the school a turkey and pies for their turkey trot. And then we provide a complete Thanksgiving meal for five families that are identified through the teachers that need a Thanksgiving day dinner.”
Those small donations and acts of kindness were great for the school, but a bigger task would bring the ladies of SOuL even closer to the students. In the summer of 2023 Thompson Ranch set a goal of reorganizing their library. The assistant principal, Ralph Quintana, or Mr. Q, as he is often referred to, asked the ladies of SOuL if they were interested in assisting with the project. He needed a few helping hands to complete the project.
I remember being read to and just the newness of books and how great that was. So, giving these kids the opportunity to do that, it’s special. “ “
“It was the physical effort of moving all those books, putting them in the right category, then straightening them out via the Dewey Decimal System, so they’re all in the right area,” said Wright.
“The fondest memory has been remembering the Dewey Decimal System and singing ABCDEFG in my head to know how to file the books,” said Paila Penkauskas, a SOuL member. “It was a fun group thing, everybody’s chatting and talking, and pretty soon it gets real quiet because you can’t do all that and talk at the same time,” she said while laughing.
- Tracy Lewchuk
Once nonfiction was accomplished, the ladies of SOuL moved on to the fiction section. By then they were hooked. As the summer ended, they approached Mr. Q about helping out with the library more during the school year.
“There was one of them that happened to be a librarian in a past life,” said Quintana. “And I said, well, I’d love to have you in to support the kids. And they kind of ran with it.”
“It started with just three or four of them in there helping me,” said Quintana. “By the end they did the bulk of the work once I showed them how the Dewey Decimal System worked, and we alphabetized the whole nonfiction section in the library.”
So the ladies of SOuL began coming into the library to do a variety of tasks from labeling sections and books to improving the decor of the library. The ladies even offered to help check books in and out to students. For all of this to happen during the school year, the ladies had to get volunteer badges and fingerprint clearance cards. With
Linda Wright, a member of SOuL, helps students pick out books from the library. The ladies of SOuL helped categorize both the fiction and non fiction sections to help students find books and topics better. The ladies had to relearn the Dewey Decimal System from the assistant principal to achieve the task this past summer at Thompson Ranch.
10-15 ladies wanting to volunteer, the Human Relations Department for the Dysart District made a special trip to Thompson Ranch to help out and get the SOuL ladies cleared and issued badges.
“This is a continued commitment,” Wright said. “We are going to be here as long as they let us. We all had to do the volunteering and fingerprinting paperwork. We have always felt that this school was worthy of something like this and our commitment.”
So now teachers can sign up for time slots and come into the library with their class to check books in and out when the ladies of SOuL are volunteering. The teacher along with a few ladies from SOuL will help the students navigate the library and find what they are looking for, whether it’s something for a school project or just a subject they are interested in learning more about. A couple other volunteers from SOuL will check the books in and out for the students, and then help put the books away.
“I had great experiences growing up in the library,” echoed Tracy Lewchuk, President of SOuL. “I remember being read to and just the newness of books and how great that was. So, giving these kids the opportunity to do that, it’s special.”
The teacher can also sign up to have the ladies read to the students. Mr. Q brought in a carpet and rocking chair and the ladies will read a picture book, oftentimes to the younger grade levels. This effort by the ladies of SOuL to help the school revamp and reinvigorate reading
into the students is first and foremost meant to provide foundational knowledge for students in their educational growth.
“The vision of what we’re doing is building it up, getting books in kids’ hands, and getting those books going home with them,” said Mr. Q. “It helps our reading scores and it helps our students at the end of the day.”
“I look at my own grandkids and the things they come up with and ask me or talk to me about what they read,” said Paula Penkauskas, a SOuL member. “You know, I’ve got a grandson who is 12. And the other day he talked to me about microplastics. He had to do a paper on it. And I thought, what the heck are microplastics? He read it, and he was talking about it, and I thought, hey, if he didn’t read, he probably wouldn’t know anything about it.”
Despite all the effort and support the ladies of SOuL have given the library, they’re already brainstorming new ways to improve it. They want to develop a reading room, where teachers can come with their students and all sit and read the same book together.
“I have just a lovely group of women who really have bonded through this experience, and we’ve made friends, and we’ve just accomplished, I think, a lot,” said Lewchuk.
“For us, this is meaningful because we are learning a new skill, contributing to the welfare of this school, and individually getting to know these children and seeing them excited about literature,” said Wright. “To me, if a child can read, they can do just about anything.”
Members of SOuL help a student check out a book at Thompson Ranch Elementary School. After helping rearrange the library for this school year, the ladies continued to volunteer and now help teachers when students check out books to take home.
Students at Cimarron Springs Middle School hold up their RC cars that were put together with the help of the U.S.
Air Force Spark Cell.
STEM CURIOSIT Y
and STEAM have been fundamental parts of the educational experience for students for some time. The process of integrating science, technology, engineering, math, and sometimes the arts into lessons allows students the opportunity to utilize a variety of skills to complete a project. Cimarron Springs Middle School has been working for the past couple of years to make STEM and STEAM a prominent part of the school’s identity.
“Last year at Cimarron Springs we started our first ever STEAM Night, and I reached out to community members to participate in the event,” said Delani Ferguson, Assistant Principal.
In attendance were a wide variety of participants including the Surprise Police Department with their drones and a K-9 unit, Career and Technical Education displays from high school students, and a variety of other STEM related activities.
Mrs. Ferguson also reached out to the Air Force to see if they would be interested in coming, and that’s when she found out about their new Thunderbolt Spark Cell.
The Spark Cell, established in 2021, is part of the 56th Fighter Country Innovation Team, and works to accomplish their missions in innovative ways. The Spark Cell has support from AFWERX, which is an Air Force entity that expands technology, talent, and transition partnerships with outside organizations in order to bring the military more rapid and affordable capability.
amazed with what the Airmen were doing, but also that the Air Force was keen on continuing to be involved in the Cimarron Springs community. They reached out and talked with Mrs. Ferguson on how they could partner in the future. As it turns out, Cimarron Springs had a STEM Club, and a couple Airmen had an idea of how they could work to spark imagination and enthusiasm in the middle schoolers.
So after two airmen, Staff Sergeants Demitruis Benoit and Michael Jestes, met with the school over the summer, the Cimarron Springs RC Club was born. The idea was simple, teach a group of students how to build RC cars. As it turns out, that’s a popular project. Seventy-five students showed up for the after school club.
There would be two teams. The first would focus on the coding and electronics aspect of the car. They would learn C++ using a cloud-based open-source electronic prototyping platform.
They are gifting us their time and their expertise, and the kids absolutely love that they are here. “ “
- Delani Ferguson
“We focus more on hands-on product development,” said Staff Sergeant Michael Jestes. “So say someone in the Air Force indicates their job would be way easier with a specialized tool. We design, develop, and build a specialized tool with a 3D printer, CNC machine, or whatever we need to get the job done.”
The Air Force Spark Cell brought out virtual reality equipment and drones, a 3D printing machine, and gave out 3D printed coins for their Spark unit.
“It was a big hit,” said Ferguson. “It was probably the most popular area for STEAM night.”
After that, it was clear that the students were absolutely
As the two staff sergeants and teachers quickly realized, coding was definitely the more challenging aspect of the RC car build, and it needed to be broken down into digestible sessions for the students. Staff Sergeant Demitruis Benoit provided a foundational piece of code for the students, and then had them retype it out while explaining what each line of code does, what it’s for, what it needs to accomplish, and what results the students should be looking for.
“You really have to be interested in the coding part to be here,” said Benoit. “I think they are having fun with it. They’re asking questions. They’re running up with their computers making sure they did the right thing.”
The second part of the RC car was a bit more fun for the students. While one group worked on coding, the second learned how to actually 3D print the shell.
“We started with the course that we use in the Air Force, the Introduction to 3D Printing course,” said Staff Sergeant Michael Jestes. “So it goes through how to use the software to run a 3D printer, how to change settings for what you need, those sorts of things. That was our first class.”
After that, the students learned post-processing,
Students at Cimarron Springs Middle School piece together 3D printed CAD designs to assemble their race car for the Grand Prix.
Staff Sergeant Demitruis Benoit works with a student at Cimarron Springs Middle School to assemble the electronics for the car.
Staff Sergeant Michael Jestes works with a student to test their RC car after it was assembled and the electronics were added.
removing support material, prepping the product off the printer to be used, and partial assembly of the structure of the car to prepare for the coding side.
Alex Johnson, an 8th grader at Cimarron Springs Middle School, joined the club because it seemed interesting to build and design a car. Alex is one of the students who became so interested in the project, he attends both the coding and 3D printing sessions to learn as much as he can.
“The instructors from the Air Force are very kind, and they know what they are doing,” said Johnson. “It’s real fun. You get to hang out with friends and interact with what you are building. We’ve written a lot of code in Arduino.”
After both teams finalized their portion of the car, it was time for a collaboration event where the coding students and 3D printing students got together to assemble and create a functional car. That was something Faith Richason, a 7th grader, was excited about. She got involved in the club because she had some experience and wanted to take her projects to the next level.
“I’ve been 3D printing for a while now,” she said. “I just wanted to learn how to code and combine the two things and be able to create mechanical, actual working things. I
recently created a mechanical dinosaur using a 3D printer, and I’ve been trying to make the limbs move.”
After the cars were assembled, students had the opportunity to learn about Computer Aided Design (CAD), where they got to stylize their cars a bit with spoilers and accessories. For the final part of the project and club, the students got to hold a Grand Prix where they raced their cars. For students like Faith, as they learned about coding and the practical applications for this type of skill, they could see the future benefits. Faith hopes to be a paleontologist or entomologist when she grows up, and she thinks 3D printing could help in a variety of ways.
“Being able to collaborate with everyone and work with the military to be able to do this, they are really skilled in knowing how to do the coding and put everything together,” she said. “I think also just the fact that we are not just learning how to do one thing, this isn’t just how to code an RC car, we are learning how to type code that could apply to many different things and have that skill.
Mrs. Ferguson echoes that same sentiment, and is grateful that the airmen decided to help create this after school club where students could learn.
“They are gifting us their time and their expertise and the kids absolutely love that they are here,” said Ferguson.
Staff Sergeant Demitruis Benoit works with a student on coding at Cimarron Springs Middle School as part of the RC Car Club.
Students in the Emergency Medical Services program in the Dysart School District practice CPR and livesaving techniques during a class at Valley Vista High School. The EMS program is open to all high school seniors at any school.
Afew years ago, the City of Surprise approached the Dysart Unified School District Career and Technical Education Department about creating an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program for high school students. The Northwest Valley was rapidly growing and there was a need for more EMS staff in the area. The City of Surprise Fire-Medical staff agreed to teach the course through the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program.
For those unfamiliar with CTE, it’s similar to what was known as vocational or vo-tech in the past. CTE programs prepare students for careers in specific trades. Students are trained to enter the workforce with the academic and vocational skills needed to compete successfully in the job market. Currently, the Dysart Unified School District offers 19 CTE programs across its four high schools (Dysart High School, Shadow Ridge High School, Valley Vista High School, and Willow Canyon High School) campuses, and has nearly 5,000 students participating in CTE courses each year.
Programs currently offered include Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Digital Animation, Digital Photography, Education Professions, Emergency Medical Services, Engineering, Film and TV Production, Fire Science, Graphic Design, JROTC Army, Lab Assisting, Law Enforcement, Marketing, Nursing Services, Software and App Design, Sports Medicine, StageCraft Design and Production, and Technology Device Maintenance.
When the district and City of Surprise teamed up to create the course, there were some new challenges with getting it off the ground. The way it was envisioned, students would receive the same training as an adult going through the course. That adult-level course though,
is quite challenging and has a significant attrition rate. Only about 60-70% of adults make it through the class.
“It’s extremely difficult,” said Larry Subervi, the EMS course instructor. “We’re talking about saving people’s lives on their worst day and that’s a tall task to ask of a grown adult, let alone a high school senior who has all the other things high school seniors are dealing with.”
“We’re pretty blunt with them,” Subervi continued. “I tell them I don’t care that they have prom coming up. I don’t care that they’re on the wrestling team. I don’t care that mom and dad are mad at them at home or they have to go on vacation. It doesn’t change the standard that we teach at because the public deserves our very best. It takes a unique student to be able to go through this, and they’ve done a really good job demonstrating that.”
Subervi is referring to the first EMS high school class, currently scheduled to graduate in May. The first cohort began in August of 2024 at more than 20 strong. It’s now down to 15, and amongst those is Leah Hall, a senior at Valley Vista High School, who was one of the first to sign up. Leah first took two years of the Fire Science CTE program at Valley Vista High School. When she heard about the start of an EMS program, she jumped at the chance.
“I’ve always been kind of interested in medical,” said Hall. “The aspect of the human body I think is really really interesting. It’s just all fascinating to me, and I think it would be fun to help people with that.”
Not only did Leah join but she also recruited four of her friends for the first cohort.
“I’m like, come join, come join,” she exclaimed. “I knew that they wanted to go into something medical too so I thought it would be a good way to help them too. I had a girl in my ceramic class whose mom is a nurse and her family has a couple of doctors so I was like, come join.”
That is a common theme with the EMS program. The majority of students are either interested in the medical field or the fire science field.
“Generally speaking, I would say the adult classes for EMT students are probably 75% firefighters versus 25%
A student takes notes during a lecture in the EMS class. The content is rigorous and requires dedication for success.
Students in the EMS Program in the Dysart District practice splinting techniques during a class at Valley Vista High School. The EMS Program is one of 19 Career and Technical Education programs in the district that train students on a variety of trades and provide real-world, hands-on experiences that oftentimes lead to industry certifications and jobs right out of high school.
nurses,” said Subervi. “We’re probably a little bit flipped in the high school program, where we have more students that want to go into nursing or another healthcare field.”
Subervi said that the program is great for either pathway. Every firefighter has to be EMT certified, so it gives those students a leg up coming out of high school. Additionally, the skills learned in the EMT course can translate to nearly any medical field.
“The human body is the human body, whether you’re going into a nursing program or you’re going to be an anesthesiologist,” he said. “When you learn about the human body, you learn it at different levels but the anatomy and physiology that we’re learning here is the same foundation that they get in any other program. No matter what they are going to do in the healthcare field,
this class will give them a leg up.”
For Leah, her pathway is calling her in a slightly different direction. She wants to be a combat medic in the military.
“I have a lot of family in the military,” she said. “My dad was in the Air Force as a military police officer, and both my grandpas served. Being able to do something that I’m fascinated with and something that I love in the military, I think that would be cool. It would give me structure but it would also give me that [feeling of] doing what I want to.”
Leah attributes that background and exposure to the military for allowing her to succeed in the EMS program so far, which she describes as hard…really hard.
“It’s a lot of coursework,” she said. “It’s a lot of information to take in so if you don’t find the right way to study for yourself then it’s a long, treacherous road. I take
a lot of notes. I have a one subject notebook that is almost completely full and we’re almost three fourths of the way through the year. I have maybe thirty pages left—it’s a big notebook.”
Leah says that there’s a lot of memorization and medical terminology that requires constant repetition to ensure the student’s can remember it in their sleep. But the skill days help balance out the large academic portion of the course.
“
“Within the first two weeks we were CPR certified,” she said. “Some of us are Stop the Bleed certified. We’re learning how to do splints today. We got to check each other’s blood sugar levels.”
All of this hands-on training and academic work will allow the students coming out of this course and graduating high school the opportunity to take the national exam right away and become certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
then they’re certified as EMTs.”
“As an 18 year old they can go work as an EMT on an ambulance,” he continued. “They could go work at a hospital as an EMT. There’s plenty of options that are open to them.”
As the first cohort of the EMS program gets ready to graduate, Leah said she would offer a few tips of advice to the next group of students coming into the program.
We’re talking about saving people’s lives on their worst day and that’s a tall task to ask of a grown adult, let alone a high school senior who has all the other things high school seniors are dealing with.
- Larry Subervi, EMS Instructor
“There’s a couple of steps,” said Subervi. “They have to finish this course and then pass the class final with a 75%. They have to pass their skills test with an 80%. Once they have those three checks, that opens the door for them to be able to take their national exam. If they pass that exam
“
“I think this class is important because it’s almost like a trade school within a high school. It gives you that preview of the real life world without forcing you to step into it first. It gives you a cushion before getting shoved into the real world. And I would say, don’t be afraid of the coursework. The bonds you form with your classmates will really help you get through it.”
Subervi would echo those same sentiments while heaping praise on the high school students who are really taking on a huge challenge and preparing themselves for the future.
“We have a great group of students, and they have done a really good job,” he shared. “I think they are going to be effective when they get out there.”
Students perform CPR techniques on a dummy in their Emergency Medical Services course at Valley Vista.
Students practice splinting as part of their real-world training to prepare them to take the national exam.
Larry Subervi, an Emergency Medical Services instructor, teaches students about the heart during a session. Subervi is a City of Surprise Fire/Medical employee who uses the same course for adults as he does for the students in the EMS program.
By Mayor Kevin
My name is Kevin Sartor. I recently took office as the Mayor of Surprise, AZ and could not be more excited and honored to serve as mayor. In addition to being mayor, I am husband to a schoolteacher and father to a Dysart graduate and two high school students. I want everyone to know the City of Surprise is committed to supporting students, parents, and schools by ensuring a safe learning environment and helping to prepare our children for the workforce.
For me, creating a skilled workforce not only helps students starting a career, but it also benefits the entire community. A skilled workforce positively impacts our community by attracting businesses and investment which leads to higher wages and improved quality of life. Schools in Surprise do an incredible job getting students ready for college and careers. The Surprise City Council and staff also support education by creating programs that help offer more opportunities. There is no doubt in my mind, together we can ensure every student is successful. Scholarships are a valuable tool for students looking
to advance their schooling. The City created the annual Youth Scholarship Program helping outstanding local students who are active in the community and getting ready to graduate high school. This funding allows students to afford further educational opportunities at an accredited college, university, or trade school. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 per recipient. The application process typically runs late winter through early spring. You can learn more at surpriseaz.gov/ YouthScholar.
Skilled water workers are in high demand and vital to our city’s future. That’s why the City’s water department partnered with Gateway Community College on a program that provides scholarships for up to 10 applicants per academic year. Students can pursue an Associate in Applied Science in Environmental Science and Water Resources Technologies or earn a Certificate of Completion in Water and Wastewater Treatment or Environmental Science Technology. These scholarships fund tuition and associated fees by semester for full-time
Sartor, City of Surprise
City of Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor poses with his family at White Tank Mountain Regional Park.
or part-time students. Learn more at surpriseaz.gov/ scholarships.
The Surprise Police Department offers a Police Cadets program for youth ages 14-20 that fosters positive character traits such as honesty, integrity, respect, courage and discipline while educating youth on law enforcement and community involvement. For more information, visit surpriseaz.gov/ PoliceCadets.
The Surprise FireMedical Department (SFMD) teaches Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification classes for senior-level high school students through the district’s CTE program. Certified graduates have the opportunity for immediate employment as an EMT through a public or private ambulance service. The program was developed in order to help address the future need for EMS staff in our rapidlygrowing city.
SFMD also recently launched a Fire Cadet program for aspiring firefighters ages 18 and older. The Cadet Program is designed to build good character, teach the responsibilities of active citizenship and develop both mental acuity and physical fitness. It is a preparation program and resume-building experience for those wishing to apply for a Fire-Medical career. You can find more information at surpriseaz.gov/FireCadet.
The City Court Academy (CCA) is an interactive career education program designed for local high school students to learn the fundamental values of the justice system and gain insights into the fields of law and government.
CCA is typically held during the spring semester of the school year for students in grades 9-12 and offers a curriculum of structured real-world experiences. During the program, students will participate in mock trials, observe cases at the Arizona Supreme Court and work closely with professionals at Surprise City Court, including judges, attorneys, police personnel and other key court staff. The details can be found at surpriseaz.gov/courtacademy.
The vision for education and training is to provide
enhanced accessibility for our residents, both young and mature. Through collaborative partnerships, new programs with West-MEC, the Maricopa County Community Colleges and Ottawa University are designed to connect students with in-demand careers from healthcare to engineering. Through facility sharing, programs such as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) are celebrated and encouraged to grow. The alignment of community assets and educational programming with a business community that is set to double its job opportunities over the next 10 years, positions Surprise for bright future. In addition to creating opportunities for advancing education, I believe a critical part of learning is the ability to do so in a safe environment. The Surprise Police Department is already deeply involved with our local schools, providing resource officers and safety officers, but more can be done. That is why I will create a School Safety Committee, inviting representatives from the Dysart Unified School District, charter schools, private schools, West-MEC and Ottawa University to work together and achieve this goal.
As Mayor of Surprise, parent and member of this community, I am committed to helping enrich our children’s educational experiences in any way possible. I am thankful for a team of City staff who have ideas on how to advance that commitment, but I would also love to hear from you – the parents who are raising our rising leaders.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at mayor@ surpriseaz.gov or connect on social media. Together, we can create an even brighter tomorrow for our kids and our community.
Facebook.com/MayorSartor
Instagram.com/MayorSartor X.com/MayorSartor
City of Surprise Mayor, Kevin Sartor, poses with students and staff at the Mayor’s Literacy Challenge at Surprise Regional Library in January. The annual event invites readers of all ages to read and log minutes, helping to promote excitement and enthusiasm for literacy.
Artwork by Robert Pitman, 4th grader at West Point Elementary School
