Meet Kendall Long, a Mountain View School crossing guard whose personality and big heart have made lasting impacts on the community.
Cuts With Cops: A Community Event for All
Student Voice: DSB Live
Full Calendar of Events for the Winter +
Calendar of Events for the Local Community
Spotlight: Shadow Ridge Wins Solar Competition
Student Voice: Lights, Camera, Action
Cover Story: The Kindest Crossing
Photo: EMS Program Takes Shape 4 6 8 10 16 18 24 26 28 34 36
15802 N Parkview Place Surprise, AZ 85374
Editorial Staff
Renee Ryon
Ryan McGinley
Sarah Catalano
Marcus Lopez
Stephanie Jones
Contributing Writers
Allyson Geary
Jaydrin Johnson
Shannon Standaert
Kendall Long, a crossing guard at Mountain View School, poses with a stop sign after his duty.
Teacher Tips: Fueling Young Minds
Feature Story: Cutting Through the Noise
Spotlight: Senior Earns Scholarship for Family
Feature Story: Brewing Up Confidence
Parent Perspective: Marching with Pride
Community Capture Artwork
Contributing Artists and Photographers
Ashley Durham City of El Mirage
City of Surprise
Yareli Damian
Advertising Interested in advertising with us?
The Community Connect Magazine offers full page, half page, and quarter page options for each issue. Contact us at publicrelations@dysart.org for more information on pricing and deadlines or visit dysart.org/ CommunityConnect.
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 Calendar: Theater Performances!
The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn as Willow Canyon High School Theater performs this musical with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm, and elegance. The performance will take place at Willow Canyon NOV 12-15 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at www.dysart.org/theatre
Join us in honoring our service men and women at the annual City of Surprise Veterans Day Celebration. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and features community floats, bands, dancers and more. Following the parade, attendees can enjoy food and family-friendly activities.
NOV 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Bullard Ave.
The Valley Vista High School theater department presents a version of The Great Gatsby, the acclaimed novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald set in the Jazz Age on Long Island, near New York City. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.dysart.org/theatre.
NOV 19-21 @ 7:00 p.m. Vista Center for the Arts
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.
Gwen’s spending her Saturday reading a book and Artie’s riding around on a skateboard. Just typical American teenagers... until Merlin wakes up from a 1500 year snooze to whisk them away to the days of chivalry in this fanciful farce about the legend of King Arthur. Tickets are available at www.dysart.org/theatre
NOV 13-14 @ 7:00 p.m.
Dysart High Auditorium
In this powerful new adaptation by Wendy Kesselman, Anne Frank emerges from history a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl, who confronts her rapidly changing life and the increasing horror of her time with honesty, wit, and determination. Buy tickets at www.dysart.org/theatre
NOV 12-14 @ 7:00 p.m.
Shadow Ridge High Auditorium
Dysart Schools invites the community to a Career Fair on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Dysart District Office located at 15802 N. Parkview Place, Surprise, 85374. The Career Fair will feature a variety of employment options within Dysart Schools for immediate openings. High need areas include teachers, paraprofessionals, often referred to as classroom assistants, child care and preschool aide positions, maintenance positions, as well as food service workers. Learn more and register at www.dysart.org/careers
Volunteers will help separate new socks, sort and bag for distribution to a few organizations to give back to our community members in need.
DEC 13 @ 8:00 a.m.
City Hall Community Rm
Surprise Party is the City of Surprise’s largest annual event, drawing more than 12,000 attendees over two nights in December. Held at the Surprise Community Park this year on December 5 & 6 from 5 - 9 p.m., this free, family-friendly celebration features a foam snow party, food trucks, vendor village, kid zone, and photo opportunities with Santa in Santa’s Workshop.
Join the City of El Mirage for this FREE annual community event! There is lots of fun planned for the whole family. The light parade begins at 6:00 p.m. and will run by the Winterfest event festivities at Bill Gentry Park. Additionally, the event will include live music by Rockin’ Wonderland, photos with Santa, bounce houses, axe throwing, train rides, Children’s Entrepreneur Market, food trucks, and community vendors.
DEC 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Bill Gentry Park, 14010 N El Mirage Rd.
Five seniors from Shadow Ridge High School have won the 2024-2025 Maker Class Championship for their solar-powered go-kart. Known as the SRHS Solar Stallion Solar Go-Kart Team, these engineering students got to put their skills to the test by researching, designing, testing, and building a full sized go-kart. The team is comprised of Sam Hartsock (team captain), Alayna Dent (driver), Matthew Alvarez, Skylar Varkalis, and Josh Milonis. Engineering teacher, Eric Bennett, is their coach.
After a year’s worth of work, the Shadow Ridge team went up against other high schools from around the state to race at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona. The goal was to see how many laps the solar karts could complete, and secondarily, how fast. The Stallions competed in the highest division known as the Maker Class. This meant the students had to design and build their go-kart for the competition from the ground up.
Preparing young engineers for this annual competition is always exciting for Mr. Bennett.
“Working with students on our solar kart team has been an amazing and rewarding experience,” he said. “Each team is unique, but they all have the same goals and they work very hard to achieve them.”
With driver Alayna Dent at the wheel, the Solar Stallions tied for first place at ten laps, and ultimately won by virtue of completing those laps faster. This year’s win marks the fifth Maker Class Championship for Shadow Ridge. The team was also named Speed Champion for having the fastest kart.
Mr. Bennett, however, is most proud of the Solar Stallions for winning the prestigious title of Best Engineered Team. The award was new this year and is given to the top team from all divisions. It’s an honor Mr. Bennett feels the team earned because of their hard work, ability to collaborate, and tireless dedication.
“It’s very fulfilling when the students see their efforts rewarded,” he said. “Team captain Sam Hartsock led team members Josh Milonis, Skylar Varkalis, Matthew Alvarez, and Alayna Dent to a historically successful season!”
Mr. Bennett also won Coach of the Year. When asked how they feel about all the awards and accolades, the students returned Mr. Bennett’s sentiment, albeit more succinctly.
“Coach of the Year? More like Coach of the Century,” they echoed.
designed to impress. Indulge in serene afternoons by the sparkling pool or hot tub, energize in the state-of-the-art fitness center, and unwind in the stylish resident lounge
By Jaydrin
When I was in eighth grade, I attended the Future Freshman Night. Future Freshmen Night is something that allows parents and students to better understand what a school has to offer. There weren’t many programs I was interested in, except for the Film & TV Production program. When the media students presented the broadcasting equipment with the cool lights and many buttons, I was hooked. However, I still wasn’t sure if I wanted to take Film & TV Production as a class throughout high school. As I was questioning this decision, my grandfather told me how he used to make amateur TV radio transmitters. That got me thinking about if it could be something I would be interested in as well. “I used to make TV amateur radio transmitters,” my grandfather shared. “The Amplitude (AM) broadcast would often have snow noise in the picture. I found a simple way to put the TV video into the frequency circuit that modulated the frequency. It made a frequency modulated transmission, which like FM radio, had no
noise. The picture was either perfectly clear or not seen at all. I also then made an FM video receiver similar to a normal FM radio. So you could connect a video recorder camera with a normal RCA connection to the transmitter and receive picture and sound. It was useful for video connection between Red Cross locations here in Arizona in case of emergency. This was before the internet could do this.”
Jaydrin Johnson
I loved how my grandfather helped set up the transmitter systems at Red Cross locations locally here in Arizona. My grandfather’s story made me feel a connection with TV and a desire to learn more about broadcasting. He was the influence that drove me to select Film & TV Production as my career path of choice in high school. As soon as I had the opportunity to select the classes for my freshman year, it was my first choice.
I have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), meaning I struggle to remember deadlines and learn when I’m not interested in a topic. I wasn’t the best high
school student my first few years, but I passed all my classes even though I struggled with learning and my grades. To my surprise, Film & TV Production was a different type of learning. Using hands-on experiences with the class allowed me to persevere in this subject.
I did so well in the class that I joined the broadcasting part of the class, which is called Dysart Student Broadcasting (DSB Live). This broadened my idea on how I could use my love of computers and open a career in Information Technology (IT). As I learned how to use the technology involved with DSB Live such as the live video switcher, graphics, videos, and animations, I found a love for this type of technology.
The DSB Live program has given me so many opportunities outside of the classroom. Some of them I’ve had at high school include signing days for colleges, awards programs, sporting events, and eighth grade promotions. Because of my experiences, I single-handedly developed the district-wide broadcasting trailer, which allows for large productions using sound design and instant replay. As a result, I’ve helped set up and produce all high school graduation productions at State Farm Stadium. As I developed in the program, I learned how event production and IT complement each other, which helped me further my work in the community. I produced the Ottawa University graduation and various other Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) state events such as Night of Champions, AIA state basketball productions, and helped develop a state-wide referee promotional video. I also went to SkillsUSA competing in the News Production field. As a group, we were able to make the top five at the state level in Arizona. All of the things that I have done in Film & TV Production and DSB Live have opened doors into a career path within live production and IT.
This all culminated with receiving two awards for my hard work in DSB Live. I earned the TriCaster Master Award in 2024 and the IT Integration Award in 2025, both of which meant so much to me. I’m now currently hired as a Theater Management Intern at The Vista Center for the Arts. I am also currently working toward getting a job in IT to follow my calling post high school. This entire experience has helped me realize even if you’re unsure about what you want, high school can help bring about the passions that interest you. I encourage you to follow your passion and use high school as a tool.
Kendall Long, a crossing guard at Mountain View School, stops traffic as a girl crosses during a busy arrival time. Kendall has been a crossing guard for two years at Mountain View and has quickly gained notoriety as one of the kindest people at the school.
It’s 8:10 a.m. on a Monday morning and Kendall Long walks into Mountain View School. He’s dressed in a bedazzled Raiders hat he made himself, along with a matching shirt and sock ensemble. The Las Vegas Raiders had just won the previous day, and Kendall was excited to share the victory with others. It’s his favorite football team after all. He says hello to everyone in the front office, calling them all out by name and then heads directly into the staff lounge. He’s a crossing guard for the school, and his shift starts at 8:15 a.m. But if you know Kendall, he has to clock in right at 8:15 a.m. He patiently waits by the time clock until the last second, clocks in instantly, and then he’s off. He grabs his stop sign, and Kendall is out the door, literally running to move the crossing guard signs into the street. Good luck keeping up with him.
“
he also, with the position he’s in, works with adults. He knows those interactions are really important, and he does go above and beyond his position, for sure.”
He sees the good in everything we do, and I don’t think he means to do it on purpose. I think it’s just in his nature. He’s a happy individual and it spreads.
- Debby Cruz
“He comes here each day, and he only has a part time position, but he is here every day dedicated to what he does, and he loves what he does,” shared Debby Cruz, Principal for Mountain View School. “He’s always looking to do well. He is super kind and very understanding. And
Kendall, or Mr. Kendall as the kids like to call him, has been working at the school for nearly two years now. He graduated from Shadow Ridge High School in 2022, after also attending Sonoran Heights and Cimarron Springs. Living in the community of Mountain View, Kendall decided after he graduated that he wanted to help his community and make it safe for kids. So he applied for an open crossing guard position at Mountain View.
“I got the idea to be a crossing guard from myself,” he shared with pride. “I have a lot of friends here, and some of the teachers I know from back when I was little are here. It’s fun. I get to be outside most of the time. I like greeting the parents and greeting the kids, seeing all their faces.”
“
It also helps that Kendall lives a short five minute bike ride from the school and his little sister is a seventh grader there. In the two years since Kendall has worked at the school, he has made an invaluable impact according to the staff.
“I met Kendall when he first started working here as a crossing guard,” shared Jessica Gentry, the Data Records Technician for the school. “He’s absolutely amazing. We all love him. He is Kendall. There is nobody else like Kendall. I’ve never met anybody with such personality. He will love everybody, smiles at everybody, and just makes all the kiddos days. He’s amazing.”
To understand Kendall without meeting him, it’s first important to share that Kendall has autism. But that condition provides Kendall with the attributes that make him the unique person he is. For example, it’s incredible to witness that Kendall knows nearly every staff, parent, and student name at the school. While out at the crosswalk, he’ll wave to parents he recognizes not only by their face but also the kind of car they drive. He says hello to every student that crosses his path by name.
Kendall Long stands by waiting for the exact second that it turns 8:15 a.m. so he can clock in for the day as a crossing guard at Mountain View School.
But that gift of memory is rooted in a much more impactful part of Kendall’s personality, his kindness.
“He’s a pleaser and he wants you to feel special,” said Monica Rodriguez, second grade teacher at Mountain View. “So he wants to acknowledge you with your name. When people remember your name, all of us feel like we must have made an impression on them. I think that is his way of connecting with people is by acknowledging them by their names. He will even remember certain things like wearing a blue shirt or those really cool purple tennis shoes. He remembers those things, those distinguishing factors of people, and definitely makes them feel important. Like I said, he really wants you to feel special in his eyes. I think that’s important to him.”
That level of memory is also put to use in Kendall’s actions, which are overwhelmingly praised by his colleagues for being heartfelt and truly kind.
“If you don’t know Kendall, and you just meet him, he will figure out what your favorite thing is,” said Jessica Gentry. “He doesn’t ask you. He just observes and figures it out. We all get little treats on our desks. He will never admit that he did it, ever. He’s like, ‘Nope, it wasn’t me, wasn’t me.’ We all just magically have these little special things every time. So I think that’s one of my favorite things about him, just how sweet he is.”
“He really does make you happy,” said Cruz. “He sees the good in everything we do, and I don’t think he means
to do it on purpose. Does that make sense? I think it’s just in his nature. He’s a happy individual and it spreads. You just see his enthusiasm, and it makes you happy too.”
While Kendall started out as a crossing guard, his level of comfort with the school grew over the past two years. As Monica Rodiguez shared, he can be shy at first. She remembered him observing her student council meetings from the door at first, timid to join or come in.
But as he got to know more people and developed those relationships, his level of confidence blossomed. Now, Kendall will participate in any activity the school has going on. He comes to all school dances, and he will even dance with the children.
“It is amazing to watch,” said Gentry with a smile. “He goes to our bingo nights, and when we have the Fall Festival, he is there. If there’s a school event, he is here.”
“He comes here because he has relationships with all of us,” Cruz echoed. “Not only the staff, but the kids. He enjoys working with other people. He goes out of his way to be involved with other people, because once he’s done with his crossing guard duties, he clocks out and he still stays, because he’s working with people. He likes to be around others. I think that genuinely he knows that
everybody here cares about him, and that also he cares about us.”
On this particular Monday morning, Kendall was out at the crosswalk when he noticed something. Parents were starting to line up and had inadvertently blocked in a delivery truck. In a split second he ran over to a car and had them move just enough for the truck to get out. It was a small act of kindness that went a long way in the eyes of the truck driver. What might have escalated to anger and honking was quickly diffused by the kind heart of the crossing guard.
“There’s not many people you meet like Kendall,” said Gentry. “He is just so intrigued with life and just the way that he loves the kids and supports our kids, I think he is amazing. We have regular adults who don’t do that. So to see him do that and care and just put the effort in, I think, is what’s amazing about him.”
Memory, kindness, and compassion are all evident when meeting Kendall. But there is that quirky, fun side as well. He does like to be a little humorous and insert fun into what he does. For example, when it is time to pick up the cones, Kendall turns it into a game and gets all the other staff in on it, challenging each other in the fun.
“He takes something that can be very boring and minute in our jobs and makes it into some things that are fun and make us laugh,” said Cruz. “So I appreciate that with him.”
In the Spring of 2025 Kendall was nominated for the Dysart Hero Award by peers in the school. Dysart Hero Awards are presented to staff who have made positive contributions to the Dysart Unified School District. Kendall was selected by the judges to receive the award, and was surprised by the Superintendent with a certificate and balloon. But his statement when being surprised with the award caught everyone off guard. He said, “I don’t feel like a hero, I’m just an ordinary crossing guard.”
“Him and I both won the Dysart Hero Award last year and it was very overwhelming for him, I think, to be the center of attention,” said Rodriguez. “He likes to give attention to people, but he doesn’t like to be the center of attention for people.”
When asked on this ordinary Monday if his feelings changed, Kendall acknowledged the part he plays in making Mountain View a great school, and that heroes can have big jobs and little jobs.
“It is important,” Kendall admitted. “I really love these kids and they love me. I care about them.”
He also shared that he still has the balloon in his room, albeit deflated down! Kendall said that he wants to continue being a crossing guard at Mountain View, but Principal Cruz shared that he is such a great employee and so dedicated that she hopes he can become even more involved in the school.
“People can recognize right away that Kendall’s special and different than your typical or average adult,” said Rodriguez. “But I think it helps other people who maybe don’t know how to deal with people with autism, to see that they’re just regular folks, that they can hold a job, that they’re able to do things, and that they’re just as equal as we are. I think they want to feel as important as we do, you know.”
“I think he gets a lot of joy out of it,” said Gentry. “You can just see his face light up like when the kids cross the road. He just gets so happy and almost giddy. It’s so cute. I love it. I just think he loves being around all the kids. He feels important, he feels needed and wanted, and he’s very needed and wanted. We absolutely appreciate him being here and all the hard work he does for us.”
By Allyson Geary, Director of Nutrition Services, Southwest Food Service Excellence (SFE)
When it comes to helping children succeed in school, we often focus on homework, reading, and classroom support. But one of the most powerful ways to set kids up for success happens at the table. Nutrition directly affects energy, focus, memory, and overall well-being. Whether students eat school-provided meals, pack lunch from home, or participate in after-school programs, the choices they make at mealtime can make a real difference in learning and growth.
Breakfast fuels the brain for learning. Children who eat a balanced breakfast are more attentive, have better memory, and perform better academically. Schools provide a variety of breakfast options that combine protein, whole grains, and fruit, such as:
• Breakfast burritos with eggs, cheese, and vegetables
• French toast with sausage
• Fruit smoothies made with yogurt
For families eating at home, a similar balance works:
• Whole-grain toast with nut butter and banana slices
• Yogurt parfait with fruit and granola
• Scrambled eggs with a side of fruit
Even a quick, balanced breakfast can significantly improve a child’s focus and energy during morning lessons.
Lunches are designed to provide balanced meals with protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. However, children may not always choose the most nutritious options on their own. Tips for helping children maximize lunch benefits during the school day:
• Review the menu together: Discuss weekly options and help your child choose meals that include protein, whole grains, and at least one serving of fruit or vegetable.
• Encourage variety: Challenge kids to try a new fruit or vegetable each week.
• Balance portions: If a favorite entrée like pizza or a cheeseburger is chosen, remind your child to include fruit or vegetables to create a well-rounded plate.
After-school hours are another key time for brain fuel, especially for students in sports or extracurricular activities. Snacks that combine protein with fruits, vegetables, or whole grains help maintain steady energy and support focus for homework or practice. Snack ideas include:
• Apple slices with nut butter
• Whole-grain crackers with cheese
• Yogurt with berries
• Carrot sticks with hummus
Avoid snacks high in added sugar or refined flour, which can cause energy crashes just when children need focus.
Even mild dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Encourage children to drink water regularly throughout the day. Hydration tips include:
• Pack a reusable water bottle for school and activities
• Encourage water first before juice or sports drinks
• Add natural flavor with lemon, cucumber, or berries
Evening meals replenish energy and set the stage for tomorrow. Balanced dinners help reinforce healthy habits learned at school and make nutritious choices feel normal. They also provide a valuable opportunity for families to connect. Sharing a meal together gives everyone a chance to talk about their day, celebrate successes, and offer support during challenges. These moments strengthen family bonds and nourish a sense of belonging just as much as the food nourishes the body. To make the most of family mealtime:
• Eat together when possible: Even a few nights a week makes a difference.
• Turn off distractions: Phones, tablets, and TVs can pull attention away from the moment and lead to mindless eating
• Encourage mindful eating: Paying attention to flavors, textures, and hunger cues help children develop a healthier relationship with food. Balanced dinner components include:
• Lean protein: chicken, fish, beans, tofu
• Whole grains: brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, quinoa
• Vegetables: steamed, roasted, or raw
• Healthy fats: avocado, olive oil, nuts
Children are more likely to eat nutritious meals when they feel involved.
• Let them pick a new fruit or vegetable at the grocery store
• Give age-appropriate kitchen tasks, like rinsing vegetables or stirring ingredients
• Talk about how foods help their bodies and brains
The goal isn’t perfection, it’s consistent, balanced choices. Small adjustments make a lasting difference:
• Add a fruit or vegetable to breakfast or lunch
• Swap one sugary snack for a fruit and protein option
• Encourage water instead of sweet drinks
• Turn off TVs, phones, and tablets during mealtimes to encourage mindful eating and conversation
By supporting children’s choices at school and home, parents provide the energy and focus students need to thrive academically and socially. Good nutrition fuels learning. Balanced breakfasts, school lunches, smart snacks, proper hydration, and supportive family dinners create the foundation for children to do their best each day. By working together as a community, at school and at home, we can give every child the fuel they need to grow, learn, and reach their full potential.
Building a strong community is something Officer Ray Montes has always been passionate about. Growing up in Pico Rivera just outside of Los Angeles, he felt drawn to service. Now, as a resident of El Mirage and a Community Resource Officer with the El Mirage Police Department (EMPD), not much has changed. He still feels compelled to do his part to make his hometown, wherever it may be, a safer, better, and more welcoming place for everyone, especially
and School
its youngest residents. “I chose public service because of the kids and the community,” he said. “I like being able to help somebody and then looking back at it knowing that I’ve changed a life in some way.”
His job duties as a Community Resource Officer include educating youth about the dangers of vaping, substance abuse, and other serious issues that could impact their futures. But even for a professional, having meaningful conversations
that resonate with teenagers can be difficult. “Today’s generation is a lot different than how I grew up,” Montes admits. “There are similarities. I think every kid goes through a certain set of challenges, but the environment has changed. We were playing with our friends outside, and they’re hanging out with friends on their phones. So you have to find a different way of getting them to understand your message.”
Social media had historically been EMPD’s way to reach that particular demographic, but Montes knew that wasn’t enough. “We have social media, we can put that on there, but that’s probably a three to four second scroll, and we have to understand that we can’t get our message across in three to four seconds.” That’s why he decided to change his approach. “I wanted to find a way to get the kids to share our message. And what better way than to have an event where they get a free haircut.”
So what do haircuts have to do with drug prevention education? As it would turn out, this was the key to opening up crucial lines of communication. “A haircut kind of changes your mentality, you feel clean and fresh,” Montes explained. “For young people, identity is a big deal. Self-confidence is a big deal. If we can build up that self-confidence, we can build on other factors.”
The concept was, by presenting information to kids and teens at an event designed to boost their self-esteem, they
would start sharing that message with their peers. Montes said, “Even if they can remember just one or two things about the dangers of vaping, for example, then we’ve opened that door. Then maybe they have the confidence to tell their buddy about it. We’ve created that movement.”
Montes would soon find out that great minds really do think alike. While he was in the planning phase, he discovered that Dysart High School Family Outreach Specialist Amely Lopez had already held a similar event where students were treated to free haircuts.
Mrs. Lopez, like Montes, has always been inspired to do more for her community. According to her, “The first couple of months that I was at Dysart High School, I was toying with the idea of a haircut event.” As luck would have it, she came across local barber Robert Hinojosa on social media. He was starting up a mobile barber shop and was offering first-time clients a free haircut. Mrs. Lopez reached out to Robert with a somewhat larger proposition. “I asked if he had any other barbers that could join him, because I’d love to provide free haircuts for our students here on campus.” It didn’t take much convincing. “Robert is from our community and loved the idea of giving back,” Mrs. Lopez recalls. “He said, ‘Yes! Let me find barbers!’”
By the time the event took place that September, Robert had recruited three other barbers to volunteer their services. Together, they provided a dozen students with fresh cuts. Even Assistant Principal Shaynan Dehorty, who fittingly has a background in cosmetology, dusted off her barber shears when a female student signed up. The event was relatively small - taking place in the hallway of the cafeteria - but successful, nonetheless.
Unsurprisingly, Mrs. Lopez wasn’t ready to rest on her laurels. She recalled, “When it was done, my only thought was that this could be bigger. This could be better. We could have more barbers come out!”
It would seem that it was time to join forces. Officer David Patterson is Dysart High School’s School Resource Officer (SRO). Montes’ duties often brought him on to campus, so the two had a working relationship. When Montes mentioned his idea about providing free haircuts, Patterson insisted he meet with Mrs. Lopez who had just held her event and was looking to expand.
“It was very organic,” Mrs. Lopez said of the partnership. “When we got to talking, we knew we could make this happen. This was totally something we could put together and make it bigger and better for our community. Everything just fell together. It felt like it was meant to happen.”
By the spring semester, they were putting on their
first collaborative event, which they named Cuts With Cops. The event featured tables where people could get information about the dangers of vaping and substance abuse, and even try on impairment goggles that simulate driving under the influence. Dysart High School’s Key Club, football, and sand volleyball teams handed out cotton candy, popcorn, and hosted a cupcake walk for kids. Dysart Cheer also performed for the crowd. Throughout the event, police officers mingled with attendees, providing pizza, soda, and a listening ear.
Several more local barbers, including West-MEC cosmetology students, joined the original four. With the additional help on hand, the event could offer more appointments, and the volunteers could take their time with each client to give them a full salon experience.
We’re trying to get to a point where people see the school and the police department as two big community resources coming together as one entity. “ “
about what they wanted (for a haircut). All the barbers, including our West-MEC students, did a good job making sure that they were having those conversations and they were providing that full service. It was more than a trim or an edge up. Kids were coming away with designs in their hair!”
Montes agreed, “These were talented barbers. I saw some of what they were doing and these were hundred dollar haircuts for sure.” He credits the volunteers’ generosity with removing barriers and opening up a critical dialogue with the kids. “We were giving them free haircuts, nobody’s making a dime. But the main thing is that we wanted to communicate with the kids.”
- Officer Ray Montes
“It was like they were walking into the barber shop,” Mrs. Lopez explained. “As soon as a student sat in the chair, they were having a conversation
The inaugural Cuts With Cops expanded from the first humble haircut event in other ways, too. As a graduate of Dysart High School herself, Mrs. Lopez reached out to her fellow alumni, many of whom now have their own businesses. “I told them
we’re starting this event, but I was really thinking that we could give more to the community. What else could we provide?”
Offers soon came in from individuals, churches, realtors, and small businesses. Items included clothing, homegoods, and even furniture. “Here comes me, taking everything,” Mrs. Lopez joked. “One of my classrooms was completely filled! I eventually had to stop taking donations.”
With that many donations, the community spirit once again came into play when the Dysart High School beach volleyball team stepped up and offered to sort everything and set up the display tables for the event.
Representatives from community colleges, trade schools, formal wear shops, credit unions, and realtor companies rounded out the event. The goal was to create a one-stop shop to meet the needs of students, parents, and the community at large.
Both Officer Montes and Mrs. Lopez emphasized that Cuts With Cops is open to the public.
Mrs. Lopez said, “We want to make it clear that anybody in our community is welcome. If you’re anywhere close to Dysart [during an event], come enjoy some cotton candy, see if we have clothes or shoes or homegoods for you. Do you need information on how to open a checking account for your student? Come and sit at this table and get some information.”
Future events are on track to offer the community even more.
will be a fixture going forward. Mrs. Lopez is also looking to add a mini job fair where small businesses can connect with students looking to enter the workforce, possibly for the first time. Regardless of how the event evolves, the focus will always be on creating a safer community where kids can thrive.
Montes reiterates, “I think as we grow, we want to continue on the path of wanting to talk to young people about important issues.” He adds, “We’re trying to get to a point where people see the school and the police department as two big community resources coming together as one entity, so now we’re here to help you even more.”
Booths for neighborhood mom and pop shops, many of whom are located within walking distance from the school,
It’s a vision that both Mrs. Lopez and Montes would love to see expanded beyond Dysart High School. Officer Montes said, “I think other schools and police departments should partner with each other and have [Cuts with Cops events]. We don’t just want to focus on a certain geographical area, because it’s not just about our kids,” he said, “It’s about all of them.”
The second Cuts With Cops was held in the fall, one short year after its modest predecessor. What started as four barber chairs in a cafeteria hallway has since exploded into a community event with music, food, furniture, entertainment, make-up and spa stations, and yes, haircuts. All for free. It’s become an event where teens take photos and videos to share on their social media. It’s an event that gets kids and parents talking about important topics and sharing what they’ve learned with their friends. It’s an event that just may build a stronger, safer community - one haircut at a time.
As a test of the skills they have learned over the past year, the first graduating class of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program participated in a Mock Mass Casualty Drill. The scenario featured an accident with multiple victims, and with the help of the City of Surprise Fire Department, the event was a realistic interpretation of what these students will encounter in the real world. The EMS program is a partnership between Dysart Schools and the City of Surprise where high school seniors earn an Emergency Medical Certified Technician (EMCT) certification upon graduation and have the opportunity for immediate employment as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) through a public or private ambulance service.
Shadow Ridge High School senior, Mirabelle Yontz, was awarded the prestigious Dorrance Scholarship, which is valued at more than $100,000. The Dorrance Foundation for Education awards 60 scholarships each year to Arizona high school students to attend one of three state universities (Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona.)
Mirabelle will use the scholarship to attend the University of Arizona in the fall of 2025. Her field of study, biology and genetics, is ambitious but also very personal to her.
“My family has a chronic illness, it’s called Fabry
Disease,” she shared. “My brother and my mom have it. My grandmother had it, and she passed away. Her brother also passed away from it. My mom and brother are in treatment for it, but it’s a pretty severe disease.”
Fabry disease is a rare, inherited disorder where the body lacks an enzyme called alpha-galactosidase A. This enzyme is essential for breaking down fats, and its absence leads to a buildup of fatty substances in cells, blood vessels, and tissues, particularly in the kidneys, heart, skin, and brain.
“My brother has some of the worst symptoms because it’s an X-linked disease,” Mirabelle said. “Males only have one X chromosome, and it affects them more
severely. My brother has a head-to-toe body rash, and then also severe stomach issues, severe pain in his hands and feet, and he has to miss a lot of school.”
Her brother has been getting a treatment called fabrazyme since he was seven that’s administered at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Mirabelle is lucky in that she didn’t inherit the chromosome with the disease.
“Even though I don’t have the disease, it’s traumatic to watch your family go through things like that.”
Her mother and brother were her inspiration for wanting to get into genetics and applying for the scholarship to begin with. Her goal after the bachelor’s degree is to get a master’s degree in microcellular biology and a doctorate in genetics. Mirabelle hopes to work with those affected by the disease and help with symptom management, hopefully also helping to find a cure for it.
Even though I don’t have the disease, it’s traumatic to watch your family go through things like that. “ “
“It means the world to me to get this scholarship,” she said with an enthusiastic smile. “It means so much that all the work I put in paid off, and that I do get to be able to help people.”
In addition to the Dorrance Scholarship, Mirabelle was also awarded the Surprise Youth Scholarship and the Wildcat Distinction Award. She’s graduating with a 4.3 weighted grade point average with both an Honors Diploma and an Arts Seal of Proficiency.
- Mirabelle Yontz
The Dorrance Scholarship is a need-based award that aims to instill college-going traditions in future generations of Arizona families, provide financial access and academic support for recipients and enhance college persistence through unique enrichment experiences. Students must be Arizona residents and current seniors at an accredited Arizona high school.
Every Friday morning at Canyon Ridge School begins like any other day. The bell rings, students file into class, and the morning announcements echo through the school’s intercom. As the classrooms come to life, a warm, sweet aroma begins to fill the air. Soon, the silence is interrupted, and third-grade teacher Ms. Olivia Johnson receives a gentle knock on the door.
When she opens the door, she is greeted by two smiling faces standing proudly in front of a cart filled with coffee and treats.
“Canyon Ridge Roasters are here!” the two students cheer.
Nicole Wissing started working at Canyon Ridge as an Structured Teaching Classroom (STC) paraprofessional. At the time, she and one other colleague were trying to find an engaging way to teach students with special needs how to further develop life skills, such as communication and collaboration, beyond the classroom.
“Academics is great, but ultimately, especially with special needs kiddos, life skills are extremely important,” Wissing said. “Knowing that there’s more outside of the classroom, as far as, like, social skills, just talking to people in general.”
Wissing presented the idea of a student-operated coffee cart to her husband, and he immediately began building it, but the process didn’t happen overnight. They searched online for cart layouts until they found a suitable one. Mr. Wissing acquired the materials and welded the cart himself, even applying a Canyon Ridge Roasters decal to make it official. Lastly, thanks to a generous $1,000 donation from Sands Chevrolet, the cart’s shelves
Students working the Canyon Ridge Roasters cart gather in a circle to count change from a donation. In addition to helping students develop communication skills, the cart provides plenty of opportunities for students to apply their math skills to real world situations.
were stocked with enough snacks and drinks to get through most of the school year.
“So, yeah, we built it, and we started it last year, and each Friday, I would pull a few kiddos from my class and go around the school,” Wissing smiled. “And they just loved it and look forward to it every Friday.”
The Canyon Ridge Roasters cart was first operated by students as a way to help them meet communication goals. These goals include making eye contact and working on sentence starters, such as greetings. Wissing recalls having a student last year with selective mutism who helped operate the cart.
“We had one of my kiddos who could vocalize, but he had selective mutism, so he didn’t always want to vocalize,” Wissing explained. “He would go with a buddy, and he would see his friend knock on the door and say, ‘Canyon Ridge Roasters, how can I help you?’”
“We would have our speech pathologist come with us last year, and she would say, ‘Okay, now it’s your turn.’ And he would do it,” Wissing continued. “And you know, he’d start off really shy and quiet, and then by the end of the first day, he was knocking on doors, ‘Canyon Ridge Roasters!’ with this boisterous voice, and just so excited.”
The importance of helping students develop communication skills can’t be understated. With school days packed full with subjects and lessons that follow dedicated curriculums, it can be difficult to find the time to work on developing such important interpersonal life skills. Canyon Ridge Principal Jill Hoppe recognizes that sometimes these important lessons must go beyond the traditional classroom.
“We look at these babies as babies as well as people who have to be productive in our society. I think that sometimes kids, when they’re leaving say, ‘We know how to do algebra, we know how to analyze a text, but do we have the life skills necessary and needed to be a successful worker and understand how to communicate?’” Hoppe said. “Those might not be in the standards, but we know how important those skills are in real life so kids that maybe struggle with communication are able to say, ‘I have a voice. Because I, today, asked somebody what their order was. Today I was able to manage some
money, and you know, see that we need to collect this. We need to work together. We need to listen so that I know what kind of coffee to make.’ It’s small things, but I think it makes a big impact on students.”
Now, every Friday morning, Wissing restocks the cart with an assortment of different chips, pastries, soft drinks and, of course, coffee. She selects a handful of students to help operate the cart, and they set out to deliver morning treats and smiles to all the Canyon Ridge staff members.
Though the students aren’t in class, what they gain from the experience is invaluable. Running the cart teaches the students to collaborate with one another and work as a team to complete each task, from pushing the cart and pouring drinks, to carefully placing muffins on plates with napkins, and counting their donations.
The students begin their Roaster mornings in the front office with a food and drink menu in hand, asking staff if they would like anything from the cart. As the morning continues, the students trek their way through the school, stopping at each classroom door, the cafeteria, the gym, and every other corner of the school. The students take their job incredibly seriously, ensuring that no stone is left unturned. If there is a thirst for coffee or a sweet-tooth for muffins, the Canyon Ridge Roasters are on the grind.
By the time the students are done fulfilling a hallway’s worth of orders, the cart is firing on all pistons. The students take turns quickly pouring drinks, snapping on coffee lids, and delivering the drinks with enthusiasm to encouraging staff members.
Michael Larry, an eighth-grade student at Canyon Ridge who works the cart, says that he enjoys working the cart
because it feels good to help others while visiting old teachers and making new friends.
“When you have to do something, do it with joy, and try to make as many friends as you can,” Michael said.
The cart, to no surprise, is a hit amongst teachers and staff. Wherever the Canyon Ridge Roasters go, they are met with smiles, hugs, high-fives, words of encouragement, and, of course, donations. No purchase is necessary to receive something from the cart, but the staff at Canyon Ridge are more than happy to donate. That’s because all the money received by the cart is reinvested in resupplying the cart and keeping it running.
“
The students are not just interacting with each other, they’re interacting with adults in real world situations outside of class.
“We’re giving the kids an experience of knowing our staff and getting to know different people that can’t be underscored enough,” Hoppe said. “So, you know, I’m just so lucky to have such an incredible staff that is supportive of this.”
Academics is great, but ultimately, especially with special needs kiddos, life skills are extremely important.
“Canyon Ridge Roasters is my very favorite part of Fridays,” Ms. Johnson declared. “Building relationships is the best part of being a teacher, and I look forward to engaging with the different groups of kiddos each week. [The Canyon Ridge Roasters] Coffee cart gives students the opportunity to build their confidence, have positive interactions with others, and bring so much joy to Canyon Ridge staff.”
- Nicole Wissing, Canyon Ridge Teacher
The reception from other staff members echoes Ms. Johnson’s sentiment, and that’s part of the experience.
“
While the purpose of the Canyon Ridge Roasters cart is to develop interpersonal life skills, the end goal is to instill confidence in students. Unfamiliar situations and settings can often be difficult for anyone to navigate, but the Roasters cart serves as a controlled environment to allow students to interact with each other and staff at their own pace, while still being an engaging communication lesson.
“I just hope it makes them feel more confident. I hope that they have a good time, and that they leave feeling confident and happy,” Wissing said. “They got to come to school today and do something new and different, and they go home and they talk about it, and they remember it, and it sets them up for something new.”
By Shannon Standaert
Our son Cole started playing the clarinet and saxophone at Sonoran Heights Middle School in the fifth grade, learning from Mrs. Deborah Forest. He is now a junior at Shadow Ridge High School playing under the direction of Mr. Kurwin Forest.
When Cole started at Shadow Ridge as a freshman, we were excited for him but also nervous. We wondered how he would make the transition from a smaller middle school campus to a huge high school campus. But being a part of the band program that fed the high school gave him a leg up. He was able to attend future Stallion night in seventh and eighth grade to see what being part of the high school marching band would be like. Playing stand tunes under those Friday night lights with high schoolers was exciting and fun! Then came band camp, which happens two weeks before school starts in July. This allows the band students a chance to get to know each other and the high school campus before their first day of school. To say that band camp was invaluable to the beginning of Cole’s high school experience is an understatement. Because of band camp, Cole started his freshman year on day one with a few friends and the confidence of knowing his way around campus already.
days. Our experience with the band programs at both Sonoran Heights and Shadow Ridge have demonstrated what dedicated teachers can do to build a true community.
Cole has benefited so much from the arts programs in the district. He has had an opportunity to step up as a peer leader and mentor to younger students. He has been able to experience the nerves of a real audition for allstate and the thrill of performing on bigger stages with peers from across the state.
This summer, those experiences culminated in a family adventure of a lifetime when Cole and one of his classmates, Jack Horrocks, were nominated to participate in a program called Musicians Abroad. Cole and Jack were the only two students from the district that were selected to participate in this program.
I am now the band booster President for the Shadow Ridge band program and in talking with many other band parents, their sentiment is the same, band camp helped break the ice for many students whether they were coming as freshmen or as seniors at a new school. Band camp allows them to bond and make friends before the school year even starts. The teachers open their classroom to students during the summer to just stop in and play music or catch up with each other. During the school year, you will often find the band students having lunch in the band room or staying after school studying together. Creating a welcoming place for teenagers is not an easy task these
Through this experience they traveled to Europe for two weeks with a group of high school students from across Arizona where they performed in five different countries: England, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria! We were fortunate enough as a family to travel with them and see them perform overseas. It was truly an amazing experience to watch these high school students put together a concert of the highest caliber to perform in front of international audiences! Cole and Jack represented their hometown and high school with pride, dedication and professionalism.
As we get close to the end of our high school experience with Cole, we are looking forward to college tours and will be checking out marching band programs across the country. Friday night lights is about more than football, pom and cheer. So, if you come out to a high school football game, we invite you to stay in the stands during half-time to watch the marching bands from around the district perform!
