• April 2018 • 9
EDUCATION
SONORAN TRAILS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT RECEIVES GRANT
FROM CHALLENGED ATHLETES FOUNDATION IN SAN DIEGO
L
era Doederlein, an eighth grade student at Sonoran Trails Middle School, has received a $2,000 grant to go toward a new, custom-made hockey sled from Challenged Athletes Foundation in San Diego. This charity provides opportunities and support to people with physical challenges. In June, Lera had bilateral knee disarticulation surgery to address a congenital condition called arthrogryposis. At the urging of one of her prosthetists, she tried sled hockey for the first time. She fell in love with the game and was borrowing a sled that was too big for her. “I’ve always been into sports and, after the surgery, I thought I would try sled hockey out. It was great,” Lera said. “My Teammates are really encouraging and I love that part of it.” Lera was adopted from Russia as a baby after she was placed into an orphanage. She has been able to walk with the aid of braces, but did not believe that would provide her with the level of mobility she craved as she entered her teenage
years. She elected to have the amputation surgery. Lera wears No. 50 and is a forward on the Phoenix Coyotes Sled Hockey Team. “I like to be out in front,” she said, “I’m a playmaker.” One of her dreams is to play in the Paralympics in the future. The sled and the grant, for the purchase of additional equipment, will help in many ways. Her father, David, said, “It’s the one place she feels she can move freely. It has helped her in her own ability to grow into and cope with this new phase of her life.” While appearing on the NHL Network segment to talk about Hockey Is For Everyone (celebrated through February), she was presented with a check and a new, custom made hockey sled. “You’re even more of a superstar than I thought you would be,” said NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes. In a videotaped message, Lera was invited to an Arizona Coyotes game by defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who is her favorite player.
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April 7th • May 5th • June 9th 9:00 am - 12:00 noon @ Lone Mountain Elementary School
Preparing young minds to thrive in today’s global society. CAVE CREEK UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT offers well-rounded and rigorous academic programs.
5250 E. Montgomery Road, Cave Creek 85331
FRENCH IMMERSION at Desert Sun Academy SPANISH PRE-K-6 • STEAM
We offer the following teams in our program: • • • • • •
Mitey Mite (ages 6-9) Cadet (ages 9-10) Jr Pee Wee (ages 10-11) Pee Wee (ages 11-12) Jr Midget (ages 12-13) Cheer (all ages)
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