30
COMMUNITY
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MARCH 2 1, 2018
12th annual Ahwatukee Family Dog Show offers prizes, demos AFN News Staff
I
t’s time for local dogs to make a trip to the groomer and brush up on their best tricks. The 12th annual Ahwatukee Family Dog Show is 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, March 25, at Ahwatukee Park, 4700 E. Warner Road. Dogs of all breeds can enter the show under nine different categories: best dressed, most talkative, best kisser/licker, best tail wag, cutest dog, cutest senior, cutest rescue dog, best high five and most unusual. The event is sponsored by the Ahwatkee Community Swim & Tennis Center and Desert Dog Obedience Ahwatukee. The family-friendly event – which is free for spectators – brings out the best
(AFN file photo)
Dogs will be put through their paces at the show.
in man and beast. The nine categories fit most any dog and it’s fun to participate. The event will also include demonstra-
tions in flyball, carting and obedience. “I love dogs so that’s why I go,” said one pet owner who has attended the show for several years and has participated with her dogs in cart pulling. “You can see all kinds of different breeds and mixed breeds and people interacting with their dogs, which is always fun.” Several breed clubs will be on hand to educate guests about their breed and rescue efforts. There are some basic rules if a dog is escorting you to the show. All dogs must be at least four months old and have current shots in order to compete. They must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and owners are naturally asked to clean up any messes. Proceeds from dog-entry fees will benefit Leave No Paws Behind, an all-breed,
foster rescue specializing in the care of seniors, terminal and end-of-life animals, as well as pets with special needs. Part of its mission is: “When possible we step up, most times in the ‘11th’ hour when all hope is gone, to help save the lives of those that are in most danger of being left behind to die on a cold shelter floor.” The group provides hospice care and a safe haven for the terminally ill. The group vets all its rescues. Entries into the show cost $7 for the first category and $3 for each category after that with early registration. But that’s if you register by Friday, March 23. Day-of-show entry fees rise $1. All dogs are welcomed. Information: ahwatukeehoa.com or 480-893-3431.
Desert Vista High School debaters win 14th state title in 15 years AFN News Staff
F
or the 14th time in 15 years, the Desert Vista High School Speech and Debate Team won the AIA 6A Speech and Debate state championship. “The Thunder used a strong performance in the final round to defeat the Phoenix Country Day School Eagles 303 points to 241 points,” said team sponsor and teacher Victor Silva. Desert Vista had an early lead on March 16, but by Saturday night was in second place with only one round left in the competition. “Heading into the final round our backs were against the wall,” Silva said, adding it looked as if “we were going to lose.” But character held the day. “Lesser teams would have folded, but our team was ready for that moment and rose to the occasion,” Silva said. “The Thunder showed strong grit, character, and dedication to one another as they dominated the final round winning eight individual state championships on their way to a convincing 63-point victory.” Silva beamed over the team's skill. “What I am most proud of about this team is that when we needed our best performance our team was tough enough to let nothing stand in our way,” Silva said. “Before the final round, our kids dedicated their performance to one another. Without a strong belief in each other and a commitment to competing
(Special to AFN)
The Thunder Speech and Debate Team, was all smiles last weekend as they celebrated winning another state championship.
for the team, I don’t think we would have been champions.” Team captains Margaret Braun, Elise Lange, Monica Essig Aberg and Kaitlyn Laibe “provided key leadership and kept the Thunder focused and poised throughout the tournament,” he added. Margaret Braun and fellow junior Taylor Gilliam each won two events. Desert Vista will now turn its attention to attempting to qualify for the National Speech and Debate Association National Championship Tournament. Here are how Desert Vista’s debaters fared in individual categories: Policy debate: Charley Hoang and Zaid Usmani, quarterfinalists; Kaede Aoki and Animesh Gupta, state
champions. Public forum debate: Ethan Xie and Jackson Wakefield, top 16; Monica Essig Aberg and Margaret Braun, and Eden Gustin and Sana Gill, quarterfinalists. Congressional debate: Monica Essig Aberg, fifth place; Ethan Xie, fourth place; Jackson Wakefield, third place; Elyssa Goswick, second place and state runner-up; and Margaret Braun, state champion. Dramatic interpretation: James Rooney, Elise Lange and Rylee Sepiol, semifinalists; and Bronwyn Doebbeling, second place. Humorous interpretation: Daniel Nelson, Elise Lange, Hailey Dawson and Lindsey Brannen, top 14; and Alex Parra, third place. Prose
interpretation: Alex Parra and Regina Guisto, top 14; Lance Watkins, fifth place; Emma Lee, third place; and Taylor Gilliam, state champion. Poetry interpretation: Sana Sabuwala, sixth place; Nicolas Garnand, fourth place; Zach Hills, second place and Natalie Sanchez, state champion. Programmed oral interpretation: Erika Leckwart, Haley Ketcham and Kaitlyn Laibe, semifinalists; Joey Deignan, fifth place; and Taylor Gilliam, state champion. Duo interpretation: Chloe Zaenglein and Daanish Daudi, fifth place; Hailey Dawson and Kaitlyn Laibe, fourth place; and Emma Lee and Joey Deignan, second plaace. Duet acting: Haley Ketcham and Devon Kozicki and IIlana Cruywagen and Lance Watkins, top 14; Regina Guisto and Zach Hills, fifth place; and Rhea Rungta and Natalie Sanchez, second place. Extemporaneous speaking: Eden Gustin and Monica Essig Aberg, semifinalists; and Margaret Braun, state champion. Impromptu speaking: Shawn Yousefelahi, semifinalist; Monica Essig Aberg, fourth place and Margaret Braun, state champion. Original oratory: Anika Porwal and Ashley Tse, semifinalists and Sarah Jalaghi, state champion. Informative speaking: Claire van Doren, Emma Horn and Morgann Kelly, semifinalists; Sarah Jalaghi, fourth place; and Lindsey Brannen, state champion.