May 2 - May 15, 2015 www.SanTanSun.com
Chandler Youth Football celebrates 40th anniversary
Organization has returned to Pop Warner BY CURT BLAKENEY
When it comes to football, Chandler has become Title Town USA. Chandler High School is the defending Div. I football champion and Hamilton High School has won an impressive seven state titles in the past 12 years. Coaches Shawn Aguano (Chandler High School) and Steve Belles (Hamilton High School) deserve most of the credit, but not to be overlooked are the youth football leagues that prepare young kids for organized football. And they don’t get any better than Chandler Youth Football, which kicks off its 2015 season with registration dates set for Saturday May 9, and Saturday June 13, at Tumbleweed Recreation Center. Celebrating its 40-year anniversary, Chandler Youth Football has rejoined Arizona Pop Warner after a 10-year rift, and will be known as Chandler Youth Football Pop Warner (CYFPW) moving forward. Arizona Pop Warner is the state association of Pop Warner, the nation’s oldest and most
Quentin Rael of the Chandler Youth Football’s Rattlers makes his grand entrance to a game. Submitted photo
prominent youth football organization for kids ages 5 to 15. “Chandler Youth Football returning to Arizona Pop Warner means coming full circle,” said Dave Rugolo, the president of CYFPW, which was founded in 1975. “I began my relationship with Chandler
Governing board funds scholarships with own money BY ALISON STANTON
Thanks to the continuing generosity of Chandler Unified School District’s Governing Board, more college-bound students are receiving scholarships. The five-member board has been using its own money for several years to fund the scholarships, according to current member Bob Rice. “Our superintendent, Camille Casteel, would provide us with small gifts on the board members’ birthdays,” he said. “Four or five years ago she said that perhaps it would be better to take the money she was spending on the gifts and use it to fund more board scholarships.” Then, about three years ago, Rice said, they began donating their own funds. The decision to do this was easy, he said. “We ask each high school to submit two students for potential scholarships,”
he said. “The board scholarships are based on certain criteria. For example, students have to overcome challenges in high school or their personal lives. We found that as we read through their stories they were very compelling, and it was hard to narrow it down to just one or two.” “So we thought, OK, if we can add in some of our own money, we can provide even more scholarships to the kids.” The amounts vary between board members. The donations range from $100 to $2,000 per school year. Governing Board President Karen McGee said the board scholarships are from $300 to $500 and are administered through the Chandler Education
Youth Football during its first year away from Arizona Pop Warner. Every year since then, youth football in Chandler has become stronger and stronger. We are very much looking forward to returning to a much more organized and stronger Arizona Pop Warner organization. They invited us and have
accepted us, and treat us as we never left.” CYFPW, like many youth football leagues, uses an age-weight matrix to determine which of six divisions a kid should play in: Tiny Mite, Mitey Mite, Junior Peewee, Peewee, Junior Midget and Unlimited. There is some overlap so parents can choose a level where their child will be comfortable. Peewee and Junior Peewee tend to be the most popular with kids. “Football is really important in the Chandler community and that includes youth football,” said Rugolo, who also serves as the league’s equipment manager as well as coach of the organization’s Rattlers. “For the last 40 years, Chandler Youth Football Pop Warner has provided our kids the opportunity to learn football fundamentals from some of the best coaches around. But even more important, they are building character and essential life skills, along with strong friendships that will last them a lifetime.” On the same level as Chandler National Little League, which is one of the strongest youth baseball leagues in the state, CYFPW is a powerhouse on the gridiron with a rich tradition and history of on-field success. It is coming off a strong showing in 2014, leading the state in number of teams to qualify for the playoffs. CYFPW finished with three state championship teams, three state runner-up teams, two semi-finalist teams, and three quarter-finalist teams. Notable alumni of past CYFPW teams include Casey Tucker (currently playing at Stanford), Qualen Cunningham (currently playing at Texas A&M), Brent Hundley SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 4
Teacher remembered as witty, honest BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
When Kayden Jarnagan remembers her teacher Aimee Hunter, she recalls a vibrant, caring woman who would do anything to get her students’ attention. “We were learning about the solar system and she showed us videos and then she’d dance along with it,” Kayden said while laughing. “She was really funny. She was super sweet and she always had a smile on her face. She would always teach us in fun ways. She would show us cool videos and interact with us.” Kayden spoke at the April funeral of Hunter, 41, a Gilbert resident who died following a motorcycle crash near Haven Crest and Power Ranch Parkway. She was riding along with her boyfriend of 18 months, Mark Samsal, who died on the scene, according to Gilbert Police Lt.
Hugh White. Hunter taught Kayden’s fifth-grade class at Ryan Elementary School in Chandler. She only started teaching at the Chandler Unified School District facility in the beginning of the school year. She formerly instructed at Centennial Elementary School in Gilbert. Ryan Principal Diane Wells said, in a prepared statement to the Gilbert Sun News, that Hunter knew all of her students well and, because of that, she was able to challenge and engage each one in learning. Wells said Hunter rapidly adapted to her new school. “Aimee Hunter was new to our Ryan Elementary teaching staff this year, but her outgoing personality enabled her to quickly make many friends among her colleagues,” Wells said. “She wanted to do anything to help SEE REMEMBERED PAGE 6
SEE SCHOLARSHIPS PAGE 8
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Chandler Fire dedicates new station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . Page 11 Tiburon @ Chandler Airport breaks ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 22 City honors Environmental Arts Contest winners . . . . . . .YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 28 San Tan Mountain Regional Park May and June activities. . . . . . .NEIGHBORS . . . . . . . . . . .Page 50 Chandler youth to perform at the MIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 63
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