Celebrating 38 years of service
Free of charge
Ahwatukee Foothills News
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016 Today: High 88, Low 69, Rain Tomorrow: High 95, Low 69, Sunny
MAIN STREET AHWATUKEE
twitter.com/AhwatukeeFN
Latest news from the chamber. p24
www.Ahwatukee.com
facebook.com/AhwatukeeFN
Graduation serves as time for reflection, preparation
COVER STORY
By Eric Smith
COMMUNITY:
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS STAFF
the fact that I do have a second act, that I have a life after cancer,” Douglas says. “It makes me focus on what my second life is and why this is important.” The performance is intended to celebrate the courage of participants on stage, and to motivate audience members to create their own second acts, regardless of their life challenges. It also raises funds for micro grants, seed money to underwrite other survivors’ attempts
May is a special time for high school seniors as they pick up their caps and gowns and spend their final days in high school. Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe graduations commence Thursday and Horizon Honors congratulates its grads on May 31, marking the end of high school. “It’s hard to think it’s almost over,” said Mountain Pointe valedictorian Amanda Coote. “This year has gone by really, really fast and…it’s really hard to believe it’s almost over.” Four years of activities, sports and relationships come to a close — the final chapter of one story and the beginning of a new one. In her speech, Coote said she will focus on giving a little bit of advice that she picked up. “There’s not just one place where you end up being in, and being happy in, so I’m going to talk about how there’s multiple paths for you to end up on,” she said. “You shouldn’t have just your one dream place, you can end up in other places and be happy.” Horizon Honors valedictorian Zach Asato will take plentiful memories with him as he moves on to New York University to study business. The memories, both in and out of the classroom, and time spent with friends will stick with him. “Whether it’s in class or just at lunch hanging out or attending
>> See FAMILY FIGHT on page 38
>> See GRADUATION on page 38
Search for love
Ahwatukee native stars in new reality TV show. p8
GETOUT:
Modern English Getting comfortable with success. p31
Ahwatukee resident Sabrina Douglas, a two-time breast cancer survivor, with her sons, daughter in laws, some grandchildren, a niece and a nephew, as well as her significant other (Ahwatukee resident Al Harris, Jr.) at the Susan G. Komen “Race for the Cure” in Phoenix 2011. (Special to AFN)
A family of fighters
Ahwatukee resident wins battle with breast cancer twice By Alyssa Tufts
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS STAFF
SPORTS:
Hungry for more
MP football ready for 2016 expectations. p35 Neighborhood p3 Calendar p5 Community p8 Opinion p16
Faith p22 GetOut p31 Sports/Rec p35 Classified p39
The Douglas family has had its share of battles. Ahwatukee resident Sabrina Douglas, a twotime breast cancer survivor, is one of many in her family who have come face-to-face with the disease. Douglas’ brother has stage four metastatic breast cancer and her mother lost her battle with stage three breast cancer in 2014. Despite the challenges that have affected the family, Douglas prefers to channel her energy into
motivation to raise awareness and improve education about breast cancer for both men and women. She will be one of 10 local women who will be telling their stories in the inaugural production of “A 2nd Act: Survivorship Takes the Stage” on May 22 at Mesa Arts Center. The women are writing their own scripts to share their journeys and experiences with cancer and how it has impacted their lives and inspired their “second acts.” “It really helped me to focus on
GET READY FOR SUMMER 20% OFF ALL SPF Excluding Jan Marini
4425 E. Agave Road, Suite 148 | Phoenix, Arizona 85044
480.704.SKIN (7546) | www.ahwatukeeskincare.com