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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 5, 2022
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Chandler native publishes new fantasy series installment BY JANELLE MOLONY Contributor
Chandler native Parris Sheets, Desert Ridge High School’s color guard coach and now a popular young adult author, has published the third book in her fantasy series, The Essence of Ohr. The new title, Beyond the Flame, also contains a secret reveal at the end that is certain to excite fans. Sheets’ books are inspired by her own experiences as a youth and explore a fantastical new universe on the planet Ohr. In the series, a ragtag team of elemental do-gooders fight a fallen god who has sent their world into chaos. Unforeseen events demand fifteenyear-old Kole accept hard truths about himself, while managing to keep in step with mythical gods on a mission. Readers are introduced to walking trees, shadow villains, rock beings, talking blossoms and more, as Kole navigates a world unlike any seen before. The book series is different from many YA novels because of the special challenge that the main character faces. “He goes through a big transformation in the first book which makes him
Chandler native Parris Sheets holds a copy of her first novel, “Warden’s Reign.” She has published the third book in her fantasy series, “The Essence of Ohr.” (Special to SanTan Sun News)
more vulnerable and more relatable to today’s generation,” Sheets said.
Though ugly-duckling tales have long been told, Sheets emphasized a degree of empathy teens and adult YA fans can experience through Kole’s journey. In 2015, Sheets began her own personal transformation towards being a healthier, stronger self. She began weightlifting and has since lost 100 lbs. On relating to her main character, she explained, “It’s like, you’ve always been you, but [because of an exterior change] the world sees you as somebody different and with new expectations.” In her fictional book, she coaches youth through the insecurities and doubts that arise with such an event. Sheets’ first book, Warden’s Reign, published in 2020, won the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for YA fantasy and secured a bronze medal in the Reader’s Favorite Book Awards for YA fiction. Readers have commented on Amazon, “I was hooked by the first paragraph,” and that it “sweeps you away right from the beginning.” Sheets confessed it took her nearly 10 years to finish. “It was a long and difficult process, but with a gratifying
result,” she explained. Sheets attributed her passion for writing to an encouraging fifth grade teacher she hopes to thank in person one day. In junior high, she read voraciously and felt convicted to write the kind of books that she already loved reading. As a YA author now, she still wants her readers (of any age) to feel like they can “relax and get lost in the story.” By the reviews coming in, it is reasonable to say she has hit the mark. Sheets said fans can expect a surprise in her fourth book, The Hollow Key, in the way the main characters will complete the final leg of their journey. “It’s complicated,” Sheets said, explaining that preview readers have become quite emotional over the book so far. She hinted at a bittersweet ending because of the epic battles Kole faces. “It can never be a perfect ending for him,” said, assuring her reading audience that the final chapter will be extremely satisfying. Visit ParrisSheetsAuthor.com and find her first three books on Amazon today.
What Matters Auxier teacher honored by Sun Lakes Rotary Most?
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Flanked by Chandler Unified Superintendent Frank Narducci on his right and Sun Lakes Rotary Club President Jon Lyons, Auxier Elementary special ed teacher Sawyer Merrill holds a blow-up of the check representing his award for being named the club’s Teacher of the Year. (Special to SanTan Sun News) SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
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The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes has named Sawyer Merrill, a special education teacher at Chandler Unified’s Auxier Elementary School in Queen Creek, educator of the year. Merrill received the club’s 2023 Sandy Lundberg Educator of the Year Award, which was established in 2017 to demonstrate the club’s continuing commitment to the Chandler Unified School District’s educational objec-
tives and “the educators who work so diligently and professionally to achieve those objectives.” Merrill graduated from California Lutheran University with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and sports medicine with an emphasis in education in 2010. He received his cross-categorical K-12 teaching certificate from Rio Salado University in 2011. With over 10 years of teaching special education, Merrill’s philosophy of education is that all children are
unique, and each student must have a motivating educational environment where they can meet their full potential through growing physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. The Rotary Club’s education committee’s selection process included review of several parent testimonials in support of Merrill. “Our family has been affected by Mr. Merrill’s amazing abilities and his passion to challenge each student to be the best one can be,” a parent wrote. “We have seen a complete transformation in our child and trust Mr. Merrill to shape our child’s education. Mr. Merrill is a voice for his students and advocates for their inclusion in school activities; and Mr. Merrill is the embodiment of this award, his spirit lights up the lives of every child he works with.” In May 2018, the first award was proudly presented to Sandy Lundberg, the principal of the newly opened Casteel High School and an active member of the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes, “in which she provided the same energy to the Club endeavors as she did to her profession” a club spokeswoman explained. “Her passion for children and community shone through whatever she did. Due to Sandy’s untimely passing, the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes proudly sponsors and has named the award The Sandy Lundberg Educator of the Year Award.”
