THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
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westvalleyview.com
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This Week
NEWS ............ 12 14 Community colleges to offer 4-year degrees
SPORTS ......... 20 Tolleson High School unveils new track, field
FEATURES ..... 21 Poppin’ in the Park debuts Saturday, Nov. 13
OPINION ...............14 BUSINESS.............. 18 SPORTS ..................20 FEATURES ..............21 NEIGHBORHOOD...22 OBITUARIES ...........25 CLASSIFIEDS ..........27 WEST
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The Voice of the West Valley for 36 years
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November 10, 2021
Palm Valley principal named Administrator of the Year BY LAUREN SERRATO
West Valley View Staff Writer
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he Arizona Association of School Psychologists has named Palm Valley Elementary School Principal Jennifer Benjamin as its 2021 Administrator of the Year. In her eight-year tenure as the principal of Palm Valley Elementary School, Benjamin has led her Thunderbird school family to the honor of being named a two-time A+ School of Excellence and a National Blue Ribbon School. Despite the success she’s achieved in her time as principal, Benjamin admitted the award was a shock. “I had actually gotten a phone call from the psychologist who was announcing it, and I was checking to see if there was a new student coming. An award was the furthest thing from my mind,” she said. “So, when they shared that I had been nominated and that I won, I was honored, humbled and definitely had some tears. It’s
pretty amazing.” Shelly Smith Hornback, director of community relations with the Litchfield Elementary School District, deemed Benjamin a beloved school leader who is widely lauded for her teamwork, educational expertise, and keen ability to foster a strong school family. As principal, Benjamin said one of her most important characteristics as a leader is to ensure the campus has a strong sense of camaraderie. “It’s all about building the school family,” Benjamin said. “We have a very tightknit group of teachers and staff and parents that have made this happen. And just making sure that everybody’s voices are heard and everybody feels included and supported. When they feel valued, they work hard, and we work hard and we play hard.” As a former special education teacher, Benjamin is an advocate for Inclusion
Honor...continued on page 3
The Arizona Association of School Psychologists has named Palm Valley Elementary School Principal Jennifer Benjamin as its 2021 Administrator of the Year. (Photo courtesy of Litchfield Elementary School District)
Buckeye designates Rhoades Jr. as city’s new fire chief BY LAUREN SERRATO
West Valley View Staff Writer
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he city of Buckeye has selected John “Jake” Kent Rhoades Jr. as the new fire chief. Rhoades has more than 29 years of progressive experience in fire and emergency management, most recently as fire chief for the city of Kingman. He also held administrative fire positions in Arkan-
sas and Oklahoma. After serving a population of 32,463 in Kingman, Rhoades said he’s excited to take over as fire chief in a rapidly growing city of 90,182 people. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for me, both professionally and personally,” Rhoades said. “From a professional standpoint, being
able to join the team in Buckeye, a very well-known department, they have a lot going for them, but so does the entire city of Buckeye. So being a part of that, professionally, is very exciting as a fire chief, and being able to plan and see what the future has in store for the city.
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