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REAL ESTATE
From Ahwatukee’s luxury market to the American Dream. pRE1
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Couple inspired to give back after losing son
COVER STORY
By Katie Beeso
After their son Liam was born in 2009, Ross and Daradee Murray of Ahwatukee discovered he had a rare congenital heart defect. Initially, they began a blog to keep friends and family informed of their situation. When a couple thousand viewers began to follow, they began to pursue it further. “There was one day where we had a setback and there was an overwhelming amount of support from the website,” Ross said. After 26 days, several surgeries, and a lot of ups and downs, Liam Ross Murray passed away on Feb. 2 of that year. Liam’s passing prompted Ross and Daradee to do something in honor of their son. They were inspired to change their lifestyle. “Before Liam was born we weren’t the pillar of health. We shifted our course and changed our lives to be healthy people,” said Ross. Not only did they begin to eat healthier, but they also started running marathons such as Iron Man and the Boston Marathon. Now they own Hub Fitness in Ahwatukee, 4425 E. Agave Road. Along with their lifestyle change, these two entrepreneurs decided to go further with their website by starting a foundation called LoveIAM. “LoveIAM kind of sounds like Liam so we liked that. We didn’t initially have intentions AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS STAFF
COMMUNITY:
Aqua-Tots opens
Teaches swimming, safety tips in Ahwatukee. p8
GETOUT:
Dave Mason
Mixes solo hits, Traffic songs in opening act. p24
Flinn scholar Kara Dunn works on her book catalog in preparation for her AP test in AP English Literature and Composition Honors at Horizon Honors in Ahwatukee. (David Jolkovski/AFN staff photographer)
Driven to success
Dunn is Horizon Honor’s 1st Flinn scholar
By Jamie Leland
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS STAFF
SPORTS:
Overflowing emotion Toney, MP’s Smith lead state track. p30 Neighborhood p3 Calendar p5 Community p8 Opinion p16
Faith p18 GetOut p24 Sports/Rec p30 Classified p34
Only 20 high school seniors out of 791 applicants in Arizona received the Flinn scholarship this year. Kara Dunn, a senior at Horizon Honors High School in Ahwatukee, is one of them — and she is the school’s first student to receive the honor. Flinn scholars are among the highest academic performers. To qualify for the scholarship, they must earn a minimum 3.5 GPA, score at least 1300 on the SAT or 29 on the ACT and rank in the top
5 percent of their classes. On top of that, they must demonstrate leadership in extracurricular activities. In return, they receive full tuition to a state university, a study abroad experience in China, funding for at least one additional study abroad program, an off-campus internship and mentorship from university faculty. They are also enrolled in an honors college and will enjoy support from a community of fellow Flinn scholars. Dunn decided to transfer to Horizon, a public charter school, as a sophomore after noticing the
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diminishing honors and AP programs offered at Marcos de Niza High School. She left longtime friends behind for a more challenging curriculum. “I knew it would be best for my education and that’s what counts in the long run,” she said. “It helped me to really shape myself and rely on myself because switching schools and having all new friends. I realized that it’s not where you’re at, but it’s who you are and how much drive you have that gets you to succeed.” >> See DRIVEN on page 21
>> See INSPIRED on page 15
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