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Serving the communities of Anthem, Desert Hills, Norterra, Sonoran Foothills, Stetson Valley, Tramonto, New River, Desert Ridge and North Phoenix
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This Week
BUSINESS ......... 19
Dr. Edward J. Dohring named president of spine society
Anthem Area Edition
Desert Mountain’s Schwarting named top principal BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor
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r. JoAnn Schwarting, who helms Desert Mountain School, has been named Deer Valley Unified School District’s 2021 Principal of the Year. “I am honored beyond belief,” Schwarting said. “The 2020-21 school year required unprecedented campus leadership, and there isn’t an administrator in the district who doesn’t deserve to be principal of the year this year. I am also profoundly thankful for the Desert Mountain staff.”
Schwarting said the staff ’s collaborative nature and experience allows her to succeed in her job and with the Return to School Safely committee. “I am so proud to bring this award back to Desert Mountain School to share and honor this collective achievement,” she added. A native of Lakeside, Schwarting graduated from Blue Ridge High School. After serving four years in the U.S. Navy, Schwarting earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from ASU, a Master of Arts degree in educational administration and supervision from NAU, and
Martin, Spinelli honored in Anthem
Local wellness center taps into reiki services
BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF
YOUTH ............. 29
OPINION ................... 10 BUSINESS ................. 19 FEATURES ................ 20 YOUTH ...................... 29 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 30 Zone I
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Thursday, November 25, 2021
FEATURES ........ 20
Justin Williamson named to 2021 dean’s list
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he Anthem Community Council presented veteran photographer Mike Spinelli with the Anthem Veterans Service Award on Nov. 11. He was honored for his service to the Anthem Veterans Memorial and the community. Additionally, Anthem Veterans Memorial Chief Engineer Jim Martin was recognized with a $1,000 STEM Scholarship in his name. The prize will be awarded to a 2022 Anthem graduate, who will major in a STEM field.
Anthem Veterans Service Award Retired from the USAF, Spinelli donated his time and resources in service to the build of the Anthem Veterans Memorial and spent years photographing ceremonies and veterans. His pre-ceremony slideshow is still in use. This year, Spinelli volunteered for three days to take photos of veterans for the ceremony, and he accepted the ACC’s request to support the event as a photographer due to short staffing. In 2019, Spinelli received a Congres-
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VETERAN ���� 4
a doctorate in education leadership and innovation from ASU. Schwarting has served the Deer Valley Unified School District since 2005. For seven years, she taught English language arts at Desert Mountain School before transferring to Desert Sky Middle School to work as an instructional coach and an assistant principal. In her fifth year as Desert Mountain principal, Schwarting supported the COVID-19 model school set-ups across the district.
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Veteran photographer Mike Spinelli, right, was awarded the 2021 Anthem Veterans Service Award presented by the Anthem Community Council. (Submitted photo)
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