Gilbert Sun News - 5.30.2021

Flag football’s true Grit

Regal Gilbert brings hope

PAGE 40

PAGE 7

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

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Sunday, May 30, 2021

After son’s hit-run injuries, Gilbert mom seeks help

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

A

pickup truck slammed into a man in a Gilbert crosswalk and fled the scene and now his mother wants the public’s help in nabbing the driver who left her son seriously injured.

Guy T. Boyd, 43, spent three days in the neuro trauma ICU, underwent emergency surgery and was scheduled last week for transfer to a rehab facility, according to

mom Judy Jenkins Needham of Gilbert.

“This morning is the first day that indications are that he is going to heal,” Jenkins Needham said May 26, six days after the accident. “He has massive injuries but he’s going to survive barring anything unforeseen happens.”

Gilbert police reported that officers responded to the scene approximately 10:12 p.m. May 20 at Baseline Road and 39th Street.

“The initial information indicates a vehi-

cle heading eastbound on Baseline Road hit a pedestrian in the crosswalk,” said department spokeswoman Brenda Carrasco. “The vehicle immediately fled the scene of the collision to the east on Baseline Road.

“The Gilbert PD traffic reconstruction team responded to the call due to the pedestrian suffering serious injuries.”

Carrasco said witnesses described the vehicle as white in color and a normal/me-

see PEDESTRIAN page 6

Gilbert remembers On to the future our fallen warriors

BY SRIANTHI PERERA GSN Contributor

S

ome of Gilbert’s regional neighbors have no special plans for Memorial Day tomorrow and the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona for the second consecutive year will not be holding its traditional service.

But Gilbert will continue its tradition commemorating those who gave their lives for their country as well as veterans who have passed away.

This year, Gilbert Civic Center will host the ceremony 9-10:30 a.m. Monday, May 31.

And throughout the day, people can pay tribute to the late Valley warrior Patrick Tillman by visiting Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery and Funeral Home at 2100 E. Queen Creek Road.

see MEMORIAL page 4

Commencement ceremonies last Thursday at Campo Verde and a few other high schools wrapped up a pandemic-disrupted school year for Gilbert Public Schools. (Pablo Robles/GSN Staff Photographer)

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

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NEWS

Adventure Park foes take to the picket line

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

Among the picketers protesting the Santan Adventure Park go-kart track are, from left, Sue Donovan, Randy Nelson and Dean Christensen.

R

esidents opposed to the soon-tobe built outdoor venue featuring gas-powered go-karts recently stepped up their game by picketing before the start of a Town Council meeting.

“There’s a list of items they can do instead that’s just as bad,” said Nicki Reber, carrying a sign demanding the Town move the project to Gilbert Regional Park instead.

Besides the noise, residents raised issues with parking, traffic and pollutants from the go-karts.

As currently proposed, Santan Adventure Park will have the go-kart track, an 18-hole miniature golf course and a splash pad on 4.5 acres at Crossroad Park.

Under a 2017 lease agreement the Town inked with SAP Holdings, the amenities that the project can have include an outdoor maze attraction, bungee trampoline, climbing wall, zipline and skate park.

Homeowners from the Greenfield Lakes and Cottonwood Crossing communities across from the project site have already filed an appeal from the approval of the project’s design plans. A hearing on the appeal before the Council is set for June 15.

Residents have been speaking against the entertainment venue at every Council and Planning Commission meeting. At the May 18 Council meeting, they honed in on Ben Cooper’s ties with the Town.

Cooper is with SAP Holdings.

Dean Christensen said Cooper has served on a number of town boards and still sits on the advisory board for the General Plan.

Cooper also served on council for five years and two years after he left office, he appeared before the same body with the project, Christensen said.

Cooper served with six members when Council approved the lease agreement, although Jordan Ray was absent for the vote.

Everyone on that Council who voted for Santan Adventure Park is gone except for Brigette Peterson, now mayor.

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(Special to GSN)

Nicki Reber maintains a solitary vigil outside council chambers. (Special to GSN) Christensen also pointed out that Cooper endorsed Peterson when she ran for council in 2014 and contributed to her campaign for mayor last year.

Peterson declined to comment.

Councilman Scott Anderson, who voted for the project, came in after Cooper left Council but there’s a chance the two knew each other because Anderson worked for the Town until he retired in 2013 as planning director, Christensen said.

“There may very well be nothing illegal here but in the very least Ben’s association with the Gilbert Town Council that approved his private venture presents as a significant conflict of interest,” Christensen said. “It simply appears on

the outside to be an inside deal between Ben and his Gilbert Town Council peers and friends. This simply does not look right.”

He told Council has the “ability to set this impropriety aside and do the right thing.”

The council that approved the lease didn’t care about residents’ quality of life, said Randy Nelson, adding his bedroom window is 250 feet from the site.

“We do believe that the five-, 10-, 15year connections between (Cooper) and our Town Council…took precedence over residents, when the plan changed from a maze to 21 gas-powered go-karts,” he said. “The other thing that doesn’t get a whole lot of attention is the noise at the miniature golf section, which will have sound effects from plane crashes and bombs.

“And there’s a provision in the lease that says if the go-karts are too loud that they can raise the music in the miniature golf section.”

Tess Dover, who worked in the healthcare profession her entire career, said she was worried about air pollution from the gasoline used for the go-karts.

“The EPA has said that gas-powered engines like those and go-karts produce the same emissions in just one hour as a typical car driving 350 miles,” she said.

“That’s one go-kart in one hour, Think of 20 go-karts 15 to 16 hours a day for seven days a week. That’s a lot of emissions now yet people in Arizona are asked to help with our air quality.

“There are certainly other activities that we can choose that won’t compromise our health.”

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NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

MEMORIAL from page 1

For every person who checks in at the park on Monday, Gilbert Memorial Park will make a donation to the Patrick Tillman Foundation. Visitors can check in at the entrance, drive or walk around the park to reflect, and see the flags set in honor of fallen military personnel. Staff members will be available to give tours 8 a.m.-1 p.m. but the fundraiser will go all day long.

Moving Gilbert’s Memorial Day morning ceremony from HD South to the more spacious lawns at the Civic Center was a joint move by the Gilbert Veterans Advisory Board, the town and HD SOUTH. “The event has outgrown the space and parking restrictions of the HD SOUTH lawn. It is important we have space for everyone that would like to attend,” said mayoral aide Valerie Shaffer.

Joshua M. Bring, chair of Memorial Day for the town and instrumental in planning and implementing Gilbert’s Veteran’s Day events the past four years, stressed, “We will continue a lot of the traditions that were started at and by HD SOUTH and add to the grandeur of the event to give this day the significance we all feel it deserves.”

Members of American Legion Post 39 will lay a wreath and local Legion Riders will be escorted by a group of Gilbert Police motorcycle officers who are also veterans.

Luke Air Force Base will set up a MIA POW Table and a Battlefield Cross and a brass band will play.

Mayor Brigette Peterson will speak, followed by Eric Ballester, retired U.S. Air Force Special Operations master sergeant and combat controller.

Bring said the organizers are hoping to honor the Gold Star families in the community and were looking to contact them.

“We would appreciate the community’s help in making sure we get a personal invitation to any Gilbert resident who lost a family member that died while serving our country,” he said.

Residents may submit the names of any family members to be honored via the form available at gilbertaz.gov/veterans.

Denise Lopez, the new HD SOUTH CEO who will emcee, said she was “honored”

In years prior to the pandemic, the Gilbert Memorial Day ceremony was hosted by HD south but over time attendance has outgrown the site. (Courtesy of HD South) at the opportunity.

“It truly is a privilege,” Lopez said. “HD South has close ties to the annual Memorial Day event and being able to continue to be an integral part of it, is very fitting.”

Lopez, a Gilbert resident, hails from a family with a rich tradition of military service. Her father served in the Army in Vietnam, her father-in-law served in the Army in Korea, her brother served in the Navy and two nephews serve in the Air Force and Marines.

Since the early 2000s, the event was held in the front lawns of HD SOUTH, then known as Gilbert Historical Museum, in coordination with Gilbert American Legion Post 39.

When former HD SOUTH executive director Kayla Kolar came on board in 2005, the ceremony was held on a small scale without any music or speakers with about 50 people in attendance.

“Over the years, the museum took it over and added the Ahwatukee Foothills Concert Band, a guest speaker, invited local dignitaries, and advertised it so that by 2019 over 500 people were in attendance,” Kolar said.

Last year, the Memorial Day event was scrapped due to the pandemic.

Looking to the future, commemorating Memorial Day will remain important.

“Our focus will remain on honoring

the men and women who have died in service to the U.S. military, with an emphasis on those with a Gilbert or East Valley connection,” Shaffer said. “The Gilbert Veterans Board is passionate about making Gilbert the most welcoming community for Veterans and their families. Memorial Day is an important opportunity to remember the Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”

HD SOUTH also offer free admission Monday from noon until 4 p.m. as in years past. It will be the last day of the 16th annual Art of Quilting Show which has a special focus on blue-and-white quilts. About 75 quilts are on display, made by the HD SOUTH quilting group.

The museum-turned-arts-center also has an extensive collection of local military memorabilia in the Military Room, which highlights members of the community who served in the Armed Forces.

“We strongly encourage attendees stop

by HD South after the event, especially if they have never had a chance to tour the Gilbert Historical Museum,” Shaffer said.

Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery and Funeral Home’s fundraiser for the Patrick Tillman Foundation honors one of Arizona’s most famous fallen warriors.

Tillman, an Arizona State University graduate, gave up a promising career

with the Arizona Cardinals after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, to enlist in the Army. He was killed during a battle in Afghanistan in 2004.

“Memorial Day is a time to reflect and honor fallen veterans who have sacrificed in our community and across the country,” said Gilbert Memorial Park President Bryce Bunker.

“At Gilbert Memorial Park we are doing our part to both honor our country’s bravest and to make a positive impact in the community. We have served families of veterans and there is no greater honor for us than to give them excellent care.”

“Pat Tillman is known to be a brave hero in our state and in our country,” he continued. “Being an ASU grad myself, the meaning of his legacy is personal to me and we are proud to help support the foundation’s mission. This fundraiser offers a very simple way for the people of Gilbert to get involved and reflect on the sacrifice of our country’s bravest.”

The Pat Tillman Foundation seeks to empower the next generation of leaders and unite the military community in sacrificial service. The foundation provides scholarships to fund the academic pursuits of military service members, veterans and their spouses.

Gilbert’s Memorial Day ceremony is one of the larger ones not only in the region but in the Valley.

For the second consecutive year, the Valley’s largest ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Cave Creek will not be held.

Last year’s cancellation was the first time since the cemetery opened in 1978, that no big public Memorial Day service was held.

While the National Cemetery Administration lifted all restrictions on large gatherings at all 155 national cemeteries in the nation, effective May 26, it said last week the action came too late to organize a ceremony.

Veterans national cemeteries will allow mass flag placements across the U.S. to commemorate Memorial Day. It said volunteers wishing to place flags should contact their local national cemetery. The Cave Creek cemetery had

see MEMORIAL page 5

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

NEWS

5

Town gives residents some hope on sewer project or the past six months 24 homeowners near downtown Gilbert have lived under the threat of losing portions of their backyards so the Town can get access to a deteriorating sewer pipeline in need of rehab.

Now, there’s a chance they could see the eminent domain proceedings come off the table.

Town Council recently authorized looking at combining the sewer project with the adjacent aging reclaimed and portable water pipelines along the Western Canal between Lindsay and Gilbert roads.

Part of the work includes identifying potential alternative alignments for the Town’s three pipelines and SRP’s electrical poles and small waterway in that congested corridor, potentially alleviating the need for a land-grab.

“If we have alternatives to repair and take care of these problems without taking our land than those should be the alternatives we go after,” said Noland

Baldwin at the May 18 council meeting.

“Eminent domain is when there are no other alternatives.”

Baldwin also urged the Town to act more quickly as the engineering studies could take 11 months.

“We’ve been doing this for six months,” Baldwin said. “We have been in limbo where we can’t sell, where we can’t do anything with our land.”

Resident Greg Davis said the neighborhood has already seen one home sale “go bad” because the owner had to disclose the eminent domain proceeding.

“If any other people in the neighborhood wanted to sell the same thing would happen,” Davis said. “So, I’m urging the Council to come up quick with the solution. Eleven months just won’t work.”

Senior Project Manager Jason Montgomery explained why the timeline couldn’t be shortened.

“A critical piece of that analysis is a 24-inch portable water line,” he said.

“That being the primary transmission main to the west part of town we can’t

no new information on its website, cem. va.gov/cems/nchp/NMCA.asp. It can be reached at 480-513-3600.

The cemetery will be open from dawn to dusk.

The VA will also debut new features on the Veterans Legacy Memorial site in time for Memorial Day. VLM will permit online visitors to submit photos and biographical summaries of a Veteran’s life, along with historical documents such as award citations, letters, and newspaper clippings. Another feature will allow visitors to receive email alerts when new content is posted.

One event that will go on as scheduled in Cave Creek is the Flags for Our Fallen ceremony organized by RFidersUSA. This is the 15th consecutive year that the men and women in the organization display up to 500 American Flags with an honor guard of hundreds of motorcycles and hot rods lining the streets leading into the National Memorial Cemetery

of Arizona.

“Despite the current political climate and restrictions imposed upon us today, the brave military men and women of our Armed Forces who have sacrificed life and limb for the benefit of this nation, shall never be forgotten and will continue to be honored regardless,” the group said, indicating it will again tie special ribbons with the names of deceased and living veterans to the flags.

The gathering will be held between 6-8 a.m. Monday at 23029 N. Cave Creek Road.

Riders USA field headquarters will be located at the southeast corner of Pinnacle Peak and Cave Creek roads.

For more information about the Pat Tillman Foundation: pattillmanfoundation.org. For directions or information about Gilbert Memorial Park: gilbertmemorialpark.com or call (480) 935-5858.

For information in Gilbert’s ceremony: hdsouth.org

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

F

MEMORIAL from page 4

shut that line down until this fall.

“The assessment will be completed by sending a technology through a dry pipe and do electromagnetic inspection to determine the remaining useful life and that can’t occur until this fall. So in order to incorporate that real in-place data for that portable waterline that can’t be completed until the end of the year.

“Therefore we would not like to proceed with Phase 2 until the end of the year if we want to incorporate that real data.”

Phase 1 calls for developing 10 alternatives for study, which will include exhibits, plans, cost estimates, stakeholder collaborations, public meeting and presentations and will take from June to October to do, according to Montgomery.

Phase 2 involves a more detailed analysis of the five chosen alternatives, which is expected to take from November to April with the goal to select a scope of work for the three pipelines in the corridor, he said.

Some residents told Council to stop wasting money as there was a cheaper

alternative – which is continuing to use the utility easement for access. However, staff said obstructions in the easement have increased since the pipeline was built, making access difficult.

The Council voted 6-1 to pay $225,302 to Entellus to do the work.

The civil engineering firm has already been paid $213,489 for initially developing three solutions for repairing the sewer pipeline, all requiring varying degrees of land acquisition.

The Town opted to proceed with the option that took land from all 24 properties and in November contracted with Jacobs Engineering Group to do the land acquisitions for a cost of $224,873.

The Council on May 18 also approved a change-order with Black and Veatch Corp. to do the engineering design for the corridor analyst at a cost of $58,620.

Councilman Laurin Hendrix was the sole dissenter in both votes.

“There has been enough research,” Hendrix said in an email after the vote.

“Another $280,000 in research and planning will not make this decision any easier. It is time to make a decision.”

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Supporters say state dollars should not be used to tell people they are to blame for racism.

Rep. Jake Hoffman of Queen Creek – who represents Legislative District 12, which includes much of Gilbert –used a procedural maneuver in the House to attach the language to another bill, all without allowing for public comment.

He said the teaching is based on a premise about institutional racism that he does not believe exists.

“America is not racist,’’ Hoffman said during the earlier House debate. He said that, going back as far as the Civil War, there is a history of “stomping out racism’’ wherever it exists.

“This nation is accepting and diverse

Gilbert lawmaker gets OK on bill limiting race training

A

measure sponsored by a Gilbert lawmaker and sent Gov. Doug Ducey precludes the use of taxpayer dollars to train public employees about race, ethnicity and sex discrimination if it also mentions blame or judgment.

The bill was approved in a 16-14 party vote in the Republican-controlled Senate and never has had a public hearing.

It was approved on a similar party-line vote earlier this month in the House.

It came over objections from several lawmakers who said the kind of training this measure seeks to preclude is necessary for people to understand the history of discrimination in this country in order to overcome it.

see RACE page 7

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NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

PEDESTRIAN from page 1

dium-sized pickup.

“It is believed the vehicle would have some noticeable front-end damage, but likely won’t be extensive,” she added.

Jenkins Needham said her son lives in Mesa near the Gilbert border and the accident occurred a couple of blocks from his home.

“He had been out for an evening run,” she said. “He’s physically fit. He was in a cool-down phase walking when he was crossing the street in a well defined crosswalk at a traffic light at an intersection that is well-lit.”

After hitting her son, “the driver drove off and left him horribly mangled in the street,” Jenkins Needham said.

“There is no way the driver could not have known he hit a human being. It launched him in front of that vehicle.”

Jenkins Needham said she got her information from an eyewitness, who

told her the driver was in a white Ford F-150.

She posted on Facebook the day after the accident asking if anyone had information regarding a pedestrian being hit and dragged by a car in Gilbert.

Jenkins Needham said the eyewitness who responded to her post “saw the white pick-up truck pull out and knew they were going to hit my son before they made impact.”

“There were about five people there that saw this happen,” she added. “People on the scene stayed with my son until police and paramedics were there.”

Jenkins Needham in her post asked for the public to keep an eye out for the truck.

“It now becomes imperative that we find the driver of this F150 white pickup truck,” she wrote. “Please also be on the lookout for anyone who is selling a white F150, has sold one in the last few days, is having one repainted or having bodywork done on the front end.

“My son’s ripped-to-shreds bloody clothes have the marks of this truck on them, even what appears to be the hard imprint of hardware from the sheer force of impact before he was launched into the air.

“This driver must have told someone or given some clue somewhere. They may even have had a passenger in the car with them who has been living with fear and dread since (the Guy Boyd has two elementary school-aged children. (Submitted) accident).”

Jenkins Needham, who has

Guy T. Boyd. 43, suffered serious injuries when a pickup driver struck him, then sped from the scene. (Courtesy of Judy Jenkins Needham) been at the hospital every day, said her son slips in and out of consciousness and has not been able to recall what happened.

“The very first time he experienced a very brief moment of consciousness after emergency surgery, he came to and said, ‘where are my children.’ We assured him they were fine and well cared for and he dropped off again. That was his very first concern.

“My son is a single father of two young elementary-age children. He’s very responsible. He has worked very hard to earn four degrees to build a better life for himself and his dependent children.”

Boyd, who works as a laboratory and safety manager at Arizona State University, is the father to an 11-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy.

The children have not seen their father yet, Jenkins Needham said.

“He is very, very weak, speaking very softy and he drops off into sleep and come back,” she said.

She ticked off a list of her son’s injuries including a fractured skull, broken left shoulder, fractured spinous process and multiple ligament, cartridge and soft tissue damage.

“He had to have his left leg reconstructed,” she said. “He has a lot of hardware in his body. The body-wide bruising is horrifying and swelling.”

The outlook that her son is going to rehab soon is “a very, very good sign” for Jenkins Needham, who in her post said she is a momma bear who will be ceaselessly dedicated to getting the driver who hit her son off the street.

Jenkins Needham’s post garnered over 250 responses. Most said they would pray for Boyd and his family. One woman shared that her daughter was involved in a similar incident near SanTan Mall.

“A hit-and-run by an F-150,” she wrote, “I am blessed that she just had a few scrapes.”

HELP THE POLICE

Gilbert PD is asking for any information to identify the suspect vehicle and driver in a hit-and-run accident May 20.

The public can call the police nonemergency line at 480-503-6500 and refer to case No. 21-000009616 with any relevant information to the case.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

NEWS

7

Businesses hopeful over Regal Gilbert’s reopening

BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE GSN Staff Writer

G

ilbert Town Square business owners hope that the reopening of Regal Gilbert Cinema will increase foot traffic in the area.

“Before COVID-19 happened and Regal closed, we didn’t realize how much of our business came from Regal,” said Sergio, Not Your Typical Deli kitchen manager. “We hope that things get rocking and rolling again.”

After a seven-month closure, Regal Theatres reopened its only Arizona location at 1012 S. Gilbert Road on May 14.

Cineworld Group, the world’s second-largest movie house chain and owner of Regal Theatres, announced the temporary closure of its 536 multiplexes in the United States and United Kingdom due to the pandemic in October 2020.

By March, Cineworld Group reported an operating loss of $2.26 billion for 2020 after revenue fell by 80 percent – from $4.37 billion in 2019 to only $852 million in 2020.

Regal Gilbert’s closure was a blow to neighboring businesses that relied on its customer traffic.

“At one point, we were the only thing open back here and no one came unless they were going out of their way to specifically see us,” Sergio said.

Now though, local business owners say that the full slate of new movies that re-

Gilbert Regal Cinema reopened earlier this month after a seven-month closure and an even long period of temporary government shutdowns and other disruptions. (GSN file photo) leased in coincide with the reopening of Regal Gilbert, which include “Spiral: SAW,” “Wrath of Man,” and “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” have already created a positive shift in the strip mall.

“It’s fantastic for everyone that Regal reopened,” said Dwight Lavender, The Exercise Coach studio owner. “Having additional visibility is always great because it attracts potential clients. Even though we’re not really a walk-in kind of business, our customers have told us how nice it is to have more traffic again.”

Business owners say they hope that

this weekend’s release of “A Quiet Place Part II” and “Cruella” will bring in even more crowds.

“During the pandemic, most new movies were only being released to streaming platforms,” said Fernanda, a cook at Not Your Typical Deli. “Movies like ‘A Quiet Place Part II’ are exclusively in-theaters only, so I hope that brings in more people.”

The nationwide closure of Regal Theatres put 40,000 employees out of work, Cineworld Group said.

Business owners in Gilbert Town

and loving,’’ Hoffman continued. “And sadly the trend of teaching this hateful, racist and bigoted revision of the story of America has reached a fever pitch amongst the activist community on the Left that seek to denigrate and demean nearly every American citizen. And it must be addressed.”

But foes said backers are missing the point. “These are uncomfortable conversations,’’ said Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Glendale. “They aren’t supposed to make you feel good,’’ he said. “That’s the point of these conversations.’’

Sen. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, said that

while the goal of such training “makes a lot of sense and we should be together,” she said SB 1074 precludes training, orientation or therapy “that presents any form of blame or judgment on the basis of race, ethnicity or sex.’’

She said “blame or judgment’’ is specifically defined to include things like one race, ethnic group or sex is “inherently morally or intellectually superior to another race, ethnic group or sex.’’

That definition of what could not be used in training also includes that an individual, by virtue of that person’s race, ethnicity or sex, “is inherently racist,

sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously,’’ Townsend said.

SB 1074 is designed to address a concept that has been called “critical race theory.’’ In essence, it suggests that racism is not solely a matter of individual actions but it in some ways built into society through policies like red-lining which denied homes or loans to minorities and other segregationist policies.

It also has become a political lightning rod for attack by Republicans.

Quezada said Thursday the goal of the training is to have the conversations about the history of America – and not

RACE from page 5

Square say they also feared for their survival as their businesses suffered from the heavy loss of customers Regal would attract whenever a big movie came out.

Nearly all of Regal’s neighboring businesses say that they had to change their hours to accommodate for lack of traffic.

Since the closing of Regal, Christ Church has been the only establishment to help attract walk-ins regularly, Sergio and Fernanda said.

The church holds services on Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. and on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m., according to their website.

Before Regal shut down, Not Your Typical Deli opened at 11 a.m. and closed at 8 p.m. but now they are only open until 4 p.m.

Tuesday through Friday, 5 p.m. on Saturday and closed on Sunday and Monday.

“There’s definitely been more people around since Regal reopened, but I noticed that it’s only at night because Regal has limited hours,” Sergio said. “I hope that it’s just a soft opening because we aren’t open during their hours so we don’t get their traffic.”

Sergio says that Not Your Typical Deli may go back to what their operating hours were before the COVID-19 pandemic, but only if foot traffic increases.

He wants Regal to expand their hours as well to help out neighboring businesses

see REGAL page 10

just through a single lens – as a first step towards fixing problems that still exist today.

He said the majority needs to understand the differences that minorities face “from the day we are born when the doctor doesn’t look like us, to the time we are going to school and our teacher doesn’t look like us, to the time we go and apply for a job and the person interviewing us doesn’t look like us and doesn’t understand us, to the time we become elected to the Senate and

see RACE page 10

8

NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

Drought in Arizona worst in 126 years

BY ALYSSA MARKSZ Cronkite News

W

ASHINGTON – Arizona and other Western states just lived through the driest year in more than a century, with no drought relief in sight in the near future, experts told a House panel last week.

The period from April 2020 to March 2021 was the driest in the last 126 years for Arizona and other Western states, witnesses said.

It capped a two-decade stretch that was the driest in more than 100 years that records have been kept – and one of the driest in the past 1,200 years based on paleohydrology evidence, one official said.

“We have never seen drought at the scale and intensity that we see right now, and it is possible that this may be the baseline for the future,” said Elizabeth Klein, a senior counselor to the secretary of Interior.

More than half of Arizona is currently experiencing “exceptional” drought conditions, the most severe level of drought, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System.

The Arizona Department of Water Resources said most of the state got less than 25 percent of average precipitation for April.

The water shortage can affect everything from the amount of power generated by hydroelectric dams on the Colorado River to the risk of wildfire.

Tiffany Davila, spokeswoman for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, said this year’s

More than half of Arizona shown in dark red was in the “exceptional” drought category, the most severe, on May 20, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. (Map courtesy U.S. Drought Monitor)

drought is much more severe than what Arizona saw at this time last year.

“Vegetation is stricken across the state; there isn’t one area that isn’t impacted by the drought,” Davila said. “It’s pretty much kindling at this point.”

Low water levels are also likely to trigger reductions in water agreements with agencies like the Central Arizona Project and the Salt River Project.

But SRP officials said they have long been taking steps to mitigate the immediate impact of those reductions.

“It’s important to understand this is not a crisis but a drought that is expected when you live in the desert,” said SRP spokesperson Patty Garcia-Likens.

“Salt River Project, Arizona cities and Central Arizona Project have planned for times like this.”

Charlie Ester, SRP’s manager of wa-

tershed management, said that from the agency’s perspective, Arizona has been in drought conditions since 1995.

“One of the things that we do at SRP is we always plan for drought conditions,” Ester said, adding that areas of the state not served by SRP or CAP could be hit hardest.

“They don’t have an abundant surface water supply that they can rely on, many areas are dependent upon groundwater,” he said. “As the water levels decline, it becomes harder and harder to pump their water supplies, and sometimes wells will even dry up.”

Ester said there is no obvious precipitation trend in Arizona, but higher temperatures contribute to more severe drought conditions due to increased levels of evaporation.

While he believes that droughts are

And all that is worrying Arizona cities that stand to lose hundreds of millions of dollars if the governor is wrong.

An analysis of the tax cut package being pushed by Gov. Doug Ducey and Republican legislators shows that the top 1 percent of Arizonans will get more than half of the $1.5 billion in permanent tax cuts.

The study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy figures those earning less than $108,000 a year – about 80 percent of all Arizonans – will be getting just 7 percent of the cash the state wants to permanently forego in its plan to create a flat income tax and help the richest Arizonans avoid the full impact of a voter-approved measure requiring them to

a natural occurrence, he also said that factors such as greenhouse gases have significantly aggravated the situation.

“I think even if humans were not here, the Southwest would be in a drought right now, but I think it has become worse because of anthropogenic causes,” Ester said.

Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., and chairman of the Subcommittee for Water, Oceans and Wildlife that held the hearing, said it was about “continuing our work to identify the most critical drought response needs, and to help connect those in need with available resources to get them through a crippling drought.”

Possible solutions cited at the hearing included tools to monitor and predict droughts while collecting data on water resources, programs to increase funding for infrastructure improvements and programs to recycle water and restore aquatic ecosystems.

In Arizona, preparations for drought include reducing water waste by maintaining systems to run at peak efficiency, and introducing a two-way connection between SRP and CAP that Ester says will allow the two agencies to “share water supplies with each other.”

The state has also been “banking” water in its groundwater reserve.

“SRP has … put nearly 3 million acrefeet of water into the groundwater reserve to use during severe drought conditions,” Ester said. “It’s roughly four years worth of water that we have banked for future use. Conditions have not gotten bad enough yet to use that water.”

Rich benefit the most from GOP flat tax plan

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

T

he bid by Gov. Doug Ducey to permanently cut $1.5 billion a year of state revenues is based on an economic theory and a set of numbers that may not hold up under closer examination.

pay more to help fund K-12 education.

And new figures obtained by Capitol Media Services from the Legislature’s own budget analysts show that the top 1 percent of Arizona taxpayers will see a break of more than 40 percent over what they would otherwise have to pay.

see TAX page 9

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

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TAX from page 8

By contrast, the rest of Arizonans – everyone with taxable income of less than $500,000 – would be in line for a 19.7 percent reduction.

The figures are more pronounced when looking at those who earn $50,000 or less. That happens to make up more than 57 percent of all Arizona taxpayers.

Their average tax cut: just 4.8 percent.

The analysis came as the public got its first look last week at the $12.8 billion spending plan that was crafted behind closed doors.

C.J. Karamargin, the governor’s press aide, said the way his boss figures it, enacting what he has billed as “the largest tax cut in Arizona history’’ will provide an economic stimulus that will keep Arizona competitive in landing new companies and getting firms to expand here.

Karamargin said there’s another reason Ducey can propose a flat tax: a 2019 state law that requires online retailers to start collecting sales tax on purchases made by Arizona residents. Karamargin said that alone will produce an estimated $514 million a year by the 2026 fiscal year.

And that doesn’t count what cities collect in their own sales taxes.

But Amazon, arguably the largest of these online retailers, actually agreed to begin collecting Arizona’s sales tax in 2012 to settle a lawsuit and large companies like Wal-Mart also were collecting and paying sales taxes on both what they sold in their stores and what was delivered directly to customers.

Until last year, however, those revenues were included in regular sales tax proceeds.

It is only now that state tax collectors lump these into a special category of its own, cash the governor considers “new’’ money.

That accounting has raised concerns.

“Some of those companies were paying tax already under a different Department of Revenue code,’’ said Rep. David Cook, R-Globe.

“They took the money that was already being paid and the new money, comingled it under a new code so it appears that there’s all this new revenue,’’ he said. “But, in fact, all of that is not new

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revenue.’’

Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale, said he’s not buying the numbers the governor uses to justify a permanent $1.5 billion cut in state taxes. And he’s not prepared to approve any plan that leaves cities in financial trouble.

Phoenix Democrat Sen. Sean Bowie warned that the flat income tax being advanced by Republicans could devastate public safety.

“Because cities typically spend over half of their budgets on public safety, this would threaten funding for core priorities like police officers, fire fighters and first responders,” he continued. “Defunding our police and firefighters at the state level shouldn’t be our priority.”

Earlier this month, state Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, whose district includes part of Gilbert, said on a Chandler Chamber of Commerce virtual roundtable that the state’s current surplus is four times the size of any surplus in Arizona’s history.

He noted that the state’s budget surplus now totals $12 billion – “which is

outrageous.”

He also said, “I’ve spoken with the mayors and others about the impact on the cities and we’re going to do what we can to mitigate that.”

Mesnard also said “the cities also are sitting on some money” from the measure that legalized recreational pot “and that will also be leading to more revenue for public safety.”

There actually are two parts to what the governor wants to do.

The first is compressing all the tax brackets down to a single 2.5 percent.

That compares with current brackets with rates as low as 2.59 percent for individuals with incomes of up to $26,500 – double that for married couples filing jointly – and as high as 4.5 percent on incomes above $159,000 for individuals and $318,000 for couples.

But it also contains an absolute cap of 4.5 percent on anyone’s income.

That’s designed to help those who are be affected by voter approval of Propo-

see TAX page 10

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NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

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TAX from page 9

sition 208. It imposes a 3.5 percent income tax surcharge on earnings above $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for couples to help raise up to $940 million a year for public education.

But putting in a 4.5 percent overall cap effectively means those high-income individuals will be paying just 1 percent on everything else, with the state using $370 million of other cash to make up the difference.

“So what you’re saying is, all the taxpayers are paying taxes to the state for the services they provide,’’ Cook said.

“But we’re going to take all the taxpayer money, backfill a certain portion of higher earners’ tax bills?” he continued.

“How’s that fair?”

What makes that important to cities is a 1972 state constitutional amendment in which cities gave up the right to levy their own income and excise taxes. In exchange they are supposed to get a share of state income tax dollars.

That share is currently 15 percent of the take, money Boyer said that commu-

nities use to fund police, fire and other vital services.

Both Boyer and Cook say if the state really has all that extra money there are immediate needs.

Their concerns need to be taken into account by Ducey: Republicans have just a one-vote margin in both the House and Senate. And since no Democrat is expected to vote for this plan, the loss of either’s vote dooms the package.

The questions go beyond the reliability of the revenue projections and the claim that the economic stimulus of the tax cuts will be offset that is raising concerns.

“We have $900 million in pension liability debt,’’ Boyer said. And that’s just for the retirement system for police and firefighters.

“I really think it’s prudent to, with all this temporary money that’s floating around, to use that one-time money to pay off our debt, then focus on targeted investments, and then talk about targeted tax reform,’’ Boyer said.

that are open during the day.

For Gilbert Music and Lessons, business is still scarce because people have gotten used to shopping online, said Matt, owner of Gilbert Music and Lessons.

Matt says he wants to increase Gilbert Music and Lessons’ hours, but is unsure if that will be possible because Regal has yet to attract huge crowds.

“All we can do is hope,” Matt said.

Since reopening, Regal Gilbert has been required to follow several new COVID-19 safety protocols under Regal’s “CinemaSafe” program, which was commissioned by the National Association of Theatre Owners in collabora-

tion with leading epidemiologists.

The program requires movie theaters to reduce auditorium capacity, separate groups by at least one empty seat, and require moviegoers to wear masks unless they are actively eating and drinking while seated in the auditorium.

Regal guests have the ability to purchase tickets in advance online or on the Regal mobile app. Now, they can also purchase concession items from the app when in the theatre.

For more information on Regal’s safety protocols or upcoming shows go to regmovies.com. ”

our colleagues don’t all look like us and don’t all understand us.’’

This bill, Quezada said, is a step backwards.

Townsend, however, said she cannot accept the idea of using public funds to teach that any individual is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive based on that person’s race, sex or ethnicity.

Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales, D-Tucson, said avoiding those conversations ignores the realities that many people face in government, in schools and in employment.

“We cannot get rid of racism in this country unless we first acknowledge it, talk about it and come up with solutions to get rid of it,’’ she said.

REGAL from page 7

RACE from page 7

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COMMUNITY

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

11

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@Gilber tSunNews

/Gilber tSunNews

Fundraisers ramping up HD SOUTH ask

BY SRIANTHI PERERA GSN Contributor

H

D SOUTH’s $2 million capital campaign, which took a hit during the pandemic, is getting back on track. Organizers are working with new plans and fresh impetus to raise the remaining $500,000.

“The pandemic definitely waylaid our efforts,” said Adelaida V. Severson, chair of the capital campaign and CEO/ president of the Gilbert-based satellite communication company, Bushtex. “We had hoped to be further along in the process, but won’t stop until we raise the necessary funds.”

The fundraising aims to help the home of the Gilbert Historical Museum, located in the southern end of the Heritage District, be turned into an arts and culture center. Plans call for renovating the 1913 building and construct an

Headshot of Adelaida Severson, chair of the capital campaign. (Courtesy of Adelaida Severson) additional one. The Gilbert Historical Society is a non-profit.

Although organizers had raised $1.5 million previously and just launched the public part of the campaign in Feb-

ruary 2020, momentum waned in the pandemic.

Planned breakfasts and other meetings with potential donors, school outreach, restaurant nights, kickoff and orientation events were postponed or canceled.

“We are in the process of reigniting those efforts,” Severson said.

The process is uphill, but only from the perspective of trying to get back the momentum, she said.

“Thankfully, we live in a very supportive community, so we are once again starting to see some traction on our fundraising,” she added.

From June 6-12, HD SOUTH will benefit from a Gilbert-wide Restaurant Week. Many restaurants, among them Flancer’s, will donate a portion of their weekly proceeds to the center.

In an effort dubbed “Wheels for History,” car dealerships also plan to

donate to the project from June 19-25.

(See hdsouth.org for details for a complete list of participating restaurants and dealerships.)

Commemorative bricks in three sizes are available for purchase for $125, $250 and $1,000; they may be inscribed with a business or person of the donor’s choice. About 90 bricks have been sold so far. Other naming opportunities are also available.

“The majority of the donors are Gilbert/East Valley residents who see the tremendous need for the preservation of our existing facility as well as the stark reality that HD SOUTH offers so many programs and events and has simply outgrown the current space,” Severson said.

Communities are bonded by honoring their history and building for the

see FUNDRAISER page 12

Gilbert girl wins Holocaust writing competition GSN NEWS STAFF

A

Gilbert girl is among the firstplace winners in the Phoenix Holocaust Association’s Student Writing and Art Contest held in honor of its 36th anniversary.

Trinity Zlotoff, who just finished eighth grade at Greenfield School, and the other winners were encouraged to submit original creative work to highlight their personal experiences with a Holocaust survivor or their participation in last year’s Holocaust by Bullets exhibit.

Excerpts from Trinity’s piece, titled “A Story of a Boy in Germany,” follow below: It all happened so sudden, everybody around me started to disappear. My father said they were horrible people so they had to leave. But, they aren’t horrid people. The elderly lady down the street

Greenfield Elementary School graduate Trinity Zlotoff won first place in her age category in a writing contest sponsored by the Phoenix Holocaust Association. (Special to GSN)

used to give me candy every day after school.

That was before the soldier took her away, of course. I told my father about the candy and he became cross with me and screeched about how I was tainted.

I think he said that because the Führer always says they are nasty, diseased people that caused the loss of the war.

I don’t think the elderly lady could’ve done that, so maybe they mistook her for one of those horrible people.

I once asked Mom about how they are so positive that the people were the cause of the loss of the war and she said, “If the Führer said it, it’s true.” She was probably drunk then off some cheap wine. I hate when my mom is drunk, she always mumbles around about how the

see TRINITY page 13

12

COMMUNITY

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

HD SOUTH hosting diversity discussions GSN NEWS STAFF

H

D SOUTH, home of the Gilbert Historical Museum and an arts, culture and history center, has a full lineup of programs for this month.

The programs are led by artists, historians, storytellers, health and wellness specialists, botanists and scientists – experts in their field who share their knowledge and skills with our community.

Originally opened as Gilbert Elementary School in 1913, HD SOUTH is the oldest building still standing in Gilbert and is the only one on the National Register of Historic Places. Gilbert Museum is a repository of artifacts chronicling the town’s rich history, featuring newly remodeled exhibits and interactive displays.

To register, visit hdsouth.org/calendar.

Unless noted otherwise, programs are free but registration is required. All participants will be required to wear facial coverings and adhere to physical distancing guidelines. HD SOUTH is open

FUNDRAISER from page 11

future, said JW Rayhons, president of Gilbert-based Rayhons Financial Solutions, who donated to the project.

“Gilbert has a story,” he said. “Giving to HD SOUTH gives you an opportunity to impact the next chapters in Gilbert’s story.”

The concept that jumpstarted the facility’s growth and necessitated the subsequent building project was launched a few years ago.

Former director Kayla Kolar knew that history museums are outdated in this technologically enhanced world and couldn’t sustain themselves in the long run.

Hence, she oversaw a rebranding of the Gilbert Historical Museum as a multi-faceted arts and culture community center while remaining the keeper of the now more than 100-year-old town’s stories.

Soon after HD South’s 2017 rebranding, the center developed new programming based on health, well-

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Gallery 4 features works by Kids in Focus, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering and inspiring at-risk youth. It encourages children to use photography to build their sense of confidence and value.

Gallery 4 admission is included in the price of museum admission.

JUNE PROGRAMS Lend Your Voice Session 1 6:30-8 p.m. June 1 Session 2 10:30 10:30 a.m.-noon Gilbert leaders are partnering with I&E Consulting and Dr. Lisa Zorita, to conduct an Inclusivity Needs Assessment. All who live, serve or work in Gilbert can and provide input on the following questions: What can Gilbert residents do to encourage a culture of kindness and collaboration? What can be done to address Gilbert’s top diversity needs? What about top disability needs? What can

help people achieve their full potential?

“This is an opportunity to inform discussions and actions to create systemic change and bridge polarizations,” according to an HD SOUTH release.

All input will be anonymous and all sessions will be transcribed and coded for inclusion in the final report with specific inclusivity recommendations and actions.

Other language needs and ADA accommodations are available, contact: inspireconsultantgroup@gmail.com Take Control of Your Health Wednesdays June 9-July 14 9-11:30 a.m.

Register for this online Zoom workshop presented by Dignity Health and HD SOUTH. This 6-week program is for adults with any chronic condition, or anyone interested in improving their overall health and well-being.

Participants can expect to learn about nutrition, exercise, relaxation techniques, fatigue management and more.

Register by June 1. A Laptop, PC, tablet,

HD SOUTH offers programming based on health, wellness, art and history. In a program last February, kids and parents made oil pastel paintings. (Courtesy of HD SOUTH) ness, art and history.

“The new programming has been very well received by the community, and was consistently well attended until early 2020,” Severson said. “We have recently seen an uptick in attendance

and are encouraged by our early 2021 attendance numbers.”

Rayhons has attended some programs and noted that its variety goes beyond history and museums in its appeal.

“HD SOUTH recognizes the impor-

or smart phone with webcam is required.

Vintage clothes June 12 10:30 a.m.-noon.

This is the monthly effort by HD SOUTH to have the public to see artifacts normally not available for public viewing.

This month it will showcase items of vintage clothing spanning decades.

This is an extensive collection of dresses, suits, coats, hats and more.

Museum admission is required to see the display.

Lend Your Voice Strategy Session June 22 6:30-8 p.m This online session will reveal the preliminary results from the Inclusivity Needs Assessment discussion groups.

Participants will fine-tune recommendations and strategies to be included in the final published report. The focus will be solidifying recommendations for addressing Gilbert’s top diversity needs.

All can attend regardless of prior participation. The Zoom link will be sent to registrants prior to the meeting. tance of multi-generational arts and culture activities and how it strengthens our community,” he said. “They have phased in attractive programming with the resources available.”

Generations are coming together as planned.

“We offer a variety of programs and events which encourage multi-generational attendance and participation,” Severson said. “Due to the success of these programs, we are running out of space, competing with ourselves.”

The Neely Community Room at HD SOUTH provides much needed facility rental income to the center. It’s also used for public programs.

“A new building is critical to the ongoing sustainability of the organization and its programming,” she added.

The capital campaign includes preservation of the current Gilbert Historical Museum and construction of a sin-

see FUNDRAISER page13

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

TRINITY from page 11

Führer is perfect and always right.

You couldn’t blame a certain group of people for the loss of a war, it just doesn’t make sense. However, would I voice my notion out loud? No, because what can I do? I am just a 13-year-old boy that nobody takes notice of. Plus, mom and father would grow to be furious with me.

Why?: that is going against the Fuhrer and he is always right. ….

I know I should be happy that Germany is winning, but I just can’t seem to.

Obviously, I am the only one who feels that way because everyone talks about how great the Führer is and how we are going to win the war in no time. But we still haven’t won and it’s the same story every day; the enemy is falling back and we are gaining.

I pondered how much of that is true.

I didn’t have to question long because the sound of the bell ringing broke my worried thoughts. I rushed out of the classroom and into the chilly courtyard, where a thick layer of snow hid the pavement. …

Making sure to avoid eye contact, I

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES AND SUDOKU on Page 42

shoved past my old friends without a word. I had stopped talking to them as a result of them becoming too political.

They made me angry. Why don’t they see that something is wrong? Why do they just go along unquestionably? Perhaps I am jealous that they are normal and don’t question the war and the Führer.

Nodding a few hellos to some soldiers as I made my way home, I forced myself not to grimace at their aloofness and pride. Nearing my house, I saw there was a group of soldiers surrounding my house and some that seemed to be restraining my parents. Panic rushed through me and I ran up closer to my house to see what was going on, but stopped myself.

It would be smarter to hide and see what is happening first. Hastily, I crouched near a bush and observed what was happening. The next moment seemed to be in slow motion, but very quickly, simultaneously. A soldier pulled out a gun and shot my father, right in the head. I could hear my mother’s cries to stop as she crouched down to support my father. But the soldier didn’t care; in

one shot, my mother was down, too. The blood pooling around my parents’ lifeless bodies was dark red, but not as red as the anger that blinded me.

Head spinning and questions racing through my head, I watched in fury as they laughed. My parents were strong supporters of the Nazis and the Führer; this shouldn’t be happening to them! …

Then the thought hit me: they don’t care who you are. They have been doing this for months, right under our noses, but nobody cared to notice. Nobody cared to take action, or they were scared they wouldn’t make a difference. I would be the same as the soldiers if I didn’t try to make a change.

Certainly my parents thought differently than me. I didn’t want them to die. I probably could have convinced them to join a resistance group with me.

Strength and resolve rushed through me as I thought of making a difference. The hatred that I didn’t know I had towards the Nazis strengthened me. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I knew I had to make a difference.

COMMUNITY

FUNDRAISER from page 12

gle-story, multi-purpose building for programs, exhibits, meetings, events and rentals.

The courtyard will be redesigned and upgraded as a space for outdoor entertainment, classes and rentals for weddings, meetings and conferences.

The new 6,500-square-feet building will include ADA compliant restrooms and a kitchen. It will provide the opportunity to host community events as well as future innovative partnerships for arts and culture programming.

Caliente Construction of Tempe has been selected as the builder. Construction will take six to nine months after groundbreaking, which is planned for fall.

Details: hdsouth.org.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

DESERT HILLS CAMPO VERDE HIGH

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Congratulations Class of 2021!

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

Proud Sponsor of the Annual Graduation Section

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

Ottawa gave him a passion for learning

BY SCOTT ALBRIGHT Ottawa University

F

loyd Daniels lost his job unexpectedly in 2013, when his employer closed its Phoenix office. He was 39, had worked his way up to management level with only a high-school education and was now at a crossroads.

He realized that education needed to be his priority, so he decided to pursue an associate’s degree in business administration and enrolled in Everest College.

Nearly two years later, with only two courses left to complete his degree, Everest filed for bankruptcy in 2015 and closed all its campuses nationwide.

“Needless to say, I was devastated and discouraged – I just felt hopeless,” Daniels said “This is when I was introduced to Ottawa University’s Arizona campuses.

I remember meeting with an Ottawa admissions representative, who encouraged me by saying: ‘It’s not over. Let me help you complete your degree.’

“I was defeated at the time, thinking maybe I wasn’t meant for school, so that’s exactly what I needed to hear.”

Daniels took the information shared with him about Ottawa’s flexible, online adult education offerings, which included an opportunity to finish his two outstanding associate’s degree courses and a transfer opportunity to get his bachelor’s degree from Ottawa.

Though he thought of taking a break, he received a call from the admissions department at Ottawa University-Arizona asking if he was ready to finish his education.

“Even though I wasn’t yet convinced

Ottawa University has instilled Floyd Albright with a passion for education. (Courtesy Ottawa University)

about my plan of action, something made me say, ‘Yes, let’s do it.’ By the summer of 2015, I was enrolled and taking my first class at OUAZ’s Phoenix campus.”

Now 41, Daniels was on his way to earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was also working again full-time, putting in a minimum 55 hours per week.

“There were many times I wanted to quit,” Daniels said. “I figured I made good money, so why did I need to continue?

I came to the realization that this was not about the money. It was something I needed to do for myself. Not having a degree and working around many that did make me feel inadequate. This frame of mind really motivated me to push forward.”

In 2017, Daniels experienced what he says was “one of the proudest moments of my life:” He walked the commencement stage after completing his bachelor’s degree.

“I can remember saying, ‘God, please let me get through this,’ and with his grace I did,” Daniels said.

There was something inspiring about the accomplishment and his experience at Ottawa: he wanted more.

“I never would have thought I’d consider pursuing another degree after what it took to get my bachelor’s,” Daniels said. “But that’s exactly what I did. In 2018, at the age of 44, I decided to take the leap once more and get my master’s in leadership from Ottawa.”

Daniels completed his masters in 2019.

He could have just move on to the next chapter in his life.

But he wasn’t quite finished yet.

Ottawa University’s Surprise campus has grown to more than 800 students since it opened in August 2017. (Special to GSN)

“The strangest thing happened, I enrolled yet again!” Daniels said. “This time, I am pursuing a second master’s in human resources. I’m currently in my last two classes which I will complete at the end of April 2021 at the age of 46.

“I won’t say this time that I’m done because, obviously, I have developed a passion for continuing my education.

Ottawa instilled that passion in me, and really changed my life.”

Daniels is the first and only member of his immediate family of eight to have completed any type of degree. He said he will be forever grateful that “Ottawa took a chance on me and allowed me to live up to my potential.”

“It has truly been an honor, and I sing Ottawa’s praises every opportunity I get,” Daniels said.

Founded in 1865, Ottawa University has grown from a single building in Ottawa, Kansas, into a comprehensive educational institution serving more than 5,000 students through its residential campuses in Kansas and Arizona, its adult campuses in those two states and Wisconsin, and online.

Ottawa-University-Arizona (OUAZ) in Surprise opened in August 2017 and since then has grown to more than 800 students.

With its adult campus in Phoenix, Ottawa University has had a footprint in Metro Phoenix since 1977 with more than 8,000 alumni. Nationwide, the university has more than 22,000 graduates.

To learn more about Ottawa University’s Arizona campuses in Phoenix and Surprise, visit ottawa.edu/ouaz or contact an enrollment advisor at 855-5461342 or ouazadmiss@ottawa.edu to set-up an advisory session.

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Hi gley

TOTAL GRADS: 487

HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2021

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERS: $1.6 MILLION

Total with 4.0 GPA or above: 109 Total service hours: 4,845 STEM diplomas: 6 AP Scholar diplomas: 5 National Merit Scholar Commended students: Tiberius Baker, Connor Davis, Aadith Mosur, David Napoli and Laci Simmons-Wollbrink.

President’s Award for Educational Excellence: Laci Simmons-Wollbrinck and Dane Schillingburg President’s Award for Educational Achievement: Jacob Wilson Principals Award for American Citizenship: Jenna Fahs U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award: Quinten Alvarez and Laci SimmonsWollbrinck U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award: Kyle Graville U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence: Jake Barrera Otto and Edna Neely Foundation Scholarship: Connor Bosworth HEA Scholarship: Julie Nutter

VALEDICTORIAN:

TOP 1 PERCENT:

Photos by Lou Coopey

Sabrina Gooch

Tiberius Baker

Parents: Julie and Nathan Baker University: Brigham Young University Major: Software engineering Extracurriculars: Tennis, languages, Honors and AP Classes.

Trent Little

Ashley Nichols

Top 1 percent: Tiberius Baker, Sabrina Gooch, Ashley Nichols and Trent Little.

Top 2 percent: Dean Prach, Emily May, Dane Shillingburg, Bailey Daymo, Matthew Johnston, Tyler Olsen, Kathryn Vo, Trinibi Jack.

Top 5 percent: Blake Oman, Aliya Willis, Ken Wood, Brooke Church, Ive Lile, Kylee Whitmer, Brooklyne Andersen, Rebekka Daymo, Michadel Murphy, Sarai Bush, Aadith Mosur, Aubrey Wengert

d l e i F s m a i CLASS OF 2021 Will HIGH SCHOOL

TOTAL GRADS: 497

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERS: $21.2 MILLION

Local Scholarships Otto and Edna Neely Foundation Scholarship – Michael Delp Ken Vanderhei Memorial Scholarship – Peyton Reese and Michael Delp Friend’s Place Award – Samantha Bell and Will Johnson Students with 4.0 GPA or higher: 102 Advanced STEM diplomas: 13 Summa Cum Laude: Treyci Alonzo, Madison Ford, Kale Rusaw, Julia F. Tinney and Curtis Fisher.

Magna Cum Laude: Isaiah Joy, Peyton Reese, Isaac Rhoden, Rex Maxwell and Analea Poppen.

Cum Laude: Allison Mason, Felicyde Le, Zoe Omtvedt, Madison Begay, Caitlin Evans, Annabella Leach, Matthew Moen, Michael Delp, Jakob Johns and Nancy Fragoso.

Principals Award – Alexandria Harpster and Fisher Curtis U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award – Davin Switzer and Alyssa Colbert U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award – Fisher Curtis U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence – Mikaela Rabago

Hoop of Learning – Madison Begay and Tyler Shurley Tracy Edwards Memorial Scholarship – Ashtyn Goodman Mary Buscema College and Career Ready Scholarship – Mia Cadiz and Jayden Hancock

SUMMA CUM LAUDE:

Curtis Fisher

Photos by Lou Coopey

Madison Ford

Treyci Alonzo

Julia Tinney

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

CLASS OF

2021

Congratulations to the 2021 Graduates of Desert Hills High School!

We are so proud of you, and extremely excited to celebrate your amazing accomplishments! You are all talented in so many ways, and it has been our pleasure and honor at Desert Hills to work with you, and to help you define your career goals. Believe in yourselves and in your endless potential! Graduates, you are going to reframe the future, and we can’t wait to see what you do next!

With great admiration, Dave Miller, Principal Desert Hills High School The Leona Group

2021 DHHS Graduates

1515 S. Val Vista Dr. Gilbert, AZ 85296

DesertHillsHS.com

Josephine Bauer Ciara Bringas Loukas Brown Riley Brown Rhett Browning Xavier Cano Thomas Chen Bennett Cook Uriel Davila Cailin Mei Flora Suraya Freeny Cameron Garcia Cameron Gavis Alisa Georges Justin Gibson

Jacob Haasch Brenna Hansen Raul Herrera Ashley Higginbotham Omar Inzunza Kamron Jonaway Elisha Lane Ella Lehew Benjamin Leon Ariana Lopez Samantha Lopez de Jesus Anna McClellan Kimberly McKinney Leah Mercado Mia Montenegro

Kyler Noe Martha Olivares Eric Pulliam John Pye-Nickerson Dylan Roach Justino Robles Damiand Salazar-Vargas Sydney Shull Angel Silva, Jr. Zachariah Stahnke Richard Starcher Madisen Stewart Talon Stoner Thomas Vosdoganes Marvin Wright

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

s l l i H t r e s e D

HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2021

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERS: $10 MILLION The Desert Hills High School Class of 21 included Josephine Bauer, Ciara Star Bringas, Loukas Brown, Riley Brown, Rhett Browning, Xavier Cano, Thomas Chen, Bennett Cook, Uriel Davila, Cailin Flora, Suraya Freeny, Cameron Garcia, Cameron Gavis, Alisa Georges, Justin Gibson, Bellamy Haasch, Brenna Hansen, Raul Herrera, Ashley Higginbotham, Omar Inzunza, Kamron Jonaway, Elisha Lane, Ella LeHew, BenjamAin Leon, Arianna Lopez, Samantha Lopez, Anna McClellan, Kimberly McKinney, Leah Mercado, Mia Montenegro, Kyler Noe, Martha Olivares, Eric Pulliam, John Pye-Nickerson, Dylan Roach, Tino Robles, Damiand Salazar-Vargas, Sydney Shull, Angel Silva Jr., Zachariah Stahnke, Richard Starcher, Madisen Stewart, Talon Stoner, Thomas Vosdoganes and Marvin Wright. (Courtesy of Desert Hills High School)

Desert Hills recognizes student leaders GSN NEWS STAFF

V

arious Desert Hills High School graduating seniors were recognized this month with special awards.

Cougar Awards The Cougar Awards recognize students for their noteworthy community and school service and are selected by school teachers and staff based on “their leadership, hard work and willingness to put others ahead of themselves in working to improve both the school and surrounding community.”

Because of the pandemic’s impact on ceremonies last year, winners for both 2020 and 2021 were announced at graduation this year.

The 2020 winners include: Caleb Avery Isis Boone Sydney Darnell

Atticus Masterson Dylan Schaffer The 2021 awardees were: Cailin Flora Benjamin Leon Mia Montenegro Kyler Noe Martha Olivares John Pye-Nickerson Justino Robles Talon Stoner Spirit Of Leona Award The Spirit of Leona Award is given each year by The Leona Group to an outstanding graduate who has exemplified hard work, positivity, and persistence in the face of adversity.

This year, two winners were honored for “great perseverance throughout their high school career.”

For 2020, the Spirit of Leona Award Winner is Atticus Masterson.

For 2021, the Spirit Of Leona Award

Winner is Anna McClellan.

2020 Valedictorians Isis Boone Sydney Darnell 2021 Valedictorian Suraya Freeny 2021 Salutatorian Riley Brown Special scholarships This year, Desert Hills awarded scholarships to three grads.

The first Mike Ritter Memorial Art Scholarship recognizes an extremely talented and artistic student. It is named after the late artist Mike Ritter, who worked for Arizona State University’s State Press and the East Valley Tribune, among other publications.

The inaugural scholarship was given to Kyler Noe. “In addition to being an excellent student, Kyler is an accomplished and award-winning wild life photographer who was recently published in the

2021 Rambunctious Press Literary Magazine,” said School Leader Dave Miller.

Exceptional Student Scholarship The Desert Hills Exceptional Student Scholarship went to John Pye-Nickerson. “Throughout his life he has overcome many hardships, but he has remained focused on completing school and accomplishing his life goals, which include working for a railroad someday soon,” Miller said.

Agricultural Scholarship “The Desert Hills farm has grown exponentially over the last few years due to the herculean efforts of Jason Brewer and our hard-working students,” Miller said. “The Desert Hills Agricultural Scholarship was given to Martha Olivares. Martha received this award due to her great work in growing our agricultural program. We have truly enjoyed having Martha, and her goats, as part of the Desert Hills family.”

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SENIORS

Celebrating you, your accomplishments, and bright futures!

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

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s n o i t a l u t a r g n o C

GATEWAY 32 S Center St, Mesa, AZ 85210 • (480) 969-5641• hamesa.com

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

s e t a u d Gra

MESA 19705 E Germann Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 • (480) 461-4400 • hagateway.com

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Heritage

ACADEMY

CLASS OF 2021

TOTAL GRADS: 84 TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERS: $1.04 MILLION

HONORED SCHOLARS:

Yissel Hernandez Parent: Anielka Castrillo Degrees: Associate of Arts and General Studies Associate (Gateway Campus) University: Arizona State University Major: Forensic psychology Extracurriculars/awards: ACE program, dance company and National Honor Society

Ashton Hyde Parents: Alan and Kathy Hyde Degrees: Associate of Arts and General Studies Associate (Gateway campus) University: likely ASU Extracurriculars/awards: Ayn Rand Essay Contest finalist, English Distinction, senior class president, Student Council, National Honor Society.

Kylie Bartel Parents: Brent and Stephanie Bartel University: Benedictine University Extracurriculars/awards: Achievements: Girls volleyball 2019 C.A.A. Player of the Year, 2019 C.A.A. First Team All-State, 2020 C.A.A. First Team All-State, Best in Show Art winner, George Washington Outstanding Senior Award, National Honor Society.

Heritage’s partnership with Rio Salado helps seniors

BY KATHLEEN LOPEZ Heritage Academy Principal

N

early half of Heritage Academy’s graduating seniors found themselves not only with their high school diploma, but also with an associate degree from Rio Salado College.

These 35 of 83 Gateway campus seniors worked tirelessly over their four years in high school to earn their associates through the school’s prestigious dual enrollment program.

This program gives students the opportunity to further their education by starting college classes in high school. This is a popular program

among students, with 42 percent of this year’s graduating class receiving college degrees, compared to the national average which is only 11 percent.

Jacob Pieczynski, 16, said, “It is a fantastic opportunity for students. The school has a great relationship with Rio Salado College that made it really easy to take courses. The credits transferred easily and the program was cheap. I’m so glad I was able to be part of it.”

Over the past nine years of this particular partnership, this dual-enrollment program has helped students of all backgrounds further their education, save years of their life, as well as saving a lot of money.

Even for the students not receiving an associate degree, the dual-enrollment program offered by Heritage Academy is matched by few other schools. The program gives students the opportunity to earn college credits at a far lower cost while taking their normal high school courses.

The program gives students an affordable option to earn college credits. For example, it costs $85 per credit hour through Rio Salado2, compared to a minimum of $561 per credit hour at Arizona State University Online.

From this, we estimate that students at just this one Heritage campus are saving a combined $571,135 this cur-

rent semester with 303 total students taking a total of 1109 credits.

Graduating concurrently with an associate’s degree is a difficult feat and significant accomplishment for any student to complete.

Senior Alyssa Fears shared the benefits of the program for her: “I think the concurrent enrollment is a great program for high school students to get ahead in their college education. I saved money and time participating in the dual-enrollment classes.

“I love the smaller class size for the classes I was getting college credit for.

My teachers were very supportive and available to help when I needed it.”

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Congratulations Spartan Class of 2021!

Graduation is not the end of a tough journey.

It is the beginning of a beautiful one.

The faculty and staff of Gilbert Classical Academy is proud of your perseverance and accomplishments. We wish you every success in your bright future.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

Hi ghland CLASS OF 2021 HIGH SCHOOL

TOTAL GRADS: 826

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS VALUE: $16 MILLION

Students with 4.0 GPA or higher: 176 Total service hours: 16,000 STEM diplomas: 8 Gilbert Education Foundation Power of One: Jessica Sobel Homa & Irene Wood Foundation Scholars: Tania Alegria, Ruiqi Song, Makayla Kantarze-Flores and Vivian Le Otto and Edna Neely Foundation Scholar: Katie Collins National Merit Finalists: Jason Calalang, Isaac Root and Marianne Wood National Hispanic Scholar: Alyvia Esquibel Flinn Scholarship Finalist: Hanaan Abdulle Dorrance Scholars: Anaya Henderson and Isabella DeClair

VALEDICTORIAN:

Lucas Shaw Parents: Jessica Pura Shaw and Kevin Shaw University: Cornell University Major: Computer science

SALUTATORIANS:

Jackson Daggett

Jason Calalang

Parents: Marya and Michael Langford University: Carnegie Mellon University Major: Computer science Extracurriculars: STEM Club co-president

Parents: Terri and Ignatius L. Calalang University: Boston University Major: Engineering Extracurriculars: STEM Club co-president, Robotics Club

GOLDEN SCHOLARS: Hanaan Abdule, Ashley Adams, Elisa Ahlstrom, Tania Alegria, Story Alexander, Paris Alsammarie, Caitlyn Ashdown, Kaleigh Backlund, Lincoln Barnes, Kali Baugh, Alexandria Beadle, Amelia Bent, Linnea Berggren-Lysaught, Samia Bhakta, Aubry Bishop, Jeremy Bowen, Olivia Boyer, Evan Bradley, Blake Broadbent, Sarah Burkett, Jason Calalang, Ashley Cameron, Alicia Canez, Emma Carpenter, Skylar Catania, Caleb Chilton; Also, Alexis Christopher, Audrey Cluff, Lincoln Coleman, Katie Collins, Melisa Contreras Juarez,

Victoria Cook, Colby Coray, Emma Cornell, Elijah Cowart, Karlee Crandall, Crissa Crawfor, Kyndle Crawford, Mackenzie Crotts, Madison Cullinan, Morgan Cullinan, Ashley Curtis; Also, Jackson Daggett, Brayden Dahl, Annelise Dana, Connor Davidson, Marina Dear, Trinity Decker, Nicholas Diaz, Juliet Dickerson, Elyse Dilbeck Stover, Tina Dolezal, Jaden Downs, Luis Duarte, Hannah Ducasse, Joseph Duncan, Kayla Eastridge, Alisha Ellsworth, Carson Ellsworth, Drew Enos, Brandon Ericson, Alyvia Esquibel; Also, Remi Evans, Donovan

Felice, Lara Claire Ferrer, Emma Finchum, Pelaki Foliaki, Kelly Frazier, Jennifer Gamma, Lindsay Garner, Anemise Gower, Trevor Grenier, Sevilla Groebe, Seth Gummel, Ethan Hacker, Carson Hagen, Charly Hallsted, Selin Hanci, Ashlyn Hancock, Elizabeth Hannah, Benjamin Hanson; Also Brynna Harkey, Sophia Harnish, Hannah Harvey, Taira Hauptli, Matthew Heidenblut, Anaya Henderson, Brooke Hester, Halle Heussner, Ethan Hill, Delia Hintz, Anna Hogle, Kylee Holstad, Alivia Homsey, Bailey Homsey, Mya Hotchkiss, Gabriela Hunt Madariaga,

Matthew Jensen, Alison Jepson; Also, Amanda Johnsen, Lilian Johnson, Cody Johnston, Ashley Jones, Austin Jorgenson, Diego Juarez, Derick Kaps, Adam Karaffa, Sadie Khalil, Logan Kingsford, Sophia Koutsogiannis, Aidan Labut, Katie Lalime, Annie Larson, Abbey Lashley, Kendra Layton, Shayla Le, Vivian Le, Gordon Lee, Kylonna Leevy, Jhoanna Lopez Larios, Alyssa Love, Cameron Lowe; Also, Gwenyth Lund, Katherine Lunsman, Lauren Lunt, Cameron Macdonald, Mya Magyar,

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HIGH SCHOOL e g d i R t r e s De CLASS OF 2021 TOTAL GRADS: 653 TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS VALUE: $12.5 MILLION

Total with a GPA of at least 4.0: 153 15 Diploma Arts Seals

SALUTATORIANS:

Adelyn Dao

University: ASU Barrett, The Honors College Major: Medicinal biochemistry Extracurriculars: Orchestra, student-leader at HiWay Baptist Church

Cooper McDaniel

VALEDICTORIAN:

University: Ole Miss Major: Accounting Extracurriculars: Football, soccer, club soccer, tennis, National Honor Society

Petrece Barrios University: University of Arizona Major: Pharmaceutical sciences Extracurriculars: Volunteers on own time

Abigail Dirks

University: Arizona State University Major: Biomedical sciences Extracurriculars: National Honors Society, Best Buddies, youth leader at church.

HIGHLAND from page g16

Aidan Matthews, Harrison Maxwell, Megan McConaghie, Daniel McLaws, Sydney Menden, Porter Merrill, Benjamin Millet, Cameron Millican, Carl Mitchell, Joseph Morris, Sara Morris, Trystan Muhlestein, Elise Nautu, Adam Nelson, Rylee Nelson, Gideon Newitt, April Nguyen, Hieu Nguyen, Gavin Nielsen, Matthew Nielsen, Susan Nyirenda, Sean Olson, Louis Osuna, Brett Page, Natalie Palmer, Hannah Palmisano; Also, Jadyn Parkinson, Andrew

Petersen, Ella Peterson , Jaelyn Peterson, Kaylee Picthall, Elijah Poelman, Ellison Pomeroy, Kalli Pope, Tatum Porter, Eliza Powell, Kaylah Preece, Sydney Preston, Hieu Quach, Aleck Rettew, Brayden Reynolds, Alec Rinsem, Cade Robison, Leah Rohr, Isaac Root, Tieyah Rosier, Ashlynn Rotar, Rohan Saju, Carlee Schield, Sophia Schuster, Caleb Schwendiman, Lucas Shaw, Kara Sierka; Also, Tate Singleton, Taylor Siren, Garrett Sisk, Alexia Slaughter,

Arianna Smith, Emily Smith, Amy Snow, Ashlyn Snow, Brady Soldner, Luke Stapley, Emma Stenmark, Lindsey Stevens, Isabella Stewart, Jake Stitcher, Emma Stout, Qaisar Sulaiman, Lindsey Sutton, Brooke Swayze, Allison Teague, Kyle Tenney, Grace Terberg, Allyssa Thomas, Katie Torgersen, Elizabeth Thurmond, Khang Tran, Makenna Trapani, Straton Treseder, Paige Van Arsdale, Ian Van Rooyen, Jacqueline Vargas, Matthew Vaughn, Monserrat Villicana-

Hernandez, Emma Walker, Ryan Walker, Walker Wallentine, Benjamin Warshaw, Nathaniel Warshaw, Norah Washington, Katrina White, Zane Whitener, Aubree Whiting, Hannah Whiting, Hailey Wilkerson, Thomas Wilkins, Ashley Wilkinson, Kennedy Williams, Delainie Wiltbank, Marianne Wood, Addyson Woodman, Abby Zimmerman and Ryleigh Zuccato.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

ACADEMY l a c i s s a l C Gilb ert CLASS OF 2021 TOTAL GRADS: 76

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS VALUE: $7.1 MILLION

Students with 4.0 or above: 65 Total service hours: 6,080 National Merit Scholar: Mathew Hanna Air Force ROTC Scholarship: Derek Scandrett Wood Scholar: Eman Massoud Questbridge Scholarship: Ananya Kodali Obama Scholarship: Yasmine Sleiman, Shuat Islam

VALEDICTORIANS:

Ruth Gailey

Parents: Tim and Clarisa Gailey University: Arizona State University Major: Engineering Extracurriculars/awards: Varsity women’s soccer three years, team captain in junior year; Music Council secretary, two years; Latin Club and varsity cross country, one year each; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints three years; Golden Scholar, National Latin III Exam Gold Medalist as a freshman and bronze medalist as a sophomore; National Latin IV Writing Recognition and Latin Etymology Medalist as a sophomore.

Ethan Quinones Peterson Parents: James Surdyk & Perla Quinones University: Arizona State University Extracurriculars/awards: National Honor Society, JV boys basketball, varsity track and field, Academic Decathlon, Future Doctors Club, Spanish Club, Mu Alpha Theta Club, middle school math tutor.

Geoffrey Xue

Parents: Rong Xue and Haige Qian University: Ohio State University Major: Biology Extracurriculars/awards: JV and high school varsity tennis; orchestra, ceramics at Mesa Arts Center, Empty Bowls and other charitable fundraisers, Future Doctors Club president, planned three blood drives, Student Senate, Bring Change to Mind co-founder and copresident.

Eugenia Trakal

Parents: Ladislao and Laura Trakal University: ASU Major: Finance Extracurriculars/awards: East Valley Youth Symphony, Youth Symphony of the Southwest, National Junior Classical League, Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society secretary, Ambassadors Club, Latin Club, varsity girls tennis team co-captain, violin, U.S. Tennis Association, National Honor Society, Gilbert Classical Academy Quartet, Arizona Music Educators Association Central Regional Orchestra, Music Council, Spanish Club, SAT Prep Club, Spartan Athlete Leadership Team, founder and president of Spanish Club, Music Council secretary, head of Inventory Committee of Music Council, co-founder and secretary of SAT Prep Club, secretary of Spartan Athlete Leadership Team.

Mathew Hanna

Parents: George & Heba Hanna University: University of Arizona Major: Biology Extracurriculars/awards: National Honor Society, Future Doctors Club, National Latin Honor Society, National Junior Classical League, Mu-Alpha-Theta Club historian, Student Senate, varsity swim team, JV tennis team, tutor in biology, Latin and math; Science Fair first and third place winner; National Latin Exam Summa Cum Laude and Cum Honore Maxima Egregio; National Etymology Exam gold medal winner, National Creative Writing Exam first place; first place in Chandler Gilbert Community College’ Level II Excellence in Mathematics Group Project.

Evelyn deVos

Parents: James and Kelly deVos College: Wellesley College Major: Political science Extracurriculars/awards: Speech & Debate, Activism for Our Lives, National Honor Society, Ambassadors’ Club, Mu Alpha Theta, founded and managed Gender Sexuality Acceptance Club, GCA Student Music Council committee chair, first place in 2015 Mesa Public Schools Voices writing Competition, 2015 Math Olympiad Award Winner.

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e d r e V o p Cam CLASS OF 2021

HIGH SCHOOL

TOTAL GRADS: 522

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS VALUE: $13.8 MILLION

Total students with GPA of 4.0 or higher: 115 Total service hours: 43,765 AP Capstone Diploma recipients: Ethan Baum, Kaitlyn Bowe, Elizabeth Brooks, Jencey Dole, Adyson Fater, Luis Galaz, Brandon Hughes, Hailey McCrea, Nathaniel McMullen, Alyssa Pomykala, Cody Vasquez and Daniel Zhu.

VALEDICTORIAN:

Elizabeth Brooks Parents: Brent and Julie Brooks University: Arizona State University Barrett, The Honors College.

Extracurriculars: Varsity Track and Cross Country, National Spanish Honor Society, Journalism Club President, hiking and backpacking, playing bass guitar.

COYOTE EXCELLENCE AWARD

SALUTATORIANS:

Jacob Cox Parents: Curtis and Manola Cox University: Arizona State University

Victoria Marie Mask Parents: Joseph and Kimberly Mask University: Undecided Extracurriculars: Track and field, cross country, piano, National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, Journalism Club

Given to a senior who embodies Campo Verde’s core beliefs of community, values, honor and scholarship.

Cody Vasquez Parents: Tim and Julie Vasquez University: Harvard Extracurriculars: Student Body president, Key Club co-president, National Honor Society vice president, SHS voice representative, Radiate (No Place for Hate) trainer and secretary, V.O.I.C.E. facilitator, link crew.

Madeline Weilan Moyer

Parents: Kenneth and Jude Moyer University: University of Richmond Extracurriculars: National Honor Society, Key Club

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eL adin g Ed ge CLASS OF 2021 ACADEMY

TOTAL GRADS: 53

Salutes the Class of 2021 and Graduates!!

!

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERS: $670,000

Grads with 4.0 GPA or higher: 20 Spartan of the Year: Nathaniel Bush

VALEDICTORIAN:

s n o i t a l u t a r Con g

Service Learning Award: Audrey Cobos Academic Excellence: Madison Pianalto

SALUTATORIAN:

Joshua Hall

Parents: David and Cari Hall University: University of Arizona Major: Mathematics Extracurriculars/awards: National Merit Honor Award and Scholarship

Rachel Lawson Parents: Henri and Eve Lawson University: Arizona State University Major: Biochemistry

VALEDICTORIANS from page g19

Benjamin Ash

Parents: Deron and Noelle Ash University: ASU Major: Liberal arts and sciences.

Extracurriculars/awards: Golden Scholar, AZ State Intel Science Fair first and second place winner, National Latin Exam silver and gold medalist, National Classical Etymology Exam gold medal, ChandlerGilbert Community College Math Competition winner, Student Senate, National Honor Society secretary, Peer Tutoring president, Bring Change to Mind Club, Feed My Starving Children, Elder Home volunteer, Latin National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Political Studies Club, Latin Club.

Shabib Huq

Parents: Ehteshamul and Sadia Huq University: ASU Extracurriculars/awards: JV basketball captain, varsity track, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, National Latin Exam gold and silver medalist.

Kristoffer Amerman

Parent: David Amerman University: Northeastern University, Major: Computer science/cognitive psychology Extracurriculars/awards: Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society president, National Honor Society, AI4ALL, Robotics Club, March for Our Lives, Student Senate, Future Doctors Club, Latin Club, varsity soccer, multiple awards in school and science fairs.

Kristen Schmidt

Parents: Eric and Stacy Schmidt University: University of Washington Major: Biology Extracurriculars/awards: National Honor Society Student Senate, Mu Alpha Theta, Future Doctors Club, varsity girls soccer, Academic Decathlon, SAT Prep Club, Spirit Store Club, Latin Club.

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Gilb ert CLASS OF 2021 HIGH SCHOOL

TOTAL GRADS: 505

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERS: $12.7 MILLION

Students with GPA of 4.0 or better: 136

Total service hours: 3,098

VALEDICTORIAN:

SALUTATORIANS:

Martha Ashlyn McKendrick

Parents: Tamara and Brent McKendrick University: Brigham Young University Major: Chemical engineering Extracurriculars: Track, Cross Country, Math Club president, National Honor Society, National History Honor Society president, Science National Honor Society vice president, Environmental Action Club, Ultimate Frisbee Club.

Mesquite

TOTAL GRADS: 334

Seal of Arts Proficiency: 8

Victoria Marie Mask

Parents: Joseph and Kimberly Mask University: Undecided Extracurriculars: Track and field, cross country, piano, National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, Journalism Club

Camryn Jean Neal

Parents: Shelly and Mark Neal University: Columbia University Major: Political science Extracurriculars: Varsity soccer and softball, Environmental Action Club, Tiger Crew

HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2021

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERS: $13.2 MILLION

Grads with GPA of 4.0 or above: 63 National Merit Finalists: Donovan Harp and Hongtao Liu National Merit Scholarship Commendation: Zachary Turner National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar: Sabrina Farias Arizona FFA Meats Evaluation: Kaitlyn Engelstad All State Honor Choir: Nathan Romero, All-Region Defensive Player of the Year Softball: Gianna Memoli

VALEDICTORIAN:

Jennifer Tran

Parents: Khoa Tran and Thu Le University: Brown University Major: Sociology and statistics Extracurriculars/awards: Flinn Scholarship awardee, AP Scholar with Distinction, Golden Scholar, Speech and Debate Team, Power To The Period Arizona founder, UNICEF Club, National Honor Society and #Fight4HER Arizona.

Desert Sky Region Defensive Player of the Year Soccer: Keahi Hsu, Desert Sky Region Defensive Player of the Year Girls Soccer: Hope Ruiz, Desert Sky Region Co-Player of the Year: Hope Ruiz All-American Offensive Player of the Year Football: Ty Thompson, Ed Doherty Award Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club: Ty Thompson Desert Sky Region Player of the Year Football: Ty Thompson State Champion Badminton Singles: Sabrina Farias

SALUTATORIANS:

Mallory Dolan

Parents: Tim and Mindi Dolan University: University of Arizona Honors College Major: Biology Extracurriculars/awards: Wildcat Spirit Award, Golden Scholar, cheer, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society.

Hongtao Liu

Parent: Amber Gao University: Johns Hopkins University Extracurriculars/awards: FBLA Digital Video Production State, first place; FBLA Mobile Application Development State, first place; National AP Scholar, National Merit Finalist, SSP Biochemistry IU 2020 Alumni, piano and violin, wrestling.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

H I G H L A N D H AW K

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Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

Melinda Murphy Principal Highland High School

Valedictorian

DI

Thank you for all you have given to our community and we wish you nothing but the best as you rise and soar from this nest to the next.

Jackson Daggett

8

My wish for each of you is that you take the lessons learned at Highland in the classrooms, in the hallways, on the courts and fields, and on the stage and use them to make the world a better place.

Extend grace where grace is needed, give back where you can, and work to make a difference.

Remember that we are always stronger together than apart.

Jason Calalang

C

Congratulations! You are on your way to new adventures.

The best that life has to offer is waiting out there and is yours for the taking.

While the challenges of the last year are new in the sense that we navigated through uncharted territory, what is also true is that life will continue to offer you challenges.

How you choose to face the obstacles that come your way determines if you will come out stronger and better than before.

You've shown us that resilience is a gift you possess and we are confident that you have the shoulders to carry us forward as you take your place in the world.

Lucas Shaw

S

Dear Class of 2021,

BUSINESS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

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Gilbert physician treats first responders

BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE GSN Staff Writer

A

Gilbert naturopathic physician devoted two days earlier this month to give free body contouring treatments to first responders.

Dr. J.D. McCoy was among a number of doctors nationwide who partnered with BTL Aesthetics to provide complementary Emsculpt and Emsculpt NEO treatments to first responders and healthcare workers.

He said he treated 10 first responders with the non-invasive body contouring treatments in hopes of giving back to and reinvigorating those who stood on the frontlines of the pandemic.

“The last year has been a huge physical and emotional toll on frontline workers,” McCoy said. “When you’re in an environment where you’re giving and giving it’s exhausting. I want them to actually receive something complementary in return as an acknowledgement of their hard work and contribu-

HIFEM technology to build muscle and sculpt the body within a 30-minute session.

Last year, Emsculpt NEO expanded Emsculpt’s capabilities by delivering heat and magnetic energy for more fat reduction and muscle growth in hard to target areas like the abdominals and buttocks.

Clinical studies have shown that, on average, patients experience a 30 percent fat reduction and 25 percent increase in muscle mass, according to BTL Aesthetics. Emsculpt Neo users achieve the equivalent of 12-16 weeks of high intenGilbert doctor Dr. J.D. McCoy applies an Emsculpt NEO sity interval training (HIIT) treatment. (Special to GSN) in just four sessions.

McCoy has been practicing tion to the community.” aesthetic medicine since 2003 and says Emsculpt therapy launched in 2018 and that he improves internal health and was the first and only treatment to use enhances external appearance to help

his patients look and feel good.

“Whether it’s building confidence or even just making someone feel more like the version of themselves that they want to see in the mirror, my hope is that this treatment matches with the vision and purpose of Contour Medical, which is to change people’s lives from the inside out,” McCoy said.

The grueling year for nurses, doctors, and first responder staff has taken a toll on their bodies, McCoy said. The Emsculpt NEO treatments will build and strengthen their muscle while reducing fat, which will allow them to return to the front lines feeling rejuvenated.

“My hope is that they see not just a cosmetic benefit, but also a physical benefit because the treatment improves the core function and strength of your muscles, which are incredibly important when you’re standing and working all day,” McCoy said.

Information: contourmedical.com.

low and behold I stuck with the punk rock theme because I’ve always been into music and the punk rock scene,” Herrera said.

So, Herrera grew out his goatee, stopped hiding his tattoos and tied in his love for music into his marketing and career.

Herrera says that he has been into the punk rock music scene since he was 13.

When he later went to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, he dove into it because he met many musicians there.

He used his 3D animation, special effects, fine art, and illustration skills to work with bands in producing their CD covers and flyers.

After graduating, Herrera found that art doesn’t pay the bills and ended up working in the automotive industry for about 10 years, he said.

When he sold his own home and made a considerable profit, he researched the housing market and became a licensed real estate agent.

“What I love about real estate is that you get to build lasting relationships and get to know people,” he said.

Herrera encourages everyone, especially his two children, to be themselves.

“Don’t put on a show and be somebody you’re not,” Herrera said.

Gilbert Realtor finds punk rock works for him

BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE GSN Staff Writer

M

eet Michael Herrera, Arizona’s first “punk rock Realtor.”

Herrera ditched the traditional real estate agent route by swapping a suit and tie for piercings and tattoos.

“I felt very uncomfortable in my skin when I first started selling real estate,” Herrera said. “Once I let go of that and started being myself, my business grew.”

Herrera has been working at Homie in real estate for six years and has learned that being your authentic self is the best method for success.

When Herrera moved from California to Arizona and entered the real estate business, he shaved, took out his piercings, covered his tattoos and acted how he thought formal real estate agents should, Herrera said.

“I was trying to conform to what other people were telling me to do and how I should run my business and that’s where it went wrong,” Herrera said.

During Herrera’s business struggles, his wife reminded him of who he was when she met him: He was a punk rocker who didn’t care what people said or thought of him.

“I had to go back to being myself and

40

SPORTS

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Gilbert Grit flag football team ends regular season undefeated

BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

I

t’s hard for Aaron Kolodny to describe how proud he is of the players on his flag football team. They worked hard throughout the spring and it paid off in the form of an undefeated regular season.

The Gilbert Grit, as they’re called, ran the table in one of the toughest 14U flag football divisions in the Gridiron Football League, formerly known as the East Valley Flag Football League. The Grit’s success came with a combination of a high-powered offense and lockdown defense, as they outscored opponents 204107 during the season.

Kolodny said the team’s chemistry also played a role in their success.

“Several boys are returning players,” Kolodny said. “We aren’t a club team like most the teams we face, but some of the boys return to their roots when they have time between their other sports obligations and can make time to get back to their old squad for some fun.

Back Row: Coach Russ Hines, coach Mike, Brock Seiber, David Numrich, Sean McMahon, Jaxon Castro, Andrew Hines, coach Aaron Kolodny. Front Row: Britton DeWitt, Noah Piovesan, Ari Kolodny, Cael Randall, Mark Sanchez. The Gilbert Grit 14U flag football team finished the regular season undefeated before falling in the first round of the postseason tournament. (Pablo Robles/GSN Staff) “They gelled as a group really well with the new players and we have simple but effective coaching strategies we have

fine-tuned over the years.”

The Grit were the only team to finish undefeated in their division and were

only threatened by one opponent all year long. As a result, the Grit entered into a four-team, winner-take-all tournament last weekend at Discovery Park in Gilbert.

However, the games were shortened by a half, leading little room for error.

Kolodny said his team struggled to find a consistent rhythm and felt the pressure of the shortened game clock. The Grit fell in the first round to the Flight.

“I was prepared with excuse after excuse, some of which are relevant, even to folks without my bias, the biggest being the shortened game time,” Kolodny said.

“But Flight was better prepared than we were, executed better on the field and had an overall better game plan.”

Kolodny said the team had expectations to win all season. But he couldn’t help but be a bit surprised by their undefeated record.

The second-ranked team in the tournament was one that challenged the Grit in the regular season. Kolodny said the game

see

GRIT page 41

Gilbert seniors help teams contend for state titles

BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

T

he 2020-21 school year presented an opportunity to achieve redemption for many Gilbert senior athletes after the pandemic forced the cancellation of the spring season in 2020.

Leading into the fall season, when COVID-19 case metrics reached a high last summer, the focus of many athletes shifted from their what they would do once they get on the field or court to whether they would be able to play at all. The Arizona Interscholastic Association ultimately gave the green light for all sports to go on in condensed seasons, and athletes took advantage.

Mesquite senior Eric Lira was searching for an opportunity after Phoenix Union and Central High School’s football season was initially canceled due to the pandemic. Lira transferred to Mesquite High School where he teamed up with senior standout quarterback and Oregon signee Ty Thompson. Together, the two created one of the best quarterback-wide receiver tandems in the state Perry senior Makayla Long capped off her high school as they led the Wildcats to throwing career with state championships in the discus and their second straight 4A shot-put. (Zach Alvira/GSN Staff) championship.

Lira did not have any offers entering his senior season. But after catching 54 passes for 1,124 yards and 16 touchdowns – including the game-winner in the championship – he signed to continue his career at Southwest Minnesota State University.

“I wanted to play my heart out and leave it all on the field,” Lira said. “Hopefully, we would come out with a ring and that’s what we did. I’m thankful for everybody who helped me out.”

For the first time in program history, Highland found itself contending for a state championship. The Hawks navigated through a gauntlet of a schedule, fac-

see

SPORTS page 41

SPORTS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

GRIT from page 40

came down to the wire and his team managed to pull off the win in a close contest.

The two would have matched up again in the championship game as they were on opposite sides of the bracket.

Regardless of the outcome of the tournament, Kolodny was proud of all his boys accomplished. Part of what has made this season special was his ability to share it with his son, Ari. The two have roamed the sidelines together since Ari was just 3 years old.

They’ve won a countless number of games together and championships at lower levels of flag football. Through the years, he’s also seen Ari mature as a competitor who respects his opponents but will do what it takes to help his team succeed.

Many other players on the Grit share that same mindset, including those who also have parents coaching the team.

Aside from Ari’s overall talent, his sportsmanship is what Kolodny said is what

SPORTS from page 40

ing the likes of Chandler, Hamilton and Queen Creek. Highland fell in the 6A title game to Chaparral, but the senior leaders on the team set the foundation for another potential run for the Hawks in 2021.

Ammon Allen, a standout student and safety for Highland, signed to play for the University of Arizona next fall. Allen was the captain of a stingy Highland defense alongside standout linebacker Kam Cullimore. On offense, senior running back Max Davis, who became the program’s all-time leading rusher this past year, also made an impact. The three represented the Highland football program well, with Allen receiving the Marquis Cooper Scholarship, given to a player who stands out as a role model on and off the field.

Allen received $3,000 to go toward education, books or other college supplies as part of the award, which is in honor of a former Hawk who tragically died in a boating accident in 2009.

“It was amazing,” Allen said after receiving the award. “It’s a complete honor and I’m grateful my coaches see me as that great of a young man. I hope the players and people I meet also see me as that.”

The accolades obtained by Gilbert athletes extend well-beyond the gridiron.

boys have ‘found their voice,’ so to speak, which can be good or bad.

“You won’t find Ari celebrating after a score or degrading another player if he makes a play on them, that’s just not who he is.”

As the Grit prepared for last weekend’s tournament, Kolodny Aaron Kolodny, the head coach of the Gilbert Grit 14U flag football team, coached the program to an undefeated regular reflected on his time coaching Ari and the season in their age group this season. (Pablo Robles/GSN Staff) rest of the team. It was a rewarding experience being able to coach alongside sets him apart.

“He’s always been a skilled player and friends he has made through youth flag he wins with grace,” Kolodny said. “He’s football over the years.

Despite the outcome, he remains pretty quiet, lets his work on the field do the talking. But everything he does, thankful to have the opportunity to he does with respect. At this age, most coach the team. Year-after-year, Kolodny

The Mesquite football team, led by seniors Ty Thompson and Eric Lira, captured its second straight 4A state championship in 2020. (Zac BonDurant/GSN Staff) Mesquite senior Sabrina Farias was crowned the badminton singles champion, while the Gilbert boys’ cross country team placed first overall in Division II. The Perry badminton team, a perennial power in Division I, captured its fourth straight championship in 2020. Kate Macpherson, Ashley Rodarte and Adrianna Ramos, three seniors on the Perry badminton roster, end their careers with

four championships under their belt.

Rodarte captured the last point to seal the championship win.

“This was a really cool moment to win the last point for our team and win another championship, this is unreal,” she said.

The winter sports season was capped off by the Campo Verde girls’ soccer program, which won the 5A state championship in an upset over top-ranked Casteel.

41

and his coaches come together for another year. This time, however, as most of the players prepare to enter high school, a return is not set in stone. Several players, including Kolodny’s son, will attend Basha in the fall and play for the Bears.

Even if they step away from flag football and focus on 11-man tackle, Kolodny knows they will be prepared.

“I’m very blessed to be able to be a part of what these (now) young men are achieving,” Kolodny said. “The fact that I get to do it with coach Russ (Hines) and coach Mike (Lewis)is icing on the cake.

“We couldn’t be prouder of what our boys have accomplished. To go undefeated and be the division champions in a league like this, particularly when your team is comprised of mostly younger boys, is quite a feat.

“I’m looking forward to cheering them on next season when they hit the field as Bears.”

Senior goalkeeper Kayla Caballero gave up just one goal to the Colts and had eight total saves in the win.

Much like the fall and winter, Gilbert athletes shined in the spring.

The Perry boys’ volleyball program, led by senior captain Camden Neimann, ran the table this season and finished 21-0 with the final win in the 6A championship game. The Pumas, ranked No. 1 overall in the state, were also the topranked team in the country, according to MaxPreps.

While the Perry boys celebrated their championship on May 15, senior Makayla Long had a celebration of her own after capping off her discus and shot-put career with two state titles.

Long had been the top-ranked thrower all season and entered the state meet with a bit of a chip on her shoulder after her personal and state record throw of 53-feet, 3.5 inches still wasn’t made official. She used that as motivation to throw 50-feet, 8 inches in the shot-put and 162-feet in the discus to win gold in both events.

“I’ve come up short in year’s past so to finally have it in the bag feels awesome,” Long said.

SPORTS

42

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

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Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

✔ Carpentry

Job Too Marks the Spot for“No ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks Painting • Flooring • Electrical Small “No Job Too Man!” ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Small Man!” Decks • Tile • More!

rk Since 1999 Affordable, Quality Wo 1999 rk SinceBSMALLMAN@Q.COM Wo y alit Qu e, abl ord Aff

✔ Kitchens

✔ Bathrooms 2010, 2011 2012, “No 2013, Job Too And More!

2010, 2011 Small Man!” 2014 2012, 2013, 2014 Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ NotResident a Licensed Contractor 1999 Since Ahwatukee / References Work ty

Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Affordable, Quali

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor Insured / Not aCall Licensed Contractor Bruce at 602.670.7038

2010, 2011 2012, 2013, 2014

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

Hauling

• Furniture • Appliances • Mattresses • Televisions • Garage Clean-Out • Construction Debris

• Old Paint & Chems.

• Yard Waste • Concrete Slab • Remodeling Debris • Old Tires

Home Improvement

Glass/Mirror

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Call 480.898.6465

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

HOME REMODELING REPAIRS & CUSTOM INTERIOR PAINTING Move a wall; turn a door into a window.

From small jobs and repairs to room additions, I do it all.

Precision interior painting, carpentry, drywall, tile, windows, doors, skylights, electrical, fans, plumbing and more.

All trades done by hands-on General Contractor.

Friendly, artistic, intelligent, honest and affordable.

40 years' experience.

Call Ron Wolfgang Pleas text or leave message Cell 602-628-9653 Wolfgang Construction Inc. Licensed & Bonded ROC 124934

Home Improvement

General Contracting, Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC118198

One Call, We Do It All! 602-339-4766 Owner Does All Work, All Honey-Do Lists All Remodeling, Additions, Kitchen, Bath, Patio Covers, Garage, Sheds, Windows, Doors, Drywall & Roofing Repairs, Painting, All Plumbing, Electrical, Concrete, Block, Stucco, Stack Stone, All Flooring, Wood, Tile, Carpet, Welding, Gates, Fences, All Repairs.

Free Estimates with Pride & Prompt Service!

Irrigation

• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service

NTY 5-YEAR WARRA

480.654.5600 azirrigation.com Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671

46

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

Landscape/Maintenance Juan Hernandez

SPRINKLER Drip/Install/Repair & Tune ups!

Not a licensed contractor

Landscape/Maintenance

Juan Hernandez

Juan Hernandez

TREE

TRIMMING

25 years exp. Call Now (480) 720-3840

Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems

S E R V I C E

CALL US TODAY! www.irsaz.com

ROC# 256752

Sell Your Stuff!

Prepare for Monsoon Season!

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LANDSCAPING, TREES & MAINTENANCE

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Irrigation

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We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

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Repairs • Modifications • Installs

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East Valley PAINTERS

Roofing

FREE Service Calls + FREE Estimates Water Heaters Installed - $999 Unclog Drains - $49 All Water Purification Systems Voted #1 Plumber 3 Years In A Row OVER 1,000 5-STAR REVIEWS

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident Over 30 yrs. Experience

480-706-1453

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

MORE CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE! www.GilbertSunNews.com

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aOver 30 Years of Experience

Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!

10% OFF

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality

• 20 Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty

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www.eastvalleypainters.com Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH!

aFamily Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers!

Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting

Family Owned & Operated

Not a licensed contractor.

Roofing

Voted #1

ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded

Call Juan at

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Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

Sprinkler & Drip Systems

BOOK ONLINE! STATE48DRAINS.COM

FALL SPECIAL! $500 OFF COMPLETE REMODEL! 25 Years Experience • Dependable & Reliable

10% OFF

Painting

PMB 435 • 2733 N. Power Rd. • Suite 102 • Mesa dennis@allprotrees.com

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ROC 3297740

L L C

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showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

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20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

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PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR

HYDROJETTING

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25 Years exp (480) 720-3840

ALL Pro

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Irrigation Repair Services Inc.

Insured/Bonded Free Estimates

T R E E

Pool Service / Repair

Plumbing

Now Accepting all major credit cards

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING Valley Wide Service

480-446-7663 FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hireroofing.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded

47

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

Roofing

IT’S SALE SEASON! Watch for Garage Sales & Holiday Bazaars in Classifieds!

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof

MonsoonRoofingInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

You will find Garage Sales easy with their yellow background.

Only $27.50 includes up to 1 week online

Garage Sale Fri & Sat 7a-11am Household, clothes, kitchen items, furniture, electronics, mason jars, kid items, DVDs, MORE 555 W. Lane Dr Mesa

To place an ad please call:

480-898-6465 class@timespublications.com

Oooh, MORE ads online!

Window Cleaning

Check Our Online Classifieds Too!

Keith Schram

keith@windowsrc.biz

Professional Window Cleaner

Hot water pressure washing, 3000 PSI

480-306-8543

azvalleywindowcleaning.com

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Word Cross: The DIY Project Manager Across: 1. Devices usually held in the hand to perform a DIY task

Public Notices TO: Xavier Martinez, M.D. 2323 E. Flower #124-B Phoenix, AZ 85016 The State Medical Board of Ohio 30 E. Broad Street, 3rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127 In the Matter of: Xavier Martinez, M.D. Case No. 21-CRF-0045 On March 11, 2021, the State Medical Board of Ohio mailed a Notice of Opportunity for Hearing to Xavier Martinez, M.D. via certified mail, return receipt requested, at his last known address of record, 2323 E. Flower #124-B, Phoenix, AZ 85016. The Notice was returned to the Board from the postal service marked “return to sender, not deliverable as addressed, unable to forward.”

The notice states that the State Medical Board of Ohio intends to consider disciplinary action against Dr. Martinez’s license to practice medicine and surgery in Ohio based on the Arizona Medical Board’s order which revoked his license in that state. The Arizona order was based upon his plea agreement to an amended charge of Attempted Sexual Abuse. In addition, the State Medical Board of Ohio found that Dr. Martinez was impaired and diverted medicines for patient use.

Dr. Martinez is entitled to a hearing in this matter if such hearing is requested within thirty (30) days of the last date of publication of this notice. Dr. Martinez may appear at such hearing in person, by his attorney, or by such other representative permitted to practice before this agency, or he may present his position, arguments or contentions in writing. At the hearing, Dr. Martinez may present evidence and examine witnesses appearing for or against him.

Please contact the undersigned to ascertain the last date of publication.

Any questions or correspondence should be addressed to: Jackie Moore Case Control Office 30 E. Broad Street, 3rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127 Jackie.Moore@med.ohio.gov Published: East Valley Tribune, May 16, 23, 30, 2021 / 38484

3. Brush a coat of this on your house 6. Keeps sheets of paper together and acts as a strong writing surface

MISSED THE DEADLINE?

8. Some people are afraid of walking under one of these.

Call us to place your ad online!

9. A straight edged item for measuring

480-898-6465

Down: 2. A tool with a flat, slotted or star tip at the head 3. You’re like _____ in my hands.

4. Small metal spikes used to connect things, or from which to hang things 5. Used for hitting things, usually 4. Down 7. Electric or cordless, makes holes or removes things out of the hole

Public Notices Notice of Public Scoping for an Environmental Assessment for Hunt Highway Improvement Project – Phase 5 The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Pima Agency and the Gila River Indian Community (Community) are releasing this notice in support of an environmental assessment for the proposed Hunt Highway Improvement Project – Phase 5 (project) in District One of the Community. The project would include roadway improvements along portions of Hunt Highway and Arizona Farms Road.

The project proponent, Pinal County Public Works Department, has submitted a right-of-way (ROW) application to the BIA for roadway improvements on Hunt Highway and Arizona Farms Road, which would constitute the final phase of the Hunt Highway Improvement Project.

Primary project components would include acquiring approximately 19 acres of new permanent roadway ROW, realigning the western terminus of the existing Arizona Farms Road, widening approximately 4,200 feet of existing Hunt Highway to match the newly reconstructed roadway dimensions both north and south of the project area, and installing a new light-controlled intersection at Hunt Highway and the realigned Arizona Farms Road.

Project construction is anticipated to begin in January 2022 to January 2023 and will be completed in approximately 8 months. No traffic detours would be required.

Traffic delays would be short-term and temporary. The grant of easement for ROW, if approved by BIA, would formalize the alignments for both Hunt Highway and Arizona Farms Road within the Community.

The purpose of the project is for Pinal County to complete the final phase of their planned improvements along the Hunt Highway corridor, through the widening of the existing Hunt Highway alignment and the realignment of Arizona Farms Road.

Hunt Highway both north and south of the project area have been improved and widened to four lanes; however, the older roadway within the project area is only two lanes. The lane reduction in the project area presents a potential safety concern for existing vehicle traffic on Hunt Highway. The project would widen Hunt Highway through the project area to match the new roadway and lane configurations to both the north and south. Additionally, the Hunt Highway and Arizona Farms Road intersection currently presents line-of-sight safety concerns for drivers on Arizona Farms Road. The project would realign this traffic intersection and replace the stop-controlled intersection with a traffic light to improve traffic flow and safety.

As part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal agencies are required to consider the potential social and environmental impacts of proposed actions. This letter serves as the BIA’s invitation for comments, concerns, or suggestions regarding the proposed action. All comments received become part of the public record associated with this proposed action. Accordingly, your comments (including your name and address) will be available for review by any person that wishes to view the record. At your request, we will withhold your contact information to the extent allowed by the Freedom of Information Act. Please submit comments to: Cecilia Baker, Superintendent Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pima Agency P.O. Box 8 Sacaton, Arizona 85147 Telephone: (520) 562-3326 Email: Cecilia.Baker@bia.gov Published: East Valley Tribune May 9, 16, 23, 30, 2021 / 37928

Meetings/Events?

ANSWERS - Across: 1. Tools, 3. Paint, 6. Clipboard, 8. Ladder, 9. Ruler Down: 2. Screwdriver, 3.

Putty, 4. Nails, 5. Hammer, 7. Drill

CB

Get Free notices in the Classifieds!

Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

48

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 30, 2021

The housing market is at an all-time high!

Are you ready to sell or rent your home, avoid the summer maintenance hassle and enjoy a worry-free lifestyle with all that Liv has to offer?

GET SOCIAL & GAIN SATISFACTION We provide our seniors with active living events and social activities. Revel in the joy and experience life.

• Happy hours on the Panoramic Sky Deck • Wine tastings in the Infusions Wine Cellar • Tea parties in the Silk Tassel Tea Room • Social events for family and friends • Billiards in the Behind the 8 Ball game room • Theme dinners • Holiday parties • Movies in the Legends Theater • Musical entertainment • Outings to local events

SENIOR HEALTH & INSPIRATION

• Swim laps in our salt water pool • La Forma fitness classes in the Liv Fit gym • Classes in the Mosaic Art Studio • Non-Denominational Worship Services • Massage, Hair and Nail services available in the onsite Orchid Day Spa • LivGen University Lifelong Learning in Elite Studies • Guest lecturers

LivGenerations Ahwatukee

*amenities may vary by location

COMMUNITY FEATURES • 24/7 amenities • Front desk concierge • Full size kitchens with upgraded appliances and granite • Scheduled transportation • Pet friendly • Walking paths • Washer and dryers for select apartments • Spacious apartments • Balconies and Patios with personal storage • Garages available for rent for select apartments • Jacuzzi • Bark Park • and more!

LivGenerations Agritopia

15815 S. 50th Street | Phoenix, AZ 85048

2811 E. Agritopia Loop S. | Gilbert, AZ 85296

480-485-3000

480-485-2000

livgenerationsahwatukee.com

livgenerationsagritopia.com

I N D E P E N D E N T L I V I N G | A S S I S T E D L I V I N G | M E M O R Y C A R E | S I G N AT U R E S E R V I C E S