AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS, GRAD SECTION, MAY 18, 2022

DesertVista High School Mountain Pointe HS

Horizon High School

Career success on your terms. nau.edu

Boundless

G2 GRADUATION SPECIAL

a t s i V t r e s e D

TOTAL GRADUATES: 721

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 18, 2022

HIGH SCHOOL

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS: $17 MILLION

STUDENTS WITH 4.0 GPA OR HIGHER: 276

CLASS PROFILE

- Military Academy Appointees - Sarah McCarthy, Naval Academy, And Thomas Lynch, Air Force Academy.

- National Merit Semi-Finalists - Allison Booher, Leah Green, Patrick Jiang, Stephanie Liu, Kana Matsuda, Michael Meng, Stephanie Yoon and John Zhang.

- Flinn Scholars: Isaac Kan, Although He Declined To Attend Stanford University.

- Rio Salado Community College/Aa Degrees - 35 Students Are On Track To Earn An Associate Degree.

- Scudder Award/Army ROTC Scholarship: Canyon Steverson.

- National Merit/ State Farm Companies Foundation Scholarship: Connor Coffey.

- National Merit Scholarship: Leah Green.

- Stamps Scholarship: Rebecca Salas.

- American Legion: Keaton Dudley and Jules Donnelly.

- City Of Tempe Youthfest Courage Award: Marcos Figueroa Rodriguez.

- District 6 Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader 2022: Katie Ritchie.

VALEDICTORIANS:

Rajarshi Ray

Mia Jung

Stephanie Yoon

Bernice Lin

Parents: Samarpita Ray and Pritam Ray University/intended career: ASU, Barrett, The Honors College/ computer science Extracurriculars on campus: Marching Band, National Honors Society, Rho Kappa member and officer, ASU - Presidential Scholarship Extracurriculars off-campus: Feed My Starving Children volunteer

Parents: Ji Yoon and Ho Kwon Yoon University/intended career: Fordham University/fashion and business Extracurriculars on campus: Orchestra, HOSA, Rho Kappa, Science National Honors Society, Seal of Bi-literacy, National Merit Finalist Extracurriculars off-campus: Tutoring

Parents: Eva and Eddie Jung University/intended career: ASU Fulton School of Engineering for Computer Science (undecided on career) Extracurriculars on campus: Asian Student Interactive Association, Rho Kappa, Programming Club, Science National Honor Society, National Chinese Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, associate at Marshalls

Parents: Sam and Tracy Lin University/intended career: UCLA/ ophthalmology or anesthesiology Extracurriculars on campus: Chamber Orchestra and tutor at Kumon Special honors: AP Scholar with distinction

Job training program expands to East Valley

BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer

H

elp has arrived for Mesa students lost in the real-world job market.

Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates has collaborated with Grad Solutions to open up a hub for East Valley students at 2055 South Power Road in Mesa.

This new community-based program will offer career and life services to help young people succeed. The program recently held its annual Graduates Career Development Conference at the Mesa Convention Center with Arizona Coyotes President & CEO Xavier Gutierrez as the

guest speaker.

“It’s a very powerful program,” he said.

“What we’re seeing is the future of this state, the future of this community.”

Mesa Mayor John Giles said he’s committed to the program that’s finally coming to the region and lauded the opening of the group’s East Hub. “We’re very committed to this cause and very proud of the achievements of this crowd,” he said.

The day’s festivities started as more than 600 students competed in 24 contests in a variety of areas including public speaking, resume building and tire changing.

Students enjoyed a hearty luncheon and

awards ceremony that culminated their year-long, 21-month cycle in the program by seeing the distribution of 50 scholarships totaling more than $52,000.

More than 1,000 people filled the Mesa Convention Center to celebrate the student’s completion of the program, but JAG will continue to follow-up with them for a year after to ensure they have become gainfully employed.

Graciela Garcia Candia joined the program in 1982 as part of Northern Arizona University and launched it as its own nonprofit in 1990.

She said the program helps identify an individual’s career passions, strengths

and skills from they meet them and help them with employment, post-secondary, trades or the military.

“Not everybody is slated to go on into post-secondary education,” she said. “We hope to provide them all their options and then provide them the opportunity to visit those employers.”

Candia said the organization had programs at Westwood and Mesa high schools but those ended in 1984.

“Now, with this new hub opening up and the collaboration, we hope to continue to serve more and more of the students

see JAG page G3

MAY 18, 2022 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

e t n i o P n i a Mount HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATION SPECIAL G3

TOP 5% OF CLASS

Chase Beyer, Kyle Young, Matthew, Luoma, Ellen Liu, Alexandra Doller, Karma Liburd, Ethan Simmons, Mckenzie Heflich, Duncan Sherman, Sadie Goldman, Subeen Park, Jesse Kaphing, Lucky Bea Soliven, Mahadevan Iyer, Mi-Ae Hope Nkulu, Hannah Weier, Galilea Lerma, Devyn Settle, Peter Fabrick, Griffin Hentz, Lauren Vu, Jessica Kavanagh and Bryce Kelly.

TOP 10% OF CLASS

Yazmin Hilton, Mason Yeager, Madison Bratlie, Brynn Nichols, Alexander Tejeda, Anthony Moncher, Tamia McClain, Isaiah Milkey, Grace Watts, Jennifer Arciniegas, Savannah Gong, Cameron Vu, Drew Stanek, Brandon McGuckin, Maya Lantz, Sebastian, Vergara Matrecito, Mateo Cabanillas, Connor Moon, Zoey McFall, Kenny Le, Dominik Renteria, Alexi Gomez, Matthew Hollingsworth, Ava Motley and Jacob Diaz.

CO-VALEDICTORIANS:

Chase Beyer

Parents: Shannon and Jonathan Beyer University/intended career: The Honors College at Arizona State University/ mechanical engineer Extracurriculars on campus: Marching Band, National Honors Society, Rho Kappa member and officer, ASU - Presidential Scholarship Extracurriculars: President of National Honor Society, president of Prides Peak, president of Totem Tutoring, president of Key Club (2021-2022), vice president of Mu Alpha Theta, vice president of Rho Kappa, treasurer of Key Club (2020-2021), representative for Key Club (2018-2020), and member of Science National Honors Society, National English Honors Society, National Technology Honors Society, UWC, Senior Walk, and AP Club; Lettered in academics, athletics, and community service Sports: Wrestling: four-time D1 Varsity Letterman, two-time D1 State Qualifier, Sectional Runner-Up, National Fargo Qualifier, and captain for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 season Awards: Most Inspiring Athlete, Most Outstanding Wrestler and the Joe Selleh Leadership Award; selected for the Tempe All-City team; For academics, awarded Lamp of Knowledge, Bar I, Bar II, AP Scholar Award, Pre-Engineering Industry Certification and ASU President’s Award

JAG from page G2

through our in-school programming,” Candia said.

She said they continue to work with the City of Mesa and will contact the superintendent of Mesa Public School to restart a program for its students.

The organization has 22 programs statewide including 16 at the high school level, four at the middle school level and two community-based programs.

Candia’s family immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico when she was 3 and has served as the president of the organization since 2003.

In the meantime, she said the East Hub location at Power and Baseline Road will work to refocus academics by offering ca-

Kyle Young

Parents: Brenda and Wiliam Young University/intended career: Awaiting word from the United States Air Force Academy and has an alternate option at Embry Riddle in Prescott/ aerospace or mechanical engineering Extracurriculars: National Honors Society, Science National Honors Society, National English Honors Society, Rho Kappa Honors Society, Prides Peak Student Organization, Homecoming Court –(student body selection) Sports: Varsity swimming and diving: co-captain, four-year All State Team Member (Coach selection), Team Overachiever Award, Joe Selleh Leadership Award; Varsity soccer: co-captain as a junior (coach selection); All Region Team 6A Central - Coach selection; 2021 Arizona State Cup Champion U17 Boys Division, AYSO United. Varsity volleyball: Awarded Most Improved Player –(coach selection) Community service: East Valley Boys Service Club from sixth grade through senior year spending four hours a week feeding the homeless, participating in backpack drives and other civic events; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) teen feedback member; provided a teen voice on prevention strategies being created to reduce teen substance abuse; Tempe Coalition - Project of the Tempe Community Council volunteer; attended Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America January 2021 Conference and shared findings with Tempe Coalition General Membership from a youth perspective

young people from their academics and that she hopes Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates can help them refocus by partnering with local companies in the area.

“Part of the JAG programming Fred Lockhart hands a laptop to Gabriel Alejandrez during Jobs for is that we help Arizona’s Graduates Career Development Conference scholarship them identify that and awards luncheon. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer) career path and reer and life services – including free wi-fi, then find them companies and organizalaptops, food pantry and clothing closet to tions that will allow them to start workget students business attire. ing,” she said.

She said the pandemic disconnected Candia knows firsthand the impor-

tance of guiding young people through all their options.

Her son told her he wanted to work with his hands and now works as an auto technician “making very good money.”

“But he was not interested in going to that traditional four-year university like his father and me,” she said.

She said her own life experience helped her find her “purpose” to help students navigate all the options available to them.

She said she felt “unprepared” but thanks to the sponsor of her high school’s 4H club and her brother attending the University of Arizona, she found college.

But even after graduating college, she

see JAG page G7

s r o n o H n Horizo HIGH SCHOOL

G4 GRADUATION SPECIAL

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 18, 2022

95 Horizon Honors seniors graduate Tuesday AFN NEWS STAFF

Horizon Honors High School Class of 2022 will graduate Tuesday, May 31, at Sun Valley Church Tempe with 95 students receiving their diplomas.

VALEDICTORIAN:

SALUTATORIAN

Xin Yen Lim

Nicolas Portilla Villota

College/Major: Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University, studying electrical engineering Intended career: Electrical engineer On-Campus Extracurriculars: Student Council, Key Club, National Honors Society, Band Council, Girls Who Code Off-Campus: Taekwondo

College/Major: University of California, Irvine, and Environmental Engineering Intended career: Environmental engineer, possibly working in Engineers Without Borders On-Campus Extracurriculars: Student Council (communications director) Off-Campus: Works at Sprouts part-time and assists his parents’ telecommunications company as a site surveyor in the Navajo Nation, part-time

Parents: Seow Lim and Lay Feng Chua

Also, Pradyoth Velagapudi, son of Jaya and Siva Velagapudi of Ahwatukee, earned a National Merit Scholarship. An Eagle Scout in Troop 77 at St. Benedict Parish, he will be studying computer science.

Parents: Silvia Villota and Bernardo Portilla

Chase Beyer When you started as a freshman in 2018 you wrote down some pretty lofty goals for yourself. Four years later you have not only met but far exceeded those goals.

You’re graduating as Valedictorian of your class, active in numerous MPHS clubs including president of MPHS’s National Honor Society while lettering as a 4-year varsity wrestler and 2-time Division 1 State qualifier. You’ve earned ASU’s President Award’s tuition scholarship and will be a Barrett Honors student this fall majoring in Mechanical Engineering. It’s been a joy watching you grow into a fine young man.

Congratulations and best wishes for the next chapter in your life!

Your Grandy said it best – “we love you to the moon and back.”

Love – Papa Cunningham

CHAD CHADDERTON

“The original Ahwatukee Realtor”

Class of 1973

West Hempstead, NY Go Rams!

To the Class of 2022

May the Happiest Days of Your Past Be the Saddest Days of your Future

Congratulations!

from Chad Chadderton and the staff at Ahwatukee Realty

2 2 0 2 f o s s a Cl

Est 1973

M: 602.369.4134 Email:

AhwatukeeRealty.com

Ahwatukee Office

Maricopa Office

4425 E. Agave Rd., Bld. 2

44400 W Honeycutt Rd #102

480.893.1461

520.568.3572

GRADUATION SPECIAL G5

MAY 18, 2022 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Ahwatukee ASU grad conquered barriers

student in ASU’s Barrett, The Honors College. “It also showed me how much of an impact I could make through software engineering.”

The skills he developed have taken Dbeis far, earning him top-three finishes in coding and design competitions and enabling him to help others.

In leadership roles with the Software Developers Association, Dbeis hosted technical development, interview practice and resumé workshops to help students get their dream jobs and internships.

One of his biggest achievements was revitalizing ASU’s PCs for Refugees club, which helps fix and deliver PCs for refugees living in Arizona.

Another memorable experience was building the Refugee & IDP Camp Tracker website to educate people about the refugee situation around the world, a project he took on his sophomore year after his internship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dbeis was helped on his educational journey through the Stanley C. and Helen K. Delpier Scholarship, the ON Semiconductor Scholarship, the Garmin Scholarship, the RMEL Foundation Scholarship

and the New American University Scholarship – President’s Award.

Some of the most influential people during his time at ASU were Assistant Professor Heewook Lee, Lecturer Justin Selgrad, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Associate Director of Artificial Intelligence Operations and Data Science Services Renato Umeton, and ASU alumnus Kaan Aksoy.

Through his many experiences at ASU, Dbeis has gained the satisfaction of finding new and unique ways to solve problems, lost his fear of failure and has seen the potential of his work to impact many people.

After graduation, Dbeis will begin his career as a software engineer in Seattle. In the long term, Dbeis would like to start a software company with the people he has met at ASU. “While I do not know exactly how,” Dbeis said, “I would like this company to be leveraged to help rebuild my home country of Syria.” ■

versus what you spend. Having a budget in place and sticking to it will help guide you toward financial success. Like sticking to a workout regime or piano lessons, it may not always be fun but practical and perseverance can lead you to positive results.

To create a budget, first write down all of your fixed expenses. These include needs like rent, gas, insurance, prescriptions, and groceries – things that you cannot live without. Then, write down all of your wants. These include items like entertainment, subscriptions and travel. Next, identify your monthly earnings and subtract your fixed expenses. If you have funds left over, you can dedicate those toward your wants. If your needs are more than your income, you will need to adjust your expenses so that you do not go into debt.

Get a grasp on student loans. Thengraduate. Knowing what you need to pay

off each month is a critical piece to your budget. Working with a financial advisor to determine a more advanced payoff plan is recommended if your income will allow for it.

Save money for the next big purchase, such as a house or car. Setting a goal of a large purchase such as a car, vacation or house and learning to save for it versus spending small amounts now, will support an understanding of the value of setting financial goals. These goals can help to create a bright financial future.

Don’t slack - As a young adult or new graduate you may not be 100% certain of what you want to do yet and that’s ok. But don’t slack. Update your resume and begin the job-hunting process. Talk to friends and family to gain leads that might start you on a new career path. Join networking groups and follow up on any referrals you

get. You could also start a new business – that big idea you had. Write a business plan and see if it is viable. Run it by a few people to get their feedback, especially people in that field who can give you advice for success.

When in doubt ask for help. Figuring things out on your own can be hard. Seek out a mentor or trusted figure to give guidance. Even if you haven’t figured out what you want to do, don’t let that stop you from trying.

Making the shift into adulthood isn’t always easy but it’s a path that we all must take. Setting yourself up for success now, and working toward your future from an early age, can help make that process a little easier.

Rachel Caballero is the community development manager at TruWest Credit Union. Information: truwest.org. ■

BY CONSTANCE-SOPHIE ALMENDARES AFN Guest Writer

C

omputer science and engineering have made many things possible for Yasser Mountasir Dbeis of Ahwatukee..

“I was tired of all the barriers to make my ideas a reality,” said Dbeis, who recently earned bachelor’s degrees in computer science and computer systems engineering from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University.

“Coding allowed me to go from ideation to creation with just a computer.”

Dbeis saw this in action while he worked at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Cancer Center as an artificial intelligence software development intern.

There he built an application for cancer research at hospitals.

“Being able to go from zero applicationdevelopment experience to building the entire application in one summer was extremely empowering,” said Dbeis, a

YASSER MOUNTASIR DBEIS

Grads should get an early jump on financial literacy

BY RACHEL CABALLERO AFN Guest Writer

A

s many new graduates enter the workforce or young adults get a new job, what things should they know to help them be financially successful?

Financial literacy is lacking in this country. The American Public Education Foundation’s most recent survey of financial literacy in grades K-12 reports that our country is in “crisis” when it comes to preparing our children for personal finance and decision making.

So, it is important that parents and caregivers to step in to teach young adults a few basics to help them succeed. Here are four foundational areas to address.

Learn to budget. A budget is a plan – a road map to help you track what you earn

The latest breaking news and top local stories in Ahwatukee!

www.Ahwatukee.com .com

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G6 GRADUATION SPECIAL

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 18, 2022

Healthcare offers graduates many opportunities STATEPOINT

S

eniors graduating this year should take note: industry experts say that not only are home healthcare caregivers needed more now than ever before, but this industry offers many rewarding career paths.

“A growing number of families and medical professionals are discovering that home healthcare is a great option -and not just for seniors. Home healthcare can be used to treat medical needs across a full continuum of care,” said Jennifer Sheets, president and chief executive officer of Interim Healthcare Inc., which is actively recruiting caregivers nationwide.

According to Sheets, here are three of the top reasons home healthcare caregivers are in such high demand today:

burnout by keeping acute care patients at home, allowing hospital staff to focus on the most critical patients.

Expanded role. The scope of care and services that can be delivered at home has greatly expanded. There are more diverse care needs today, requiring a diverse set of caregivers to fill those needs, including ventilator care, speech therapy, palliaThe role of caregivers has expanded and grads can find tive care and more.

Fills a necessary gap. The many opportunities in healthcare, experts say. (State Point) physical, mental and emoIt’s a safe alternative. The pandemic tional demands of caring for family memshifted the spotlight to home healthcare as a bers can be overwhelming, and with the means to keep loved ones safe. What’s more, healthcare worker shortage, family careat-home caregivers are supporting hospital givers need additional help at home.

Why Home Healthcare?

It is an employees’ market when it comes to working in the home healthcare industry and these positions are very desirable for a number of other reasons, especially for new graduates. Here are just a few: With on-the-job training available, a helping career such as a home care aide is emotionally rewarding, and home healthcare provides that same opportunity to make a difference in other people’s lives, albeit in a less hectic, more personal environment.

Even for current licensed medical professionals, 74% say they have considered a career shift to home healthcare at one point in their medical career, according to

UArizona valedictorian

JAG from page G3

Kyle Ostendorp, a 2019 Desert Visa High School graduate, and the younger son of West Realty Realtor and Ahwatukee resident Jill Ostendorp, last week was the valedictorian for his graduating class at the University of Arizona. He earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering at UArizona, where he also made some big records as a kicker for the Wildcats football team. Last year Kyle was Arizona’s primary punter for all 12 games and Arizona’s first punter to be named first-team All-Pac-12 since 2007 and was also named first team All-Pac-12 by the Associated Press. He also had five games where he averaged more than 50 yards per punt, including the Washington game where he punted the ball five times for an average of 56. And he still has two years’ eligibility with UArizona as he is now planning to study for his master’s degree in aerospace engineering. (Special to AFN)

said still felt lost and landed on a life in career services, and she said she vowed to help other students avoid the struggle she endured.

“It’s really important for me that every student who leaves high school understands their options and that they know how to advocate for themselves,” said Candia, who is retiring this year.

Arizona Corporate Commissioner Anna Tovar stands as an alumnus of the program.

Born and raised in Tolleson, she attended Tolleson High School and attended the program her junior and senior not realizing how important it would become to her.

“I didn’t know I needed it but I needed it

an Interim Healthcare study.

The COVID-19 pandemic only intensified these considerations for professionals, many of whom in the same survey say home healthcare would be a way to reconnect with why they got into healthcare in the first place.

Clients depend on caregivers to manage their health and achieve the best results.

They appreciate the help, support, care and connection that comes with home care. Caregivers get one-on-one time with clients so they’re able to focus on the care of one individual at a time, and in many cases, they become part of the family.

The healthcare industry is changing rapidly, which means that home caregivers have continual opportunities to learn new professional skills based on their interests that will help them meet the needs of the industry.

Careers in home healthcare are dynamic, interesting and meaningful. They’re also flexible, giving those in the industry the choice of part-time or full-time work, as well as flexibility in location and availability.

Major providers of home healthcare are actively hiring for those with healthcare experience and those without, including Interim HealthCare which has locally owned and operated franchises nationwide. To learn more about home care careers, visit ihcmadeforthis.com.

“At a time when families are struggling to find at-home care, you can answer that call for help,” said Sheets. ■ at the time,” she said.

She received her first paid internship at Salt River Project.

After attending community college, she would go on to attend Arizona State University where she graduated in 1995 with a bachelor’s in elementary education.

Since then, she’s worked as a teacher before working her up the political ladder to a state-level elected office she began serving in January 2021.

Now, she serves on the board of Jobs for America’s Graduates – the national-level program – along with Gov. Doug Ducey.

She said the “JAG family” became the first adult outside of her family that helped her realize her true potential.

“I could succeed at anything regardless of the barriers put in front of me, she said. ■

GRADUATION SPECIAL G7

MAY 18, 2022 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

TempeUnion.org

We congratulate our extraordinary grads who excelled during a challenging year!

Corona del Sol

Desert Vista

Marcos de Niza

McClintock

Mountain Pointe

Tempe High

G8 GRADUATION SPECIAL

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 18, 2022