Gilbert Sun News Class of 2020

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

BASHA HIGH

HIGHLEY HIGH

GILBERT HIGH

CAMPO VERDE HIGH DESERT RIDGE HIGH CANYON VALLEY HIGH WILLIAMS FIELD HIGH DESERT HILLS HIGH LEADING EDGE ACADEMY

GILBERT CLASSIC

MESQUIT

AL ACADEMY

HIGHL

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AND H

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Congratulations Class of 2020

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

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e d r e V Campo

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2020

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERS: $14,168,108 Number of grads: 520 Officers: Jane Housley, student body president; Calli Kelsch, senior class president; Cami Schneider, student body v.p. of activities; Alyssa Pomykala, student body secretary; Lexie Poulsen, student body treasurer Directors of Dance: Ella Barr, Anna Wright, Haylee McLeod, and Jake Dunham.

Directors of Pep Assembly: Emily Allen, Brock Severson, Adriana Reyes, Mark Liano.

Directors of Marketing: Spencer Holt and Bruce Wright.

Directors of Social Media: Kenzie McKallor and Megan Best.

Senior class representatives: Grace Kendrick, Cole Peden and Cameron Pinion.

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

Audrey Landers Parents: Jennifer and Pete Landers Total scholarship offers: $1,132,000 Heading to: U.S. Military Academy at West Point (had also won appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy).

Achievements: Won five national awards with the Campo Verde AFJROTC; AFJROTC Distinguished Cadet Award (second student to receive this award in its 10-year history), Campo Verde Key Club president with 680 service hours, Veterans Heritage Project Congressional Medal of Honor Society Community Service Hero Award, varsity letters for three years with school swim team, Golden Scholar all four years; Arizona American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Outstanding Citizen.

VALEDICTORIAN

Zachery “Zac” Whaley

QPA: 4.91 Parents: Lisa and Brad Whaley Total scholarship offers: $68,100 Heading to: Arizona State University, Barrett, The Honors College Career in mind: Chemical engineering.

Achievements: Varsity letter in cross country and track and field (both four years), community service, state championship track team, National Merit Scholar, varsity letter in Student Council, varsity letter in community service/volunteerism, Humanitarian Effort for Youth, Special Needs Activities Program, choir, Student Council, founder/president of Journalism Club, Future Farmers of America.

SALUTATORIAN

Gabriella Ruiz

QPA: 4.77 Parents: Toni and Jose Ruiz Total Scholarship offers: $201,900 Heading to: University of California, San Diego.

Career in mind: Majoring in psychology Achievements: National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar (2019-20 top 2.5%), National Merit Scholarship Program Letter of Commendation, AP Scholar with Honor Award, Tempe Writer’s Forum High School Fiction Runner Up, Golden Scholar for four years, Rocky Mountain Journalism Camp Best Overall Small School Yearbook Award (2018), Yearbook editor-in-chief, Journalism Club editor, Link Crew leader.

Activities: Hiking Club, Writing Club, Key Club, Spanish Honor Society, Green Team, volunteer at Southwest Regional Library, Ashland Ranch Elementary School Howling Helpers tutor.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

e g d i R t r e s De CLASS OF 2020 HIGH SCHOOL

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERS: $10 MILLION

Number of grads: 653

VALEDICTORIAN

SALUTATORIAN

Chance Herbert

Sage McDaniel

GPA: 4.79 Parents: Brandi and Craig Herbert Total scholarship offers: $229,236 Heading to: University of California, Los Angeles Career in mind: Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) Achievements: Flinn Semifinalist, first place, ASU Language Fair for Spanish Presentation; Vitalant Silver Award (blood drive coordinator 2019-20), Community Service Individual Award, Student of the Year.

Activities: National Honor Society historian and Blood Drive Committee chair; Math Club vice president; former Interact (Rotary International) vice president; Mesa Mayor’s Youth Committee; Internship at Banner Baywood Medical Center through Mayor’s Teen Force Program; volunteer at Banner Heart Hospital and Mountain Vista Medical Center.

SPIRIT OF THE JAG AWARD

GPA: 4.8 Parents: Craig and Stephanie McDaniel Total scholarship offers: $775,550.

Heading to: Texas State University Career in mind: Nursing Achievements: Ranked No. 1 out of 653 in graduating class; 2019-20 National Honor Society president, 2018-19 Honor Society historian and 2017-20 Honor Society member; 2016-17 Outstanding Modern Language Student award; 201617: Outstanding Science Student award; 2016-20 Golden Scholar; 2016-17; Past Student of the Month awards in Spanish I, Honors Lab Biology and Honors Geometry, Honors Chemistry, Honors English II, AP World History, AP U.S. History, AP English III; Highest GPA Award as a junior; 2016-17 6A Girls’ Soccer Regional honorable mention; lettered for varsity track and girls’ soccer; 2017-18 6A Girls’ Soccer Regional honorable mention; 2017-18 Olympic Development Arizona 01 girls pool and alternate; Scholar Athlete Award all four years; 2019-20 girls soccer team captain and 6A Girls’ Soccer 2nd Team All Region.

Given to the student that best exemplifies what it means to be a Desert Ridge Jaguar.

Aiden Lee

Class officers: Kendalynn Hansen, student body president; Jakob Farwell, senior class president; Jenna Colores, assembly director; Emma Farwell, administrator; Paola Blanco, school spirit; Kate Selles, dances/events.

Parents: Alan and April Lee College: University of California/Berkely

Here are some of the snapshots of other Desert Ridge grads that are part of a slide show on the school’s website.

Meili Huang

Tyler Moran

LaVon Harris Kathryn Abrams

Deavion Allen

Brennan Armijo

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Congratulations Class of 2020 Gilbert High School

2020 Graduating Class Farewell My congratulations to the graduating Class of 2020! The Class of 2020 has faced circumstances that have few precedents; they have handled that incredible challenge with the grace, grit and leadership that has marked them as a class of leaders since they entered Gilbert High School.

In normal times, this time of the school year is filled with anticipation about those next steps in a young person’s life. These steps might be university, the job force, military service, service to one’s church, college, as well as some other postsecondary education. Those steps may seem a little murkier at this moment, but they are still very real.

One of the things that my own faith and my own upbringing brings to me is that this too shall pass.

In the midst of a national emergency, those can seem like fleeting words, but they have represented the truth about the human condition for time immemorial.

Seniors, your unique perspective after this past school year will serve you well throughout the rest of your lives. It will give you perspective, it will give you pause, and my hope for you all is that gives you the wisdom to see that the most important things in life are those that we love. Cherish those you love, whether they are family or friends, and use that strength and support to move forward.

Seniors, as always, we are counting on you to go and make our community, our state and our great nation a better place for all. Congratulations again to every one of you from the faculty, the staff and the administration of Gilbert High School.

Go Tigers!

Christopher Stroud

#GilbertsGotVision

Scholarships Earned by the Class of 2020 142 | Arizona University Scholarships 54 | Out of State University Scholarships 22 | Athletic Scholarships 2 | Private Scholarships 17 | Community College Scholarships 3 | Gilbert Educational Foundation Scholarships 2 | Gilbert High School Scholarships 4 | Memorial Scholarships 6 | Music / Art / Talent Scholarships 2 | U.S. Military Scholarships & Awards

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Gilb ert CLASS OF 2020 HIGH SCHOOL

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERS: $8,075,063

Number of graduates: 468

Class officers: Zoe Shalei Webb, president; Lauren Mae Cooper, vice president; Elizabeth Jane Palmer, secretary; Elyse Lauren Reber, treasurer; Addison Lauren Woods, senior class representative.

VALEDICTORIANS

SALUTATORIANS

Molly Lynn Pekala

Andrea May Judd

GPA: 4.8181 Parents: John and Beth Pekala Heading to: Milwaukee School of Engineering Career in mind: Biomedical engineering Achievements: Golden Scholar, 2018-19 5A girls Soccer honorable mention; 2019-20 5A Girls Soccer First Team All-Region, 2nd Team All-Conference and GHS Varsity Soccer Most Valuable Player.

Activities: Varsity soccer and track, National Honor Society, orchestra.

Yarden Sagy

GPA: 4.8181 Parents: Anat Ravivo-Shmueloff and Oren Shmueloff Heading to: U. S. Navy Achievements: Gilbert Golden Scholar, AP with honors, Student of the Month, Best Actor in a Play award.

Activities: Track & Field, AVID, International Thespian Society and Gilbert Theatre Ensemble.

GPA: 4.7272 Parents: Jason and Tina Judd Heading to: Brigham Young University Career in mind: Medical laboratory science Achievements: Choir Council vice-president, Tiger Crew Clerk, Student of the Month, Seminary Council member and Tri-Music Honor Society secretary Activities: Tiger Crew, school choir and orchestra, National Honor Society, National History Honor Society and Tri-Music Honor Society.

Corinne Elizabeth Komlodi

GPA: 4.7272 Parents: Candace and Chris Komlodi Heading to: University of Wyoming Career in mind: double majoring in physics and astronomy.

Achievements: Golden Scholar, graduated with Honors, Swim Team captain.

Activities: Swim and Dive team, National Honor Society, National History Honor Society, National Scientific Honor Society, Art Club, Track and Field.

Kaylee Mahea’lani Laker GPA: 4.7272 Parents: Kalani Laker Heading to: Central Washington University Career in mind: Actuarial science Achievements: National Honor Society President, Head Drum Major, GHS Visual Ensemble Section Leader, Golden Scholar.

Activities: Tiger Pride Marching Band, National Honor Society, ADL Peer Trainer, National History Honor Society, GHS Indoor Percussion.

Angelina Theresa Winn

GPA: 4.7272 Parents: Loretta Winn and Michael Winn Sr. Heading to: Northern Arizona University Achievements: Golden Scholar, 1st Place at Marching Band State Championship (2018).

Activities: Marching Band, GHS Concert Band, National Honor Society treasurer, National History Honor Society,

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

We are proud of the way you persevered through the hardships of this year.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Per aspera ad astra (Through hardship, to the stars) -Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Roman philosopher

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

l a c i s s a l Gilb ert C ACADEMY

CLASS OF 2020

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERS: $11,621,430 Number of grads: 74 Class officers: Danielle McLenna, GCA Senate Sr. Consul: Danielle McLenna; Sophia Warren, treasurer; Rich Juin, Secretary of the House; Michael Matthews, Secretary of the Senate.

VALEDICTORIANS

Ritisha Das

Savanna Dudas

Anika Lang

Aaron Hirsch

Anh Le

Ashlyn Robinette

Jocelyn Ju

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

VALEDICTORIANS CONTINUED

Ainsley Snyder

Sophia Warren

Congratulations, class of 2020!

Quincy Wilcox

Briana Yamamoto

Congratulations, class of 2020! At Arizona State University, we want to help you along the path toward realizing your goals.

Thousands of incoming first-year and transfer students will soon call ASU home, and we want you to be one of them. Let ASU be part of your academic journey. Map your path to ASU today with ASU’s pathway program.

Ready to start this fall?

The fall 2020 application for admission is open.

Apply today!

admission.asu.edu/transfer/maricopa | asu.edu/apply 5/20/20 11:46 AM

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2020

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Congrats

to the Class of 2020 GILBERT EARLY COLLEGE

717 West Ray Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85233 (480) 545-8011 LeadingEdgeAcademy.com In accordance with Federal Law, Leading Edge Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disability.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

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Hi ghland CLASS OF 2020

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

HIGH SCHOOL

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS: $15.8 MILLION

Number of grads: 771 Class officers: Olivia Lundgreen, president; Will Martin, vice president; Alisyn “Aly” Davidson, Lindsey Gilchrist.

Highland High School Home of the Hawks

Congratulations to the We are so proud of y Rise an

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

VALEDICTORIAN

Alex Kessler

GPA: 4.9 Parents: Ulrike and Christian Kessler Total scholarship offers: $10,000 Heading to: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Career in mind: Aerospace engineering Achievements: Letter for soccer, National Merit Scholar finalist.

Activities: Soccer, track, Physics Club, Human Geography Club, club

soccer, hospital volunteer.

Highland Class of 2020. your accomplishments! nd Soar

SALUTATORIAN

Jolsna Joseph

GPA: 4.86 Parents: Joseph Vadakkel and Lissy Joseph Total scholarship offers: $40,000 Heading to: University of Arizona, Barrett, The Honors College (Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation) Career in mind: doctorate in nurse anesthesia Activities: National Honor Society, Banner Hawks, Banner Gateway Medical Center volunteer, dance, church choir, church kids mission.

Highland High School Senior Class Gilbert, Arizona 2019-2020

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

CONGRATULATIONS

GRADUATES from Grand Canyon University!

It’s not too late to get started on your college journey.

We have virtual, interactive campus tours available and plenty of scholarship opportunities!

Visit gcu.edu to apply for free today!

855-428-7884 For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program and other important information, please visit our website at gcu.edu/disclosures. Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org). GCU, while reserving its lawful rights in light of its Christian mission, is committed to maintaining an academic environment that is free from unlawful discrimination. Further detail on GCU’s Non-Discrimination policies can be found at gcu.edu/titleIX. The information printed in this material is accurate as of MAY 2020. For the most up-to-date information about admission requirements, tuition, scholarships and more, visit gcu.edu. ©2020 Grand Canyon University 20GTR0463

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

d l e i F s William HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2020

HAS BEEN AWARDED MORE THAN $26.8 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS TOP GRADUATE

Bushra N. Karim

GPA: 4.84 Heading to: Arizona State University, Barrett, The Honors College Career in mind: Software engineer Total scholarship offers: $210,500 Activities: President of the school’s Best Buddies; member of Key Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, Swim Team Manager, HOBY.

NOTABLE GRADUATES

Oleana A. Rivas

GPA: 4.81 Heading to: Duke University Career in mind: Biology Scholarship offers: $488,364 School activities: HOBY, Key Club, National Honor Society, Best Buddies.

Leann Nguyen GPA: 4.8 Heading to: Arizona State University, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Total scholarship offers: $135,600 Activities: Black Hawk Buzz, Gay-Straight Alliance Club, Bio Tech Club, and National Honor Society. She has volunteered many hours at the i.d.e.a. museum.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

CLASS OF

2020

Congratulations to the 2020 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

1515 S. Val Vista Dr. Gilbert, AZ 85296

DesertHillsHS.com

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

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2020 DHHS Graduates Caleb Avery Isis Boone* Brylee Campbell Aaron Colmenero Marcus Crenshaw Sydney Darnell* Joseph Fisk Alexa Flora Brianna Galindo Alisa Georges Alyssa Gerdes Travis Griner Mario Hardy Raul Herrera Evan Houseman Eric Jenkins Taylor Jensen Kamron Jonaway Samantha Jones Morgan Keeton Donnovon Kiefer Kaleb Koch Ashleigh Lamphere Angelina Lowman Rory Lynd Atticus Masterson** Issac Mercado Anika Morby Tyson Murray Caleb Newman Joshua Nossek Yamilet Parra Aum Patel Taya Phelps Isabella Posada Eric Pulliam Hannah Reisig Samantha Rivera Daisy Rocha Dylan Schaffer Caitlyn Smith Briana Tarro Pacey Tobiesen Raul Urias Milena Uvaydov Alyssa Vaillancourt Jaedon Warren-Puffer Ian White Haylee Zachreson *DHHS 2020 Class Valedictorians **Spirit Of Leona Winner

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

CONGRATULATIONS

CLASS OF 2020

MESQUITE HIGH SCHOOL Brooke Adamson Ruben Aguilar Mathew Aguirre Michael Aguirre Abyan Ahmed Zeinalabdeen Al Ahmar Jonathan Alegria Orlando Aleman Amar AlJehani Maisy Alsen Arlene Alvarez Chloe Alvarez Athira Ambadi

Keith Angelski Cheyene Armstrong Devin Ash Christion Ashe Ethan Atias Raena Avila Zachary Bair Jonah Balentine Adrian Barajas Michael Barbarisi Gretta Barrios Miguel Benitez Adrieanna Bester

Nicole Bingham Kiley Bishop Joseph Bono Giovanni Bores Daniel Branch Kayla Branch Andrew Brewster Jared Brice Parker Briggs Mia Brontman A’lashia Brown Andre Brown Jr. Kivyn Brown Moritz Bruckmuller Dawson Burba Nathan Buresch Emma Butler Ryan Cabrera Aaron Camilon Jaiden Campbell-Morris Colton Candelaria-Kranz Angel Cantarero Nash Carlow Kaylin Carroll Thomas Caruso Nayomi Castillo Jacquelyn Celenza Austin Chambers Jordan Chapman Erik Chavez Jacqueline Chavez Garrison Chen Anna Christian Levi Christian Kiley Christiansen Grace Clark Amber Cochran Bryce Codling Logan Collins Gabrielle Combs Felizardo Contreras Tobias Cooper Cesar Cordova Benjamin Crandall Ivy Dahlen Kira Daly Erika Daniel Afton Daniels Ashley Davis Keelyn Daugherty Cristina De La Vieja Medina

Roberto Carlos Delgado Roy Deng Austin DePalma Nicholas Dery Laciana Desjardins Izabella Diaz Lilyanna Diaz Jessica Diosdado Alyssa Dong Micah Driesbach Ashley Duffield Blake Early Jack Eastin Jacob Ellis Ahmed Elmadbouly Jarod Eslinger Elexis Esquivel Iris Estrada Castillo Aidan Evans Lewis Everett Abigail Farley Sean Fay Max Ferguson Emma Finlayson Jordan Folsom Jeremiah Foster Payton Foti Giovanna Gagliardi Johni Galindo Jayden Gameros Sydney Garcia Christopher Garcia Rivera Felicia Gardner Madison Garrido Emma George Sophia Geyer Samantha Ghersini Brianna Gilchrist Jaime Gonzales Zaiah Gonzales Jacob Grammer Mia Graves Austin Gray Jade Green Santita Green Katie Greene Jordan Griffin Phoenix Guajardo Nicolette Guerrero Paige Haggitt Todd Haley II

Corbyn Hall Tatum Hall Layth Hamdan Kierra Hamilton Madison Hamilton John Hanna Maverick Harrington Malajisa Harris Austin Hartwell Emma Hedeen Gavin Hernandez Ricardo Hernandez Jr. Kinsey Heslop Christopher Hintze Lillian Hoang Samantha Holbert

Brandon Johnson Brennan Johnson Zoe Johnson Maximus Johnston Scott Johnston Andrick Jones Tayoni Jordan Kien Kallam Beck Katterman Katelynn Keefer Maneau Kelsall Nikolas Kiermayr Liam King Elijah Kurtis David Lamb Connor LaPierre

Matthew Letrich Faith Little Savannah Little Carlyn Littler Emma Lohman Brian Lopez Cesar Lopez - Diaz Jorge Lopez Osorio Makayla Lougheed Nathan Lynn Serenavai Lyon-Jones Conor Mabry Martin Macias Jr. Mateo Macias Hannah Manwaring Aareyan Manzoor

Vincent Marquez Halee Martin Abel Martinez Makayla Martinez Brien Mathis Tommy Matsushita Kyle May Lina Mayyas Madison McCabe Addison McConnell Acacia McFarland Yessenia McGraw Kaitlin McKay Corey McKnatt

Brooklyn Holland Kayla Holler Damian Hosokawa Brianna Houghton Autumn Howerton Ravyn Hulett Nasir Hunt Alejandro Hunt Madariaga Angel Isom Alysia Iverson Aiya Jafar Daniyah Jehangir Alyssa Johnson

Rohen NeSmith Alan Nguyen Diana Nguyen Duy Nguyen Makayla Norris Zachary Oase Caroline Ochs Andrea Mendoza Lopez Kobe Ojeda Victoria Olchawa Abigael Merino Cassandra Olson Pauline Meurice Daniel Ordonez-Salcido Sonja Milosavljevic Jayden Ortega DaVon Mitchell Tyler Mont-Eton-Jones Mao Osada Leticia Padilla Ceanna Montano Yuridia Padilla Licona Dayanara Montijo Susie Palomino-Gloria Samuel Moore Ruby Pardo Alexis Moreno Sankit Patel Dominique Moreno Emmanuel Peralto Holden Moritomo Jaime Perez Jr. Brian Morris Izabela Pessato Jade Morton Cheyanne Peters Aaron Peterson Forest Peterson Thinh Pham Laylin Pintor Lucinda Pipia Daniel Pizano II Andrew Pocock Devyn Podrybau Jack Pollock Kailey Powell Molly Pratt Caleb Quintana Angellyna Quintero Griffin Quiroz Chase Radloff Brandon Reilly Juliet Reynolds Dustin Rhodes Monther Mouslli Logan Richardson Maddy Muglia Cruz Rivera III Diane Munoz Ortiz Jon Paul Robinson Brooklyn Murphy Leonardo Rodriguez Payton Musselman Sydney Rogers Morgan Navas Angel Rosado Katlind Nearing Jayla Ruiz Alexander Nedry Mak Ruiz Hunter Neelamkavil Donovan Salter Jager Nelson Sean Sanabria Kathryn Nelson

Andrew Sanchez Misael Santos Cardenas Brock Sapergia Lora Schmadeke Samuel Schroeder Donnchadh Schultz Hayden Scott Grayce Selover Kyle Shagena Nydia Shepherd Skye Shippy Ikhlacio Sili Tessa Sims Daniel Sithinphom James Smiley Aaliyah Smith Marcus Smith Quintin Smith Jason Spisak Julia St. Clair Zachery Steed Lincoln Steele Michael Sterling Daniel Stevens Stewart Stultz Abdullah Subuh Owen Sutherlin Hailey Sweet KaWai Sze to Marissa Texada Tycen Thompson Meagan Tobin Hailey Tomey Sienna Torres Tanner Tortorella Shelby Towne Benjamin Trimble Victor Urquidi Jessica Utton Sergio Valenzuela Zakary Van Tuyl Stephen Vance Jr. Michael Vargas Heather Vedeler Isabella Velasco Angelica Venegas Amelia Verdugo Aiden Visic Grayson Vizzerra Jacob Walker

“What lies ahead of you, and what lies behind you, is nothing compared to what lies within you.”

- Mahatma Gandhi

Katherine Wallen Alexandra Walters Hunter Wasson Baili Watt James Watters Kylie Webb Sofia Wernik Kiriko Westover Ezrie Wetmore Nathan Wilson Bennett Wojcik Jordan Wollangk

Mary Catherine Won Isabel Woodworth Andrew Wright Kamaya Yearling Logan Yonker Suzuka Yoshino Garrett Young Jeffy Yu Alonzo Zavala Barajas Eduardo Zepeda Zachary Zimmerman Sara Zitouni

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

e t i u q Mes

HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2020

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS: $7,181,670 VALEDICTORIAN

Sean Fay GPA: 4.82 Parents: Deanne and Bill Fay Total scholarships offered: $894,000 Heading to: Notre Dame University Career in mind: Business Achievements: Eagle Scout, Boy Scout Medal of Merit, 1st place in team science project at Scottsdale Community College, varsity tennis.

Activities: tennis, Blood Drive Committee co-leader, National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society treasurer.

SALUTATORIAN

Jeffy Yu GPA: 4.77 Parents: Donna Guan and Tony Yu Total scholarships offered: $27,490 Heading to: Northeastern University Career in mind: Computer science Achievements: Stanford summer session, first place Scottsdale Community College Math & Science Day, first place Marquee Math Competition, Golden Scholar, Speech & Debate varsity letter, National Speech and Debate Distinction.

Activities: Math & Science Club, UNICEF, Ecology Club, Speech & Debate, Quizbowl, AEGIS, Blood Drive Committee, NHS, Spanish Honors Society, yearbook.

Total grads: 366

VALEDICTORIAN

Athira Ambadi GPA: 4.87 Parents: Nisha and Satheesh Ambadi Total scholarships offered: $55,490 Heading to: University of Arizona Career in mind: Psychological science Achievements: School letter Activities: Speech & Debate, UNICEF, National Honor Society, A World of Difference.

Officers: Ezrie Wetmore, student body president; Mia Graves, class president; Jaci Celenza, class vice president; Abby Littler, class secretary; Sanita Green, class treasurer; Sonja Milosavljevic, vice president of legislation; Kate Nelson, dance director.

Top 2 percent of the class: Athira Ambadi, Sean Fay, Jeffy Yu, Ryan Cabrera, Makayla Martinez, Afton Daniels and Andrew Pocock.

National Hispanic Scholars: Miguel Benitez Arvizu and Ryan Cabrera.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Higley Unified School District

s on i t a l u t a gr Con

“The circumstances of one’s birth are irrelevant. It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.”

- Takeshi Shudo, Pokemon

“The expected is just the beginning.

The unexpected is what changes our lives.”

– Grey’s Anatomy

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Hi gley

HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2020

TOP STUDENTS JOSH TRANSTRUM GPA: 4.94 College: Church Mission then Utah State University Major: Mechanical engineering, aerospace Total scholarship offers: $72,000 Activities: Best Buddies, Rho Kappa and National Honor Society.

KEVAN W. BECKSTEAD GPA: 4.85​ College: Brigham Young University Major: Astrophysics​ Total scholarship offers: $11,300 Activities: Math Club president, Best Buddies BRENDEN CARLOS MARTINEZ GPA: 4.83 College: Arizona State University Major: Computer systems engineering Total scholarship offers: Full ride to ASU Activities: National Honor Society, Engineering Club, Eagle Scout

Josh Transtrum

Kevan Beckstead Brenden Martinez

Top 1 percent: Kevan Wade Beckstead, Joseph Ben Dinehart, Ashley Elizabeth Dohlman, Lindsey Ann Giles, Austin Garrett Grandy, Kali Christine Heaton, Dylan Thomas Kooima, Kailey Nicole Kruse, Lily Lines, Brenden Carlos Martinez, Asia Alexander Northern, Jaxson Courtland Scown, Jackson Kendall Solomon, Ammon Lee Steele, Joshua Riley Their, Slvin Tan Tran and Joshua Erik Transtrum.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Congratulations

BASHA HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

#bashabuilt

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Seton

HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2020

VALEDICTORIAN

SALUTATORIAN

Audrey Stevenson

GPA: 4.6 weighted Parents: Toni and Shane Stevenson Total scholarship offers: $202,323 freshman year; $805,240 four-year total.

Achievements: National Merit Semifinalist; Academic Letter Award, earning the Lamp of Knowledge pin and 5 merit bars over four years; Department Awards earned: Sacraments, Honors Composition and Reading, Honors Algebra I; National Spanish Exam: Gold and bronze medals, honorable mention; Cross Country Coach’s Award, 10th grade; Leadership Positions: President of the Seton’s Sentinel Ambassador Society and its National Honor Society chapter; House Leader as a junior and senior; Public Relations Officer for Spanish National Honor Society 2018-2020; Seton Sentinel Ambassador, 2017-2020; Junior co-chair for the Sentinel Ambassador Society Council 2018-2019; Junior Representative for the National Honor Society 20182019; Representative on Student Council 2016-2017; Activities: Leader for freshmen and sophomore retreats; Fine Arts productions all four years; member of Pep, Marching, and Concert Bands; Member of cross country and soccer varsity teams; Participant in MathWorks Math Modelling Challenge and Santa Clara University Summer Engineering Seminar; Music Ministry at St. Mary’s Catholic Church; tutor at St. Mary-Basha Catholic School.

Veronica Borboa

GPA: 4.3 weighted Parents: Ana and Karlo Borboa Total value of scholarship offers: $34,000 freshman year; $136,000 four-year total College: University of Arizona Achievements: National Hispanic Scholar; Sentinel Ambassador, three years; House Leader, two years; Varsity Pom Team member earning a varsity letter, pin, bar and Most Improved Award; Varsity Cheer member earning a varsity letter, pin, and bar and Crossover of theYear Award; Studio Company and Seton Catholic Prep Dance Company member earning a varsity letter, pin, and bar in dance and Top Performer Award.

Activities: Musical and drama lead choreographer at SCP, as well as Chandler Youth Theatre; SCP Concert Choir member, as well as Diocese Crozier Honors Choir, three years; National Honor Society, National Math Honor Society and National Art Honor Society member; Kairos Retreat home team leader; Junior Ambassador for the American Diabetes Association; St. Mary Catholic Church Music Ministry; Library assistant at St. Mary-Basha Catholic School.

GILBERT CHAMPIONS OF 2019-2020

Mesquite Division 2 Badminton

Highland Hig h Division 1 C ross Country

vision 5 Williams Field Di

Football

Mesquite Division 4 Football

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a w a Ott

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

UNIVERSITY

Ottawa University enhances student experience

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff Writer

W

ith the COVID-19 pandemic still dominating the world, high school graduates and transfer students may choose to stay closer to home to continue their studies this fall.

Encouraging students to “Stay Connected, Stay Local,” Ottawa University-Arizona (OUAZ) wants these bright young minds to consider its Surprise campus at 15950 N. Civic Center Plaza.

“We are preparing all necessary precautions to host students at our brandnew residential campus in Surprise, which also has emergency services on site,” said Dr. Brian Sandusky, OUAZ’s chief enrollment officer. “Students may want to stay close to home and we want them to know about their opportunities here with us. We have new facilities on our campus, which opened in Fall 2019.

It’s an exciting time for us here in Surprise.”

Founded in 1865, Ottawa University is a nonprofit, private liberal arts university with its original residential campus in Ottawa, Kansas. The professional campus in Phoenix has been educating adult learners in the Valley for more than 40 years and boasts more than 8,000 alumni. Surprise is home to Ottawa University’s second residential campus.

Housing at OUAZ features a new residence hall with suite-style, fully furnished rooms. Amenities include cable television and a 55-inch, wall-mounted TV, laundry facilities, student lounges and a game room. Scholars Hall accom-

Dr. Brian Sandusky is Ottawa University Arizona’s chief (Courtesy Ottawa University)

modates more than 300 students.

Ottawa University offers housing awards for students who hail from the West Valley—Avondale, Buckeye, Deer Valley, El Mirage, Goodyear, Glendale, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Sun City West, Tolleson, Surprise, Waddell, Whitman and Youngtown.

“We believe a fully rounded education-

al experience for students includes residential living,” Sandusky said.

Students who stay in university housing for six semesters, or three years, are eligible for 50% off their graduate tuition rate while studying at OUAZ Surprise.

“We want to bring value to our community and our alumni, and this is one example of that mission,” Sandusky said.

Two other new buildings are part of the OUAZ campus. The student union includes a stateof-the-art dining center, an entertainment lounge with indoor/outdoor fireplace, fan shop, mailroom, classrooms and banquet hall. It is also home to the new Adawe Center mentorship program, which is designed to help students be successful in their colenrollment officer. lege experience. The new O’Dell Center houses the university’s athletic facilities, fitness and recreational center, Faith Arena, facility and athletic offices, additional classrooms and laboratories.

OUAZ offers a variety of majors. Top majors include biology, business, Christian studies and ministry, communication, early childhood education, elementary education, engineering, exercise science, human resources, leadership

and management, psychology, secondary education and sport studies.

Ottawa University is committed to developing students to be work-ready and world-ready upon graduation. Personal Growth Days (PGDs) consist of three important components: Spirit Life, a worship and speaker series; Network Lunch, a community lunch on campus; and Student Development Courses, a series of life- and work-skills workshops “Our chancellor, Dr. Kevin Eichner, came up with the idea of limiting classes on Wednesdays to allow for our PGDs,” Sandusky said.

“We have a variety of guest speakers, such as community- or faith-based leaders. The Wednesday workshops provide students with work-readiness skills, like resume writing and interviewing. Students need those skills. There’s a focus on world-readiness skills, too. That can be how to buy a house, how to budget, business dinner etiquette, and even changing a tire.”

Ottawa University prides itself on being a “participatory campus.” Students participate in academic clubs, competitive club sports and varsity athletics. For example, students who participate in the business club gain real-world business experience outside the classroom, while receiving a significant scholarship to help them.

“We have ACT, SAT and GPA scholarships, as well as scholarships for the academic and club sports,” Sandusky said.

“These are unique and lucrative scholarship opportunities for our students.”

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Complementing OUAZ’s robust varsity athletic offerings are the university’s competitive club sports. Esports and badminton are starting in the fall. Other programs include ultimate frisbee, cycling, outdoor adventure, bowling and wrestling.

Gone are days of one-size-fits-all scheduling, and OUAZ offers an innovative alternative.

“Our exclusive FlexTerm scheduling is one of our biggest distinguishing features,” Sandusky said. “It has been well received by students.”

FlexTerm scheduling consists of classes offered in a four-, eight- or 16-week term format. Students work with their faculty mentor to assist them with their course scheduling. This flexible format allows them time to study and participate in activities.

Visit ottawa.edu/ouaz to learn more about OUAZ’s programming and scholarships.

So next semester, remember to “Stay Connected, Stay Local.”

Ottawa University Arizona—Surprise Campus offers classes in four-, eight- or 16-week format. (Courtesy Ottawa University)

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020