May 2015
Relentlessly local coverage of Gilbert and our neighboring communities
Go Speed Racer
Carter Holmes joined his siblings at the annual Power Wheels Derby event, driving a replica Mario kart just like in the popular video games.
Teacher remembered as witty, honest
Highland Park Elementary School earns A+ designation
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
BY ALISON STANTON
When Kayden Jarnagan remembers her teacher Aimee Hunter, she recalls a vibrant, caring woman who would do anything to get her students’ attention. “We were learning about the solar system and she showed us videos and then she’d dance along with it,” Kayden said while laughing. “She was really funny. She was super sweet and she always had a smile on her face. She would always teach us in fun ways. She would show us cool videos and interact with us.” Kayden spoke at the April funeral of Hunter, 41, a Gilbert resident who died following a motorcycle crash near Haven Crest and Power Ranch Parkway. She was riding along with her boyfriend of 18 months, Mark Samsal, who died on the see TEACHER REMEMBERED page 6
Ryan Elementary School student Kayden Jarnagan, left, remembers her teacher Aimee Hunter, right, as funny and engaging. Photo courtesy of the Jarnagan family
University Phoenix. Highland Park Elementary School Highland Park Elementary School recently earned the A+ Principal Jason Martin School of Excellence award said the facility has been for the 2014/15 school year. extraordinary since it Bobbie O’Boyle, executive opened nine years ago. director of the Arizona “Much of the staff has Educational Foundation, said been here the whole that the school was among time, and we have really 26 Arizona public schools worked hard to provide to earn this honor. A second a rigorous but rewarding round of winning schools education for our will be announced this students,” he said. spring. “I really feel like we Schools receive $500 and Bobbie O’Boyle, executive make each of our 900 a banner designating them as director of Arizona Educational students feel special, an A+ School of Excellence Foundation, said a record and it was great to winner, and staff and faculty number of schools throughout reflect on this during the at the award-winning schools Arizona applied for the A+ application process.” School of Excellence award. are eligible for partial O’Boyle said they Submitted photo scholarships from Argosy see A+ page 4
1 Community 16 Neighbors 24 Neighborhood Map 26 Business
31 Youth 37 Spirituality 39 Arts 42 Opinion
Mailed toYour Home Monthly Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PHOENIX PERMIT # 1333