Under coach Mann, Perry VB skyrocketing in state rankings
BY TYLER STRACHAN
The Perry High School girls volleyball team does not have a heralded history or a rich tradition of success and victory. But under head coach, Fred Mann, change is on the horizon.
Mann was hired in 2013, inheriting a program that had achieved 12 wins in the two years prior, and was ranked
76th in the state.
Since his arrival, the team has never won fewer than 25 games in a season. It has been the topic of chatter among the upper echelon of Arizona teams after claiming the No. 6 spot in the state rankings.
When Mann was brought in to turn around the team, it was acknowledged that he could build a dynasty.
“I love the sport of volleyball,” Mann said via e-mail. “I enjoyed playing so much, I would love others to find that same enjoyment. I am also extremely competitive, and the sport of volleyball fuels my competitiveness.’’
Born and raised in South Africa, Mann moved to the United States in 1991 at the age of 25, and played professional beach volleyball until 1995. When his playing career was over, Mann turned his attention to coaching, taking a position at Mountain Pointe High School in Tempe.
During his time with the Pride, Mann led his boys and girls teams to a combined eight state championships over a 17-year tenure as head coach.
This year’s team at Perry could easily be Mann’s best since his hiring, and after getting out to a 29-7 start to its season, it has the look of one of Mann’s championship-caliber groups at Mountain Pointe.
But even with the hot start, Mann
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said he still believes his team hasn’t performed up to its full potential.
“We feel as if there is more progress to be made,” Mann said. “We have some really athletic players, who are playing well.”
The aura surrounding the program has begun to alter, and with each win, Mann and the Pumas get closer to completing the turnaround that they set out to achieve in 2013.
And in 2015, it seems that Perry
finally has the rare and elusive combination of a winning formula and a talented roster.
“Culture is perhaps more important than skill,” Mann said. “We place a ton of emphasis on being a good teammate, being unselfish, and adopting the philosophy of team.”
“It also helps that we have good players.”
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Coach Fred Mann runs Varsity Senior Myla Durling through a few blocking drills. GSN photos by Tim Sealy
Coach Fred Mann. GSN photos by Tim Sealy
Climbing the ranks A local teen becomes an Eagle Scout
BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON
For many, going through the ranks of Boy Scouts is a childhood rite of passage. One of the largest youth organizations in the U.S., the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has more than 2.4 million young members and nearly 1 million adult volunteers, according to BSA statistics. The organization has been around for more than a century.
“The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness,” cited the official BSA website, www. scouting.org.
While millions participate in the national program, very few climb the ranks to earn the highest honor of Eagle Scout. In fact, according to the BSA, only 6 percent of all Boy Scouts earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2013 (the last year of statistics available).
One local teen recently earned the honor through hard work and a one-of-a-kind project that benefits the environment.
Joseph Robert Malinski, 14, a freshman at Perry High School, has been an active member of Scouts for half of his life.
“I started as a Cub Scout in third grade
with Pack 524 in Chandler,” he said. “I joined Troop 923 at Gilbert Redemption in 2012 and still am an active member. So, in total, [I’ve been a member] for seven years.”
Malinski said his primary inspiration is his family.
“My uncle an achieved the rank when he was a teenager and my parents have supported me and helped throughout my entire Scouting career,” he said.
To earn the rank of Eagle Scout members have to go through a stringent application process and complete a large, multilayered project that gives back to the community.
Inspired by his love of owls, Malinski chose to restore and build new burrowing owl habitats at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. He completed his project by working with Wild at Heart, a Valleybased nonprofit that serves as a rescue, rehabilitation and release center for birds of prey (which includes owls, hawks, falcons and eagles).
“Recently, I’ve had a chance to view the results of my project firsthand, and many owls and their young are living in the burrows created at the project,” Malinski said. “I had a blast completing my project
Massey continues her popular children’s book series
BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON
A Gilbert resident for more than 30 years, and a longtime farm and business owner, Rebecca Massey wanted to recapture her imagination. She did so in a unique way—by adding the title of children’s book author to her resume.
Her creation, the Colton’s Pocket Dragon series, includes seven books (and counting) that tell the whimsical tale of an average boy named Colton who finds an egg that hatches and reveals a magical dragon. In each short story, Colton and his dragon have many escapades and learn timeless lessons.
“They fly off on exciting adventures, in search of one Colton’s favorite animals or places, where they encounter all kinds of creatures to fight along the way,” Massey described. “Colton’s main goal on each adventure is to save his newfound friend from the monsters, where he has to create weapons from anything he finds along the way, to aid in the return of his friend back home to his family.”
Massey said that she uses the “dragon books concept as the
background to teaching young people traditional values.” She added that her work demonstrates that dragon books can be something much more than simply fantasy tales.
As of last month, Massey has published seven short stories in the Colton’s Pocket Dragon series, with several more in the works. The titles include: “Book 1: Dragon Land,” “Book 2: Iggy the Bigfoot,” “Book 3: Skylar the Dinosaur,” “Book 4: Meeting Santa Claus,” “Book 5: Tansy the Abominable Snowman,” “Book 6: Heaven” and “Book 7: Max the Race Car.” She’s working on “Book 8: The Dream” and “Book 9: The RC Airplane.”
All of the titles are available online at Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble’s website. Massey said each book has been well received and has garnered positive reviews.
So how does one go from a farmer and business owner to a children’s book author? Massey said she entertained the idea for years and remembered a story her grandson
and hope others strive to achieve this rank.”
Through his Scouting experiences, Malinski has learned a variety of life skills, he said.
“The most memorable things I’ve learned in Scouting are some important leadership skills and survival skills,” he confirmed. Another memorable thing I’ve learned is how to teach others and help them learn.”
He added that he plans to give back to
the Scouts as an adult volunteer.
“My plans for the future include receiving a college education and degree that will lead into a secure profession and continuing on with Scouts by mentoring younger Scouts and becoming a Scout leader later on in my life,” Malinski said.
To learn more about Wild at Heart, visit www.wildatheartraptors.org.
Joseph Robert Malinski, 14, a freshman at Perry High School, recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Submitted photo
Goal setting teaches toddlers and preschoolers lifelong skills
Now that the New Year is approaching, millions of Americans have set goals for themselves on things they would like to do or improve upon. For parents and caregivers of children 5 and younger, this New Year’s tradition offers a wonderful opportunity to expand children’s learning. As 2016 approaches, parents can engage their children in conversations about past years’ celebrations and upcoming resolutions. Adults can share resolutions they have made in the past and talk about how setting goals helps us grow and learn. They can also talk with their children about setting realistic and achievable goals for themselves.
The two most important parts of this conversation are: it must be a backand-forth dialogue between a caregiver and a child, and the child must arrive at their resolutions on their own. For toddlers and preschoolers, some simple resolutions might include:
• Reading together for 30 minutes every day
• Brushing teeth every day, or learning to do it on their own
• Trying one new fruit or vegetable each month
• Less TV or computer use to make time for family games or physical activity
• Learning to tie their shoes or get dressed on their own
• Getting to bed by a certain time every day
• Learning a new sport or musical instrument.
In these discussions, help your child decide how they will monitor their progress and what good rewards for progress might be: a new book, stickers on a calendar, a visit to a museum or local event, etc. As the year progresses, use successes or challenges as opportunities to talk about setting higher goals or adjusting old goals to be more realistic. Focus always on the positive—such as progress made or obstacles that have been overcome.
At each step along the way, parents will see their children achieving their goals, but the process itself will strengthen parent-child relationships, build vocabulary (resolution is a big word) and contribute to skills—such as motivation, self-esteem and focus—that will serve our children now, once they enter school and throughout their lives.
STUDENT CHRONICLES
Know a student who’s doing something remarkable? Send items for student chronicles to christina@ timespublications.com.
Boston University awarded academic degrees to 1,637 students in September 2015. Among the graduates was Jeffrey K. Davis, who earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Pediatric Dentistry. Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research.
Aaron Pinion was among the 930 graduates from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, this summer. The graduates represented 53 Kansas counties, 44 other states and 24 other countries.
Emmalie Swartz was named to Biola University’s dean’s list for academic
excellence. The university is located in La Mirada, California. She was one of 1,566 students who were named to the dean’s list. Biola students are placed on the dean’s list to honor those with a grade point average of 3.6 or higher while enrolled in 12 of more credit units and whose cumulative grade point average is at least a 3.2.
Sydney Kern has been selected for the 201516 Harding University Chorus in Searcy, Arkansas. Following auditions at the beginning of the fall semester, students were chosen for the 60-member ensemble that performs on and off campus. Kern performs choral classics, new works, spirituals, opera, folk songs, novelties and contemporary Christian songs. The chorus also travels throughout the United States and the world to perform for a variety of audiences. Taking an extended tour in January and shorter trips during the school year, the group holds numerous concerts on campus and in the community.
Kayla Vance has been selected for the 2015-16 Belle Canto women’s choir at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. Following auditions at the beginning of the fall semester, female student vocalists were chosen for the almost 60-member ensemble. Vance performs a selection of sacred and secular pieces. The group consists of a variety of majors and talented singers in all disciplines.
Allyson Dell’Amico was named to the 2015 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Volleyball All-Academic Team. Dell’Amico, an engineering major, earned All-Academic First Team accolades. To qualify for First Team All-Academic consideration, a student-athlete must carry a 3.30 cumulative grade point average and must have been an active student at the institution for at least two consecutive semesters or three consecutive quarters. All players who were not voted to the first Team AllAcademic were automatically qualified for the All-Academic Honor Roll.
Four East Valley musicians recognized by All-American Bowl
BY KENNETH LAFAVE
Eight of the 125 best high school marching band musicians in the country live in Arizona, and half of those live in the East Valley.
So says the U.S. Army, which recently announced that Jacob and Zachary Lythgoe, seniors at Campo Verde High School, and Caroline Earnhardt and Sienna Samour, seniors at Perry High School in the Chandler Unified School District, will participate in the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 9, in San Antonio.
The All-American Bowl is the equivalent of a national, high-school all-star game, complete with the country’s best high school band musicians at halftime.
“It was a shock to be chosen, when there more than 1,300 applicants and only 125 made it. That’s less than one in 10,” said Earnhardt, who plays the Sousaphone, or marching tuba.
“It was a shock, but cool.”
“We didn’t even know we were getting nominated until after our director turned our names in,” said Jacob Lythgoe of his and his brother’s nomination. “It was a surprise that both of us got in. I guess if only one of us had made it, that wouldn’t have been good.”
Jacob plays the trumpet, and Zachary plays the mellophone, a marching version
of the French horn. Jacob and Zachary are two-thirds of a set of triplets; their sister, Rachel, does not play an instrument.
Applicants for the honor had to be seniors and nominated by their band director. The audition process consisted of three parts: a performing audition, a marching audition, and a personal, selfinterview.
It was the personal interview that caused Samour the most trouble.
“I wanted to present myself in a way that made me seem confident and appreciative, but every time I got in front of the camera,
I couldn’t put the words together,” said the clarinetist.
“It took 10 or 11 times to get it right.”
For Earnhardt, coordinating the camera for her marching audition was the hardest thing. All four agreed that the playing audition was the most gratifying to put together.
Matt Kozacek, director of bands at Campo Verde, nominated the Lythgoes, and Brandon Kiesgen, band director at Perry, nominated Samour and Earnhardt.
“These are obviously great players,” Kozacek said. “But there is something
else you need to be at this level in band, something people don’t think about. You have to show responsibility and accountability in order to manage your time.”
Marching bands typically practice on the field two nights a week, practice in class an additional two or three times during the school week, and play football games on Fridays.
Then there’s individual practice.
“We practice a lot,” Zachary says, speaking for him and Jacob. “An hour a day for each of us, plus homework. There are some late nights.”
The 2016 U.S. Army All-American Bowl will air on NBC.
The Army makes no bones about using the All-American Bowl partly as a recruiting tool, both for the athletes and the musicians. Though neither Jacob nor Zachary expressed interest in the recruitment aspects of the All-American Bowl, both Caroline and Sienna said they were thinking about it.
“I’d already been considering the military because of the music. I’d like to be in a band,” Earnhardt said.
“I will meet with Army reps in San Antonio,” Samour said. “My dad is encouraging me to at least think about it.”
Jacob and Zachary Lythgoe, shown with band director Matt Kozacek, received special jackets at a ceremony Nov. 12 announcing their participation in All-American Band. Submitted photo
WHERE YOU
Burk Elementary a D-backs Challenge winner
Burk Elementary School was one of 22 educational facilities throughout the state that won funds from the D-backs $100,000 School Challenge.
Burk Elementary will use the grant money to purchase a license for the Reflex Math Site. Reflex helps students of all ability levels to develop fluency with their basic math facts.
Burk’s Principal Brad Paes said, thanks to this grant, the school will be able to purchase Reflex.
“We have used Reflex through a pilot program and have witnessed the effectiveness of this unique program,” Paes said.
“We thank the Diamondbacks Foundation for making this purchase possible for our students.”
With more than 300 submissions from Arizona schools, the winning grants come from all around Arizona and will fund projects ranging in need from school improvements to innovative educational programs.
Through the School Challenge program, the D-backs have provided
more than 120 schools with grants for an overall monetary commitment of more than $600,000 since the program launched in 2012.
“The D-backs are excited to once again partner with University of Phoenix to provide Arizona schools with much needed funding through our School Challenge program,” said D-backs President and CEO Derrick Hall.
“Each year the applications get more creative and we see that in many cases this type of funding is a necessity. We are proud to be able to help schools across the state to encourage innovative educational programs and to assist where it is so desperately needed.”
Each winning school will be honored and receive a check on the field at a 2016 D-backs game next April and May at Chase Field. The D-backs will donate 1,000 tickets for students, parents, teachers and staff to attend the D-backs’ game in which their school will be honored.
would love—one about a magical dragon. Then, one day, she began to put pen to paper and her stories were born. She was encouraged by her husband to pursue publishing her books—and added that her grandson, while now grown, still loves the stories.
One unique aspect of the children’s book series is that they touch on both humorous and serious topics.
“‘Book 6: Heaven’ was inspired by the untimely passing of my father last year. Writing this book was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I cried a million tears writing this story. This book is a good way for children to help cope with the loss of a loved one,” Massey said.
“...’Book 7: Max the Race Car’ is a hilarious story about Colton and all his dragons taking his father’s race car for a drive. The idea for this book comes from my husband’s 1963 Plymouth Belvedere racecar named Max.” Massey said that the ideas for the book series are endless and she hopes they continue. Recently, she added a new character named Zinnia, which adds a new twist to Colton’s adventures.
“Writing about little dragons this is the perfect thing for the young people to connect with,” she said.
To learn more about the Colton’s Pocket Dragon series, visit www. coltonspocketdragon.com.
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Desert Choice Schools provides special education program to HUSD
BY ALISON STANTON
Thanks to an innovative program from Desert Choice Schools, special education students in the Higley Unified School District are getting the help they need on their school campuses.
Rick Weathers, president of the Desert Choice Schools advisory board, said traditionally, many students with special needs are transported out of the district to private day schools.
In some cases, Weathers said, the students would spend up to two hours a day on a bus traveling between campuses.
“This meant students were losing quality instructional time,” he said.
In an effort to keep special needs students on their home campuses and not spend valuable learning time on transportation, Weathers said the Desert Choice Schools program takes place at the students’ school.
HUSD is one of two school districts with which Desert Choice Schools is working; the other is the Buckeye Unified School District.
“We started with one classroom in the Higley Unified School District and our program has been very successful,”
Weathers said.
This year, 36 students from the district are part of the Desert Choice Schools program.
One benefit of the Desert Choice Schools program, Weathers said, is that it works along with the school administration, teachers, parents and students to make sure the children’s needs are being met without placing a burden on the already financially challenged school system.
Another bonus, Weathers said, is that students who are part of the program are more likely to be reintegrated back into the mainstream classrooms.
“Our student reintegration rate is as much as 30 percent. In a lot of cases, students were struggling for years, but we have been able to meet their needs and help them succeed,” he said.
Dr. Diane Bruening, HUSD’s executive director of special education, said the three dozen students who are part of the Desert Choice Schools program range in age from kindergarten through seventh grade.
“It’s all about providing very high quality teaching and support for the special needs
kids who are found in most schools,” she said.
“Desert Choice Schools provides laserlike support to our high needs population, and the student support is more intensive than our schools’ programs.”
Bruening said parents have been very pleased with the Desert Choice Schools program and their children’s results.
“I no longer have to have conversations with parents and students about busing them to another city,” she said.
“Parents are very comfortable that their
child is still in the Higley Unified School District, and Desert Choice Schools has a schedule just like ours, so if parents have more than one child in our district, it just works beautifully for that.”
Bruening said she is very pleased that HUSD is working with Desert Choice Schools.
“We have had very few problems or issues, and I get calls from parents that are reporting good news,” she said.
“Parents routinely tell me about the success that their kids are having.”
Now enrolling for block 2 which starts October 19th
transportation
e are committed to educational excellence in a safe and secure environment. Our bold, New “Early College—Early Career” philosphy allows Desert Hills students to earn up to 60 college credits while still in high school. This approach to achievement has been shown to give students a dramatically improved opportunity to graduate from high school ready for life. It’s a fast-tracked, solid foundation to prepare you for college, to advance in the military or to pursue skilled post-secondary job training.
Special needs students in the Desert Choice Schools program in the Higley Unified School District can stay right on campus for their school day, instead of spending up to two hours a day being bused to and from a day school. Submitted photo
