News and observations compiled by the Tribune’s Mesa reporters and editors
Archive for the 'Education' Category
March 30th, 2009, 9:31 am by Michelle Reese
 Kolby Gessner, Basha High student; Monique Inguito, Queen Creek High student; and Katherine Sondergold, Dobson High student; have all won culinary scholarships to continue their education. This news came into the Tribune today:
Nine students attending the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) Culinary Arts Program are reaping the rewards of hard work and dedication, taking home gold, silver, and bronze medals as well as thousands of dollars in scholarship money.
Six of these students received awards in the Art Institute’s Regional Best Teen Chef competitions held on March 14 in Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas, winning three gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal.
Only days later, three additional students won the top three scholarship awards at the C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Programs) breakfast for their competition held on March 21. Monique Inguito, Queen Creek High School, won a bachelor’s degree scholarship of $85,000 to the Culinary Institute of America in New York; Katherine Sondergeld of Dobson High school was awarded a $40,000 full tuition scholarship to Johnson & Wales Culinary Institute in South Carolina; and Kolby Gessner, Basha High School, was awarded an Associates Degree scholarship of $48,000 to the Art Institute of Phoenix.
All of the top honors at the Best Teen Chef of Phoenix competition were taken by EVIT students with Jordan Sessions of Gilbert High School taking home gold, Kimberly “Bri” Hale with silver, and Jorge Zuniga, East Valley Academy with bronze.
Gabriela Chavarria, Highland High School, received first place gold and James Hubbard, McClintock High School, silver for the Best Teen Chef of Tucson while Brandon Cote, also of Highland, rounded it off by taking first place gold in Las Vegas. All of the gold winners now have a chance to compete for the national title in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 9 where all competitors will go home with full or partial scholarships. First place will get a full-ride scholarship to the Art Institute in the location they competed. Second place will get half, third will get quarter, fourth-ninth will receive a $5,000 scholarship and all remaining finalists will receive $1,000 tuition scholarship.
Posted in: Education • Mesa | 1 Comment »
March 30th, 2009, 9:16 am by Michelle Reese
This news came into the Tribune today:
The Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies is in its second school year. We recently won the Arizona State Science and Engineering Fair Elementary Division for the second year in a row. Twelve of our elementary entrants placed in the top 4 places in the state science fair with a fifth-grade young lady winning the grand championship for the elementary division.
Our junior high had 13 place winners. Mrs. Merlene, our elementary sceince instructor took the state science teacher award. We also had several other awards that were awarded seperate from the AzSEF fair.
Posted in: Education • Mesa | Post a Comment »
February 18th, 2009, 3:03 pm by Michelle Reese
Peter Piper Pizza at 1833 N. Power Road in Mesa will hold a fundraiser for several Mesa schools Thursday, Feb. 19. The event will be held 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with 15 percent of the proceeds going back to four focus schools in the Mesa Unified School District.
Patrons just have to mention the fundraiser to restaurant staff.
Some school and city officials have announced they will be in attendance to support the effort, said Megan Pirehpour, transition facilitator with the district.
Posted in: Education • Mesa | 1 Comment »
February 10th, 2009, 10:38 am by Michelle Reese
This news came into the Tribune today:
Rick Hewitt, a sixth-grader from Sirrine Elementary, won the District Bee this year, with David Gouldthorpe, a seventh-grader from Smith Junior High, second.
Sixty-four students, in grades four through eight, qualified for the District Bee by winning their school bees.
Trophies were presented to the top five spellers. Third place went to Stapley Junior High’s Julia Guo, fourth place to Whittier Elementary’s Kurgan Freedle, and fifth place to Fremont Junior High’s Jeremy Adams.
Qualifying for the Regional Spelling Bee were the top five spellers and: Chad Patterson, Brimhall Junior High; Baylee Allred, Falcon Hill Elementary; Christopher Hui, Franklin West Elemetary; Trevan Christensen, Kerr Elementary; David Jaffe, Las Sendas Elemetary; Bryce Gillen; Mendoza Elementary; Paige Heckel, O’Connor Elementary; Jenna Sweet, Poston Junior High; Autumn Reckards, Shepherd Junior High; and Ivana Crook, Taft Elementary.
Posted in: Education | 1 Comment »
February 10th, 2009, 10:36 am by Michelle Reese
Organizers of Westwood High’s 40th class reunion are eager to hear from alumni throughout the city, state and nation as soon as possible. The celebration will be 6-11 p.m. April 18, with a $10 cover charge.
Because the response has been very poor so far, the location was changed to Chet Arnett’s home, 525 N. Cherry, Mesa. E-mail contacts: mmetzger@radsafe.com, deedeezemail@msn.com.
Posted in: Education | Post a Comment »
January 7th, 2009, 2:28 pm by Sonu Munshi
Mesa or Gilbert school students in 4th, 5th or 6th grade who can make a case for someone they look up to in their daily lives can enter the “Every Day Heroes” writing contest.
Students can write about why they believe their parent or a teacher or neighbor, for instance, is a hero.
The contest is being organized by the Mesa and Gilbert fire department and the Phoenix Coyotes.
The winner takes home four tickets to the March 14 Coyotes game against the Nashville Predators.
Tickets for the student’s classmates and a chaperon for each classmate to the same game also is part of the prize package, along with a party with the Coyotes mascot.
Entry form can be accessed at:
http://www.mesaaz.gov/fire/FLSE/pdf/EssayContest-EntryForm.pdf
Mesa students can send their essays to Marrisa Ramírez-Ramos, 13 W. First Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
Gilbert students can send entries to Jean Machnicki, GFD 85 E. Civic Center Drive Gilbert, AZ 85296
Contest deadline is Wed, Jan 14. The winner will be notified by Mon, Feb 2, 2009.
Posted in: Education • Mesa • Uncategorized | Post a Comment »
December 22nd, 2008, 3:10 pm by Michelle Reese
This news came into the Tribune today:
Students enrolled in health classes at the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) set a national record for giving this season. They collected over $2,000.00 in contributions for autism research. Students enrolled in allied health, medical assistant, health occupations, nursing assistant and massage therapy also belong to the national organization, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). Through HOSA students support the efforts of the nonprofit organization, “Autism Speaks.”
The students created a competition among the classes to encourage students to sell puzzle pieces for a tax-deductible donation of one dollar during a two-week period. The results even surprised the teachers.
“The students really embraced this fundraiser. We were all surprised at the amount of money that was raised. Our goal was to raise $500 and instead we were able to donate $2,270,” said instructor Sharon Black. “While checking out the donations of other HOSA chapters nationally, we’ve raised more than any other chapter.”
Becky Adams, junior from Dobson High School raised $741.00 by herself.
“I collected from friends, family and neighbors,” Adams said. “I felt that this was a very important cause and that everyone in the health field should take it seriously.”
Every donation made to Autism Speaks funds autism research, raises awareness, promotes advocacy and provides family services.
The East Valley Institute of Technology is a joint technical education district, and is currently honored as an A+ school in Arizona. EVIT provides more than 40 occupation specific programs for high school students in the East Valley. Classes are also open to adult students at tuition rates. EVIT is located at 1601 West Main St. in Mesa. For more information about programs offered, please call (480) 461-4000.
Posted in: Education | 1 Comment »
December 12th, 2008, 1:16 pm by Michelle Reese
This news came into the Tribune:
Frank Bennett Sr., avid supporter of the Mesa Public Schools’ Music Program, is the district’s December volunteer of the month.
Bennett’s brainchild was the MPS Marching Band Extravaganza at the Mesa Arts Center, where all five high school bands came together to play for the community. He worked with Band Booster Clubs and the MAC Foundation to bring his vision to life.
See a video made by the Tribune of the Marching Band Extravaganza
“His support is also evident each year, when he asks his many friends to make extracurricular activity donations to help the district purchase pianos for the junior highs,” said Debra Duvall, superintendent.
Posted in: Education • Mesa | Post a Comment »
December 5th, 2008, 1:23 pm by Michelle Reese
 State Superintendent of Instruction Tom Horne, award winner Jennifer Svans and Kerr Elementary School principal Thea Hansen. Jennifer Svans, a second-grade teacher at Mesa’s Kerr Elementary School, was honored with a $25,000 Milken Educator Award this week. The surprise presentation by Arizona Superintendent of Instruction Tom Horne was made at Kerr. Svans has been teaching for nine years, four years at Kerr.
The awards are given to early- to mid-year teachers. More than 70 teachers are being honored this year. They will receive their awards during an education conference in April in California.
There is no application process. Teachers who meet the criteria are nominated based on the following:
Candidates for the Milken Educator Awards are selected on the basis of the following criteria:
• Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;
• Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession;
• Strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and
• Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.
Posted in: Education | 1 Comment »
November 10th, 2008, 12:38 pm by Michelle Reese
Elizabeth Danielson, school psychologist at Stevenson and Las Sendas elementary schools, won the Keith Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arizona Association of School Psychologists.
The award is presented annually to someone who exemplifies a career of service to students, teachers, administrators, parents, the community and the profession of school psychology.
Posted in: Education • Mesa | Post a Comment »
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