May 18, 2011 - Desert Vista High School

“Home of the Thunder”
Mission Statement
“Desert Vista inspires a community of learning by demonstrating excellence in academics, arts and extra-curricular activities.”
Vision Statement
“We strive for excellence by engaging our community, promoting accountability, fostering responsibility, and encouraging
lifelong learning.”
May 18, 2011
Hello Thunder Families,
It is hard to believe that another year is coming to a close. If you have an opportunity, reflect on
the many accomplishments that you have read about in the letters I have written, the articles in local
publications, and the awards students and teachers have received this school year. Each year I am
thrilled to learn that the Desert Vista school community continues to challenge its members. Many
accept the challenges and strive toward exceeding academic , extra-curricular goals and community
needs. Recognizing accomplishments motivates students to participate in the school community, and
students develop a sense of ownership of this amazing institution. This year’s senior class has embraced
Desert Vista’s motto “Excellence through Performance” and will leave this place with the most
scholarship dollars offered to any senior class in the history of Desert Vista, with growing total of
$23,102,224. On graduation night, Thursday, May 26, it will be my pleasure to share with you the final
amount offered to Desert Vista High School seniors. Below you will find the percentages of students
attending post secondary education and training.
Attending a four-year college/university after graduation 70%
Attending a two year college after graduation 25%
Attending a technical/vocational school after graduation 1%
Entering the military 2%
Entering the work force 2%
DESERT VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
A Campus of the Tempe Union High School District
16440 S. 32 nd St.
Phoenix, Arizona 85048
(480) 706-7900
FAX (480) 706-7976
Dr. Anna Battle, Principal
At Desert Vista we recognize the importance of our feeder schools. All of the Kyrene schools
have been instrumental in the development of our student body. Recently, I was honored to participate
in Cerritos Elementary Leadership Day. Cerritos has challenged the traditional model of learning by
including leadership development into their school day. Students are taking responsibility for their
learning environment, contributing to daily productivity and holding students and adults accountable to
the goals that have been defined by all school members. It was an impressive event that I was pleased
to be a part of. Congratulations to Principal DARCY DICOSMO, the Cerritios teachers, students,
administration, parents and staff.

AA/AGEC meeting (Dual Enrollment Informational Meeting)
We invite all parents and students to the Dual Enrollment Informational Meeting, Thursday,
May 19, 2011, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Desert Vista Cafeteria. Incoming freshmen and current
students will have an opportunity to receive an AA degree and or AGEC (General Studies credits) while
completing requirements for high school. Representatives from Rio Salado Community College, the
Desert Vista Administration and Guidance Department will provide information and answer questions
regarding this opportunity that no other school is offering. Topics will include:
* How to maneuver through the community college world while in high school
* How to your child select dual courses at Desert Vista
* Question and answer time
Desert Vista High School educators are aware that we have students enrolled at Desert Vista
who are capable of achieving beyond high school requirements. Teachers have prepared themselves by
completing their Master’s degrees and the training necessary to ensure that they can assist with the
development of skills which sustain academic results in colleges and universities. You will want to learn
more. We hope to see you May 19, 2011 at 6:30 pm in the Desert Vista Cafeteria.
Comeback Student Athlete
Joe Underwood was selected as this year’s Comeback Student Athlete, which means that PCH
will be sending a $1,000 donation to DV Athletics. Thank you to all of you who voted for Joe. His
parents and his Desert Vista family are really excited for this amazing athlete! Great job, Joe!
Miss Teen Rodeo Arizona
Joe is pictured here with Anthony Robles, the ASU wrestler with one
leg who won the NCAA championship this year, and the Fan Fave
winner, Savannah Allen from Pinnacle High School.
Brittney Hamilton, a junior here at Desert Vista High School, has been named Miss Teen Rodeo
Arizona. Congratulations Brittney! Read more here:

http://www.azcentral.com/community/ahwatukee/articles/2011/05/10/20110510ahwatukeeroundup-ahwatukee-girl-miss-teen-rodeo-arizona.html#ixzz1MCH8unWR
Special Education Summer Games
Matt Herbert, one of our students in the Special Education department, recently competed in
the Summer Special Olympics Games. His dead lift was 300 pounds and his bench was 145 pounds. This
is quite an accomplishment! Please congratulate him when you get a chance! Way to go, Matt!
Wind Ensemble
Recently our Wind Ensemble participated at the Arizona State Concert Band Festival at the
Chandler Center for the Arts. Out of 50 participating bands, only nine received the highest possible
rating: "Superior with Distinction." The Wind Ensemble from Desert Vista was one of those nine
ensembles. We are so proud of the hard work that these students put forth to perform at such a high
level.
Tempe Dollar for Scholars
Congratulations to Alicia Porter and Will Argeros, winners of the Tempe Dollars for Scholars
scholarship for 2011. Great job, Alicia and Will!
Pops concerts
Last week, we had Orchestra, Jazz Band and Band Pops concerts. The Orchestra and Guitar Pops
concert on Tuesday evening featured music from Pride and Prejudice, Star Trek: Through the Years,
Gladiator, and music from various video games. It was a great evening showcasing our talented
musicians. Congratulations, Dr. Darlene Wedington-Clark!

On Wednesday night the Jazz Band concert performed under the direction of Mike Krill. They
did an amazing job as well! Middle school students were on campus and also performed to the packed
house. Senior soloists were featured and they were outstanding. The audience thought so also and
gave them a standing ovation. We are so proud of each and every one of the students, teachers and
staff! Great job Mr. Krill and students!
Finally on Thursday night, the band honored a former band student, Anthony Ayman, for his
service and courage in Afghanistan at their pops concert. Our outstanding Wind Ensemble, Symphonic,
and Concert Bands played at the concert. Mr. Thye was also recognized for his recent Desert Vista Site
Council award. Congratulations to you all!
Track and Field
Katie McNamara is pictured with Dr. Anna Battle at the 5A State Boys and Girls Track and Field.
This past weekend the Desert Vista Boys and Girls Track & Field team competed at the 2011
State Division I Track Meet. Overall the girl’s team placed fourth, and the boy’s took fifth out of 67
teams. Congratulations to Yasmine Yacut for being a repeat State Champion in the 800 meters. All the
athletes competed extremely well. Listed below are the other athletes that placed in the top eight.
Carter Macey, Boys 3200 meters, fifth place
Eric Hernandez, Boys 300 Hurdles, fifth place
ReyAnn Rivera, Natalie Krafft, Samantha Goodall, Yasmine Yacut, Girls 4x800 meter Relay, fourth place
Griffin Clithero, Colin Brown, Nick Tererri, Ryan Dykstra, Boys 4x800 meter Relay, fourth place
Riley Pendergast, Boys Discus, fifth place
Spencer Schumacher, Boys Discus, eighth place
Edmond Baker, Boys High Jump, fourth place
Jarek Hilgers, Boys Long Jump, fourth place
Adam Puchi, Boys Pole Vault, fourth place
Matt Arsenau, Boys Pole Vault, sixth place
Alisha Maxwell, Girls 400 meters, seventh place
Yasmine Yacut, Girls 1600 meters , fourth place
Julia Kline, Girls 100 Hurdles, eighth place
Sydnee Freeman, Prasanna Polite, Alisha Maxwell, Yasmine Yacut, Girls 4x400 meter relay, second place
Makenzi Holmes-Digiovine, Girls Discus, fifth place
Victoria Wadsworth, Girls Discus, sixth place
Tinisha Toussaint, Girls High Jump, fifth place
Two varsity school records were broken during the 2011 season: Edmond Baker in the high
jump and Riley Pendergast in the discus. Andrew Hermanski set a Freshman record in the 3200m, and
Adam Puchi and Scott Marshall set sophomore pole vault records. Congratulation Thunder Track &
Field Team on a great 2011 season!

Lacrosse
The Desert Vista Boys Lacrosse team ended up with the best record in club history at 12-3. We
doubled the amount of points scored from last year. We had six players make the South All- Star Team.
Those players were Anthony Abbadessa, Chad Hyslop, Colton Valadez, David Sartori, Robby Miller and
Tyler Kunce. Desert Vista had the most all-stars of the nine other schools in the South region. From our
group of all-stars, Tyler, Colton and Anthony were selected to the All-State Team. Anthony shattered
the state scoring record for a freshman with 53 points on the year. We held our annual banquet on
Monday night at the Grace Inn and had a very nice evening of awards and celebrations while saying
goodbye to an amazing group of 9 seniors. Thanks to all the parents and fans that made for a fun and
successful season!
Congratulations go out to the JV Boys Lacrosse on another undefeated season! They finished
the year at 10-0 and continued to dominate the state with only a few close games. This group of young
players is going to be a force next year on the varsity level! Our youngest lacrosse men on the freshman
team also did an outstanding job, winning eight of their ten games. This first year team did much better
than expected and the two losses came to older JV programs with some stacked teams. The future is
looking bright on the lacrosse front!
Graduating Seniors
You must see where the class of 2011 students will attend college around the country! Below
contains school information for the Class of 2011. Listed schools have accepted/admitted our seniors.
Italics indicate that a current DV senior will attend the school in the fall.
Adams State College (CO)
Alabama State University
American Musical and Dramatic Academy (CA)
American University
Argosy University
Arizona Automotive Institute
Arizona School of Massage Therapy
Arizona State University
Art Institute of Phoenix
Azusa Pacific University
Baker University (KS)
Ball State University
Belmont University (TN)
Berklee College of Music (MA)
Biola University
Boise State University
Boston University
Bowdoin College (ME)
Brandeis University (MA)
Briar Cliff University (IA)
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University: Idaho
Brown University
Buena Vista University (IA)
Butler University (IN)
California Baptist University
California Lutheran University
California Polytechnic State University: San Luis Obispo
California State University: Long Beach
California State University: Monterey Bay
California State University: San Bernardino
Calvin College (MI)
Carroll College (MT)
Case Western Reserve University
Cedarville University (OH)
Central Arizona College
Central Methodist University (MO)
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Chapman University (CA)
Charleston Southern University (SC)
Coconino Community College
College of St. Benedict (MN)
College of Wooster (OH)
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University: Fort Collins
Colorado State University: Pueblo
Columbia University
Concordia University California
Concordia University Wisconsin

Corban University (OR)
Cornell University
Creighton University (NE)
Denison University (OH)
DeVry University of Phoenix
Dominican University of California
Drexel University
Duke University
East Carolina University
Eastern Connecticut State University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Emory University
Evergreen State University (WA)
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida State University
Fordham University
Fresno State University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Glendale Community College
Grand Canyon University
Grove City College (PA)
Hamline University (MN)
Harvey Mudd College (CA)
Hillsdale College (MI)
Hofstra University
Houston Community College
Howard University
Humboldt State University (CA)
Illinois State University
Indiana State University
Indiana University: Bloomington
Jackson Community College (MS)
King’s College (PA)
Knox College (IL)
Lewis and Clark College (OR)
Liberty University
Lincoln College of Technology
Lindenwood University-Belleville (IL)
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Loyola University: New Orleans
McGill University (Canada)
Menlo College (CA)
Mesa Community College
Mesa State College (CO)
Miramar College (CA)
Metropolitan State College of Denver
Montana State University
Montclair State University (NJ)
Nebraska Wesleyan University
New Mexico State University
New York University
North Carolina State University
Northeastern University
Northern Arizona University
Northern Michigan University
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Northwestern University
Notre Dame de Namur University (CA)
Queens University of Charlotte
Ohio University
Oklahoma State University
Oregon State University
Owens Community College (OH)
Paradise Valley Community College
Pepperdine University
Pennsylvania State University
Pima Community College
Pima Medical Institute
Portland State University
Prince George’s Community College (MD)
Purdue University
Quinnipiac University (CT)
Ranger College (TX)
Rhodes College (TN)
Rice University
Rio Salado College
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rutgers University
St. Bonaventure University (NY)
St. Olaf College (MN)
San Diego City College
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Clara University
Santa Monica College
Scottsdale Community College
Seattle University
Seattle Pacific University
South Mountain Community College
Southern Oregon University
Southern Utah University
Southwest Institute of Natural Aestetics
Spring Arbor University (MI)
Stanford University
Stephens College (MO)
Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ)
Texas A & M University
Texas Christian University
Texas Tech University
Trinity University
United States Air Force Academy
United States Merchant Marine Academy
United States Naval Academy
Universal Technical Institute
University of Advancing Technology
University of Arizona

University of Bern (Switzerland)
University of Buffalo
University of California: Berkeley
University of California: Davis
University of California: Irvine
University of California: Los Angeles
University of California: Riverside
University of California: San Diego
University of California: Santa Barbara
University of California: Santa Cruz
University of Chicago
University of Colorado: Boulder
University of Colorado: Denver
University of Connecticut
University of Florida
University of Hawaii at Hilo
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Idaho
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Iowa
University of Maryland
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of Missouri
University of Montana
University of Nevada: Reno
University of New Haven
University of New Mexico
University of North Carolina: Wilmington
University of North Dakota
University of Oklahoma
University of Oregon
University of the Pacific
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
University of Portland
University of Redlands
University of Rochester
University of St. Mary (KS)
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of South Florida
University of Southern California
University of Texas: Austin
University of Toledo
University of Utah
University of Virginia
University of Washington
Utah State University
Utah Valley University
Vanderbilt University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia
Tech)
Viterbo University (WI)
Wake Forest University (NC)
Washington and Jefferson (PA)
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington State University
Weber State University
Western New Mexico University
Western Washington University
Wheaton College (IL)
Whitman College (WA)
Whitworth University (WA)
Whittier College (CA)
Willamette University (OR)
William Penn University (IA)
Williston State College (ND)
Wittenberg University (OH)
WyoTech (WY)

Dear Senior Students,
I have truly enjoyed serving each and every one of you over the years. You will always be special
to me because you have brightened my days. You have motivated me to work harder each day, because
you deserve the best. I pray that you continue on the paths that you have prepared for at the
universities, colleges and in the training you have chosen. I know that you will make huge contributions
to the societies where you chose to live. Life is life for many reasons. We learn and grow through all
experiences, the good and the not so good. Never give up, do not grow weary and no need to worry
about what is out of your control. Trust in those that love you unconditionally and respect those who
challenge you through your walks in life. May you be safe from all that is not good in the world. Take
care, my friends…..I will love you forever. Remember to…. “Give your all in everything you do. When
you need your best, it WILL be there for you.”
It has been my pleasure serving each and every one of you! Thank you Thunder for rolling with
Battle all year long!
Sincerely,
Dr. Anna Battle, Principal

“Give your All and All that you do! When you need your Best, it will be there for YOU!”
EXCELLENCE THROUGH PERFORMANCE