Higley Unified School District Magazine Spring 2020

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HIGLEY UNIFIED
SCHOOL DISTRICT
Magazine
GROW
e We are HIGLEY | Grow | Learn | Lead | We
are HIGLEY | CORONADO | Grow | HIGLEY |
Lead | WILLIAMS FIELD | Grow | Learn | Lead |
| Grow | Learn | Lead | SAN TAN | Grow | Learn
| Lead | BRIDGES | Grow | Learn | Lead | W
IGLEY | Grow | Learn | Lead | SOSSAMAN
LEARN
Grow | Learn | Lead | We are HIGLEY | Grow |
e.CENTENNIAL | Grow | Learn | Lead | Grow |
Grow | Learn | Lead | GATEWAY | Grow |
Learn | Lead | COOLEY | Grow | Learn | Lead |
ff.CHAPARRAL | Grow | Learn | Lead | We are
Higley | Grow | Learn | POWER RANCH | We a
LEAD
We are HIGLEY | Grow | Learn | Lead | We a
HIGLEY TRADITIONAL ACADEMY | Grow
Learn | Lead | CORTINA | Grow | HIGLEY |
Lead | WILLIAMS FIELD | Grow | Learn | Lea
Grow | Learn | Lead | SAN TAN | Grow | Lea
Lead | BRIDGES | Grow | Learn | Lead | HIGL
| Grow | Learn | Lead | SOSSAMAN | Grow |
Learn | Lead | We are HIGLEY | Grow | Learn
CENTENNIAL | Grow | Learn | Lead | Grow |
Grow | Learn | Lead | We are HIGLEY | Grow
Class of
2020 Top
Graduates
pg. 3
Teachers of
the Year
Higley Annual
Spotlights
Alumni
Stories
pg. 5 pg. 7 pg. 10
Issue No. 3 Spring 2020

We are HIGLEY
Dear Higley Community,
This truly has been a memorable year in Higley, one I’m sure none of us will forget. But it’s not just because of
how we had to come together the last nine weeks of school, or how everyone had to adjust to the “new normal.”
As we look back on the 2019-2020 school, the people of Higley are what made it memorable.
First, thank you to all Higley teachers and staff for your amazing care of students throughout the school year, but
especially during the last few weeks. You took the time to address the many needs of students and their
families. You took your skills to the next level to create remote learning lessons and engaging activities. You
served thousands of meals and distributed thousands of devices.
Next, I want to thank the students. Thank you for putting forth your best effort, time and time again. Thank you
for pivoting with us as we created a new learning environment. Your achievements in the classroom, in
extracurricular activities and on the field will all be highlights of this year.
Finally, to the parents of Higley: My heartfelt appreciation for supporting your students, caring for your teachers
and staff, and loving your schools. You’ve shown us over and over again this year your dedication to the
education and growth of Higley’s young people.
As the District navigates through this ever-changing situation, we will
do our very best to meet the needs of the Higley community to help
build on the achievements of this year well into the future. I know there
are many questions about what that future may look like. I assure you we
are watching for direction from the state, exploring a variety of plans, and
determining what needs to be done to make a safe return to campus
when that is deemed possible. We will communicate to families as
quickly as we are able to solidify information.
I wish you all a safe and relaxing summer.
Dr. Mike Thomason
Superintendent
Dr. Mike Thomason
Superintendent

We are HIGLEY
At the first of each year, the foundation
sponsors Nail the Scale, an opportunity
for Higley staff and faculty to focus on
their health through wellness training
and incentives.
The seeds of the Higley Achievement
Foundation were planted 13 years ago
with an idea to better the futures of
Higley students after they graduated
from high school.
Today, the foundation supports
students, teachers and staff alike
through a number of programs
designed to inspire the community to
grow into their best selves. Through
graduate scholarships, mini-grants and
recognition for teachers, and a wellness
program open to all Higley staff, the
Higley Achievement Foundation
touches multiple areas of the District.
These efforts take months of planning
for fundraising and events. The
signature event, the Ken Vandehei
Memorial Golf Tournament, takes place
each fall. The annual winter event –
Monte Carlo Night – brings together
Higley supporters and business
partners for a fun evening of fundraising.
Staff are encouraged to also donate
through payroll deductions, which are
then turned into mini-grants for teachers
hoping to take their education plans to
the next level.
Each spring, the foundation announces
scholarship winners among graduates
from Higley and Williams Field High
School. Applicants are selected through
a blind process. Two types of
scholarships are awarded.
The Ken Vandehei Memorial
Scholarship, which goes to students
planning to attend a four-year university
or college, was established in memory
of Ken Vandehei, a local businessman,
husband and Higley father. Last year,
the foundation launched the
Mary Buscema College and Career
Ready Scholarship for students to
attend a two-year community college or
technical training program. The
scholarship is named after Williams
Field’s longtime College and Career
Center Specialist Mary Buscema.
The foundation has awarded nearly
$255,000 in Ken Vandehei scholarships
and $25,000 in Mary Buscema
scholarships since its roots began with a
golf tournament vision of “Sending a
Dream Forward.”
Cont. on page 7
2

Class of 2020 Top Graduates
Congratulations, Class of 2020
The Higley Unified School District’s two high schools -
Higley High and Williams Field - celebrated the
accomplishments of nearly 800 seniors this year
through virtual graduations May 21st. Together, the
students received close to $40 million in scholarship
offers. View virtual graduations here:
Higley High School
Williams Field High School
Higley High School (Left)
Joshua E. Transtrum 4.94 GPA
Utah State University
Mechanical Engineering
(Aerospace)
Kevan W. Beckstead 4.85 GPA
Brigham Young University
Astrophysics
Carlos Martinez 4.83 GPA
Arizona State University
Computer Systems Engineering
Dylan T. Kooima 4.83 GPA
Arizona State University
Aviation
Williams Field High School (Right)
Bushra N. Karim 4.84 GPA
Arizona State University
Computer Science
Oleana A. Rivers 4.81 GPA
Duke University
Pediatrics
Leann Nguyen 4.80 GPA
Arizona State University
Biology
Maxwell E. Delaney 4.74 GPA
University of Arizona
Genetic Engineering
3

Ask a Teacher: Kindergarten
Kindergarten sets the foundation for all learning in Higley Unified School District. Our campuses all offer
FREE all-day Kindergarten!
To help families as they navigate the transition to kindergarten, Higley’s Early Childhood Development
Director Patti Gleason sat down with preschool instructors to answer some common questions from
parents. The series of “Ask a Teacher” videos can be found on the District website by clicking on the
button below.
Prepare your children for kindergarten with these tips: 'Ask a Teacher' Videos
Tip #1
Tip #2
Tip #3
Tip #4
Tip #5
Stay active.
Read together.
Keep a schedule.
Maintain a bedtime and wake up routine.
Give them chores to complete.
Kindergarten Registration
– It's not too late!
If your child will be 5 years
of age by Aug. 31, he/she
qualifies for kindergarten.
Registration can now be completed online. Visit
www.husd.org/enrollment for information. If you
have additional questions during summer, please
call the District office at (480) 279-7000.
Register
Here

Teachers of the Year
Hope Berg of Higley Traditional
Academy, 6th Grade ELA
Hope is a respected member of the
education profession, Principal Caryn
Bacon said. Hope's commitment to
academic excellence shows in her
“dedication to her students and their
learning.” Hope, a National Board
Certified teacher, was surprised with
the news during a podcast recording.
“Hope, you are truly exceptional and a
wonderful representation of our
teachers," Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Dawn Foley said.
5

Teachers of the Year
This year, Higley honors 14 teachers - one from
each campus and one from the preschool level
- as the 2020 Teachers of the Year.
Congratulations to all the honorees.
Laurie Decker
Power Ranch Elementary
Kindergarten
Vanessa Merjech
Cooley Early Childhood
Development Center
Preschool
Julie Culver
Bridges Elementary
Kindergarten
Troy Nelson
Cooley Middle School
7th Grade Social Studies
Barbara Dashfield
Cortina Elementary
K-3 Cross Categorical
Special Education
Erika Pfaff
Centennial Elementary
4th Grade Math
Jessica Richardson
San Tan Elementary
Physical Education
Tina Quinonez
Chaparral Elementary
6th Grade Math
Elizabeth Rustad
Williams Field High School
Biology
Sarah Kirchoff
Coronado Elementary
Kindergarten
Amber Feddick
Gateway Pointe Elementary
6th Grade Math
Jennifer Juarros
Sossaman Middle School
7th/8th Grade Band
Chesley Sharp
Higley High School
Band
6

We are HIGLEY
Cont. from page 2
Ken Vandehei Memorial scholars – such
as some of those featured in this
edition’s Alumni Stories – have gone on
to complete degrees at colleges and
universities across the country.
Teachers have received more than
$20,000 in mini grants to buy supplies
for classrooms, improve STEM
education and improve literacy options
for students.
The Higley Achievement Foundation is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Information can be found
at www.higleyachieves.org.
2020 Higley Achievement
Foundation Scholarship winners
Ken Vandehei Memorial Scholarship
Garrett Ruiz, WFHS
Suken Patel, WFHS
Mary Buscema College and Career
Ready Scholarship
Parker Wolpe, WFHS
Aniya Shunnara, WFHS
Gage Barkley, WFHS
Maria Juarez Barrondo, WFHS
Alex Lamont, WFHS
Kiana Rodriguez, WFHS
7

HIGLEY Annual Spotlights
Best Buddies Carnival
draws hundreds
Higley High School hosted nearly
900 students during its annual
Inclusion Carnival. The event took
place March 4 as part of the
national “Spread the Word:
Inclusion” campaign. Student
groups, led by Higley’s Best
Buddies chapter, set up carnival
games all around the school’s
practice field. In all, 18 schools
from across the state came to
share in the fun. Several Higley
elementary and middle school
groups participated, as well as
Williams Field High School.
Governing Board Approves New
Calendars
The Higley Unified School District Governing Board
approved school calendars for 2021-2022, 2022-
2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 during a
meeting April 13. The Board also approved
changes to the 2020-2021 school year calendar to
include additional middle school early release
dates for professional development. All calendars
are posted online at www.husd.org/calendar.

HIGLEY Annual Spotlights
Higley seniors named National Merit
Scholars
Higley High School’s Lindsey Giles and Taryn
Trigler were named 2020 National Merit
Scholars, an honor awarded to less than one
percent of high school students nationwide.
Both students are enrolled in a number of
Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Trigler is
also a U.S. Presidential Scholar semifinalist.
Higley, Williams Field Air Force
JROTC earns top honor
Higley’s Air Force JROTC unit received the
Distinguished Unit with Merit award this year,
awarded to just the top 10 percent of units
around the world. This award recognizes “units
that have performed well above and beyond
normal expectations, and that have
distinguished themselves through outstanding
service to their school and community.”
Black Hawks win state 5A football
championship
The Black Hawks defeated Gilbert’s Campo
Verde High School 19-0 in December for
the AIA 5A state championship football title.
It was the team’s second state title in four
years and its fourth state title game
appearance.
Kids Club’s Parker Hicks earns state honor
Parker Hicks, an activity assistant at Sossaman
Early Childhood Development Center, was named
the Arizona Community Education Association
(AZCEA) Program Line Leader of the Year. Hill, who
started with Higley in May 2019, works with the
before- and after-school program.
9

HIGLEY Annual Spotlights
Higley High Pom Line takes top
national honor
The Higley High Knights brought home first
place and the national championship banner for
varsity pom from the USA Spirit Nationals
competition in February.
Cortina Robotics team qualifies for worlds
Generation Destroyers - a four-member robotics team from
Cortina Elementary School - made big strides in the
competitive robotics field this year. The team qualified for
the VEX Robotics World Championship. Congratulations to
the team: Ayaan Khan, Adam Johnston, Aiden Guarine, and
Jason Duke. Students were coached by Melanie Bodnar,
Shay Timco, and Taylor O’Connor.
Higley Knights win school’s first
golf championship
The Higley boy’s golf team brought
home the Knights’ first golf state title
when it won the Division II State
Tournament in October.
Higley freshman wins 500m
freestyle
Keaton Jones, a freshman at Higley High, won
the 500m freestyle state title during the AIA
Division II Boys State Championship in
November.
10

Alumni Stories
Where are
they now?
Thousands of students have come
through the doors of Higley and
Williams Field High School. We
reached out to our alumni to hear
what inspired them in school, and
what advice they would share with
students today. If you would like to
be featured in a future alumni
story, please reach out
to public.relations@husd.org.
Kaitlyn M. Patterson
Williams Field High, Class of 2016
U.S. Air Force Academy, Class of 2020
Career: Air Force Space Command
On Williams Field: “All of the different sports,
clubs, AP/dual enrollment classes, and
programs like JROTC gave me a taste of what
I was good at and what I struggled in. At the
same time, it gave me the opportunity to
correct and bolster those areas which were
deficient.”
Advice to high school students: “Invest in
people. Life jobs will change. You may set out
on one career path and end up in a
completely different spot than you
anticipated, but life is consistently an interplay
of you and the individuals around you. Use
this time to learn how to treat people well,
how to put them before yourself, how to
serve rather than how to take.”
Cont. on page 13
11

Alumni Stories
Adrianna (Anna) Camacho
Higley High School, Class of 2013
Northern Arizona University, Class of 2017
Career: Nurse
On Higley High School: As a registered nurse
at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, three years of
Spanish helped me retain some Spanish
when caring for Spanish speaking patients. I
feel that it is comforting to my patients to
have someone caring for them who speaks
their primary language, as well as it makes my
job easier when we can communicate.
Advice to high school students: Enjoy your
four years in high school instead of wishing
for graduation! I encourage students to get
out of their comfort zones and try out for
teams, join new clubs and make new friends.
Magenta Tygret
Williams Field High, Class of 2010
Notre Dame College, Class of 2014
Arizona State University, Class of 2016
Career: ICU Travel Nurse
On Williams Field High School: Mr. Warner,
my math teacher freshman year, inspired me
to be who I am today. He loved teaching and
would do the most ridiculous and hilarious
things to get us to pay attention and make
learning fun. While Mr. Warner was my
favorite teacher, student council best
prepared me for what I am today. It allowed
me to be good at critical thinking and pay
attention to details considering my current
job as a traveling nurse.
Advice to high school students: Start saving
money a little bit at a time and always have a
back up plan. Travel and experience new
things.
13

We miss YOU!
Watch for 2020-2021 updates on the District
website at www.husd.org
Need to register?
You can complete forms online at
www.husd.org/enrollment
#HUSDStrongerTogether