Paradise Valley
EDUCATION
Ahwatukee teen wrestler wins gold medal at U17 Pan-Am Championships
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — When 16-year-old Everest Leydecker is on the mat, she’s in her element. “I love it,” she said. Leydecker has been wrestling since she was 8 years old and is now ranked as the No. 1 high school wrestler in the country for her weight class for the second year in a row.
Phoenix awards $20 million to University of Arizona’s research hub
A biomedical research hub is expected to break ground in downtown Phoenix before year’s end. On Wednesday, the City Council voted to give the University of Arizona $20 million for the project. The Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies, called CAMI for short, will be built on a...
The Arizona Republic's Top 10 tight ends to see in 2024 high school football season
It's one of the most unappreciated positions on the football field. But it's also one of the most important. Playing tight end means you've got to block, break out fast to make catches, sometimes get downfield for big plays. While the wide receiver gets much of the glory, the tight...
CUSD’s new budget carries pain all around
The reality of what it means to be a district with declining enrollment was presented to Chandler Unified School District’s Governing Board at its June 26 meeting. Board members were asked to authorize the publication of the new fiscal year’s budget, which they are scheduled to approve in July. The bad news for district officials is that they have $51.6 million less to work with than last year.
Celebrating an AHS teacher’s decade of dance
Arcadia High’s robust and successful Dance Program is led by teacher Tracy Puddy. Over the past 10 years, she has poured her heart into creating a space where students can express themselves and showcase their creativity. She started dancing at age two and said she’s had a passion for...
Educators celebrate 20 years of friendship
The members range in age from 65 to 85 years old, many of them attended area schools (Orangewood Elementary, Sunnyslope High School, Washington High School) and for the past 20 years, they have met (mostly) every month, brought together by their common history at Sahuaro Elementary School in the Washington Elementary School District. But what has kept them together over the past two decades is their deep love of reading and the lasting bonds of friendship that have developed.
New ASU water institute aims to challenge water and climate problems worldwide
Water — and the future of water supplies — continue to be critical issues both here in Arizona and across the world. A new entity at ASU will aim to help find solutions to those concerns. Upmanu Lall is a professor in ASU’s School of Complex Adaptive Systems...
Chandler Unified gives itself high grades
The Chandler Unified School District does not just grade students. Staff also grades the district itself. And it’s giving CUSD top scores. CUSD earned a score of 43 out of 48 in the metrics that the governing board uses to determine how good of a job it is doing in educating about 43,000 students.
New arts program builds confidence
As families enjoy the remainder of summer vacation and begin to gear up for the new school year, there will be one more option available for after-school consideration – North Central Performing Arts. The new arts program was founded by Liz Gengle, owner and director, and her mom, Teresa Simmons, who bring almost 40 years of combined experience in education to the table – or stage, if you will.
Mesa Public School’s tentative budget carries small tax break
Mesa Public Schools Governing Board tentatively approved a $630.8 million budget for the fiscal year beginning tomorrow, July 1, that gives property owners a small tax break of sorts and keeps nearly three-quarters of its spending in the classroom. But administration officials warned of potential budget issues in years ahead...
The Gilbert Chamber Supports Gilbert Public Schools' Proposed Budget Override Continuation
The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce enthusiastically supports a “Yes” vote to continue the existing 15% budget override, which was approved in November 2019 and has been in place since the 2020/21 school year, generating approximately $36 million annually. GPS has served as a good steward of tax dollars,...
Life announces Laden as new associate head coach
MARIETTA, Ga. -- Life University is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jake Laden as the new Associate Head Coach for the Men's Wrestling program. Coach Laden brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the Running Eagles, marking an exciting new chapter for the team.
Universities Expand Veteran and Military Studies Offerings
Recognizing the profound impact of military history on global events, as well as the importance of understanding the experiences and contributions of those who have served, higher education institutions are increasingly creating and expanding military and veteran studies programs. Such curricular offerings are essential for advancing the understanding of military...
Student Blog: GCU's Theatre Program
What is Grand Canyon University's theatre program like? This blog will discuss what the program is like and the production process for some of the shows. The program helps students to understand essential elements and skills for both on and offstage. For example, students will be taught how to create a play, scenic design, costuming, stage production, and so much more. Through the year there are a number of productions that aim to help students to grow in their knowledge and skills, these productions can be anything from a musical, a play, or others. The shows can take place in Ethington Theatre, or The Black Box. One relatively new addition to the productions over the course of the year would be something called a Second Series. These productions aim to let students take more creative control with student-written scripts. Most recently over the spring semester in 2024 there were two Second Series shows titled Heart of the Oak, written by Isabella Stephenson and the second show was The Expedition, written by Dexter Tuten.
Veritas graduate recognized with award for good citizenship
It’s been a big year for Kishan Bhatnagar, who not only ended his final year of high school as valedictorian but was also awarded the Good Citizens Award by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The DAR Good Citizens Committee presented Kishan with this award following his compelling...
Midwestern proposes new veterinary college on Illinois campus
Midwestern University, a private, nonprofit graduate and postgraduate university specializing in the health sciences, announced June 11 plans to develop the College of Veterinary Medicine–Illinois on its Downers Grove, Illinois, campus. Midwestern University offers academic programs in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, nursing, podiatric medicine, biomedical science, and health...
School supply drives need your help
Every year, we cover local businesses and nonprofits who are organizing donation drives to ensure each student has the supplies they need for a successful academic year. When: NourishPHX accepts donations throughout the year. This summer, people can bring school supplies to the Arcadia News office until July 24. Where:...
Opinion: University High takes the top spot
University High School is immensely proud to be one of the best public high schools in the country. We are the only Arizona school in the top 100 that has diversity and a higher percentage of low-income students, greater than the state average, that achieves at this level. At University High School, we proudly accept our neighborhood students who are willing to do the work that it takes to be successful. Our rigorous curriculum and dedication to student achievement has us ranked No. 1 in the West Valley for public college-prep high schools.
Xavier takes first and third in annual Illuminate Challenge
Solving global issues through student-lead projects – that’s the aim of ASU’s llluminate Challenge, a scientific competition that saw a group of Xavier change makers winning first and third place. The Illuminate Challenge is part of Arizona State University’s Luminosity Lab, a project founded in 2017 and...
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