Sun City Elks honor local students

It was all smiles at Sun City Elks youth appreciation banquet May 6, where more than 50 northwest Valley students were recognized for their accomplishments over the last year.

The long-standing event culminated National Youth Week, May 1-7.

Students from the cities of Peoria, Surprise and El Mirage were honored at Sun City Elks Lodge #2559, 10760 W. Union Hills. The service organization annually contributes $50,000 to its youth programs, which include scholarships, seasonal events and other donations.

Exalted Ruler Bill Matthews, welcomed guests and was the master of ceremonies. Inner Guard Jose C. Torres posted the Colors and Chaplain Joan McConnel gave the invocation.

“And I thought I was doing good at a 4.0 grade average. Having a 4.3, I can’t event imagine that,” Matthews said. “Listen, without the youth, without the parental support, without these volunteers, none of this could be possible.”

2023-2024 Students of the Month

Presented by Ken Mattern
Liberty High School
Ryan Harris
Benjamin Lin
Shae Heimer
Carter Ward
Sabrina Apap
Ashley Briggs
Sunrise Mountain High School
Jessica Ojoye
Matthew Anderson
Isabella Prey
Sarah Bird
Amelia Cooney
Jonathon Lai
Ethan Kreuzwiesner
Dysart High School
Joel Linde
Jaidyn Gebel
Nahum Cabrea
Austin Henderson
Brayan Mac Williams Hernandez
Angel Rocha

2023-2024 Teens of The Year

Presented by Mattern
Vistancia Elementary
Ashton Chaffee
Scott Sinex
Lake Pleasant Elementary
Addyson Lee
Patrick Mohlman
Coyote Hills Elementary
Mason Hernandez
Alessa Bliss
Parkridge Elementary
Mckenna Morgan
Jayven John Reyes

2023-2024 Scholarship Winners

Presented by John Messelt and Terry Grindle
Ria Duggal, Basis Peoria
Lassya Kotta, Basis Peoria
Autumn Biancamano, Liberty
Andrew Cary, Sunrise Mountain
Lucille Salch, Sunrise Mountain
Ethan Kreuzwiester, Sunrise Mountain
Monte Coffland, Centennial
Isabella Hineman. Glendale Prep
Thalia Fuentes, Glendale Prep
Brook Wilkins, Dysart
Noah Castro, Dysart
Jacob Allen, Basis Phoenix
Briona Blake, Valley Vista
Jonathan Liang, Estrella Mountain
Lily Sekosky, Willow Canyon, Surprise
Aiden Dunne, Paradise Honors
Catalina Cisneros, Xavier Prep
Emma Ramirez Points, Valley Vista
Pratishtha Bharddwaj, Basis Scottsdale

2023-2024 HOOP Shoot Winners

Presented by Melanie Merrill
Giovanni Briseno, AZ Charter Academy
Emma Aguilar, AZ Charter Academy
Anthony Serpashyan, AZ Charter Academy
Hayden Hinton, Cadeo Elementary

2023-2024 Americanism Essay Winners

Presented by Ron Spear
Arly Mujaxhi, Zuni Hills Elementary
Matthew Thomas, Sunset Heights Elementary

2023-2024 Drug Awareness Poster Winners

Presented by Spear
Natalie Evans,* Vistancia Elementary
Isabella DeFusco, Vistancia Elementary
Trinity Buflin, Kingswood Elementary
*Elks State Poster Winner

Philip Haldiman can be reached at phaldiman@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.