Excellence in the Classroom 
Congratulations to Desert Mountain High School Principal Brian Corte, and teachers Bret Beckle, Math Department and Jeannie Critchfield, Special Education Department, for being nominated for the Who's Who Among America's Teachers. They were selected for this honor because they "made a difference" in the life of one of their former students. The only students invited to submit nominations are those who have distinguished themselves by being recognized for excellence in either Who's Who Among American High School Students, Who's Who Among American High School Students - Sports Edition or The National Dean's List. The most prestigious publications in the nation honoring the best and brightest high school and college students and student athletes.
Lindsey Garrity, a seventh grade student at Mountainside Middle School, was one of 10 winners for the "Symbol of Freedom" contest. She won a trip to Washington, D.C., toured the White House and all of the national monuments, met all of the Suns Players, attended a Phoenix Suns vs. Washington Wizards basketball game and was a guest on "Sun Talk" TV show. Lindsey will be recognized at the March 8 Governing Board meeting.
Students from Cheyenne Traditional School and Ingleside Middle School participated in the Odyssey of the Minds competition on Feb. 26 at Basha High School, Chandler. Odyssey of the Mind provides opportunities for students to develop creative problem solving skills by working in teams. Students learn teamwork, self-respect, the appreciation and understanding of others, and that a group is a more powerful thinking force than an individual. For more information, please visit http://www.azodyssey.org
Arcadia High School's Advanced Choral Ensemble (ACE) won the title of Arizona State Champion for the National Championship of High School A Cappella. They also received the "Best Showmanship" award at the competition. ACE will travel to California in April to compete for the West Region NCHSA Championship award. ACE members are: Sopranos: Katrina Bookhout, Katie Hammond, Aubrey Landry, Sarah Miller; Altos: Kristin Barber, Jessica Jardine, Sarah Waite, Tenors: Sean Jarvis, Andrew Roberts, Mike Sherman, Basses: Peter Canova, Kyle McMorris and Jordan Jarvis. An extra congratulations to Jordan Jarvis who won the "Best Vocal Percussionist" award.
The following Navajo Elementary School students placed in the Science Fair: Cortney Ramsden, first place; Emilie Twilling, second place; Jackie Schroeder, third place; Sidney Michl, fourth place; and Grant Donnelly, fifth place.
Nicole Dippre, a senior at Coronado High School, was awarded a four-year full ride Future Teacher Scholarship by the Scottsdale Charros.
Ann Chang, a junior at Desert Mountain High School, has been awarded The Congressional Award Bronze and Silver Medals. Along with these medals, she also qualified for the Congressional Award Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates.
Mohave Middle School's Cheer team won second place in the Cheer division at the Arizona State Pom and Cheer Tournament, and Cheyenne Traditional School's Cheer team won third place.
Pauline Lilly Shongov, a fourth grade student at Hopi Elementary School, won the recent Arizona Alliance of Arts Education essay competition.
On March 10 Supai Middle School will host the district's first ever Family Science Night. Besides showing off some of the student's work, Family Science Night will feature displays and presentations by the Desert Botanical Gardens, ASU Mars Program, SRP, Scottsdale Police, Boeing and Northrup-Grumman. Also, the Arizona Science Center will be teaching students about DNA discoveries.
Students in Susan Leonard's Physical Education class at Ingleside Middle School had a guinea pig visit the class for their Animal of the Week program. Last week a leopard gecko was a guest. The intent of the Animal of the Week program is to provide students with a hands-on opportunity to compare animal characteristics to human characteristics. This encourages health, as well as other disciplines, including Science, Technology and English to be incorporated into the Physical Education classroom.
Jennifer O'Brien, a senior at Coronado High School, was awarded the Prudential Spirit of Community bronze medal for her many hours of volunteer service to school and community.
Six members of Desert Mountain High School's Advanced Symphonic Strings class participated in the Regional Orchestra on Feb. 19. They include: Alexandra Lesnick-Young, Sheida Rahimzadeh, Kimberly Yang and Jeffrey Yeh, violins; Thomas Yeh, viola; Randall Simon, bass. Students were selected from 28 Phoenix metropolitan area schools by competitive audition.
Tonalea Elementary School teacher Eric Cacioppo is working with students on a clay tile mural for an exterior wall in the school's main corridor. Parents are helping him make extra tiles for the mural.
Pat Sauncy, a senior at Desert Mountain High School, has received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. He was nominated by Senator Jon Kyle.
Seven students from Chaparral High School's orchestra participated in Arizona’s Music Educator’s Association (AMEA) All-regional concert Feb. 19 at Central High School. Students from 38 different high schools competed for a limited number of spots in the string section of the orchestra. These students will now be eligible for the All-State Music competition, and will audition mid-March. The concert is on April 16 at ASU. The following students placed All-regional, including Joe Murray, Rachel Baumann, Aliza Kravitz, Crystal Sheffield, Kim Dalton and Emily Shiau.
Please note: additional students qualified but their parents requested that their names not be released.
The American Legion Boys State of Arizona is a leadership action program where high school juniors participate in a practical governmental course designed to develop a working knowledge of the structure of state and local government. Desert Mountain High School is proud to announce that juniors Taylor Burgstahler, James Fedor and Troy Sterner will be attending this years session, which will be held June 5-11.
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