Media Releases

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — For Patti Bilbrey, ensuring Scottsdale Unified School District students have access to nutritious food doesn't end when the final school bell rings. It is a high-energy, year-round mission driven by creative collaboration, unstoppable teamwork, and a deep love for the children she serves. 

Bilbrey, the Director of Nutrition Services for SUSD, has officially been named a national 2026 Summer Hunger Hero by the non-profit organization No Kid Hungry. This prestigious annual celebration shines a spotlight on extraordinary individuals from across the United States who go above and beyond to end childhood hunger. Out of countless advocates nationwide, Bilbrey is one of just ten honorees selected this year, bringing a massive national victory straight home to the Scottsdale community. 

Scottsdale, Ariz. — After helping lead Saguaro High School to a 4A State Championship and one of the program's most memorable seasons in recent history, senior catcher Alain Gomez-Gudiño has been named the 2025-26 Gatorade Arizona Baseball Player of the Year.

The prestigious honor recognizes the state's top high school baseball player for excellence in athletics, academics, and character. Now in its 41st year, the Gatorade Player of the Year program celebrates student-athletes who not only dominate in competition but also make meaningful contributions in the classroom and their communities.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — For Jennifer Fox, teaching in Scottsdale Unified School District is more than a career, it is a full-circle journey rooted in gratitude, community, and a lifelong love of learning.

A second-grade teacher at Hopi Elementary School, Fox has been named a semifinalist in the 2027 Arizona Teacher of the Year program through the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF). The recognition places her among the state’s most distinguished educators and highlights the exceptional teaching and learning taking place in Scottsdale Unified School District classrooms every day.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (April 14, 2026) — Three students from Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) are making waves in the world of innovation, after capturing the Arizona Track I High School state title in the prestigious Presidential AI Challenge.

Arnav Hingorani, Lukas Burgan, and Levi Gerken, guided by Desert Mountain Science Teacher Michael Knight, rose above more than 2,500 submissions nationwide with their standout project, Artificial Intelligence Recognition (AIR). Their work earned them a place among just 328 state-level winners, advancing them to the highly competitive regional round.

The Presidential AI Challenge, a nationwide initiative, empowers K–12 students and educators to design cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions that address real-world community challenges, while promoting responsible and ethical AI use.