16 minute read
YOUTH
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Agua Fria senior defies odds, wants to help others
BY DOYOON KIM
West Valley View Staff Writer
Bailey Mitchell is known as “Mr. Community.”
The 17-year-old Agua Fria High School student has cultivated a reputation as a young man who loves and supports his city.
“I love (my) community,” Mitchell said. “Talking and having fun, forming friendship, and being together with people as a community is just one of the best feelings.”
Mitchell was recently named the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley’s 2022 Youth of the Year, representing the clubs’ Bob Bové Branch in Avondale. The award is a scholarship given to high school sophomores through seniors who demonstrate dedication to service, family and academic success at the Boys & Girls Clubs’ annual competition.
At the club, Mitchell was the Keystone Club president, the flag football captain, a staff assistant for which he led field trips for the kids, led fundraising efforts and community service initiatives.
His motivations to serve stem from his personal experiences. Despite coming from a difficult home situation and facing numerous challenges in his life, Mitchell persevered and is living his life to the fullest.
Mitchell lives with his grandmother, who adopted him and his older brother 10 years ago. He and his six siblings were put into foster care when Mitchell was about 7 years old because his mother and stepfather had addiction and substance abuse issues.
His family could not afford to live in proper housing, so Mitchell and his family lived throughout the state. Because he frequently switched schools, he found it difficult to make friends.
“Eventually the state split (my brother and I) from our sisters, and my grandparents adopted us,” Mitchell said. “Even through the hard times, my mom always tried to do the best for me. She struggled with money and substance abuse but loved me with all her heart.”
After his adoption, Mitchell, his brother and his grandmother planned to move to South Carolina, but they returned to live with their great-grandmother. Eventually, the three chose to move again. On the road, their car broke down in Arizona while on their way.
“It was just a crazy coincidence. We stayed with our cousins and ended up living there. I had contact with my other siblings, but not with my parents as much,” Mitchell said.
A few years later, after settling down in Arizona, Mitchell and his brother’s mother died by suicide.
“It hasn’t been easy for me,” Mitchell said. “Sometimes I still miss her. But the past is the past, and the future is the future. You never forget, but you can move on. I don’t regret anything if anything happens to me.”
He also recently lost his stepfather to complications related to COVID-19 and a close friend to gun violence.
“I used to look at people just as friends or as someone I knew,” Mitchell said.
“But I’ve learned that everyone has a story. Everyone has gone through things no one would expect. I’ve been through tough times, I feel this, but a lot of people also have experienced difficulties. I’ve learned that if you wait to say ‘hi’ to someone, you should do it now. You’re going to run out of time; things happen to you that are out of control.”
Mitchell’s past has inspired him to act and help those like him. Joining the Boys & Girls Clubs helped him
Bailey Mitchell was recently named the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley’s 2022 Youth of the Year, representing the clubs’ Bob Bové Branch in Avondale. (Photo courtesy of Bailey Mitchell) Senior...continued on page 31
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WEST VALLEY VIEW NEWS | MARCH 2, 2022
Tolleson, Theater Works team to help kids
BY BRIDGETTE M. REDMAN
West Valley View Contributing Writer
Theater Works is bringing the joy of performance — and the rocking educational wonder of “Schoolhouse Rock Live” — to schools in the Tolleson Elementary School District.
The recipients of a 21st Century Community Learning Center federal grant, the two organizations are launching the 18-week program designed to give a theater experience to students in second through eighth grades.
It was set for 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic.
Laura Berger, who came on as the Theater Works education director on Jan. 3, said the program is “exciting.”
“What’s exciting to me is that we are able to provide an arts program for a district that has very little access to an arts program either during the school day or afterward,” Berger said.
Teaching artists from Theater Works go into the schools four days a week and host a two-hour program, one that is customized to each school.
Cydney Trent from Anthem is one of the teaching artists and she said the variety in ages has had unexpected benefi ts for the participants. She has one class with several fi rst graders and one eighth grader.
“The eighth grader has been great in helping to be a role model and learn things,” Trent said. “She’s very shy, so it’s been really good for her to have these little kids looking up to her and giving her a boost in her confi dence. It’s been special to watch their friendships develop.”
Trent emphasized that arts programming does far more than just teach kids how to become actors, singers and dancers. There are soft skills that they learn daily.
“They’re not only learning performance skills and having an opportunity to express themselves artistically, they are learning leadership, practicing literacy skills and practicing public speaking,” Trent said.
About 60 children in four schools
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“I want to stress, they don’t have to be good at it,” Trent said. “They just have to enjoy it. They just have to be wanting to learn. We’re not looking at how talented they are, we are looking at sharing this with everyone.”
At the end of the 18-week program, each of the schools performs “Schoolhouse Rock Live,” which the students learn.
Berger and Trent remember singing the songs when they were in school and praise them as a way of learning and retaining content in a wide range of subjects.
“It’s such an accessible way to remember that information,” Berger said. “The songs are catchy and fun and make learning fun.”
Trent said it has been great to watch her fi rst graders spouting off their multiplication factors as they sing “Three is a Magic Number.”
She said they did a math lesson one afternoon where they wrote out all the factors on the board to learn how it works.
Another time, the class looked up the defi nitions of fl ora and fauna so that they could understand what they were singing and talking about.
While many programs are geared toward high schoolers, Theater Works opens the world of performance and everything that goes along with it to elementary school students.
“One of the things we say in my classroom every week is ‘celebrate your mistakes,’” Trent said. “Theater doesn’t have a right or wrong way to do things. It gives you an opportunity to explore.”
Berger agreed.
“To bounce off of that, I think theater specifi cally helps kids to learn empathy, to be able to put themselves in the shoes of another person,” Berger said. “Looking at the world through another perspective is key to developing empathy.”
Other teaching artists include Tatum Sosnowski from Glendale, David Seaburg from Surprise, and Clara Bentz from Phoenix.
“This truly wonderful project offers students the chance to experience theater and the arts in a partnership that brings a high level of enrichment to the community,” Berger said.
“You don’t have to spend millions of dollars to expose your children to the arts,” Trent added.
Clara Bentz teaches one of the after-school elementary programs for Theater Works.
(Photo courtesy of Theater Works)
Spring break camps
Theater Works’ Theater Alive musical theater camp “Broadway Bonanza” is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, March 14, to Friday, March 18, for ages 7 to 17 at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts.
Registration is $240, and the deadline is March 11.
Kids camp is for children ages 7 to 12; teen camp is for teens ages 13-17.
It’s for kids who love musical theater. Campers will be directed by theater professionals as they learn a showcase of musical numbers and choreography from popular Broadway shows in one week.
No prior singing or dancing experience is required to join this camp. The fun will culminate with a sharing for family and friends at Theater Works on the fi nal day of camp.
Extended youth care is available for an additional $100 for the week; see website for details.
To create a safe space and to keep our stages bright, wearing a mask is required for audience members attending Theater Works productions and for youth education participants. Temperatures will be taken upon arrival.
Theater Works programs are at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria. For more information about Theater Works, visit theaterworks.org.
A Taste of Estrella supports students’ efforts
BY MATTHEW ELITZ
West Valley View Staff Writer
Estrella High School is looking to support the community by gathering local businesses for Taste of Estrella on Friday, March 4.
Principal Nikki Powell said she is anticipating a large turnout for the event, which also includes prizes, job interviews and haircuts.
“Right now, we have about 14 different vendors who will be on campus,” Powell said. “Everybody from the YMCA to the Estrella Mountain Community College will be on campus. We’ll have free haircuts from the beauty academy, and some local businesses will be present on campus, with games, prizes and all kinds of food.”
Among the vendors are AzHouse Treasure, Realty One Group, Aroma Mocha Coffee, Baskin Robbins, Cerealphoria, Coldwater Coffee and Bakery, D-Image Beauty College, Diana’s Daisy Dogs, Estrella Mountain Community College, Goodwill, Sam Garcia Library, Sonic, Somos Dental and Orthodontics, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and the YMCA.
Powell has been working with many local businesses to ensure the event is varied and interesting, trying to focus on entertainment and enriching the school’s students.
“The whole thing is special,” Powell said. “We’ll be promoting this on social media. We’ll have games and prizes, food trucks, and the entire event is special because the community is coming together. We’ve had 14 communities who have decided to come. There are different pathways for our students, and I want them to be exposed to many of them, including trade schools and the military.”
Powell said the event is a passion project, as she’s been planning it since late
December.
“It’s been one of the things we wanted to do, to be a big hub for the community, reimagining the high school,” she said.
“It’s a small alternative school, but it’s my philosophy that this place should be a hub for the community. I’ve talked with a number of businesses nearby up and down Van Buren, Lichfield, and introduced myself. Many of the businesses around here have ‘help wanted’ signs, so when I was telling them about this event, they were excited at the prospect of on-site interviews. Eventually, the event morphed into something bigger.”
Principal Nikki Powell
If You Go...
WHAT: A Taste of Estrella WHEN: 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 4 WHERE: Estrella High School, 510 N. Central Avenue, Avondale COST: Free admission; food for sale INFO: 623-932-6561, facebook.com/estrellahighschool
Senior...continued from page 29
find his community, and he is always willing to lend an ear to his friends and colleagues.
“I want to listen to people and understand what they are experiencing. No matter what you’re going through, you are not alone. You are not alone. You have family. I’m here for you. Even through the hardest times,” Mitchell said.
As a graduating senior in high school, Mitchell has big aspirations.
Mitchell hopes to walk on to the Sun Devils football team in the fall, hopefully paving the way to the NFL. He could not play football at Aqua Fria because of COVID-19. He’s looking forward to college football. At ASU, he will pursue a degree in computer science or engineering and wants to develop cutting-edge technologies to benefit humanity.
“Computer science and engineering is the future,” Mitchell said.
“I want to be ready for the next wave of tech. It’s been a passion for me to write code and to create something amazing. The true beauty of code comes from its ability to create something simple or complex.”
Mitchell is passionate about protecting the environment. His interests in environmental conservation stem from a high school environmental science class during his sophomore year. He
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learned about the devastating impact of pollution, extinction and global warming on the planet.
“Through community, we can help improve the environment. A lot of people think that small things don’t make differences, but they do. I’ve seen it firsthand, going through different towns, seeing landfills, waste and pollution in our country,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell organized a trash cleanup with a teacher. He hopes to gain a following and share his knowledge about how people can take steps to protect the environment.
When he is not lending a hand to his peers, Mitchell enjoys oil painting, thanks to Bob Ross’ “The Joy of Painting” TV show. He won first place in a statewide art competition for his landscape paintings.
Through his turbulent life, Mitchell keeps a healthy, positive attitude.
“It stems from my grandma, family and brother,” he said. “If I’m not living my best life, then what’s the point in living?
“No matter where you’re from, who you are, you can do anything. I want to inspire people to do what they dream to do. If you put your mind to it, you can do it.”
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5 interviewing tips to land a job
BY FAMILY FEATURES
With so many job openings these days, you may think you’ll have an easy time sliding into a new role. Not so fast. Because of the huge number of options available and plenty of workers contemplating changes, you’re likely to encounter some competition to land the job you want. A solid interview can help you close the deal. Consider these five tips to help you make a great impression and land the job of your dreams:
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Avoid thinking of the interview as your first step toward a new job. Once you set the appointment, it’s time to take a deeper dive to learn as much as you can about the company and position. Ideally, you did some of this legwork when you created a custom resume and cover letter, but for the interview, you need to know more.
After arming yourself with all the information you can, practice answers to questions you expect the interviewer to ask.
2. Decide what the interviewer
should know about you. Using the job description as a guide, create a list of points you want to communicate to show how your experience and knowledge fit the role. During the interview, pay attention to opportunities for sharing these details about your skillset. Most interviewers will give you the opportunity to add information you haven’t covered; use this time to deliver a succinct summary of how you can succeed in the position. 3. Create your own list of questions. An interview isn’t just about determining whether you’re a fit for a job; you also need to decide whether the job is a fit for you. Think about what you need to know in order to feel confident accepting an offer. You might organize your thoughts by considering what is essential in a new job and what aspects are “nice to have.”
4. Present yourself as a winning can-
didate. Impressions are everything when it comes to interviews. Dress to impress with well-fitted clothing appropriate for the job and practice good grooming habits, including details like trimming your nails and minimizing distractions like pet hair.
Arrive early enough that you’re not rushed or flustered when you check in for your appointment. Use good posture, a firm handshake and a clear, confident voice. Speak authoritatively but respectfully and try to make the interview a comfortable, conversational exchange. 5. Leave a lasting impression. Before you end the interview, ask for clear insight on the next steps in the process. Within 24 hours, send follow-up messages to each person you met with. Thank them for their time and include references specific to your conversation, such as elaborating on a question or reiterating a key point.
This shouldn’t be a copy-paste message, but rather a tailored one to each individual. Close by reiterating your interest and how your skills are a fit.
Find more advice for handling personal and professional challenges at eLivingtoday.com.
