Chandler Girl Scout a changemaker . . . . . . . . . . . . .NEIGHBORS

Chandler Girl Scout helps youths discover skating

BY JUSTIN LIGGIN

Guest Writer

When 15-year-old Chandler resident Maria Gonzalez isn’t on the ice practicing for her next figure skating competition, she is out in the community making a difference.

By combining her passion for helping others with her love for figure skating, this Girl Scout has become a changemaker, inspiring youth to find their footing on the ice and to pursue new physical activities through her project that earned her the highest honor in Girl Scouting, a Gold Award.

“Being a competitive figure skater for 10 years, I felt compelled to take action and address the issue of physical inactivity of the youth in my community,” said Maria.

The first part of Maria’s efforts to address this issue were through her Skate for Fitness instructional event at Ice Den Chandler, a place she frequents regularly for practice. The event started with a free 20-minute lesson where almost 70 children were able to learn the basics of figure skating like how to start and stop on skates.

“I wanted to create an environment where kids could ask questions and receive direct instruction from the coaches that have helped me improve my abilities as well,” said Maria.

Shortly after the lesson, Maria gave a 10-minute speech highlighting the importance of her Gold Award project, introducing all the skating coaches that volunteered and shared her experiences as a competitive figure skater.

The event finished with a bang, as ten of the volunteers put on an exhibition for attendees, skating their competitive programs and introducing new styles of skating to the crowd like free style, ice dance, synchronized skating and more.

“Overall, this event was a big success,” said Maria. “I have received messages from parents telling me about how impactful my event was and have heard from instructors that some of the public skaters who attended the event have signed up for the program and began taking lessons.”

Another element of Maria’s project was her blog, skateforfitness.net, a site dedicated to answering unique skating questions and addressing the health benefits the sport of figure skating has to offer.

“Because my project was all about education, it was important to me that I created a place where people could visit and learn something they didn’t know before, whether it was about buying your first pair of skates or the benefits the sport has on our health,” said Maria.

Maria’s efforts earned her a Gold Award, an honor given to a Girl Scout who displays leadership and creates sustainable solutions to challenges in their community.

“Through my efforts, I was able to learn a lot about myself and my perseverance, especially when it comes to something I am so passionate about,” said Maria. “Even though I experienced some challenges along the way, I was still able to achieve my goal of putting on a fun and educational event for the youth in my community.”

Maria Gonzalez

See SCOUT on page 41

Chandler artist Laurie Fagen receives 3 awards

SANTAN SUN NEWS

Chandler artist Laurie Fagen received three Juror’s Choice awards in the upcoming Art for Land’s Sake online auction sponsoring the nonprofit Desert Foothills Land Trust.

Her “Ahh, Sedona” fiber art piece got third place from glass artist Laurie Nessel in the mixed media category and an honorable mention from symbolist painter A.H. Smith. Nessel also gave her third place for “Desert Vessel,” a clay sculpture entered into the sculpture and glass category.

The online exhibit will be open for public preview starting tomorrow, March 28.

The opening reception, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. Wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served, and there will be live entertainment by Jack and Maryla Tirin.

The auction will open for online bidding at noon April 1 and closes at noon April 11.

Desert Foothills Land Trust has been working in the Desert Foothills communities north of Phoenix for more than 30 years to connect people to nature and protect and steward sensitive lands and species of the Sonoran Desert. T

The Land Trust has permanently protected nearly 1,000 acres of valuable conservation lands. Many of the preserves are open to the public for exploration and light recreation. The Land Trust also offers guided tours, volunteer opportunities and educational programs to build awareness about the importance of land protection for the survival of the Sonoran Desert and for future generations to enjoy.

To register for the online auction: dflt. org and click on Art for Land’s Sake icon.

Both Nessel and Smith lauded the auction entries.

“It’s heartwarming to see the outpouring of artwork donated to the Art for Land’s Sake annual fundraiser to benefit the Desert Foothills Land Trust, with many artists submitting multiple entries,” she said.

“Every artist deserves recognition for their generosity and dedication to conservation,” she continued. “Sifting through the art to highlight outstanding talent is difficult. There were many wonderful pieces and I suspect more than a few will have rousing bidding wars.”

Smith was enthusiastic as well, stating, “The quality of work, the high level of craftmanship, and the diversity of styles and subject matter are such an inspiration. There is something for everyone in this show: paintings, pastels, photography, fiber arts, 2-and 3-D mixed media pieces, sculpture, glass work, fiber art and jewelry. I found the work this year to be exceptional in its diversity and execution. “All in all, this show is a fun mix of a variety of mediums that celebrate the desert and all of its beauty.”

Left: Chandler artist Laurie Fagen’s piece, “Ahh, Sedona” is a digital photo on fabric, then thread-painted Above: Fagen’s “Desert Vessel” is a polymer clay sculpture on

glass. (Courtesy Laurie Fagen)

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Care advocate named at Sun Lakes Methodist

SANTAN SUN NEWS

Polly J. Smith RN, BSN, LNC has been named Sun Lakes United Methodist Church’s new community care advocate.

Smith has an extensive background as a registered nurse, heath care advocate, and social services volunteer.

“She will lend support and assist individuals with their challenges by advocating for them as a liaison among our ministers and ministries, counselors, and other service providing entities,” a church spokeswoman said. “The goal is to see that services provided are both transitional and a transformative benefi t for the individual’s circumstances.”

She added that Smith “has experience and knowledge in assisting people making diffi cult health care decisions, coping with life-limiting diseases, transitioning from independent home care to various types of care facilities, and coping with fi nancial concerns regarding health care insurance and provisions of care.”

Other areas of need she may address include palliative care, assessment and

Polly J. Smith

planning for end of life, and bereavement or grief support.

“Polly will be addressing everyone’s concerns with compassion, confi dentiality, and respect,” the spokeswoman said.

She can be reached at 480-895-8766 or email at Polly@sunlakesumc.org.

Sun Lakes Church names new part-time pastor

BY GIL HENDRY

Guest Writer

The search committee of Sun Lakes United Church of Christ has unanimously voted to call Rev. Derrick Elliott as pastor for an initial designated term of six months – which he has accepted. Rev. Elliott will begin his pastorate with our regular weekly service on at 4 p.m. April 2 in the Sun Lakes Chapel. All are welcome no matter where you are on life’s journey. Rev. Elliott will continue to also be the part-time pastor at Desert Heritage UCC Church in Mesa. Both churches are relatively small and will be participating in a unique arrangement that will provide a part-time pastor for each church and at the same time, full-time work for one minister. If, at the end of the six-month period, both churches are comfortable with the shared arrangement, Rev. Elliott will be called as the part-time settled pastor of both churches. Rev. Elliott was ordained as an authorized minister within the United Church of Christ in 2016. In addition to being the part time pastor of Desert Heritage Church, he is an Air Force Reserve chaplain stationed at Schriever Space Force Base at the rank of captain.

Before serving as an Air Force Reserve Chaplain, he spent 12 years in the Louisiana National Guard as an enlisted administrative assistant and a military intelligence offi cer. Rev. Elliott has been an elementary school teacher, community outreach specialist for homeless veterans, a correctional chaplain, a hospital chaplain, a youth worship leader and a member of the board of directors for United Church of Christ and Global Ministries.

He holds a master of divinity from United Theological Seminary and master of education and bachelor of arts degrees from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He has completed four units of clinical pastoral education and is pursuing his doctor of ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary with an anticipated graduation date of May 2024.

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SCOUT from page 39

Maria, who has been a part of Girl Scouts for nine years, was also able to apply her important skills she has learned over the years through her other community projects.

“I have learned how to use my leadership skills of collaboration, decision making, and communication by selling Girl Scout Cookies to make my community an overall better place,” said Maria.

In addition to learning important qualities about herself, the Hamilton High School student was also able to learn about the fi eld of public health, which she plans to major in at college.

As for other Girl Scouts who are looking to take on their Gold Award project, Maria suggests sticking with what you love.

“I would advise Girl Scouts to pick a topic they are truly passionate about! That way even if they encounter roadblocks, they will be able to push through and continue on with a project they care about that will also make a diff erence.”