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TheFoothillsFocus.com

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS ................. 6

First Fridays with veterans and veteran supporters

FEATURES ........ 17 Women take center stage in worldwide ﬁlm festival

FEATURES ........ 21 Coalition proposes $3M multipurpose arts center

OPINION ......................9 BUSINESS ................. 16 FEATURES ................ 17 YOUTH ...................... 25 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 26 Zone I

PAGE

Serving the communities of Anthem, Desert Hills, Norterra, Sonoran Foothills, Stetson Valley, Tramonto, New River, Desert Ridge and North Phoenix

Anthem Area Edition

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Jaime Hansen does not take honors lightly BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

s the Canyon Springs STEM specialist, Jaime Hansen lives for those “aha” moments. “It’s a new experience every day,” the New River resident said. “No day is the same. I just like being a part of their learning experience. I love to see that ‘aha’ moment when sparks fly. I think it’s amazing that I helped foster that.” For her efforts, Hansen was one of the Deer Valley Education Foundation’s Teachers of the Year. Hansen, who has worked in the district since 2014, joins Diane Allen, Village Meadows Elementary School; Kathleen Bartolomey, West Wing School; Ryan Donovan, Boulder Creek

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Canyon Springs STEM specialist Jaime Hansen with her husband, Tory, and daughter, Ashley. (Photo courtesy of Jaime Hansen)

Air Fair host turns up the excitement BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

eff Overby had just moved to the Valley when he was introduced to the breakfast fly-in at Buckeye Municipal Airport. An air show host, Overby was asked to bring a sound system and describe some of the participating planes for visitors.

“I told them they could have great attendance if they had a proper air show,” said Overby, who lives in Cave Creek. “I made that comment to the airport coordinator, John McMahon, at the time. He said he always wanted to have an air show in Buckeye. Two weeks later, he was killed in an airplane crash.” Soon thereafter, the city emailed Overby

canceling any future fly-ins. “He (McMahon) was such a fixture in putting this together,” Overby said. “I called everyone and told them about the last conversation we had. We needed to grant him his wish.” The Buckeye Air Fair took flight and re-

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An edition of the East Valley Tribune The Foothills Focus is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the North Valley. To find out where you can pick up a copy of The Foothills Focus, please visit www.thefoothillsfocus.com CONTACT INFORMATION Main number: 623-465-5808 | Fax: 623-465-1363 Circulation: 480-898-5641 Publisher: Steve T. Strickbine Vice President: Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising: 480-348-0343 Classifieds/Inside Sales: Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@timespublications.com TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@timespublications.com Steve Insalaco | 480-898-5635 | sinsalaco@timespublications.com Advertising Office Manager: Tricia Simpson | 480-898-5624 | tsimpson@timespublications.com Director of National Advertising Zac Reynolds | 480-898-5603 | zac@thefoothillsfocus.com NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski | 480-898-5631 christina@timespublications.com Design: Nathalie Proulx | nproulx@timespublications.com Production Coordinator: Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@timespublications.com Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 | customercare@evtrib.com

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 16, 2022

AIR FAIR from page 1

turns Saturday, Feb. 19, and Sunday, Feb. 20, to the airport, 3000 S. Palo Verde Road. This year’s event includes a new air show, STOL Drag Racing, the Copperstate Fly-In and Expo, Arizona SciTech Festival and a VIP experience for a front row view. “We had a very special inaugural event,” he recalled. “We went from 4,000 people, then 8,000 then 13,000 and then pushing 40,000 attendees in such a short time. The backing of this community is just outstanding, It’s been amazing to see this thing blossom.” “This year, we’re going to have a variety (of activities),” he said. “We’ll have very patriotic, Lee Greenwood-type music and then some Jason Aldean for the Vanguard Squadron. We’ll have performers like three-time national acrobatic pilot Jeff Boerboon, who flies this extra 330 SC, which is one of the dominating high-performance acrobatic aircrafts in the world today.” Boerboon, who also lives in Cave Creek, will perform to “good old classic rock music,” Overby said. “It’s going to be quite a variety of, not only the performers and the types of planes, but the kind of energy from the music and the audience.” Overby has long been into flying. He “got the bug” after attending a fly-in pancake breakfast in his home state of Wisconsin. A pilot took him for a ride and that inspired him to get his pilot’s license in 1997. “I then participated in every kind of extreme motor sport—anything with wheels or wings,” he said with a laugh. “My wife purchased a ride for me in an acrobatic plane and that fueled the fire for acrobatic flying. “I had been wanting to be the next world champion acrobatic pilot. Just as I was learning the sport, the coach asked me if I would announce shows back in the Midwest for them. I knew every maneuver they were doing. It turned out that the crowd really seemed to enjoy it. I got my wife involved, we added music to the maneuvers, and it just took off from there and I drifted more toward the announcing

Jeff Overby will host the Buckeye Air Fair on Saturday, Feb. 19 and Sunday, Feb. 20 at the Buckeye Municipal Airport located at 3000 S. Palo Verde Road, Buckeye. (Submitted photo) side.” Now, Overby balances his full-time job owning Overdrive Tech Group with announcing. He wouldn’t have it any other way. “Although I do have a day job, this is my fun job for sure,” he said. “It can vary anywhere between eight to 12 shows a year. It’s great.”

Buckeye Air Fair

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 19, and Sunday, Feb. 20 WHERE: Buckeye Municipal Airport, 3000 S. Palo Verde Road, Buckeye COST: Free admission; VIP tickets available for $50 one-day pass, $85 two-day pass INFO: buckeyeairfair.com

NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 16, 2022

HANSEN from page 1

High School; Chelsea Harman, Terramar Academy of the Arts; Lorin Herrington, Esperanza Elementary School; Kristi L. Kroeger, Diamond Canyon School; Bradley Land, Union Park School; Debbie Moore, Mountain Ridge High School; Phil Nichols, Las Brisas Elementary School; and Kimberly Williams, Stetson Hills Schools. She doesn’t take the honor lightly. “I have always loved to learn, which I believe makes an outstanding teacher,” she wrote in an essay. “I feel that if you have the desire to better yourself through education, then that will reflect in your teaching style and approach to learning. Being involved in learning, through leading organizations such as clubs and activities in your school, gives you an insight into students’ lives and thinking. Being around children my whole life, I find myself being as much a counselor as a teacher, leader and role model. All these roles I have taken can greatly influence a child’s life. That is not something I take lightly.” Accolades are nothing new to Hansen, who was the recipient of the Deer Valley Education Foundation Impact Grant for the last five years; and an APS $2,500 STEM Materials Grant. She was the Rotary teachers of the year for the 2018-2019 school year, and a DVEF teacher of the year nominee for that same time frame.

Inspired Hansen said this is an honor she doesn’t take lightly, as she comes from a family of teachers. “My aunt was a teacher and I have a cousin who is a counselor,” she said. “My mom was in community education. Being an older sister of three — I have a younger brother and sister — that gave me a passion for teaching at an early age.” Raised in Cave Creek, Hansen graduated from Cactus Shadows High School in 1994. She earned a Master of Education with an emphasis in early childhood at NAU in 2002. Four years later, she obtained a Master of Information Services and library science from UA. Hansen served as a youth librarian at Desert Foothills Library but eventually returned to where her heart was — schools. Hansen taught reading intervention to kindergarten to third-grade students at the

Glendale Elementary School District from June 2007 to June 2014. “I’ve always been around kids and literacy,” she said. “I try to remind myself of that, too. Teaching is so important. It’s that building of a relationship with kids. “The social emotional part of it really gets overlooked. It’s such an important part, especially nowadays. Grade school teachers are all about building relationships with students. That’s what students remember: ‘She was so nice.’ ‘She made me feel special.’ ‘She always said hello to me when I walked in the classroom.’” Hansen also helms the Robotics Club, which involves Lego, for kids in sixth to eighth grades. They’ll compete in the state championships at ASU Gammage on March 5. “I’ve learned so much about Lego and robotics these last couple months from the kids,” she said. “It’s such an amazing thing. Sometimes the roles are reversed and I’m more of a facilitator in this role as the robotics coach. They come to me with a lot of knowledge of coding. Kids are just amazingly techy right now. They are incredible.”

Persevering Hansen admitted it’s not easy to teach, but the profession is more critical now. In her classrooms, she creates an environment where different learners — thinkers — can find success through hard work. She shows the students a variety of ways to learn. “I find different avenues, such as embracing technology — FlipGrid or Google Slides — that students can use to show understanding. “I give them challenges, like learning the states, capitals, oceans or continents; the major bones in the body or muscles. Why? Because every child learns differently. Some need a challenge. Others need a different way to show, ‘Hey, I understand now.’ Children come with their own views, personalities and feelings.” Her room, she said, is a place where “learning comes alive.” Here, she said, students find a way to show what they have learned. “I feel that Thomas A. Edison said it perfectly, ‘Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.’”

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First Fridays with veterans and veteran supporters BY ANNIKA TOMLIN Foothills Focus Staff Writer

ith the onset of the pandemic in 2020 and the ensuing lockdowns, restrictions and isolation, a local group wanted to maintain a sense of community. Born from a simple idea between three people who wanted to provide a gathering space for veterans, First Friday with Veterans and Veteran Supporters kicked off in October 2020. Now almost a year and a half later, the monthly event is still going strong — and while the gathering is small, it continues to allow the community and opportunity to stick together. “Paul Fredericks, who is the direct support services with White Rose Hospice, contacted me about other veterans’ things going on and had a great idea about gathering the veterans of the greater Anthem area together and just giving them an opportunity to have con-

versations and build friendships,” said Tonya Piatt of Youth for Troops. “We discussed that and brought it to Palmcroft Church, and Pastor Randy Williams thought it was a wonderful idea. I’m a member and volunteer there and a member and volunteer with Daisy Mountain Veterans.” A culmination of three groups’ efforts, veterans and their supporters meet at the church starting at 10 a.m. each first Friday of the month. “Through the organization that I work for, White Rose Hospice, which is part of another organization called We Honor Veterans — and they are part of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association — (we started the First Friday event),” Fredericks explained. “That was part of the motivating factor, but the real motive was that we wanted to do something for veterans in Anthem and the North Phoenix area and let them know how much we appreciate who they are and we still value their ser-

vice and their person.” Each month, the community room at Palmcroft Church is transformed into the morning event venue, with Fredericks helping to provide the doughnuts and coffee. “My daughter, Hannah Piatt with Youth for Troops, volunteers to make the coffee every month for the veterans, so we really appreciate her because we would be lost without her,” Piatt said. “Daisy Mountain Veterans’ Dennis Salisbury, the president, put it out to their membership, but it is open to the public — it’s open to everyone.” One of Piatt’s fondest memories from the event is of a retired Navy grandmother bringing her son and grandchildren to enjoy the comradery of the multigenerational affair. “Each month, different people come in that are veterans or veteran supporters, and we just have great conversations,” Piatt said. Fredericks’ favorite moment was

during an event around this past Veterans’ Day that culminated in the attending veterans being recognized with a hat or lapel pin that said, “We honor veterans,” according to Fredericks. “The reason why that stands out is because normally we don’t push an agenda. … It’s only on the veterans,” Fredericks said. “The focus is on whatever they want to talk about. If that is about their latest fishing trip, then we can talk about that.” He called it an “extraordinary moment” being able to give a visual token back to the veterans as a sign of their appreciation. “We had a really extraordinary group there that day,” Fredericks admitted. “We had one of our largest groups in the 20s. I know that doesn’t seem like a lot, but normal attendance is in the teens.” The event has grown in reputation, drawing more than Anthem locals. Vis-

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VETERANS from page 6

iting snowbirds have made it to a few get-togethers. “It’s really fun, because it’s the same people that have built long-term friendships across generations, teenagers to senior citizens,” Piatt explained. “It’s fun to walk around the room and you see these amazing conversations happening about things I would have never dreamed would be talked about. It is so fun to hear the laughter and see the smiles and feel the encouragement given, not just to the veterans but to the veteran supporters as well.” Fredericks has noticed that members of two local veterans groups, Anthem Vets and Daisy Mountain, “both come and do business there.” “They talk about events, planning, what is next on the docket for them,” Fredericks said. “It’s really becoming a meeting place for them. Instead of meeting outside of that meeting again or another meeting, they use this coffee time as a planning session, which is fantastic.” In turn, through the planning stages

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First Friday with Veterans and Veteran Supporters is hosted each first Friday of the month starting at 10 a.m., located at Palmcroft Church. (Photo courtesy of Tonya Piatt) other coffee attendants become interested in volunteering for the upcoming events, Fredericks said. While this is an in-person, indoor event,

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no COVID-19 restrictions are in place. “Obviously, we want everyone to come and be comfortable however they are comfortable,” Piatt said. “Some people

wear masks; some people don’t. We leave that up to the individual attendee for whatever makes them feel comfortable.” Fredericks and Piatt are thankful to all those who have made the event possible, from each to Salisbury and Williams, not to mention the veterans in attendance. “And I want to thank all of the other people that have been attending, because the friendships and the memories are very dear,” Piatt said. “We really do appreciate the time that we get to have with each other, and that makes it very fun. Fredericks added, “This isn’t just for veterans. It’s also for those who support veterans. If anyone wants to come on the first Friday and have a coffee and a doughnut and maybe they are not a veteran, they are more than welcome to come and support the veterans.” First Friday with Veterans and Veteran Supporters

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News Briefs

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Vendors sought for Anthem Days The Anthem Community Council is inviting vendors to apply for inclusion in 2022 Anthem Days. The forms are due Friday, March 4. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/AnthemDaysVendor. Anthem Days is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 26 and March 27 at the Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway. The free, family-friendly event includes a business expo, craft vendors, carnival, food vendors, and entertainment. The event is open to the public. Admission and parking are free. Proskills Services will return as the title sponsor for Anthem Days 2022. Sponsors include GreatHearts Anthem, Republic Services, Anthem Law and Judge Gerald Williams.

Cats’ eyesight restored

At the age of 2 days, kitties Sonny and

Cher were found at a construction site after their mom was fatally hit by a car in August 2021. Both kittens had horrible eye infections and Anthem Pets was advised that their eyes would have to be removed. Anthem Pets sought the expertise of a veterinary ophthalmologist, who listed another option: a procedure that takes some of the lower lid skin to replace the damaged eyelids. Following surgery, the kitties are doing well, and their vision has been restored. Now, Anthem Pets seeks donations to help pay the $5,400 medical bill. Secure online donations can be made via PayPal, Arizona Gives or Venmo.

Commissioners OK partial consolidation in EPCOR rate case

Commissioners unanimously approved a rate case application from EPCOR Water Arizona Inc. Approval comes after discussion, consideration and

adoption of myriad amendments over the course of two open meetings. EPCOR had advocated for a full consolidation of its Arizona water districts, placing all customers under one rate design. After hearing from numerous ratepayers, Commissioners decided to adopt an amendment from Commissioner Jim O’Connor that implemented proposed Scenario 1, a partial consolidation, leaving Paradise Valley, Sun City and Sun City West as standalone districts. An amendment from Commissioner Sandra D. Kennedy requires EPCOR to file, within six months, an analysis of why participation in its low-income program is so low, and recommendations to boost participation moving forward. Additionally, it requires EPCOR work with relevant stakeholders with experience in low-income assistance and water conservation to provide input and shall report on their recommendations. Commissioner Justin Olson had two

amendments adopted. The first reduced the Return on Equity from 9.25% to 8.93%, this reduces the increase to the revenue requirement by approximately $350,000. His second amendment adopted commission staff’s and the Residential Utility Consumer Office’s (RUCO) recommendation to remove 50% of EPCOR’s short-term incentive plan, which reduces the revenue requirement by approximately $700,000. In addition to his amendment adopting partial consolidation, Commissioner Jim O’Connor had a second amendment adopted during the meeting. This amendment allows EPCOR to recalculate low-income surcharges on March 31. EPCOR’s water customers will see Anthem Water rates go from approximately $70.80 to $51.76 after a three-year rate phase in. All related documents can be found at https://edocket.azcc.gov and entering docket number WS-01303A-20-0177.

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OPINION

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AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Be bold when expressing love BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

ow was your Valentine’s Day? Hope you had time to buy (or receive) flowers (red, of course), a box of chocolates and a wonderful bottle of champagne. We celebrate the “most romantic day of the year” that actually started in the fifth century as a pagan holiday. The “day of love” had its beginnings in Rome, when mid-February marked the annual Lupercalia festival, an ode to the God of fertility. It was one huge celebration. Evidently, those Romans knew how

to party, because it became the season to fall in love and marry. Then Claudius II became emperor and the party stopped. He had the notion that marriage only distracted and weakened men (sadly, my husband agrees) and so to assure quality soldiers, he banned marriage. A bishop named Valentine, stood up for love and met couples in secret places and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. When the evil Claudius learned of this, he labeled Valentine a “friend of lovers” and had him arrested. Unless Valentine agreed to worship the Roman Gods and stop marrying young couples, he would

be executed. Valentine was a man of faith and conviction, therefore he refused to stop and was jailed. A miracle happened while Valentine was in jail awaiting his fate. He fell in love with his jailer’s daughter, Asterius. Just before Valentine was executed, he wrote a heartfelt letter to Asterius and signed it, “Be mine, your Valentine.” Legend has it that he wrote love letters in his own blood and wore a red scarf to his execution. At a garage sale I spotted a beautiful square piece of lace that was lying on a table. I picked it up and an elderly lady came and gently took it out of my hands. “This is

mine,” she said sweetly. Then she scolded her daughter for putting it up for sale. The lady told me that her husband wrapped their wedding bouquet in this little piece of lace, when they got married. “I still re-

see BLUHM page 13

OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 16, 2022

Fed program would foster drug abuse, addiction BY J.D. HAYWORTH Foothills Focus Columnist

ne century, one decade and one year separate us from the birth of Ronald Reagan. With each passing day, especially in these troubling times, we are reminded of Reagan’s basic goodness and yes, greatness. Derided by the Manhattan elites and the Georgetown Cocktail Set as a “simpleton,” Reagan’s genius was his ability to simplify the seemingly complex. “If you want less of something, tax it,” Reagan said, succinctly explaining the rationale for tax cuts. History recalls that the reduction of tax rates led to the expansion of economic opportunity during the Reagan Era. But our 40th President also understood the absurdity of the big talking, big spending, big government Left. “If you want more of something, subsidize it,” Reagan warned.

Sure enough, Joe Biden is buying bigger and bigger problems for our nation and our future. Among the outrageous examples of “your tax dollars at work” comes this gem: the funding of the distribution of crack pipes to drug addicts. Courtesy of Senate Democrats and Vice President Harris, who cast the deciding vote, the American Rescue Plan features a “harm reduction” grant program. Of course, it comes with a cheap price – at least by Washington standards: “Only” $30 million. As it stands now, that dough will be divvied up into $400 thousand chunks and sent to local governments as well as selected “nonprofit organizations.” The goal? To make drug use safer for addicts. How will that be accomplished? In part, through the purchase of “smoking kits and supplies” for addicts. The all-knowing, all-caring, sensitive bu-

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reaucratic souls at the Department of Health and Human Services will oversee this beneficence. An HHS official confirmed this “forward-thinking action” to the “Washington Free Beacon,” explaining that the smoking kits will include those precious, specially made pipes for users to smoke crystal meth, crack cocaine, or “any illicit substance.” But faced with a strong and immediate backlash from media reports concerning the inclusion of crack pipes, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra issued an “11th hour revision.” A press release stated that “no federal funding will be used…to put pipes in safe smoking kits.” So the “safe smoking kits” remain… addicts will just have to furnish their own crack pipes. Got it! And…with a bureaucratic bow to the American Rescue Plan, Ol’ Joe and his gang didn’t limit the giveaway-bygrants to just smoking kits. Other items to be distributed included fentanyl strips, syringes, and condoms! Also detailed among the items for which your tax dollars can be spent are “disease screenings” and vaccinations. Remember, this was enacted during the COVID-centric days of “crisis,” and as we’ve collectively learned, the Left never lets a “crisis go to waste.” Undergirding this entire exercise is a wrongheaded idea that government should shoulder the responsibility of making drug use more secure and “healthier.” To the extent government is involved, its resources should be focused on the prevention of drug abuse. It’s bad enough that the Biden Bunch

disregards this simple concept, but compounding the error is the curious moral and political “accounting” that accompanies it. By abandoning “equality” in favor of “equity,” the Left confers special status on an underclass and a commitment to expanding that underclass. Here’s the perverse rationale at work: these grants are prioritized for “underserved communities.” While the late actor and comedian Robin Williams joked that “cocaine is God’s way of telling you that you’re making too much money,” can anyone seriously believe that expanding access to drugs and drug paraphernalia in “underserved communities” does anything but increase the number of drug abusers in those communities? Compassionate? No, it’s “confused compassion” at best – and more likely, counterfeit. Subsidizing drug abuse and all that comes with it – violent crime, homelessness, and death – is no way to serve “underserved communities.”

How to get a letter published E-mail: christina@timespublications.com

The Foothills Focus welcomes letters that express readers’ opinion on current topics. Letters must include the writer’s full name, address (including city) and telephone number. The Foothills Focus will print the writer’s name and city of residence only. Letters without the requisite identifying information will not be published. Letters are published in the order received, and they are subject to editing. The Foothills Focus will not publish consumer complaints, form letters, clippings from other publications or poetry. Letters’ authors, not the Foothills Focus, are responsible for the “facts” presented in letters.

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Anchovies on pizza? Only in weird Arizona BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

aving made it this far in life without landing on Death Row, I feel confident a lethal injection won’t be my fate. With that said, I have my last meal all picked out: A large pepperoni pizza from any restaurant not named Domino’s or Papa John’s. What I’m saying is, I am a certified pizza lover, a man who can hardly go a week without a slice or three. While I did not partake on Feb. 9th to mark National Pizza Day, I certainly will on Super Bowl Sunday, the busiest day of the year for pizza shops, ahead of New Year’s Eve and Halloween. Unless, of course, I am served an abomination like pizza topped with anchovies. Which, according to the food blog “How to Cook Recipes” is the most popular pizza topping in Arizona, at least according to rankings by Google search throughout 2021.

Yep, anchovies. Ahead of pepperoni, extra cheese, sausage and pineapple in the state’s Top Five. People, must everything in this state be weird all the time? I’ve lived here 25 years and I love the place. But every time I speak to someone from out of state, it’s always, “What’s wrong with Arizona? Did the desert heat fry your brains?” I’m sure you get it, too. “Joe Arpaio this, fraudulent election audit that. What’s up with you guys and _______.” Insert Gov. Jan Brewer wagging her finger in Barack Obama’s face or Arizona leading America in COVID-19 infection rates. I would suggest there’s something in the water here, but given the drought, we barely have any water left. Now we’ve desecrated pizza. Though, to be fair, anchovies were also the most searched-for pizza topping in New Mexico as well. Just what we’ve always dreamed of: being associated with the home of Roswell in a national list. Slice, the country’s leading app for in-

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dependent pizzerias, put together their own study of the most popular pizza styles in the nation. Arizona apparently prefers Sicilian pizza, which I can get behind. As for popular toppings, Slice broke it down nationally: Pepperoni (of course) ranked first, appearing on 37 percent of pizzas. The rest of the Top 10 in order: mushrooms, extra cheese, sausage, onions, bacon, black olives, green peppers, Italian sausage and meatballs. Anchovies didn’t even get a participation ribbon. In an effort to disprove this half-assed accusation – and potentially win a Pulitzer Prize for investigative journalism – I spent a solid two hours Googling pizza topping rankings in various fashions. A rival ranking list, assembled by the health and wellness experts at YorkTest, arrived at a different answer, again using Google searches. Drum roll, please. They say Arizona’s favorite pizza topping is … pesto. Which is only marginally better than anchovies. And again, it’s weird. Though arguably not as weird as putting fruit on pizza, you pineapple people. Pizza was not meant to be topped by fish or things that grow on trees or fungus or anything that’s green, if you really want to get down to it.

As a pizza purist, I just crave your standard cheese pie topped with something sold in the meat aisle. I’m not even a huge fan of the frou frou fancy pizza sold at places like Pizzeria Bianco or Pomo, though I’ll dabble in a pinch. Please just give me a few slices from Nello’s or Spinato’s, NYPD Pizza or Lou Malnati’s. Frankly, I’ve always subscribed to the idea that there’s really no such thing as bad pizza – until I contemplated my fellow Arizonans all fighting for the last slice of something topped with anchovies. They say “pizza is life.” You serve me a slice with anchovies and Death Row may not be entirely out of the question.

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 16, 2022

READER’S VIEWPOINTS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Response to Leibowitz Dear David Leibowitz: I read with interest your piece about the criteria for the Supreme Court and — as you probably expected — I have some questions/comments. Strikingly your comparison of the job of being a judge to being a player on an NBA team seems, to say the least, far fetched. There are certain physical attributes required of an NBA player (hopefully height, working eyes, etc.). The only physical attribute requirement for a judge might be good mental health. Comparing requirements for the job (NBA vs SCOTUS) is comparing apples to oranges. No matter how hard I try, my short frame wouldn’t get me on an NBA team but if I studied hard enough and had the motivation, being a judge should be within the realm of possibility, no matter my gender/race/height. Now for the questions; • Would you feel the same (or even take notice) if any president had said, “I commit to appointing a white man as the next justice.” • Did you have the same opinion when Reagan promised to (and did) appoint a (white) woman before the election, to attract women voters? • Do you agree that there are a multitude of well-qualified candidates to choose from and (realistically) there have been qualified Black women can-

BLUHM from Page 9

member that moment,” she sighed. Love lives in those tender gestures. Valentine’s Day is about undying love. It’s not the candy, but the sweetness of romance that it celebrates. It is the joy of the children in classrooms, who make special cards and red construction paper hearts to take home to their parents. And why not be bold and wear red – that brazen flash of color that “shouts” out that our love will not be secret, quiet or go unnoticed. And let’s not overlook the power of

didates passed over in the past solely because they were not white? Qualified Black women didn’t just pop up in 2022, so why weren’t they chosen before? As a point to support my last question, might I suggest comparing the qualifications of Amy Coney Barrett to the two women in your piece (Ketanji Brown Jackson and Leondra Kruger) and you’ll notice a decided gap, not in Justice Barrett’s favor. Yet she sits on the court and (as you probably know), not because of her qualifications but because of her political views. The “political views” driver for nominations/appointments of judges is, instead, a valid criticism for these (or any) judges, but getting that out of the system is probably, at this point, impossible. Balancing past injustices (of appointing majority white men to the court) isn’t, in my opinion, the real problem we are dealing with. It does limit the personal experience exposure (as you noted) but the core problem is the hidden “political viewpoint” requirement/screening. That screening is the real problem that “demeans the process and the judges in it” and will, more importantly, continue to undermine the public’s faith that “justice is blind.” Thank you for your time. CA Dazell Anthem

a small, lovingly placed piece of lace. To celebrate “love” properly, this week, call an old friend. Hug your children. Hold hands. Be bold, like the color red, in your expression of love. Treasure and rejoice in a little paper heart made for you by a child. Savor a cherished memory, like a piece of lace. Dear readers, be courageous and write someone a love note and sign it with the most famous and romantic phrases of all time, “Be mine, Your Valentine.” Judy Bluhm is a writer and local Realtor. Have a story? Email Judy at judy@judybluhm.com.

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Traditional IRAs can be a tax time bomb BY HAROLD WONG Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

mericans are not big savers. Prior to the last two COVID-19 years, 7.78% of after-tax disposable income was the average savings rate for the 10-year period from 2010-2019, according to Statista 2022. People save for many reasons, but a big incentive is the immediate reduction in taxes from contributing to a traditional IRA, 401k, 403b, or 457 retirement plan. To simplify this article, we will call all tax-deferred retirement accounts IRAs.

If you contribute $6,000 to an IRA and are in the 25% tax bracket, that saves you $1,500 in federal taxes for that tax year. If you contribute $19,500 (the maximum 401k contribution limit for 2020 and 2021 for those who are under age 50 and have at least this much of earned income) and you are in the 30% combined federal and state tax bracket, you save $5,850 of income tax. At my many live seminars, I meet many who have been good savers and many engineers fall into this category. By the time they are 62, many have saved $1 million in traditional IRAs, and extra in nonqualified money

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(meaning not a traditional tax-qualified retirement plan). Suppose they contributed a total of $10,000 each year to their retirement plan from age 33 to 62, for a total of 30 years. Total contributions come to $300,000. If they were in an average 25% tax bracket, they would have saved a total of $75,000 of income tax. They rode the stock market roller-coaster and now have $1 million in their IRA. Congratulations! However, the $1 million is now a ticking tax time bomb because whenever you pull money out to enjoy in retirement, it’s fully taxed as ordinary income because it’s really deferred wages. Once you turn age 72, the IRS forces you to start annual required minimum distributions (RMDs), or distributions of part of your IRA. The RMD amount increases each year. If you have $1 million in your IRA at age 62, you only need a 7% compound average return for it to become $2 million at age 72. When you file your tax return for the year, you are shocked to find out that your first RMD is $72,993 ($2 million divided by 27.4 year life expectancy). If you always maintain $2 million, at 82, you have an 18.5-year life expectancy and so your RMD is $108,108. At 92, your life expectancy is 10.8 years and your RMD is $185,185. Suppose you and your wife died in a car crash any time starting at age

72 or older with $2 million in your IRA and you had two kids. If each kid inherits $1 million, it adds to whatever taxable income they have. Suppose their total tax bracket is 40% and they each owe $400,000 of income tax on the inherited IRA. You saved $75,000 of tax by contributing $300,000 to your 401k; and yet your family pays $800,000 in total tax. Your family paid 10.67 times the tax that you saved. That’s why traditional IRAs are a ticking tax time bomb. The bigger your IRA becomes, the bigger tax burden occurs! The only solution to this tax problem, or the problem of taxable RMDs, is to do a Roth IRA Conversion. The next article, to be published in March, will cover how to convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, with or without having to pay lots of income tax. Free seminar and lunch: Join Harold Wong at 10 a.m. Saturday Feb. 26, at Hyatt Place, 3535 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler, for a free seminar followed by lunch catered by La Madeleine French Café. The topic is “Advanced IRA Strategies.” To schedule a free consultation: 480-706-0177 or Harold_wong@hotmail.com. Dr. Harold Wong earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs. His website is drharoldwong.com.

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Women take center stage in this �ilm fest BY ALEX GALLAGHER Foothills Focus Staff Writer

he Worldwide Women’s Film Festival is returning next weekend with more than 120 films. Beginning Friday, Feb. 18, at Harkins Theatres Shea 14 in Scottsdale, the twoand-a-half-day festival will feature films across a wide variety of categories, including shorts, documentaries, features and music videos. Also on tap are interactive workshops, an after party and the famous filmmaker’s breakfast. “We are back,” festival president Kim Heunecke said. “We took 2021 off because of the pandemic but we are ready

to show amazing films by filmmakers that tell a woman’s point of view.” Now that the world is seemingly safer for in-person events, Heunecke is anxious to pick up where the festival left off in 2020. “Women are making strides in the entertainment industry, but we still have a way to go,” she said. “There’s women behind the scenes that really don’t get recognized that much and it’s validation to recognize women for doing amazing work.” Heunecke also believes the festival serves as the perfect venue for displaying women filmmakers’ creative ways of telling stories cinematically.

“Women tell stories differently than men because it seems like women are more willing to go after tough or difficult subjects,” she said. However, there are films in the festival that are directed by men as the requirements for a film to make it in the festival are that woman play a principal role behind the camera – such as director, cinematographer, producer, screenwriter, sound, music or wardrobe – or the film must have a woman-centered story. “We think those are easy and attainable requirements for the films,” Heunecke said. “We take these films very seriously and we want to present the best of independent women and men filmmakers.”

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“It’s a labor of love to make a film and some of these films run on tight budgets with actors who don’t get paid. These filmmakers also had to jump through hoops to get their film here and this may be the only time that this film may be shown,” Heunecke said. Heunecke admits feeling some trepidation about hosting an in-person festival. “This festival is going to be very challenging in so many ways,” she said. “The films that we have are good but it could be challenging for audiences to come out and view them since we are doing this in person.”

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FILM FEST from page 17

Heunecke strongly encourages guests to wear masks in all applicable settings and situations and will be providing hand sanitizer at the festival’s registration tables. Despite that, Heunecke feels that in-person is the best way for filmmakers and audiences to enjoy the material that is projected. “The filmmakers are excited that their films are getting shown but they do have the regular anxieties of whether or not the crowd will like their work,” she said. “Filmmakers love it when they’re in a theater and people are laughing at the jokes they wrote or gasping when something gets revealed. When you are online, you don’t know what their reaction is.” Heunecke is also excited to offer educational experiences throughout the two and a half days of the festival like the interviewing 101 workshop — where attendees can learn interviewing techniques used by reporters on the red carpet.

“We have a lot for everybody and we’re always looking for volunteers, we can find a use for anybody in the festival,” she said. “This festival is very special to me and everyone is welcome at this festival.” She is always grateful to see an audience that appreciates the lengths that women in film and filmmakers go to tell a good story. “I am honored when people come to the festival, whether it’s from around the country or far away, when they come to the festival on their own dime it’s amazing,” she said. She also hopes that the festival will inspire a new generation of filmmakers. “What I want people to take away from the festival is that they shouldn’t limit themselves,” Heunecke said. Fourth Worldwide Women’s Film Festival

Ashley Maria and Lea-Ann Woodward Brest were on the red carpet for the Worldwide Women’s Film Festival in 2020. (Special to Foothills Focus)

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When : Friday, Feb. 18, to Sunday, Feb. 20 Where : Harkins Theatres Shea 14, 7354 E Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale Cost : Tickets start at $15 Info : wwfilmfestival.org

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Nonpro�it youth theater to host annual fundraiser BY JORDAN HOUSTON Foothills Focus Staff Writer

he Musical Theatre of Anthem is hosting its annual fundraiser in an effort to continue uplifting local youth performers. The award-winning, nonprofit theater company, located at 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, is presenting the fun-filled gala at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, outdoors behind the MTA building. The fundraiser will feature performances by professional singers, including MTA’s own Outreach Group, dinner from Bad to the Bone BBQ, soft drinks and desserts. A live auction and dollar auction, as well as a MTA Prize Basket drawing, will also be offered. The company, which produces allyouth shows and offers training in vocal, dance, acting, improv, pantomime, prop sets and more, will announce its Fantastic 15th Season during the annual event,

according to Musical Theatre of Anthem Office Coordinator Karen Gallagher. “It’s a really neat night to see all of our supporters and families that are close to MTA and that participate in our programs,” Gallagher shared with Foothills Focus. “It’s a night to see everyone come together and enjoy a special experience and really celebrating their kids and what they’ve been able to do.” MTA staff will create seating charts, which will be distributed to guests upon their arrival. Seating requests or changes will not be accommodated due to the limited amount of seating and overall structure of the event, the MTA website states. Masks are optional for the outside event, but recommended, the website continues. Tickets cost $60 per person, regardless of age, and include the dinner and sodas. The Live Dollar Auction, which fea-

tures paddle bidding, is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, Gallagher expressed. Participants will use paddles to make their bids by holding them in a way that’s visible to the auctioneer, she explained. Only those bidders holding paddles will be allowed to place bids. “It’s a paddle auction and it’s really so fun,” the office coordinator shared. “Businesses that donate an item get a lot of exposure to a live audience versus walking around and seeing a silent auction.” Each auction participant – including kids – will be given one paddle distributed by MTA. The auctioneer will then present the donated items. Depending on each individual value, the items will cost between $1 - $2 to bid, according to the MTA website. Participants can either place a “bid” by placing cash in the collection jars in the middle of their table or opt for a $50 allin paddle, the site continues. All-in par-

ticipants can bid on every item without having to place money in the collection jar. To win, the auctioneer must pull a number out of the lottery bin matching the person’s paddle. The only numbers that can win are the paddles that placed a bid and held high enough for the auctioneer to see, Gallagher noted. MTA’s fundraising goal this year is roughly $25,000, which is $5,000 more than what it raised last year, Gallagher disclosed. All proceeds will be funneled toward MTA’s production-related expenses, she added. “Ultimately, we use it for all things associated with production-related expenses, so that could be anything from sets to costumes and any items really associated with covering production costs that tuition alone does not cover,” Galla-

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MTA from page 19

gher said, noting that the nonprofit dues charge tuition solely funneled toward production expenses. MTA, founded in 2008, is dedicated to developing youth and adults within the performing arts field while “enhancing their intrinsic creativity and brokering their vast talents,” according to its website. The theater company trains and educates youth so that they can become “the artists, patrons and leaders of tomorrow while providing opportunities to adults that empower them and foster their creativity.” “We believe every child deserves the chance to shine on stage and learn and grow as a performing artist – that is our mission statement,” Gallagher explained. Past theater productions have included “Disney’s 101 Dalmatians,” “Once On This Island JR.” and “Singing In The Rain JR.,” which incorporated new developments thanks to a parent volunteer, Gallagher disclosed. “For the first time at our theater, we had real rain on the stage and had a

This year’s benefit will feature performances by professional singers and MTA’s Outreach Group, dinner from Bad to the Bone BBQ and a Live Dollar Auction.

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The Musical Theatre of Anthem, which produces all-youth shows, will announce its Fantastic 15th Season during the fundraiser. (Submitted photo) whole setup with a special type of flooring put in and an actual rain system,” she continued. “One of our parent volunteers set it up – so it has actually rained on stage. That is something new for our theater.” The nonprofit is now in its rehearsal stages for “Cinderella KIDS,” “Seussical” and “Shrek JR.”, which will complete MTA’s 14th season, Gallagher said. The

“Cinderella” adaptation will run from Thursday, Feb. 17 to Sunday, Feb. 20. For more information about the Musical Theatre of Anthem, visit musicaltheatreofanthem.org/index.html. Tickets for the fundraiser are available at musicaltheatreofanthem.org/ tickets.html. Businesses interested in donating to the auction can contact Gallagher at creed.karen@gmail.com.

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Coalition proposes $3M multipurpose performing arts center BY JORDAN HOUSTON Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Spearheaded by Anthem Law owner Sam Crump, the group will propose the multi-functional venue to the Anthem Community Council at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, on the first floor of the Anthem Civic Building, located at 3701 W. Anthem Way. The venue, slated to sit in

coalition is advocating for a roughly $3 million multipurpose performing arts and entertainment center for greater Anthem.

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the Outlets at Anthem, would be funded by the city’s Enhancement Funds, explained Crump. The attorney, who serves on the boards of the chamber of commerce and rotary club, added the center would not only fill the void for a diverse cultural arts space – but for the community as a whole.

Local residents, businesses and nonprofits alike could all tap into the “much-needed” multipurpose space. “I grew up in theaters since the fourth grade. My last play was my sophomore year in college,” Crump said. “I love theater, I love going to professional Broad-

see ARTS CENTER page 22

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | FEBRUARY 16, 2022

ARTS CENTER from page 21

way theater and music and things like that.” “The other part of that (proposal) is multipurpose,” he continued. “I’m involved in the chamber of commerce and the rotary club; we’re always looking for venues to hold meetings, conferences or banquet dinners and we don’t have any other facility other than the country club – which has been very nice, and we appreciate them, but it’s pretty pricey.” The 12,500-square-foot space sits directly west of Interstate 17 and taps into “excellent parking, use of video signage on the freeway and existing/future restaurant and shopping,” according to the proposal. The preliminary plan includes a large lobby and reception area, a 350-seat theater with retractable seating – which would allow for the 10,000-square-foot area to be used for banquets, conferences and more – and a large 70-by-50-foot stage. Crump said the facility would be outfitted with large restrooms, a kitchen, storage, dressing rooms and an audio

Venue, located at the Anthem Outlets, would be funded with Enhancement Fund dollars, which have been used in the past for parks, pickle ball courts and the dog park. (Submitted photo)

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and visual control booth. An available space at the proposed size is a rare find in Anthem, he noted. “It checks so many boxes, it’s almost unbelievable,” Crump expressed. The coalition, also comprised of ProMusica Arizona and T2 Presents, emphasizes that a tax increase would not be needed to fund the project. Crump said dollars from the Enhancement Fund, which currently boasts approximately $1.5 million, would be funneled toward the development. He said the fund, driven by the city’s home sales, is estimated to reach the needed $3 million by the time construction would begin in January of next year. “When a home sells, (the Council) takes a quarter of 1% and puts it into this Enhancement Fund – it’s part of the rules,” Crump explained. “The housing prices have been doing so well, so it enhances the enhancement fund.” “That money over the past has been used for really great projects,” he continued, citing the dog park, newly added pickle ball courts and Opportunity Way Park. “They all have a common theme; they’re all outdoor recreation things. Nothing has gone into this sort of cultural performing arts multipurpose facility, so we think it’s time for that.” The proposal outlines a 10-year lease, with an additional two, 5-year options. The Outlets have already accepted the lease agreement, Crump shared. “Municipalities lease commercial properties for their needs all of the time. When they need something, they can lease property, whether it’s for utility purposes or whatever,” Crump disclosed. “I think this is completely feasible,” he added. “I think if they feel like they’ve got the assurance of 20 years here, they should feel secure investing $3 million of the people’s money into this, knowing they’ve got a 20-year lease. I don’t think it’s throwing it away.” For Crump, the multipurpose proposal has been a long time coming. The attorney attempted to tackle the project roughly four years ago, he shared, but his efforts fell flat due to questions over funding. “I tried to get the ball rolling,” Crump

see ARTS CENTER page 23

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ARTS CENTER from page 22

said. “I had a good group of people, including representatives, public officials and county supervisors, and we were meeting and talking about the need for this and everybody liked it. “The stumbling block was that nobody could identify a source of money, short of going through the City of Phoenix and establishing a taxing district, and nobody seemed to have an appetite for that.” With the enhancement fund flourishing, Crump said now is the time to take action. Crump and the coalition created a change.org petition for the proposal with a goal of 1,000 signatures. The online effort has already amassed over 800. “I think it’s a really magical opportunity. We are not like a typical town;there

are not all sorts of empty buildings sitting around or a whole lot of empty land,” Crump explained. “Our proposal is not to buy land, buy a building or to build anything from the ground up … First of all, availability and, secondly, the cost.” “If we were doing that where we propose Anthem would own it, it would be a $15 million-plus project and that’s just not feasible,” he continued. “If we were going that route, we would have to have a taxing district and it would be many years in the making.” The proposal outlines an estimated timeline of breaking ground in January 2023, with an opening date by the summer of that same year. To learn more about the proposal, or to sign the petition, head over to chng.it/ L9dxFddY.

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The power of one decision is ready when you are CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Pastor Ed Delph Foothills Focus Columnist

imagine every reader in newspaper land will relate to this story. A friend promised his 8-year-old son, Bobby, that he would take him fishing on Saturday. The boy waited eagerly for the day to arrive, but rain spoiled their plans. Bobby grumbled all morning, moping about the house. The rain ended by 3 p.m., and they went fishing. They caught a boatload of fish. At supper, Bobby’s mother asked him to say grace. Bobby did so and concluded his prayer with, “And, Lord, if I sounded grumpy earlier in the day, it was because I couldn’t see far enough ahead. Thank you for the fish.” I like Bobby’s prayer. “It was because I couldn’t see far enough.” Are we seeing far enough? Saying “thank you” is a great way to end the day for our life here on earth, but what about heaven

and our eternal life? If you are ready to think God is a reality, you can believe that there is life after death. And the way to get into heaven is through His Son Jesus. We have talked about Him in these articles since November 2004. Look at what God says in The Message version of the Bible in Romans

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10:9-10 about Jesus. “The word that saves us is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest.” It’s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching. Say the welcoming word to God — “Jesus is my Master” — embracing, body and soul, God’s work of doing in us what He did in raising Jesus from the dead. That’s it. You’re not “doing” anything; you’re simply calling out to God, trusting Him to do it for you. That’s salvation. With your whole being, you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: “God has set everything right between Him and me.” There is a prayer that embraces what these Bible verses say. I prayed when I was 24 years old in March 1974 on a snowmobile at 3 a.m. in Pinetop. Before that prayer, I had never considered my future. But that night, I looked far enough into the future and decided for Christ. Afterward, I said, “Thank you.” I’ve never been the same since that moment. I’ve found that God is reliable. I’ve found that God is who He says He is. I’ve found that God does what God says He will do. As I said a few weeks ago, “God’s not dead. God’s dad.” I found a new life through Jesus, and I’ve never turned back, nor do I want to turn back. I discovered the power of the one decision that matters most. It’s not weird, like some religious stuff. My life is just the way I know you would like yours to be — normal yet supernatural. So, look over the prayer that follows and, if you are ready, go ahead and pray it if it expresses what you want God to do for you. No pressure; it’s just God and you. Here’s the prayer. “God… I receive your Son Jesus into my heart. Even though I don’t understand it all, I say by the faith Jesus is Lord, and I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, which is what God will do for me. Thank you for making things right between You and me. I thank You that I have a new start.” If you prayed that prayer and meant

it, welcome to a bigger world. Welcome to what God created for you. Welcome to the family of God. God has lit the candle of your life. You are in right standing with God, already producing the light that God has called you to. You have discovered the power of one decision. Now for the rest of us, I hope that this article has inspired you, equipped you, and made you more aware of the God you can know. My sincere desire is that you could say after reading this artcle, “Ed, you and God have touched me, and I have grown.” I hope God, through my writings, has shifted your thinking a bit from unaware to aware, unconcerned to concerned, and from uninterested to interested in knowing more about the God you can know. I pray that you are closer to God now than when you started reading these weekly articles. I also hope your heart and mind are open to considering the possibility of God. That would be a win-win for you and heaven. My purpose in writing this article is to put things “God’s way, but nicely” and truly. I desire to see you unencumbered. I wish you would be free from the ghosts of the past and prepared for opportunities in the future. The welcome mat of this article is always here for you. And we’ll leave the lights on for you. Don’t forget, the power of one decision is ready when you are. If your decision is for God, remember gratitude gives you a confident assurance about the future. God loves you, and He approved this message. Ed Delph is a noted author of 10 books, as well as a pastor, teacher, former business owner and speaker. Ed has traveled extensively, having been to more than 100 countries. He is president of NationStrategy, a nonprofit organization involved in uplifting and transforming communities worldwide. For more information, see nationstrategy.com. Ed may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com.

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STUDENT CHRONICLES Know a student doing something remarkable? Tell us about it! Email christina@timespublications.com. BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Kasey Zollo of Phoenix was named to the University of Hartford’s dean’s list in West Hartford, Connecticut. The University of Hartford is a fouryear private university focused on advancing the public good through meaningful connections within its communities. Megan Zapp of Phoenix was named to the dean’s list at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the fall semester. Zapp is a freshman majoring in psychology. More than 6,700 students at Nebraska were named to

the dean’s list for the fall semester. Quali�ication for the dean’s list varies among the eight undergraduate colleges and the Explore Center. Amber Walterscheid, Ainsley Nystrom and Mason Setto, all of Phoenix, and Rachel Curnutt of Cave Creek were named to the dean’s list YOUTH for the fall semester at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. Curnutt is working toward a Bachelor of Science in games. Walterscheid will earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ballet, while Setto is studying to get a Bachelor of Science degree in pre-computer science. Nystrom

will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. The University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, is the flagship institution of higher learning in Utah. Four local students — Emily Cardellini, Erin Cooney, Tanner Mendenhall and Regan Shipley, all of Phoenix — were named to the dean’s list at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Students must earn a 3.5 to 3.84 grade-point average to be listed. Gonzaga University is a humanistic, private Catholic University providing a Jesuit education

to more than 7,500 students. Kaylee Byerly of Phoenix was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2021 semester at Wheaton College in Illinois. To earn dean’s list honors at Wheaton, an undergraduate student must carry 12 or more credit hours and achieve a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher on the 4.0 scale. Wheaton College is a coeducational Christian liberal arts college noted for its rigorous academics, integration of faith and learning, and consistent ranking among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

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