The Foothills Focus - Zone 2 - 12.23.2020 by Times Media Group

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This Week

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Villafane and Carefree dispute over event BY TARA ALATORRE Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

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

Hope Box project makes families’ holidays special

YOUTH ............19

3 BC football players sign to Division 1 colleges

YOUTH ...........20

Autistic boy ﬁnds solace in dancing

OPINION ................... 11 BUSINESS ................. 13 FEATURES ................ 14 YOUTH ...................... 19 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 21 Zone

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he town of Carefree was recently ordered by an arbitrator to pay $137,000 in awards, fees and interest after losing a counterclaim brought against them by world-renowned pumpkin sculptor Ray Villafane and his company Villafane Studios. In addition, the town was billed almost 300 hours by its attorneys amounting to $106,000 in lawyer fees, totaling to $121,000 in costs associated with the arbitration, according to documents obtained by The Foothills Focus. A motion to vacate the arbitration award was filed with the Maricopa County Superior Court on December 18 by town attorneys,

see VILLAFANE page 5

World-renowned pumpkin sculptor Ray Villafane and his company Villafane Studios have been involved in a dispute with the town of Carefree over the 2019 Enchanted Pumpkin Garden event. (Submitted photo)

Taiwan Semiconductor purchases land in N. Phoenix BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

aiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company recently purchased a large piece of land in North Phoenix at a state land auction for a 5-nanometer fab. The company’s $89 million bid was the only one received for the 1,129-acre piece of undeveloped land off Interstate 17, between the Loop 303 and Carefree Highway.

“U.S. adoption of forward-looking investment policies to enable a globally competitive environment for a leading-edge semiconductor technology operation in the U.S. will be crucial to the success of this project,” said Nina Kao, deputy spokeswoman, head of public relations for TSMC in Taiwan. “We appreciate the continuous bipartisan support from the U.S. federal, state and city governments. It gives TSMC and its supply chain

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partners the confidence this and other future investments will be successful. Our land purchase is only the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with Arizona. TSMC is now making logistical preparations and recruiting staff to start construction in the coming year.” The 5-nanometer fab will cost the company $12 billion and will create 1,900 full-time jobs

see TAIWAN page 4

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NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 23, 2020

Daisy Mountain Fire presents its Citizen Fire Academy 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 Associate Publisher: Eric Twohey | 480-898-5634 | erict@thefoothillsfocus.com ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising: 623-465-5808 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: Lori Dionisio | 480-898-6309 | ldionisio@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 Photographer: Pablo Robles | probles@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 Proud member of :

The Foothills Focus is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegratedmedia.com

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

aisy Mountain Fire & Medical is giving the public the chance to train like a firefighter during its Citizen Fire Academy. During the academy, participants will learn about Daisy Mountain Fire District and how calls are dispatched. They’ll also visit a fire station, see the trucks and try equipment—pull a hose, flow water, see specialized equipment or just observe. Citizens choose their track when they register. The “Observer Track” gives par-

TAIWAN from page 1

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ticipants an up-close and personal look at what the district does, how it does it and why it does it. Those who select the “Do It Track” will dress in turnouts (firefighting jacket, pants, boots, helmet and gloves), put an air pack on their backs and, in a closely supervised setting, allow participants to do many of these things. The classes start January 21 and run for six consecutive Thursday nights. It’s open to community members of all ages, but they must be at least 18 years old to enroll. The cost is $35. To register, visit https://goo.gl/r79fv1. mately 3 miles of full arterial streets, including streets, curb, gutter, sidewalk, streetlights and landscaping, which will cost $61 million. The city also agreed to design and install one traffic signal at a cost of approximately $500,000 and potentially one additional traffic signal at a cost of approximately $500,000 depending on a future traffic study. The city agreed to construct new regional public water infrastructure improvements totaling an estimated $37 million to service the project and surrounding area. New public wastewater infrastructure improvements will total $107 million. Funding will be included in current and future capital improvement program budgets. Mayor Kate Gallego and the city’s economic development director, Chris Mackay, pitched the idea to TSMC during a visit to Taiwan in 2019.

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 23, 2020

VILLAFANE from page 1

likely causing Carefree to spend more taxpayer dollars, rather than paying Villafane Studios the awarded $96,000 in costs (plus fees and interest) related to the 2019 Enchanted Pumpkin Garden event, which the arbitrator ruled the town is contractually obligated to pay. “Carefree now moves to vacate the award,” the motion stated. “The arbitrator plainly exceeded his authority in considering that dispute in the AAA arbitration regarding defendants’ breach of the professional services contract.” The dispute started after the fifth annual Enchanted Pumpkin Garden event in 2019 closed out with low attendance numbers attributed to charging admission for the first time. There was backlash for no discounted prices for residents or kids, with flat-rate admission prices being $15 on weekends, $10 during weekdays, and free for children under the age of 2. Town attorneys claim “Carefree resisted making the festival a ticketed event,” saying in its motion that it was pressured by the Villafanes to charge admission. “It became clear that defendants (Villafanes) would not dedicate the attention, time and energy necessary to live up to their promises made in the professional services contract if Carefree did not move toward making the festival a ticketed event,” according to the motion to vacate. The town and Villafane Studios seemed optimistic in the beginning of 2019 about the potential of growing the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden into an admission-based event due to its popularity. “This event has grown dramatically. It’s successful beyond what we could have projected when we started it,” Mayor Les

Peterson said at a council meeting on March 5, 2019. “We’re strongly considering ticketing the event.” In addition, projections were based on the 2018 aggregated attendance numbers estimated at 100,000 people by Carefree’s former marketing director Beth Renfro at council meetings in 2019. According to her, the town didn’t have historical data about how many kids, families or couples attended, nor did it have geographic data. “We are thinking that is a conservative estimate of what we experienced over the course of 10 days, but also the most reasonable in our professional estimation,” Renfro said at the March 5, 2019, council meeting, while presenting a plan that would transition ownership of the event from the town to Villafane Studios. That plan was executed when Carefree Town Council passed a transition of ownership agreement on April 2, 2019. This was separate from a $125,000 professional services agreement unanimously passed on February 5, 2019, which contracted Villafane Studios to perform live sculpting work and create art for the 2019 event. The transfer agreement stated that the town would continue to pay for “all operational, logistical, marketing and production costs to produce the event in the Carefree Town Center in the next two years (2019, 2020)” and would begin charging in 2019, with prices listed as “TBD.” The town would be reimbursed for production costs from profits through admission, beverage and merchandise sales. Profits would be split 50/50 with the town and Villafane Studios in 2019, and in 2020 the town would receive 25% of the profits and Villafane Studios would get 75%. Then, in 2021, the event would transfer to Villafane Studios, which would

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begin to cover all production costs and receive 100% of the profits. Any residual operational costs that remained unrecovered by the town “are to be fully reimbursed to the town from any profits in 2021,” according to the contract. During council meetings, both parties noted that other comparable events around the Valley charged, so it could be a sustainable route for an event that had grown popular, while keeping it in Carefree. “Most events in the Valley, particularly the better ones, do charge,” Peterson said at the March 5, 2019, meeting when discussing the possibility of charging admission. “If we don’t, then we run the risk of not having our main attraction because Los Angeles, or the Phoenix Botanical Gardens, or someone may have a significantly better deal.” Some council members expressed doubts about charging, in addition to the expenses and logistics entailed for producing an admission-based event for which Carefree would be on the hook. Ray responded to council members who were questioning the fee-based as-

pect of the event at the March 5 meeting when it was first being publicly discussed. “I can’t sustain not charging for it,” Ray said. “I believe this event has the potential to be recognized—which it already is— worldwide. I need for the community to see the potential, and sometimes you can’t give those things away for free.” With a financial life vest built into the transfer agreement for the town to recoup expenditures, the contract was eventually passed unanimously by council. “Barring any unfortunate situation like the whole thing bombing, which I don’t think is possible, this should be a really good agreement, and it covers us and it covers him,” said Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer when voting to approve the agreement on April 2, 2019. But Tammi Villafane, who is Ray’s wife and president of Villafane Studios, began feeling uncomfortable about money decisions and started voicing concerns that she says fell on deaf ears. “Suddenly the budget that the town had presented us wound up skyrocketing from

see VILLAFANE page 8

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NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 23, 2020

Hope Box project makes families’ holidays special

BY HEATHER TURNER Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

he 24th annual Hope Box Gift Project in the Cave Creek Unified School District allowed 40 families to have a great holiday. The staff received hundreds of gifts and gift cards beautifully wrapped and ready to go under the trees of these wonderful district families who were nominated for the program. The program was started by KLou O’Dell, former district nurse, 24 years ago and has been a great tradition in the district and community. “I started thinking about how we would drive down to PV mall to get Christmas angels and that we must have needy families in our own community,” O’Dell said. “So I asked my two offices (at the time) if instead of exchanging gifts, would they like to be a part of a com-

From left, Gina Durbin, director of ECS; Jenny Stahl, ECS preschool coordinator; Kimberly Jack, president of Kiwanis Club of Carefree; and Elains Vallario, ECS enrichment coordinator. (Photo courtesy Cave Creek Unified School District)

munity giving project instead. The staff was so enthusiastic that I decided to open it up to both of my campuses to

participate. It just grew and grew and became a tradition for lots of classrooms and school clubs. It gave me such

joy. We had families that some years would tell me they were doing well now and wanted to help give back. It was, and I hope still is, such a gift to be able to support your community unconditionally. This project brought all of us so many cherished stories, smiles and happy tears over the years.” The program has been organized over the years by many district departments and this year was headed by Education and Community Services. Carrie Rath, preschool program assistant, organized and streamlined the program. The district wishes to thank the Kiwanis for adopting eight families and giving out $100 gift cards to all 40 families. Additionally, The Christ Church of the Valley North Phoenix Neighborhood Groups donated two large food boxes to each family, so they will have meals as well. “I am so thankful that the ‘giving box spirit’ lives on,” O’Dell said.

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NEWS

VILLAFANE from page 5

about $300,000 to over $500,000,” Tammi said in an interview. “This is something they are obligating us to pay back before they’re willing to split profits with us.” Since the town was producing the event in 2019, the financial decisions were approved by them and Villafane Studios says it had no final authority in setting admission prices, budgets or deciding how the event would be laid out. While the Villafanes had suggested that $15 was a fair price for adults, they allegedly also expressed the need for tiered pricing and discounts in discussions with the town. The flat fee was the beginning of the end of the festival, and it was about to rip open a whole new chapter in the otherwise fairytale relationship between the town of Carefree and Villafane Studios. “When the citizens got wind of the flatrate fee and zero discounts, zero kid prices … the town threw us under the bus,” she said. “But we were still determined because we were in love with that event just as much as the town was.” The Villafanes estimated attendance was down about 80% from the town’s projected numbers. They approached Carefree about issuing some discounts, and the town decided to issue a Groupon. But the damage was done, and the event remained lightly trafficked compared to past years. “There was no ticketing or anything set in place for year one through four, so they were just going by a guesstimate,” Ray said. “After the first weekend of year five, it was clear that those numbers were grossly miscalculated.” After the event wrapped up, they knew revenues would likely not cover the

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 23, 2020

$528,000 budget. That budget didn’t include Villafane Studios’ investments of hiring extra artists and performers to bolster the 2019 event. “They know this extra talent was here, but they claim they thought we were paying all of these expenses out of Ray’s $125,000 contract,” Tammi said. At a meeting on November 15, 2019, the Villafanes were prepared to come to an agreement with the town to reconcile both parties’ expenditures, including adjusting operations for the 2020 event, according to emails. Instead, they remember being stunned when a severance contract was presented to permanently end the event. The Villafanes refused to sign anything terminating their transfer agreement, and they realized they would need to come to a resolution before ending it. Emails and invoices provided by the Villafanes show they extended multiple offers to resolve the dispute through November and December 2019, expressing the need to settle so they could pay the artists they hired. According to the final award filed with the courts, the revenue from the 2019 event was $354,404. In an email dated November 23, 2019, Tammi asked the town to give Villafane Studios $75,832 from the revenue so they could pay artists and performers, leaving the town with about $277,600 for the town’s total investment of about $250,000, according to her calculations. The town lost $165,300 plus an additional $18,000 on final cleanup costs from the 2019 event, according to its motion to vacate. The Villafanes said their total expenditures for 2019 were actually about $243,900, but they removed all other costs “simply to get our artists and participants

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paid for their services.” “I would love to agree on this so we can all walk away in grace and gratitude as we all already conveyed, we’d like to,” Tammi said in the November 23 email. On November 24, 2019, Tammi sent another email clarifying that she had failed to include wages for herself and other temporary staff, raising their reimbursement costs to $96,622, which she said was owed to them under the transfer agreement. She also alluded to wanting to continue with the 2020 event. “We made it through this tough year, I imagine we can hold out two more based on our love for the current footprint,” she stated. Never did they imagine that they would end up in a year-long arbitration process fighting a $280,000 claim filed by the town against them for breach of their contract. The Villafanes said they were essentially ignored by the town, sending many emails trying to settle amicably but receiving no reply until December 4, 2019, when Carefree’s attorney, Michael Wright, sent them a letter. “Based on a review of your four e-mails from November 14, to December 2, 2019, it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine what you are basing any claim on that the town owes Villafane Studios and/or Ray Villafane any money,” the letter stated. The letter indicated that the $96,000 that Villafane Studios paid for in production costs was fulfilled by the town through the professional services agreement and was not subject to the transfer agreement. “In summary, the town has paid Villafane Studios and Ray Villafane in full for the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden 2019 event,” Wright stated. The Villafanes hired attorney Ken Motolenich-Salas the following day, still attempting to settle the dispute but through lawyers now. After a month of their lawyer not hearing back, they decided arbitration was their only option. Then, on January 13, 2020, while waiting for Carefree to choose an arbitrator, they received notice that Carefree filed its own demand for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association (AAA). The paperwork filed claimed Villafane Studios owed Carefree $280,000 for breaching the professional services agreement. “They had no supporting evidence. It was simply a complaint for $280,000,”

Tammi said. According to Carefree’s application for attorney costs and fees filed on October 5, 2020, the Villafanes breached the professional services contract that required them to clear the festival grounds by October 31, 2019, allegedly costing the town approximately $18,000. “Respondents made the unilateral decision treat (sic) the $125,000 paid under the professional services contract as Ray Villafane’s personal salary. Simply put, most of the Villafanes’ position entirely lacked merit, and their refusal to drop these positions caused significant increase in fees to resolve this matter,” the application stated. Under their lawyer’s advice, the Villafanes filed a counterclaim in March 2020 for breach of the transfer agreement and anticipatory breach of contract regarding the 2020 event. Shortly after filing their counterclaim, they realized they didn’t have enough money to continue paying for their lawyer and the arbitration fees, so they had to represent themselves. Eventually they set up a GoFundMe and collected about $7,000, which they used for legal fees. During the process Carefree tried to have the professional services agreement and the transfer agreement arbitrated separately. The town’s attorneys also tried to institute a gag order against the Villafanes that included shutting down their GoFundMe account, which were all denied, according to court documents. “Two separate arbitrations, as urged by Carefree, would result in needless expense, duplication of effort and create the potential for materially inconsistent findings, conclusions and awards,” stated arbitrator Michael Yarnell in his final award for the case on October 22, 2020. Yarnell denied Carefree’s claim that it was owed $18,000 in final cleanup costs. He also ruled that Ray’s professional services agreement had been fulfilled, and the $96,000 he incurred in costs were the town’s responsibility. “The negative expenditure by Carefree as to the ‘Enchanted Pumpkin Garden Event’ of October 2019 is fully attributable to the transfer agreement,” Yarnell stated in his final award.

see VILLAFANE page 9

NEWS

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 23, 2020

Anthem chamber receives COVID-19 relief grant BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

he Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce is among the recipients of a competitive $1 million grant program, according to Gov. Doug Ducey. The grants were allocated to chambers of commerce across the state to implement or expand initiatives that support small businesses and accelerate local economic recovery. The grant dollars come from the Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Response Grant Program, established by Ducey in November. “Arizona businesses have innovated and adjusted for months to operate safely while prioritizing public health,” Ducey said. “Today’s grant funding will bring additional support to small businesses impacted by the pandemic, keep our economy moving forward, and help protect public health and safety. I’m grateful to all chambers of commerce and businesses across the state that support our work-

force and protect Arizonans.” The grant program was funded by the state’s Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund, established in March through a bipartisan state budget agreement that added $50 million for Arizona’s COVID-19 response. Chambers of commerce submitted proposals to the grant program to implement, or expand, any initiatives that support local businesses and accelerate local economic recovery related to COVID-19. The grant allows for no more than $20,000 per full-time equivalent employee at the chamber, with a maximum award of $50,000. The grant program is supported by the Arizona Commerce Authority. Thirty chambers of commerce across the state are being awarded grant dollars. The funding will be used for a variety of projects, including assisting small businesses with online branding and marketing when sales are moving online; providing microgrants to small businesses for cleaning supplies and protective

equipment; and creating a three-year regional workforce strategic plan to assist

businesses in returning to work safely and effectively.

“There are and will be no positive revenues from the 2019 and 2020 event since the transfer agreement has been mutually and voluntarily terminated by the parties,” he said. “Carefree has relinquished, waived and is estopped from recovery of the short fall of expenditures.” The Villafanes say they could have gone for upward of $200,000 in claims against Carefree but they were trying to be amicable, and some of those costs would have been burdensome to prove. “We self-represented, and we basically got everything that we were asking for,” Tammi said. “We just wanted to settle fairly, but they did not entertain that.” Carefree’s attorney says that no judge has yet weighed in on this matter because under arbitration rules, an award must be

confirmed by a superior court judge. “The town is extending all its rights and remedies to pursue the matter to the conclusion,” Wright said in an interview with The Focus. “The town is using all the appellate rights.” The Villafanes say the award is filed properly with the court and they are awaiting their payment. Meanwhile, the award is collecting interest and they believe the town has no intention of paying them. “We’re going to have to do further legal action to force them to pay it,” Tammi said. “But I’m not giving up on making it happen. … What they’re doing now is they’re making us continue to push the legal process.” Tammi said she thinks it is important for the public to know how their tax dollars are being spent by Carefree Town Council. “They’re trying to drag it out more, which is going to be more taxpayer money.”

VILLAFANE from page 8

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OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 23, 2020

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AROUND THE BLUHMIN’ TOWN

Embrace the holidays this season BY JUDY BLUHM Foothills Focus Columnist

ashing through the snow on a one-horse open sleigh, Heading over hills, laughing all the way. When going up the mountain, guess who we would see? Santa and his reindeers, at rest under a tree. Stopping for a moment, Santa saw my horse and said, “We could use some help tonight, pulling this big sled.” With no special skills and not sure how to fly, My brave, little pony said, “I’ll give it a try.” Hitched up at the lead, my horse gave a kick. The eight reindeers paused and looked at St. Nick. “He may be a horse, but tonight he will fly,”

Is all Santa said as they rose in the sky.

The folks of Arizona looked up at the sight Of a horse leading Santa’s sleigh in the night. Children snuck out to peek up at the sky, Giggling out loud at the horse who could fly. So, one little pony, that had not thought that he could, Learned that if you believe, you certainly would: Soar above treetops on the lift of faith’s wings, Because hope is the real gift that this Christmas brings.

this season holds. There is always the serious and urgent business of living our lives the best way we can, but for now, this time of Christmas, revel in the warmth of a cozy fire, the voice or touch of a loved one, a hot chocolate and a scrumptious cookie. We count the blessings, large and small, that make us believers in miracles. My son-in-law survived throat cancer this year. My pony found a new friend in a lost rooster. A pandemic has caused sickness and loss, but we now have a vaccine. Our lives have been upended, but we

Dearest readers: This year has been challenging. At times stressful, disappointing, perhaps even unbelievable. Yet, the holidays are a time of renewed wonder at all the beautiful things that

have found ways to stay grounded. Even though we have been separated, we still stay connected. The masks cover all the lovely faces, which we miss seeing so much. But we will see each other’s smiles again soon. Giving to those in need is one of the greatest testimonies of our humanity. Yes, we help one another. And so it goes. Like the miracle of one small pony leading the sleigh, may your spirits soar this Christmas. In every way. Judy is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a story or a comment? Email Judy at judy@judybluhm.com.

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OPINION

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 23, 2020

Ducey deserves applause for COVID-19 response BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Foothills Focus Columnist

hen it comes to doing life-threatening work during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have rightfully congratulated our heroes on the front lines: doctors, nurses, firefighters, cops, paramedics. Theirs are exceedingly difficult jobs under normal conditions, much less at a time when Arizona’s pandemic death toll is at 7,500 and rising. It goes without saying that these men and women deserve our respect. And they have gotten it, for which I am grateful. But you know who else deserves a modicum of respect for taking on the difficult challenges created by the pandemic yet has received nothing but criticism and jeers? Gov. Doug Ducey. Hear me out before you start penning the hate mail. First, let me specify what I’m not saying: that Ducey’s performance has been heroic

or that he has exhibited the personal courage of a first responder. He hasn’t, and that isn’t in his job description anyway. I’m also not saying Ducey’s COVID-19 leadership has been exemplary, nor am I saying the man deserves a medal of honor, a grade of A, or even re-election (were that not a moot point because of term limits). Here’s what I’m saying: I cannot imagine a more thankless, more caught-between-arock-and-a-hard-place job than leading a state of 7 million people against a murderous invisible enemy. Then throw in the 2020 election, which spiked partisan bitterness to unprecedented levels and a nonstop chorus of media and social media anger merchants at work second-guessing every single Ducey decision ad infinitum, ad nauseum. That’s a lot to deal with for a job that pays $95K a year. The two major critiques against Ducey demonstrate the no-win challenge COVID-19 represents. The “pro-health” side wants Ducey to

wield government like a blunt instrument, closing down businesses and implementing a mandatory curfew to “slow the spread.” They point to 7,500 dead as a reason to ignore Arizona’s 8% unemployment rate—up from 4.4% in February, but down from 13% in April. For them, lives lost and COVID-19 case rates are the only metrics that matter. They can live with Arizona having lost nearly 300,000 jobs between February and April, even if thus far only 194,000 of those jobs have been replaced. They don’t want to talk about money, only about full hospital beds and full mortuaries. Opposed by 180 degrees is the “pro-economy” side. They do want to talk about economic carnage—and about the statistical unlikelihood of dying from COVID-19. Their argument goes something like this: “Imagine a city of 100,000 people, like Yuma. Using today’s COVID stats, that city would have about 6,000 positive tests this year. And deaths? About 105. That’s one out

of every 1,000 people. So it sounds like my likelihood of dying from COVID is 1 in 1,000. “For that you want to crash our whole economy and destroy my freedom?” Stuck in the middle there’s Ducey. Some of his decisions have been failures, like an eviction moratorium unaccompanied by necessary relief monies that effectively turned 1 million private properties into free housing. Others, like not implementing a statewide nightly curfew, make perfect sense viewed through the prism of effectiveness versus injury. The governor clearly has tried to balance economic damage with potential health impacts. To the extent that he’s been criticized for doing so, it’s out of the mistaken belief that his job should be easy or that we could have suffered COVID without consequence. I’d give Ducey a B-minus for his pandemic response. On the hardest test ever faced by a governor, an exam that’s the equivalent of a surprise rocket science final, taken in public and when everyone else has all the answers.

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BUSINESS

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Community leaders headline chamber’s awards

he Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce continued the 17-year tradition of honoring outstanding local businesses and business leaders with its awards ceremony on December 12. Chamber leadership, award nominees, friends and family gathered at the Anthem Golf & Country Club to celebrate nominees and other members who stepped up to meet community needs during this challenging year. Award nominations were accepted from the community, and the award selection committee considered all nominations to arrive at the top three nominees in each category. The winners were revealed at the red carpet event. Festivities began at 5 p.m. with a cocktail hour featuring champagne and butler-passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by a three-course dinner and the business awards ceremony. In-person attendance for the event was 30% of years past to follow current public health guidelines and maintain a safe environment for everyone. New this year, the awards ceremony was livestreamed to viewers at home by local media production company First Story Films to allow everyone to join in the celebration. The event was sponsored by Anthem Golf & Country Club, Merrill Gardens at Anthem, Amped Coffee Company, Andrew Z Diamonds & Fine Jewelry, Rain Man Roo�ing & Waterproo�ing, ProSkill Services, MVP Shooters Den and the Tetsell Team. For candid outtakes and quotes from presenters and award winners, view the recorded award ceremony on the chamber’s Facebook page @anthemareachamber. The winners are listed below. Businesspersons of the Year Scott Zychowski presented the award

to Tyler Ringe and Travis Ringe of ProSkill Services. Nonpro�it of the Year Rotary Club of Anthem Economic Impact HonorHealth

Community Impact Jeanine and Keith Walashek, Amped Coffee Company Commercial Design Palmcroft Church Anthem

The 2019 Businessperson of the Year, Scott Zychowski, presented the award to Tyler Ringe and Travis Ringe, ProSkill Services. Pictured here with 2020 nominees Manny Chazan, Work Hard Play Hard Marketing, and Eric Twohey, Times Media Group. (Photo by Mike Spinelli Photography)

Public Servant of the Year Paul Schickel, Daisy Mountain Fire & Medical Living Legacy Bonnie Smith, First American Tile

Hometown Heroes Back to Health, Amped Coffee Company, ProSkill Services, Musical Theater of Anthem, ProMusica Arizona, Merrill Gardens Senior Living, The Enclave at Anthem, Rotary Club of Anthem, Daisy Mountain Fire & Medical, The Market on 41st, Andrew Z Diamonds & Fine Jewelry, Palmcroft Church Anthem, Caurus Academy, North Valley Christian Academy, Anthem Preparatory Academy, Giselle Norberg - the Of�ice of Congresswoman Debbie Lesko, and Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and staff. Leadership in Action Barbara Chatzel, New River Group Ambassador of the Year Matt Word, Country Financial

Top Gun Chris Gonzalez, All Western Mortgage

Rotary past President Krista Solomon and Rotary current President Manny Chazan are pictured here with chamber President Eric Twohey and board member Sam Crump. (Photo by Mike Spinelli Photography)

Randy Williams, pastor of Palmcroft Church Anthem, pictured here with chamber board member Sawana Grimmett and chamber President Eric Twohey. The Bloc Project and Glossy Heifer Grill were also nominated in the category. (Photo by Mike Spinelli Photography)

Jeanine and Keith Walashek, Amped Coffee Company, pictured here with chamber board member Sawana Grimmett and chamber President Eric Twohey. Krista Solomon of Merrill Gardens and Chris Gonzalez with All Western Mortgage were also nominated in the category. (Photo by Mike Spinelli Photography)

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FEATURES

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 23, 2020

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2020 ends with gifts of love and kindness BY LIN SUE COONEY Hospice of the Valley

he most magical thing about the holidays is the way we so joyfully give to others. Not just our friends and families—but to complete strangers who are in need. At Hospice of the Valley, we look forward to some annual traditions that remind us how blessed we are to be able to bless others. Rewind to November when the spirit of giving first started to blossom. Families suffering hardship because of COVID-19 were finding it hard to put a holiday meal on the ta-

ble. Our teams identified 54 patients and families in need. Hospice of the Valley purchased turkey dinner with all the trimmings from Boston Market. And our amazing staff and volunteers showed up on Thanksgiving Day to deliver each and every one of them with a big smile and a full heart. They drove all over—from San Tan Valley to Avondale, to Cave Creek and Surprise—to truly make it a day of thanks and giving. A hundred more families enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast, thanks to Amber Kovarik. Hospice of the Valley cared for her sister, Shannon, who succumbed to cancer at our Dobson

Amber Kovarik presented nearly 100 Thanksgiving meals from Whole Foods to Hospice of the Valley patients and families as part of her fourth annual Shannon’s Giving. (Photo courtesy Hospice of the Valley)

Home in 2017. After her death at age 32, Shannon’s Giving was born—a foundation dedicated to helping patients and families who recently lost a loved one to cancer or have someone so sick that the thought of putting on a Thanksgiving dinner is completely overwhelming. In the past four years, Amber has donated hundreds of Thanksgiving meals—she says it’s a gift of gratitude in memory of her sister. “I know how tough life can be when you have a loved one in hospice. My hope with Shannon’s Giving is to shed

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15 ••

They both earned their wings and soared CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Pastor Ed Delph Foothills Focus Columnist

hristmastime should be an inspiring and ascending time to celebrate the birth of Christ. But for many, and especially this year, Christmas is a melancholy time emotionally. There’s more despair, more depression and more emotional turmoil than at other times of the year. Many even consider suicide at a time that should be life giving, not life taking. Do you remember the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”? It’s about George Bailey and an angel named Clarence. In his youth, George had big hopes and big dreams. But George ended up living in Bedford Falls, what he considered to be a small town in a rural area, working in his father’s small loan agency, making loans to little people who had small dreams. One day, a small clerk in George’s deceased father’s small business made a big mistake. The clerk lost the cash deposit he was supposed to make at the bank. George’s company didn’t have the money to cover the misplaced deposit. George was at the end of his rope. George even considered suicide to escape from broken dreams, financial ruin and public embarrassment. He couldn’t see a way out of his situation. With no hope, George became disorientated. He was drifting and despaired his life. He wished he had never been born. What is suicide? Suicide is a permanent choice made in response to temporary pain. Most people don’t want to die; they want relief from their current misery. They can’t believe it’s a wonderful life. How did George escape from his deep pain? Enter Clarence, an angel sent by God. Why? When you are isolated, you are more likely to believe a lie. It would help if you had someone to give perspective to you. In dark times, God uses others to see what you can’t see. God used others to provide you

with hope. George cried out to God. God responded by sending a messenger in the form of a person. Sound familiar? That’s the Christmas message. When George wished he had never been born, Clarence gave George a different perspective. Clarence shows George how he, George, has touched others’ lives and how different life would be for his wife Mary and the Bedford Falls community if he had not been born. Clarence helped George to see his wonderful life. Clarence saw what George couldn’t see when George couldn’t see it until he saw it. Maybe you know someone who is like George, or perhaps that person is you. Let’s get you going again. If you are in despair, if you are drifting or disorientated or depressed, why not call on God for help? If you wish you had never been born, call on God to send you a godly counselor, a godly person, a godly church, a godly avatar, through whom God will use to listen to you, speak to you, walk with you, just like George did. The way you get bright hope for tomorrow is through God in the flesh of a person who can give you a different perspective. For example, this Christmas, Christ’s Church of the Valley annexes have raised over $1 million to pay for professional counselors to counsel those in the Phoenix area who are currently experiencing emotional turmoil. Whether you attend a church or not, it’s as easy as signing up at CCV. church/press-on. They will arrange for a licensed counselor to be your “Clarence.” Church is a great place to find a helping hand to lift you up, then out, of a crisis. At the end of the movie, the people of Bedford Falls heard of George’s predicament. The people got together and raised enough money to make the bank deposit. They came to George’s house and gave him the money. Do you remember what Zuzu, George’s youngest daughter, says at the end of the movie? “Look, daddy. Teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” And George re-

plies, “That’s right; that’s right.” How about that? Clarence, the angel, receives his wings from God by successfully pulling George out of a funk. But consider this. George earned his wings also. How? For the first time, he saw who he is to the people of Bedford Falls—an angel. He gave up his life, for the lives of others, for many years. Then George received more than he had given to Bedford Falls. He discovered that while Bedford Falls may seem small to man, it’s big to God. It takes a big person to live in a little place. Just ask Joseph or Mary; God started small to go big in the birth of Jesus. This movie captures Christmas’ gift perfectly, wrapped up in shiny gold paper in George Bailey and Clarence’s life. When you are at the end of your rope, you will find God lives there. When the world was at the end of the rope, God sent Jesus. In human form, God sent Himself to walk with us and

talk with us and reveal to us that which we currently can’t see. He gives us His perspective for a wonderful life. Like Clarence, you can be an “angel” to someone you know who is struggling. You might even earn your wings, and your “George” earn their wings. You’ll both be better for it. Merry Christmas! Ed Delph is a native of Phoenix who lives in the North Valley. Since 1980, he has pastored three churches in the Valley. He is a noted author of 10 books, weekly columnist in several local and worldwide newspapers, teacher, business owner and speaker. Delph has been to or ministered in over 100 countries. He is president of a worldwide ministry, NationStrategy. To learn more about Pastor Ed Delph, the Church-Community Connection and Nation strategy, call 623-376-6757, e-mail nationstrategy@cs.com or visit nationstrategy.com.

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might be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the Delivering meals to Hospice of the Valley’s Dobson Home in Mesa, where Shannon 3715 W Anthem WayThanksgiving Suite 112 spent her final days, has become an annual tradition for Amber Kovarik. Thanksgiving was the siscommitted support, but with a new view. Anthem AZ 85086 ters’ favorite holiday. (Photo courtesy Hospice of the Valley)

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Amber Kovarik enlisted the help of her daughters Jade, 5, left, and Tatum, 7, and father, Dave, to

New Addressdeliver as ofnearly August 3, 2020 100 meals to Hospice of the Valley patients on Thanksgiving eve. (Photo courtesy Hospice of the Valley)

3715 W Anthem Way Suite 112 GIFTS from page 14 Anthem AZ 85086

some light on a dark time,” said Kovarik, a branch manager and loan officer for Guild Mortgage in Chandler. On Thanksgiving eve, nearly 100 n Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. and its Operating Companies, n Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 Thanksgiving meals from a Whole American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. and its Operating Companies, – 1/18 ©2018 – 12539633 American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 Foods store in Chandler went to fam014472 – 1/18 ©2018 – 12539633 ilies under Hospice of the Valley care in Maricopa and Pinal counties, and to three inpatient care homes—Dobson Company, S.I. and its Operating Companies, Home in Mesa, Lund Home in Gilbert y, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. and its Operating Companies, and Eckstein Center in Scottsdale. American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. and its Operating Companies, American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 is such an honor to be able to do 014472 – Company, 1/18 ©2018 – 12539633 American Family Insurance 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI“It 53783 this,” Kovarik said. “It is so important 014472 – 1/18 ©2018 – 12539633

for me to give back, because Hospice of the Valley gave us so much. The passing of my sister was the hardest and most emotional experience of my life. The way our caregivers handled this extremely trying time was incredible—they felt like family to us.” Hospice of the Valley staff helped make the deliveries. So did Amber’s father, who flew in from Florida, as well as Amber’s husband and enthusiastic daughters, 7-year-old Tatum and 5-year-old Jade.

see GIFTS page 18

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17 ••

New River Angels continue charitable endeavors BY SARAH DONAHUE Foothills Focus Staff Writer

hen the Worth family dropped off their late son’s ATV for repairs in August at The Gremlin Garage, a motorcycle shop in New River, their younger son had no idea the surprise awaiting him when they were to pick it up in December. The ATV belonged to their adopted son, Jesse, who died in a fatal car accident four years ago at the age of 22. The motor started going out just as their younger biological son, Colton, turned 16 and started enjoying the ATV. When they dropped it off at the shop, they were unsure if the ATV was even repairable but communicated its sentimental value to the shop owner, Jon Ritzheimer, in hopes that something could be done to save it. The Gremlin Garage is a veteran-owned and -operated motorcycle repair shop established by Ritzheimer in June 2017. Touched by the family’s story, Ritzheimer did everything in his power to restore the ATV to its fullest capabilities for the Worth family’s younger son. Not only did Ritzheimer completely rebuild the engine twice, but he also installed new graphics, tires and rims—all for free. Ritzheimer also added tribute sticker decals that read, “In loving memory of Jesse Worth, Ride in Peace,” with Jesse’s birthday and death date. In an emotion-filled grand reveal, Ritzheimer and The Gremlin Garage crew surprised Colton with the finished ATV

Adam Johnson, Jon Ritzheimer, Steve Gillies, Christine Worth, Colton Worth, Hannah Worth and Ricky Worth smile in The Gremlin Garage on December 11 during the big reveal of the fully repaired and redesigned ATV that belonged to the Worth family’s late son, Jesse. (Photo by Sarah Donahue) on the afternoon of December 11, with the whole family present. A Boulder Creek High School student, Colton hopped on the ATV with a huge smile on his face and thanked the crew for its hard work. “It’s just amazing that (Ritzheimer) did this,” Christine said. “It really is. I can’t give him enough credit. I mean, he didn’t even know us.” “Jesse had the biggest heart in the world,” said Colton’s mom Christine, tearing up. “So, to me, this is maybe him working through Jon.” This isn’t The Gremlin Garage’s first charitable act. In 2019, Ritzheimer and his crew gifted a homeless gentleman a new Harley-Davidson when his motorcycle was deemed irreparable, helping to

change his life. Ritzheimer was doing repairs on the ATV as usual until he realized “this thing wasn’t worth fixing,” he said, explaining

the laundry list of repairs needed and how much it would cost. However, hearing about the history of the ATV and its sentimental value, he didn’t have the heart to give up on it, he said. “There was no way we were going to let this thing go out the door without it being fixed.” Ritzheimer said he and his crew decided to go the extra mile and make it a charitable act for the family, considering the fact that “COVID has actually been good to (The Gremlin Garage).” The shop has been virtually unaffected by COVID-19 and has actually, in a way, benefited from it due to people going out and riding their motorcycles more often than before with their extra free time, he said. “If God blesses me with the means and the ability to do it, then I’m going to do it,” Ritzheimer said about the chari-

see CHARITABLE page 18

To a bright 2021 We understand that 2020 has had many challenges for people both personally and professionally. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if there is anything we can do to help, we are here for you.

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CHARITABLE from page 17

table acts. The family adopted Jesse when he was 2 years old. Jesse grew up in Anthem and attended Boulder Creek High School. The family now resides in Tramonto. The ATV was supposed to belong to Christine, she said, “and then Jesse took it over,” she added with a laugh. “(Jesse) was an awesome rider,” Christine said. “He had a blast on it. He went

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 23, 2020

everywhere.” The family took the ATV with them camping just about every weekend, she added. When the repairs were taking longer than expected, Christine became worried, figuring the expenses were building higher and higher, she said. When Ritzheimer called Christine asking her to come to the shop to talk, she thought she was going to be presented with the news of the “death of Jesse’s bike,” she said. Christine figured

it would be unfixable and that she owed a bunch of money, she added. To her surprise, Ritzheimer told her about his plan to do it all and more for free. The news of this good deed was overwhelming for the mother, she said. All she and her husband had to do from there was keep it a surprise for their son. Colton was itching to get the ATV back in his The fully repaired ATV with tribute sticker decals honoring the possession and knew it ATV’s original owner, Jesse Worth, who passed away in a fatal car was in the shop but had accident. Jon Ritzheimer, owner of The Gremlin Garage completno idea the extras that ed the repairs and personalized the ATV for free for the Worth family’s younger son, Colton. (Photo by Sarah Donahue) were in store for him, Christine said. The finished ATV met all of his expecta“He’s a good rider,” Christine said about tions, Colton said. “It’s nice to have it back Colton. “So, it just brings back memories. and have it fixed and everything,” he said When he rides it, sometimes I see it comwith a big smile. ing up and I still see Jesse.”

GIFTS from page 16

Another sweet tradition that inspires our entire staff to open their hearts happens at Christmastime. For 21 years, our care teams have “adopted” families who could use some holiday cheer. These are vulnerable families experiencing the stress of terminal illness coupled with financial constraints. We are so honored to make them feel loved and supported, and to ensure that everyone—especially children—will have presents to open on Christmas morning. Since our Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays program began, we’ve “played Santa” to over 1,100 families, including 2,200 children—adding a few more this year because of the pandemic. Some of the items provided are necessities—food boxes; a twin mattress

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with all the bedding; help for a family with four children who had been homeless; utility payments for two families; an auto insurance premium for a patient still able to drive; rent for the month. Other are gifts that surprise and delight—bicycles; a decorated Christmas tree; stuffed bears (donated by a florist); gift cards from the Phoenix Police Department; presents for a family of 10 living in a trailer; and gifts for a 14-year-old Kenyan refugee who is her mother’s primary caregiver. “There are no words to describe the joy and satisfaction each of us receive in giving to these families,” said Mara Goebel, Hospice of the Valley’s bereavement manager. “It’s our way of enfolding them in a warm, caring embrace.” This year was certainly a challenging year for all of us, but it didn’t depart without revealing a silver lining. We learned that generosity and gratitude can flourish in any circumstance, obstacles can be overcome, and a new year awaits with good things to come. Lin Sue Cooney is community engagement director for Hospice of the Valley. For information on services and programs, visit hov.org or call 602-530-6900.

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3 BC football players sign to Division 1 colleges BY ANDREW MORGAN Foothills Focus Contributing Writer

very winter, hundreds of lives are changed with the stroke of a pen. High school football players across the county may choose to sign their national letter of intent early, committing to where they would like to play football at the next level, many of them earning fullride scholarships to cover their education. This year, the early signing period began December 16, running for three days as recruits across the nation make the decision of their lifetime. Just a few seasons ago, it was not often for Boulder Creek to be a signing day

destination. Former University of Idaho quarterback Taylor Davis was the first, signing YOU in 2008, Boulder Creek’s third varsity season. TO BESince then, 13 former Boulder Creek players, including eight in the past five years, have signed with Division 1 programs, including former New Mexico wide receiver Marquis Bundy, who hadYOUTH a three-year career in the NFL. Former Boulder Creek wide receiver and current Northern Arizona University All-American Hendrix Johnson was the most recent to sign with a Division 1 program on a full-ride scholarship. This year, three Boulder Creek players signed with Division 1 programs, capping off a historic semifinal playoff run.

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Running back Jacob Cisneros held other offers from Dartmouth, Georgetown, the University of San Diego and Northern Arizona University but ultimately settled on the University of Pennsylvania. “They believed in me from the beginning,” Cisneros said. “They care for me like a person, not just a football player.” The 5-foot-10-inch, 195-pound senior rushed for 1,552 yards and 21 touchdowns in addition to 666 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 41 receptions. Cisneros totaled 2,852 all-purpose yards and led the state in touchdowns, scoring 35 touchdowns. Cisneros also led the state in total kick and punt returns, with 634 combined yards and three touch-

downs. Cisneros is also one of the top wrestlers in the state for his weight class. After being named All-Region Player of the Year, Cisneros earned the award for Arizona Cardinals Offensive Player of the Year. Stacking up his accolades, he also earned the Archie Amerson Running Back of the Year award after a phenomenal, record-breaking season. Cisneros was also named a nominee for the Ed Doherty Award by the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club. Cisneros has decided to major in business, and for good reason—UPenn is the No. 1-ranked business school in America. “I wanted to go someplace where my

�� FOOTBALL �� 21

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YOUTH

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 23, 2020

Autistic boy finds solace in dancing BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

hen Brian and Gina Schroeder were told their 13-month-old son, Brendan, had autism, he was the youngest child in Arizona to receive the diagnosis. The North Phoenix couple went “full force” after that, Gina said. Their son had 40 hours of in-home therapy a week. “The simplest things took him four months to learn, like waving or clapping,” she said. “Following directions was really hard for him. At the time, he had the severe diagnosis. As a parent, you don’t know what the outcome is. “We looked up a lot of stories, and we didn’t hear a lot of success stories.” Until he was 4, Brendan was nonverbal, using an iPad to help him communicate. After he took up dance, things changed. He connected more with the world, Gina said. The 8 1/2-year-old boy

and his family recently made their national TV debut on “Disney’s Fam Jam” in late November on the Disney Channel. “Fam Jam” is a dance contest during which two families compete for a $10,000 cash prize. Dancing in the show were Gina; Brendan’s older sister, 13-year-old Haley; Brendan and the children’s grandfather, Ed Bonner. The family took second place, earning $2,500. “For us, we won by getting there and getting to share the experience, for sure,” she said. Gina said the family landed the spot after casting directors found Brendan on Instagram. They sent a message via the social media outlet and asked if anybody else in the family danced. “I told them his sister danced,” she recalled. “The next thing we knew, we auditioned for the show. It was a really long process. We filmed the end of January. We didn’t know we made it on the show until two weeks before we were

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Dancing has helped Brendan Schroeder, 8 1/2, with his autism, according to his mom, Gina Schroeder. (Photo courtesy the Schroeder family) heading there.” Gina heard “Fam Jam” wanted to feature Brendan’s autism and what dancing did for him. “It opened up a whole new world for him,” she said. “It made all of his therapies just kind of come together. Dance brings him so much joy. It was a super awesome experience. We got my stepdad—their grandpa—to do it with them. My husband has two left feet. He wasn’t going to do any of that. They had more confidence in grandpa. “That was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We hope there’s more of it. He does some acting and has auditioned for that. He was really upset and crying when we left. He wanted to keep doing this and wanted to be on TV.” Haley is Brendan’s biggest fan. “She’s everything to him,” Gina said. “If the therapist couldn’t do something, they’d ask her.” Becoming a dancer Amber Wittmers, owner of Adaptive Force Performing Arts in Scottsdale, said Brendan loved visiting the dance studio a few times a week when Haley attended her classes. “Brendan wanted to dance with his sister every time she danced here,” Wittmers said. “At roughly 3 1/2 years old, Brendan joined his first dance class. In a very short period of time, his family be-

gan to notice changes. He went from being completely nonverbal to talking and engaging with others around him. Dance brought him so much joy and happiness. Brendan is now dancing 14 hours a week at 8 1/2 years old.” Brendan now dances 15 hours a week. He also does gymnastic and acts. “It’s been uphill since he started dancing,” she said. “He goes to a typical school. He’s living in a pretty typical world. Everyone has their own perspective about autism. He’s very outgoing and social. “He doesn’t know his boundaries. But a lot of kids on the spectrum are shy. He’s a social butterfly. He’s old enough where we’ve tried to each him about autism. I want him to understand so his story can be shred to help so many other people.” Gina said she receives messages from all over the world via Brendan’s Instagram page. They ask questions like signs and therapy. One mother said she hopes her child could do that one day. “As a parent, I didn’t have resources like that,” Gina said. “I just wanted to hear more success stories. You don’t hear as many as you want to. “But he’s verbal now. He leads a pretty typical life. He’s a diehard sports lover. He loves to watch football. He knows the stats. He does a football pool with the family. He has more energy than you can imagine.”

YOUTH

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | DECEMBER 23, 2020

FOOTBALL �� 19

degree will mean something to people,” Cisneros said. “Football isn’t forever, and a degree from a prestigious university will set me up for success in the future.” This year, recruiting has been difficult with the COVID-19 pandemic, as the NCAA has opted to restrict in-person visits to campus. “I wanted to see the school for myself, so it was tough (not being able to visit.) They did a great job with virtual tours and videos describing campus,” Cisneros said. “I’m most looking forward to the new lifestyle and the city life. It will be cool to make new friends and build new relationships.” When asked about signing day, Cisneros added, “These are my boys. We battled together all year, and it’s great that our hard work paid off and we got to sign together.” One of Cisneros’ teammates he was referring to is Bear Milacek, the Boulder Creek quarterback who held various scholarship offers from San Diego, Western Kentucky and Valparaiso but signed with the University of New Mexico after verbally committing to the school back in July. “The amazing coaching staff really (drew me) to the school. I think with the 23 commits we have, it is safe to say there will be a very bright future in New Mexico,” Milacek said. The 6-foot-3-inch, 210-pound senior was named first-team All-Region quarterback after leading the Jaguars to a school-best 8-2 record. Milacek finished the season with 1,285 passing yards and 10 touchdowns as well as 569 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 108 carries. During the course of his high school career, Milacek threw for a total of 4,372 yards and 32 touchdowns, rushing for an additional 882 yards and 12 touchdowns. Milacek, who plans to major in biology, has always favored science and would like to someday become a dermatologist. “I’m excited for college,” Milacek said. “I’m ready to work hard and chase my dreams. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a while.” Long snapper and defensive end John Ferlmann held offers from Air Force and the University of Arizona but opted to stay closer to home and signed with Ari-

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Celebrating signing day is assistant coach Justin Simons, John Ferlmann, Jacob Cisneros, head coach Tony Casarella and Bear Milacek. (Photo by Andrew Morgan) zona State University after verbally committing in August. “Arizona State has been my dream school because of the campus life, the football program and the location. I wanted to stay close to home and compete for championships. ASU checks all those boxes,” Ferlmann said. The 6-foot-3-inch, 220-pound senior is the No. 7 long snapper in the country as well as No. 1 in Arizona. After moving from Modesto, California, after his junior year, Ferlmann was named first-team all-region defensive end. He finished the season with 48 tackles and two sacks.

Ferlmann will major in business. “(Arizona State) was my first offer, and it validated all the hard work I put in,” Ferlmann said. “I was ecstatic. I remember running around the house after getting the call from (special teams coach) Shawn Slocum.” When asked about celebrating his decision, Ferlmann said, “My family and I will probably go to Chili’s,” he added with a laugh. “I’m just excited to make it official and focus on preparing for the 2021 season.” After all, signing day is about the future. When the pen meets paper, dreams finally come true.

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