Gilbert Sun News 05/28/2023 by Times Media Group

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The ‘accident’ that became a Gilbert murder case BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

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COMMUNITY............ 35 HD SOUTH looks at the Heritage District of yesteryear.

o one outside of Mark Eric Ponsati knows what exactly happened the night he beat his wife to death in their Gilbert home. As far as the State of Arizona is concerned, the truth died with Sherri Posanti. But Mark Posanti man will spend the next two decades in state prison for her murder, which he staged as a slip and fall in the master bathroom. Ponsati, 42, received the maximum sentence after a jury in March convicted him in the second-degree murder of 33-year-old wife on Sept. 7, 2017. With credit for time served, his release date is Sept. 7, 2042.

San Tan Village salon personalizes skin care. COMMUNITY............................. 35 BUSINESS...................................38 OPINION..................................... 41 SPORTS.......................................42 CLASSIFIEDS............................. 45

Mark Ponsati claimed his wife died in a fall at their Gilbert home. Police proved otherwise. (Special to GSN)

His sentencing on May 19 ended a case that Gilbert police quickly unraveled after examining the couple’s Val Vista Lakes home. But what will never end is the pain of Sherri’s murder on her two children and her mother. “I think about her every day, multiple times a day,” said Susan Klausch, Sherri’s mother. “I think about the kids and how could he do this to the mother of his kids and his wife. It’s unbelievable.” Klausch flew from Wisconsin to attend the sentencing and read a victim impact statement. “Losing Sherri has changed my life forever,” Klausch told the judge. “The pain of living without Sherri is unbearable. How can

see PONSATI page 6

Gilbert remembers fallen warriors tomorrow GSN NEWS STAFF

BUSINESS..................38

Sunday, May 28, 2023

retired U.S. Army officer and decorated combat veteran will speak at a Memorial Day ceremony, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Monday, May 29 at Gilbert Civic Center’s lawn, 50 E. Civic Center Drive. People can help by signing up at justserve. org to clean up the venue after the ceremony. Tom Eisiminger served in the Army’s Field Artillery during Desert Shield/Desert Storm and retired in 2005 as a lieutenant colonel. The Persian Gulf War was waged in 1990-91 to defend Saudi Arabia after Iraq invaded Kuwait. The Arab emirate was liberated at a cost of 96 U.S. soldiers killed in action, two died of

wounds and 105 non-hostile deaths. In his 20-plus years of military service, Eisiminger held numerous leadership positions from platoon to battalion command. He managed the largest geographically dispersed Army Recruiting Battalion responsible for operations in SW Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Hawaii, Korea, Japan, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, and the Freely Associated States of the Republic of the Marshall Island, Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia. He twice earned awards as top recruiting

see MEMORIAL page 4

Army Lt. Col. (Ret) Tom Eisminger is the featured speaker at Gilbert’s Memorial Day ceremony. (Special to GSN)

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MEMORIAL from page 1 An edition of the East Valley Tribune

Gilbert Sun News is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Gilbert.

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unit in the Army. Eisiminger was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society in 2018. He’s also an Honorary Kentucky Colonel. He is a veteran’s advocate and serves as the president of the Veterans Medical Leadership Council. The council supports Valley veterans who have a need that cannot be legally addressed by the Veterans Administration, the state and any other federal and state offices. He also is chairman of the Southwest Region MedTech Veterans Program, which prepares veterans for jobs at life-science companies. He raised over $7 million when he was president of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, which plays against able-bodied teams in exhibition games, funding medical research exploring causes of maladies impacting military amputees. He also was on the board of directors for the Horse Rhythm Foundation in Glendale, which uses horses to help veterans and first responders heal. He is currently the president & CEO of Regenesis Biomedical, a medical device company. Eisiminger has a bachelor’s of science degree from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point and earned a master’s National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and a master’s of business administration from Maryl-

Gilbert’s Memorial Day service used to be held at HD SOUTH but over time attendance grew so the event was moved to the Civic Center. (Courtesy of HD South) hurst University in Portland, Oregon. Eisiminger also is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans. The Town of Gilbert also at 7 p.m. Memorial Day will light its Water Tower red, white and blue in the Heritage District, 45 W. Page Ave. The town this year also launched its Military Tribute Banner Program, honoring current and past service members. Residents paid $130 for a full color banner that included the honoree’s photo, service branch, rank, service dates, family name that will be displayed in Gilbert’s downtown Heritage District during the months of May for Memorial Day – May 1-June 5 – and from mid-October to mid-November for Veterans Day. Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery and

Funeral Home also on that day is hosting an event, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 2100 E. Queen Creek Road. Flags will be placed at each military grave and Memorial Day educational story boards will be placed around the park. Hot dogs, lemonade and ice cream treats will be served. Kids 12 and younger will get the chance to win $50 in a coloring contest. The national holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, is to commemorate those who lost their lives while in service to the United States Armed Forces. According to the Department of Veterans Aﬀairs, over 41 million men and women served during wartime and over 1 million died in service since the American Revolution, which does not include the Global War on Terror.

Veteran decries barriers to business start-ups BY SYDNEY CARRUTH AND LILLIE BOUDREAUX Cronkite News

ASHINGTON – An Arizona veteran who started a string of businesses after his military service ended told Congressional lawmakers last week that reducing barriers and streamlining federal loan applications are essential to helping other vets become business owners. “While we appreciate the well-intentioned government programs such as the Small Business Administration and the Office of Veterans Business Develop-

ment, it is disheartening to find that these programs often present barriers, red tape and bureaucratic hurdles when seeking assistance,” said Grant Quezada, owner of Founding Fathers Collective in Prescott. Quezada’s comments to the House Small Business Committee hearing were echoed by other veterans on the panel as well as by most members of the committee, who asked how the SBA and other agencies can better serve vets looking to transition into the world of business. But Rep. Eli Crane, R-Oro Valley, took a diﬀerent approach, going down the line of witnesses and asking each if they were “impressed by the efficiency of the federal

government.” Most said no, and one said it could be better. Crane, a self-proclaimed “champion for veteran entrepreneurs,” shifted the questions from how the SBA can be modified to better support veterans to whether the federal government should even be in the business of making small-business loans. “I want to keep pushing back on this committee that thinks we’re going to do a good job loaning money to veterans or to anybody else because you know what – this town doesn’t do a good job of loaning money to anybody,” Crane said.

see VETERAN page 18

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PONSATI from page 1 there be any solace in his conviction for any of us?” Klausch said she will never hear her firstborn’s laughter or see her smile. She described her daughter as a warm and happy-go-lucky person whose childhood nickname “Sher Bear,” stuck with her throughout her life. Klausch called Sherri her “ray of sunshine” who always looked at the bright side of things. Sherri’s life Sherri Mae Springhuth was born in Wisconsin and raised in a tight-knit family in Johnson Creek – current population 3,574. She was working at a nonprofit group home, which served people with intellectual and developmental disabilities when she met Ponsati on an online dating site in September 2008. Ponsati, who had finished serving in the U.S Air Force, was in his last semester studying law at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They married in June 2010, a month before Ponsati was to start his commission as an U.S. Army judge advocate. Their daughter, Maddie, was born the following year and son, Max, five years later. Sherri and the kids followed Ponsati as he moved from job to job both in the military and private sector, living in Hawaii, Alabama and Connecticut. The family arrived in Arizona in July 2016 after Ponsati found work as an inhouse attorney with a helicopter manufacturer in Mesa. The young family first stayed with Sherri’s Aunt Eva and Uncle Joe Springhuth in Val Vista Lakes and later found a home to rent less than a mile away on Jamaica Way. By all accounts – those of her family members, friends and her own Facebook page, Sherri was a devoted mother to Maddie and Max. She also was passionate about animals and became an accomplished author, penning a children’s book, “Wilbert’s Blue Whale Tale,” which teaches children about endangered species. She dedicated the book to Maddie and Max. In June 2017, she submitted her second children’s book about a rhino to a publisher. Sherri soon became the family’s bread-

Sherri Ponsati was 33 when she died by her husband Mark’s hand. (Special to GSN) winner, working for a cardiology provider after Ponsati was fired six months into his new job. Four days before her death, Sherri posted on her Facebook page, “We’ve been in Arizona for a year now, so guess what time it is… time for another cross country move… never a dull moment.” Ponsati had a job oﬀer in Kentucky and the family was packing up for the move. The call for help The 911 call came into Gilbert dispatch at 9:58 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. “Oh my God, oh my God,” Ponsati said on the recording. “I just found my wife. I think she’s dead.” At first Ponsati said he didn’t know what

The Ponsatis married in June 2010, a month before he was to start his commission as an U.S. Army judge advocate. (Special to GSN)

The Ponsatis’ daughter Maddie, now 12, is in a Montana boarding school that specializes in behavioral disorders and their son Max, now 7, requires extensive 24/7 supervision and care, special learning support, therapies and accommodations because he is severely autistic. (Special to GSN) had happened and that his wife was not breathing. Then he told the dispatcher that Sherri “slipped and fell” and hit her head. “There’s children in the house,” he said. “I believe she’s dead. She’s in the bathroom and there’s water and soap everywhere and blood. Oh my God, Oh my God, my children, my children.” The dispatcher instructed Ponsati to perform CPR, which he refused to do. “She’s purple,” he said. “I know what death looks like. I’m an Afghanistan veteran. She’s gone.” He told the dispatcher not to have the fire truck blare its horn coming to the house as he didn’t want his kids traumatized. The first responder who arrived was Officer Kyle Peterson, now a sergeant. He had to push his way into the bathroom because Sherri’s legs had blocked the door. He immediately noticed the entire floor was slippery. He checked for Sherri’s pulse and didn’t find one or a heartbeat. He did 20 chest compressions before EMTs took over. Sherri was rushed to Banner Gateway and after 20 minutes of continued resuscitative attempts, including intubation, she was pronounced dead at 10:50 p.m. The investigation That night Ponsati agreed to go down to the Police Department for an interview

and the house was searched. Sherri’s aunt and uncle arrived at 11:17 p.m. and collected Maddie and Max, who were then 6 years old and 18 months, respectively. They are believed to have been sleeping through the ordeal. Initially, police considered it a death investigation and Ponsati was not a suspect. According to police, Ponsati claimed there was no history of marital problems or any recent arguments with his wife. However, in the days following Sherri’s death, police received calls from numerous family members and a close friend that “detailed a very tumultuous marriage that included a lengthy separation and allegations of infidelity by Ponsati,” police reports state. Family members told police that Ponsati had threatened to kill Sherri if she tried to leave him. After collecting more evidence, it turned into a homicide investigation and Ponsati was arrested a week later on Sept. 14 on a second-degree murder charge. Bail was set at $1 million. After numerous continuances and other delays Ponsati’s trial began Jan. 23. The detective Det. Michael Bishop testified at the trial that when he arrived at the home around

see PONSATI page 8

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

PONSATI from page 6 11:30 p.m. Sept. 7, several things in the bathroom struck him as odd. “When I looked in there and I saw the blood on the tile outcropping from the bathtub, that is when I personally said this is not right,” said Bishop, who retired in June 2022. “If someone slips and falls and hits their head on an object as they fall,” he testified, “you wouldn’t expect to see blood on an object because something, some force has to be used to break the skin to cause the bleeding. “So if you slip and fall and hit your head on an object and then go down to the floor, the blood’s going to be on the floor, not on the object.” The blood stain on the 2-foot-high marble outcropping indicated to Bishop that Sherri’s head “remained in contact with the item for a period of time.” Another red flag was how little soap was left in the gallon bottle of blue bubble bath found uncapped lying on its side. The level of soap remaining in the bottle was well below the spout, which would

how people act. But with Ponsati, Bishop said, “He would put a tissue to his eyes as soon as he would lose any composure,” Bishop said. “I never saw tears. I remember not recalling a lot of tears. Other officers noticed his behavior as odd – the fact that he had very emotional outbursts and then quick recovery and talking normally.”

Sherri Ponsati’s family held a celebration of her life in Wisconsin. (Special to GSN) have been impossible if it had tipped over accidentally, according to the detective. According to Bishop, Ponsati “attempted to destroy evidence” by washing the clothes he and his wife each wore “in the time leading up to the injury.” Bishop also noticed other things in the house: a mattress on the living room floor that showed only one side was disturbed.

The bed in the master bedroom also showed signs of a single person sleeping on it – an indication that the two adults in the home were sleeping in separate places. At the trial, he was asked to comment on Ponsati’s demeanor that night. Bishop commented that people react differently to trauma, so he tries not to put too much weight on crying, emotions and

Ponsati takes the stand At trial Ponsati clung to his original assertion that Sherri’s death was an accident. He said he tried to have a “romantic night” with his wife the night she died and that the two were in “flirtatious moods.” He also told police that the couple was planning to have a third child. He ran a tub of water with bubble bath and played Despacito on his cell phone, which he set on the vanity. After the two got in the tub, Ponsati said he eventually became sleepy as he had taken a sleeping pill after dinner. He claimed he was addicted to sleeping pills – taking up to six a day and Lorazepam for anxiety.

see PONSATI page 10

Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing Offer Resources, Support for Seniors with Hearing Loss BY SHERRI COLLINS

ost of us know someone who has hearing loss. Some of you may be experiencing hearing loss yourself. Oftentimes people dismiss signs of hearing loss as “no big deal.” In reality, hearing loss is a very big deal. Hearing loss can impact all the areas of your life, including relationships, health, and safety. It can also be linked to depression and memory loss, an early indicator of dementia. While the likelihood of developing dementia exists, there are ways to prevent hearing loss: • Protect your ears. Keep music or TV volumes low, especially when wearing headphones. If you have headphones on and someone else can hear it, the volume is too high. • Don’t ignore your hearing loss. If

you are experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, see a hearing healthcare professional right away to start combating the symptoms. • Tackle the hearing loss head on. Don’t assume hearing loss will go away on its own. The sooner you get assistance with your hearing loss, the more likely you are to possibly prevent early dementia. • Utilize technology. If you have a hearing aid, wear it as much as possible. You can also consider other hearing interventions including cochlear implants, assistive listening devices, amplified telephones, or captioning.

Access to Resources

As you begin to age, access to valuable resources is critically important. However, an Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard

of Hearing (ACDHH) survey found that older adults report that they are concerned with where to find these resources. Survey respondents indicated that they need information on general health and wellness as well as information on memory loss and dementia, pharmacy benefits and access to mental health services. Other important resources mentioned included assistance with maintaining their independence, access to caregivers fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), and access to attorneys and estate planners. As such, ACDHH is launching its Age of Access initiative designed to be a one-stop destination for resources, information and programming for Arizona’s older adults who are deaf or experiencing hearing

loss. An online survey is in the field right now to gain additional information regarding the needs of the community and how best to provide access to these resources. Take it here: https://bit.ly/acdhhsenior Respondents that participated in preliminary research conducted by Gallaudet University indicated that there is a lack of access to home health care aides (caregivers) that can sign or have awareness about deaf people’s needs. Therefore, in the fall of 2023, ACDHH, in partnership with the University, will conduct focus groups on this as well. Sherri Collins is the executive director for the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing. www.acdhh.org

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PONSATI from page 8 “When I left the bathtub, I kissed Sherri and she said something like ‘I’ll be there soon.’ That was the last time I saw her. I went to bed and fell asleep.” He said he woke up at 9:52 p.m. to find Sherri not in bed. Seeing the light under the bathroom door, he went over and tried to open it but it was blocked. “I opened the door slowly and finally I do see it is her on the floor,” Ponsati testified. “She looked like she toppled from the ledge onto the bathtub and slid down.” He said Sherri’s right shoulder and head were pushed up against the tub and that her eyes were opened. “I feel my blood pressure falling and the blood run out of my face,” he said. “I feel my blood turn to ice. I almost faint. I cannot believe it.” Ponsati said he called his wife’s name and as he approached her, he noticed water on the slippery floor. “I stepped over her to get away from the spill,” he said. “Her body is separating the bathroom into slippery and non-slippery.” He claimed he tried to follow his CPR

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

training and put his head to her chest to see if Sherri was breathing or if there was a heartbeat. “My training kind of stopped at a crossroad,” he said. “There is a contradiction, which is I need to do CPR. She needs to be flat on the floor and her head straight. But my training also said if there’s a spine injury, you don’t move a person.” He said he was in over his head in rendering medical help and looked for his phone to call 911. He said he went to the bedroom, where it normally was but couldn’t find it. He said he “freaked out and was bewildered” and it didn’t cross his mind to run over to a neighbor’s home to use the phone. “I thought I was alone,” he said. “I went back into the bathroom and now have to prioritize – oxygen to the brain trumps injury to the spine.” He said he was concerned with Sherri’s head dropping from the tub onto the tile floor so he positioned a wooden plaque under her head to shorten the fall as he moved her body. He said he prepared to give Sherri

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Mark Ponsati worked for the U.S. Army as a judge advocate for a short time. (Special to GSN) mouth-to-mouth and positioned a “plastic tray, kind of Tupperware thing” under her neck to tilt her head backwards. “What hit me most was the smell – made me feel faint. … The smell was bad and I could not do mouth-to-mouth because of the blood there. “I’ve never been around blood much. I’m not Rambo or nothing. In the Army I was a paper-pusher, a desk jockey. I don’t hunt. I’m not used to blood.” Ponsati said he instead did chest compressions while “thinking this is not how you learned CPR. You have to do CPR.” He said he thought of using a turkey baster to suck the blood out. He said he rummaged through the downstairs kitchen drawer and couldn’t find the baster and began to panic. But he did see a spatula and “somehow I thought I could use it to shovel the blood out of her mouth.” He said entering the bathroom he rushed toward Sherri and the spots there that were originally dry were now slippery and he fell and had the “wind knocked out of me.” “I was kind of stunned, my left side hurt,” he testified. “My elbow felt like electricity going through it. “I see her nose and I don’t understand what I am seeing at first. The nose was fine but now there was a horrible gash across it. It took a second to realize I caused that gash when I fell on top of her. I broke my fall with that handle...the handle of the spatula caused the horrible gash.” He said he didn’t tell 911 or cops that he had fallen on his wife, fracturing her nose due to his “botched rescue.” When dispatch asked him to do CPR,

Sherri Ponsati, seen here getting a kiss from her son Max, was remembered as a loving mother. (Special to GSN) Ponsati said to himself, “Hell no. I’m not going near Sherri anymore. I feel like a bull in a china shop. I needed to protect her from me now but I can’t say that to 911. So, what comes across is that I am giving up on her.” Sherri’s death explained According to the county Medical Examiner, Sherri had “multiple blunt force injuries,” including abrasions to the back of the head, neck and upper back, rib and skull fractures and the nose injury. The report added that “a strangulation/asphyxia component additionally contributing to death cannot be excluded.” Her death was ruled a homicide. Bishop, who attended the Sept. 12 autopsy, noted that the bruising to Sherri’s spine and brain were “consistent with violent shaking.” The trial The defense argued that Sherri’s medical history of cardiac arrhythmia could have caused her to faint and fall and that she could have fallen more than once. “Additionally, she had some type of bone challenge,” defense attorney Thomas Henager said. “She had normal thinness to her occipital skull bone ….behind the eye so that a fall or a fall on top of her potentially could cause a more fatal situation than it could be for somebody who doesn’t

see PONSATI page 12

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PONSATI from page 10 have this issue.” “If this man murdered his wife, why in the world would he tell 911 that he wasn’t going to do CPR?” he said. “Why would he tell 911 anything other than, ‘I attempted to do it or I’m attempting to do it?’” Henager also disputed the prosecutor’s argument that Sherri’s neck injury could have been caused by strangulation, saying “she would have had bright red eyes, some bleeding in the eyes.” He reminded the jury that the ME determined the broken ribs were caused by CPR eﬀorts. Testimony painted Ponsati as quick to anger. Witnesses said he broke Sherri’s things although he claimed he never hit anyone other than a bully when he was 15. Prosecutor Joshua Clark told the jury that Sherri wanted out of the marriage but wanted to wait until the children were older. Sherri had previously left her husband twice and went home to Wisconsin. She even consulted with a divorce attorney. Ponsati also “wanted out of that marriage and he didn’t want a divorce and if she was oﬀ the playing board, he could move on with his life,” Clark said. “This was not a fall,” he said. “This was an attack. Sherri Ponsati did not die by accident.” He said that while Sherri was on medication for a heart condition, she did not have a history of fainting or falling “yet somehow she fell so many times in this bathroom that it killed her.” “The defense’s experts were all about possibility, not about probability and all of them even admitted that an assault by another person is more likely, more frequent than a fall,” Clark said. “And none of them could point to evidence that is recorded by the Gilbert Police Department that supports any theory of multiple falls. “Two people went into that bathroom, one came out alive and the other was carried out with too many injuries to be explained by an accident.” More about Ponsati’s character became public later during the victim impact statements. Stacy Wolf, a close friend and former roommate of Sherri’s, claimed Ponsati had a “violent temper with Sherri, their chil-

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

dren, and pets.” “On several occasions, Sherri would have to apologize for his behavior,” Wolf said. “Sherri shared with me often of Mark’s sexual deviations and the pain that it caused her in their marriage. “He hired prostitutes and made her engage in sexual behavior with which she did not feel comfortable and (he) was obsessed with pornography,” Wolf added. “She shared that for hours on end, Mark would lock himself in their bathroom to watch porn. She was concerned that he had a problem with child pornography as well. He often covered her head with pillows during times of intimacy to avoid having to look at her.” Wolf also claimed that “Sherri had countless miscarriages between her two children.” “I believe that this was a result of domestic violence,” she wrote. “I begged Sherri not to marry this man for fear of what became reality.” The children Maddie, 12, and Max, 7, were basically orphaned on Sept. 7, 2017. The children initially lived with the Springhuths, who are in their 60s, for nearly six months until Joe Springhuth’s cancer returned. He died a couple of years later. Eva Springhuth in her victim impact statement described the eﬀect the ensuing trauma had on the children, especially Maddie. She said she wanted to tread carefully in telling Maddie what had happened to her mother and it was agreed that the little girl would go to school as planned, giving her a normal life for a little bit while the family and Ponsati had time to grieve. That, however, didn’t happen. Ponsati went to the guestroom where Maddie was sleeping and “in less than a minute, she jumped out of bed, came running to Uncle Joe and screamed, ‘My mom’s dead’” Springhuth said. “In that moment her life was forever changed. What loving parent would not allow their child to be a normal little girl for one day more, two days more, before destroying her world?” Although Ponsati claimed he told Maddie that her mother couldn’t be with her anymore and disclosed nothing about the circumstances surrounding her death, Springhuth said that was not so.

Shortly after sending Maddie oﬀ to the school, she said she received a call from the guidance counselor saying that the little girl “knew a whole lot more about how her mother died and was acting it out in vivid detail in front of teachers and other kids her age.” Maddie would say that her dad heard a loud boom and went looking for her mom and found her in the bathroom. “‘She fell and hit her head on a pointy thing,’ Maddie would say and then pretend to slip and fall. ‘Her brains and blood were everywhere,’” Springhuth recounted to the judge. And when she confronted Ponsati about it, he replied, “‘Well, she asked and I wasn’t going to lie to my daughter,’” Springhuth said. She said Maddie for the next two months would act out virtually the same scene for anyone and everyone, friends and strangers alike, over and over. “Eric had complete and utter disregard for Maddie’s emotional trauma and the immeasurable pain and suﬀering, which he intentionally inflicted on her,” she wrote. “Eric spared Maddie nothing.” Sandy Robinson, Sherri’s first cousin, said Max was diagnosed with autism shortly after he and Maddie went to live with extended family members in Wisconsin. “Max requires extensive 24/7 supervision and care, special learning support, therapies and accommodations,” Robinson told the judge. “It is likely Max will never have the capacity to live on his own and may be with his adoptive parents for life.” Maddie is actively under the care of therapists, counselors and more to help her work through the trauma. She is living in a Montana boarding school that specializes in behavioral disorders. “More than five years later, Maddie is still struggling in many ways,” Robinson said. Dozens of family members and friends wrote of the impact of Sherri’s death to them. “The day Sherri was murdered, my life changed,” wrote Danielle Lucio, a close friend of Sherri’s for almost two decades. “It will never ever be the same.” Lucio, who also testified at the trial, said she withdrew from life and sank into depression.

“She was the one I called the night before she was murdered,” Lucio said. “I still cannot erase her number from my phone. There is no one to fill that void.” A mother’s grief Klausch not only has to live with the loss of her daughter but also Ponsati’s betrayal. “In the beginning of their marriage, I was very close to him,” she said. “We had a great relationship.” She said it wasn’t until the third or fourth year into the marriage that the relationship started deteriorating. “When Max was born I went out to see Max and I wasn’t out there not even 24 hours and she said she wanted to come home with me and lived with us for about three to four months,” Klausch said. “And so I said, ‘sure.’” She said Sherri confided that her husband was cheating. “She would find pictures of prostitutes on Eric’s phone,” Klausch said. “So there was infidelity going on in the relationship.” She said the family begged Sherri not to return to Ponsatti “The last time she stayed with us, he told her if she didn’t come back he would kill the whole family,” she said. “So she felt she had to go back. She said she asked her daughter a million times if there was physical violence in the marriage but was told no. “Sherri was not that forthcoming with everything,” Klausch said. “I don’t really think she was truthful with a lot of stuﬀ. Her friends shared with me things she told them that I never knew about. “She didn’t want us to worry about stuﬀ. She wanted people to be happy. That is the kind of attitude that she had.” She said as a nurse, she was skeptical when she learned from Ponsati that Sherri died from a slip and fall. “He kept saying over and over to me again, ‘I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,’” she recalled. “And he was doing his fake crying. “It was so far out there. I thought they would find him guilty. He’s a very sick, sick man.” A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Maddie and Max Ponsati. To donate, go to gofundme.com/f/ suppor t-sherris-loved-ones

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023 SPONSORED CONTENT

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

CUSD says it has a plan to address enrollment decline BY KEN SAIN GSN Managing Editor

or decades Chandler Unified School District had to manage huge growth as this part of the East Valley transformed from farms to suburbs. Now, it has a different challenge. The state’s second-largest school district may have reached its apex and is now going to have to manage a slow decline in enrollment. It may not be the second largest for long. Tucson Unified only needs about 100 students to overtake CUSD’s enrollment. The CUSD Governing Board approved a revised budget for the current fiscal year May 10. The state allows districts to make revisions by May 15 once it gets data. That data show CUSD had about 400 fewer students this year than the previous school year. Heather Caviar, the district’s finance director, told the Governing Board that the drop of 393 students would have meant a revenue loss of $235,026 to this year’s budget. But most of that loss was offset by a revenue gain to Group B Weight, which rewards with money for students in gifted programs who score highly on exams. The overall revenue loss was $12,113. For now, the remainder of the revenue loss caused by overall enrollment decline is being offset by increases in federal and state grants and other revenue. Chief Financial Officer Lana Berry said the district does not rely on one-time funding for ongoing operations. The district expects enrollment to continue to decline, and since most of the district’s operating cost comprises salaries and benefits, fewer employees may be on the horizon for CUSD in the future. “We know that we are in a community that has a low birth rate,” Berry said. “We are almost built out here, and we know that our homes have gone up in value and it’s harder for a brand-new family who’s starting out with little children to be able to afford homes. That has made an impact on our elementary

school-aged kids. “And then fourth, we know that there are a number of competitors, being charters and private schools, within our boundaries.” A demographer who is currently working on a deeper picture of the problems Berry outlined has already told Tempe Union and Kyrene governing boards the same thing. Rick Brammer of Applied Economics told both boards that the impact on enrollment caused by soaring housing costs is far greater than competition from charters and other districts. Low birth rates have only compounded the problem, he said. The district expects an update from Brammer soon and Brammer told the Kyrene board last month he was finalizing his report. Still, Berry says the district has been preparing for enrollment decline and has a plan. She said the district hopes to manage downsizing as enrollment falls without layoﬀs. “We try to make sure that we always are sticking to our staffing model,” Berry said. Each year a number of teachers and staﬀ retire, and the district traditionally

hires replacements. Berry said one option in managing enrollment decline’s impact on operating costs would be hiring fewer people than the number who are retiring. “We’re being financially transparent with what we’re doing as we move forward, but also that we are financially responsible for our school district based on staffing needs and we reduce those when the number of our students reduce.” She said the district wants to stick to current teacher-pupil ratios. “We know that we’re declining at a very small percentage, but ultimately, we reduce based oﬀ of that,” Berry said. “We still try to keep our class sizes at … 23 and

“We’re being financially transparent with what we’re doing as we move forward, but also that we are financially responsible for our school district based on staffing needs and we reduce those when the number of our students reduce.”

a half to one.” The district can’t do much about low birth rates or high home prices. However, it is stepping up eﬀorts to change the trajectory of competition with charter and private schools. Last year CUSD ramped up its marketing to try and attract more students to public education. “It’s too early to gauge results,” said Stephanie Ingersoll, the district’s executive director of marketing and community relations. “I will say that we’re only 40 kindergarteners short right now of where we were last year, and that’s due in part of having kindergarten readiness testing available.” Other revisions in the 2022-23 budget involved inflation, including increased costs for substitute teachers, custodial supplies, student transportation for field trips and maintenance of the district’s vehicle fleet. The district also revised funding for student mental and emotional health, which was increased because of contracts with the Hope Institute and Lighthouse Wellhealth. Berry said the increase in marketing isn’t just about attracting new families to CUSD, but also convincing current families to keep their children in district schools. Berry pointed to a number of programs that CUSD has added are more appealing to parents, including gifted academies, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, dual language immersion schools, and other programs. Ingersoll said the district is already seeing results of that in real time. Last year Andersen announced it would pursue being the district’s first IB program for elementary schools. She said this year 64 students enrolled for kindergarten at Andersen, a large increase over previous years that officials attribute to the announcement. Many of the federal funds the district received to address the learning gap caused by the COVID pandemic will expire after September 2024. Berry plans to present the 2023-24 fiscal year budget to the Governing Board in June.

NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

Tempe voters nixed this arena-entertainment district proposal pitched by the city and the Arizona Coyotes. (Cronkite News)

EV leaders welcome Coyotes – without any incentives BY SCOTT SHUMAKER AND KEN SAIN GSN Staﬀ Writers

n the wake of the crushing May 16 voter rejection of the Arizona Coyotes’ deal with Tempe, other East Valley communities are bubbling up in discussions about the hockey team’s future home. On May 16, Tempe voters’ rejected a plan for a hockey arena and entertainment district on 46 acres of city-owned land that was once a landfill near the Salt River and Priest Drive. As speculation began about where the team might try to land, Coyotes President/CEO Xavier Gutierrez would only say the team has started “re-engaging with local officials and sites” and is “committed to Arizona.” The team fanned those conjectures about a home in a diﬀerent East Valley community when it created an online poll asking whether the Coyotes should move to Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler or Gilbert. Scottsdale was far and away the top choice among the 100,000 votes cast, followed by Mesa. But few, if any, East Valley communities have spoken with the Coyotes as of last week. Chandler and Gilbert officials said

they have not been contacted by the Coyotes. A spokesperson for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community said the tribe is not talking with the Coyotes. Mesa declined to confirm reports the Coyotes had reached out to city staﬀ about the closed Fiesta Mall site in West Mesa. Mesa Mayor John Giles said he has not spoken to anybody from the team, but thought his city – and specifically the Fiesta mall site – is worth consideration. John Lewis, the former Gilbert mayor and president/CEO of the PHX East Valley Partnership noted that the Coyotes are members of his organization, which represents a broad swatch of business, nonprofit and and government leaders in the region. “We are anxious to help them in any way possible,” Lewis said. “Our regional advocacy role is to work with our local city/town leaders to support them as they take the lead in discussions with the Coyotes.” Lewis said that while Gutierrez in March gave a full presentation of the Tempe proposal to his board, “We have not had specific discussions with the Coyotes since the announcement of the

see COYOTES page 16

Expires 6/30/23.

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COYOTES from page 15 election results.” But while some East Valley communities are open to receiving a proposal from the Coyotes, they were cool to the idea of government incentives and public-private partnerships. Skepticism of tax incentives could be significant for the Coyotes’ future plans, as opponents of the Tempe arena successfully targeted the tax breaks that were part of the doomed deal. The hockey team will have some time to prepare another proposal, as it will play its next season at Arizona State University’s Mullet Center, where it played this season following Glendale’s termination of its arena lease with the team. Lewis said, “We are in full support of the Coyotes finding a home in the East Valley and Arizona. We felt like they provided a proposal to Tempe voters in ‘good faith’ to oﬀer a long-term win-win proposition.” But he added, “We are not currently involved in direct discussions with the Coyotes or East Valley city and town leaders, but we will continue to advocate for the Coyotes finding a new location in the East Valley.” East Valley tribal communities Hockey fans have speculated that the Coyotes might look to the tribal communities in the Phoenix metro area to strike a deal on an arena. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is centrally located between Scottsdale and Mesa, and is currently home to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the spring training venue for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. Bernice Cota-Gann, director of community relations for the community, said the tribe is not exploring an arena. “We are always open to new ideas that can expand development that will enhance the quality of life for our members, community and the state, but at this time, there are no conversations about sports facility development within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community,” she said. The Gila River Indian Community, south of Chandler, did not respond to an inquiry about whether the community

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

had been contacted by the hockey team. GRIC held the naming rights to Glendale’s venue when the hockey team resided there. The GRIC was to be home to the Phoenix Rising FC soccer team but the team chose Phoenix instead. Chandler Chandler said in a statement it was not pursuing an arena and has not been contacted by the team. If the team wished to build in Chandler, the city said, “it would be up to private development to assemble the privately owned parcels necessary to accommodate a sports and entertainment venue of this magnitude.” “Chandler is 93% built out,” it continued, “and the majority of the remaining unbuilt parcels are dedicated for employment uses. “Our focus continues to be on attracting and retaining high quality development and employment uses that generate high paying jobs among target industries, including technology, business and health care sectors.” Mayor Kevin Hartke said the team would be welcome in Chandler, but “we would say ‘you’re welcome to come to Chandler as a private entity.’ We’re not interested in doing a public-private partnership.” Hartke said Chandler has two sites that might be perfect for the team. The first is a 50-acre plot of undeveloped land on Arizona Avenue, just north of the Loop 202 San Tan Freeway. That area had been approved by Council for a multi-use development that included retail, housing, a hotel and office space a few months ago. However, construction has not started and Hartke said he didn’t know if they were having trouble with financing or second thoughts about going through with the project. That area, which is the southwest corner of Arizona Avenue and Pecos Road, is about a mile from the heart of downtown Chandler. The other site is smaller, but has better freeway access. The VanTrust property, which is east of Price Road and south of Chandler Boulevard is about 20 acres. It is, however, close to two freeways, Loops 101 and 202.

There’s an existing business to the south (JX Nippon Mining & Metals), but Hartke said if you consider that entire area north of Boston to Chandler Blvd., it’s about 40 acres. That area is on the other side of the Loop 101 from the Chandler Fashion Center. “It could work, but I think there are others ...,” Hartke said. “They got a lot of groundwork to cover.” Gilbert The Town said it has not been contacted by the Coyotes, and like Chandler, said the team would need to find private land. “We do not currently own land that would be able to accommodate an arena-type facility,” it said. “They would need to look for private property opportunities in Gilbert if it were to be considered.” “If we had the land it would be interesting,” Town Council member Chuck Bongiovanni said. “There’s no land available right now.” Mesa Some Mesa leaders expressed interest in the city hosting a Coyotes arena, and Mayor John Giles thinks there are multiple sites in Mesa that could be suitable for a project. But like other leaders, he said a deal would need to involve private land because the city doesn’t own any parcels that would be appropriate for a project. Councilman Scott Somers said a Coyotes arena “could really be something special in Mesa,” but added, “I’m not interested in throwing a lot of tax money at this thing.” In the wake of the Tempe vote, there were reports that the Coyotes reached out to city staﬀ about the possibility of an arena complex on the site of the shuttered Fiesta Mall. Neither the city, the Coyotes nor the two current Fiesta Mall owners would comment on whether there have been communications about using the mall for an arena. At 80 acres, the Fiesta Mall site is twice the size of the Tempe parcel where the Coyotes pitched the arena-anchored entertainment district.

Fiesta Mall sits near the Loop 101 and U.S. 60, providing an easier drive for East Valley fans than the Coyote’s previous arena in Glendale. In March, the owner of one half of the mall submitted a plan to the city to level the old mall and construct a new mixeduse development with retail, offices and up to 4,000 residential units. Its potential as an arena site is probably boosted by the city’s desire to see it redeveloped after watching the mall languish for years following declining foot traffic in the face of competition and online sales, and eventually closure in 2018. A splashy project like a professional sports arena might help change the narrative for the Southern Avenue corridor, and a site Giles calls a “strategic piece of property.” “We’re open to discussing what the city could do to assist in redeveloping Fiesta Mall,” including a Government Property Lease Excise Tax, or GPLET, a way for cities to reduce the property tax burden for commercial projects, Giles said. Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia, whose district includes Fiesta Mall, declined to comment. There are two hurdles for the mall to overcome if it were to see an arena proposal. For one, Fiesta Mall still has two owners. There were rumors earlier this year that Carvana founder Ernie Garcia was about to buy out the other Fiesta Mall owner Jerry Tokoph, but there has not been a sale, and a purchase option agreement between Garcia and Tokoph expired in March. Also, Mesa’s city charter requires that Mesa voters sign oﬀ on city support for “any amphitheater, sports complex, cultural or entertainment facility, arena, stadium, convention facility, or multi-purpose facility” in excess of $1,500,000 in value. For a large project, that’s a low threshold, so if the Coyotes request a GPLET, it could set up another Tempe-style ballot fight with all its costs and potential heartbreak. Giles said he’s not sure how a referendum of Mesa voters would fare, but he believes the city isn’t likely to “get involved” enough to trigger a vote.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

VETERAN from page 4 Tales of government bureaucracy were a theme of the hearing. Many of the veterans, like Quezada, said they worked months to get approved for government funding but ended up turning to private equity. “The local regional bankers are not as adept at working within the construct of the SBA, so normally the help we had to find was being pushed down to Phoenix and some of the larger banks down there,” said Quezada, a former Army Ranger. After 10 months of searching for capital in Phoenix and Scottsdale and the help of a former military friend with financial sector experience, Quezada said he was finally able to secure $4.5 million in loan funding for the collective. He attributed his success to support from other veteran business owners. Quezada said he did not use either of the SBA’s most popular loan programs, the 7A loan and the 504 loan, an experience shared by another veteran who was testifying. “Our success is with private equity,” said

Grant Quezada, a former Army Ranger who owns the Founding Fathers Collective in Prescott, said he tried to work with the government for capital to get his business off the ground, but ultimately turned to the private sector. (Lillie Boudreaux/Cronkite News) Taylor Burks, a former Navy lieutenant commander who now serves as president of Rost Landscaping in Missouri. “I think the SBA loan programs are a little bit of a mirage sometimes,” Burks added, “especially if you have something that can be a meaningful business idea, like Sgt. Quezada’s concept.” All the business owners said the SBA veteran support program Boots to Business helped in their transition from service members to entrepreneurs. But they all reported struggling to access

the capital and credit needed to grow their small businesses. “The main barrier, and I believe we all understand that, is access to capital for any veteran from the ideation stage to launching an idea,” said Michael Hyacinthe, a former Navy petty officer turned CEO and founder of Wimage, a visualization-based app. Quezada said he ultimately found business success when sought out individuals in the private sector who were further up the business chain than he was.

Once Founding Fathers was oﬀ the ground, he said, he was able to use federal government funding through local grant organization Northern Arizona Council of Governments to maintain the operation, He said he does not think those working in the SBA are speaking the same language as veteran small-business owners. “The person on the other side who might be trying to help, they just don’t understand the pitfalls of what we’re facing or the urgency,” Quezada said. “If veterans had the ability to tap into their G.I. bill and apply that to a business venture as they leave the military, I think that’s a phenomenal way to set them up for success.” But Crane said after the hearing that he thinks the small-business owners on Wednesday’s panel, and Americans in general, would best be served if the federal government stayed out of small business funding. “I don’t think that this town, and the SBA, should have a heavy hand in, you know, funding small businesses,” he said. “I really don’t. I think limited government is a good thing.”

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CLASS OF

2023 Congratulations to the 2023 Graduates of Desert Hills High School! We are so proud of you, and extremely excited to celebrate your amazing accomplishments! You are all talented in so many ways, and it has been our pleasure and honor at Desert Hills to work with you, and to help you define your career goals. Believe in yourselves and in your endless potential! Graduates, you are going to reframe the future, and we can’t wait to see what you do next! With great admiration, Dave Miller, Principal Desert Hills High School The Leona Group

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

u t l a a r t g ions n oC CLASS OF

Highland High School

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

s n o i t a l u t a Congr he to t

GPS superintendent salutes Gilbert’s Class of ‘23 BY DR. SHANE MCCORD GSN Guest Writer

he end of any school year is a very special time, and it is especially significant for our graduating seniors and their families. I hope you and your family are enjoying many opportunities to come together to celebrate the achievements of our students this year. In Gilbert Public Schools our foundation is our GPS Family, made up of 33,000 students, 4,000 staff, our families, and our wider community. What makes Gilbert Public Schools so special is the ability for us all to work together for the benefit of our students, and the children of our community. Our shared passion to educate every single student to a high standard is evi-

Gilbert Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Shane McCord spoke recently at the A+ School of Excellence celebration for Oak Tree Elementary. (Courtesy of GPS)

dent every day on our campuses, and I am sincerely grateful for everything you, our community, do to make this possible. Academic excellence continues to be the cornerstone of what we do, with the needs of our students always at the forefront. Our students are able to benefit from an extensive range of programs and extra-curricular activities as well as a level of academic excellence and rigor prioritised by our school district. Our Class of 2023 is a great example of what can be achieved. I am so proud of our 3,000 graduates this year who have taken advantage of the opportunities available to them, worked hard, supported each other, and overcome some unique challenges. I see in them resilience and a level of

see MCCORD page 2

Flinn Scholars discuss their goals, achievements BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

hree Gilbert students won a free ride to one of the state’s three public universities through a prestigious Flynn Scholarship. Basha High senior Cameron Bautista, Hamilton High senior Carol Chen and BASIS Mesa senior Elizabeth Ghartley are three of the 20 students selected this year for the award. The merit-based award covers full tuition, mandatory fees, housing, two studyabroad experiences and meals at one of the three state universities. The package is valued at over $130,000, according to the Flinn Foundation.

Winners typically rank in the top 5% of their graduating class and show leadership in a variety of extracurricular activities both at school and in their communities. The following are responses by the three students to Gilbert Sun News’ questions. Cameron Bautista Q: What are some of your clubs/hobbies/activities/volunteer work? A: I am the lead drum major of the Basha Bear Regiment marching band, president of the Asian Cultural Ethics Club, AMEA All-State Band euphonium player, National Honors Society member, and Mock Trial team member. Before the pandemic, I also used to serve as a third-degree black belt and in-

structor of Taekwondo but had to leave during quarantine. This past year, I worked with nonprofits Living Unified for Change in Arizona, Activate 48, and UnidosUS, in addition to the company Lyft, to provide Arizonans free and discounted rides to the polls during the General Election. Although it may seem like I had a lot on my plate, I loved being able to help those around me and serve in leadership positions in numerous clubs and activities. Q: Which state university do you plan to attend? A: I plan to attend Arizona State University. Through Flinn, I actually had the opportunity to meet with professors about my specific areas of interest and have ac-

ademic conversations with them, which inspired me to go to ASU and pursue these interests. Q: What is your planned major/career goal and why? A:I plan to major in mathematics to become either a high school teacher or a college professor. From a young age, I always loved mathematics; the manipulation of numbers and equations seemed like a puzzle to me. With my experience as a martial arts instructor, I found my passion for teaching and helping my students learn and grow. In the future, I plan to combine these passions and become a math teacher.

see FLINN page 2

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

e d r e V o p m a C CLASS OF 2023 HIGH SCHOOL

VALEDICTORIAN:

COYOTE EXCELLENCE RECIPIENT:

Evan Hankinson

Parents: Elizabeth and Joshua Hankinson University: Undecided Major: Biological sciences, Spanish. On-campus: National Honor Society, cross country, track, Link Crew, Spanish Honor Society, Health Occupations Students of America.

SALUTATORIAN:

Lucas Slattery

Ashley Ferland

Parents: Jacqueline Ferland and Derik Ferland (stepdad) University: University of California- San Diego. Major: Human biology (pre-med track). On campus: Campo Med Club, Campo Math Club, Girls in STEM, Campo Court and beach volleyball, National Honor Society, Link Crew, NFHS, NScienceHS.

FLINN from page 1

Parents: Carmen and James Slattery University:: Rochester Institute of Technology Major: Astrophysics On campus: AP Capstone

MCCORD from page 1 support for each other that is truly inspirational. As these students look forward into their future, in further education and their career, I am confident they will continue to build on their strengths and continue to grow, utilizing the many tools and skills they have gathered throughout their time with Gilbert Public Schools. Every member of our GPS Family is valued and important, and our Class of 2023 will always be a part of our family. We never underestimate the importance and value of parent and family in-

volvement and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the support you continue to provide for our schools and district, and most importantly for our students. I encourage you to participate in school activities and events throughout the next year and learn about the many academic, athletic, performing arts, career and technical education opportunities, and programs available to our students right here in our community. At GPS we truly are a family, and together we ensure our students thrive. Dr. Shane McCord is superintendent of the Gilbert Public Schools. District.

Cameron Bautista

Carol Chen

Q: Who is your role model and why? A: My role model is my AP Human Geography and AP U.S. History teacher, Mr. (Arlie) Hunt. Not only did he teach me to expand my view of the world and open my eyes to different perspectives but he also taught me to take time for myself and allow myself to feel emotions. In the future, I want to become a teacher like Mr. Hunt – someone who truly cares about his students and has his door open for whoever needs it. Q: Name an academic/personal achievement you are most proud of and why.

Elizabeth Ghartley

A: Outside of being named a Flinn Scholar, I’m most proud of my role as lead drum major in the marching band. As drum major, I was able to interact with all members of the ensemble, forming so many meaningful connections and acting as a role model for those in the band. I was also responsible for ensuring that rehearsals ran smoothly and helping members who needed assistance with playing their instrument or marching on the field. And, at the end of the season, we

see FLINN page 10

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

CONGRATULATIONS COYOTES Class of 2023!

Campo Verde High School

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

e g d i R t r e s e D CLASS OF 2023 HIGH SCHOOL

VALEDICTORIAN:

SALUTATORIAN:

James Burns

Jenna Saidler

Parents: Justin Burns and Kirstie Burns University: Arizona State. Major: Digital marketing. On campus: Club and high school soccer.

SPIRIT OF THE JAG:

Kendall Heredia

Parents: Janis and Daniel Saidler University: Arizona State. Major: Business finance and Spanish On campus: Three-sport athlete who played varsity basketball for all four years, National Honor Society, Blood drive committee. Off campus: Feed My Starving Children and Paz de Cristo.

HIGH SCHOOL t r e b l i G CLASS OF 2023

VALEDICTORIAN:

Ashley Manalo

Parents: Gerlie and Jaime Manalo University: Either Arizona State or LA Pierce College. Major: Ashley plans to work with nonprofits or in public policy. On campus: Tiger Tribune, GHS National Honor Society, Tiger Crew, GHS International Baccalaureate Club, Math Club. Off campus: House of Refuge volunteer, Study Bubbly chair/co-founder, Colab community strategist.

SALUTATORIAN:

Ryder Sturdevant Parents: Ardus and Brett Sturdevant. University: UArizona. Major: Computer science.

On campus: Football. Off campus: Lifeguard, swim instructor.

SALUTATORIAN:

Lauren Mittelstadt Parents: Diana and Steve Mittelstadt University: University of Arizona W.A. Franke Honors College. Major: Pharmaceutical science On campus: GHS Danceworks Company, Vice-President of GHS National Honor Society,

Vice-President of GHS Tiger Crew, GHS International Baccalaureate Club, GHS Environmental Action Club, GHS Newspaper Club. Off campus: Studio/ competitive dance, Vacation Bible School leader, Wistful Whiskers

Cat Shelter volunteer, Lauren’s Institute for Education Volunteer, ASU Barrett Summer Scholars, STAR Lab at the University of Arizona.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

Highland CLASS OF 2023 HIGH SCHOOL

VALEDICTORIAN:

SALUTATORIAN:

Hunter Niimi

Brandon Chua

Parents: Shane and Traci Niimi University: University of California, San Diego Major: Computer science with a specialization in bioinformatics and getting a minor in law and society. On campus: Golden Scholar Award all four years, the AP Scholar

Award, STEM Diplom, Math Club, STEM Club, Banner Hawks, MedLife, Extra Mile, and varsity soccer. In ASU-EPICS he was co-leader of a team that made eight sensory boards for students on the autism spectrum at an elementary school. Off campus: Volun-

teered at Highland Junior High School as a math tutor, member of the Japanese American Citizens League, competitive soccer for the last 10 years.

Parents: Alfred and Jeanette Chua University: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott. Major: Cyber intelligence and security. On campus: Chess team and Chess Club, Japanese and eSports clubs, track and field. Off campus: Open chess tournaments such as the U.S. High School National Chess Championship and delegate to Boys State 2022.

HIGH SCHOOL e Mesquit CLASS OF 2023 VALEDICTORIAN:

Madisen Rowley

Parents: Jesse and Nicolle Rowley University: Yale. Major: Neuroscience on the pre-med path. She may enlist in the Air Force at some point to become a flight surgeon-a family doctor with a specialty in aerospace medicine. “If I don’t do the Air Force I would love to either be a radiation oncologist focusing on pediatric brain and spine or a women’s health doctor/obstetrician.” On campus: National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and AP Council. Off campus: Volunteer work. “I focused on bringing awareness to childhood cancer and raising money for an organization.”

SALUTATORIANS:

Hunter Fenn

Parents: Lyndsey Long University: University of Central Florida. Major: Legal studies. On campus: Speech and debate.

Avaya Brown Parents: Ashley and Jason Brown University: Arizona State. Major: Engineering and possible minor in architecture. On campus: Winter guard.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

Dayn Abbiatti ● Jaden Acuna ● Isabelle Aguirre ● Marley Aguirre ● Caleb Alderman ● Samuel Alfaro ● Logan Allen ● Roland Amani ● Damion Anderson ● Antonio Andrade ● Madison Anthony ● Kendal Anti ● Kendyl Arnett ● Micheas Arroyo ● Tacen Asay ● Brandon Avila De La Torre ● KiAn Azarpay ● Mandi Bahr ● Rylee Baird ● Kinleigh Bakken ● Lucas Balazentis ● Dylan Ball ● Blake Barentine ● Danielle Baricevic ● Jacob Barnes ● Jovee Barnes ● Patrick Barney ● Elle Barry ● Jillian Nicole Bates ● Andreaz Bautista ● Daniel Baxter ● Ryan Bay ● Lucas Beals ● Brooke Berghuis ● Perla Bernal ● Arianna Berumen ● Ondrea Betner ● Dylan Beyman ● Lucas Bickmore ● Jack Bielenberg ● Teya Blaser ● Aaron Boudreau ● Annabella Bradley Browning ● Dreana Brewer ● Catherine Brimie ● Philip Bronson ● Hollie Brummett ● Anthony Bui ● Nicolas Bush ● Roxie Butler ● Garrison Bydalek ● Joshua Bydalek ● Tatum Cadden ● Riley Cady ● Crystal Cammiso ● Marco Campillo ● Gabriel Cano ● Anthony Cardine ● Gabrielle Castillo ● Kayla Castillo ● Carter Cate ● Tyler Catt ● Corto Cayrol ● Zyanna Chagoya ● Zachary Chalmers ● Ethan Charlie ● George Chavez ● Anthony Chiappetta ● Dallin Christensen ● Nathan Christensen ● Giancarlo Civettini ● Ryan Civiok ● Dallin Clark ● Trevor Cobb ● Jordan Cody ● Kaelin Coil ● Mariah Coleman ● Leann Collins ● Julian Colton ● Dominic Colvin ● Jesus Contreras ● Abigail Cook ● Mason Cook ● Devorah Coon ● Chad Coons ● Kelsey Cooper ● Levi Cooper ● Ayleen Cordova Espinoza ● Jorge Covarrubias ● Dakota Cox ● Dalton Cox ● Natalie Coyolt-Waun ● Natalia Cranney ● Logan Crosby ● Joseph D'Aoust ● Brad Daniels ● Payson Davenport ● Cole Davies ● Liliana Davis ● Luke Davis ● Nolan Dayon ● Damita De La Rosa ● Mateo De La Torre ● Daniel Dean ● Lilyana DeBoliac ● Joel Delgado ● Caleb Delposen ● Logan DeMars ● Alexis Dennison ● Isabella DePrimo ● Adrian Diaz ● Carter Dickie ● Trung Kien Doan ● Reece Dolezal ● Elle Dotson ● Audrey Duenez ● Sophee Dupree ● Chase Dysinger ● Tiley Echols ● Kami Eck ● Nicholas Egestad ● Shilynn Elmendorf ● Joshua Emrick ● Reagan Ericsson ● Lindsey Esslinger ● Mia Estrada ● Noel Estrada ● Olivia Etpison ● Luke Evans ● Neil Evans ● Alan Felix Samaniego ● Christopher Fifield ● Mateo Figueroa ● Levi Fleegle ● Ethan Flohr ● Alexia Flores ● Bronson Flores ● Juan Flores ● Noelly Flores ● Paxton Flores ● Ronald Forrest ● Caitlyn Foster ● Cooper Foster ● Eliot Frank ● Calli Franklin ● Lily Franzen ● Leo Freestone ● Olivia Frigo ● Tabor Fritts ● Alyssa FrostSanchez ● Aria Furey-Smith ● Justin Galus ● Lael Garcia ● Mario Garcia ● Katie Garcia-Leyva ● Taylor Garding ● Alannah Gargan ● Alexa Garibo ● Grace Garland ● Maci Garland ● Abigail Geach ● Aaron George ● Ahmed Ghazi ● Marissa Gillian ● Giovani Gimenez ● Grayson Glover ● Gabriel Gomez ● Kaislyn Goulart ● Davis Goulette ● Ethan Greenberg ● Kennedy Greenwall ● Nicholas Greer ● Quinn Griswold ● Roxie Gurney ● Antonio Gutierrez ● Bria Haley ● Karli Hall ● Logan Hall ● Mason Hamon ● Jacob Hansen ● Joshua Hansen ● Olivia Hanstedt ● Carson Harmon ● Renae Harry ● Aiden Harter ● Grace Hartman ● Abigail Harvey ● Jordan Harvey-Blaschka ● Eden Haslam ● Garrett Hatch ● Capri Hayward ● Patrick Hechtle ● Jackson Heller ● James Hendrickson ● Benjamin Hernandez ● Nestor Hernandez ● Hailey Herrera ● Jeremy Herrera ● Mason Hickman ● Gracie Higgins ● Calliope Hilborn ● Ella Hogan ● Emma Holbura ● Grady Holindrake ● Marcello Holmstrom ● Hunter Hughes ● Abigail Huish ● Alec Huish ● Tessa Hulse ● Sydney Hurt ● Sidra Hussain ● Hunter Iannacone ● Logan Iden ● Kayla Iden-Selby ● Joseph Iniguez ● Reese Jack ● Eli Jackson ● Kyle Jeffries ● Lucas Jeralds ● Kaytlynn Johanson ● Alexandria Johnson ● Jaiden Johnson ● Madison Johnson ● Marissa Johnson ● Robyn Johnson ● Jeremiah Johnston ● Ariel Jones ● Kylie Jones ● Nicholas Jones ● Eva Joost ● Francis Joseph ● Audrey Ju ● Tyler Judd ● Tanbir Kaler ● Dustin Kane ● Asher Keeton ● Brady Keyes ● Rebecca King ● Julia Kishimoto ● Jenna Kohley ● Anthony Kolar ● Katelyn Kolstad ● Kenneth Kopra ● Katrina Kowitz ● Sean Lang-Weyenberg ● Anthony Large ● Kinsey Larsen ● Vinh Khang Le ● Collin Leach ● Isaiah Lejman ● Joshua Lemon ●

Gilbert High School

Congratulations Class of 2023 Total Scholarships Offered: $12.2 Million

239 Scholarships from Arizona Universities 76 Scholarships from Out of State and Private Universities/Colleges 14 Athletic Scholarships 19 Scholarships from Arizona Community Colleges 3 U.S. Military Scholarships/Awards 3 Memorial Scholarships 1 Music/Art/Talent Scholarships 1 Scholarships from Gilbert Education Foundation 1 Scholarships from Organizations within Gilbert High School

ASHLEY MANALO

VALEDICTORIAN

RYDER STURDEVANT

LAUREN MITTELSTADT

SALUTATORIAN

Tradition & Excellence Since 1918

Joshua Leo ● Robert Lewis ● Kevin Leyva Rosales ● Aiden Limon ● Nathan Linden ● Kaitlyn Lindquist ● Connor Littau ● Sophie Litzinger ● Tony Ljubovic ● Joseph Loveall ● Kevin Ly ● Issaih Lynn ● Jordan Lyons ● Ricardo Madril ● Anthony Magana ● Sydney Mahon ● Kayla Malinowski ● Ashley Nicole Manalo ● Zoey Mansfield ● Michael Mapp ● Grisell Marquez Garcia ● Ciera Marsh ● Sophie Marshall ● Carlos Martinez ● Lorenzo Martinez ● Jackson Martins ● Flint Matchett ● Wyatt Matthew ● Geovanny Mayorga ● Matthew McCaleb ● Kaitlyn McClaughrey ● Cayden McClellan ● Sarah McDonald ● Hannah McEntee ● Shea McKenney ● Logan Mealer ● Dominick Medina Rodriguez ● Karen Medrano ● Samuel Mendez-Lemberger ● Madison Mendoza ● Antonio Mier Renteria ● Lukas Miller ● Kaylee Millett ● Lauren Mittelstadt ● Angel Molina Betancourt ● Jewelien Monday ● Josue Mondragon ● Alex Montano ● Kathe Montiel Paredes ● Lenna Moon ● Holly Moore ● Carmello Moreno ● Daira Moreno ● Cynthia Moreno-Preciado ● Natalie Morrow ● Maddix Mulder ● Ashley Munoz ● Kellee Munoz ● Lauren Munroe-Roth ● Kaia Murphy ● Micah Murray ● Noah Narain ● Kennedy Neal ● Gabriel Neff ● Carson Neilon ● Giang Nguyen ● Thao Uyen Nguyen ● Faith Nichols ● Han Ninh ● Alvaro Nino-Margaillan ● Andi Nothdurft ● Sayra Nunez ● Madison Okano ● Matthew Oliver ● Thayden Olsen ● Bodhi Olson ● Broc Ortiz ● Payton Ownby ● Reyes Ozuna ● Angelo Padula ● Kaitlyn Pak ● Kaden Pandola ● Gavin Pardue ● Malik Parham ● McKenzee Park ● Alaina Parker ● Kyarri Parkes ● Anaya Parrish ● Amare Patel ● Garrick Payne ● Clara Pekala ● Rianna Perez ● Roque Perez ● Bennett Peterson ● Parker Pettit ● Nicholas Philip ● Georgia Phillips ● Layla Polec ● John Pomonis ● Samantha Porcioncula ● Quinn Price ● Christian Provencio ● Caitelyn Quillen ● Kira Quinn ● Ethan Quintana ● Anahi Ramos ● Christopher Ramos ● Roger Ramsey ● Marlee Randall ● Mason Reading ● Kimber Reed ● Christian Reeves ● Evan Reeves ● Isabella Reyes ● Adan Ricario Campa ● Collin Ries ● Paola Rios ● Connar Rivera ● David Rivera ● Lupita Rivera Cabrera ● Jazmine Robbins ● Thomas Roberts ● Timothy Rodriguez ● Anna Rogers ● Preston Rohr ● Orlando Rojas ● Jennifer Rojas Neri ● Dubraska Rosales ● Charles Roth ● Sofia Rowland ● Janea Ruger ● Ezequiel Ruiz Godoy ● Leonardo Saavedra Garcia ● Alyssa Sabato ● Mary Salanski ● Arwen Salvidge ● Giana Sanders ● Aron Sandoval ● Wilmer Sandoval Perez ● Isabella Santa Cruz ● Cole Sargent ● Hailee Satterfield ● Evelynne Scanlan ● Hailey Schaefer ● Ellie Schmidt ● Brennan Schnee ● Quinten Schnepf ● McKenzie Schoenhardt ● Zachary Schollmeyer ● Alexis Schreiner ● Simone Seger ● Alex Serrano ● Kyrstin Sezate ● Chloe Sherwood ● Savannah Sherwood ● Madison Shill ● Sofia Shrift ● Joshua Simanton ● Elizabeth Simon ● Elizabeth Sipe ● Brianna Sledd ● Bruno Sluka ● Luke Smith ● Nolan Smith ● Parker Smith ● Patrre'on Smith ● Shay Smith ● Skyler Smith ● Christian Solis ● Hope Sorenson ● Evan Splittorff ● Tye Sprague ● Brett Stapleton ● Jenna Sterry ● Samuel Stevens ● Jelena Stojkovic ● Emmalee Stone ● Ryder Sturdevant ● Sarabella Stusen ● Jonathan Sullivan ● Joi Swan ● Colton Talley ● Brianna Tapia ● Brooke Taylor ● Thomas Teran ● Aiden Theriot ● Golden Thibaudeau ● Nathan Thivierge ● Caleb Thomas ● Madison Thurber ● Harrison Tinker ● Phoenix Toliver-Frary ● Nikolas Torres ● Bradley Trillo ● Trevor Trupp ● Quentin Tso ● Marcos Tullis ● Aimi Uehara ● Jazmine Ulloa ● River Uphasri ● Santiago Varela ● Angelina Vargas ● Asiana Vasquez ● Lucas Vaz De Campos Pfeffer ● Marley Vazquez ● Cheylynne Vedette ● Tess Verdugo ● Amyrah Vergith ● Jordyn Voitovski ● Katherine Votaw ● Brooklyn Waite ● Delaney Wall ● Nathan Wallis ● Jasmine Ward-Mensay ● Blake Warren ● Elijah Wash ● Damian Washburn ● Kiefer Watson ● Mikalah Watson ● Scott Webster ● Aaron Welch ● Aydan Welsh ● Kurt Westover ● Violet Wheeler ● Spencer White ● Mandy Wilding ● Jade Willett ● Jordan Williams ● Skylar Williams ● Devin Wills ● Jordan Wilson ● Abigail Witkowski ● Julia Wojahn ● Emily Woodard ● Noah Wozniak ● Nolan Wright ● Reanna Wright ● Keaton York ● Nikolas York ● Cooper Zellner ● Ziqing Zeng

Higley CLASS OF 2023

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL

SPEAKERS/TOP OF CLASS

Ethan Morgan

Parents: McKay and Shaulan Morgan GPA: 4.97 University: Arizona State. Major: Electrical engineering. Career plans: Electrical engineer. Awards: GPA Academic Award each year, National Merit Scholar, ASU Presidents Award, U.S. Presidents Award, AP Scholar Awards On campus: Robotics, cross-county, track and field.

Estephania Sandez

Liliana Valencia

Parents: Lourdes and Fernando Sandez GPA: 3.59 College: Chandler Gilbert Community College and ASU after that. Major: Marketing. Career plan: Marketing manager and multimedia designer . Awards: Skills USA State Officer, lettered in CTE, CGC Presidents’ Honors Scholarship. On campus: Graphic Design program, yearbook program, SkillsUSA organization, Link Crew, Girls Up, Rho Kappa, & Key Club Off campus: Photography business, clothing brand business.

Parents: Marisa and Aaron Meyers GPA: 4.54 University: Drexel University. Major: Marketing (BS/MBA combination program). Career plan: Marketing and artist management in the music industry. Awards: GPA Academic Award each year, Department Award in Social Studies, Department Award in English, DAR Patriots of the American Revolution High School Essay Contest winner, Drexel University Liberty Scholar. On campus: Link Crew, Academic Decathlon, RHO Kappa, Key Club, No Place for Hate event coordinator, National Honors Society. Off campus: Mayors Youth Advisory Council for Gilbert, Arizona Department of Education Advisory Council, ASU Project Humanities Internship, Study Gram social media page creator.

Parents: Ermen and Nashelly Rosales GPA: 4.43 College: Chandler-Gilbert Community College then transfer to ASU for a bachelors degree. Major: Medical sciences. Career plan: Registered nurse, then medical school. Awards: GPA Academic Award each year, Department Award for Graphic Design, Department Award for History, Gilbert Town Council Citizenship Committee, Washington Leadership Training Institute Statesman Award. On campus: SkillsUSA National Secretary for the Organization, Graphic Design program, Yearbook Program, Skills USA, RHO Kappa, and National Honors Society. Off campus: Skills USA.

scholarships: Abigail Cramer (Texas A&M) and Teige Trigler (Embry-Riddle). Student body officers: Phebe Wood, president; Carson Bailey, vice president; Kennedy Poulson, secretary; Clayton Bentley, treasurer. Top 1%: Ethan G. Morgan, Harrison N.

Bennon, Ryan A. Little, Brian H. Vuong, Benjamin C. Henderson. Top 2%: Katherine E. Blaes, Lia K. Wengert, Zara J. Staheli, Lexi B. Griggs, Paris M. Garland, Spencer T. Pospisil, Jerry Zhou. Top 5%: Alysa C. Jacob, Hailey M.

Anderson, Teige J. Trigler, Hayley B. Garrett, Cayden R. Bradley, Tyler B. Coates, Carter K. Hancock, Danielle F. Morgan, Donovan B. Flowers, Lexy G. Meyers, Daylen W. Bigelow, Isaac V. Mortensen, Leyani M. Rogers, Kaelynn H. Westover.

CLASS PROFILE Total graduates: 505 Total known scholarships: $1,751,558 Committed to college: 350 Enlisting in military service: Marines: Taymon Banks, Thomas Anderson, Mark Smith, Tyler Makey, Nicholas Sarcione; Air Force ROTC Full-ride

Lexy Meyers

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

Graduation HA PPY

Congratulations Class of 2023 Mesquite Wildcats!

Mesquite High School

d l e i F s m a i ll Wi CLASS OF 2023

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS PROFILE

SPEAKERS/TOP OF CLASS

Dylan Bailey

Parents: Todd and Nicole Bailey QPA: Unweighted 3.97/4.00; Weighted 4.86/5.00 College: University of South Carolina Majors: International business, marketing. Career plans: Corporate lawyer

Awards: Outstanding CTE Student of the Year (20192020); Arizona State Seal of Biliteracy, Outstanding Foreign Languages Student of the Year (2021-2022), OSHA Certification, BACE Certification, AP Capstone Diploma, Honors Diploma, Principal’s List and Best of the Nest. On campus: Film Club, Key Club, Science Club co-founder and vice president, National English Honor Society, President of National Honor Society (2021-2023), Link Crew, HOSA, Sewing Club, Baking Club secretary. Off campus: Peer tutoring, various part-time jobs, various community service activities, piano.

FLINN from page 2 got first place in the state in our Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association competition circuit. Q: What advice would you give to other students hoping to achieve the same academic excellence? A:To any students hoping to achieve the same academic excellence: allow yourselves to take breaks and make mistakes. All of my achievements have been paired with hangouts with friends, naps and hundreds of mistakes. Throughout my time in high school, I allowed myself to have fun, enjoy myself and relax while also maintaining academic drive and rigor. Carol Chen Q: What are some of your clubs/hob-

Su Young Park

Guardians: Doo Man Kwak and Jung Soon Kwak-Chon QPA: Unweighted 3.97/4.00; Weighted 4.86/5.00 University: Arizona State. Major: Computer science. Awards: STEM Ahead diploma, Math Department award, Top 20. On campus: Link Crew, National Honors Society, PI Club, Software Development Club and Robotics Club. Off campus: Volunteers at Geoje Hospital in Korea as a translator.

bies/activities/volunteer work? A: At school, I am the president of Science Olympiad, president of Crochet Club, and president of UNICEF. Outside of school, I am one of the presidents of the Phoenix branch of The Alliance of Youth Leaders in the United States (AYLUS), which is devoted to improving our local community through volunteerism. Within AYLUS, I have been working on the Heart Pillow Initiative, which focuses on making heart pillows for post-operative patients in the ICU department. On the weekends, I teach seventh grade math at the AZ Hope Chinese School. I have also done research with various university laboratories the last couple of years, including the KEYS internship program at the University of Arizona last summer. Outside of academics, I am an avid artist,

Total graduates: 515 (including HLC and early grads). Total known scholarships: $15,816,360. Grads receiving scholarships: 198. Grads committed to college: 207. Enlisting in military service: Michael Vincent Geronimo, Arizona Army National Guard; Leila Ector, Navy; Jack Gantenbein, Marines. Student body officers: Adriana Colbert, president; Breck Sanchez, vice president; Shayma Alaoui, treasurer; Eli Asolas, tech director; Zachary Bowman, sergeant at arms;

and I have competed and won in multiple state- and national-level art competitions. Q: Which state university do you plan to attend and why did you pick it? A: I plan to attend the University of Arizona. Last summer, I did the seven-week Keep Engaging Youth In Science (KEYS) Internship at the University of Arizona, and I fell in love with the campus. I had a really good experience working with my laboratory, and I hope to continue researching as a college student. Q: What is your planned major/career goal and why? A: I intend on studying neuroscience as a pre-medical student. Because some of my family members and close friends have serious medical conditions, I have seen how doctors can offer comfort in a time of distress, and I hope to also have a direct im-

Grace Cox, historian; Caitlin Glunt, secretary; Saira Prince, publicity director; Cameron Bone, Hannah Gayer and Colton Campbell, spirit chairs. Senior class officers: Brianna Rowe, president; Isaac Anderson, treasurer; Jacie Foster, vice president; Kennedie Fowler, secretary. Representatives: Matteus Bugg, Jacoby Carmena, Joshua Dye, Josiah Dye, Laci Heap, Kiara Kenala, Kyan Kurpinsky, Cambria Lines, Sage McKinney, Amelia Serafin and Sidnie Tang.

pact on patients’ lives as a future physician. I picked neuroscience as my major because I am fascinated by the brain as they hold the essence of every person, and I hope to learn more about me and others through science. This year, I did research with Dr. Cheryl Conrad’s Behavioral Neuroscience laboratory, and loved the work her lab was doing. Q: Who is your role model and why? A: My role model is my father because he inspires me to better myself everyday. My father grew up in an impoverished, rural village in China, and at first, he did not take education seriously. However, in high school, he decided to change and worked hard to get into university to study electrical engineering.

see FLINN page 12

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

HUSD.ORG

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

ACADEMY l a c i ss a l C t Gilber CLASS OF 2023 VALEDICTORIANS:

Michelle Hein: Volunteer for Reach Out Spartans. Science mentor for juniors. Researching endangered species at a lab she works for. Adam Pascoe: National Honors Society, Activism Club, Latin Club, Math Club, Model UN, Reach Out Spartans, tutoring, Special Olympics, Fair Fight, postcards to swing states, Sierra Club, Northeast Arizona Native Democrats. Tara Patel: Junior high girls volleyball manager, Saving One Life Animal Rescue volunteer, HD SOUTH Gilbert Historical Museum volunteer, Crochet and Knitting Club, Ambassadors Club, NHS, Book Club, varsity girls tennis. Madi Trimmer: ASU Barrett Summer Scholars, Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, GPS Superintendent’s Senate, Student Senate, Ambassador’s Club, National Honors Society, Prom Committee, Mentorship with Gilbert Justice of the Peace, Model United Nations, Outdoors Club, Dead Poet’s Society, hostess at Pita Jungle, secretary at Mike Nye Instrument Repair, Bookseller at Barnes

SALUTATORIANS: and Noble, Volunteering at Feed My Starving Children, Midwest Food Bank, and Downtown Phoenix homeless camps helper/volunteer. Mia Cruz Andrade: Cross Country, Track, Future Doctors Club, Spanish Club, Latin Club, Senate, and National Honors Society. More recently, I have also attended a youth group at Without Walls Church. Arturo Pacheco: I participated in Spanish Club, Latin Club, Cross Country, Track and Field, tutoring, and the regional and all-state orchestras. Klauba Kelsey: On campus I was involved in Varsity Basketball, Track and Field, JV Swim, Senate, Spanish Club, NHS, Prom Committee, Choir, and Advanced Vocal. Off campus I participated in the Rio Salado Juniors Smallbore Rifle Program Joan Joshy: I took part in NJCL, NHS, and Future Doctors on campus. Off campus, I was involved in Banner Baywood’s Volunteer Program, CGCC’s EMT Program, and Holy Family’s Kids For Mission. Connie Kang: Phoenix Youth Sym-

FLINN from page 10 His story of using education to improve his and his family’s lives inspires me to work hard and never give up. Q: Name an academic/personal achievement you are most proud of and why. A: I am most proud of being awarded the Flinn Scholarship. Because the scholarship is super competitive, I never would have thought I would even have a chance back when I submitted the application. Q: What advice would you give to other students hoping to achieve the same aca-

phony, Arizona Junior Classical League, National Junior Classical League, Chinese Linguistic School of Phoenix, Latin Club, Speech and Debate, Future Doctors, Mu Alpha Theta Math Club, Model UN, Chinese Club, Ambassadors, Student Senate. Cole Dunnett: Diving, baseball, activism, humanitarianism. Amrit Kaur: Dance, Math Club, Academic Decathlon, NHS, Future Doctors, Bring Change 2 Mind. Zhibo Zhang: Varsity tennis, Math Club, Book Club, flute, Student Senate, National Honor Society, Speech and Debate, Reach Out Spartans. Michelle Kim: Research (KEYS Internship), violin, piano, swim, Ambassadors, National Honor Society. Hope Kuper: Varsity swim team, varsity tennis, Model U.N, cat shelter volunteer and choir. Riku Sakai: Piano competitions, club and school soccer, artificial intelligence projects, Math Club, tutoring. Alexis Zuniga Diaz: Math Club, Academic Decathlon, Danza Guadalupana Christo Rey.

demic excellence? A: My biggest piece of advice for applications is to start the process early, especially because the Flinn Scholarship application is quite lengthy. More generally, I would recommend students to have an open-mind and take advantage of every opportunity during high school, especially if they do not have an idea of what career they want to pursue. Elizabeth Ghartley Q: What are some of your clubs/hobbies/activities/volunteer work?

Avery Halbur: Future Doctors, Student Senate, Outdoors Club, Crochet Club, National Honors Society, Latin Club, volunteering at Midwest Food Bank, works at Pilates by Mona studio. Munia Ahmed: Ambassadors Club, NHS, Book Club, voluntee at Banner, International Research Institute of North Carolina. Kristine Yu: High school girls basketball manager, volunteer in the ER at Banner Baywood Hospital, piano. Steven Li: Swimming, Speech and Debate, drawing Arman Singh: Volunteer I.D.E.A. Museum and Communal Kitchen, Math Club president. Alli Sreeni: Spirit Store, tutoring kids in Ukraine through ENGin, tutoring kids in New York through the Booker T. Washington After School Academy Fellowship, Gilbert Chamber Foundation Mentorship/Shadowing Program with Banner Gateway, Episcopal Community Service, Family Fall Festival with Willow Wish, Health Care Professionals, Helping teachers at Neely Traditional Academy, GCA Tutoring Program, manager of Chat2Serve at Astudia, volunteer at Follow Your Heart Animal Rescue, Rotten Rottie Rescue in partnership with ASU Epics, Ambassadors. Tim Wright: Band

A: My hobbies include track and field, volleyball, weightlifting, crocheting, and reading. I am the National Honor Society president at my school, so in the past year I have been involved in organizing multiple volunteering events for students at my school. Q: Which state university do you plan to attend and why did you pick it? A: I’ve chosen to attend the University of Arizona. Of all of the state universities, this one most aligns with my interests and goals. Q: What is your planned major/career

goal and why? A: I’m planning on majoring in biomedical engineering. It seems to me that engineering is the best way to improve my problem-solving skills and apply my interests in STEM. Also, biomedical engineering would help me pursue medicine while also exploring other facets of science. Q: Who is your role model and why? A: Marie Curie is my role model and my hero. She made astounding contributions to science. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and s the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two scientific fields.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

Congratulations Gilbert Classical Academy

Class of 2023

“I saw that my life was a vast glowing empty page, and I could do anything I wanted.” - Jack Kerouac The staff of Gilbert Classical Academy is extremely proud of your achievements. We are excited you are able to do anything you want.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

CCoon Congratulations onngg t l t ns ns

COMMUNITY

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

For more community news visit gilbertsunnews.com GilbertSunNews.com |

@Gilber tSunNews

/Gilber tSunNews

Junior Achievement cites 3 Gilbert teens GSN NEWS STAFF

hree Gilbert teens recently won recognition for their creativity, passion and drive. Damian Carrizosa, Alexis Li and Jennifer Vo are among Junior Achievement of Arizona’s “18 under 18” winners this year. This is the sixth year for the recognitions. “Each year, we’re amazed by the next class of students,” said Katherine Cecala, CEO of Junior Achievement of Arizona. “They advocate for causes, start nonprofits to help others in our community, work with their schools to bring new ideas and programs to their schools, care about the environment or advocate for causes.” Damian, a 17-year-old Gilbert High student, saw a need to help people make smart money choices and build credit responsibly. He is working with FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation) to launch a program that teaches credit literacy to teenagers.

Damian Carrizosa

Alexis Li

Jennifer Vo

Alexis, 16, a Hamilton High student, founded Innovation Leads the Way to encourage scientific research and innovation to study diseases and address social good. Jennifer, 17, a BASIS Chandler student, started a campaign against gun violence when she was in 8th grade after countless friends and family members experienced

school-shooting lockdowns. She is the southwest regional director of Generation Ratify. The Gilbert Sun News asked the three winners about their interests.

for a teen program on credit literacy? A: I want to ensure that my peers and the future generation of America are as prepared financially as possible to sustain our American way of life. Q: Explain what the program entails.

Damian Carrizosa Q: Why was it important for you to push

see ACHIEVEMENT page 37

Photo exhibit shows downtown before renewal

District and its emanation from blight to thriving, as we see it today.” The exhibit is included in the museum’s general admission price. The museum is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursday through Saturday. Information is at hdsouth.org. Here are other programs and exhibits at the museum coming up next month. Unless otherwise noted, programs are free but people must register for programs at the museum’s website.

GSN NEWS STAFF

rare look at the Heritage District before it became a dining mecca will open June 2 at HD SOUTH– Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum. Running through July 28 the exhibit of Mark Bennett’s photos, from downtown between 2004-11, is made possible through a partnership between the museum and Art Intersection. Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum “Mark photographed the Gilbert Heritage District between 2004-2011 to record the downtown as it was, and its emerging transformation,” HD SOUTH Executive Director Denise Lopez said. “Through these images you will observe the beginnings of the Heritage

This photo of the auditorium from the long-gone Boys and Girls Club that was located on the northwest corner of Gilbert and Elliot roads comes from photographer Mark Bennett’s photographic exhibit of pictures from the Heritage District before its redevelopment. Bennett’s work will be on display June 2-July 28 at HD SOUTH, Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum. (Courtesy HD South)

Gilbert Fire Department This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Gilbert Fire Department. What started as a group of volunteers has grown into a highly skilled and

see SOUTH page 36

COMMUNITY

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

Gilbert native deployed on warship to Japan GSN NEWS STAFF

Gilbert native is aboard a U.S. Navy warship that was deployed to Japan. Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven Sato, who joined the Navy four years ago, serves as a machinist’s mate aboard USS Higgins. “I joined to be a part of something bigger than myself,” said Sato, a 2018 Mesquite High School graduate. Sato said he relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Gilbert to succeed in the military. “I learned discipline and a good work ethic,” said Sato. “These traits have helped me succeed both professionally and personally.” “Modern U.S. Navy surface ships provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat environments,” a Navy spokesman said, adding that a surface ship can operate independently or as part of carrier

strike, surface action or expeditionary strike group. “Sato is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy,” the spokesman said. And Sato is proud to be part of that. “We provide security out on the seas, especially in areas that do not have defenses,” said Sato. Sato is part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces, which works with allies to protect the Indo-Pacific region. “Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world,” the Navy spokesman said. “As the largest force in our nation’s front line against revisionist actors, U.S. Pacific Fleet meets this great responsibility with strength, resolve and

Gilbert native and Petty Ofﬁcer 2nd Class Steven Sato is is aboard a warship deployed to Japan. (U.S. Navy) confidence,” said Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander. “Together with our joint and combined partner operations, we are posi-

SOUTH from page 35

Art With GVAL, 10:30 a.m.-noon June 17. Leanne Cordon of the Gilbert Visual Arts League will lead an interactive children’s art workshop. All supplies will be provided. Ages 10 and up.

cutting-edge department. On display through July 10 are artifacts and collections highlighting the Gilbert Fire Department’s history.

set up a free account on EASEL.

Setting Boundaries, 6:30-8 p.m. June 20. This workshop will focus on increasing interpersonal effectiveness through understanding how to establish good boundaries with others. Focus will be given on how to enforce boundaries with consistency and compassion so others will learn how to respect them. Facilitated by Paul Gibson, a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of practice and clinical director of Ellie Mental Health in Tempe. Ages 16 and up.

Family History, 6:30-8 p.m. June 13. Participants will write about their own names or the names of family members to explore what they know about them and how they feel about them. The program is facilitated by Duane Roen, founding coordinator of the Project for Writing and Recording Family History in the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts at Arizona State University.

Sound Meditation, 6:30-8 p.m. June 22. Stuart Preston, certified sound practitioner, will lead a “sound healing” session designed specifically for those grieving a loss. Participants must bring a yoga mat, one or two blankets and a pillow. Wear comfortable clothing and plan to arrive 10 minutes early. Ages 16 and up. Space is limited. Cost: $5 per person. Learn more at LaoStu.com.

Beginner Hula Class, 10:30 a.m.-noon June 3. Dr. Adelaida Severson, a native of Hawaii, will teach hula storytelling and dancing. Ages 8 and up. Wear comfortable clothing. Yoga, 6-7 p.m. every Monday. Instructor Darien Pruitt, The Mobile Yogi, guides participants through a hatha flow class. Pruitt has practiced yoga since 2010 and recently completed her 200-hour yoga instructor training. Ages 16 and up. Bring your own mat. Afternoon Yoga, 1:30-2:30 p.m. every Thursday. Instructor Sara Nakai from Batch Of Sky Yoga, has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and has over 200 hours of yoga instructor training. She will guide participants seeking slower and more introspec-

tioned to defend any attempts to threaten our nation, our allies and partner’s security, freedom and well-being.” Sato and his fellow sailors have found many opportunities during their military service. “I’m most proud of getting hands-on knowledge of my craft,” he said, adding he and other sailors continue to train and perform missions and take pride in serving their country in the Navy. “Being in the Navy means I get to contribute to our country’s freedom,” said Sato. “I’m thankful to my dad, who was a radioman in the Navy,” said Sato. “Having a father in the Navy convinced me to join.” “The Navy is a good stepping stone and a way to get your foot in the door,” he added. “You get to meet a lot of great people. The Navy makes you uncomfortable, but it also helps you grow as a person.”

This is the old Heritage Court building from Mark Bennett’s photo exhibit. (Courtesy HD South) tive yoga practice. Ages 16 and up. Bring your own mat. Stem Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-noon June 10. Local teacher Erik Gillman will lead a workshop for kids to carve their own wood art using computer numerical control. Whatever design you can draw (or import from the internet), you can carve into wood. All supplies provided. Ages 12 and up. Space is limited. Every attendee will need an email address to

COMMUNITY

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

ACHIEVEMENT from page 35 A: The FICO Score A Better Future Fundamentals program is the newest program by the Fair Isaac Corporation that is offered nationwide. It consists of direct resources provided by FICO to help assist high school juniors and seniors with learning credit literacy so they gain the ability to navigate credit responsibly when entering the U.S. credit market. The main target for this program is high schools in need/want of a new financial literacy program, and even nonprofit organizations that offer resources to help people learn about financial literacy as a whole. Q: Who is your role model and why? A: My parents are my role models; they have raised me and helped me realize the man and leader I am supposed to become. … My mother taught me to have a strong drive, pursue a higher level of academic achievements and to put in the effort toward what I want to achieve. My father taught me about leadership, business, reading profusely, sales, the importance of networking and to always make sure I give back to the community and support great causes. Q: What are your future goals? A: I plan on attending W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, and make my way into the Investment Banking Industry Scholars program …After my bachelors degree, I intend to apply for an Ivy league to get my masters. …I plan on entering the investment banking industry. Alexis Li Q: Your grandmother was the inspiration for your Innovations Lead the Way. Tell us a bit about your relationship with her. A: My grandmother has always been a legendary figure in my mind and the inspiration behind my organization, formed in 2021. Since I was young, my mother would tell me stories of her journey traveling miles away from her hometown to get an education and change her life. When I visited her in China, … she in-

spired me to never give up and to keep pursuing my endeavors. Her determination to beg the university dean to let her attend despite her low test scores and lack of money to pay for tuition motivated me to never lose hope and take risks in my own life. Her mindset has had a profound impact on my life, leading me to take on challenges that I would have been too discouraged to attempt before. Q: Explain how it works. A: Innovation Leads the Way is an organization that aims to provide disadvantaged communities with greater access to scientific resources through workshops, lessons, and partnerships with other nonprofit organizations. As the founder of the organization, I have spearheaded initiatives such as STEM4ALL camp, which not only provided information on different scientific competitions but also gave students the opportunity to learn about machine learning. To expand the initiative, I plan to establish a Sigma Xi Explorer Club program along with other Sigma Xi members to provide more robust mentorship programs and online resources. The main challenge in setting up Innovation Leads the Way was establishing partnerships with other nonprofits in a way that allowed us to provide the services that they needed. Q: What has the group accomplished so far? A: We have been able to provide expanded tutoring opportunities to disadvantaged children beyond the typical core subjects by hosting the STEM4ALL summer camp and by creating partnerships with other nonprofit organizations. Additionally, we have achieved success in entrepreneurial endeavors, such as winning first place at the Diamond Challenge Summit for our 3D printable prosthetic arm. Currently, I am dedicating all my time and effort into expanding the program even further by developing online resources and creating a potential mentorship

program to connect high schoolers with colleges that offer research opportunities in their areas of interest. Q: Who is your role model and why A: My role model is my sister because I had the privilege of witnessing her journey through life. I saw her experience all the highs and lows that I knew I would eventually go through myself, such as the transitions of high school, college, and finding employment. Q: What are your future goals? A: I aim to find a group of researchers with whom I can converse about machine learning, particularly in graph theory. One of my goals is to create a more efficient drug storage pipeline that utilizes AI to develop more effective treatments. By leveraging my expertise in machine learning, I hope to contribute to the advancement of medical research and provide better healthcare solutions to the general public. Jennifer Vo Q: What is the motivation behind your fight against social injustices? A: My motivation behind my fight against social injustice is working towards a world that is more inclusive. … By challenging societal norms and advocating for change, I hope to create a safer and more equitable world for everyone where people aren’t just tolerated but genuinely accepted and supported. Q: Who is your role model and why? A: My role model is Kate Kelly, a Mormon ERA activist. Despite growing up in a community that opposed the ERA, Kelly listened to differing opinions and changed her own beliefs as an activist. She bravely challenged her church’s stance on the issue and was excommunicated, but still remains true to her values and fights for equality. Inspired by her, I have learned the importance of pushing for what you believe in, no matter what. At the same time, I have come to value listening and learning from people who I disagree with.… Through my partnerships with groups such as PRISM,

Tune In To Your Community www.GilbertSunNews.com

I have been heartbroken listening to my friends hide their identities because of fear. As a result, I held conversations with my older peers about my concerns and promoted the ERA in the way I saw it: protecting every person’s constitutional rights. Q: What other interests do you have? A: Something that excites me is literature about strong and complex women. Reading books like “Circe” by Madeline Miller and “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan has not only provided me with a sense of comfort and friendship, but has also challenged me to think more deeply about my own relationships and life experiences….I get to explore the rich and varied worlds of literature while learning from characters who challenge and inspire me. In addition, I love engaging in outdoor activities, especially going on hikes. At times I can be very hard on myself and hiking in the mountains makes me feel as if I can overcome all the obstacles in front of me, until I reach the top. Q: What are your future goals– college and career? A: As an adult, I want to join Doctors Without Borders to help communities that don’t have access to care. Then, once I’ve learned from these experiences, I want to shape U.S. policies to reduce the health gap, eliminate discrimination in the health sector, and increase foreign aid.…I hope to develop a global well-rounded approach to support me in my pursuit of becoming a future physician. Outside of the classroom, I aim to weave advocacy into my undergraduate experience. …In addition, I hope to build ERA support on campus, work with affinity groups, and volunteer at the soup kitchen and local elementary school to support children and individuals. At college I really hope that I not only develop a foundation for medical school, but also strengthen my character. It can be very competitive in high school and sometimes I’ve done things for the wrong reasons. I want to remind myself that the core motivation for my work is that I want to help people.

BUSINESS

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

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Myopia among young a growing problem BY JOSH ORTEGA GSN Staff Writer

he pandemic may have worsened children’s eyesight but a local optometrist said it could be slowed by a treatment. Myopia, or near-sightedness, has become more prevalent among children in the United States in recent years. By 2050, the World Health Organization estimates, as much as 50% of the world’s population could suffer from myopia. “The awareness is so important that this is not going to be something that occurs rarely,” said Dr. Josh S. Rajasansi, co-founding member of Experts On Sight optometrist in Gilbert, which acquired Abbot Eyecare in Mesa as a division. Rajanasi said he and his team are seeing more young people grappling with myopia and that this “is going to occur

more and more commonly, and the rates are significantly increasing.” Myopia, an abnormal lengthening of the eyeball, can cause severe health problems later in life. Some cases appear congenital, but the prolonged daily use of computers and smartphones, also has been a contributing factor. According to a 2021 study in Journal of the American Medical Association Ophthalmology, a study of over 123,000 children aged 6 to 8 found myopia cases increased at a higher rate since 2020 compared with the previous five years. Besides reducing screen time on smartphones, tablets and computers, health experts recommend 14 hours a week of outdoor physical activity for children during daylight hours. While interventions ranging from corrective lenses to surgery can help, Rajanasi said, “I’d love to write people prescrip-

tions to quit using digital devices, but that’s not realistic.” In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved MiSight, a daily disposable soft contact lens that was shown to significantly reduce, and in many cases completely prevent, the progression of myopia in children ages 8-12. Research found a 59% reduction in myopia progression over three years on average, compared to a single vision oneday lens over the same period. In a seven–year double-blind placebo study across racial backgrounds and different eye prescriptions, researchers found myopia did not get worse for 25% of patients and another 50% experience less of a progression of the condition than what might have occurred without the lenses. If a child is found to be a good fit for this treatment, Rajanasi said the treatment cost approximately $1,500-$2,500

per year until they’re 18. They are then reevaluated for the condition. Rajanasi said the results have been “absolutely phenomenal” and that the new treatment is one of “the most exciting new developments in eyecare” he’s seen in his lifetime. “If you told me 25-30 years ago when I was in [optometry] school, that we would have something like this available, I would have thought probably not,” Rajasansi said. Experts on Sight 3303 South Lindsay Road, Gilbert. 480-292-9835 Abbott Eye Care – a Division of Experts on Sight 1919 East McKellips Road, Mesa 480-690-9844 expertsonsight.com

Gilbert skincare salon individualizes treatment BY JOSH ORTEGA GSN Staff Writer

eyday Skincare at San Tan Village has taken the facial out of the spa day. Founded in New York City in 2015 on the idea that facials are an essential part of a healthy skincare routine, Heyday Skincare is a one-stop shop that opened its first Arizona store last month, bringing with it a revolution. Franchise owners Eric Miller and Kristie Valdez said their concept takes the guesswork out of skincare by offering affordable, relaxing and customized facials, and recommendations from professional estheticians who believe in healthy habits, not quick fixes, to put a person’s best face forward. “As proud Arizona residents, we are excited to serve our vibrant community

Eric Miller and Kristie Valdez opened Heyday Skincare at SanTan Village last month. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

and provide a unique and personalized experience that exceeds our customers’ skincare and wellness expectations,” Valdez said. The 2,200-square-foot location offers eight treatment rooms for both onetime visitors and discounted services for monthly members. Individual 50-minute sessions are $135 for non-members while members enjoy treatments for $104 and $85 for follow-up treatments. Members can also build a profile at the location or on the Heyday app. The app allows members to book future facials, shop personalized product recommendations and manage their membership to customize their treatments. Anyone can also add Heyday’s en-

see HEYDAY page 40

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

Stop PAD: The Silent Killer “PAD is often called the silent killer because you may have it and not even know,” says Dr. Joel Rainwater, chief medical officer of Comprehensive Integrated Care (CiC). The reason it’s sometimes missed is because people dismiss the symptoms of this dangerous disease as ‘just a sign of getting older’. But it’s not. “It’s not normal to have difficulty walking to your mailbox, it’s not normal to have constant leg pain or cramping,” says Rainwater, “That’s not normal aging, it could be a sign of PAD.” PAD (peripheral artery disease) is a circulation disorder and those with it are at a much higher risk of heart problems and death from heart attack or stroke. “If there’s poor blood flow to your legs and feet, you’ll have pain, cramping or wounds that won’t heal,” explains Rainwater. “If you ignore these signs, it may lead to an amputation. If you get an amputation because you have PAD, your life expectancy is worse than if you had breast cancer or lymphoma. PAD is no joke.”In some cases, people have been diagnosed with neuropathy. The symptoms of neuropathy and PAD are very similar and include difficulty walking without taking a break, burning, tingling, numbness and/or pain. “When I see a patient who has been told they have neuropathy and they’ve been maximized on medication that’s not working, I know there may be something else causing it and one of the big, notorious offenders in that scenario is PAD,” says Rainwater. PAD is caused by the buildup of fatty material inside the arteries. This buildup occurs gradually over time and

PAD is caused by the buildup of fatty material inside the arteries, limiting blood flow.

hardens into plaque inside the artery. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. Sometimes, it’s called “hardening of the arteries.” No matter what you call it, this plaque causes a narrowing of the passageway, restricting the amount of blood that flows throughout the body. Without an adequate blood supply, your body can’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to maintain healthy legs, feet and toes. “This is something we can fix,” explains Rainwater. “The good news about PAD, is that there’s hope. There is treatment and it’s excellent, it’s been one of the biggest success stories in all of medicine.” Patients are able to get back on their feet and everyday living with almost no downtime, no stitches and no overnight hospital stay. Medicare as well as most insurance plans will cover treatment. Dr. Rainwater’s focus is on teaching people to recognize PAD and take action. “I’m here to tell patients that there are options, all they have to do is ask. They might have to ask a different doctor, but they don’t have to live with the idea that they’re going to suffer for the rest of their life,” says Rainwater. His best advice, “Go look for answers.”

Tell neuropathy pain, “later alligator.” If traditional neuropathy treatments haven’t given you the pain relief you’ve been seeking, it’s time to start asking questions. YES / NO

Could I have been misdiagnosed with neuropathy? If I do have neuropathy, is poor circulation making my symptoms worse? Is medication the only option to treat neuropathy pain? If you don’t know the answer to these questions it’s time to start asking the doctors at CiC questions about how we can treat your symptoms in the comfort of one of our Valley wide locations. Call CiC today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.

(602) 954-0777 | ciccenters.com VALLEYWIDE LOCATIONS JOEL RAINWATER, MD, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

BUSINESS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

HEYDAY from page 38

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hancements like diamond tip microdermabrasion that exfoliates, tones and rejuvenates congested, dull skin, or nano infusion that smooths fine lines, boosts hydration and stimulates skin renewal. Members get 50% off these enhancements and 15% off in-store products. As a mother of two, Valdez said the brand “prioritizes self-care” and was sold on the idea once she experienced the 50-minute facial for herself. But she said the personalized approach that sets the brand apart in the billion-dollar skincare industry. “Everyone is different and we provide a very personalized skincare routine for our clients,” Valdez said. Depending on the detailed analysis of a client’s skin and skin goals, Heyday experts design a handcrafted treatment. The personalized 50-minute facial could include exfoliation, facial massage, targeted treatments, mask therapy and more, as well as education on various other products for continuing care

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may one day start a Heyday esthetician school. “I remember it was just farmland out here and now you come through here on a weekend and it’s just packed,” Miller said of Gilbert and specifically, San Tan Village. “The foot traffic here is probably bar-none of the busiest shopping centers in the Valley outside of Scottsdale.” Miller said he knows that skincare doesn’t get prioritized by men as often as it should but said living in the Arizona sun and the skin damage that causes certainly makes it a priority. Miller said men often overlook the fact that their skin is their best and most prevalent feature. The “Heyday way” provides a personalized educational experience with a thorough skin analysis to get on the right path to a healthy skincare routine, similar to going to the gym to improve one’s body. “It’s all about sticking with that routine and being consistent with it,” Miller said. “And that’s what we try to do is help people with that journey.” Heyday Skincare 2150 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert. heydayskincare.com.

OPINION

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

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Let voters decide transportation future BY JOHN W. LEWIS AND DIANE E. BROWN GSN Guest Writers

et’s start with the good news: The transportation infrastructure in Maricopa County – roads, freeways, bridges and transit – has fueled our economic momentum over the past 40 years. The transportation funding plan – known today as Proposition 400 (Prop. 400) – has been a powerful example of collaboration, compromise and coalition-building to deliver a robust, multi-modal network that provides freedom of mobility and economic opportunity. This is not an easy thing to do. If we had to rank priorities to fund transportation projects across Maricopa County, each of our lists would be different. The transportation choices of cities, towns and tribes in the region also differ from one another; yet mayors and other elected leaders from 32 cities, towns, counties, and tribes, representing more than four million voters worked together and unanimously agreed on a plan to extend this funding stream. This compromise took more than four years of work, including over 500 meetings and feedback from more than 10,000 residents. Over 100 businesses and organizations, from the PHX East Valley Partnership and WESTMARC to AARP Arizona, American Lung Association, and Arizona Public Interest Research Group (Arizona PIRG), want the voters of Maricopa County to have the opportunity to vote on this plan. Now, because Maricopa County is the only county in Arizona that needs legislative approval to call an election, it is up to the Legislature and governor to act. Here’s why they must act soon. The extension of Prop. 400 is needed to continue the success of four decades by

continuing major investments in defined freeway improvements, arterial improvements, and transit capital projects. The extension of Prop. 400 establishes a public process to ensure the short term and long-term regional needs are addressed now and into the future. Such investments include safety improvements, intersection improvements, traffic signal coordination and roadway reconstruction. Based on stakeholder feedback, the plan nearly doubles the amount the region invests in bus operations to expand the reach of bus service while also setting aside funding to test new and emerging transit markets. Simply put: the Prop. 400 extension plan provides options and freedom to get around the Valley. Without it, our region will see an exponential increase in gridlock, pollution and lost economic opportunity. In addition to transportation options, Prop. 400 is a critical economic driver. Property values within 1/4 mile of light rail appreciated 316 percent between 2000 and 2019, compared to an average of 150 percent countywide. Eighty percent of jobs in Maricopa County are within two miles of a light rail corridor or freeway. Extending Prop. 400 means high-paying job opportunities in industries including finance, healthcare, construction, and our advanced manufacturing sector. Extending Prop. 400 also means less

congestion for a region that continues to lead the country in population growth. Less congestion means improved air quality with better health and lower costs, especially for those that suffer from asthma and other respiratory illnesses. And Prop. 400 is the only dedicated funding source for ADA paratransit services for older adults and the disabled, providing transportation for individuals who may have no other options. Getting unanimous agreement from policymakers and elected officials of different political parties on major infrastructure investments rarely happens these days. If mayors and local elected leaders representing diverse communities and

interests can come together to unanimously support an all-of-the-above transportation proposal, the Legislature shouldn’t stand in the way of giving voters the opportunity to vote. Let’s get the extension of Prop. 400 to the ballot and allow Maricopa County voters to determine their own transportation future. John W. Lewis, the former mayor of Gilbert, is the President/CEO of PHX East Valley Partnership, an entity focused on improving business and quality of life in the East Valley. Diane E. Brown is the executive director of the Arizona Public Interest Research Group (Arizona PIRG) and coordinates the Coalition for Transportation Choices.

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ALA Gilbert athletics driven to succeed BY BREVAN BRANSCUM GSN Contributing Writer

fter a 9-1 regular season and a trip to the 3A state semifinals in 2021, the American Leadership Academy Gilbert North football team was hungry for more. They wanted more opportunities, better competition and most importantly, a shot at a state championship. The program was moved up to the 4A Conference, where it had those opportunities as well as a shot to qualify for the Open Division. One year after losing in the 3A state tournament, ALA Gilbert stood atop 4A as champions. “We knew we were going to win right off the first game,” junior wide receiver Brandon Phelps said. Junior wide receiver Boston Morris didn’t have quite the same confidence, but he still described the championship aspirations as an expectation as soon as athletes step on campus. “Every year we expect to win, it wasn’t a surprise,” Morris said. “It was just accomplishing what we had been preparing to do since any of us had started attending the school.” The recent history of many ALA Gilbert athletic programs shows that championship expectations are schoolwide. The success in previous years in 3A and the current 4A year spans the entirety of ALA Gilbert athletics. According to the AIA website, the 4A Conference consists of the smallest 33% of schools with student enrollment of 1,000 or more students. ALA Gilbert qualified and had a chance to jump. “We moved up because we won in football, and then we wanted to go 4A in the rest of the sports,” head football coach and Athletic Director Randy

The American Leadership Academy Gilbert athletics program has seen a rise in competitiveness despite being one of the smaller schools in the area.The football team won the 4A title in the fall and was moved up to 5A as a result alongside the volleyball program. Other programs have also moved up for the upcoming season. (Dave Minton/GSN Staff) Ricedorff said. With a student population of just under 1,200, ALA Gilbert was among the smaller programs in 4A in terms of enrollment. However, that had little impact on the school’s athletic performance. After a successful 13-4 season the year before, ALA Gilbert girls’ volleyball went 35-9 overall and 17-0 in league play before falling short in the conference semifinals. For the Eagles’ winter sports, the boys wrestling team, classified as Division III, placed state runner-up. The boys soccer team won the 3A title in 2021. In one of the best examples of the school’s championship expectations, head coach Michael Gonzalez called his team’s 17-4 season a “rebuilding year” and let his assistant coach their playoff game for practice. The standout team during the winter season was boys basketball, which

went 25-1 in the regular season overall and 17-0 in AIA play. It entered the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the new Open Division. “I know they worked super hard because they knew they had higher competition, and once I got there I worked super hard,” said Phelps, who rejoined the basketball team after missing the start of the season for football. “We always expected to win, and that’s what we did.” Even though the majority of programs in sports that use the 1A-6A conference system moved up from 3A to 4A, ALA Gilbert has one outlier: the boys volleyball team, which moved from 4A to 5A this season and is having as dominant a season as any Eagles team this year. The team made it to the quarterfinals, losing to runner-up Ironwood. The team, led by head coach Brandon Varney, didn’t lose a set in league

play. Before losing in two sets in a tournament on April 15 to American Leadership Academy Queen Creek, the team had won every set in 15 straight games dating back to March 7. “We had basically our whole team returning from last year, so we had high expectations,” assistant coach Andrew Kinney said. “We knew a state championship is our goal, and that’s what we’re doing to get there.” Following this year, ALA Gilbert boys volleyball will be joined by the football team in 5A. Even though the football team is losing star quarterback Adam Damante, who led the state in passing yards and touchdowns last season, many key players are returning, including Phelps and Morris as receivers. The duo combined to catch over half of Damante’s 4,769 passing yards and 59 touchdowns. “We’re going to come in and win and we’re going to do good next year,” Phelps said of his expectations for the team next year. Like his fellow receiver, Morris emphasized the mindset that the team has had before they won the state championship. “It’s going to be the same, we’re always expecting to win state,” Morris said. “Do the best we can and achieving that mindset and goal.” ALA Gilbert’s success in football, boys’ volleyball and many other sports is the outcome of the championship mindset. It is intertwined with the school’s reputation, which starts at the top with Ricedorff. But even he admits he couldn’t have built it by himself. “We have good kids and good coaches that are really committed,” Ricedorff said. “Our parent support is awesome, so it doesn’t come to a surprise.”

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

King Crossword Answers on page 47 ACROSS 1 Beer ingredient 5 Adj. modifier 8 Taverns 12 “The Middle” actress Heaton 14 Denny’s rival 15 Susan of “Dead Man Walking” 16 Donated 17 Business mag 18 Rose and fell on the sea 20 Chicago cagers 23 Seethe 24 God of war 25 Adirondack lake 28 Martini ingredient 29 “Star Wars” baddie 30 Pirate’s chart 32 Arabian nomad 34 Minus 35 Melodies

36 37 40 41 42 47 48 49 50 51

Blitzen’s boss Two-piece suit Jazzy style Greek vowels Revolutionary War battle Hamlet, e.g. Stumble on Winter coaster Thanksgiving veggie Section

DOWN 1 AWOL pursuers 2 Bond rating 3 USPS delivery 4 Nature walks 5 Outlet letters 6 God, in Roma 7 Eighth U.S. president 8 London landmark

9 10 11 13 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 27 29 31 33 34 36

Melville captain Peregrinate Raced Hostels Sharif of “Funny Girl” Purse “Topaz” author Sultry Horne Loses color Clerics’ robing room “So be it” Group of actors Futile Unpaid TV ad Elevated Portable PC Daytime drama

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Get your funeral planning started today by calling (480) 964-8686 33 North Centennial Way Mesa, AZ 85201 | BunkerFuneral.com

37 38 39 40

Hotel furniture Slanted type (Abbr.) Welles role Edge

43 44 45 46

Coach Parseghian Eggs Berlin’s country (Abbr.) Museum display

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

Ahwatukee Chandler Gilbert Glendale Mesa North Valley Peoria Phoenix SanTan Scottsdale Queen Creek West Valley

CLASSIFIEDS.PHOENIX.ORG To Advertise Call: 480-898-6500 or email Class@TimesLocalMedia.com PUBLIC NOTICES CALL OF ELECTION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SPECTRUM IWDD No.48 Notice is hereby given to all qualified electors of the above district that an election, to fill three vacancies on the Board of Trustees created by the expiration of the (2) year terms held by Morgan Neville, Sharon Miller, and one vacant position will be held on November 15, 2023. In order to vote in this election, a qualified elector must own real property located within the district’s taxable boundaries at least 90 days prior to the election. Persons desiring to become a candidate for the position may obtain nomination petitions from: Spectrum IWDD No. 48 2928 S Spectrum Way Gilbert, AZ 85295-6276 In order for a person’s name to appear on the ballot, nomination petitions be received no later than July 18, 2023 by: 5:00 PM at:

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ACCREDITED BUSINESS

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Voters may, at time of election, write in a candidate’s name of their choosing who has not submitted a timely nomination petition but who has submitted a nomination paper to the district ofﬁce listed above at least 40 days prior to the election.

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DATED this 19th day of June, 2023.

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING

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SUMMER IS COMING

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Morgan Neville Board of Trustees Chairman Spectrum Irrigation Water Delivery District #48 Published in East Valley Tribune May 28, 2023

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

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Cobra Plumbing LLC If water runs through it we do it!

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

PLUMBING

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ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE 44 ROC#341316

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 28, 2023

Celebrating 40 Years Serving The Valley!

BESTOF

BEST BESTOF

2022

2021

40 Years Ye ars Serving the Central al Valley Valley V

SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643

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