21 minute read
COMMUNITY
TheMesaTribune.com | @EVTNow /EVTNow
New director has big ideas for i.d.e.a. Museum
5 Mesa seniors vying for Flinn Scholarships
BY SRIANTHI PERERA
Tribune Contributor
Jarrad Bittner seems to be tailor-made to run Mesa’s i.d.e.a. Museum. His informal and formal education is a happy blend of the arts and entrepreneurship. He has family ties to Arizona. His personality is youthful and upbeat.
In Wisconsin, where he headed that state’s oldest children museum, he took over its reins during a challenging time with a negative cash balance and declining membership but managed to turn things around admirably and even spearhead a renovation.
“It’s just like what the next phases are for the i.d.e.a. Museum. It’s really exciting to be a part of this project,” said Bittner, who became director of Arizona’s foremost children’s art museum last August, replacing Sunnee O’Rork.
The i.d.e.a. Museum is a hands-on art museum for children and families to experience art, creativity and imagination. Its exhibitions and activities support early learning, nurture creative thinking, and engage families in quality time together.
Founded in 1978, it’s owned by the City of Mesa and supported by the i.d.e.a. Museum Foundation.
During the 2018 general election, a proposed bond of $5 million passed to benefit the museum. With a goal to renovate and build out the facility, it’s in the middle of a quiet phase of a capital campaign.
Some parts of the planned renovations,
seeIDEA page 16
Jarrad Bittner was raised with the arts and is happy to direct i.d.e.a. Museum in Mesa.
(Srianthi Perera/Tribune Contributor)
BY DANA TRUMBULL
Tribune Staff Writer
Five Mesa students are among the 39 finalists who are in the final round of interviews as they vie for 20 prestigious Flinn Scholarships valued at more than $120,000 each.
Emily Delabarra, Autumn Fairbanks, Natasha Kiriluk, Lydia Pastore and Bradley Reese will interview with the selection committee in March and the Flinn Foundation will announce the 2022 Flinn Scholars in April.
A record-breaking 1,095 applications were submitted this year.
Criteria for selecting Flinn Scholars go beyond grade-point averages and class ranking, though applicants should be in the top 5% of the class. Evaluators look for students who are highly motivated and deeply involved in extracurricular activities and community service, assuming leadership roles at school and beyond.
“All of the 39 Flinn Finalists are very deserving of the Flinn Scholarship. We are impressed with this diverse group of extremely bright and talented students who are working to better their schools, local communities and the state of Arizona,” said Anne Lassen, Flinn Foundation vice president of scholarship and education initiatives. “A difficult choice lies ahead for our selection committee.”
Scholarships include funding for full tuition at one of Arizona’s three public state universities, plus housing, meals and two tours abroad for study.
Four other Mesa students were selected as semi-finalists, but did not move on to the final round of interviews. In this competition, though, even the runners up are recognized for their achievements.
So, Sara Enright, Roosevelt Moore, Elisabeth Pendergrass and Danica Rauch are eligible to receive specially designated scholarships from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University or the University of Arizona.
Here’s a look at the Mesa residents vying to become a Flinn Scholar and what they told the Tribune about their activities.
Emily Delabarra
The daughter of Elizabeth Arndt, Emily attends Gilbert High School and wants to study biomedical engineering or pediatrics in college.
“In my free time I love to bake. I even run my own small baking business. I also teach kids to play bass guitar. I volunteer with Special Olympics through my church, and I am a part of multiple clubs, but president of two clubs that organize freshman orientation and community service opportunities.”
She recently organized a fundraiser Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s bio-behavioral unit. She’s on the varsity badminton team and placed second in state finals in the doubles category.
“Honestly, my biggest motivation, is the people around me,” she said, crediting her mother as her role model. “But the people that I find most motivat-
such as improvements to the atrium and creation of ADA accessibility, are already in process. A new exhibition – “Imagine, Design, Build!” – focuses on the art and science of designing buildings and structures and is due to open soon.
Asked if he is happy in his new role, Bittner said: “I love it.”
“Every day I get more energy coming into the museum,” he said. “We have this phenomenal team here. Downtown, the institution, the bond, the campaign, how we really have to rethink and transform ourselves with COVID happening and how we can support families and schools.
“There’s a lot going on and it’s really energizing to be a part of all that,” he added.
Bittner is here with his wife Kate, who left an administrative position in a university in Wisconsin to move to Arizona. They are temporarily living in Chandler but have plans to move closer to Mesa’s hub.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Bittner has a background in visual arts and music.
“My father passed away the year I was born,” he said. “Mom made this decision to quit everything that she was doing to focus on us kids. She was an artist herself and she used art as a healing tool for us kids. I was constantly surrounded by paints, by markers, crayons, we had a kiln, so we were working with ceramics, so the arts were really how I grew up.”
At college in Wisconsin later, he studied for a degree in music. Upon completion, he worked in administration and taught in the music education department. He taught brass techniques, a course where college students learn the fundamentals of different brass instruments. He also gave lessons in tuba – his main instrument – and piano.
“That experience as a musician and all that I learned as a musician is so critical to what I’ve been able to do in my career. It’s brought so many skills that are relevant to the business industry,” he said.
At Arizona State University, he was on a trajectory to lead an arts-based institution and the goal was to pursue a three-pronged master’s program: music performance, how to lead an arts-based institution and entrepreneurship. He participated in a program with League of American Orchestras and was also working with The Phoenix Symphony.
But during the last semester of his music degree, he left Arizona as he accepted a position to run the Building for Kids Children’s Museum in Appleton, Wisconsin.
“It was a challenging time for the institution: we had a negative cash balance and we continually dropped the impact and the number of individuals that we served,” he said.
Bittner oversaw a several million-dollar campaign, renovated a 3,000-squarefoot facility and expanded it. During his six-year tenure, he transformed the organization for the better.
Thus, when he heard of the vacancy at the i.d.e.a. museum, he found it opportune.
“From being a part of this city that’s even bigger than just this institution, to being a part of this city, to being able to play into the city goals and to support different departments,” he said his position’s overall goals, “it’s really incredible what we get to do here.”
The interview process for the coveted job was extensive. After applying for the position in March, he went through five rounds of interviews with multiple panels – and flew to Mesa for the final meeting with the team. This was during a difficult phase of the pandemic, and hence unique, also.
Bittner acknowledges the challenges inevitable to any new job.
The pandemic looms as one. The museum prides itself in being a hands-on experience. It’s aimed at young kids who are not vaccinated due to their age group. The kids also may not understand the concept of social distancing.
FINN from page 15
ing, are the people that I haven’t met yet. I am able to find peace telling myself, ‘You have to keep going, because there is still someone out there who hasn’t met you, and you will make a positive impact on their life.’”
Autumn Fairbanks
A senior at Skyline High School and daughter of Kristie and Jeff Fairbanks, Autumn has her sights set on ASU to study special education.
At school she is in honors band, cross country, track, National Honor Society and Film Critique Club and is also part of Skyline’s Coyote Connection Leaders group, which provides freshmen tours, peer mentoring and food drives.
“My most rewarding activity was being an aid for a special education class at my school,” Autumn said. “This class increased my communication skills and taught me a lot about compassion. Additionally, it opened my eyes to my current career goal: being a special education teacher.”
She credits her math teacher Jesse Ruiz as being the most influential teacher, but added, “My teachers and peers at school help motivate me. I can always find cheerful encouragement from them, along with academic support. Without the amazing friends I have made, I wouldn’t be half as motivated as I am today.”
Natasha Kiriluk
A Westwood High student and daughter of Radmila Stojanovic and Christopher Kiriluk, Natasha wants to study political science to prepare for a career in public policy or law.
“From some of the local government experience I’ve had, it’s been a lot of fun and I want to keep pursuing that,” she said. “Politics and government are an
THE MESA TRIBUNE | JANUARY 23, 2022
“How can we create safe environments that are fun, unique, educational for our visitors and our staff? That’s definitely a challenge,” Bittner said.
Retaining staff is also a challenge in this environment.
A number of policies and procedures have been created to create the most healthy, friendly, family-oriented environment, including an updated filtration system and nightly electro sanitizing of the entire museum.
He also has to oversee many construction projects during a time of rising building material costs and supply chain issues.
Fundraising for the projects is not complete either, and he is pursuing some foundational gifts with long term donors before the public process and community involvement begins.
The basic legwork for all these areas were in place when he took over.
Bittner is struck by the longevity of the i.d.e.a. museum and its particular focus on the arts.
“It’s really exciting to have that history and to be a part of the first children’s museum that had a focus on the arts,” he said. “I was raised on the arts and arts was used to engage my family and to build my family. To see it happening here and to be a part of it here, that’s really meaningful to me.” ■
outlet for me to help my community on issues that affect them, and I find it really satisfying.”
She is involved in the National Honor Society and INTERACT (a Rotary youth organization) and the Governor’s Youth Commission, where she is working in a group to address substance abuse among youth and Academic Decathlon. She is the president of the school’s Model United Nations chapter and organized a conference for Westwood.
Natasha said she also loves playing music. “I’ve been playing piano since I was 4 and violin since I was 9. It’s such a huge part of my life and usually where I go to relax from a hectic schedule.”
Overall, she added, “others motivate me greatly to succeed, mainly because I want to succeed for others and not really myself. Knowing that I can help my community, my family, or friends is more than enough motivation to push me down the path I want to go.”
THE MESA TRIBUNE | JANUARY 23, 2022 FINN from page 16
Lydia Pastore
A senior at Red Mountain High and daughter of Delphine and John Pastore, Lydia is ranked first in her class and plans to major in neuroscience and cognitive science “with an emphasis in philosophy of mind” and a minor in public health with the ultimate goal of becoming a physician. She is involved in HOSA (Future Health Professionals) and is president of that group's Red Mountain chapter and vice president of the state organization. She recently placed second internationally for the Biomedical Laboratory Science Competition and first in the state.
“To further explore my passion for medicine, I have participated in various shadowing experiences, in addition to completing the Summer and Saturday Scrubs programs twice at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix,” she said.
For the majority of her junior year, she said, I was afflicted with post-viral syndrome as a result of Long Haul COVID-19. To extend care and compassion to others suffering from the illness. I created the platform Chronic Connections, an international support group that has reached kids in over 12 countries. (chronicconnections.org). "As the CEO of this organization, I have partnered with various media organizations in England (The Lancet Medical Journal), South Africa, France and Italy to promote the implementation of safer public health measures in middle and high schools.”
As a youth advisor for the AizonaCommunity Engagement Alliance Against COVID-19 Disparities, she has partnered with the Center for Health Equity research at Northern Arizona University and board members from the Mayo Clinic and NIH “to advocate for the forgotten patient population of chronically ill adolescents.”
“These experiences have strengthened my desire to pursue a career in medicine alongside an education in public policy, as I hope to help continue to dismantle the stigma surrounding chronic illness in teens,” she added.
Bradley Reece
A senior at Faith Christian High School, Bradley hopes to major in political science and governor.
The president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter, he also is founder and president of Engaged Arizona (engagedaz.org), a voter registration-related nonprofit and has been active in various political campaigns and with the Democratic Party. ■
GOT NEWS?
Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@ timespublications.com
Would your big bank even miss you?
Bank where you’re more than just a number.
46 4K TVs • Hear every game w/Audio Everywhere • Whiskey Bar • Local Craft Beers • Daily Food & Drink Specials
Scottsdale | 101 & McKellips | CasinoArizona.com | 480.850.7777
5901 E McKellips Rd, Suite 104 • Mesa Southwest corner of McKellips Rd and Recker Rd 480-807-7500 • WESTERNBANKS.COM
SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
AZ residents scramble to get last Walking Liberty Rolls
ARIZONA - Once Arizona residents got wind that Arizona State Restricted Bank Rolls filled with Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s were being handed over, there was a mad dash to get them. That’s because some of these U.S. Gov’t issued silver coins are already worth hundreds in collector value. “It’s like a run on the banks. The phones are ringing off the hook. That’s because everyone is trying to get them before they’re all gone,” according to officials at the National Mint and Treasury who say they can barely keep up with all the orders. In fact, they had to impose a strict limit of 4 Arizona State Restricted Bank Rolls. So, if you get the chance to get your hands on these State Restricted Bank Rolls you better hurry because hundreds of Arizona residents already have and you don’t want to miss out. You see, the U.S. Gov’t stopped minting these Silver Walking Liberties in 1947 and there can never be any more which makes them extremely collectible. And here’s the best part. The rolls are unsearched so there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value. That’s why at just the $39 state minimum set by National Mint and Treasury it’s a deal too good to pass up. But you better hurry because these Arizona State Restricted Bank Rolls are the only ones known to exist and Arizona residents are grabbing them up as fast as they can. That’s because they make amazing gifts for children, grandchildren and loved ones. Just imagine the look on their face when you hand them one of the State Restricted Rolls — they’ll tell everyone they know what you did for them.
■ GOT ‘EM: Residents all across Arizona who get their hands on these State Restricted Silver Walking Liberty Bank Rolls are definitely showing them off. That’s because they are the only ones known to exist. And here’s the best part, these Bank Rolls are loaded with U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberty coins some dating back to the early 1900’s and worth up to 100 times their face value so everyone wants them. Last State Restricted Silver Walking Liberty Bank Rolls go to Arizona residents
Arizona residents get first dibs on last remaining Bank Rolls loaded with U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value for the next 2 days STATE DISTRIBUTION: A strict limit of 4 State Restricted Bank Rolls per AZ resident has been imposed
ARIZONA - “It’s a miracle these State Restricted Bank Rolls even exist. That’s why Hotline Operators are bracing for the flood of calls,” said Laura Lynne, U.S. Coin and Currency Director for the National Mint and Treasury.
For the next 2 days the last remaining State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties are actually being handed over to Arizona residents who call the State Toll-Free Hotlines listed in today’s newspaper publication.
“National Mint and Treasury recently spoke with its Chief Professional Numismatist who said ‘Very few people have ever actually seen one of these rarely seen Silver Walking Liberties issued by the U.S. Gov’t back in the early 1900’s. But to actually find them sealed away in State Restricted Bank Rolls is like finding buried treasure. So anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Bank Rolls had better hold on to them,’” Lynne said.
“Now that the State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls are being offered up we
ENLARGED TO SHOW DETAIL: year varies 1916-1947 LAST REMAINING: minted in philadelphia, denver & san francisco
RARELY SEEN: minted by the u.s. mint in the early 1900’s
(Continued from previous page) won’t be surprised if thousands of Arizona residents claim the maximum limit allowed of 4 Bank Rolls per resident before they’re all gone,” said Lynne.
“That’s because after the Bank Rolls were loaded with 15 rarely seen Silver Walking Liberties, each verified to meet a minimum collector grade of very good or above, the dates and mint marks of the U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars sealed away inside the State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls have never been searched. But, we do know that some of these coins date clear back to the early 1900’s and are worth up to 100 times their face value, so there is no telling what Arizona residents will find until they sort through all the coins,” Lynne went on to say.
And here’s the best part. If you are a resident of the state of Arizona you cover only the $39 per coin state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury, that’s fifteen rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties worth up to 100 times their face value for just $585 which is a real steal because non state residents must pay $118 per coin which totals $1,770 if any coins remain after the 2-day deadline.
The only thing Arizona residents need to do is call the State Toll-Free Hotlines printed in today’s newspaper publication before the 2-day order deadline ends.
“Rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued silver coins like these are highly sought after, but we’ve never seen anything like this before. According to The Official Red Book, a Guide Book of United States Coins many Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars are now worth $40 - $825 each in collector value,” Lynne said. “We’re guessing thousands of Arizona residents will be taking the maximum limit of 4 Bank Rolls because they make such amazing gifts for any occasion for children, parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones,” Lynne continued.
“We know the phones will be ringing off the hook. That’s why hundreds of Hotline Operators are standing by to answer the phones beginning at 8:30 am this morning. We’re going to do our best, but with just 2 days to answer all the calls it won’t be easy. So make sure to tell everyone to keep calling if all lines are busy. We’ll do our best to answer them all.” Lynne said.
The only thing readers of today’s newspaper publication need to do is make sure they are a resident of the state of Arizona and call the National Toll-Free Hotlines before the 2-day deadline ends midnight tomorrow. ■
HOW TO CLAIM THE LAST STATE RESTRICTED BANK ROLLS
FACTS: If you are a Arizona State Resident read the important information below about claiming the State Silver Bank Rolls, then call the State Toll-Free Hotline at 8:30 am: 1-800-979-3771 EXT:
RWB3645
Are these Silver Walking Liberties worth more than other half dollars:
How do I get the State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls:
Yes. These U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties were minted in the early 1900’s and will never be minted again. That makes them extremely collectible. The vast majority of half dollars minted after 1970 have no silver content at all and these Walking Liberties were one of the last silver coins minted for circulation. That’s why many of them now command hundreds in collector value so there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.
How much are State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls worth:
It’s impossible to say, but some of these U.S Gov’t issued Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s are worth up to 100 times the face value and there are 15 in each Bank Roll so you better hurry if you want to get your hands on them. Collector values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees. But we do know they are the only Arizona State Silver Bank Rolls known to exist and Walking Liberties are highly collectible so anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Silver Bank Rolls should hold onto them because there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.
Why are so many Arizona residents claiming them:
Because they are the only State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls known to exist and everyone wants their share. Each Bank Roll contains a whopping 15 Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value. Best of all Arizona residents are guaranteed to get them for the state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury of just $39 per Silver Walking Liberty for the next two days.
Arizona residents are authorized to claim up to the limit of 4 State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls by calling the State Toll Free Hotline at 1-800-979-3771 Ext. RWB3645 starting at precisely 8:30 am this morning. Everyone who does is getting the only State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls known to exist. That’s a full Bank Roll containing 15 Silver Walking Liberties from the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value for just the state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury of just $39 per Silver Walking Liberty, which is just $585 for the full Bank Rolls and that’s a real steal because non state residents are not permitted to call before 5 pm tomorrow and must pay $1,770 for each Arizona State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Roll if any remain.
R1043R-5
NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. MINT, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, A BANK OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM SHIPMENT YOU ARE DISSATISFIED, RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS SHIPPING AND RETURN POSTAGE. THIS SAME OFFER MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE OR IN A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, PO BOX 35609, CANTON, OH 44735 ©2021 NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY.
