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Supporters give Mesa schools ‘heart attacks’

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Tribune Staff Writer

AMesa mother last week brought the community together to show appreciation for teachers, administrators and board members amid the struggles in the pandemic by launching a series of “heart attacks” at schools and a district of�ice building.

But these “heart attacks” didn’t require paramedics. They comprised hundreds of paper hearts with messages of support that were taped around the entranceways of various schools.

Jenn Greer, whose son attends MarjoRoser is now offering buttons to anyone in need

She made it simple; email her a photo that rie Entz Elementary School, took to social media to drum up volunteers for the “heart attacking.”

She wanted students and parents at their respective schools to show their appreciation for the work teachers have done to help students during Mesa Public Schools’ �irst few weeks of remote learning.

The initiative quickly gained traction on social media over the weekend, with several hundred families taking part at

Children and parents festooned a number of Mesa schools last week to support teacherds and the Governing Board amid the ongoing war of words between supporters and opponents of reopening campuses. The “heart attacks” were organized by Jenifer Greer, in the photo on the right, who is fl anked by daughter Tessa, 12, and son Conner, 9. In the photo on the left, Lillian Mead, 12, writes messages to teachers at the same district building at 549 N. Stapley Road. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Sta Photographer)

several district schools.

The initiative drew praise from Governing Board President Elaine Miner, who told the Tribune she was heartened by the effort on two levels: the show of support for teachers and staff and the attempt to bring some unity to the district after weeks of sometimes heated debate between supporters and opponents of reopening campuses.

On Aug. 24, Greer and others gathered at the district of�ice to show their appreciation for district of�icials and the Governing Board for their many hours of work on plans for reopening campuses once state and county health benchmarks favor it.

“I have my own opinion on the situation,” Greer said, “but I wanted to invite the community to make hearts to show our appreciation and support for the district. We want to show them we miss them.”

Greer said she doesn’t let her own opinions cloud her judgement about the district’s efforts.

Her “heart attacking” was inspired by Miner’s closing remarks at an Aug. 19 board meeting that called attention to the community divide over reopening and some of the harsh comments made on social media about teachers, administrators and board members.

���HEARTS ���� 11

Photographer’s Button Project spreads smiles

BY STACI HAUK

Tribune Contributor

School picture day is often synonymous with Grand Photography – a family- and veteran-owned studio in Gilbert.

Gail Roser specializes in spreading smiles from her studio and when the pandemic hit home, she decided it was time to give back.

She started the Button Project , donating 100 buttons to East Valley healthcare workers that had a photo of their face on them so that people could see who was behind their facemasks.

Roser said the goal was to make sure everyone can see a smile even though it’s behind a mask.

she printed in-house and then crafted the buttons from her studio.

The feedback has been so astounding that “What I have seen happen in the last

– from teachers to childcare workers to Realtors.

“The button project started here at Grand when a post came through my social media feed, showcasing a healthcare worker and her ‘button’ to show her cheerful face to patients,” Roser explained. “Due to COVID-19, I had been shut down since March and needed a positive project to use my skills and lift my spirits.”

Instead of focusing on the hardships she had run into, Roser focused on the hardships that medical personnel were facing.

“My new mindset was – if I lose my company

Gilbert photographer Gail Roser started her Button Project as a way to give back to the community during a trying time. (Courtesy of Grand Photography/Gail Roser)

THE MESA TRIBUNE | AUGUST 30, 2020 COMMUNITY 3 Mesa seniors, 302 years among them

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

Three residents of Broadway Mesa Village A Senior Living are celebrating birthdays totaling 302 years.

Vivian Bickford and Sophie Steitz and are both turning 102 years old tomorrow and Sept. 9, respectively, Richard Anderson has a little ctaching up to do: He turned 98 on Aug. 27.

“Not many can say they are starting their terrible 2s again,” joked Teresa Hadley, enrichment director at Broadway Mesa Village. Probably like her �irst “terrible 2,” Vivian is a ball of energy.

“She zooms through our halls with cane in hand, stopping from time to time to visit and encourage people to come to activities,” Hadley said. “She tries to come to everything we offer, even if she feels she isn’t good at it.

Hadley said during exercises, “I marvel at how far she can get her knee up to her chin. Whatever the task is, she tries to double it, outdo it, and conquer it.”

Added Vivian: “I start my day out with a full cup of water and then off I go.”

Hadley said Vivian’s “biggest passion is following Christ” and that “she would love it if more people came to Bible Study and worship services.”

HEARTS ���� ���� 10

few weeks and months is a division,” Miner said. “It frightens me. It’s very disconcerting on many levels … We don’t want the parents to feel like the teachers are working against them to get back in school. We are dealing with a lot of challenges right now and going back to school is something that is in the normal.”

Greer said, “When I heard that mesBUTTONS ���� ���� 10 due to this pandemic, I’m going to go out while giving back!” Kara Miles, a certi�ied nursing assistant in Banner Baywood Medical Center’s intensive care unit, appreciated the button.

“I work in the intensive care unit where most patients are on ventilators and are very

VIVIAN BICKFORD

Sophie is the third oldest of 12 children and she and her baby sister are the only surviving members of that brood.

But she hasn’t forgotten growing up in a household �illed with children.

“Sweet Sophie has a heart of gold,” said Hadley. “When she speaks about her young years, she remembers being the �irst one up in the morning to start the �ire to get the house warm. Washing clothes on a wash board, hanging them on the line to dry, then that huge job of ironing were chores she remembers doing.”

Sophie too doesn’t act her age – or rath

sage, I went to bed feeling frustrated because of my personal feelings wanting a decision to be made but I was also sad and felt humbled,” Greer said.

“We need to come together as a community and share love for our teachers and love for Mesa Public Schools,” she told the Tribune. “Actions speak louder than words.”

Last Monday, she traveled to six of the district’s schools and placed hearts on the buildings. Later that evening, she was anxious when they wake up,” Miles said.

“My button allows them to put a face to my name badge and be more comfortable when they are awake and alert. This project is such a great idea and I am so thankful for Gail being so generous and doing it for the frontline heroes.”

A former UNIX IT Administrator for Charles Schwab and Motorola, Roser

SOPHIE STEITZ

er how one might think someone her age would be able to act.

Though she has some sight issues, Hadley said, “it doesn’t stop her from regularly playing horse races, Bingo and Word Explosion – some of her favorite Broadway Mesa Village activities.”

A veteran who served aboard the USS Indianapolis in WWII, which delivered the parts for the atomic bomb used on Hiroshima, Richard “is very good with his hands” who builds intricate models of naval ships and planes.

“He’s coming to our calligraphy classes

joined by as many as 100 parents and children who did the same at the district of�ice where board meetings typically take place.

Many of the colored hearts included heartfelt messages of support. Greer said in the short time this initiative has been going on, she has already received several messages from teachers and board members thanking her for showing appreciation.

Greer said she hopes to continue shifted to a career as a photographer in 2002 with a primary focus on high volume school portraits, youth sports team photos, senior and family portraits, headshots and more.

She worked with a partner for a few years before buying the company outright and becoming the sole owner.

“As a small veteran owned business, this

RICHARD ANDERSON

to learn a new skill at 98,” Hadley added. “Whenever you visit Richard, he’s always got a treat to share. Sometimes it’s a piece of apple pie he’s made from his family’s secret recipe. He’s very patient and shows this quality most when he’s teaching someone how to play pool.

“With a wink and a smile, he’ll slip you a witty joke once in a while. If you can get him to tell you, he has one of the most interesting stories about his naval experience with the Indianapolis. Richard is well liked and a special member of our Broadway Mesa Village family.”  “heart attacking” more schools across the district.

“This is about love,” Greer said. “When Elaine Miner, the president of the board shared her �inal thoughts, you can’t help but listen to her words and not hear what she’s saying. She’s human and it hurts.

“This is important to me as an individual that I can share my personal feelings and stand up for what I believe in, but I can also promote love. That’s more im

portant.”  has been a very stressful time,” she said. “If I have to shut my doors due to loss of business with schools and youth sports not yet opening, then at least I know I did something nice, that made people happy during their own stressful times.”

Information: grandphotollc.com, grandphotollc@gmail.com, 480-632-

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