Class of 2021 by Times Media Group

May 27, 2021

Peoria Times - Class of 2021

Ottawa University Deer Valley Academy

Glendale Community College

Peoria Times - Class of 2021

Congratulations Class of 2021!

May 27, 2021

Proud Sponsor of the Annual Graduation Section

May 27, 2021

Peoria Times - Class of 2021

Ottawa gave him a passion for learning BY SCOTT ALBRIGHT Ottawa University

Floyd Daniels lost his job unexpectedly in 2013, when his employer closed its Phoenix office. He was 39, had worked his way up to management level with only a high school education, and was now at a crossroads. He realized education needed to be his priority, so he decided to pursue an associate’s degree in business administration and enrolled in Everest College. Nearly two years later, with only two courses left to complete his degree, Everest filed for bankruptcy in 2015 and closed all its campuses nationwide. “Needless to say, I was devastated and discouraged. I just felt hopeless,” Daniels said. “This is when I was introduced to Ottawa University’s Arizona campuses. I remember meeting with an Ottawa admissions representative, who encouraged me by saying, ‘It’s not over. Let

Floyd Daniels lost his job unexpectedly in 2013, when his employer closed its Phoenix office. (Photo courtesy of Ottawa

University)

me help you complete your degree.’ “I was defeated at the time, thinking maybe I wasn’t meant for school, so that’s exactly what I needed to hear.” Daniels took the information shared with him about Ottawa’s flexible, online adult education offerings, which included an opportunity to finish his two outstanding associate’s degree courses and a transfer opportunity to get his bachelor’s degree from Ottawa. Though he thought of taking a break, he received a call from the admissions department at Ottawa University-Arizona asking if he was ready to finish his education. “Even though I wasn’t yet convinced about my plan of action, something made me say, ‘Yes, let’s do it.’ By the summer of 2015, I was enrolled and taking my first class at OUAZ’s Phoenix campus.” At 41, Daniels was now on his way to earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was also working again, full time, putting in a minimum 55 hours per week. “There were many times I wanted to quit,” Daniels said. “I figured I made good money, so why did I need to continue? I came to the realization that this was not about the money. It was something I needed to do for myself. Not having a degree and working around many that did made me feel inadequate. This frame of mind really motivated me to push forward.” In 2017, Daniels experienced what he says was “one of the proudest moments of my life”: He walked the commencement stage after completing his bachelor’s degree. “I can remember saying, ‘God, please let me get through this,’ and, with his grace, I did,” Daniels said.

Ottawa University in Arizona has campuses in Surprise and Phoenix. (Photo courtesy of Ottawa University)

There was something inspiring about the accomplishment and his experience at Ottawa. He wanted more. “I never would have thought I’d consider pursuing another degree after what it took to get my bachelor’s,” Daniels said. “But that’s exactly what I did. In 2018, at the age of 44, I decided to take the leap once more and get my master’s in leadership from Ottawa.” Daniels completed his masters in 2019. He could have just moved on to the next chapter in his life. But he wasn’t quite finished yet. “The strangest thing happened: I enrolled yet again!” Daniels said. “This time, I am pursuing a second master’s in human resources. I’m currently in my last two classes, which I will complete at the end of April 2021 at the age of 46. “I won’t say this time that I’m done, because obviously I have developed a passion for continuing my education. Ottawa instilled that passion in me and really changed my life.” Daniels is the first and only member of his immediate family of eight to have completed any type of degree. He

said he will be forever grateful that “Ottawa took a chance on me and allowed me to live up to my potential.” “It has truly been an honor, and I sing Ottawa’s praises every opportunity I get,” Daniels said. To learn more about Ottawa University’s Arizona campuses in Phoenix and Surprise, visit ottawa.edu/ouaz or contact an enrollment adviser at 1-855-5461342 or ouazadmiss@ottawa.edu to set up an advisory session. Founded in 1865, Ottawa University has grown from a single building in Ottawa, Kansas, into a comprehensive educational institution serving more than 5,000 students online, as well as through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kansas and Surprise and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kansas; Phoenix; and Milwaukee . OUAZ in Surprise opened in August 2017 and since then has grown to more than 800 students. With its adult campus in Phoenix, Ottawa University has had a footprint in metro Phoenix since 1977, with more than 8,000 alumni. Nationwide, the university has more than 22,000 graduates. Information: ottawa.edu

Peoria Unified

Peoria Times - Class of 2021 TOP 1% OF THE SENIOR CLASS

SCHOOL DISTRICT

PUSD grads secure record amount in scholarships BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF The Peoria Unified School District’s graduating class of 2021 acquired $72,710,328 in scholarships to post-secondary institutions, making this a record year for scholarship recipients. This amount includes scholarships for vocational schools, in-state and outof-state colleges and universities, merit-based recognitions, private donor and athletic scholarships. Liberty High School celebrates a record year, with their graduates secur-

May 27, 2021

ing close to $16 million in scholarship monies. Below is a breakdown of the Peoria Unified high school scholarship amounts: • Cactus - $4,476,417. • Centennial -$15,036,471. • Ironwood - $14,866,334. • Liberty – $15,946,414. • Peoria Flex Academy - $500. • Peoria High – $6,528,536. • Raymond S. Kellis - $5,936,988. • Sunrise Mountain - $9,918,668.

Cactus High School Strider Johnston Eilona Webrand Makayla Von Burg Centennial High School Michael Whalen Cade Rogers Duy Nguyen Hussein El Ghandour Ironwood High School Madison Harr Karina Isayev Gabriel Martineau James Wright

Mehrail Lawendy Jonathan Lim Raymond S. Kellis High School Brielle Cohen Alexa Ramirez Aldama Matthew Wasko Emma Williams Sunrise Mountain High School Radu Iosifescu Ashley Livingston Alyssa Bonbaci Linda Lu

Liberty High School Alexis Young Sylvia Lopez Trista Ramirez Maressa Kennedy Jacob Ayars Melanie Benoit Peoria High School Suzanne Bigelow

Choose to make your future happen at Glendale Congratulations Seniors. Your future awaits and Glendale Community College is a great place to get started on your next journey. At GCC you get the following, and more. • Choose from hundreds of course offerings • Small class sizes taught by world class faculty • Numerous class offerings; in-person, hybrid, and online, including live-online • Affordable tuition that is thousands of dollars less than colleges and universities Register Now at enroll-gcc.com Get more info here www.gccaz.edu/fall2021

The Maricopa Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit: www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination

May 27, 2021

Peoria Times - Class of 2021

Cori Vaquera tells her class to make the little things count BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Peoria Times Executive Editor

ori Vaquera is relieved that the Peoria Unified School District returned to some sort of normalcy. She enjoyed the homecoming assembly and Spring Spirit Week. Most of all, there was her Ironwood High School graduation, where she was chosen by her peers to speak. “Seniors have a form to fill out, and

we get to vote for a senior speaker,” she said. “I was chosen as that.” In her speech, Cori asked her peers to not take anything for granted and to make even the small moments count. “This past year was hard on me, personally,” Cori said. “At the beginning of the pandemic, I felt upset because I was losing so much.” She took that anxiety and used it to improve the well-being of her class-

mates. Cori helped plan student-related, uplifting activities. “A lot of what I do is to make other people happy,” she said. “I wanted to try to keep everybody out of a negative mindset. I tend to pile a lot on my plate. I find peace in doing things for other people.” Cori plans to attend Paradise Valley Community College while she decides her major. Her options are film, TV sports broadcasting or

Meet Our Valedictorian YES, WE’RE OPEN!

graphic design. “I am a really big sports fan,” Cori said. “I love pro sports. I’m a big Cardinals, Sun and Chiefs fan. I loved being a part of sports at school.” Cori played volleyball for about 10 years and served as captain for the varsity volleyball team. “I am a big fan of Patrick Mahomes because of his personality and talent,” she said. “I want to find success like that.”

Surprise 15332 W. Bell Rd, Suite 121 Surprise , AZ 85374 • (623) 200-5441 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun closed nothingbundtcakes.com/bakery/az/surprise Glendale 5890 W Thunderbird Rd, Suite 101 Glendale, AZ 85306 • (602) 938-9866 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun closed nothingbundtcakes.com/bakery/az/glendale Goodyear 13824 W McDowell Rd, Suite 106 Goodyear, AZ 85395 • (623) 547-7415 Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun closed nothingbundtcakes.com/bakery/az/goodyear

NothingBundtCakes.com

Peoria Times - Class of 2021

May 27, 2021

‘Discipline’ helped James Wright find success BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

“… a lot of people can be successful. You just have to discipline yourself and work on a schedule to be productive.”

Peoria Times Executive Editor

ames Wright, who graduated in the top 1% of his class at Ironwood High School, has a theory about his success. “It took discipline,” James said. “I find that a lot of people can be successful. You just have to discipline yourself and work on a schedule to be productive.” He said he’s been disciplined from a young age. James wanted to — and was required to — get his work done. He’ll carry that over to ASU, where he will study finance. “I really like numbers,” he said. “I’m good in math. I really want to go into a super math-heavy field, like a mathematician. “Plus, I figured with finance, there are a lot of opportunities to make money.” James credited his teachers for

James Wright graduated in the top 1% of his class at Ironwood High School. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

Congratulations 2021 Graduating Seniors! GLENDALE

6020 W. Bell Rd., Ste. E101, Glendale, AZ 85308

602-439-4242 • sales.194@fastsigns.com

showing him how to be a critical thinker through classes like International Baccalaureate physics, math, English, history, psychology and Spanish. A Sun City West resident, James balanced his schoolwork with sports and extracurricular activities. He pitched for the baseball team. He served as treasurer of the National Honor Society and vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America. “I find that people waste a lot of time — even myself,” he said. “However, I don’t have a ton of free time. I want to do something valuable with that time.”

Serving the Valley for 25+ years! Promote your products and services with the right signs and visual graphics!

Peoria Times - Class of 2021

May 27, 2021

Mehrail Lawendy finds peace after bullying BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

“Emigrating to a new country, it’s difficult. My church was my biggest support system. I learned how to speak up for myself. I just surround myself with like-minded individuals.”

Peoria Times Executive Editor

hen 10-year-old Mehrail Lawendy emigrated to the United States from Egypt, she quickly learned that kids can be mean. Even though Mehrail learned English at an American school in Egypt, Arizona’s dialect and slang were different. She struggled to understand her classmates and share her feelings. “I was bullied,” said Mehrail, who lives in Glendale. “My self-esteem went down.” However, she had the ultimate revenge — she vowed to rise above, feel better and be social. As a result, she graduated in the top 1% of her class at Peoria High School. “If you learn English in any other country and come here, English is still different,” she said. “That was kind of a shock to me.” Still, Mehrail built a foundation her

Mehrail Lawendy moved to the United States from Egypt at age 10. (Photo by

Tim Sealy)

freshman year through the slew of clubs she joined — knitting, marching band, color guard, band and ROTC among them. Mehrail picked up the vibraphone, which she loved, but her junior year, she had to drop out of band because of her schedule. “I didn’t really choose it,” she said. “I just went with the flow. Overall, I just wanted to be outgoing. It’s in my nature.” Thanks to those clubs, her friends, church (St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in Peoria) and family, Mehrail created the support system she needed. “I spend most of my time at church and with my family and friends,” she said. “I try to keep that family and school balance.”

Open Enrollment 9-12 Charter High School

Mehrail will take those skills to UA, where she will study biomedical engineering, with the goal of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. She had a taste of it in high school as part of the Medical, Engineering and Technology (MET) Professional Academy. She’s looking forward to the future and wouldn’t trade her experiences. “Emigrating to a new country, it’s difficult,” she said. “My church was my biggest support system. I learned how to speak up for myself. I just surround myself with like-minded individuals. “I met new people who were also immigrants. We shared our stories and I found peace. Nobody should be bullied.”

since 2001

SUMMER SESSION July 6-July 30,2021

FALL SESSION

starts August 16,2021

Deer Valley Academy 2710 W. Bell Rd. #1221 Phoenix, AZ 85053

Afternoon and evening high school classes are offered in a small and caring learning environment. A comprehensive selection of courses that meet College and Career Standards are provided.

• Year-Round Calendar • Six Entry Dates Per Year • Graduation Requirements: 22 Credits

Peoria Times - Class of 2021

May 27, 2021

AN ORGANIZED HOME IS A HAPPY HOME Add space to your kitchen and time to your busy schedule with ShelfGenie’s custom pull-out shelves installed in your existing cabinets.

50% OFF INSTALLATION*

*Limit one offer per household. Must purchase 5+ Classic/Designer Shelves. EXP 6/30/21

Schedule Your FREE Design Consultation:

(855) 227-0135

Hours: Mon - Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 10am - 4pm EST