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Desert Mountain grad a Presidential Scholar
BY KRISTINE CANNON
Progress Staff Writer
Desert Mountain High School graduate Jake Okun has been named one of 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education.
“I am more than honored to be named a 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholar and to represent Desert Mountain High School, Scottsdale Unified School District and the state of Arizona,” said Jake, one of this year’s 161 Presidential Scholars.
One of the nation’s highest honors for high school seniors, Presidential Scholars are cited for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.
“Jake is an amazing young man and is so humble,” said Desert Mountain Principal Dr. Lisa Hirsch. “I think he won be
Desert Mountain High School graduate Jake Jake was named one of 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education (CTE). (Courtesy of SUSD/Jake Jake)
cause he is a learner. He takes feedback, really listens and puts his best foot forward. I really admire him.”
Hirsch also said in a release that she wouldn’t be surprised if he wins a Nobel Prize for his work in robotics someday.
“I really admire him,” Hirsch added.
Jake’s achievements run long.
Not only did the 18-year-old lead Desert Mountain’s robotics team to numerous competition titles, he also created state and national awardwinning graphic design works and is considered one of the most accomplished members of Scottsdale Unified School District’s Class of 2020.
The Scottsdale teen, a junior at Chaparral High School, was a member of state Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman’s Student Advisory Board – which played a role in the formation of the 35-page guidance document for reopening schools in Arizona.
And overall, Kate thinks the document reflects students’ concerns.
She also indicated they had other concerns that go beyond reopening. Those largely remain with the Legislature.
“Having viewed the reopening guidelines, I would have to say that, by and large, those guidelines were shaped by
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Chaparral student helped state with school reopening plan
BY PAUL MARYNIAK
Progress Executive Editor
At age 15, Kate McDowell has developed a keen interest in public policy – and had the rare opportunity to contribute to it.
medical decisions,” Kate told the Progress. “However, our student advisory group did recommend that an emphasis be placed on student mental health, especially for younger students who were more stressed by the upheaval. "The guidelines put out by Kathy address that concern. They encourage schools to be watching and assessing students who appear to be under stress.”
Between the way the 2019-20 school year ended with a three-month shutdown and the uncertainties that hover over the coming year, she indicated, that stress is not likely to end quickly.
For Kate, it’s not so much a matter of stress as it is a concern for both the health of her classmates and teachers –and the future of public education.
“I do worry that students will not follow guidelines to wear masks,” said Kate, who also is a member of Chaparral Student Government and the Scottsdale Mayor’s Youth Council.
Kate McDowell of Scottsdale enjoyed her time as a student advisor. (Jennifer McDowell/Special to the Progress)
“Jake has excelled at everything he sets his mind to. It has been an honor these past four years, watching him become the man that he is,” said CTE instructor Bernie Fritts, one of Jake’s mentors. “
Fritts helped hone Jake’s skills in the graphic design and advertising art courses he teaches at Desert Mountain.
Jake contributed more than 1,800 hours of community service to the high school’s clubs and causes, including volunteering for STEM programs and hosting technology device workshops for senior citizens.
In addition to playing an instrument role in establishing, funding, and mentoring student robotics teams around the
“There is zero possibility that we can maintain social distancing in my classes as they stand currently,” she explained. “I have had an average of over 30 students in every class I have attended since fifth grade. Additionally, I doubt that students would have the ability to wash their hands, even before eating, at a large high school like Chaparral.
“While I am not concerned for my own health, I do have some teachers that would fall into the high-risk group. I would rather those teachers go to online rather than retire. I personally, am willing to adjust my schedule and expectations to work around the needs of staff.”
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As Scottsdale Unified continues to work on its reopening plan, Kate has other concerns as well – especially about what school will look like when campuses reopen.
“My chief concerns are that while older at-risk teachers at the high school level can feasibly teach online until the danger has passed, that is less do
able for older or immunocompromised teachers at the elementary school level,” she said.
As for emotional health, she said, “I haven’t heard any student express fears or anxiety for themselves but they are concerned for their parents and teachers.”
She evoked mixed feelings about the new normal that likely will prevail at her school and most others come the start of the 2020-21 year.
“I love attending football games at Chaparral. But, the student section, known as The Bird Cage, is packed like sardines,” she said. “If you didn’t bring a water bottle with you, you are going to be thirsty because you cannot move to go purchase anything. "I cannot see how we could ‘socially distance’ at a football game. Perhaps they could limit the number of attendees but that seems so depressing.”
“Like our large class sizes, there is no feasible way to maintain social distance in our inside corridors,” she continued. “I suppose, you could have the classrooms closest to the doors exit first and then evacuate class by class. But you would be taking up quite a bit of time during pass periods, further limiting time that students can wait to wash their hands.
“Honestly, if students go back to school, the real answer is that there is no way students can maintain social distancing,” she said. “I think the only reasonable thing we can expect is that students might be persuaded to wear masks.”
Kate also takes the bigger picture into her view.
“I think that Arizona schools will open whether it is feasible or not,” she said. “The economy was shut down, not just by the stay-at-home orders but by parents needing to be home to provide child care. This highlights the importance of our public schools.
“I think we can all see that you cannot maintain a strong economy without our schools providing childcare as well
SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | JUNE 14, 2020 as an education. I fear that the efforts wanted to know their experience with schools will be forced to put into havonline learning. ing us return will further lessen our re“By and large, the students on the sources. We were already underfunded committee were happy to have the abiland this will be a huge cost.” ity to learn at our own pace,” Kate said.
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country and the world, Jake was also one of several SUSD high school robotics students who successfully lobbied the Governing Board in 2017 to convert after-school robotics clubs into forcredit classes.
“We could not be more proud of the hard work and dedication this young man has shown,” said Jake’s mom, Michelle Levin Jake. “In these uncertain times, there is still positivity out there. Keep shining and making us proud.”
Kate’s public-policy involvement be“However, the younger students on the gan well before she entered Chaparral. committee really missed the daily inter
She was president of the Cocopah action with their teachers and friends. Student Council as an eighth grader At the time of our last meeting, not and her guidance counselor at Chaparknowing how the fall semester would ral suggested she apply for Hoffman’s look, we gave as much detailed inforadvisory council because “she knew of mation as we could so that they would my long-held interest in public policy, know what worked and what didn’t student government and my advocacy with online learning.” for public education.” As for her own experience with dis
The council has met regularly with tance learning, she said, “Completing Hoffman on a variety of issues. assignments was challenging at times.
“Our very first meeting with Kathy, However, my teachers quickly adapted she spent most of her time listening to an online format. While I missed daito us,” Kate said. “She wanted to know ly interaction with teachers and other from the students themselves, what students, I found that I was able to finwas working well in education and ish my work quickly despite taking all what was not working. Honors and AP level courses.”
“I still recall that the number one isKate is confident that Scottsdale Unisue for all the committee students was fied officials will come up with a worktheir dislike with taking up so much able plan that will protect the health of valuable class time with standardized students and staff, though she accepts tests. Another big topic of concern was the likelihood of things being different. school safety. Students across the state “I think schools will just have to be worry about the prevalence of mass creative about using their outdoor shootings in schools. spaces,” she said. "If districts are pro
Other topics that we explored were viding daily bus transportation, I would the importance of the census, top priimagine they can figure that out.” orities for where we most wanted addiThough she has lots of time to think tional funding – some students needed about her post-high school destination, upgraded technology at their schools, Kate already has toured four colleges others needed money for facilities around the country and hopes to do maintenance, and extracurriculars, esmore, but not until spring. pecially STEM-based, like robotics. “This pandemic hasn’t altered what I
“I distinctly recall a conversation we am looking for in a college,” she said. had about how students with special “I have read articles in which students needs or non-native- English speakers are rethinking the cost of college and were at a disadvantage when it comes looking for less expensive alternatives, to standardized testing and school in like local community colleges. I am general.” still interested in exploring all of my
During their last meeting, Hoffman options.”
Jake plans to attend the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University and major in mechanical engineering.
He’ll then go on to earn a master’s degree and doctorate.
“As I continue to pursue higher education, I will never forget the foundation that has been laid for me and the opportunities that SUSD provides for high school students,” Jake said.
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy Devos said, “These exemplary young people have excelled inside the classroom and out. And while they are facing unprecedented challenges as they graduate from high school into a world that looks much different than it did just a few months ago, their determination, resilience and commitment to excellence will serve them well as they pursue their next steps.”
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations, and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.
Of the more than 5,300 candidates who qualified for this year’s awards, three students from Arizona were awarded.
Information: ed.gov/psp
