National Awards
Five GUHSD Students Named National Merit Scholars
February 2008 - Congratulations to Greenway’s Anneke Schoustra and Steven Gotcher, Sunnyslope’s Jonathan Merritt and Alyssa Whetstine, and Thunderbird’s Keegan Olds for being chosen to receive a National Merit Scholarship.
The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) - a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.4 million entrants each year - and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements. All winners of Merit Scholarship® awards (Merit Scholar® designees) are chosen from the Finalist group, based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. A variety of information is available for NMSC selectors to evaluate the Finalist's academic record, information about the school's curricula and grading system, two sets of test scores, school official's written recommendation, information about the student's activities and leadership, and the Finalist's own essay.
Adams Named Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction
September 2007 - Congratulations to Thunderbird counselor Kathleen Adams, who has been named a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars.
Adams was nominated by her student Tiffany Son. According to the society’s press release, “This award ... allows the students themselves to recognize the commitments, strengths, and gifts of their teachers.”
A former English teacher, Adams joined Glendale Union in 1984, retired in 2005, and returned to the district in the 2005-06 school year. The society has over 300,000 members in over 50 countries.
Two GUHSD Teachers Receive National Board Certification
February 2007 -Congratulations to Independence High School Spanish teacher Sheila Bacon and Greenway High School English teacher Lyn Cannaday, who both recently received National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). NBPTS is “an independent, nonprofit organization formed in 1987 to advance the quality of teaching and learning by developing professional standards for accomplished teaching, creating a voluntary system to certify teachers who meet those standards and integrating certified teachers into educational reform efforts."
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Local Awards
WHS Teacher Wins Silver Apple Award
March 2008 - Washington High School French teacher, Cinthia Darrow, received the Silver Apple Award. The award, sponsored by channel 3 and Sylvan learning center was presented to Mrs. Darrow on Wednesday, March 12. Along with the award, Mrs. Darrow received a check for $500.
Thunderbird's Parker Honored in Flinn Scholars Program
October 2007 - Jonathan Parker, a U.S. history teacher at Thunderbird High School, was recognized in the Flinn Scholars Program by one of his former students. In all, 20 educators throughout Arizona were nominated by individual members of the 2007 class of Finn Scholars “for having a significant impact on their education and development.” Jonathan was nominated by former student Amy Stabler, who graduated last spring. The honored educators were presented with a plaque at the Flinn Scholars recognition dinner, which was held in Phoenix. This is the second time that Jonathan has been recognized through the Flinn Scholars Program.
Davis Named Marketing New Teacher of the Year
September 2007 - Brian Davis of Thunderbird High School was awarded the Arizona Marketing Educators' New Teacher of the Year award at the 2007 Summer ACTEAZ Conference.
The recognition was based on Davis's willingness to help other AZ marketing teachers and his commitment to DECA. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, he devotes countless hours to co-facilitating the Western Region DECA Conference every year.
The Thunderbird DECA Chapter received national recognition this year when they placed in the top ten at the 2007 International Conference. Davis is not only an award-winning teacher, but also a proud GUHSD graduate.
District-wide Poetry Contest
May 2007 - Inspired student poets submitted over 100 English-language entries and nearly 20 foreign-language entries in this year’s district-wide poetry contest. Listed here are the award-winning poets and poems, as selected by faculty at each of the district's schools. Also listed are the poets’ schools and teachers.
Governing Board President Kevin Clayborn listens
intently as Sunnyslope High School student Lidia Guerrero
reads her award-winning poem at the May 16 board meeting.
District Office Announces Support Staff Employee of the Year
May 2007 - Glendale Union's District Office has named Andy Mendez its Achievement Above All Recipient for 2007. Mendez, who has been with the district since 2001, currently serves in the position of Maintenance I. Over the past six years, he has received numerous letters of commendation from various departments. Remarkably, Mendez has never missed a day of work since coming to the district.
Governing Board President Kevin Clayborn (left) presents
Andy Mendez with his Achievement Above All plaque
at the May 16 board meeting.
In nominating Mendez for this award, his supervisor, Pam Miller, wrote, "Andy exemplifies the type of employee we all want to work for us and with us. He is an exceptional employee and well deserves this honor."
Congressional Art Contest Winners
May 2007 - Apollo High School's art students won awards in two congressional districts this year. In Congressman Ed Pastor's art contest, sophomore Justin Ayala won first place for his charcoal self-portrait. Ayala received free airfare for three to Washington, D.C., to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for student artwork at the capitol. His drawing will hang in the Canon Tunnel for one year. Ayala also received a $38,000 scholarship to the Art Institute of Phoenix.
Senior Cody Jayne Albin won second place in Congressman Pastor's contest for an oil pastel drawing of her little brother entitled "An Apple a Day." Albin received an $18,000 scholarship to the Art Institute of Phoenix.
In Congressman Trent Franks' art contest, sophomore Zainab Thoayleb won first place for a batik entitled "Shedding Light". Thoayleb will also fly to Washington, D.C., along with her art teacher, Barbara Dahlstedt, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. She received a $5,000 scholarship to the Art Institute of Phoenix and a check for $300.
Lindsey Wigginton won eighth place in Congressman Franks' contest for a charcoal self-portrait entitled "Shh!" Wigginton received a check for $50 and a scholarship to the Art Institute of Phoenix Summer Camp worth $300.
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