5_8_13 SEV Ledger

Building Community Connections in STV & QCVol. 1 No. 25 Wednesday, May 8, 2013 FREE

Last season as

coach, but forever

his dad ...

See Page 10

Combs High School Graduation Stories and More Inside

Page 2 SoutheaSt Valley ledger May 8, 2013

Southeast Valley LedgerJames Carnes….....................................PublisherMichael Carnes...........................General ManagerJennifer Carnes................................…Managing EditorMila Lira...................................Advertising DirectorChase Kamp............................................ReporterBridgette Crosby.......................................ReporterCourtney Trumbull…................................Offi ce Manager

Submission of News and Opinions, please email: [email protected]

To Advertise, please email: [email protected] call: (480) 745-1055

www.SEVLedger.comFind us on Facebook at

Facebook.com/SanTanValleyNewsand Twitter at

Twitter.com/PinalToday

Published each Wednesday at 22308 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 by Copper Area News Publishers. Mailing address is Southeast Valley Ledger, c/o Copper Area News Publishers, PO Box 579, Kearny, AZ 85137.

Telephone (480) 745-1055The Ledger is distributed via stands and mailed free to

subscribers. Subscriptions are free to those with a Queen Creek or San Tan Valley address.

“There are numerous countries in the world where the politicians have seized absolute power and muzzled the press. There is no country in the world where the press has seized absolute power and muzzled the politicians”

—-David Brinkley

Donors: $1,000 or More

Donors: $500-$999

Donors: $250-$499

Donors: $100-$249

Donors: $0-$99

� anks to ALL of those who contributed to the 2013 Copper Basin YMCA Annual

Community Support Campaignto the 2013 Copper Basin YMCA Annual

Dixon GolfCrystal BradyMelinda CharltonRainie CollinsJenae FarnsworthAndy FerrellTychell HendrixCarol KerrFancie KeyErin McNamaraJennifer SheltonVicky AndrewsVictoria BarrieDebbie BeaucageMonica BeckKelly DubianskyWray EmbcetonSallie FayMario GarzaKaren GibsonSylvia FordAnnette GillispieFlorence HospitalChristina Peoples State Farm InsuranceKandrea PettyJordan SosaJennifer WilliamsMarshell WilliamsAmberlee QueryAyse Russo

Lynde RachelEmily RuizJennifer FreemanNative New YorkerMatt HerasymiukLauren IrreaDarrell MoldovanHenry MoonSue StocktonMichael GarciaMarsha BroemmerSandra DelanyIsabelle EspionzaBeverly VilhauerSkyline DentalAnonymous Patricia DuncanPat HowardAmy LauritsenLaurie PilmJanet GlowackiGarn & Mason OrthodonticDiane PellegrinoMindy MelilloSharon HarmsenBarbara LundbyDona RobertsonDeidra CollinsMadeline McBrideImad JaafariAngela Mayberry

Dorothy MouniaEstela OsunaValerie RosenbaumRosann SchottGinger VanBreukelerGilbert VelasquezCrystal GoldenErik MurphyAngela NoelMindy MelilloSt. Michaels Red HatterQueen Creek ChiropracticJim WellsClaudia WhiteheadAZ Grind SkateparkKimberly BerkovitzAllison BradshawJamie JohnsonLegacy Dance CompanySusan ArseneaultVicky AndrewsAdriana CuylerTammy HolleranPatricia CrawfordSam’s ClubSubway Sub’sGeorgia BlakeSun Life Family HealthJudith DavidsonTamlyn Ashcro�

Sheri� Paul BabeuCardinal HealthCardinal Charities

AFC Physical Medicine� e Yard Experts

Central AZ CollegePRECORSteve Johnson

Johnson Ranch Golf CourseMet Life Insurance

Lifepoint Christian Fellowship Pinal County Attorney, Lando Voyles

Steve Vilhauer Wal-Mart Ron ChamblessKohl’s

State Farm InsuranceJulie Starkey

Ron GulleyChick-Fil-A

Chris SandosDoug Wolf

Sarabeth Wesley San Tan Auto Body

Greater San Tan ChamberOne Community Church

Rachel BlairLarry MillerConnee AdamsJennifer DaleBrandi FletcherStephan Gereg

Hilari HowardTori Hu� Caitlyn KoppesSamantha OlsenDylan Po� Chris Rowe

Russell RusayKelly SenecalMarie NystrandSan Tan Lions ClubDebbie WiemannAisha Malone

Eva CalvertDonna WoodwardIvan RousselCynthia StanleyMary DavidsonKate PrattVeronica Allen

By Bridgette CrosbySoutheast Valley Ledger Rocky and Stephanie Adams dreamed of doing something good, not only for their young family, but for the community. Together, they went through many days and nights of thinking up ideas about what they could do. Finally, they decided that recycling was an important and needed service and they set out looking for the perfect location. Months passed, the couple became worried that they would never find the right spot until one day, Rocky Adams came into Queen Creek and saw the weigh scale at the old Wes-Gro facilities on Ocotillo Road. He inquired at the offices of Canyon State Transmissions and was informed that there was an empty office, a working scale and plenty of room for holding and sorting materials. The couple jumped at the opportunity and Rejoice Recycling was born. “We were so blessed to find a location in Queen Creek because it is a new and growing community. People make an effort out here to recycle and do

Rejoice Recycling opens facility

May 8, 2013 SoutheaSt Valley ledger Page 3

So, you still haven’t done your TAXES?

There’s Still Time!Call for information . . . and for an appointment before May 30, 2013. You must have an appointment.

Interested in volunteering for next seasoncall United Way of Pinal County 520-836-0736 ext #11 or email: [email protected]

. . . we do them Free

Casa GrandeSeeds of Hope

Call Malou at602-315-2795

CoolidgeCentral AZ College-

Coolidge SiteCall Bob at

952-457-7800

MaricopaMaricopa

Public LibraryCall Viola at

520-413-0434

San Tan ValleyOne Community

ChurchCall Bob at

952-457-7800

United Way 4-10-13 VITA

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Church DirectorySt. Michael the Archangel Church25394 N. Poseidon Rd., Florence • 520-723-6570

Rev. Fr. Dale A. Branson, Pastorwww.stmichaels77.org • [email protected] Masses (held at Copper Basin K-8 School)

Saturday 4 p.m., Sunday 8 & 10:30 a.m.CCD Classes Sunday 9:15 a.m.

Psalm 1:2

Call Mila Besich-Lira at 520-827-0676 or email [email protected] to be included in the directory today!

4815 W. Hunt Hwy, Queen Creek • 480-677-2100www.mvfcaz.com

Service Times ................ Saturday 5 p.m., Sunday 9:15 & 11 a.m.Children’s Classes held during all services

4th/5th grade & Jr. High ....... Saturday 5 p.m., Sunday 9:15 a.m.High School .................................Saturday 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.

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in Queen Creek, hopes to encourage more people to recycle

good things for the earth.” stated Stephanie Adams. The only scrap yard in the Queen Creek and San Tan Valley area, customers are already rejoicing about the facility and services offered. According to Rocky Adams, “Customers have already told us how happy they are that we are here. It saves them a long commute to other scrap yards.” Rejoice Recycling is located at 21515 E Ocotillo Road, Queen Creek, Arizona 85142, opened in April and recycles all kinds of metal including brass, copper, aluminum and steel as well as aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles, old metal signs,

cars, transmissions, engines, car batteries, wire, and just about anything else that can be recycled. One woman recently brought in 4000 lbs. of aluminum cans which belonged to her father and a farmer brought in an old steel farm sign. “The market is always fluctuating, so prices will too, but we also offer free pick up for some items

and if people bring in one of our fliers or this news article, we will give them 5¢ extra per pound on

aluminum cans.” Contact Stephanie or Rocky Adams at 480-862-2265 for more information.


Mom

® © 2013, Hickman's Family Farms

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Give

Hickman’s eggs!

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Tooh Dineh Industries, Inc.EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Electronic Manufacturing Company located in Leupp, AZ has the following positions available:Accounting Manager, Quality Manager,

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visit www.toohdineh.com for application. Submit application/resume to: Tooh Dineh Industries, Inc. HC 61, Box E Winslow, AZ 86047 or Fax 928-686-6409

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WANTED: 5 HOMESTO APPLY SIDING

5 homeowners in this general area will be given the opportunity of havingnew MAINTENANCE-FREE SIDING applied to their homes with optional decorative work at a very low cost. This amazing new product has captured the interest of homeowners throughout the United States, who are fed up with constant painting and other maintenance costs. The manufacturer of this product has been rated the highest nationwide for several years! This product is backed with lifetime labor and material warranty, and provides full insulation summer and winter. This product can be installed on every type of home. It comes in a choice of colors & is now being offered to the local market.

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By Bridgette CrosbySoutheast Valley Ledger On a beautiful Saturday morning when most people are sleeping in, Sarah Brewer and her crew of volunteers are up early and are hard at work helping local children and rescued horses. Brewer owns Saddle Up Ranch, a local riding stable and horse rescue that is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of kids and thrown away horses. Mary Gloria, of Pan De Vida, met Brewer and asked her to partner with the foundation to give needy children and their families an opportunity to experience horse back riding. Brewer readily agreed and invited Pan De Vida to the ranch for a morning ‘arena play date’ with the horses. Brewer currently has 16 horses that were retired

or rescued from abusive and neglectful situations. Brewer and her dedicated crew of volunteers, work with the horses and retrains them, giving them a second chance at life. The horses are well cared for and medical issues are addressed. Each horse is worked with until they graduate to a certain level and are then put to use as trail and therapy riding horses. Brewer charges $10 per child for non profits, a rate that is more affordable than the normal $30-$40 per hour currently charged by other riding stables. Sarah also offers horseback riding lessons for $30 per child and works with many autistic and disabled children in the area as well. Dinner rides to and from San Tan Flats are also available, with the proceeds going

Saddle Up Ranch partners with Pan De Vida Foundation for

See more photos from the Saddle Up Ranch

online at http://bit.ly/1550CK4 or by scanning the code with your smartphone.


May

25 Live Music – Midnight Confessions, at the Queen

Creek Olive Mill. Midnight Confessions will be joining us in the grove from 11am-3pm! This popular oldies rock band out of Tempe specializes in live performance of your favorite good-time music: 50′s, 60′s, 70′s, Contempo, Classic Rock, R&B, Standards, Surf, Easy Listening, Select Country, memorable One-Hit Wonders – and of course – your requests!!

18-27 Peach Festival at Schnepf Farms

7:30 - 4:00 pm Everything’s peachy! 24810 S Rittenhouse Rd Queen Creek 85242. Call 480-987-3100.

27-July 23 Summer Movies

Join the Queen Creek Performing Arts Center and keep cool this summer with 9 movies for just $7.50! Mondays or Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. Individual snacks will be available for purchase. No outside food or drink allowed. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.qcpac.com or call the box offi ce at 480-987-SHOW (7469).

12 Mother’s DayWe invite you to celebrate Mother’s

Day with us at Queen Creek Olive Mill. We will have complimentary wine tasting in the grove from 11am-2pm and live music by Midnight Confessions from 11am-3pm. Trattoria del Piero at the Olive Mill will be serving a limited Mother’s Day menu including our special frittatas with either Spinach & Goat Cheese or Chicken & Sundried Tomatoes, our classic Vanilla Bean Olive Oil Waffl es, and our signature Kalamata sandwich. Treat Mom to a delicious Prickly Pear Mimosa or a granita from Superstition Coffee and be sure to save room for gelato or olive oil cupcakes. We will be open for brunch only on Mother’s Day from 10am-3pm.

4-25 Sausage Sampling, Free, 8-5, The Pork Shop,

3259 E Combs Rd, San Tan Valley, 85140

Visit our online calendar:http://bit.ly/ZuNSoD

11 Mother’s Day Melodies at 3rd Cup Place Coffee

Shop, 7:15 pm. Bring mom in for a delightful concert, delicious desert and refreshments. San Tan Community Chorale will be performing a collection of songs for your enjoyment. Moms will get a sweet surprise. Event is FREE. - 21805 S Ellsworth Rd Ste 102, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

18 Panning for Gold at the San Tan Mountain Regional

Park Yeee Haww! There’s gold in these here mountains, and we need your help fi nding it. Take your chance at panning for real gold and hear the story of San Tan’s RICH history along the way. Guests will be able to fi nd, and take home, our “Family Fun Gold Nuggets” as well as participate in a separate gold panning with a real sample of gold. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. For more information: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/santan/ or call (480) 655-5554.

an unforgettable day of funtowards horse care and additional rescues. Mary Gloria of Pan De Vida, stated, “This is just wonderful because children and families get the opportunity to experience horseback riding, something that under normal circumstances they would never be able to do or afford. This is a great place to bring kids, and I hope other non profits will visit Saddle Up Ranch and see they great things they are doing.”

Pan de Vida was able to sponsor 20 children and their families through a new program that is focused on encouraging families to do fun, healthy activities together. Smiles, joy and laughter filled the morning and even the horses looked like they were enjoying the attention. Brewer looked at the arena full of horses and kids and sighed, “This makes it all worthwhile, to see joy on a child’s face, to give them just an hour

to be a kid on a horse and having the time of their lives. This is my way of showing my love for others and giving back, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.” For more information about Saddle Up Ranch, contact Sarah Brewer at 480-388-2024. For information about Pan de Vida, contact Mary Gloria at 480-987-0819. Both are local non profits that welcome volunteers, donations and community support.

Superior, AZ – Mesa Community College Professor Andrew Baldwin will be the special guest tour guide for the 8 a.m. season debut of the Learn-Your-Lizards guided walk at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum (BTA) on May 11. Lizard walks are already BTA’s most popular monthly summertime outing for kids. This interpretive tour is not just for the kids, though, but is geared toward all who enjoy Arizona’s little reptiles. Baldwin is known as an engaging guide, who is often just as enthused to see an Ornate Tree Lizard as the youngsters who are along for his walk. He is also a very experienced guide, with a Master’s degree in biology from Appalachian State, as well as having done doctoral research in quantitative biology at the University of Texas in Arlington and postdoctoral work at Texas Tech. In addition to his interest in all things reptilian, from the common to the colorful

Learn Your Lizards at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum

and charismatic, Andy’s also possesses extensive knowledge on the subject of scorpions. “Stick with Andy ‘til the end of his tour and you’re likely to see one of the venomous little critters – and you’ll depart that morning with a new appreciation for scorpions after Andy explains their life cycle, Sonoran desert adaptations and habits.” says Paul Wolterbeck of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

Weekend nature walks at BTA are included with daily admission of $9. Other walks this month include the Plants-Of-The-Bible tour at 8 a.m. on May 18 and a Tree Tour with Jeff Payne on May 19 at 8 a.m. Connect with tour guides, annual members and BTA staff on Facebook at facebook.com/boycethompsonarboretum, or at ag.arizona.edut/bta where you can see photos and read more about Lizard Walks.

Desert Spiny Lizard (Les Starks photo)


Have a suggestion for a community pro� le? Email [email protected].

Sponsored by:

Emily VerdugoFormer LD-8 House

Candidate When did you fi rst become interested in public service? Since an early age, I was interested in public service, the electoral process and government. But I never considered actual public service until a vacant seat was available for the Coolidge City Council in 2004. I applied, was appointed and fi nished the term. It was then I realized how important being a public servant was and that is what I was destined to do. Since then, I have been actively involved in various organizations to further support the people of Pinal County. What is your proudest achievement thus far? My proudest achievement thus far has been my 2012 legislative campaign. I was a single mother of two children, had a full-time job and was running for state legislature in an extremely competitive district. This experience has taught me how organized I was and the dedication I had to be a good candidate for the people of LD-8. My campaign also brought me the honor of being named one of the Top 20 Latinos to watch in the next 20 years by the Houston Chronicle. What additional improvements to Pinal County and the surrounding region do you strive to achieve? My main improvement would be to our public education system and a state funded workforce development program that will allow major companies to want to base their businesses here. We desperately need jobs but we also need skilled labor. We must have both to have an economically stable state. However, a short term improvement I would love

to see is a mass public transit system that would serve all of Pinal County. We have a large underserved population that does not have transportation to navigate our large rural county and this need must be addressed soon. What’s your favorite thing about this region?One of my favorite things about Pinal County is that we produce much of the state’s copper and still have a large agriculture industry. I appreciate our rural area and look forward to witness it grow and develop responsibly and environmentally consciously. Who are your personal heroes? Frances Perkins, the fi rst female cabinet member under FDR, who championed many of the social welfare systems we have today. Sal Castro, the Chicano activist/educator who supported the Mexican American students in Los Angeles during the walkouts. Henrique Capriles, a recent Venezuelan presidential candidate who is leading the fi ght for a truly democratic nation. What is your favorite fi lm? Dessert? Sports team? My favorite fi lms are Amelie, Little Miss Sunshine and The Pursuit of Happyness. My favorite dessert is strawberry shortcake. My favorite sports teams are ASU football, the San Francisco Giants, the Argentina national soccer team and tennis player Pete Sampras.

San Tan Valley – The first Catholic Parish in San Tan Valley area, St. Michael the Archangel, broke ground on Saturday, May 4, at its future location, 26035 North Apollo Drive. Bishop Gerald F. Ki-canas conducted the ceremony at the new site, located just off Hunt Highway and Arizona Farms Road. The ground breaking was for the first phase of the complex, the Parish Hall, which will be used as a church until the congregation is ready to build. Currently, the congregation celebrates Mass at Copper Ba-sin K-8 School but is rapidly outgrowing that space and is looking forward to welcoming

its own building. The Parish Hall will be the first phase of the building project and will seat 1000 people. The second phase will be the actual church, which will seat 2000. St. Michael the Archangel Parish has 19 acres on which to build and it is hoped that in the future the parish will also be able to build a Catholic school, com-munity ball fields, a church office building and a Rectory. Eventually, the new church will be the largest church building in the Diocese of Tucson, with a planned 2000 seating capacity. The Tucson Diocese shares a border with the Phoenix Diocese along

the Pinal/Maricopa County line, just east of the Town of Queen Creek. It is in the oldest diocese in the State of Arizona and includes active parishes that are nearly 300 years old. The San Tan Valley area sup-ports 130,000 residents and the great distances between Catholic parishes in the area caused the Diocese to see and respond to the need for a new and large parish in San Tan Valley. Neighboring Catho-lic parishes are in Coolidge, Florence, Apache Junction, Gilbert, and Queen Creek. St. Michael the Archangel Parish is the 77th parish in the Diocese.

First Catholic parish in San Tan Valley breaks ground


Celebrating Combs High School’s Top Students

Could you discuss any honors you received or extra-curricular activities you were in? I was vice-president for National Honors Society, in debate club, tennis, and student government. I received academic letters and athletic letters for tennis. What was the hardest part of maintaining your academic performance? Connecting with each different teacher every year, because each one has something different they’re looking for and you strive to meet each expectation. My math teacher, Mr. Bruney, taught me math from middle school up into high school every year. He

was the best. What are your plans after graduation? I’m going to Arizona State to study materials engineering. What summer plans to do have? Hopefully to get a job. What are some of your best memories from your time at Combs High? Last year, we hosted a blood drive. We got hundreds of people to come donate blood. Being there to see hundreds of people come to our school to support us was really cool. How does it feel to finally be finished with high school? I’m ready to move on.

What extracurricular activities did you participate in? I didn’t really do any this year because I was working three days during the week and on weekends. Working two jobs, how did you find the time for homework? I tried to balance my time as much as possible and stay ahead on my assignments. I wouldn’t have a situation where I had too many assign-ments lined up. What awards or scholar-ships have you received? I haven’t applied for any scholarships yet because I’m thinking about waiting a year before applying for schools. I have to pay for college myself and I want to check out

different college around the country. I want to take a break and find out what I want to do for sure. Are there any schools in particular? I searched for them based on my major, criminal forensics and a minor in psychology. I was looking into Univer-sity of Arizona and Grand Canyon University. Outside of Arizona, I had Oregon State and Tulane.What is your career path with that major? I wanted to either do crime scene investigation or be a profiler. I’ve seen all those TV shows, but I also started looking at different documen-taries about it. The psychol-ogy aspects behind really interested me. My teacher

Justin SanchezSalutatorian

Lina TorresValedictorian

in psychology told me more things about it, which made me more interested. What is one memory you’ll always have of Combs High? I came from a small prep school, so to go from that to experiencing all of the school pride Combs had and all the spirit events made me feel like a part of it all.

The 2012-13 Combs High School Student Government not only spent the year raising spirit at the school but reaching out to help community organizations. Student government advisor Jessica Burnquist said the team has done an exemplary job of executing five Spirit assemblies, Homecoming, Freshman Orientation, a Senior Citizen Social and participation at this year’s Relay for Life cancer

research fundraiser. StuGo, as Burnquist affectionately calls it, also participated in two Service Saturdays to help out local charities and community organizations. The first event, in December 2012, enabled students to write holiday greetings to soldiers from Arizona, as well as create a mural for a shelter for homeless teens. The second raised almost $600 for the Relay for Life with two car washes, provided

neighborhood clean-up at Pecan Creek South and gathered over 600 food items for the Apache Junction Food Bank. Student Government also held the fourth annual Mr. Combs High School contest in which $1000 was raised for San Tan Valley resident and leukemia patient Jacob Casillas to help aid his fight against the disease. “Spirit, student recognition and belonging

Combs student government brings passion to school and community

Council, Page 8


as well as a positive school culture has been at the forefront of this year’s Student Government,” Burnquist said. Still, StuGo is not done. The group will be hosting prom, the Senior Baccalaureate, Teacher Appreciation Week and a display which names every single student at CHS before the school year is finished. This was Burnquist’s first year as the StuGo sponsor. “I was largely

unaware of how much StuGo is responsible for on campus until this year,” she said. “However, from the beginning of the year until this point, I’ve seen tremendous growth in maturity and energy from the officers and general members.” She said what she has enjoyed most has been witnessing students emerge from their shells. “So many of these students have really allowed their voices and visions to develop and be heard,” she said, “and I’d

like to think that Student Government is a part of that evolution.” Burnquist said student government is creating an electric environment at Combs, one she hopes to continue next year. “The students have found their spirit and are visibly taking pride in being students at Combs,” she said. “The level of acceptance for individual interests and pursuits is heartening, and the new attention to academic success is thrilling to witness.”

CouncilContinued from Page 7

The J.O. Combs Marching Coyote Regiment (MCR) won first place in their division at the Basha High School Marching Invitational and the Mesquite High School Invitational. At both of these competitions, the MCR outscored the Williams Field, Higley, Mesquite, Queen Creek, and Poston Butte marching bands, among others. At the Basha Invitational the MCR also won special awards for highest scores in Music Performance, and General Effect; at the Mesquite Invitational the MCR won special awards for highest scores in Music Performance, Marching Performance, and General Effect. On Oct. 27, the Marching Coyote Regiment travelled

Marching band earns brass on the way to state championship

to Flagstaff to compete in the NAU Band Day and also competed in the State Marching Band Festival on Nov. 3. The MCR advanced their prior competition scores

by nearly fifteen points, placing them sixth out of the 25 Division III Bands who qualified for state this season. The Combs Marching Coyote Regiment also won a

caption award for high score in the category of “general effect.” At the State Championships on Nov. 10, the band won ninth place in Division III.

The J.O. Combs Marching Coyote Regiment at Northern Arizona University. (Submitted photo)


Congratulations Coyotes!

Online Classes Low TuitionTransfer Programs Financial Aid

District Hours: 8 am-6 pm, Monday-Friday www.centralaz.edu

Combs senior Kali Dahlman was selected as one of two winners of the Jack Peterson Scholarship, a $1,300 scholarship to the college or university of her choice. These scholarships are awarded annually to

exceptional high school seniors planning to pursue college degrees in teaching. Recipients must maintain high academic achievement, regular attendance, leadership and

citizenship among peers and participation in school and community activities. These scholarships were established in honor of Arizona School Boards Association Executive Director Jack Peterson

Kali Dahlman

Senior Kali Dahlman wins $1,300 college scholarship

who served the association from 1991-1998. As part of the application process, Kali had to include a narrative statement presenting a resume that included education career interests, family background, school/community activities, leadership roles, academic status as well as attendance and an explanation of her desire to receive this scholarship. A certificate recognizing Kali on her achievement was presented to her during the First General Session of the Superintendent’s Division Annual Conference on Dec. 13, 2012 at the Biltmore Conference Center in Phoenix.

Combs High students in Ms. Pat Rivera’s and Ms. Jane Chu’s Life Skills classes participate weekly in the Hoofbeats with Heart project in San Tan Valley. Hoofbeats with Heart is a non-profit organization which provides programs that improve physical, cognitive, and social emotional skills of individuals with special abilities. The overall quality of

life and productiveness is enhanced for students participating in Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT). The location is close enough to Combs High School that students are able to walk there, twice weekly for Ms. Rivera’s students and once a week for Ms. Chu’s. Students participate by walking, bathing and combing the horses, as well as giving them feed and water.

Life Skills – Hoofbeats with Heart

Students from the Combs’ Life Skills class participate in the Hoofbeats with Heart program. (Submitted photos)


By Andrew Luberda Senior Gunnar Scrogham is playing in his fourth and final season for his father, Coyotes’ head baseball coach, John Scrogham. It hasn’t always been easy during the four years. However, both son and father are aware of how pre-cious the moments are as the season winds down. “I’ve tried to make the best (out of this last season together),” Gunnar said. “It is the last year of him ever coaching me again.” John Scrogham recalled Gunnar following him around since he was knee-high and hanging around with John’s high school players. He said Gunnar would jump in the

cages with the players and play catch with them. “I get to share and see all the stuff he’s worked on come to fruition,” John said. “It’s all coming together during this last season. He’s doing very well and it’s good to see.” Whether it’s playing for your father or coaching your son, there are challenges to over-come. However, both Gunnar and his father knew some of it came with the territory. “I always have to be twice as good as everybody else, or at least try to be,” Gunnar said about the difficulties of play-ing for his dad. “Because if he plays me (the perception) is I’m playing because I’m the coach’s son. But if I go out

there and produce – hit the ball and field the ball – like I should then nobody can hate on me.” John said he discussed this issue with his son when they started together and admits it’s hard for him too, to coach his son. “It’s always a challenge to coach your own son because you always see their potential and know what they’re ca-pable of,” John said. “Maybe there’s a tendency to push them a little bit more than you would other players.” “Drawing that line between coach-player and father-son is difficult,” John continued. “In my opinion it’s harder for the kid.”

Combs baseball father and son share final season together

Gunnar Scrogham, left, runs bases while his father, Coach John Scrogham looks on. (Andrew Luberda photo)

Mrs. Scrogham is the com-mon source of support for both men and has had to play the role of mediator in some situations. “It hasn’t been easy,” Mrs. Scrogham said of her part-time mediator role. She has at least one demand of her son and her husband when they return home from the baseball field. She said there is a sign hanging above the entry door at home. The sign reads: ‘What happens on the field stays on the field.’ Mrs. Scrogham emphasized the significance of the season and urged both men to stay in the moment and enjoy it. She had a certain way of remind-ing them when they needed it. “My mom would always send (both of us) texts that said, ‘Try to make the most out of it because this is the last year to be on the field together,’” Gunnar said of the reminders. “I just wanted them to realize it’s coming to end,” Mrs. Scrogham said. Not just

Gunnar’s senior year but play-ing with each other. I wanted them to remember things that matter and not remember things that didn’t matter.” “I couldn’t ask for anything more (from Gunnar) this year,” John said of Gunnar’s performance this year. “He’s having his best year he’s ever had in high school, the team is playing very well, we’re establishing our program here, and he’s been a part of all of it.” The Coyotes baseball team is in the middle of the state playoffs and Gunnar has a private tryout with Eastern Arizona College scheduled for May 10, 2013. Then, of course, there is graduation approaching. As Gunnar reflected on the season so far, he said it has been his most memorable season and is glad he had a chance to share it with his father. “It’s hard because he is my dad (and sometimes) we kind of get into it like other fathers

and sons, but he knows the game better than anyone I know,” Gunnar said. “Ev-erything I’ve learned has come from him – my hitting mechanics, my fielding, and everything. Even being a man; everything I learned (in my life) is from my dad.” John shared his feelings about coaching his son for the last time and returning to an exclusive father-son relation-ship with Gunnar. “He probably doesn’t know, see or understand how special he is to me because we’re still in this together – trying to win this championship – and we haven’t had a chance to step back and look at the big picture,” John said. “I’m very proud of my son and very proud of the challenges he’s faced. In about two or three weeks we’ll be able to sit back and have a normal conversation because we won’t have that player-coach relationship. It will be dad and son and I’m looking forward to it.”


Taylor ClarkSENIOR – POSTON BUTTE HIGH SCHOOLSPORTS: SOFTBALL AND VOLLEYBALL

POSITIONS: CF – 2B / L - DSNOTABLE STATS: .486 BA / 2 HR / 18 HITS / .612 OBP

178 DIGS / 12 SERVING ACES

I understand you will be attending Hampton University in Virginia. Why Hampton? I always wanted to go to school on the east coast. I visited my aunt in the eighth grade during the winter in New York. I fell in love with east coast. While I was playing in a softball tournament in Colorado, I met Coach Peel. She is Hampton’s softball coach. She offered me a scholarship after the tournament was over to attend Hampton. Coach Peel and I shared a mutual friend. For me, knowing someone who knew Coach Peel, it made me comfortable in deciding to play for her. When I visited Hampton I loved the campus, tradition, and history. Can you talk about the stereotyping of female athletes and how it makes you feel? It was always about school for me. I was always a student-athlete fi rst. Academics are always important fi rst above all else. I’m happy to have been able to excel as a student and as an athlete. Why or how have

you been so successful in athletics and academics? The keys to my success are a good work ethic, a strong priority list, and a strong commitment to succeed. It’s been important to be able to develop a routine and prioritize my responsibilities. What do you plan to major in at Hampton? Nursing. I always wanted to do something in the medical fi eld. When I was a junior I had a friend who died in a car accident. I spent a lot of time at the hospital and a nurse allowed me to go back and say goodbye to my friend. It made a difference in my life. I wanted to be able to make a difference in others’ lives too. Whether it’s the patient or the family of a patient, I wanted to make a difference like the nurse who made a difference in my life when I lost my friend. What is something people would be surprised to know about you? I color coordinate my closet. Everything is organized by color and

then by type of clothing. It’s a little O.C.D. I want you to fi nish this sentence: “My greatest athletic memory at PBHS is…” When I ran cross-country and fi nished the 5K in 22 minutes. It was at sectionals. I worked extremely hard at cross-country and while softball comes a little more naturally for me, it was a great feeling knowing my hard work in cross-country provided positive results. Do you have a quote or phrase you like to refer to that helps get through a diffi cult time or provides inspiration? “Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fi sh on its ability to climb a tree it will live its whole life believing it’s stupid.” – Albert Einstein What is your favorite song to listen to before a game? Well, this year at least, my most memorable song was “Swagger Jagger.” Cameron Cassinellli and I would listen to it during our rides to the games.

Combs Top Athletes

McKenzie Durtschi - track & soccer Ryan Johnson - baseball

Gunnar Scrogham - baseball Joey Salas - football, wrestling, track

Anndreya Brown - volleyball & soccer Katie Rohrer - volleyball & track

Leroy Valentine - football, basketball, track Brandon Benavides - football & baseball


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New for the 2012 school year, JO Combs High School has begun offering a multi-faceted after-school program thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Educa-tion. Dubbed the Twenty-first Century Community Learning

Grant, the grant provided Combs High School with over $500,000 to fund the program for the next five years. The Southeast Valley Ledger spoke with Combs High School Principal Brenda May-berry, who explained that the

Combs wins $500,000 grant for after-school programs

afterschool program is open to the entirety of the student body, but students who are failing two or more classes were personally invited. The afternoon is split between an elective option as well as a tutoring session, where students are provided a snack as well as transportation home. With the help of the grant, Combs is now offering afterschool tutoring and weightlifting, and according to Mayberry, that’s only the beginning. “We have some incentive programs to get students to stay for tutoring,” Mayberry said, “For instance this se-mester we are offering weight training right after school but if you go to weight training you have to go to tutoring after.” The elective course offered after school will change each semester and Mayberry says student input will help define the curriculum. “It could be ceramics, weight manage-ment, banking; there’s a whole list they can choose from,” she enthused. “The parent component will be much the same,” she continued. “We’re currently looking for feedback from parents but we’re thinking things like a GED class for parents who never finished high school, an English class for non-English speakers or a financial aid course.” The program runs from 2:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday and tutors are here until 7:45 p.m. on Wednesdays. The library is also open to the community after 4:45 p.m. on Wednes-days where they are free to come and read, Mayberry said. “So far we’ve had be-tween 80 and 140 students at tutoring every day which means about 10 percent of our students are coming on a regular basis,” she added.

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Map # Distributor Address1 Circle K 23447 S Power Rd, QC2 Apache Sun Golf Course 919 E Pima Rd, STV3 Bashas 23760 S Power Rd, QC4 Barros Pizza 18521 E Queen Creek Rd, QC5 Circle K San Tan Valley 40900 N Ironwood Rd, STV6 Flight Deck Café 5803 S Sossaman Rd, Mesa7 Dennys 8689 San Tan Valley 1758 W. Hunt Hwy, STV8 Queen Creek Café 22022 S Ellsworth RD, QC9 Gantzel Farms Country Store 25 W Ocotillo RD, QC

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By Heather Sneed Welcome back! This week marks my one-year anniver-sary of writing columns for the Southeast Valley Ledger. Cheers to me, and thank you for following me! As I continue over the course of the next month sharing some yummy, refreshing cocktail recipes along with my favorite sum-mer wines and sparklings, this week’s column focuses on a delicious white wine. I recently enjoyed a bottle of Montignac Picpoul de Pinet which is a light, dry, fruity wine using the Picpoul (or Piquepoul) grape white wine grape variety out of southern France. I paired the wine with a light pasta dish that was tossed with a lemon-garlic butter and they were excellent together. As with any dry white wine, this one would be great with chicken or seafood as well.

Montignac Picpoul de Pinet

The Bubbly Hostess enjoys a bottle of Montignac Picpoul de PinetFor the price of $9.99 per bottle, you might as well buy a couple. Progress continues on my little one’s upcoming birth-day party. The invitations have been mailed and we are anxiously awaiting our RSVPs. In my last column, I mentioned that the cake design was in mind. Truth be told, I’m flipping back and forth a little bit on this – but I know I will decide on the best approach soon, I have to! I have also laid out the

menu for the food and snacks. My next steps are to start buying supplies and making the decorations. My almost four-year-old is super-excited about lending a hand to the creative process involved in the decorations this year. Lastly, with Mother’s Day just ahead of us, I’d like to wish my mother and all of my friends and relatives who are mothers an especially happy Mother’s Day this year. No matter how young or old your children are, they

will always love you and be grateful for everything you have done for them. Espe-cially me. I love you Mom, Happy Mother’s Day! Please stop by my Facebook page or blog and leave a comment. You can find me at TheBubblyHostess.blogspot.com. You can also “like” my page on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheBubblyHostess. Lastly - always remember to make the most out of your planning, so you have time to enjoy your champagne.


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Documents

5_8_13 SEV Ledger