Page 18 January 2011 Arcadia High club puts focus on issues of human rights By Micaela Encinas A club at Arcadia High School is working to defeat human rights abuses. Arcadia High’s chapter of STAND (Students Taking Action Now Darfur) is focusing on fundraising, advocacy and awareness of world issues. “People don’t know what is going on in Darfur,” co-president Michelle Irei said. “STAND tells people what’s going on and what we’re working towards.” STAND was started fi ve years ago by Melissa Barber, a former Arcadia student, who spent time in Africa after graduation. Since then, the club has held various fundraisers. One main event is the Dance for Darfur. Students in the dance program at Arcadia High School and from local dance studios came together for two nights to raise awareness to an under publicized issue in the United States, said Sophie Meyer, a STAND member. Last year the event, attended by 800 to 900 people, raised $4,500. Proceeds may go to The Water Project and The Welcome to America Project, Irei said. The Water Project is a non-pro fi t charity that helps give people access to clean water. The Welcome to America Project aids refugee families staying in Phoenix by furnishing their homes with donations of furniture and household items. The club also has put on a call-in during which participants called the 1-800-GENOCIDE hotline. Callers are asked to enter their zip code and are presented with connection choices including the names of U.S. Representatives, U.S. Senators and the White House staff. Once the selection has been made, callers are connected to the of fi cial’s of fi ce. Irei said students contacted the of fi ce of Vice President Joe Biden last year. She said because such a high volume of kids participated, an of fi cial responded with “we get the point.” Plans in work for this semester include selling Silly Bands shaped like Africa. Currently, there are 30 core members in STAND. Although the name of the club includes Darfur, the club isn’t limited to that one region. “We’re branching out,” Irei said. “We’re focusing a lot on human rights issues all over the world.” Students at AHS master art of ads By Julia Swem Arcadia High School’s award-winning advertising-art program prepares students for promising careers. Dianna Cure has been teaching Advertising Art and Graphic Design for about 26 years and her advertising art class has won the State Gold Medal in advertising design for 25 of those years. The program consists of three levels in which students quickly learn the basics and then advance to real-client design requests and competing with the other students to get chosen. Senior Emily Nelson’s works were chosen for the school’s Titans T-shirts and also for the Arcadia Complex presentations. She said student not only create designs for the clients, but also learn how to compromise on what the clients want and what they think looks the best and sends the best message. The competitive process helps students mature when somebody else’s work gets chosen and helps them handle constructive criticism, Cure said. “That’s just the way it is,” Nelson said, “it’s just life.” The program speci fi cally gives students a real life experience, as well as expert experience when handling the college assignments Cure gives them. Top design schools spend hours recruiting from Arcadia High School, with representatives spending about an hour with each student’s portfolio. Senior Mary Formanek is being considered at Art Center College of Design, which is a top design college in the country. Formanek said she is a little shocked, but honored by the fact that she is getting looked at because the average age of admission at the college is 23. “They were just dazzled by her stuff,” Cure said. “They were over the moon about it. I am so pleased.” Formanek and Nelson were both elected as presidents of the class Advertising Design chapter of Skills USA, a state and national leadership organization. Cure said she is impressed with all of her students and appreciates their hard-working attitude. “My students are disciplined, talented and creative,” Cure said. “They all have a different and distinctive design voice.” Both Nelson and Formanek also are appreciative of the program. “Great program, great teacher,” Nelson said. “I am fairly con fi dent our program is the best. Mrs. Cure is an invaluable resource.” “Everything we are now is a big in fl uence from her,” Formanek said. Arcadia High School senior students Emily Nelson (above) and Mary Formanek work on their advertisiments during class in the school’s award-winning advertising-art program. Photos by Julie Swem.

Page 19 January 2011 Aidan Rowland, Liz Taszarek and Hayden Kaminsk were part of the Hopi Holiday Care Drive food clothing and more for Interfaith Ministries. Hopi holiday drive a great success The Hopi Holiday Care Drive, an annual tradition that targets an organization to support through donations, raised 8,543 pounds of food, clothing, shoes, blankets, diapers and toiletries for Interfaith Cooperative Ministries. A team of more than 40 parents and faculty worked to educate Hopi students about the mission. They also sent emails, painted signs and packed bags and boxes. The students, in turn, helped to promote the drive with their families and neighbors. Interfaith Cooperative Ministries, founded in the late 1970s, is a collaborative effort of several Valley congregations of different faiths to support the working poor. Currently, 80-100 families are served on a daily basis, 6,000 individuals each month, including mentally and physically disabled and the elderly poor. Children under 18 comprise half of all clients served. “We focused on ICM’s greatest needs, which are non perishable food, gently used and new men’s clothing, baby and children’s clothing, shoes and diapers,” Hopi parent Kathy Rowland said. ur focus is on you Use your camera phone, use a Polaroid, use a wide angle lens – whatever it takes – to enter the Arcadia News Photo Contest. It’s fun and it’s easy. For rules and more information, including all the entry photos visit: www.arcadianews.com/photocontest.htm ARCADIA NEWS PHOTO CONTEST | ARCADIA NEWS PHOTO CONTEST | ARCADIA NEWS PHOTO CONTEST | ARCADIA NEWS PHOTO CONTEST ARCADIA NEWS PHOTO CONTEST | ARCADIA NEWS PHOTO CONTEST | ARCADIA NEWS PHOTO CONTEST | ARCADIA NEWS PHOTO CONTEST Mike Purcell’s daughter Julia is already an avid wakeboarder at already an avid wakeboarder at 2 years old! Congratulations to Mike Purcell, this month’s photo contest winner! Mike wins $25 gift cards to Delux and Revo Burrito! HONORABLE MENTION: Cole Stark shows off the catch of the day! Photo by Mom, Amanda Stark. HONORABLE MENTION: Charlie Broucek gives batting pointers to son, Will. Photo by Uncle Luke. HONORABLE MENTION: Grant Stark is ready to rumble! Photo by Mom, Amanda Stark. HONORABLE MENTION: Abby gears up for her ğ rst snorkel. Photo by Mom, Susan Hamilton. This month’s theme was Sports! Next month’s theme is Pets & Their People DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 WINNER | WINNER | WINNER | WINNER MIKE CASLEY 602.300.2730 The Best Boutique Real Estate Company in Arcadia themarshpartners.com THINKING ABOUT LISTING YOUR HOME AS A SHORT SALE? ATTEND A FREE FREE SELLERS SHORT SALE EVENT 1/22/11 Understand tax, financial and credit implications. Call to reserve a seat or schedule a private consultation.