Page 52 June 2014 By Danica Worthington Seventh and eighth graders sat on a school bus staring at their band director Jan Gardner as he told them the results of Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association’s festival. The band had won superior with distinction, which means all of the three judges rated the band’s performance of Twin City March and Curse of Tutankhamun as superior. “They screamed,” Gardner said. “It was contained inside the walls of the bus but I’m sure people outside the bus heard it … they’ll remember that forever.” The band started preparing in February but the entire band had only performed all together a few times before the performance in late April, Gardner said. The seventh and eighth graders had separate class times. “If they know it all, it shouldn’t matter how many there are,” Gardner said. The middle school had received excellent scores before but rarely wins superior with distinction, Gardner said. Although Gardner was pleased with how the students had performed, he would not speculate with them about what they may be awarded before the results were given. He said it can vary depending on the judges and what they hear. “I knew they did well,” Gardner said. “I Ingleside school band receives ‘superior with distinction’ didn’t want to jinx it.” Eighth graders Lena Halden and Alex Lozevski said they were surprised with the results. “I thought we did alright,” trumpet player Lozevski said. “I thought we could have done better.” Lozevski said there were some nerves before he performed but he zoned in when it came time to play. Beforehand, he said he worked to keep his band mates focused so they could perform at their best. “Some people were messing around,” he said. “I had to tell them, ‘Guys, you’ve got to get serious.’” Halden said she was fairly confident going into the competition. She said she had done another competition in sixth grade. She said it is critical for band members to support one another. “It’s important that everybody helps each other out in a band,” she said. “Everybody’s efforts affect the performance at the end of the day.” Both students will be attending Arcadia High School next year and sticking with band. The band was varied in experience, Gardner said. Some students had been playing since fourth grade while others picked up instruments that year. Gardner said he would occasionally work with the students new to band individually to hone their art. Working www.friendlypines.com 1-888-281-CAMP ✭ Prescott, AZ ✭ Boys and Girls ✭ Ages 6-13 ✭ Trained Staff ✭ Screened Staff ✭ 30+ Activities ✭ ✭ Enrolling Now! 74th Season 2014 Dates 2-Wk: June 15-28 • June 29-July 12 • July 13-26 1-Wk: June 15-21 • June 22-28 • June 29-July 5 • July 6-12 • July 13-19 • July 20-26 Now enrolling for Fall 2014 PSYCHIC FAIR EVERY FRI-SAT-SUN 10-5PM w w w . V i s i o n Q u e s t B o o k s . c o m 3114 E. Indian School Rd. 480-949-1888 PSYCHIC READINGS 7 DAYS A WEEK $5 OFF PSYCHIC READING OR AURA PHOTO comes with interpretive guide through 6/30/14 with ad. (limit 1 per person) *Please present ad for discounts. PSYCHIC FRI-SAT-SUN 7 DAYS A WEEK $5 OFF Tarot Tarot Tarot • • • Palmistry Palmistry Palmistry Past Lives Past Lives Past Lives • • • Spirit Spirit Spirit Mediums Mediums Mediums • • • Clairvoyants Clairvoyants Clairvoyants 30 min. minimum 30 min. minimum 30 min. minimum $40 plus $1 per extra minute $40 plus $1 per extra minute $40 plus $1 per extra minute (to pay by credit, add $5 each reading) (to pay by credit, add $5 each reading) (to pay by credit, add $5 each reading) $40 plus $1 per extra minute (to pay by credit, add $5 each reading) $40 plus $1 per extra minute $40 plus $1 per extra minute $40 plus $1 per extra minute (to pay by credit, add $5 each reading) $40 plus $1 per extra minute (to pay by credit, add $5 each reading) $40 plus $1 per extra minute (to pay by credit, add $5 each reading) $40 plus $1 per extra minute $40 plus $1 per extra minute $40 plus $1 per extra minute (to pay by credit, add $5 each reading) $40 plus $1 per extra minute AN with young musicians is not a new experience for the director. He has been teaching band for 22 years. He moved to Arizona ten years ago and previously worked in Maricopa City and Paradise Valley. Gardner is also the band teacher at Arcadia High School. This was his first year with Ingleside however. “It’s (about) teaching them a process instead of only working for that moment (at competitions) ... teaching them to take a piece of music and learn what to do to get to performance level and not depend on the teacher at every step,” Gardner said. Gardner said next year’s competition is out of sight and out of mind at this point. But he expects many of the current seventh graders will remember their experience this year and be motivated to work hard when the next competition comes around. “Greatness can be achieved if people are willing to devote the time,” he said.

Page 53 June 2 0 1 4 Hopi says goodbye to seven retiring teachers and staff By Christina Surrano May’s First Friday community gathering at Hopi Elementary School was a tearful one as community members honored seven retiring staff members and one very special volunteer. It seems impossible that 2nd grade teacher, Jo Blochberger has been teaching for 37 years, with 12 at Hopi. When asked what she will miss most, Blochberger replied, “It’s definitely the generosity of the parents and the children. It’s more of a community.” Pointing to a card from former students covered in well wishes and photos, misty-eyed, she added, “This is what I am going to miss.” Meredith Folger who has been Hopi’s Reading Tutor and Academic Support for 17 years, said, “When you go to the grocery store, the kids are like, ‘Oh! Mrs. Folger!’ It’s like (they are thinking), ‘You don’t live under your desk at school?’” She also joked that she will miss wiping down tables in the cafeteria on “syrup day,” an unfathomably sticky experience. She added, “Because I do the remedial reading,” remarked with a hint of bitter-sweet pride, “I am going to miss graduating the kids out of my class.” First grade teacher Laura Spackeen who has taught for 24 years, with 11 at Hopi, shared, “I’m going to miss the families that I have gotten close to… and all of the happy smiles that the kids have in the morning when they are all warmed up and happy to see you.” Spackeen wistfully observed, “My view (from the classroom) of Camelback Mountain is so peaceful and wonderful. It reminds me of just how nice this community is.” If you live in the neighborhood too, you may spot these ladies out walking together, which they intend to continue. Jim Padrlik, Hopi’s Facilities Worker has been caring for Hopi campus for 19 of his 20 years of service. Hopi will not feel the same without his kind eyes and compassionate heart. Judi Parent, Scottsdale Prevention Institute Counselor, of 10 years wrote, “I have been very blessed to be a part of the energy and passion Hopi and the community share, working together to ensure ‘No Child Is Left Behind.’” Kathy Kaempfert, Learning Resource Classroom teacher at Hopi for 8 years, will be missed by all, including former students who like to return to visit her. It’s not as likely she will see past students at her bed and breakfast in Martha’s Vineyard where she plans to be, but stranger things have happened. Volunteer Barbara Halden, devoted thousands of hours of her free time over six years, developing, and facilitating the Hopi garden program. Though Halden is moving on from Hopi, she will continue to work at Ingleside Middle School, Arcadia High School, the Desert Botanical Gardens and elsewhere. Hopi School Nurse of 20 years, Lynn Watkins, is leaving the Hopi children to be of service to her own children and grandchildren. One son and daughter-in- law have two sets of twins, ages two and soon to be one and are expecting their third set in July. The other daughter and son-in-law are expecting their first child; however her son-in-law is in Afghanistan, unable to be present for the birth. Watkins, who lives near Hopi explained, with soft eyes and a wry smile that she won’t actually be missing the students. “I see them everywhere.” Watkins recalls being at the base of the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee and hearing someone yell, “There’s Nurse Tap Into 50 Years of Experience! Serving the Valley Since 1964 602.944.5516 wjmaloney.com Residential & Commercial Plumbing & HVAC ians is not a the director. ing band for d to Arizona previously pa City and ardner is also at Arcadia st year with aching them d of only moment (at aching them f music and performance e teacher at ompetition is at this point. rrent seventh experience o work hard mes around. ed if people ,” he said. Serving the Arcadia area since 1958          BRIAN A. SERBIN, D.V.M. • RACHEL BART, D.V.M. KATHERINE HEWITT, D.V.M. Find us on Facebook! Member Since 1959      •  •    •    •    •         www.ingleside.com • 602-840-3446 Now offering Cold Laser Therapy for DRUG FREE treatment of Arthritis and improved tissue healing. NEW HOSPITAL HOURS! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Monday - Friday 7am to 7pm Saturday and Sunday 8am to 3pm (From left to right) Jo Blochberger, Judi Parent, Meredith Folger, Nurse Lynn Watkins, Laura Spackeen, Jim Padrlik and Barbara Halden Watkins!” “I’ll miss the staff, obviously, but then again, in a few years we will have 6 little Watkins at the school at the same time- two, two and two. Won’t that just be a hoot? “I’ll miss Barbara [and] the garden. That’s the biggest loss. She has done so much… the teaching… the kids understanding of food, the medicinal aspects of it, and to watch it grow. They don’t get enough of that… there’s not [enough] play between them and nature. They’ll miss that. I hope someone takes over,” said Watkins. “There is a season for everything. And like I said, I’ll be around,” Watkins declared through her tough but tender smile. Every retiree interviewed echoed sentiments of appreciation for the close support they enjoyed and the camaraderie developed out of the many years of service. Whether they remain in the neighborhood or not, these priceless community members who have contributed so much to so many, will continue to be cherished in the hearts and memories of the families they’ve touched. Visit your tablet’s app store and search “Arcadia News” to download your free app today! Find us on the go!