We HonorYou “Because of the women on my care team, I haven’t stopped smiling. They make me feel like there is nothing wrong with me.” — Tamikqwa We’re making healthy personal by building relationships. As your partner, we work closely with you and those who support you on your health journey. Read Tamikqwa’s story at HonorHealth.com/relationships Scottsdale Healthcare and John C. Lincoln Health Network have merged and are now HonorHealth. We’re still your locally owned, non-profi t, healthcare partner. Page 58 October 2015 2015 Football Season 2015 2015 PHOTOS BY GREG BRUNS

& SPORTS COLLECTOR CAR CENTER Servicing Your Car Is Not Our Job, It’s Our Passion F actory Trained Technicians Using St ate of the Art Equipment F amil y Owned & Serving The East V alley Since 1973 Shuttle Service, Pick Up & Delivery A v ailable Call to Schedule Your Inspection & Service 480.968.5000 | www.sccarcenter.com Jaguar & Range Rover Experts Honor Most Extended W arranties °All Service Guaranteed/ Parts & Labor Our programs are internationally-recognized stop in and find out why! Heated indoor pool & small class sizes FREE BABY SPLASH ages 8 wks - 5 mos LITTLE SNAPPERS ages 6 - 35 mos GROUP LESSONS ages 3 - 12 yrs HUBBARDSWIM.COM · 602.971.4044 SPLASH, PLAY & LEARN! Redefining Swim Lessons since 1998 Page 59 October 2015 By Jacob Janower If you are in attendance at an Arcadia High School football or basketball game, you recognize the distinguishable voice of John Thomas over the PA system. Thomas, along with his childhood friend, John Albright, who serves as his spotter, have worked in the booth together at Arcadia football games for eight years. “I started when my youngest kid played football in the fall of 2008,” Thomas said. “Eight years ago I was asked to do football games and asked Johnny [Albright] to be my spotter. Five years after I moved up to JV and varsity. We paid our dues before moving up to varsity.” Thomas didn’t have much experience when he fi rst began announcing games, but used his knowledge from sporting events that he’d attended to create his own announcing style through trial and error. He garnered the confidence to be an announcer after growing up in southwest Michigan with a father who announced both baseball and stock racing. Thomas says he has always enjoyed public speaking. After leaving Michigan, Thomas’ family headed to Arcadia. He attended Ingleside Elementary School where he met Albright. He and Albright later went on to attend AHS. They spent their summers together playing baseball and riding bikes. Among other activities, they also played football on irrigated fi elds at AHS and at the old Motorola Plant. At AHS, they were both involved in student government. Albright was also the quarterback for the school football team. The men each moved elsewhere after school, but came back to Arcadia because of their connection to the community. Thomas is currently a lawyer who specializes in government relations, while Albright is a cabinetmaker who also works in home repairs. “I have raised kids here. I’ve lived all over the country, but Arcadia is where I chose to settle down,” Thomas said. The longtime friendship between these two allows them to get everything done in the announcing booth in a timely matter. “Even before we get in the booth, it is nonstop,” Albright said. “We have a set plan but things that occur from every direction that we have to deal with. If you say a kid’s name wrong, the fans will correct you, and that’s kind of fun.” The fast-paced action is not necessarily visible to those outside of the press box, but the duo completes work in a variety of areas to ensure the best fan experience possible. “We both enjoy the excitement of high school football,” Thomas said. “It starts with the music when you enter the stadium and is a team effort of administrators, faculty and staff, students, band, spirit lines, parents and players. All are important in order to have a successful and fun sporting event.” The two have worked under Arcadia Athletic Director Kevin Mooney since they began at AHS in 2008. “John and Johnny are proud graduates of Arcadia High School,” Mooney said. “It is apparent to anyone who attends a game that they both genuinely love the school and are proud to still be part of the Titan traditions. I have worked with few people who are as dedicated to their jobs as are John and Johnny. Always eager to improve their craft, they often attend games at other schools when the Titans are on the road, looking to incorporate the best practices of other schools into their own.” Thomas and Albright’s influence has extended beyond just Arcadia. They were recently asked by Veritas Prep to announce their home games and to help train an announcer for the future. Remarkably, Albright also built a six-foot tall press box for the school in one day since the school did not have one. Due to their many years of living in the Arcadia community, both Thomas and Albright see a special significance in working football games for their former high school. “There isn’t a game that goes by that I don’t meet someone new,” Thomas said. “I also see people I haven’t seen in 20 years.” Arcadia sports announcers hold special connection to school 2015 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE All games @ 7pm OCTOBER 2 @ Tempe OCTOBER 9 @ Maricopa OCTOBER 16 HOME vs. Vista Grande OCTOBER 23 @ Apache Junction OCTOBER 30 HOME vs. McClintock (Senior Night) John Albright (left) and John Thomas (right) give the play-by-play every Friday night. Eight years ago I was asked to do football games and asked Johnny [Albright] to be my spotter. Five years after I moved up to JV and varsity.” ‘‘