Gabe Peschlanka Arcadia High School “Way to go Gabe! We are so proud of you! Wishing you the best in life.” — Love Grandma & Grandpa Noah Hanson Camelback Christian Preschool First preschool - now the world! We love you No-Bo! — Mom, Dad, Carter and Bella Veronica Rodriguez East High School Hard to believe the day is here - we did it! To my very best friend - in love and life. — Arthur Mier Congratulate your Graduate with a commemorative ad in the Arcadia News . GRAD ADS ARE ONLY $99! Limited Space - Reserve by April 30th! Ads will appear in the June edition of Arcadia News. HOW TO SUBMIT: YOU PROVIDE US WITH: Graduate Photo* - Full Name - Name of School - 20 Words for Your Personal Message - The Name(s) to Appear in the Signature Line. * For best results, photos of your special graduate should be high in resolution. Grad Ad Photo Spaces are square, designed for Senior Headshots, but in some cases we may be able to crop another photo to fit. CONTACT US: E-mail roni@arcadianews.com with your photo and ad content (don’t forget your contact information!). Or, complete our online form at: www.arcadianews.com/grads. Call with questions: 602-840-6379 3850 E Indian School Rd • Phoenix 85018 • 602-840-6379 • arcadianews.com GRAD ADS GRAD GRAD Arcadia News Page 23 April 2016 mattress covered by a fitted sheet in a safety- approved crib. Babies should share the room with their caretakers, but never share the bed or sleep on a couch or chair with anyone. Soft objects such as pillows and loose bedding should always stay out of the crib and there should be no smoking around the baby. Cosmas said in Arizona alone, there were 83 sudden infant deaths in 2014 and that 44 of those were attributed to co-sleeping. Parents of the three youth who were recognized at the run said they are glad their daughters are learning early about SIDS and safe sleeping, especially since many youth babysit infants. “It’s really important to know what could potentially go wrong if you’re babysitting and how to handle it,” Kyra said. Morgan said seeing the Cosmas family go through the loss of Taylor firsthand has made an impact on her life and compelled By Katie Mayer Supporting SIDS awareness and safe sleeping isn’t a cause you’d normally expect young people to get behind, but for three local youth it’s a cause they support year after year. Allison Scardello, 15, of Phoenix and Arcadians Morgan Gruwell, 15, and Kyra Klonoski, 14, were recognized last year for their volunteer contributions to the annual Team Taylor’s Arcadia Family Fun Run 5K. Event organizers hope to attract even more youth volunteers to this year’s race on April 17. “It’s awesome that so many people come together for a good cause” Allison said. Owners of iRun Phoenix running store, and founders of Team Taylor, Mark and Katie Cosmas started the Arcadia Family Fun Run in 2013 following the 2010 SIDS death of their 5-month-old daughter Taylor. The event has grown by hundreds each year, with this year’s event expected to attract more than 1,000 participants. “Ultimately it was set up to keep Taylor’s memory alive and it has evolved as a place for other families who have experienced this tragedy to keep their [children’s] memories alive on a beautiful spring day,” Katie Cosmas said. During the run, participants can view, remember and honor babies who have lost their lives to SIDS through beautiful photos displayed along the course. “In Arizona, there was no SIDS remembrance group and I wanted to be around others who know exactly what it’s like,” Katie said. “It’s therapeutic for us.” Katie said that each year she hears from new families whose lives have been forever changed due to SIDS and she considers the run a place “for everyone to go year after year and remember their babies.” Funds raised during the 5K benefit SIDS research at Boston Children’s Hospital, where scientists are conducting groundbreaking research into the condition which claimed the lives of about 1,500 babies across the country in 2014, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. “Safe sleep has really become a big message,” Cosmas said. According to the CDC, babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep and should sleep on a firm surface, such as a Caring teens make commitment to Team Taylor Fun Run From left to right, Katie Cosmas honors Morgan Gruwell, Allison Scardello, and Kyra Klonoski. This year’s event is expected to draw over 1,000 runners. her to help sign up new participants every year. “After seeing someone who has [lost a child to SIDS], it has made me see how important it is to raise money for this cause,” Morgan said. “I really enjoy [the fun run] as a whole and will continue to volunteer.” The Cosmas family, which today includes Cade, 4, and infant Addison Hope, said they are touched by the commitment the young volunteers have made to the run and the cause. “It has meant a lot to us that not only has Taylor impacted these girls’ parents, but she has impacted [the girls] as well,” Cosmas said. “These girls were 7 or 8 years old when Taylor died and the fact that they remembered that really meant a lot to us.” — The Arcadia Family Fun Run will take place off 48th St. and the Canal on April 17 at 8 a.m. For more information, visit teamtayloraz.com.