Send Entries to: Teachers We Love c/o Arcadia News 3850 E. Indian School Rd., Phx, AZ 85018 or fi ll out a nomination form online at: www.arcadianews.com Teacher/Administrator Name: _____________________________________________ School Name: _________________________________________________________ Your Name: ___________________________________________________________ Your Email Address: ____________________________________________________ Your Phone Number: ___________________________________________________ How does this person make a difference? __________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ It’s easy to recognize and nominate your favorite teacher for Teachers We Love! Just fill out this form and mail, fax or drop it by our office. OR, you can nominate a teacher online at www.arcadianews.com Be sure to include details about why your teacher is great (more details = better chance of winning!) Winning teachers will receive special gift certificates to Postino and Salon Sandoval! Send Entries to: Teachers We Love c/o Arcadia News 3850 E. Indian School Rd., Phx, AZ 85018 or fi ll out a nomination form online at: www.arcadianews.com Teacher/Administrator Name: _____________________________________________ School Name: _________________________________________________________ Your Name: ___________________________________________________________ Your Email Address: ____________________________________________________ Your Phone Number: ___________________________________________________ How does this person make a difference? __________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ _ _________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ It’s easy to recognize and nominate your favorite teacher for Teachers We Love! Just fill out this form and mail, fax or drop it by our office. OR, you can nominate a teacher online at www.arcadianews.com Be sure to include details about why your teacher is great (more details = better chance of winning!) Winning teachers will receive special gift certificates to Postino and Salon Sandoval! Do you know a teacher who really makes a difference? Page 58 May 2016 By Nick Smith It’s always exciting for a young athlete to break a record. But when that record has stood for 25 years? Eleven-year-old Michael Ellison did just that and said excitement wasn’t the first emotion he felt. “I was just shocked,” said Michael, describing the moment. “I couldn’t believe I did it.” Ellison is a swimmer who took down the Phoenix Swim Club record for the 50-yard butterfly in February. The former record, which had stood for a quarter century, was 30.30 seconds. Michael blew past that with a 29.75. “It was such a big moment for him,” said his mother Beth. “It was amazing. I was very emotional when it happened.” Michael began swimming when he was 7 years old. His mother introduced him to a wide variety of sports, but the water was what interested him the most. Even at that early age, Beth says she could tell that Michael was gifted at the sport. “I could tell he was way ahead for his age,” said Beth. “He was always fast and he would never get tired.” That motor was a major advantage for Michael, as participating in the sport means six days a week of 1 1/2 hours of practice. Many kids live for the meets and struggle to get through the grind of daily practice. That isn’t the case with Michael, who says practice is actually his favorite part of the sport. “I like practicing a lot,” said Michael. “Mostly because of the coaches. They’re very nice and understanding.” “The coaches make it such fun for the kids,” said Beth. “Practice has never been an issue with him. He told me that the meets are work for him but practice is the fun part.” Michael actually enjoys practice so much that his mom can use it to her advantage. “My only rule is if he doesn’t finish his homework, no practice,” says Beth, laughing. “Homework comes first.” Breaking a Phoenix Swim Club record had always been a goal for Michael and he was running out of time. February 14 was his final swim meet before he would turn 11. If he wanted to break the 50-yard butterfly record for 10-year-olds, now was the time to do it. “It was my last chance to try and break the record,” said Michael. “I knew I had a chance because I had come close before in the prelims.” Although the moment after breaking the record was exciting, Michael says he’s most looking forward to watching his name get put on the wall of the Phoenix Swim Club as the new record holder. “My name isn’t up there yet, but it will be soon,” said Michael. “I think I’ll be really proud of myself when I see it.” Local boy breaks 25-year record at Phoenix Swim Club Michael Ellison is the new record holder at Phoenix Swim Club for the 50-yard butterfly.

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Lindstrom Family Auto Wash Not valid with any other offers. Lindstrom Family Auto Wash Not valid with any other offers. Lindstrom Family Auto Wash PROFESSIONAL DETAIL SERVICES Engine Cleaning • Dress (top only) • Express Shampoo Express Wax • Leather Cleaning Conditioner • Complete Interior Exterior Over Spray Removal ARCADIA NEWS ARCADIA NEWS ARCADIA NEWS 5 SPORTS CAMP LOCATIONS MAY 31 - AUGUST 5 1 week sessions · Full & Half day Extended Care · Ages 4½ -13 learn the FUNdamental skills to play basketball, soccer, baseball, swimming, archery, volleyball & fi eld sports all in one camp! CHECK US OUT at New Way Academy 50th St & Oak! HUBBARDSPORTS.COM 602.971.4044 Page 59 May 2016 By Nick Smith Sam Huff sat in the back seat, thinking about the question his aunt had just asked. She and Sam’s dad were taking him home from a youth soccer game and she was enquiring about what his favorite sport was. Sam replied that he wasn’t quite sure, maybe soccer or basketball. Then his dad, Steve, spoke up. “He goes, ‘Nope, you’re going to be a baseball player’,” said Huff, over a decade later. “That was it. That’s how it all began.” It turned out to be a solid suggestion on Steve’s part. His son is now one of the best high school baseball players in the state and has started for Arcadia High School for the last four seasons. Although his dad may have nudged him toward the diamond, this isn’t the story of a parent forcing a kid to love a sport. In fact, Sam says both his mom and dad expressed concerned about him becoming burned out on baseball, especially when he began playing year-round on club teams. But they ended up with a son whom they didn’t need to worry over. “Since I started baseball, I was always happy when I was out there playing,” said Huff. “Every time I step onto the field I ask myself, ‘What would you rather be doing?’ I just love it.” Sam is a catcher for the Titans, a position he’s played for most of his career. He initially wanted to catch for a reason that anyone who played baseball as a kid would understand: He thought the gear was cool and wanted to wear it. But as time went on, Sam began to appreciate the position for more than just the mask and chest protector. “As a catcher, you’re always in the moment,” said Huff. “You’re going to be a part of every pitch and it’s great when you know that you’re helping the team on every play.” The 6-foot-2-inch Huff has played well enough over his high school career to earn a spot on Grand Canyon University’s baseball team next season when he graduates. Sam was interested in playing close to home so his parents could come see the games. But he also felt a strong connection to the coaching staff. “I felt really comfortable around the staff and team,” said Huff. “It was a good fit. I asked myself during the visit if I could see myself walking around on that campus and I definitely could.” But GCU coaches aren’t the only people who have taken note of Sam’s play. Several professional teams have also approached him and he’s now facing one of the biggest decisions of his young life: whether to turn pro if a team selects him in the June 8 draft. “It’s definitely a difficult decision,” said Huff. “You’re not sure what’s happening next and I really won’t know until June 8. A lot of it will depend on the round I get drafted in. But it’s a hard decision for sure.” Huff says the big choice has the potential to make him nervous and anxious about his future. So he says he’s made a conscious decision to do just the opposite and to soak up and enjoy the entire experience. “People I’ve talked to have said to not let it ruin my life,” said Huff. “And I’m pretty lucky, not many people get this kind of opportunity. So I’m just going to have fun in high school, focus on winning a state championship and enjoy the moment.” And helping Huff through the entire process has been his dad. A former player himself, who was once drafted by the Giants in the winter draft, Steve is now someone who Sam says he’s been leaning on as he makes his decision. “My dad is one of my best buds,” said Huff. “He and my mom have really helped me with the decision. I’m just going to treasure it and have fun.” Either way, Sam will play baseball next season. Where he’s at his happiest. It seems like his dad got this one right, from the very beginning. AHS catcher Huff following in his father’s footsteps Arcadia High School senior Sam Huff is looking toward a bright future, either in professional or college baseball. PHOTOS BY LAURA SCHROER