Page 52 February 2017 All Faiths Welcome • Pre-K through Eighth Grade • Indexed Tuition Available • All Saints’ Episcopal Day School • 6300 North Central Avenue • Phoenix, Arizona 85012 • 602.274.4866 • www.aseds.org • www.facebook.com/PhoenixASEDS All Saints’ Episcopal Day School admits students of any race, color, or national origin. Educating Children Head to Soul Since 1963, All Saints’ Episcopal Day School has offered a top-tier education while encouraging students to realize their highest potential as lifelong learners, artists, athletes, and leaders of the future. Our teachers teach what they love. We employ 17 specialists in the areas of music, Spanish, physical education, band, art, religion, library, and technology. We also have a full time school counselor, a Learning Resource Coordinator, and Technology and Design Thinking Specialist. In recent history, 99% of our graduates were accepted to their first-choice high school. Come see why 90% of alumni respondents rate their overall satisfaction with All Saints’ as “high” or “very high.” — Independent Alumni Survey Call today to schedule a tour. Limited space available for the 2017-18 school year. By Ian Kraft In late October, Xavier Prep High School took home a title in the Div 1 AIA Badminton doubles championships, marking the fourth straight year the program has won it all. Seniors Tatum Clarke and Annie Kamps defeated Perry High School’s Dominique Garcia and Tori Albin 15-9 and 15-10 to win the championship. “I’ve learned a lot about myself throughout each season,” Clarke said. “We’ve been through a lot as a group but we knew we had what it took to win.” The 2016 season marked the first season for coach Susan Contreras, as she took over for long-time head coach Nancy Meyer. Contreras admitted that she was nervous about her new role but had the ultimate confidence in the leadership of her senior girls. “I was reluctant to take the job because I had only coached volleyball before,” said Contreras, who began teaching physical education at Xavier in 1988. “Nancy Meyer had taken this program to new heights and there was big shoes to fill.” Two seniors, Clarke and Emily Woodrow, were a part of last year’s championship team and provided valuable leadership to the underclassmen on the squad. “When Coach Meyer stepped down, the team was skeptical about what we could do next, but Emily and I really tried to push each other,” Clarke said. “We always made sure everybody was dedicated and on track, at all times.” Coach Contreras explained that without the help of her assistant coaches Angela Smith and Francis Hartojo, she would have had a much harder time leading the girls to victory. “I learned how vital my assistants were, but more importantly, I learned from the girls to think a little outside the box because of how Nancy coached this team before me,” said Contreras. “She would use different methods while I was more by the book. The girls opened my eyes to a new way of coaching.” When talking about the future of the program, Contreras pointed to the experience of her junior varsity squad and the leadership it can provide in 2017. “Our JV and our alternates have all the potential that the varsity team had. They have watched the varsity girls and I know they know how to play the Gator way,” Contreras said. “If we do what we’re supposed to do each day and be good teammates, good friends… we can be successful each year.” Xavier Prep offers a summer camp to anyone interested in badminton. For more information, contact Susan Contreras at 602-635-1032 or at scontreras@xcp.org. Gator Gold: Xavier badminton hoists another trophy The Xavier badminton team celebrates the state championship, which was their fourth title in a row. If we do what we’re supposed to do each day and be good teammates, good friends… we can be successful each year.” ‘‘

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