6 APRIL 2020 By Jennifer Marshall Xavier College Preparatory recently won the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. The school was honored “for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science and AP Computer Science Principles.” According to Lisa Zuba, Xavier’s director of marketing and staff development, the school was one of only 36 to be recognized in 2019 for closing the gender gap in AP computer science courses. The gender gap in STEM education refers to the inequity of educational opportunities between male and female students. “Only about 20% of professionals in the computer science field are women,” Zuba said. Male professionals have long dominated high tech fields, but this inequity has been shrinking over time. Three female Xavier seniors are proving the point that girls can do anything boys can do. “I came to Xavier knowing taking computer science was a requirement,” said Tessa Gaynor. “I’d heard it was a difficult class, so it wasn’t something I looked forward to doing. But once I got into the class, I found that I loved it. Being able to have this opportunity is important.” “Computer science was not something I would have focused on,” Katelen Tellez said. “Had it been optional, I probably wouldn’t have taken it as it seemed so intimidating. This year, I’m taking AP Computer Science Principles, and I plan to major in computer science in college.” “I, too, probably wouldn’t have taken computer science if it weren’t mandatory,” Erica Stutz said. “In a world that’s so ingrained with technology, computer science is such an important subject. If you know how to code, you’re hired over those who don’t. I’m looking to study bioengineering in college; computer science is part of that.” Xavier’s female-only enrollment is not the only aspect that sets this high school apart in terms of STEM education. “Computer science is a requirement here at Xavier,” Zuba said. “English is required Xavier, and computer science is right up there with it.” According to Zuba, every Xavier student has to learn code. “Computer science is like another language,” Stutz said, “and when you’re introduced to it at a younger age, you’re more likely to pick up on it.” Zuba credits high school computer science coursework with not only thoroughly preparing students for advanced university studies but also that students will enter college with more academic confidence in the sciences. “In college, our students will be in classes with 80% guys,” Zuba said, “and then they’ll graduate and work at companies with maybe only 30% women. The confidence they develop here at Xavier will take them a long way.” Frequently, the AP coursework taken at Xavier can be applied toward university degree requirements, which saves students both time and money. “Just because a subject like computer science looks male-dominated doesn’t mean it’s intimidating,” Gaynor said. “You can get into it; it’s just as easy for us girls as it is for boys.” “And everything includes computer science now,” Stutz said. “No matter what field you’re going into, you’ll probably use it in some way.” Xavier awarded the AP Computer Science Diversity Award Katelen Tellez, Tessa Gaynor and Erica Stutz are helping to break the gender gap among STEM-related classes. PHOTO: DOMINIQUE PAPLACZYK By Mallory Gleich Scottsdale Unified School District is getting a new superintendent. Michigan-native Dr. Scott Menzel is taking over the reins from Dr. John Kriekard, who is retiring at the end of the school year after more than 30 years with the district. Menzel is currently the superintendent of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District in Ann Arbor, MI. His tentative start date with SUSD is July 1. Menzel’s interest in applying for the superintendent position was based, in part, on the district’s excellent reputation. “The district has a history of providing exceptional education and has ranked at or near the top of Arizona schools on standardized assessment measures for a long time,” Menzel said. “The level of community support for the district is phenomenal, as evidenced by the overwhelming support for the maintenance and operative override vote last November. As a superintendent, having a community that values education with parents who are deeply committed makes a significant difference.” Menzel was also interested in the position because he wanted to be closer to his family. His brother lives in Phoenix, and one of his daughters lives in California. His other daughter plans to move to Arizona when she finishes college at Michigan State. He and his wife also wanted to move somewhere where the winters are a little more tolerable. Menzel attended Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA and received a degree in religion. He also attended The American University in Washington, D.C., where he earned a master’s in philosophy and social policy. He also has a Specialist of Arts and Ph.D. from Eastern Michigan University in Educational Leadership. Menzel has been working in education for almost 30 years. He started working at a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., on school-to-work issues. He then moved back to Michigan to provide support to three counties implementing school-to-work transition efforts before being named the executive director for the South Central Michigan Workforce Development Board. For the past 18 years, he has served as superintendent: five years at Whitmore Lake (a small district north of Ann Arbor), four years at the Livingston Educational Service Agency, and nine years at Washtenaw Intermediate School District. He also served as the superintendent of the Ypsilanti Community Schools while also serving as WISD superintendent. “I first realized I wanted to be a superintendent when I was overseeing workforce development programs,” Menzel said. “We worked a lot with K-12 school districts, and I was impressed with superintendents who did their job well and disappointed by the number of people that were in the job which seemed to struggle.” Menzel also has teaching experience in adult education and has taught at community colleges and at the university level. “For anyone who has concerns about a superintendent who hasn’t been a classroom teacher, I believe that the role of the superintendent is to ensure teachers have the support and resources necessary to do their jobs well,” Menzel said. “…In 18 years, I’ve had great relationships with my teachers because we understood the role we each had in service to children.” Menzel wants leadership structured on the foundation Dr. Kriekard, the governing board and the team at SUSD have built. “I recognize that there have been a fair number of challenges over the past decade, and I hope that I can provide leadership stability for the next decade,” Menzel said. “I believe Scottsdale Unified can and will lead Arizona in educational excellence and achievement and that we will compete with the best schools in this nation and around the world.” There were 29 applicants for the superintendent position, but the Scottsdale Unified Governing Board interviewed only three candidates. “They also chose to include five different groups representing internal and external stakeholders to participate in the process,” Menzel said. “The governing board and community interview teams completed all the interviews on one day – a very long day.” Menzel’s goals for the upcoming year include working with the governing board during his transition to Arizona to understand expectations for the forthcoming year. “I am committed to an intensive listening tour where I can understand the hopes and aspirations of the Scottsdale community for the future of the district. By the end of that time, the board and I will formalize goals for the remainder of the year,” Menzel said. In his off-time, Menzel enjoys being in nature – hiking and taking walks, watching college basketball and football and attending theater performances. He also loves to read. “I am excited to get to know the students, families and staff that are part of the SUSD family,” Menzel said. “I was so impressed with the people I met during the interview process and I’ve been overwhelmed with positive words of encouragement after I was selected. It already feels like home and I can’t wait to get started.” Menzel also added, “I am looking forward to NOT getting up at 4 a.m. to decide whether or not to close the school as a result of SNOW!” In with the new for Scottsdale Unified School District Dr. Scott Menzel

7 APRIL 2020 A letter from the AHS student body president Charlie Siegel Dear Arcadia High, Our generation is currently living through history: a global pandemic that none of us could have ever predicted, and the ensuing chaos. Our lives have already begun to change drastically, but more change is yet to come. The last few months of this school year will not be what any of us would have hoped for, especially not for the class of 2020. The situation and things that we are going to overcome are tragic, and as a part of the student government, we have been working to create every end-of-the-year event that will likely not occur. However, we will all come out as stronger individuals because of what we will endure and sacrifice during this time. To help combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we need to listen to authorities and do our part. I am guilty of starting with the mindset that this will not affect me, but that is not true at all. By continuing our lives like nothing is wrong, we are not only helping the spread but also putting ourselves at risk. The virus is starting to affect younger and younger people, and even though you may survive, you may live with scarred lung tissue that will affect you for the rest of your life. I encourage everyone to practice social distancing, say no to your friends, and say no to that party. We are the most virtually-connected generation, so let’s utilize our many platforms to stay in touch in different ways. We have to remember that this is not an extended break. The school year is continuing, just alternatively. Make the best of this time, and while we all will be making the difficult adjustment to online school, we have to remember that it is not just us. Our teachers are struggling too. Teachers and students all over the world are going through this together. But also, take the extra time to do things you have always wanted to do. Start a sketchbook or a journal, paint a picture, or maybe learn a language or learn to code online. There are so many things that we can do with our time and who knows what we might create. Most importantly, we need to bear with all of our teachers as these changes are being made. Stay strong, because we are all in this together. Lastly, to my seniors, this is probably one of the saddest things that could have happened to our class. So many things have been ripped away from us, and we will not have the opportunity for a do-over. Unfortunately, all we can do is roll with the punches and accept what may come. Maybe by May, we will have our graduation and maybe we won’t. However, we cannot let that define our attitudes. We all have worked so hard to get to where we are today, and regardless of what happens, we are the Class of 2020, and we will be stronger, wiser, and better than any other graduating class. We will still graduate and go off to do amazing things, so in the midst of the chaos, stay strong, and we will weather the storm together. We may not be getting the senior year we dreamed of and saw in movies, but our experience will be unique to us and make us better for it. I want all of us to remember that this is still our year and that no matter what, we have made amazing memories within the walls of Arcadia, and at the end of the day, we are all Titans. I hope we can all be back with our Arcadia family soon. Sincerely, Your Student Body President, Charlie Siegel Mark A. Wyse, M.D. Kate Montgomery, FNP Allan Goldman, D.O. David Francyk, D.O. T.E. McCauley, M.D. Alisha Archibeck, D.O. Jennifer Francyk, PA-C Timothy Gloyd, M.D. Victoria Rhodes, PA-C Dermatology Charles Levison, M.D. Because caring for your health has always been our passion, we’ve made the following services conveniently available in our office. • Excellent care for all ages • Same day appointments • On-site clinical laboratory and X-rays • Dermatology services • Botox and Jan Marini skin care now available MON–WED 7AM–7PM THURS–FRI 7AM–5PM SAT 7AM–NOON EXPERT DOCTORS AND PRACTITIONERS. CONVENIENT SERVICES. EXTENDED HOURS. Catherine O’Neill, MSN, FNP 4350 E. Camelback Rd., Ste F100, Phoenix, AZ 85018 • 602.955.8700 • FPSAZ.com IN PRACTICE CELEBRATING