10 SEPTEMBER 2021 By Cliff Summerhill Earlier this year, seniors John Cole Lomax and Henry Palmer were awarded the National Merit Scholarship, an esteemed award granted to just 2,500 students across the country annually. “This award is an amazing honor that I am so grateful for,” Lomax said. “It is also a point to keep striving from. This scholarship highlights the start of my college career, but I look forward to striving for more in college.” “This helps me to validate my dedication to my studies over the past four years and motivates me to work even harder in the future,” said Palmer. During their junior year at Brophy Prep, Lomax and Palmer took their first step toward applying for the National Merit Scholarship Program by simply taking a test. But this test was no easy feat, according to the pair. With support from their families and an abundance of self-guided studying, they both took the Preliminary SAT/National Me r it Schola r sh ip Qualifying Test, or as it’s more commonly referred to, the PSAT. Each year, more than 1.5 million high school students take the PSAT, with only about 50,000 being selected to move forward after achieving higher than average test scores. From there, the program selects approximately 17,000 semifinalists from around the nation to compete for the scholarship. Once selected, the students apply to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, determining which students are selected as National Merit Finalists. Thanks to school recommendations, solid academic marks, essays, and other successes, Lomax and Palmer were selected as National Merit Finalists. In addition to a Certificate of Merit (and bragging rights), the students were awarded a $2,500 scholarship to the college of their choice. “I am ecstatic to have been awarded this scholarship,” Palmer said. “I understand how selective the process was, and I believe this helps to validate all of the hard work I put into my courses and studying for the PSAT over the years.” “I am sure that all of the winners will be striving to excel in college and change the world,” Lomax shared. “It is exciting to imagine how all of us are trying to make the world a better place during college and after.” This fall, Lomax will attend the University of California, Berkeley, and major in electrical engineering and computer science with a minor in aerospace engineering. After college, he plans to pursue a career as an aerospace engineer. “I hope to design and develop unmanned aerial vehicles [UAVs],” Lomax shared. “UAV swarm technology is introducing a new opportunity in AI that I believe can be used to improve the quality of life for people around the world.” Palmer will attend Stanford University and will major in biomedical engineering. “I plan to work somewhere in the biotech sector, possibly for a startup and eventually working toward starting a biotech company of my own,” Palmer said. These future engineers are another testament to the saying “hard work pays off.” Drive and passion help Brophy students reach their goals Henry Palmer John Lomax By Joe Giumette If holidays are symbolic, few can surpass Labor Day, which falls on September 6 this year. To many people, Labor Day represents the waning days of summer, and to Arizonans, the final week of monsoon season. To others, it’s another welcomed three-day weekend, ripe with sales of every stripe. How many Americans take time on Labor Day to observe its original purpose, to honor the men and women of organized labor whose efforts resulted in the five-day workweek and the eight-hour shift? Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September in the U.S. and Canada. At least 80 other countries salute labor on May 1, a day most often adopted in totalitarian nations to rattle armaments. This holiday has a colorful history. It all began in Chicago on May 4, 1882, when labor organizations called for a peaceful rally in Haymarket Square. The event turned into chaos with nearly a dozen deaths when an unknown assailant threw a homemade bomb into the crowd. Later, this event became associated with anarchism and May Day, which is why a September date was chosen to mark the American holiday. President Grover Cleveland signed a bill making Labor Day a national holiday in 1894. Once honored with parades in cities and towns throughout the land, Labor Day is more often the last day of a weekend marked with backyard barbecues, picnics in city parks and campgrounds, complete with hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, corn on the cob, juicy watermelon and a few beers. Labor Day also was a significant highlight on the fashion calendar because it marked the last day to wear white clothing without chancing the sneers and giggles of the socially correct crowd, a tradition with 19 th century roots. Those who could afford two or more wardrobes donned lightly colored or white dresses, suits, shoes and hats in the summer and carefully stored them away to return to heavier, darker clothing to “get down to business” again in the fall. The school year was starting, crops were ready to harvest, and stores and offices were gearing up for their busiest time of year. The pandemic, of course, has affected public gatherings of all kinds, and Phoenix is no exception. That doesn’t mean people who aren’t interested in picnics are lacking in venues. Bars, restaurants and clubs throughout Phoenix and its suburbs are announcing “specials” of every kind. Happy Labor Day Arcadia! Origins of Labor Day are often overlooked Labor Day meeting in Union Square, NY in 1909. PHOTO: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ESTATE? PROBATE? TRUST? WE OFFER: • Marshaling & management of real & personal property • Personal property inventory services • Vital document & asset searches • Beneficiary distribution services • Hoarding/clutter remediation • Valuation & liquidation services • Specializing in high-conflict matters • Services provided locally, statewide & nationally Fredrick A. Schertenlieb Business Development 602-679-3383 • fred@ems-az.com • www.ems-az.com AZ License #20550 & #20660 • Insured • Bonded Discover how Estate Management Services can assist you. Call us today for a free consultation. 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11 SEPTEMBER 2021 By Jennifer Marshall Behind every successful school is a hardworking and dedicated Parent Teacher Organization. With optimism for a better year ahead, Arcadia area’s PTOs are making the following plans. Arcadia High arcadiapto.org The PTO conducts two fundraisers: a membership drive and an online auction. With six membership levels, it offers something for everyone. AHS focuses on many events, including teacher appreciation meals, the campus beautification project, homecoming and senior activities. “We’re playing it day-by-day regarding what the district lets us do,” PTO President Kim Kleski said. “Our parents back us one hundred percent, and we have a great sense of community from our Arcadia families.” Biltmore Prep biltmore.creightonschools.org “We’re focusing on a soccer league for our K-3 classes this year,” PTO President Sophia Carrillo Dahl said. “Soccer’s a great way to connect our parents and little ones, and we’re looking forward to being a community together again.” In addition to soccer, the PTO started the year off by welcoming teachers back to campus and hosting a back-to-school night. They also have an upcoming uniform exchange event, a fundraiser night at Peter Piper Pizza and a carnival. Christ Lutheran School clsphx.org “We don’t have an actual PTO, but parents can come into class and volunteer for various activities. We love having them on campus,” Principal Jon Doyle said. While new safety precautions have changed how parents can volunteer, Doyle is optimistic for the future. One goal is to host an auction or fundraiser with the golf tournament. “Our parents regularly contact us with new ideas,” Doyle said. “Recently, a mother mentioned a mother/son dance, and now it’s in the works. We love parents who are passionate about spearheading events.” Echo Canyon echocanyonpto.com “We’ve restructured our membership,” PTO President Stephanie Peyton said. “We have high hopes for this year as we have so many people who want to help.” Dining for Dollars, a family dance, a read-a-thon, a pinewood derby and several fundraising drives are some of the events planned for the year. “We’re excited to resume our featured Chef in the Garden Program,” Peyton said, “which is a hands-on learning partnership with the Blue Watermelon Project.” Hopi Elementary hopipta.com Hopi PTO’s theme this year is: Shine bright, soar high! “We had an exciting first week because we could welcome parents back to campus,” PTO President Megan Livengood said. So far on the calendar is a family fun bingo night, a movie drive-in night, walk to school day, a used book fair and a read- a-thon fundraiser. “We would also like to be able to provide more shade structures on campus and spruce up the back patio area,” Livengood said. Ingleside Middle inglesidepto.com Ingleside’s PTO kicked off the school year by hosting a teacher happy hour. “We’re working on getting the food trucks and fine arts event, angel tree event, bike drive, trivia night and a 5K on the calendar,” PTO President Kerri Flader said. Flader explained that they want to get people excited about being in school again, so the goal is to provide a shirt for every student to promote school spirit. “We’re nothing without our members and business sponsors, so we encourage everyone to get involved,” she said. Tavan Elementary tavanpto.com “Our major goal this year is to get more parents involved in the PTO,” Vice President Cheri Price said. “We want to put Tavan back on the map through an increase in parental involvement and activity.” There is also plan to host a couple of bigger annual neighborhood events. During Halloween Hijinx, the dad’s club hosts a haunted house, and kids can safely trick-or- treat. Tavan Twinkles is a shopping event where students can sell items they’ve created. Veritas Prep veritasprep.org “We’re excited to have events this year since we couldn’t last year,” Co-President Meg Seoane said. Veritas plans to bring back its annual fall dodgeball tournament for grades 6-12 as well as their K-12 homecoming tailgate and football game. “We also didn’t have any dances last year,” Seoane said, “so the kids are especially excited for our middle school harvest party and high school homecoming dance.” What’s new, PTO? AHS digital message board. Christ Lutheran School dads gather for bingo night. Hopi student James Livengood. Do you know a teacher who really makes a Difference? It’s easy to recognize and nominate your favorite teacher for Teachers We Love! Nominate a teacher online at www.arcadianews.com Winning teachers will receive recognition in an upcoming issue of the Arcadia News and special prizes. Thank you to our sponsors: