26 JANUARY 2022 Blanks plans to attend a four-year university in the fall and study psychology to become a clinical psychologist. Spier echoed many of the same feelings. “It is a great feeling to be recognized for all my hard work and represent Arcadia,” he said. Spier is currently the president of the Student Ambassador Club, a member of the National Honor Society, and a representative on the SUSD Student Advisory Board. In addition to his extracurricular activities, Spier has been on the Arcadia baseball team all four years of his high school career and played basketball as a freshman. “My counselor, Mrs. LaCorte, was so helpful throughout this process, and all of my teachers and my parents, too,” Spier shared. “I am lucky to have people like them to help me along the way.” Spier plans to attend an out-of-state Arcadia High students receive Heisman scholarship Ryan Spier Alyssa Blanks By Cliff Summerhill The Heisman. An award that conjures up images of success, courage, and names like Barry Sanders and Kyler Murray. The trophy honors outstanding collegiate football players. However, the organization behind the trophy also offers a scholarship, open to exceptional athletes for all high school sports, and two students from Arcadia High have been awarded that honor. In November, seniors Alyssa Blanks and Ryan Spier found out that they won the Heisman Scholarship and received $1,000 to be used this fall when they both set out to college. “It is such a rewarding feeling to be honored for 14 years of hard work as a dancer,” Blanks said. “I am so happy that I can represent Arcadia and the dance community in such a positive light.” Currently, Blanks is the Choreography Director for the Arcadia Dance Company, a captain of the Arcadia Varsity Pomline, a member of the National Honor Society, and serves as the secretary of the Arcadia Calculus Club. “My parents and family have provided me with amazing opportunities to further my dance training, and I am so thankful for them,” Blanks shared. “My coaches, from the time I started dancing to now, have been instrumental in my success throughout the years.” university to major in finance in the hopes of breaking into the real estate world. The pair are undecided – as of now – on where they will attend college. The Heisman High School Scholarship is funded by the Heisman Trophy Trust, a nonprofit organization rooted in the legacy of the Heisman Memorial Trophy, which was created in 1935 and continues to be awarded to college football players every year. In 1994, the scholarship was established to embody the same high-level integrity of its namesake for every high school applicant. Today, in partnership with American Insurance, the award is ranked among some of the most prestigious in the country. “The Heisman Trophy Trust recognizes the next generation of great American leaders whose stories of leadership and impact through sports are truly inspiring,” Michael Comerford, President of Heisman Trust, said. “These student-athletes use their talents and push their limits to improve their communities, and their success is a true testament to the power of sports.” Currently, high school students who maintain a 3.0 GPA or better, exhibit leadership and role model behavior at school and in the community, and participate in at least one school sport throughout their high school career can apply. Religious Instruction • Strong Academics • Cutting Edge Technology • Service Learning Religious Instruction • Strong Academics • Cutting Edge Technology • Service Learning Leadership Programs • PE and Interscholastic Sports • Instrumental and Vocal Music Leadership Programs • PE and Interscholastic Sports • Instrumental and Vocal Music “Arts Attack” Program • School Nurse • Bus Transportation Available “Arts Attack” Program • School Nurse • Bus Transportation Available Meet two members of the Green Team! Meet two members of the Green Team! The 3rd gr ade service focus is recycling! The 3rd gr ade service focus is recycling! 3901 East Indian School Road • 602-957-7010 • www.clsphx.org CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Christian Values. Quality Education. Preschool through Grade 8 480.946.5076 4130 n marshall way • scottsdale art art one one gallery | foundation gallery | foundation Representing students and local artists of Arizona since 1993 artonegalleryinc.com Woman in Red by Steven Allison • oil on panel 80” X 36” X 1.5” • $1200

27 JANUARY 2022 By Jennifer Marshall For many Phoenicians, one of the pleasures of living here is the easy access to numerous mountain preserves. Maintaining these trails’ safety, functionality, and beauty is no easy task and wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated help of volunteers working in the Park Steward Program. “Due to the shortage of rangers, the Park Steward Program was established back in 2008,” Park Ranger and Volunteer Coordinator Peter White said. “Trail working and building is a slow process that’s very time-consuming because it’s all done manually, so we have a great need for volunteers.” With 41,000 acres of preserved land, over 200 miles of designated trails and 182 urban parks, that’s a lot of ground to cover! “In 2017, Phoenix reinvigorated the Park Steward Program,” White said. “It began with 80 volunteers and no projects, and now we’re at around 620 volunteers and about 80 projects a month. Our Park Stewards service all the city mountain preserves, and now they’re starting to work in the urban parks.” Annually, about 6.2 million people visit the preserves, and White reported that, during the pandemic, visitors and volunteers doubled. Anyone 16 and older can sign up to be a Park Steward, and those younger than 16 must have a parent present with them. According to White, a few families with young children volunteer and come into work together. Park Steward applications are available online, and after someone applies, White contacts them and sets up an hour- long virtual orientation. He details the basics of the Park Steward Program, including their role and responsibilities as a volunteer. “Our Park Stewards do everything, like trail work, cleaning up, and pruning,” White said. “We also have a group called the Desert Defenders who work the preserves pulling invasive grasses and plants as well as planting native species to keep out the invaders.” White said volunteers have been allowed to run their own projects, such as those conducting interpretive hikes. Volunteers are encouraged to positively promote the preserves and educate people on the animals and plant life that call the trails home. “Within the Park Steward Program, we’ve also created a Mountain Bike and Hike Patrol Group to teach people about trail etiquette,” White said. “Our trails are available to hikers, horseback riders and bikers, so, for example, we don’t want bikers to zip by someone riding a horse.” Volunteers are split equally across the preserves, and White said they average about 1,000 to 1,200 hours of volunteering, with 22 to 24 new volunteers signing on a month. “I love the connection with our volunteers,” White said. “You see the same people over and over, and you create friendships.” phoenix.gov All hands on deck to care for Phoenix’s preserves and parks Greg Bradshaw, Jenny Zink, Heidi Cordova and Ken Gometz donned their costumes for a park clean-up in the fall. PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER WHITE Our Park Stewards do everything, like trail work, cleaning up, and pruning. By Rachael Bouley It’s 13 full weeks of grueling physical and mental endurance, the ultimate test each person must pass before their Marine journey begins. Arcadia High graduate Dallas Swartfiguer hopes he made his family and community proud by graduating from Marine Corps Boot Camp. Dallas first expressed an interest in the Marines when he was 14, after hearing from a Marine recruiter who visited Arcadia High. His grandma, Diane Pattengill-Ronan, said she remembers the day Dallas first shared his interest in military service and acknowledges how far he’s come since then. “Dallas said to me with eyes wide open, ‘Grandma, I really liked it,” Diane recalled. “When he went off to boot camp, I never realized what it would take to become a Marine. It was difficult for me since we could not talk on the phone or over the internet, and we could only communicate the old fashion way with letters.” Diane said she got goosebumps after seeing a video where Dallas finished the “Crucible,” a 54-hour test of endurance. Dallas covered 48 miles carrying 45 pounds on his back, including his rifle and four ready-to-eat meals, all while running on minimal sleep. His mom, Jenny, shared the sentiment and said that while she once thought he would go to school for engineering, it’s awesome how dedicated he is to his military dreams. “Second to giving birth to my children, watching Dallas go through Marine Boot Camp and graduate is the most amazing thing that I have experienced as a mother,” Jenny said. “The courage, discipline, and dedication he puts forth is so incredible and beyond anything I have ever done.” According to the family, Dallas grew up playing video games and Legos and showed some interest in the military. They believe he’s found a perfect match in the Marines. “My hope for Dallas is to follow through with four years of service, and if he wants to continue serving, I would fully support that,” Jenny said. “If he decides to return to the civilian side, I hope he takes what he has learned and applies it toward furthering his education and career. Dallas has so many incredible opportunities.” Dallas said he decided to become a Marine because he wanted to challenge himself. “The Marines are the best of the best,” Dallas said. “Boot camp is all mental, and it’s a learning curve. My favorite part was the assault courses, and my least favorite part was the feeling of not knowing what was going to happen next.” Dallas is thankful he met the recruiter at Arcadia, who inspired him to take this path and keep growing and learning as he works toward his goals. “I want to finish job school and get a good foothold within the fleet,” Dallas said. “For the far future, I want to put in my full 20 years and then retire.” While Dallas dedicates himself to serving his country, he also wants to support other students interested in this military path. His advice for those thinking about joining: don’t hesitate. “Get into contact with a recruiter as soon as possible. Make smart decisions, really consider your options, and have an open mind,” he said. Former Titan graduates from Marine Corps Boot Camp Dallas with his mom and sisters, Kira, Sunshine, Kaitlyn and Jenny, before heading to boot camp. PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNY PATTENGILL