36 APRIL 2023 By Melissa Hirschl Amid the anticipation of spring break, the junior and senior girls of Veritas Prep had something else to be excited about: the fifth annual Powderpuff flag football game. This year, the juniors won 28-21 over the senior class. Flag football has distinct advantages over a traditional football game, beginning with the size of the field. A standard football field yardage is 120x50, while flag football fields are 80x40. Unencumbered by bulky and expensive helmets, shoulder pads, and protective gear, the girls experience more freedom on the field. “I played for the first time this year,” junior Izzy Wallace said. “It was really fun. We practiced for a month, enjoying the camaraderie as we all came together as a team. The game was a great way to connect with others in my grade, plus the boys’ football team since they were our coaches.” Football wouldn’t be the revered game it is without the iconic pigskin, and the team does use one. The twist is that “tackles” happen by snatching the other team’s flags, which are connected to the player’s belts. Touches of fun are also injected into the games, like when the teams do a play-by-play of the game for the audience. Senior football player Casen Lentz coached the juniors, while six other coaches from the football team worked with the seniors. “I taught them route-running (getting rid of a defender to score a touchdown), simple plays, some misdirection, and blocking skills. Of course, we also had a touchdown celebration,” Casen said with a grin. “I am very impressed with their performance. They made me look good!” Junior Maddie Lucas was also excited about the win. “I was this year’s team manager. It was very cool to beat the older girls. I can’t wait to play next year!” With an eye for philanthropy, each year the teams have picked a different charity to support with the money they raise from game attendance. This year’s pick was Homeward Bound, suggested by junior Alyssa Jenkins. “It’s a program that really moves me,” Alyssa said. “They help homeless people with housing and education. It helps get people stabilized.” Thanks to the community’s contributions, they collected $500 for the charity. Veritas enrolled physics teacher Jim Ward as the coordinator. He made announcements around the school to encourage more girls to join, with 20 joining the junior team and 10 on the senior team. The final step was a meeting to hash out final details. “We already had cones and flags from our Athletic Field Day, so there wasn’t much else to purchase except for the jerseys that the girls helped design. Thanks to them, we have a fun annual tradition,” Ward said. “The game is a great community builder that everyone enjoys. Each year, we get better and better.” Juniors win this year’s Powderpuff football game By Mark Hays There are plenty of events around the Valley to celebrate Earth Month, from school service projects to city festivals and events – check out what the community is doing! Hopi Elementary and Ingleside Middle School celebrate Earth Month with environmental and art projects. Acknowledging the importance of recycling, Ingleside sixth graders are making recycled bird feeders, which will hang outside the school on Earth Day, April 21. The seventh-grade students are creating Earth Day murals, and the eighth-grade students are participating in a day of cleaning and recycling throughout campus. Every month is Earth Month with The Hopi Environmental Leaders, a club for fourth and fifth-grade students focusing on year-round environmental service. “The goal of this club is to make sure Hopi as a community does not just focus on one day or month where we’re thinking about how we can make a positive difference for our planet,” third-grade teacher Whitney Keeler said. Members have launched recycling programs for the school’s cafeteria, including plastic bag recycling. They recently held the fourth annual Penny Wars, collecting coins to donate to rainforest preservation efforts. “The coins take some time to count, but in the past, we have raised almost $2,000 for Rainforest Trust with this competitive school-wide event,” Keeler said. During Earth Month, the school will hold its “Be the Change Challenge.” This event encourages students to act on various environmental issues. “Each day of the month, we will have an action each student can take to benefit our planet. Along with the action, there is a link with education about a particular issue facing Earth and how that action can make a difference,” Keeler explained. “We post a digital calendar on our Environmental Leaders’ website, and many teachers have our sites linked on their websites or Google Classrooms.” At the end of each week, teachers have students complete a Google form letting them know how many challenges they completed. Those that complete all the challenges get a shout-out on the announcements and an Environmental Leaders sticker. Students with the most stickers at the end of Earth Month receive a prize. During the week when Earth Day takes place, students are encouraged to pledge to the planet to change one aspect of their daily lifestyle to benefit Earth. “The idea is they have been educating themselves each day of the month and learning how simple choices can make a big difference,” Keeler said. “The whole month, we will share knowledge and education about how each individual can help our planet on announcements, throughout the school in creative ways, and our website.” Tavan Elementary’s Shoe Drive project also ties into Earth Day [read about it on page 34] because it promotes up-cycling clothing and shoes as a way to save resources and energy. Other Earth Month events happening throughout the Valley include Mesa’s Bike to Work day on April 19 and Earth Day Celebrations like the Town of Carefree’s Earth Day event on April 22 and Papago Park’s Earth Day Clean Up on April 21. mesaaz.gov/bikeped carefree.org How will you celebrate Earth Month? Hopi students sort the collected coins at the end of the Penny Wars. Lizzie Barney, Paul Weitfle, Sophie Nicks, Jaz Cobb, Mary Herbert, Juliana Curtis, Giselle Moreno Quinonez, Kayla Paez, Alyssa Jenkins, Calyn Kinerk, Claire Weiland, Caitlyn Sosa, Isabel Wallace, Alexandra Valletta, Gwen Kainass, Elvie Eaton, Eliana Barrows, Maddie Lucas, Klara Grabowski, Reyna Garcia, Maddie Mitchell, Casen Lentz, Greg Hamann, Jared Barrett, Royal Bitikofer, Ethan Strickland and Regan Brotherton. PHOTO COURTESY OF WHITNEY KEELER PHOTO COURTESY OF VERITAS PREP

We are the only real estate brokerage in Arizona that specializes in the sale of architecturally unique homes. For a thoughtful approach to real estate contact us today to buy, sell or just lean more: Call 480.425.9300 Happy New Year! Our gift: use this QR code to enjoy a free digital subscription to our magazine, Defining Desert Living! visit: azarchitecture.com If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation. Copyright © 2022 azarchitecture/Jarson & Jarson all rights reserved. SCOTT JARSON 480.254.7510 TRACEY ZEMER 602.478.0607 DESERT HIGHLANDS – JOHN RATTENBURY ARCHITECT Located at the foot of Pinnacle Peak this Wright protégé used his acumen to design a home of continuous curves nestled into a boulder strewn environment. Decorative details echo the shapes, forms and colors of the desert. The 3.8 Acre site includes sweeping views, extensive garage parking for five, and separate Guest House. One-of-a-kind! SOLD CAMELBACK VIEW MODERN - PARADISE VALLEY This stunningly perfect modern 4 bedroom contemporary home with outstanding Camelback Mountain Views is a Designer’s Delight. Sited in the heart of Paradise Valley in one of its most desirable neighborhoods. This spectacular updated home combines high-style with in-demand features WOW! Offered at $3,995,000 SCOTTSDALE RANCH – MOUNTAIN VIEW PLACE Stunning, fully renovated single story home located in the heart of desirable Scottsdale Ranch. This updated home features an open floor plan on a large corner lot with plenty of room to entertain to support the life style you want. Offered at $1,094,000 PVCC AREA – WILL BRUDER FAIA Award Winning Hillside architecture by this world-renown architect nestles into a spectacular hillside Mummy Mountain lot overlooking PVCC with sweeping views. Home blends into the landscape using materials that include copper, glass, steel, concrete, native stone. Every day is a celebration of light, form, material and space! WOW! Offered at $3,800,000 DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE OFFICE This elegant and award-winning building in Old-Town has been a signature office for one of Arizona’s most celebrated architecture firms. C-3/P-3 DO & P-2 DO Zoning offers a variety of use including Live/ Work. Highest quality details include custom metalwork, flooring, lighting and eco-features. Roof-deck features great views. WOW! Offered at $2,100,000 SOLD CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN MEETS ARCADIA – GEORGE CHRISTIANSEN ARCHITECT This elevated modern home was designed by none other than Architect George Christensen the home is perfectly sited on an elevated lot at the foothills of Camelback Mountain. Offered at $2,495,000 NEW TO MARKET! NEW TO MARKET!