42 JUNE 2023 By Justin McCoy Arcadia resident and foster mom Darcy Olsen has started a movement – one she wants to turn into a national conversation. Olsen has been a foster parent to 10 children since 2011, and while observing the treatment of children in court dependency hearings, she said she felt a need to help in the frequently broken foster care system. What shocked her was that the accused adults often had more legal rights inside the courtroom than their child victims. “I saw a lot that was good in the system but also a lot that was broken. Often, no questions were directed to the children; it was all about the perpetrators or birth parents and their rights. It was eye-opening to see that the victims – the children – were voiceless and didn’t have a seat at the table in these hearings,” Olsen said. Five years ago, Olsen set out to change the system. She founded The Center for the Rights of Abused Children, a private charity based in Arcadia dedicated to advocacy and giving foster children a voice, in 2017. The organization estimates it has helped over 500,000 foster kids nationwide since its inception. The center’s mission is to protect children, change laws, inspire people, and ensure every abused child has a bright future. Olsen envisions a day when all of America’s youngsters can live in safe, loving homes. In addition to advocacy, Olsen and her team help potential foster families and directs them to licensing agencies where they can get more assistance and training in adoption and fostering. The center also provides a law clinic with free legal advice and continuing education for attorneys in the adoption field. Olsen has seen much change in the last five years in Arizona and nationwide. She’s helped to pass laws in a dozen states, including the “Foster Care Bill of Rights” in Kansas and Arizona. This law guarantees abused and neglected children the right to live with their siblings, visit their families, and live with relatives whenever possible. In 2021, former governor Doug Ducey signed a historic law that appoints an attorney to every child in foster care – giving them their voice and representation in court proceedings. “We can put a million laws on the books to ensure a child’s time in foster care is safe and temporary, but without an attorney to argue the law on the child’s behalf, the law means nothing,” Olsen said. Since starting the organization, Olsen has had many memorable moments, but one child’s case, in particular, stands out. The center helped a nine-year-old girl, who had been a victim of horrific abuse for years, to get adopted. The child decided to choose a new name, something Olsen says abuse survivors do to disassociate themselves from their past lives and their safety. She chose to name herself after the attorney the center provided. “The little girl knew she had been rescued and protected from ever going back to her abusers,” Olsen said. In the future, Olsen said she wants to “convene the country” to recognize the work that must be done for every state’s children. She said she’d like a coalition of individuals to come together to bring awareness to the fostering system and elicit social change, similar to the numerous other social justice movements that have taken hold in recent years. “We would like to see a real movement take off for children in this country. We want to unify the voices of foster parents, the children, relatives, and allies and take them to Washington to make even bigger reforms,” Olsen stated. thecenterforchildren.org Providing help and hope to foster children in Arizona Darcy Olsen By Melissa Hirschl Volleyball athletes at Arcadia High, Brophy Prep, Veritas and Xavier Prep head into summer with many memorable events to reflect on. Here’s a recap of the 2022-23 accomplishments, challenges, and moments of glory. ARCADIA The Lady Titans were flying high at the end of the season as the first-ever Division II Section 5 beach volleyball champions in Arcadia history. Coach Jackie Bunker said she was thrilled that the team finished their regular season 12 to 1, playing against Salpointe Catholic in the final game before playoffs. Another high point for the team, she recounted, was the playoff run, where they advanced to the final four after wins over Scottsdale Prep and Gilbert Christian. Unfortunately, they lost their third playoff game to Estrella- Foothills, 3-2. “This is the first time in program history that we have reached the final four since the program began in 2015,” she said. “Our indoor volleyball team is the 2022 Desert Sky Region Champions and the 4A state runner-ups, losing 1-3 to Estrella Foothills this fall in the State Championship match.” According to Bunker, the team draws its strength from talented athletes and positive attitudes that coaches strive to foster. The dynamics of coaching also contribute to the team’s success. “Our practice drills are like real games,” Bunker said. “That helps our athletes develop game strategy while improving their skills. Hopefully, the experience of advancing to the final four this season will help returners advance the team further next season.” BROPHY PREP The Brophy volleyball team lost in the AIA 6A Conference semifinals to No. 2 seed Perry in three sets, 3-0: 25-21, 25-16, and 25-15. The Broncos finish the season with a 37-9 record after making their third consecutive semifinal appearance. “I am proud of them and how they lifted each other up,” Head Coach Tony Oldani said. “We had guys all season without experience who stepped up. We have never had a season like this, with injuries and missed matches.” Junior Connor Oldani and senior Teddy Churchill led the team with six kills, while Teddy had a team-best with 11 digs. Brophy led by seven in the first set, 11- 4, with a strong start on the road against a team they had faced three times this season. But the Perry Pumas rallied to tie, and the score remained tight, with six ties overall. After Brophy forced a tie at 19, Perry won six of the next eight points to close the first match, 25-21. “We knew we were going to need to be almost perfect to keep them off balance,” Oldani said. “We had a momentary lapse in what we were trying to do, and they are the type of team if you give them something they will take it away. They are unbelievable defensively.” Coach Oldani highlighted the skills of Benjamin Cugno, who had nine kills. “Cugno stepped into a role that he has been great at all season long,” said Oldani. “There is no greater ability than availability. He has been great for us every time he has been called upon.” It was the final match for seven seniors: Dylan Boyle, Teddy Churchill, Ari Joslin, Adam Matchinsky, Bobby Munhall, Patrick Oldani, and Ricky Snyder. “It is bittersweet for the seniors and knowing it was the last time I get to coach my son, Patrick, in a Brophy jersey,” Oldani said. “Now we start rebuilding for next year.” VERITAS PREP The beach volleyball team at Veritas Prep finished the season with a three-win, eight-loss record, placing fifth in Division II, Section 5. The Falcons also received a valuable bonus this spring when they added a new JV team, resulting in 26 girls participating in grades 9-12. “We fell a little short of our goal to make the playoffs, but our pairs improved and competed every match,” Coach Brooks Dockter said. “This year, we had a noticeably younger team, so goal setting and celebrating our progress was important. Younger players can be challenging, but it’s exciting because we return the bulk of our roster.” According to Dockter, the team’s strength is its chemistry. “Our athletes enjoy spending time together, which makes it much easier as a coach. We had many pairs play three- set matches this year, so we look forward to future growth and winning more matches.” XAVIER PREP The Gators have a record eight championship wins under Coach Tim McHale’s leadership. They finished the season with 13 wins, two losses and a No. 1 spot in Division I. “Our most memorable experience is our 3-2 victory over Desert Vista in Ahwatukee in May,” he said. “We were proud of our participation in 15 matches, along with the fact that we went to two state championships, where we won twice: once for the teams and the other for ‘pairs’ in the second round. Unfortunately, the Gators lost to defending champs Sandra Day O’Connor in the state semifinals. “We have lots of experience, but sometimes we are not as knowledgeable as we should be in championship experience,” McHale said. “Some stronger players have graduated, and some injuries have occurred.” In reflecting on his coaching style, McHale related it is considered ‘grandfatherly’ by some former students. “They jokingly say I’ve gotten soft in old age,” he said with a smile. “However, I’ve learned I no longer must be as strict in dealing with the players. I get the same results by collaborating and talking them through the games.” Finishing out the year with growth, grit and victory laps Veritas Prep’s beach volleyball team PHOTO COURTESY OF BROOKS DOCKTER