46 MAY 2024 By Kylie de Best Meg Seoane’s mother enchanted neighbors, friends and family in the Arcadia area – and beyond – with her vibrant personality and a heart of gold. It was her intelligence and personality that made it hard to detect early signs of an undetermined form of Alzheimer’s and dementia, which the grandmother discovered when she was 66. Ultimately, that unknown disease took her away from the world just 10 years later. The family – three siblings and 10 grandkids – was left feeling frustrated over the lack of support and had numerous questions about the disease; questions that are still unanswered to this day. Meg’s mom spent time helping her community and planning parties, which became the inspiration for Croquet for a Cure, an event created by Meg and her husband Steve, that raises funds for memory disease research. “This event is very important to us,” Steve said. “It’s an issue that will profoundly touch just about everyone. I rarely meet someone who doesn’t know a person who is currently or has recently dealt with Alzheimer’s or dementia in some way.” The family hosted its second annual Croquet for a Cure tournament at their home this year, with 36 players and 150 spectators in attendance. “We play American ‘cut-throat croquet,’ which is a backyard single elimination form of the game. Only six winners move to the next round,” Meg said. “We auctioned off six spots to top bidders to buy in the semifinal. Three of those spots went to the final round.” Pete Boyes and his wife, Margaret, flew in from San Diego for the event, and Pete was this year’s winner. Prizes included a new croquet set and entry for two for next year’s tournament. Meg and Steve had some help from Kid Crew – started by the couple’s four kids and their friends – who volunteered their time in setting up the game, decorating, refereeing and getting the word out. Some of the Kid Crew members are in a similar situation that Meg went through, and were excited to help out for the cause. “I think having the whole family involved reminds Meg and I and teaches our kids that we aren’t waiting around for something to magically get better, for someone else to solve this problem for us, or waiting for a perfect solution,” Steve said. “We are putting our minds, hands and bodies to work and helping even in small ways to improve the research, outcomes, and just as importantly, the experiences of those going through this difficult disease.” The couple said they felt overwhelmed with support from the community, friends and neighbors. This year, Croquet for a Cure raised $72,000, which will be donated to the HonorHealth Foundation to support opening a multi-disciplinary Memory Care Clinic in the Bob Bove Neuroscience Institute in Scottsdale this summer. The proceeds also support the Myles and Hermanda O’Connor Fund, which was started by the Seoane family to honor Meg’s parents. honorhealthfoundation.org How about a game of croquet – to help find a cure The Kid Crew – made up of Meg’s children and their friends – got together to help set up the event and keep score during the games. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEG SEOANE By Mallory Gleich The Scottsdale Charros have a long history (60 years!) of supporting Scottsdale’s student body through scholarships, grants, and other education-based initiatives. Each year, the organization honors one female and one male senior at each SUSD high school (there are five) for the Outstanding Student of the Year Award. Those students are each presented with a grant for $1,000. The Foundation also offers a Scottsdale Community College Scholarship, which awards a $5,000, two- year grant to a high school graduate who will attend Scottsdale Community College. The Scottsdale Champion Scholarship is also intended to recognize one male and one female Scottsdale resident who has “demonstrated superior achievement in high school” with a one-time, $2,500 scholarship. Here are the award winners from Arcadia High. After graduation, Ben will attend the WA Franke Honors College at The University of Arizona, where he plans to study economics at The Eller College of Business and pursue a law degree. Before that, though, Ben served as the Student Body Secretary at Arcadia and maintained a 4.83 GPA throughout high school. He was involved in the National Honor Society and a member of the Arcadia Fishing Club. He was also a three-year varsity starter, outfielder, and senior captain for the baseball team. “When I was notified of the Charros Award, I was shocked and honored that my teachers would consider me,” Ben said. “I am so grateful that I have such amazing teachers who have prepared me not only for school but how to be a good person.” “Ben is an exceptionally enthusiastic and motivated young man. He consistently displays a positive attitude and actively engages in classroom activities, never hesitating to participate or volunteer. Ben embraces challenges, fearlessly making mistakes and taking risks as part of his learning journey,” Principal Janelle Danskey said. Gabriella was chosen as the State Convention Representative for the Arizona Association of Student Councils in 2023 and as the National Moderator for the Food Sovereignty & Security Panel Discussion with the USDA at the White House Tribal Youth Forum in 2022. She has been a national conference speaker for the United National Indian Tribal Youth, a workshop leader for the United National Indian Tribal Youth Mid-Year Conference, and assisted the U.S. Department of the Interior with youth perspectives on environmental issues in Indian Country. She was an active member of Arcadia High’s student government, serving as a senator, vice president, and public relations officer. She also founded and co-led the Arcadia Equity & Inclusion Club and founded and served as the president of the Native American Heritage Club. “Gabriella’s work is nothing short of exceptional and extends to the national level, where she is becoming a highly sought-after advocate for native people,” Principal Danskey said. “She was invited to the White House twice and was honored by First Lady Jill Biden as a member of the inaugural class of Girls Leading Change. Her work with local native communities, particularly in eradicating food deserts on or near reservations, is inspiring.” “I was ecstatic to find out I won the Scottsdale Champion Scholarship. I am beyond honored and grateful to have been selected,” Lucy said. “Scottsdale will always be my home, and wherever the future takes me, I will always carry a little bit of this great city with me in my heart.” Lucy will graduate from Arcadia High with a 4.9 GPA. She served as president of the National Honor Society and as a student ambassador. She also played indoor and beach volleyball. She plans to attend the University of Arizona to become a teacher. “I feel blessed that I could raise my family in Scottsdale. I am very proud of my daughter,” Mom, Danielle, said. “She has a heart of gold and has been focused and worked hard the whole way. She has the spirit of Scottsdale’s beauty and adventure in her soul. Lucy is a true champion, and her future is so bright!” Madi was a National Art Honor Society and National Charity League member and recently received the Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of America. ( Find the story in the March edition of Arcadia News! ) She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the Northern Arizona University WA Franke College of Business via NAU’s Scottsdale Community College campus and plans to work in the hospitality industry. “I was truly grateful to receive this scholarship from the Scottsdale Charros,” Madi said. “It is such an honor!” Arcadia High’s Charro Award winners Gabriella Nakai Ben Blanks Lucy Leivian Madilyn Messenger
