28 DECEMBER 2024 By Lauren Geiser Brophy Prep’s student journalists are on a winning streak. The Arizona Interscholastic Press Association crowned their publication as the best online school newspaper in Arizona, awarding it first place in the online category and second place in print. This isn’t new territory for the team, which has consistently excelled in the AIPA contest and is now celebrating its 75th anniversary. In 2023, The Roundup took first in print and third in online categories, underscoring its strong presence in both formats. Schools across the state submit entries each May, and the winning publication is announced during the AIPA’s annual fall convention. Since 2017, advisor Jake Kelly has mentored and taught The Roundup team, fostering a newsroom environment that values professionalism, creativity and collaboration. “We learn valuable skills in this process – deep listening, leadership and critical thinking,” Kelly said. “It forces students to be resourceful and thoughtful and allows them to put these skills into action.” Under his guidance, students cover everything from school policies to pop culture debates. The paper operates like a professional newsroom, with a team of 35 student contributors. Writers pitch story ideas on various topics, from Brophy attendance policies to lighthearted conversations like “Harry Potter vs. Star Wars.” Editors push their reporters to think critically, conduct thorough research and engage in meaningful interviews to produce well-rounded articles for print and digital platforms. Leading the team has been a rewarding journey for co- editors-in-chief David Robaina and Henry Walters. Both have been involved with The Roundup since their freshman year and as they head into their final year at Brophy, they’re proud of how the publication has evolved. “A lot of our work is collaborative,” David said. “When you’re working on a story together for a couple of weeks, it could seem like lost time, but finishing with a strong product and getting recognized on a large scale is incredibly validating.” Henry echoes this sense of accomplishment. “It’s a validation of the effort we put into the paper each year,” he said. “I’m proud we scored well in both print and online categories. In the past three years, we’ve worked hard to make our website just as good as the print edition to move forward in the digital age.” Their dedication to both formats reflects a broader trend in journalism, where digital engagement has become essential. For Brophy student journalists, The Roundup offers hands-on experience that extends far beyond high school. Researching, interviewing, and publishing helps students develop journalism skills, a sense of purpose and teamwork. The latest awards from AIPA affirm their commitment to quality journalism. roundup.brophyprep.org By Sherry Sklar Hearts to Serve, a new club at Valley Lutheran High School, is fulfilling the school’s mission by fostering community support and sharing hope, compassion, and faith. Kicking off in 2024, the club and its ambitious student leaders are already making an immense impact through their volunteer opportunities and plans for the future. Led by students, Hearts to Serve strives to make meaningful connections within the community. From providing beds to distributing food boxes, each project extends beyond volunteer hours, creating experiences that bring students closer to the people they help and fostering a deep concern for others. These efforts are making a lasting impact not only on those they serve but also within the school community itself. Freshmen Natalie Neal and Leighton Roberts, along with senior Paula Tapia, lead the club by presenting volunteer opportunities to the larger student body. “Our school offers students a list of interest groups to join. We were familiar with other organizations on the list, but we chose ‘Hearts to Serve’ for its mission. Our club advisor, Mr. Meyer, works with us to organize community projects,” Paula said. “We all pitch in ideas and try to do as much as possible. We involve other students through announcements at chapel service, where we share our work and put up posters at the school.” Marketing Director Michael Axtman said that the school dedicates service days each semester for the students to fulfill their volunteer work. “When students like Natalie, Leighton and Paula take the lead in organizing service opportunities, volunteering feels more approachable and less intimidating for others. They do a fantastic job of making it casual and showing that making a big difference can be easy and enjoyable,” he said. For Leighton, Hearts to Serve goes beyond simply fulfilling service hours; it’s about helping community members facing difficult times. “We all have bad days, and the people we’re helping do, too. They might be parents going through a tough time – maybe they’ve just lost a job, or they’re facing other struggles. We’re just trying to help them have a better day and support them however we can,” he shared. The group’s first project involved students working at Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s workshop to assemble and deliver beds, bedding, and other essentials to families in need. Spending the day cutting wood and hammering beds together, students described the project as an active ministry that put their faith into action. Another major initiative included distributing food boxes at Christ Lutheran Church in partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank each Wednesday. By 6 a.m., the church parishioners, including students, distribute food to over 250 families. Paula describes her experience volunteering as a calling. “I’m about to become an adult and I want to share hope and compassion, spread God’s word, and be a positive force in the world. We have so much – a great school, wonderful friends, food on the table – things some people don’t have. We are not just giving material items but planting a tiny seed of faith, always being there for support,” she said. Hearts to Serve has several projects on the horizon. The group plans to partner with Christ Church Lutheran for a Thanksgiving food drive and volunteer with the national “Shop with a Cop” program, which pairs police officers with children to select holiday gifts. Other upcoming projects include building braille books to provide accessible texts for visually impaired community members and assembling military care packages. At Valley Lutheran High School, young people like Natalie Neal, Leighton Roberts, and Paula Tapia are showing that age is no barrier to making a difference. “If you have a desire to help, you can make an impact,” Axtman said. “Young people are often capable of more than they realize, and giving back not only supports the community but also brings a profound sense of fulfillment and personal joy.” Brophy newspaper celebrates 75 years with first place win Student-led club aims to transform lives through volunteering The Roundup operates like a professional newsroom, with a team of 35 student contributors pitching stories on topics that cover everything from school news to conversational pieces. PHOTO COURTESY OF JAKE KELLY

CEMBER 2024 A note on electric bikes and scooters ear neighbors, n October 30, 2024, a 15-year-old-boy had a us accident on an electric scooter near the section of Indian School and 56th Street. This gs to light an ongoing issue we have regarding tric bikes and electric scooters. If kids are going to ride, it’s crucial they do so as safe as possible. I encourage parents to have in-depth conversations with kids who ride electric bikes and scooters. These conversations need to express the necessary safety measures that should to be taken as well as the importance of paying attention to traffic. Key points to discuss include always wearing a helmet, staying aware of your surroundings, ing traffic signals, riding in designated bike s or paths, ensuring all safety equipment is in condition, knowing your limits, and riding both hands on the handlebars. CMNA has been working with the city to ess these issues and the dangers of 56th St.,” dia resident Tristahn Schaub said. “The street section will begin construction this coming mer with a variety of safety improvements, t notably a separate bike pedestrian pathway he main road.” y emphasizing these measures, we can help re that our kids remain safe while enjoying tric bikes and scooters. ur next District 6 Coffee Chat will be on ember 6 from 7-9 a.m. at Hole in the Rock at go Park (625 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix). Hope e you there! Kevin DISTRICT 6   ouncilman District 6 2-262-7491 ict6@phoenix.gov VIN ROBINSON