VOL. 2 NO. 04 JANUARY 2025 From the students of Arcadia High School By Ahva Ghazanfari As captain of the varsity girls’ soccer team, senior Sadie Schwartz is kicking it both on and off the field this season. Known for her leadership, determination, and fierce competitive spirit, Sadie has been a pillar of positivity for the team. What has your soccer journey been like? I started as the JV starting goalkeeper my freshman year. The next year, I was bumped up to varsity, where I have continued to start and play for the past three years. How has being on the team helped you grow as a person? Soccer has shown me that sports exhibit more than just performance. It has helped me develop some of my core beliefs surrounding the importance of friendship and leadership, and it has allowed me to understand the advantages of maintaining a growth mindset. What advice do you have for younger players who want to be in a leadership role like you? Mindset is everything. While athletes may face challenges or mental blocks, we can choose how we respond to them and what we do with them. The best leader is one who can persevere, adapt, and lead their team to success despite setbacks along the way. What are your goals for the rest of the season, for yourself and the team? I hope to continue to foster a positive environment and make lasting memories with my team on and off the field. We have our eyes set on winning upcoming games to put ourselves in a position to advance into the playoffs. This year, we would love to have the opportunity to challenge ourselves by advancing even further than in previous years. SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Varsity Soccer Captain Sadie Schwartz Sadie Schwartz PHOTO COURTESY OF AHS By Amelia Guzman Last month, Tavan Elementary held its annual Tavan Twinkles Holiday Market and Craft event on Saturday, December 14. At this event, students showcase handmade items like toys, cards, sweet treats, and more. Attendees had the chance to purchase these unique items while enjoying food from local vendors and hearing live music performances. Santa Claus made a special guest appearance, and pictures with many Tavan families were taken. This event gave students an opportunity to explore their creativity and practice entrepreneurial skills in a welcoming and encouraging environment. Additionally, adults were welcome to contribute pieces to sell at this event, with all proceeds going to the Tavan Parent-Teacher Organization to be used for future events. This holiday festival is put on by Arcadia students and Tavan’s PTO volunteers. Every year, students from Arcadia’s National Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society help decorate the campus to look like a winter wonderland. This year, they also assisted the student vendors selling crafts in the Reindeer Lane shop and at the card-writing station, where students wrote letters of appreciation to their teachers. They also helped take down decorations and cleaned up afterwards. Tavan Twinkles is a free event that brings the entire community together to support local art and businesses while also spending an evening celebrating the creativity of these young students. Stay tuned for news of next year’s event so you can participate in the fun! Tavan Twinkles art one gallery | foundation 480.946.5076 . 4130 n marshall way . scottsdale . artonegalleryinc.com . @artonegalleryinc Representing students and local artists of Arizona since 1993 Elementary by Bradley Slocum • mixed media on paper (framed) • 11” x 9.75” x 1” • $200