18 JUNE 2025 Written by Joey Artigue, in honor of his father I f you had the chance to interview your father, what would you ask him? I’m blessed – I get to sit down with mine every week over coffee at The Henry, and ask him about everything from family to big ideas. But for this project, I didn’t ask him any questions. Normally, he’s the one writing this column, clipping it out each month to mail to the person he’s profiled, always with a handwritten note. This time, the subject is him. Surprise, dad! The story’s been told before that this column is part of our family’s legacy. My grandfather wrote the original “Meet Mr.” column for the Phoenix Gazette . My dad carried it forward in the Arcadia News . And now, just for this issue, I get the honor of adding a third generation of Artigue to its byline. I think my grandfather would be proud of my dad – I know I am. He is the son of two journalists who met at the Arizona Republic . Growing up, print journalism put food on the table. He followed that lineage to ASU’s Cronkite School of Journalism, where he graduated and was later inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame; a well- deserved honor for someone who’s dedicated his life to storytelling, truth, and human connection. Over the years, in his home office, he’s authored multiple books: a respected marketing textbook, a book of poetry, a thoughtful book on marriage, and most recently, Wisdom and Wonderment (find that story on page 20). He spent over 20 years working in professional sports, authoring everything from press releases to marketing taglines for our favorite Valley teams. Beyond the bylines and accolades, he’s a loving husband, father and friend. He’s been married to my mom for nearly 47 years – a partnership that’s equal amounts of love, humor, and unwavering support. In 1980, they bought her childhood home in Arcadia from my grandparents, and they’ve treasured living here ever since. If you know my dad, you know how much he gives. He’s generous with his time, his words, and his wisdom. He has a deep love for people and a gift for making them feel seen and heard. Whether he’s writing a column, serving on a local civic board, or bumping into a colleague at The Henry, he shows up with his full heart. My dad’s journey in life included attending 15 difference primary schools as he was passed around homes and cities to live with relatives. His parents and brother fought demons that are common in our world, but not often spoken about. Out of this chaos and dysfunction, he found Jesus and it’s that guiding light that produced the man so many of you know. Kind, loving, selfless and a model citizen – nothing short of a miracle. This Father’s Day is especially meaningful for us both. It’s my first as a dad, and his first as a grandfather. Watching him step into his new role with the same warmth and wonderment he’s always brought to fatherhood is something that I already cherish. He’s the greatest man I’ll ever know, and I’m honored to be his namesake. Dad, thank you for your example, your encouragement, and endless lessons, told with stories. It’s your turn in the spotlight, and I couldn’t be prouder to be your son. Happy Father’s Day! Ray Artigue Whether he’s writing a column, serving on a civic board, or bumping into a colleague, he shows up with his full heart. By Michael P. Murphy It was a lot of hard work for 18-year- old Sage Schaffer to fulfill the fitness requirements and impress an officer in a 30-minute interview to earn a Navy ROTC scholarship. Then…she withdrew it. Sage, a recently graduated senior at Madison Highland Prep, had good reason. As a student with a passion for science, she had another opportunity that would put her on the path to fulfill her dream of becoming an astronaut. And as she sees it, space is cool. “I Googled ‘ what does it take to be an astronaut,’ and I learned there’s a Russian requirement, so I wanted to join a program where I would become fluent in Russian,” Sage said. She joined the National Security Language Initiative for Youth, a State Department program that supports students spending extended time overseas for further education in a foreign language. This August, she will begin the next year of living with a host family in Kyrgyzstan, where she will further her study of the Russian language and be in a culture that speaks it. “I also want to see if I can be involved in a service project,” she said. I’d like to identify a problem with the community and see if I can contribute to the solution.” To know Sage is to know a real go-getter. This year, she was one of 36 Flinn Scholarship finalists. She authored the essay on her phone and turned it in mere minutes before the deadline. She is also one of 33 Advanced Placement scholars with honors. Her project for Polygence, an online research program for middle and high school students, earned second place in the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair. Sage has a heart for service; a big part of that is in the spirit of giving back. She started the Science Society, a club to help students apply to competitive programs, prepare for Olympiad competitions, and pursue independent research, especially in unrepresented fields. “I wanted to make students aware of opportunities,” she said. “I didn’t realize the National Security Language Initiative for Youth was even a thing. There are so many opportunities for high school students that are completely free but not so well known.” After Kyrgyzstan, she will attend Georgia Tech this fall and hopes to be in the honors program, where she will study aerospace engineering. She will reapply for that ROTC scholarship with the Navy or Space Force. For Sage Schaffer, pursuing the final frontier is a journey worth traveling. PHX to Kyrgyzstan to NASA? Sage Schaffer Ray’s son Joey (left) is the author of this month’s Meet Mr. Religious Instruction • Strong Academics • Cutting Edge Technology • Service Learning Religious Instruction • Strong Academics • Cutting Edge Technology • Service Learning Leadership Programs • PE and Interscholastic Sports • Instrumental and Vocal Music Leadership Programs • PE and Interscholastic Sports • Instrumental and Vocal Music “Arts Attack” Program • School Nurse • Bus Transportation Available “Arts Attack” Program • School Nurse • Bus Transportation Available See you next year! See you next year! 3901 East Indian School Road • 602-957-7010 • www.clsphx.org CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Christian Values. Quality Education. Preschool through Grade 8

19 JUNE 2025