30 JUNE 2025 By Rachael Bouley Riley Novak, a graduating senior at Washington University in St. Louis, has been named a recipient of the Hillary Rodham Clinton Award for Peace and Reconciliation. Novak, who grew up in Arcadia, will receive a full tuition-fee waiver to pursue a Master’s in Global Security and Border at Queen’s University Belfast. The award, created in the former Senator’s name, honors her contributions to reconciliation throughout the Northern Ireland peace process, including the “inclusion of women’s voices in peace talks.” Novak wanted to pursue a master’s degree abroad before going to law school, and thanks to this award, she can now make her dream a reality. “I have always been passionate about the importance of peacebuilding in my community and between countries,” Novak said. “Receiving this award will allow me to continue my research and learn from professors and peers who share my belief.” After learning about the scholarship, Novak was inspired to apply while majoring in global studies and Spanish in Arts & Sciences. She had to be admitted to the master’s program before sending a supplemental application showcasing her commitment. In March, she was invited to an interview with a panel and received word of her success a few days later. “I was so surprised. Novak recollected. “As soon as I found out, I called my mom, and we were both crying. It is an incredible opportunity and something I have been working toward for years.” From a young age, the Arcadian has been intrigued by history. She started at Shepherd of the Hills and then attended Hopi. “My teachers were amazing and encouraged me to read. I spent as much time as I could in the library, and I think that helped foster my love for research and writing,” Novak said. She was also a member of Arcadia Kids, a now-defunct family volunteer group, and the Hopi Girl Scout troop, which offered her many opportunities to help others. Novak also attended Arizona School for the Arts, where she experienced a mix of arts, academics, and volunteerism that inspired her for future studies and career paths. Working with a refugee community in Phoenix particularly sparked her interest, and she volunteered with The Welcome to America Project throughout her teen years. As a high school sophomore, Novak founded HeartBEATs, an organization that connects volunteers and refugees through music. “It helps build bridges across often disconnected communities, with the hope of bringing together newly arrived immigrants and individuals who have lived in the U.S. for their whole lives,” Novak explained. There have been many highlights of her college years, from defending her honors thesis for Global Studies to volunteering with the International Institute of St. Louis and getting to know the community better. The prestigious Queen’s University awaits, with Novak heading to Northern Ireland in September to begin the year-long master’s program. “While I was writing my senior thesis, I came across so much research done by professors and students at Queen’s,” Novak said. “I can’t believe I am going to have the opportunity to learn from those very same scholars.” As she looks forward, Novak has high hopes for the future. Upon her return, she plans to attend law school while continuing to give back to underserved populations in her community. Passion for peace takes Arcadia native across the pond By Kylie DeBest As the final whistles blew on lacrosse fields across the Valley, three Arcadia-area programs closed their seasons with record- breaking performances and strong finishes in some of Arizona’s toughest leagues.  The Titans finished in the top six this season and played in the Grand Canyon Conference, a top conference in Arizona. They had unique opportunities to increase the program’s exposure by playing out-of- state teams Bishop Gorman and Palo Verde from Nevada. Arcadia also hosted two teams from Washington State and another from Las Vegas. A memorable moment was their first regular-season game against Salpointe, in which they scored 20 goals, a program record for a regular-season game. Coach Dustin Kowell mentioned that one of the team’s biggest strengths had to do with the fact that there were 20 seniors. “This brought a lot of leadership skills and helped build up players during hard times through injuries and hurdles,” Kowell said. “I love the team so much; everyone has each other’s backs,” teammate Andrew Nickle shared. “The chemistry so unique and so special. The culture we strive for in this program embodies a ‘beat the guy next to you’ mentality, which pushes me daily.” Three players will continue their lacrosse careers at the collegiate level: Davis Witherspoon (Berry College), Kaden Thomas (University of Alabama in Huntsville), and Cael Christiansen (Howard College). The team set a program record with seven All-State selections: three First Team (Luke Mellen, Kaden Thomas, Andrew Nickle), two Second Team (Davis Witherspoon, Drew Smith), and two Honorable Mentions (Gavin Fuller, Jordan Gortarez-Nelson). This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of the players. “My favorite memory of the season was definitely being able to celebrate our victories with all of my teammates; my brothers,” Davis Witherspoon said. “Those moments of shared success and camaraderie are what make it all worthwhile.” With resilience and hard work, the team’s goal is to continue putting Arcadia lacrosse on the map and showcasing their talent in and out of Arizona.  The Broncos defeated Chandler High with a score of 12-5 to win the Arizona Lacrosse League State Championship at Desert Vista High School at the end of the 2025 season. This is their fourth consecutive and 10th overall state honor, making them the first team in Arizona lacrosse history to win four straight titles. “The first quarter was tough, but we rallied and kept the foot on the pedal in the second half,” teammate Eli Friedman shared. “Jack Grisoni did a great job on faceoffs that set the tone for us offensively. We were super excited to bring home another title.” The team finished the regular season with impressive achievements: a 10-0 record in the state, winning the Grand Canyon Conference title, and a 17-7 overall record. They outscored their opponents 47-10 in three postseason games and extended their winning streak in Arizona league regular and postseason play to 38 games, which began after a 12-9 loss to Chandler at the beginning of the year. Brophy has four seniors signed to play after graduation: Harrison Yu at Colorado, Taub Baldyga at Mercer, Ben Geist at Oberlin College, and Josh Buse at Queens University. They also have two juniors signed to play Division I: Eli Friedman at Marquette and Ryan Peitzmeier at Utah.  A season of greats, perhaps the most exciting was a comeback when the Gators beat Higley High in their first of three matchups this season – a friendly rivalry that’s taken a few years to win. The team finished in the Top 5 in the league, made it to the Arizona Girls Lacrosse Association (AGLA) Quarterfinals, had four AGLA First-Team All-State Selections, and teammate Keegan Packer was named Lacrosse Association Defender of the Year. Coach Diana Oduho said the team’s strengths were its balanced offense and multiple players who could score and move the ball. However, the team was relatively young since nine seniors graduated last year. A lot of sophomores and juniors had to take on bigger roles. “Xavier’s goal was to get back to the state semifinals. While they lost in the quarterfinals, they have a strong foundation and are ready to pick up from where they left off,” Coach Oduho said. Mackenna Packer had 38 goals and 13 assists, finishing the regular season in the top five in points among attackers. Amelia Busch had 23 goals, 25 draw controls, and 97 draw wins. Her 97 draw wins ranked No. 2 in the entire league this season. From Arcadia’s explosive offense and Brophy’s championship legacy to Xavier’s balanced team play and rising talent, this spring showcased the grit, growth, and determination that define the sport. While the 2025 season may be over, its impact will echo into the future through the players, records, and legacies to grow on. Lacrosse season wraps with records, rivalries, and rising stars Riley Novak Jordan Hidalgo, Brady Baltzell, Rex Richardson, Kathan Cherukuri, Mathew Hawkins, Zack La Coss, and Brady Eastep celebrate their fourth consecutive Arizona State Lacrosse Championship win. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE SHAFF