22 AUGUST 2025 By Mallory Gleich It’s a harrowing fact, but a fact nonetheless: over 350,000 people undergo cardiac arrest outside of a hospital annually, and of those, over 60 percent die before reaching a hospital. Another fact: last year, over 60 people died due to water-related incidents in Arizona. It’s these kinds of statistics that propelled Brophy sophomores Sanath Seetharam, Sahil Bagai, and Suhaan Sharma to start a nonprofit called Life Savers Phoenix. Life Savers, a Dragon Kim Foundation Fellowship project, trains under-resourced kids aged 8-12 in CPR, AED use, bleeding control, and emergency response techniques. The trio hopes to empower students to become first responders in their neighborhoods. “There wasn’t one specific incident that made us realize kids haven’t been taught these skills,” Sanath said. “We have seen that kids are normally some of the closest to an emergency because they are the ones who go to the pool and play outside the most. As such, we want to build a community of lifesavers who, as they grow up, learn more skills that they might use to save a life someday.” The program is tailored to address the unique risks associated with living in Phoenix. In addition to core CPR and AED instruction, children learn about water safety, fire hazards, and how to respond to encounters with poisonous desert creatures. Since launching in June, Life Savers Phoenix has already trained over 200 kids across five different sites in the Valley and partnered with City of Phoenix community centers to teach children in the summer programs. The July seminar was one of the group’s most significant events yet, running for a whole week. “The City of Phoenix was a bit skeptical at first,” Sanath said. “They weren’t sure the kids would grasp the material or stay engaged. But after our first sessions, the directors told us the kids kept asking when we were coming back. That kind of response has been incredibly motivating.” The founding team is certified as CPR and AED instructors through Cypress Education, and they’ve collaborated with medical professionals to tailor the lessons. A toxicologist from Banner Health provided expertise on poison control. At the same time, a child-life expert from HonorHealth coached them on how to communicate complex medical information to young audiences in a clear and easy-to- understand way. “We worked hard to make sure the lessons are both informative and fun,” Sanath said. The idea for Life Savers Phoenix was brought to life through the Dragon Kim Fellowship, a competitive leadership and community impact program for high school students. The application process included essays, transcripts, teacher recommendations, and personal video pitches from each team member. The fellowship awarded the team a grant of approximately $4,800 to fund supplies, curriculum development, and logistical costs. Since receiving the grant, the team has received mentorship from the Dragon Kim Foundation to fine-tune every aspect of their program. Their work has extended beyond the classroom as well – they regularly volunteer at American Heart Association events to educate families on emergency response. Life Savers Phoenix has big goals. With growing interest from both kids and community organizations, they hope to expand their reach throughout Arizona and eventually serve as a model for youth- driven emergency preparedness programs nationwide. “In some areas, ambulances can take eight to nine minutes longer to arrive,” Sanath said. “The people who are always in the areas during these emergencies are kids, but they often stand off to the side since they think they are unable to help. We believe that if we can empower these kids with the skills to help, they could potentially save a life.” Through compassion, training, and a powerful belief in youth, Life Savers Phoenix is proving that age is no barrier to being a hero. Learn more on Instagram @life_savers_ phoenix Teen-led nonprofit teaches kids the skills to save a life Sahil Bagai, Suhaan Sharma and Sanath Seetharam. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SANATH SEETHARA PHOTOS COURTESY OF TODD BANKOFIER LOCALLUXURYRE.COM @KATRINA.A.BARRETT 520.403.5270 EXPLORE ARIZONA’S EXTRAORDINARY ESTATES KATRINA BARRETT OWNER, BROKER CATCH KATRINA’S LOCAL LUXURY LISTING OF THE WEEK - THURSDAYS AT 9PM ON FOX10! 5051 E LAFAYETTE BLVD, PHOENIX, AZ 85018 5801 E EXETER BLVD, PHOENIX, AZ 85018 4901 E LAFAYETTE BLVD, PHOENIX, AZ 85018 5051 E LAFAYETTE BLVD, PHOENIX, AZ 85018 5801 E EXETER BLVD, PHOENIX, AZ 85018 4901 E LAFAYETTE BLVD, 4901 E LAFAYETTE BLVD, PHOENIX, AZ 85018 PHOENIX, AZ 85018 KATRINA BARRETT OWNER, BROKER

23 AUGUST 2025 By Michael P. Murphy T he wagon wheels hanging from the ceiling catch the eye as soon as visitors enter the lobby of Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. The first exhibit they see is a series of oil paintings by John Clymer, depicting a time when mountain men – not cowboys – explored the region, illustrated beautifully by the master painter. Next up, a display of Hopi pottery. Impressive bronze statues were created by the talented hands of John Coleman. Then paintings and sketches from women artists, and a terrific exhibit of a variety of Western memorabilia. A walk up a flight of stairs leads to a fun exhibit on color in Western art: A Fistful of Colors. The perfect title for the lively exhibit. This is a place where stories of the Old West are told through art. The temperature may be triple digits outside, but inside it’s a comfortable 71 degrees. Welcome to The Cool Frontier. Earlier this year, Western Spirit celebrated its 10th anniversary. Its beginnings were humble, born out of the determination of a small group of city leaders who chose never to give up on their dream of creating a place that would honor the history of The West’s Most Western Town. “Jim Bruner likes to say it started with a tin cup out on the street asking for donations,” CEO Todd Bankofier said. “The 10th anniversary was about those people who persevered all those years ago. They were so committed.” The idea of a Western museum began in the 1960s, when it seemed only natural to have a historic aspect in the newly incorporated city of Scottsdale. Former Mayor Herb Drinkwater, prominent businessman Paul Messenger, and two-time city councilman Jim Bruner were among the group of 10 to 12 leaders who met frequently to plan and raise funds. They had no building and no art, but they did have a vision. And, as Bruner so emphatically put it, “Failure is not an option.” Over the years, private donations, big and small, rolled in. The City Council passed a bed tax in 2013, which helped complete funding. Construction began at the end of 2013, and two years later, in January 2015, Western Spirit opened its doors, marking the start of a new era in the arts. Nineteen states in America’s Western region are represented in the exhibits. True West Magazine rated it the No. 1 Western Museum six out of the last 10 years. “We are proud to be a Smithsonian affiliate,” Bankofier said. “We can borrow the resources of the Smithsonian as needed. We became an affiliate from day one because of the art and the stories we can tell in this museum.” The award-winning building, designed by Studio MA, is iconic. Architecture is one of the museum’s most notable features. The environmental capabilities are impressive, as evidenced by the savings in water and energy, and the achievement of LEED Gold Standard certification. Expansion is already underway to accommodate the addition of galleries and educational programs. It’s essential to Bankofier that the museum continues to serve as a tool for young people who are fascinated to learn about the people who came to this part of the world for the first time. “We encourage people to bring their young children,” he said. “This is a highly educational learning facility. That’s why we do so much docent training, to tell the stories in a consistent, truthful, and historical manner.” As part of Western Spirit’s Cool Frontier promotion, visitors of any age can enjoy Artist Tuesdays and current exhibits with BOGO (buy one, get one free) tickets until September 30. With the theme “It’s Cool in Here,” this summer’s offerings include a lineup of exhibitions and events. “A Decade of Western Spirit” greets guests with a timeline of the museum’s most impactful milestones. Key highlights include Women of the Southwest: A Legacy of Painting, featuring nearly 200 works by 25 pioneering female artists. Visitors can also explore Canvas of Clay, Courage & Crossroads, the A.P. Hays Spirit of the West Collection, and People, Places, Predicaments: John Clymer’s West. Artist Tuesdays return each week through August, offering a chance to see artists like Lindsay Green and Kathy Howard at work and Western film lovers can catch classic Spaghetti Westerns in the museum’s theater. westernspirit.org WHERE THE WEST LIVES ON Take a tour through ScottsdaleÕ s Museum of the West Western Spirit celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TODD BANKOFIER This is a highly educational learning facility. That’s why we do so much docent training, to tell the stories in a consistent, truthful, and historical manner. 6 0 2 - 9 4 4 - 5 5 1 6 maloneyplumbing.com Serving the Valley for over 60 years! ROC315991 Emergency Plumbing Repair Drain Clearing Garbage Disposals Water Heaters Water Softeners Reverse Osmosis Systems Leak Detection & Repair Fixture Installation & Repair Water Main Repair Gas Lines