4 AUGUST 2025 EDITOR’S NOTE One of my all-time favorite opening movie scenes – and I know I am not alone in this – is that of Clueless , when Cher is getting ready for school and utilizes a computer program to put together an outfit from her moving clothesline of a closet. ICONIC, and every single girl in the early 90s dreamed of having exactly that in her house. What’s crazy is that this technology probably exists (also, if you already have this program in your closet, please let me come check it out)! All this to say back to school days are here, and students are ready to hit the halls with new outfits, shoes and school supplies to tackle a brand-new year. Speaking of tackle, our August edition includes the annual high school football preview, and it’s clear our teams are preparing for big goals on and off the field. Arcadia High welcomed new head coach BJ Pasquel as the Titans push for a fourth straight playoff run. Brophy, led by Coach Jason Jewell, is reloading after a strong playoff showing, aiming for Arizona’s elite open division. Xavier Prep’s flag football team, under new coach Matthew Reum, combines experienced players and rising stars in a fast-paced, high- communication game. Meanwhile, Veritas Prep enters the season stronger than ever, driven by record turnout, senior leadership, and a no-excuses mentality. The Titans, Broncos, Gators and Falcons are fired up and we’re all ready to cheer them on from the sidelines. There are 11 days left to submit photos for our Summer Vacation Photo Spread. Send photos to editor@arcadianews.com for a chance to be in the September issue. Your photo might be on the cover! I hope you have the best August, and thank you for reading the Arcadia News, – Mallory Gleich – Mallory Gleich UPCOMING THEMES: No one has better coverage in the areas of Arcadia, Biltmore and the Camelback Corridor. Promote your business to 45,000 loyal Arcadia News readers. For more: call/text 602-840-6379 or email ads@arcadianews.com .         1. Gio is the 5-year-old, four legged king of the house! With a personality bigger than his ears, Gio is part comedian, part cuddle bug, and 100 percent in charge. He may be stingy with his kisses, but he makes up for it with snuggles and the occasional side-eye. Food is his love language and he is very motivated when treats are on the line. Whether he’s making us laugh with his signature snorts and dramatic sighs, or putting on a show with his antics, Gio brings joy, laughter, and just the right amount of sass to every day. He’s not just a dog. He’s a vibe. – Gianna and Jonathan N. 2. Murphy is a three-year-old white golden retriever who loves his family and anybody else he meets. He’s most likely to be seen with his toy from the AZ Children’s Business Fair or laying down on walks around the neighborhood whenever someone else walks by, hoping they will stop and pet him! – C. Liakos 3. Meech – also known as Big Meech or Meecher Creature – is a 13-year-old dachshund who is the best big brother to six-month-old 4. Dixie , a Chihuahua mini- poodle mix. Dixie was rescued from a bad home situation on Christmas Day and was the best present ever. She loves to zoom around anywhere she can – and Meech? He doesn’t like to run at all! – Melissa L. 1 2 3 4 ARCADIA 'S PETS Would you like to share your pet? Send a photo and a description (50 words max) of your pet to editor@arcadianews.com or text it to 602.840.6379 . Include your pet’s name and age, along with any fun facts about them you’d like to share. All animals are welcome!      WANTED: SUMMER VACATION PHOTOS Deadline: Monday, August 11 Send your photos to Send your photos to editor@arcadianews.com Be sure to let us know the names of the family or people Be sure to let us know the names of the family or people Be sure to let us know the names of the family or people in the photo, where you went and what you did! in the photo, where you went and what you did! in the photo, where you went and what you did! Send to: editor@arcadianews.com or instagram: @arcadianews Your photo may be featured on the cover! Your photo may be featured on the cover! Your photo may be featured on the cover! YOUR PHOTO MAY BE FEATURED ON THE COVER! YOUR PHOTO MAY BE FEATURED ON THE COVER! YOUR PHOTO MAY BE FEATURED ON THE COVER! YOUR PHOTO MAY BE FEATURED ON THE COVER! YOUR PHOTO MAY BE FEATURED ON THE COVER! YOUR PHOTO MAY BE FEATURED ON THE COVER! YOUR PHOTO MAY BE FEATURED ON THE COVER! YOUR PHOTO MAY BE FEATURED ON THE COVER!

5 AUGUST 2025 By Mark Hays Hopi Elementary has become the latest SUSD campus to be recognized as a Blue Zones Approved School, joining Echo Canyon in embracing this community-led initiative designed to help students live healthier, happier lives. Blue Zones Project® is a well-being improvement movement inspired by National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner’s research on the world’s longest-lived communities. The project collaborates with cities, schools, workplaces, and other organizations to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to the environment, policies, and social networks. Scottsdale was recently named Arizona’s first Blue Zones Certified Community, thanks to support from HonorHealth, The Cigna Group, and Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona. “We learned about The Blue Zone Project through the City of Scottsdale initiative and were inspired and motivated to see the onboarding of other SUSD schools,” Principal Anne Plenkovich said. “It was easy to see a natural alignment with our existing commitment to whole-child development, and we knew that adopting these principles would further empower our students in their day-to-day decision-making.” According to Plenkovich, becoming a Blue Zones school required a comprehensive assessment aligned with the project’s core principles, such as healthy eating, physical activity, social connection, purpose, and stress reduction. “We then had the opportunity to articulate our strengths and growth areas through artifacts and evidence of current school-wide commitments in our aim to encourage and foster healthy habits into the daily procedures, policies, and Hopi ways,” she said. “We were so proud to learn how much our current practices were already nested within Blue Zone values.” Kris Bio, organization and well-being coordinator for Blue Zones Project Scottsdale, said Hopi Elementary stood out during the approval process. “Many of their best practices were already in place, showcasing their long-standing commitment to student well-being, while others were enhanced or aligned with Blue Zones principles along the way,” Bio said. Hopi’s highlights include eliminating unhealthy foods from rewards and fundraisers, weaving nutrition into daily lesson plans through a school-wide gardening program, and revamping their cafeteria with student-created posters and a fruit and veggie bar. Daily music mindful minutes, mindful meet-ups, and student-led well- being events such as Walk to School Day – plus their ongoing work with the Blue Watermelon Project – reinforce the commitment to healthy living. “We can see possibilities for expanding our integration efforts, from classroom activities to school- wide events, enrolling more community partnerships, creating opportunities for student-led initiatives, and further spotlighting this acknowledgement as part of our brand,” Plenkovich said. The focus on healthy living will extend beyond the walls of the school. “We are excited to identify ways we can partner with our parents, organizations, and the community to encourage and extend healthy and mindful practices,” she said. “We will also be looking for ways to continuously evaluate and adapt our efforts to ensure a lasting impact for happy and healthy living.” Hopi offers a variety of extracurriculars, including Girls on the Run, Sports Club, Jump Roping, and the annual Hopi Hullabaloo, all of which encourage students to stay active and socially engaged. The school community is excited to build on the success of the designation in the coming year. bluezonesprojectscottsdale.com Advocating for healthy habits earns Hopi national recognition Fifth graders Ryder Wells and Sky Tsingine enjoy a moment with therapy dogs Axel and Roger at Hopi Elementary. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNE PLENKOVICH We knew that adopting these principles would empower our students in their decision-making.