District News

It’s Time to Complete the Annual Parent Survey!

Please remember to complete our annual Parent Survey if you haven’t already done so. We want to know what our district and school are doing well and how we can improve in the future. It should take about 5 minutes to complete and will be open through Sunday, February 15. Find it in English at www.dysart.org/survey and in Spanish at www.dysart.org/encuesta 

The Dysart Education Foundation (DEF) is pleased to announce that college scholarship applications are now being accepted through March 15, 2026. Graduating seniors from Dysart, Shadow Ridge, Valley Vista, Willow Canyon High Schools, including Sundown Alternative High School are invited to apply. DEF supports learning beyond a student’s K-12 experience. Each 2026 graduating senior may submit one application to be eligible for multiple scholarships from DEF. The FAFSA nor high school counselor sign-off is required.  

DEF offers one- and two-year scholarships. Students attending a trade school, community college, or university may apply to receive any one of the DEF scholarships. To apply visit: www.dysarteducationfoundation.org/scholarships and click on the direct link to apply. The recipients will be notified via email by April 3, 2026. The student recipients and their parents/guardians will be invited to attend the Eighth Annual Dysart Education Foundation Awards Dinner on Thursday, April 23, 2026 to accept their scholarships. 

Student scholarship recipients are responsible for keeping DEF informed of all current information concerning home address, emails, class schedules, GPA, and transcripts. A separate link will be provided via email from DEF to students in December 2026, May 2027, and December 2027 to update the organization and its scholarship donors each semester. Failure to provide required documents may result in the loss of the scholarship. 

2026 Sponsors Include: 

•  DEF Scholarship Award 
•  Subaru Share the Love Scholarship of Surprise 
•  SFE-Southwest Foodservice Excellence 
•  The Randy Sterna Grand Opportunity 
•  El Mirage Firefighter Charities Public Safety (El Mirage residents) 
•  Tyrus Timbrooks Memorial Scholarship (Dysart High School Students Only) 
•  Barnett Medical Related Occupations Scholarship 

The Dysart Education Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1985 committed to raising funds for supporting students and teachers in the classrooms in the Dysart Unified School District. They are composed of parents, educators, business owners, and city official volunteers who are passionate about supporting education in our community. For more information, please visit: www.dysarteducationfoundation.org or email scholarships@dysarteducationfoundation.org 

More than 220 students from the Dysart High School (DHS) Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program continued a multi-year tradition recently by decorating more than 1,000 coffee sleeves for local coffee house, Spencer’s Place.  The sleeves were decorated in holiday themes by the students just before Thanksgiving break and delivered to the coffee shop.  Each year this small gesture has been growing in popularity, and this year Spencer’s Place ran out in less than two weeks.  

The activity started a few years ago when Alesha Wisbey, the AVID Coordinator and Teacher, read on a teacher Facebook group about one school that was doing the project for a prominent coffee chain.  Wisbey had another idea in mind.  She once taught with Karin York, who now owns and operates Spencer’s Place.  Wisbey reached out to York, who said absolutely, and the tradition was born.

If you aren’t familiar with it, Spencer’s Place is a coffee house created in partnership with the Employed and Overjoyed Foundation to introduce equal employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Spencer’s Place provides adults with disabilities job training and direct skill development to earn a paycheck, build relationships, gain a sense of purpose, and show the community the beauty of diversity and inclusion.

The AVID students have individual community service hours that they have to earn as part of the program, but the coffee sleeves project is one that they do as a group. 

“The kids look forward to this activity so much,” said Wisbey.  “Mainly because they get to give back to the community, but I think a small part of them likes to have a stress reliever where they can just put their energy into art instead of the stress of school work.”

The AVID program has been a fixture at DHS since 2008 when it was first introduced to the district. AVID is a program that supports students in the academic middle who are motivated to attend post secondary education, but may not have all of the tools they need in order to be as successful as they can be in a college setting. Through the four-year program, students are taught note taking skills, time management, test taking skills, collaboration and critical reading skills, and are supported as they tackle rigorous curriculum.

Karin York shared that customers absolutely love the student-dectorated coffee sleeves, and even keep them to hang on their trees or use year over year.

“The coffee sleeves are just a little something that makes people’s days better,” said Layla Gonzales, a senior AVID student at Dysart High School. 

Senior Jocelyn Barrios echoed that statement.  

“I feel like since the community gives us a lot of things, it’s always nice to give back to them,” she shared.  “We want our community to see that AVID is a great program that helps kids.  The program boosts our motivation toward helping the community and doing our best in school.”

“Community service builds them into well rounded adults,” Wisbey shared.  “It’s all about helping kids get to where they want to go.”  

The Dysart Education Foundation (DEF) recently announced 15 recipients for the 2025 Laird Mini Grants totaling more than $22,000.  Funding for the mini grants was provided by the City of Surprise Community Outreach Program, Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE), Subaru Superstore of Surprise, Alicia Sterna of Western State Bank, and other local businesses and community members. 

 Mini grants were awarded for projects that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) education, student need, and creativity in student learning.

• Alexander Goreski (Sonoran Heights Middle School)
• Ashley Meyer (Rancho Gabriela Elementary School)
• Cheryl Schubmehl (Mountain View School)
• Crystal Borges (Rancho Gabriela Elementary School)
• Douglas Middlebrooks (West Point Elementary School)
• Earl Simmons (Countryside Elementary School)
• Elena Gonzales (Dysart High School)
• Hannah Bridgeo (Dysart High School)
• Huda Clemens (Western Peaks Elementary School)
• Jack Broughton (Thompson Ranch Elementary School)
• Kathryn Berger (Riverview School)
• Kathryn Voss (Marley Park Elementary School)
• Lucy Blanco (El Mirage Elementary School)
• Lynne Gibson (Asante Preparatory Academy School)
• Sara Rivera (Kingswood Elementary School)

“Winning the Laird Grant means that I can purchase tools and materials for my students to use that will ignite their passion for storytelling and creativity,” Marley Park Elementary School iExplore teacher Kathryn Voss said of the honor “By providing this grant, DEF encourages teachers to not only teach the standards, but to show how those standards can be applied in innovative ways.”

Voss also had a message for her fellow educators. “I would definitely encourage teachers to apply for this grant, especially if they have an idea for a project or activity that promotes a students’ love of learning, but would otherwise have been shelved due to cost,” she said.

Dysart Education Foundation is a non-profit organization whose volunteers are committed to enriching the education of students in the Dysart Unified School District by providing scholarships to students and mini grants to teachers.  For more information about the Dysart Education Foundation, visit dysarteducationfoundation.org.  

Eight graders from Luke Elementary School recently got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as they traveled to the Phoenix International Raceway to participate in “Beyond the Finish Line,” an immersive STEM experience centered around motorsports.

Phoenix Raceway Charities partnered with the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation, Cox Communications, and NASCAR to put on the event giving students a hands-on introduction to the exciting intersection of STEM and racing.

“I could see it in their faces and in hearing their reactions,” said Stephanie McKinnis, seventh and eight grade language arts teacher at Luke Elementary School.  “So many of them were getting to experience things that they never had before.”

When students first arrived at the Phoenix Raceway they were treated to a lap around the track in their school bus.  Following the pace car and accompanied by former Arizona Cardinals pro bowl wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, the students got to experience the scale and scope of the raceway from a driver’s perspective.  

From there, students rotated through four stations set up by the raceway.  At the first station students learned about a car, which included an under-the-roof tour and getting strapped into the vehicle.

“My favorite station was probably going in the NASCAR cars,” said Ally Pernudi, eighth grader at Luke Elementary.  “I thought that was really cool just because we got to see how it worked.”  

The next three stations had a STEM aspect to them.  At one station students learned about friction and conducted experiments with remote control cars on different surfaces.  At another they made cars out of cardboard and balloons and conducted experiments on how to make them go faster and farther.  At the final station students took apart an entire computer tower and put it back together.  

“My brother has been struggling in school, and this was an opportunity for him to go and expand what his interests are,” said Alexia Lopez, a volunteer at the school.  “He’s very hands-on and into mechanics.  He’s really interested in how things work.  He would always have a follow up question to have a deeper understanding of everything.”  

“I could see that the activities we were doing were something they would totally want to do in their future,” said McKinnis.  “One student was talking about how he took apart a computer and put it back together himself, and he was so proud.  It helped broaden their experiences and their minds.”

After the stations and lunch, the students were given the ultimate parting gifts.  They first received two tickets to the NASCAR championship race.  Cox Communications also announced that each student was being given a laptop of their very own to take home.

“When I realized that Cox Communications was giving us all computers, I was sitting next to my friends, and everybody started screaming,” exclaimed Pernudi.  “I was sitting there in shock.  My jaw was wide open.  I was so happy and so surprised they would do this.”  

All of the eighth graders walked away not only with gifts, but a stronger sense of how the world of racing works and how education and STEM play a part in it, something they will soon not forget.  

“I just liked how there were very kind people there to help us,” said Pernudi.  “They were very happy to have us there, and they were all about making sure we had a good experience.  I was really honored they picked our school.” 

The Dysart Override Continuation and Bond initiatives focus on academic success, safety, and program offerings for students. ​If approved, here are a few of the ways students will be supported: 

• 150 additional teachers to maintain class sizes 
• Increased measures to keep students safe 
• Updated AC systems to ensure a safe learning environment 
• Full day Kindergarten to ensure a strong foundation 
• Safe transportation to and from school 
• Arts, physical education, and athletic programs 

Have questions and want to learn more? Please check out the links below for factual information:  

• Election Informational Pamphlet from the Maricopa County School Superintendent 
• Dysart.org/Election 
• Override Details 
• Bond Information 
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 
• Budget Video

Remember this is a mail-in only election! Mail your ballot by October 28, or drop it off at a ballot drop box by November 4, 2025.

If you miss this deadline, you can drop off your ballot at a Maricopa County Elections drop box. Find locations at https://elections.maricopa.gov/voting/where-to-vote.html

Learn more at Dysart.org/Election and VOTE TODAY!

Nearly 300 Valley Vista High School students took part in Financial Fitness in Action (FFA) recently, an educational exercise where students participate in an engaging, real-world simulation of saving, spending, and budgeting.  The program was open to students enrolled in Valley Vista’s AP Microeconomics and Economics classes. The Arizona Council on Economic Education (ACEE) provided the educational materials and partnered with school staff and several community volunteers, including banking professionals, to put on the event.

The program is designed to provide students a strong foundation in financial literacy.  Participants are given a worksheet with their assigned career, salary, credit score, and family data.  With that information, students visited a series of decision-making booths staffed by teachers, community volunteers, and banking industry leaders.  Each booth focused on different expenses like housing, insurance, investing, groceries, entertainment, and healthcare.  Students would discuss the best way to use their budget for the given expense, then make their financial decision by filling out that portion of their worksheet.

To illustrate how unexpected events could impact their finances, students were required to visit the Wheel of Life booth.  Here, they spun a virtual Wheel of Life that could result in anything from a flat tire to a generous inheritance.  While some walked away with a little extra spending money, others found themselves re-evaluating their emergency savings goals. 

According to senior student Liv Castro, it was a lesson that underscored the reality of being financially responsible.  “It prepares you for what your future could look like, and it gives you a dose of reality,” she said  “It’s not like when you’re an adult you get money and you just pay your rent and that’s it.  You have a lot of things that go into living!”  

Once the students had completed their worksheets, they met one-on-one with financial advisors who reviewed their budgeting decision to see if they had achieved financial solvency or needed some additional guidance on how to better live within their means.

For senior Damir Ilicic, FFA gave him more realistic expectations.  “I knew you had to pay a whole lot of bills, but I didn’t really know they were this expensive and I had to make this much to break even!”  

Classmate Ryan Sims agreed, “There were some bills that I thought would be a lot worse than what they were, but even then, they still add up.”  

While the exercise can start out feeling like a budgeting bombshell, the students ultimately came away feeling more prepared and confident about the future.

“I think that you have to make a lot of sacrifices,” AP Microeconomics student Janisia Thurston said of her experience.  “It’s kind of nice though, because now that I know, I’m not going to be shocked when I have to pay all these bills and all these expenses.”  She added that she would recommend FFA to other students, “Absolutely, 100 percent.”

Financial Fitness in Action is one of the qualifying events to earn the Arizona Seal of Personal Finance for grades 9-12.  Dysart Schools proudly leads the way with the most seals in the state, touting 748 AZ State Seals of Personal Finance in 2025. 

ACEE prepares teachers to educate students on personal finance, economics, and entrepreneurship.  They distribute proven economic resources to schools free of charge.  It is their goal to empower teachers, community volunteers, and parents in order to support students to become productive and responsible participants in a global economy. 

This year, 15 teachers from across the district were the lucky recipients of the 2025 APS Supply My Class grant. The Arizona based utility company started the program eight years ago to help local educators teaching in Title I, K-12 schools get the supplies they need to support their students’ success. 

Applications for the program were open over the summer. Qualified applicants were entered into a random drawing that was held before the start of the school year. This year, 500 teachers from the APS service area were each awarded a $500 virtual gift card with which to stock up their classrooms.

The names of the 15 winners from the Dysart Unified School District were kept under wraps until APS representatives paid a surprise visit to their classrooms to present the award with the help of the school’s administration.

Sixth-grade teacher Carli Kaye from Marley Park Elementary School expressed her sincere gratitude to APS. “This generous funding will allow me to purchase much-needed supplies and resources that will directly benefit my students’ learning. With these materials, I can create more engaging, hands-on lessons and provide students with tools that help them succeed every day. Your support not only enhances our classroom environment but also shows my students that their education matters to the wider community. Thank you for investing in our future leaders!”

Reading Interventionist Kelley Campbell-Hernandez from Countryside Elementary School states she is honored and shares how she plans to use her funding. “As a 26-year veteran teacher who has spent thousands of dollars on her classroom and students over the years, it is heartwarming that companies like APS are providing teachers a financial opportunity like this!    I am honored to have been chosen and look forward to purchasing supplemental materials and items for my Reading Intervention groups that will support their academic growth!”

All the teachers are excited to put their gift cards to good use. Their shopping lists include everything from basic school supplies and manipulatives to flexible seating and student incentives. One thing they all have in common, however, is that they all plan to use every last penny to purchase supplies that will directly benefit their students.

This year’s winners encourage their fellow educators to apply for the grant next summer.  With no essay requirement, all it takes is a five-minute application that could win them $500. 

2025 APS Supply My Class Winners

Cassidy Stevanov - Asante Preparatory Academy 

 Kelley Campbell-Hernandez - Countryside Elementary School 

 David Kearley - Cimarron Springs Middle School 

 Cheyenne Woody - El Mirage Elementary School 

 Katelyn Lee - Freedom Traditional Academy 

 Stacey Ritchie - Kingswood Elementary School 

 Carli Kaye - Marley Park Elementary School 

 Abigail Savage - Riverview Elementary School 

 Michael Mundstock - Riverview Elementary School 

 Bobby Ealim - Shadow Ridge High School 

 Jeri Bennett - Shadow Ridge High School 

 Naeli Ortiz - Sunset Hills Elementary School

 Kerry Cain - Surprise Elementary School

 Kelly Hansen - Western Peaks Elementary School

 Susan Whetsell - West Point Elementary School

Arizona All-State Show Choir auditions were held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 and numerous high school students from Dysart schools were selected.  Congratulations to these talented students who were selected for the All State Show Choir by the Arizona Choral Educators:  

Kaden Robison (Shadow Ridge High School, Tenor)  

Daisy Haggarton (Shadow Ridge High School, Soprano Alternate) 

Brooke Norman (Valley Vista High School, Soprano) 

Kayla Patnod (Valley Vista High School, Soprano) 

Stephanie Maya (Valley Vista High School, Alto) 

Cora Griffen (Valley Vista High School, Alto) 

Rosalind Batstone (Valley Vista High School, Alto) 

Kenzi Felder (Valley Vista High School, Alto) 

Zariah Byas (Valley Vista High School, Alto) 

Aftynn Bennett (Valley Vista High School, Alto) 

Leah Hill (Valley Vista High School, Alto) 

Lydia Williams (Valley Vista High School, Alto) 

Quinten Black (Valley Vista High School, Tenor) 

Max Brumbaugh (Valley Vista High School, Tenor) 

Sam Mills (Valley Vista High School, Tenor) 

Garret Suesue (Valley Vista High School, Bass) 

Floyd Daughters IV (Valley Vista High School, Bass) 

Roman Kelly (Valley Vista High School, Bass) 

Arianna Prescott (Willow Canyon High School, Alto) 

Evangeline Rice (Willow Canyon High School, Alto) 

Aryanna Denton-Lotts (Willow Canyon High School, Alto) 

Kristin Proctor (Willow Canyon High School, Soprano) 

Grace Rodgers (Willow Canyon High School, Alto Alternate)

The audition is rigorous and requires live singing and dancing.  The top 100 show choir students from around the state are chosen.  Selected students learn and memorize the performance songs before attending the three-day long festival in November where they learn the choreography and refine the music. 

“These students have demonstrated outstanding commitment and talent, and we’re thrilled to see their efforts recognized at the state level,” said Danae Marinelli, Dysart Schools Director of Arts.

The Arizona Choral Educators (ACE) is a constituent group of the Arizona Music Educators Association (AMEA) which serves the needs of elementary, junior high, high school, and collegiate directors throughout Arizona. AMEA was established in 1939 as a cooperative effort of music educators. Since that time, the association has become affiliated with The National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

Student Broadcasting and Multimedia Productions Coordinator Brian Yoder was awarded a Special Commendation Award by the Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (AIAAA) at a ceremony on September 8. The award was presented to Yoder and his students for demonstrating exceptional leadership and service. Yoder and Dysart Student Broadcasting (DSB Live) students have partnered with AIAAA to capture and provide audio and visual material for various sports across multiple conferences. The AIAAA has recognized them as an essential part of the successful operation of conferences.

"We want to express our sincere gratitude to Brian Yoder and his students for their outstanding contributions to our association,” they said in a statement. “Mr. Yoder and his students have been incredible partners to the AIAAA.”

DSB Live is a student-run broadcasting program in the Dysart Unified School District led by Yoder that covers various sports and live events throughout the district and state. In the program, students have the opportunity to learn about running a broadcasting channel while gaining experience on and off the camera. 

"I am honored to have received this award on behalf of all of the hardworking DSB Live students that have worked long hours to have the ability to run state wide broadcasting events," Yoder said.

The AIAAA was created to foster higher standards of professionalism with the ranks of Arizona’s high school athletic directors.  They host a yearly conference, sponsor and teach classes, provide opportunities for professional certification, and are an affiliate of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.  The AIAAA works closely with the Arizona Interscholastic Association, the governing board for all Arizona high school athletics.

Kyl Rucker, a 7th and 8th Grade Social Studies teacher from Luke Elementary School, was among only 13 educators nationwide chosen by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to participate in the 2025-2026 Museum Teacher Fellowship Program.  Mr. Rucker was selected for his knowledge of Holocaust history, successful teaching experience, and participation in community and professional organizations and events.

Over the summer, Mr. Rucker participated in the Pines, Sarna, Statfeld Summer Institute for the Museum Teacher Fellowship Program, held at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.  As part of his fellowship, he will now implement a professional development event for educators in his community and share the Museum’s free educational resources.

“Being part of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Teacher Fellowship was an incredibly meaningful experience,” said Mr. Rucker. “I didn’t just learn more about the history of the Holocaust, I learned how to teach it in a way that honors the voices of survivors and encourages students to think deeply about the choices people made during that time.”  

But his experience won’t stop there.  Mr. Rucker plans on implementing what he learned to help his students think critically about history.  “One strategy I’ll be using in my classroom is the Holocaust Timeline activity, which helps students see how events unfolded gradually and how individuals and societies responded along the way.”

Established in 1996, the Museum Teacher Fellowship (MTF) program at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum develops a national corps of skilled teachers who provide ongoing professional development and share Museum resources in their schools, communities, and professional organizations. To date, 470 teachers have completed the program.

“The Museum Teacher Fellows play a vital role in bringing the lessons of the Holocaust to communities around the country,” said Kim Blevins-Relleva, manager of education programs in the Museum’s Levine Institute for Holocaust Education.  

As we approach the 2025–2026 school year, Dysart Unified School District has been hard at work over the summer to ensure a successful year ahead for all students. We are proud to share the ways we have invested in our staff and educational practices to strengthen learning and student achievement.

Our focus this summer has been centered around expanding our schools’ capacity through the Professional Learning Community (PLC) process, a proven framework that supports collaboration, instructional improvement, and increased student outcomes. Here's how we've prepared:

• Summer Curriculum Workshop (May): Over 900 teachers and staff members gathered to dive into essential standards, analyze student work, and align instruction to student needs.
• PLC Conference (June): Instructional leaders from each campus attended professional development to deepen their knowledge and strengthen their implementation of PLCs.
• Dysart Leadership Team Meetings (July): School principals and district leaders collaborated on training and planning to align goals and strategies for the new school year.
  
• New Educator Orientation (July): We welcomed new teachers to the Dysart team, introduced them to our systems and expectations, and began building collaboration around our shared goals for student success.
  
• Back-to-School Planning (July): All staff will return for training and planning sessions to ensure we are fully prepared to welcome students and start strong.
  

All of these efforts are rooted in our commitment to the PLC framework, which is designed to build, evaluate, and continuously improve our educational systems. As a result, we have seen measurable progress in student achievement, school ratings, and staff retention.

Thanks to our strategic investments and dedicated staff, Dysart is now an “A” rated district, with 100% of our schools earning “A” or “B” labels - a first in our history. Here's a snapshot of our progress:

• 2021–2022: 12 “A” rated schools, 10 “B” rated schools, 2 “C” rated schools 
• 2022–2023: 18 “A” rated schools, 4 “B” rated schools, 2 “C” rated schools, District rated “A” (Year 1 of PLC focus) 
• 2023–2024: 18 “A” rated schools, 6 “B” rated schools, District rated “A” 
• 2024-2025: We anticipate increased labels

Superintendent Dr. Croteau shares: 

“There was a clear turning point when we began to train on and truly embed the PLC framework into our processes. The return on investment is evident—more and more students are finding success in the classroom. Through our investment in PLCs, we are strategically using our budget in a fiscally responsible way that impacts student learning and drives long-term success for our community.”

This focus on improvement continues throughout the year. Teachers work in collaborative teams to review student data, reflect on instruction, and take shared responsibility for student learning. By embedding the PLC process into all levels of our system, we are building a lasting culture of excellence and accountability.

As we begin the new school year, please join us in thanking our dedicated staff for their continued commitment to ensuring every student achieves lifelong success.

We look forward to a fantastic year ahead!

More than 900 staff members across Dysart Unified School District participated in a four-day Curriculum Workshop focused on identifying student essential standards and developing instructional strategies to ensure students meet these standards.

Teachers attended the workshop from May 27 through May 30 at Cimarron Springs Middle School, Dysart Middle School, Dysart High School, Shadow Ridge High School, Sonoran Heights Middle School, and Sunset Hills Elementary.

The Dysart Curriculum Workshop is designed to be a time where teachers, district content specialists, and instructional leaders can work collaboratively to examine data, break down state standards into the required skills of each standard, implement instructional strategies, and create checks for understanding.  This helps create a strong foundation for continued Professional Learning Community (PLC) work throughout the year and allows teachers to be better prepared for the following school year to enhance the conditions for student success.

"We're learning about how we can take our summative assessments and make sure that they're aligned to our standards, so we know that our students are learning what we're expecting them to learn,” said Breann Wirth, Dysart High School math teacher.  “So, we're working collaboratively to go through those tests and making sure that we’re hitting the standards - especially our essential standards - so then we know our kids are seeing those essential standards multiple times.”

As an “A” rated district, Dysart is committed to ensuring every student has the best opportunity to be successful in the classroom.  Part of this effort includes embedding the PLC framework into everything.  It is a growth-minded process of continual evaluation of what’s being taught, how it’s being taught, how it’s assessed, and how to improve.  All of this is done with a clear focus on student learning and success.

“A teacher’s work is truly never done,” said Dr. John Croteau, Superintendent for Dysart Schools.  “These public servants work hard year-round to ensure they are prepared each year to welcome students into their classrooms and provide them with the very best education possible.”

Career and Technical Education (CTE) students earned multiple accolades competing in state conferences for Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), and SkillsUSA.  Dysart High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) students wrapped up the year with several notable honors.

Four students from Shadow Ridge and Willow Canyon High School earned top ten recognition at the 2025 DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Orlando, Florida on April 29.  The top 20 of each competition make it to the finals, and the top ten are then recognized on stage with medals.  The top three are awarded with the highly coveted DECA glass trophy.  Of the tens of thousands of students who participated, there were 13 top ten finalists from Arizona, four of whom attend Dysart schools.

Ayden Jo, Yll Musliu, and Gracen Robinson from Shadow Ridge High School were top ten finalists in the Virtual Business Retail competitive event.  They earned top two in the Western Region to qualify and then competed in two live rounds at the conference.  Adeline Feby John Felix from Willow Canyon High School earned a top ten recognition in the Principles of Entrepreneurship competitive event.

The FBLA State Leadership Conference was held from April 1-3 in Tucson, Arizona.  The event allows students to advance to the national conference, compete in various competitions, participate in workshops, and run for state office for FBLA.  FBLA inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.

Multiple Valley Vista High School students placed in the top five for their respective categories.  Michael Bresfield, Gabe De La Garza, Kayla Fisher-Happe, Jahniya Franklin, John Maley, Gabriel Martin, Genesis Martinez, Eduardo Martinez-Tostado, Veronica Rodriguez, James Stinett, and Jade Thomas all placed in the top five.  Makala Langub, Olias Ramirez, and Vanessa Yaryan placed first in the Digital Animation category.  Veronica Rodriguez received first place for State Journalism, and Victoria Rodriguez placed first for the State Intro to FBLA.

The FCCLA State Leadership Conference was held on March 4-6, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona.   The competition allows students to compete in over 30 different events, qualify for the National Leadership Conference in San Diego, and network with members across Arizona.  FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life - planning, goal setting, problem-solving, decision making, and interpersonal communication - all necessary within the home and workplace.  FCCLA is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members.

The following Shadow Ridge High School students received medals in the FCCLA Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) Events: Joseph Behner and Rylee Meek earned bronze; Ava Farmer, Ella Kinneberg, Katelyn Martinez, Alyssa Moore, and Kelley Mills earned silver; and Juliette Hansom, Liana Vargas, and Remie Whitt received gold medals.

Additionally, Shadow Ridge High School students were recognized in the Arizona Proficiency Events at the conference: Rylee Meek and Remie Whitt placed third.  Ava Farmer, Ella Kinneber, and Katelyn Martinez placed first.

Valley Vista High School students also received medals in the STAR Events at this year’s FCCLA State Leadership Conference: Cadence Arnold received a bronze medal; Bliss Barham, Jailey Giles, Grant Hornstein, Kaden Kramer, Kaleb Mitri, and Dominic Sindle received silver;  Clara Dobson received a gold medal.

HOSA provides students with an opportunity to participate in a variety of opportunities, ranging from leadership, school and community service, and healthcare-related competitions.  Students are able to participate both in and out of the classroom, attend a variety of leadership training conferences, and compete at the regional, state, and international levels.

The Arizona State Leadership Conference is a competitive event that provides HOSA students the opportunity to apply skills they’ve learned in their CTE courses.  Students who place in the top three in their event qualify for the International Conference.  Shadow Ridge students, Olivia Bernard, Leah Giersh, and Anna Weissinger, placed second in their events.  Valley Vista students, Xavier Ceja, Alexander Flores Sandoval, Kyle Hudson, Abigail Johanning, Roman Kelly, and Lara Washington, all qualified for the International Conference.

The Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (J.R.O.T.C.) program helps prepare high school students for various responsible leadership jobs of choice in the civilian workforce, private enterprise, or military service.  The mission of JROTC is “to motivate young people to be better citizens.”

Dysart High School JROTC students received the following recognitions:

• Alexander Bringman - National Sojourners Award
  
• Madilyn Cortez Pantaleon - Military Order of the Purple Heart Award and the Non-Commissioned Officers Association Award
  
• Alina Cwik - Sons of the American Revolution Award and the Veterans of Foreign War Academic Excellence Award
  
• Daniel Ellyson - Sons of the Union Veterans of Civil War Award
  
• Sanae Hayes - Veterans of Foreign War Military Award
  
• `Annaleigh Juillerat - Daedalian JROTC Achievement Award
• Jenna Linde - American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award and the Military Officers' Association Award
  
• Brea Mitchell - Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association Award
  
• Antonio Morales - Reserve Officers Association Award and the Veterans of Foreign War Most Improvement Award
  
• Christopher Pickens - The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry JROTC Award
  
• Bianca Puente - Military Order of the World Wars Award
  
• Kaitlyn Shiffer - American Legion Military Excellence Award and the Daughters of the American Revolution Award
  
• Kenneth Stephenson - American Veterans Award
  
• Richard Trejo - Association of United States Army Award
  
• Shane Wilson - Sons of the Confederate Veterans of Civil War Award
  

SkillsUSA provides educational programs, events, and competitions that support career and technical education to ensure America has a skilled workforce.  The SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference was held on April 22-23 this year.

Dysart High School had three students, Abdullah Abdulsalam, Grace Brennan, and Alexander Pupo, place third for the American Spirit category.  Mikaela Acosta, Julian Armenta, Andrea Dorantes, Logan Gonzales Coronel, Zion Green, and Ian Morton, also from Dysart High School, placed third for Business Procedure.

Several Shadow Ridge students placed in the top three in several categories.  Lawson Bush and Avery Hernandez placed third for animation while Clarie Harrison placed third for t-shirt design.  Chase Boyer and Madison Perrigo both placed second for animation.  Xzavier Hudson and Alaric Santiago placed first in game design, and Annabelle Salerno also placed first in t-shirt design.

Parker Anderson, Samuel Kau, Tiffany Proctor, and Jasmine Rafnson, students from Willow Canyon High School, all received second place for stagecraft design.  Tiffany Proctor was also elected to be a State Officer for SkillsUSA.

The information collected on meal applications for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) can qualify students for SUN Bucks, a program that provides $120 in grocery benefits per eligible school-age child when school is out for summer.  For students who attend schools that don’t collect meal applications, families can fill out a SUN Bucks application to see if their child is eligible for this grocery buying benefit.  The deadline to apply is August 5, 2025.

SUN Bucks Eligibility Screener

Please use the screening tool to ensure households that are pre-qualified do not complete a 2025 SUN Bucks Household Application when it is not required.  For those deemed necessary to complete a 2025 SUN Bucks Household Application, the link to the application will be made available within the screener.

Additional contact information:

SUN Bucks parent hotline/phone number: 833-648-4406

SUN Bucks Email address: SUNBucks@azed.gov 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Congratulations to the student athletes from all four high schools who signed letters of intent to play their respective sports at the collegiate level.  The following students participated in Signing Day:

Dysart High School

Lamar Anderson - Ottawa University (Basketball) 

William Stackhouse - Central College (Football)

Shadow Ridge High School

Jimmy Brooks - Ottawa University (Baseball) 

Jianna Clark - Arizona State University (Cheer)

Piper Rueb - Grand Canyon University (Cheer)

Olivia Scroggins - Mesa Community College (Cross Country)

Sincere Johns - Huntingdon College Alabama (Flag Football)

Peter Aguliar - Pasadena City College (Football)

Xavier Armenta - Sonoran Sidewinders (Football)

Myles Childs - Sonoran Sidewinders (Football)

Andrea Bolanos Rivera - Scottsdale Community College (Soccer)

Xiolahnie Carranza - Ottawa University (Soccer)

Darnell Arizaga-Edmond - Arizona Christian University (Wrestling)

Austin Kuehler - Cumberland University (Boys Volleyball)

Alixanria Encinas - South Mountain Community College (Girls Volleyball)

Valley Vista High School

Jada Wilson - Phoenix College (Girls Basketball) 

Logan Arrowsmith - Butte College (Football)

Jermicheal Hernandez -  Lake Forest (Football)

Xavier Moore - Butte Community College (Football)

Johnny Villarreal - College of the Redwoods (Football)

Alexx Williams - Butte Community College (Football)

Kirrah Lanius - Glendale Community College (Soccer)

Savanna Gumowski -  Crown College (Softball)

John Terry - Arizona Christian University (Track and Field)

Isabella Brewer - Western New Mexico University (Volleyball)

Ralynn De Jesus - Yavapai County (Volleyball)

Brynn Golba - Arizona Christian University (Volleyball)

Elise Langley - Park University (Volleyball)

Marielle Ramos - Glendale Community College (Volleyball)

Hunter Robinson - Ottawa University (Wrestling)

Joshua Daniel Morales - Ottawa University (Wrestling)

Willow Canyon High School

Matt Williams - St. Joseph's University (Baseball)

Jayden Maxwell - Grand Canyon University (Basketball)

Kaleel Kelly - Fort Hays College (Basketball)

Darien Pittman - University of Kentucky (Cheer)

Derrick Harris - Grand Canyon University (Cheer)

Madison Ferris - Grand Canyon University (Cheer)

Michela Gibbons - Grand Canyon University (Cheer)

Kayla Bolya - Arizona Christian University (Cheer)

Mya Graham - Arizona Christian University (Cheer)

Brynn Kelly - Eastern Arizona College (Girls Soccer)

Shadow Ridge High School senior, Mirabelle Yontz, was awarded the prestigious Dorrance Scholarship, which is valued at more than $100,000.  The Dorrance Foundation for Education awards 60 scholarships each year to Arizona high school students to attend one of three state universities (Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona.)

Mirabelle will use the scholarship to attend the University of Arizona in the fall of 2025.  Her field of study, biology and genetics, is ambitious but also very personal to her.

“My family has a chronic illness, it’s called Fabry Disease,” she shared.  “My brother and my mom have it.  My grandmother had it, and she passed away.  Her brother also passed away from it.  My mom and brother are in treatment for it, but it’s a pretty severe disease.”  

Fabry disease is a rare, inherited disorder where the body lacks an enzyme called alpha-galactosidase A. This enzyme is essential for breaking down fats, and its absence leads to a buildup of fatty substances in cells, blood vessels, and tissues, particularly in the kidneys, heart, skin, and brain. 

“My brother has some of the worst symptoms because it’s an X-linked disease,” Mirabelle said.  “Males only have one X chromosome, and it affects them more severely.  My brother has a head-to-toe body rash, and then also severe stomach issues, severe pain in his hands and feet, and he has to miss a lot of school.”  

Her brother has been getting a treatment called fabrazyme since he was seven that’s administered at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.  Mirabelle is lucky in that she didn’t inherit the chromosome with the disease. 

“Even though I don’t have the disease, it’s traumatic to watch your family go through things like that.”  

Her mother and brother were her inspiration for wanting to get into genetics and applying for the scholarship to begin with.  Her goal after the bachelor’s degree is to get a master’s degree in microcellular biology and a doctorate in genetics.  Mirabelle hopes to work with those affected by the disease and help with symptom management, hopefully also helping to find a cure for it. 

“It means the world to me to get this scholarship,” she said with an enthusiastic smile.  “It means so much that all the work I put in paid off, and that I do get to be able to help people.”  

In addition to the Dorrance Scholarship, Mirabelle was also awarded the Surprise Youth Scholarship and the Wildcat Distinction Award.  She’s graduating with a 4.3 weighted grade point average with both an Honors Diploma and an Arts Seal of Proficiency.  

The Dorrance Scholarship is a need-based award that aims to instill college-going traditions in future generations of Arizona families, provide financial access and academic support for recipients and enhance college persistence through unique enrichment experiences. Students must be Arizona residents and current seniors at an accredited Arizona high school.

Dysart Student Broadcasting (DSB) Live held their annual awards night on April 29 to culminate a successful year of student-produced livestreams and video content.  The event aims to celebrate the more than 200 live streamed events by the students at all four high schools and recognize the hard work students put in over the 2024-2025 school year.  Dysart District leadership, board members, and high school administrators were on hand to congratulate the students who were awarded in three main categories.

DSB Live Excellence Award

This award is given to well-rounded Film and TV students who go above and beyond the call of duty.  They are the student that is willing to jump in at any cost, acts as a mentor to other students, and understands how to use most if not all of the equipment both in the studio and on location.  They are a student that has a passion for Film and TV and aspires to do that work post high school.  The winners are as follows:

Dysart High School 

• Ian Morton  
• Mikaela Acosta  

Shadow Ridge High School 

• Alexander Galindo 
• James Visvardis  

Valley Vista High School 

• Ignacio Chavez  
• Ethan Baker 

Willow Canyon High School 

• Diego Fernandez del Valle 
• Isabella Thibault

DSB Live Aspiring Award

The Aspiring Award is given to students that are a go-getter and excited to learn more.  They are willing to “get their hands dirty” and are not stuck on what job they are asked to do.  They love the program and go above and beyond to help at any cost.  The winners are as follows:

Dysart High School 

• Zion Green  
• Amber Warren  
• Angel Caballero  
• Genesis Orozco 

Shadow Ridge High School 

• Asiah Smith 
• Liana Hill 
• Sophie Booth  
• Isabella Nelson  

Valley Vista High School 

• John Maley 
• Abigail Urbina 
• Kayla Fisher-Happe 
• Kai Langub 

Willow Canyon High School 

• Jennifer Quagliozzi 
• Betsabe Huert 
• Brianha Martin 
• Marcus Warmac
  

DSB Live Academic Letter

The Academic letter is awarded to those students who achieve a 3.0 grade point average or better AND pass their Technical Skills Assessment (TSA) for the Film & Television program. 

Dysart High School 

• Ian Morton 
• Angel Caballero 
• Genesis Orozco 
• Mikaela Acosta 

Shadow Ridge High School 

• Tanner Cornall  
• James Visvardis  
• Aiden Williams  
• Dillion Burger  
• Alexander Galindo  
• Sophie Booth  

Valley Vista High School 

• Nicole Acuna 
• Ethan Baker 
• Khloe Daniels 
• Gabriel De La Garza 
• Jazmin Rivas 
• Veronica Rodriguez 
• Ignacio Chavez 
• Genesis Martinez 
• Olias Ramirez 
• Samuel Ambriz 
• Izhar Mendez  
• Aaron Roberson  
• Makayla Jeremy Langub 
• Eduardo Martinez-Tostado  
• Jon Signs 

Willow Canyon High School 

• Aidan Kump 
• Sutton MacDonald 
• Mikey Means
  

DSB Live is a student broadcasting program part of the Dysart Unified School District located in Surprise, Arizona. It is comprised of students in 9-12 grades. Their motto is "Student Driven, Student Produced."  Students live stream various events comprised of the "Three  A's".....Academic, Arts, and Athletic events. Events are developed and run at the four high schools (Dysart High, Shadow Ridge, Valley Vista, and Willow Canyon) and Dysart Unified School District programs and activities.

DSB Live events include academics, arts, athletics, events, ceremonies, Festival of the Arts, graduations, and much more.

Five seniors from Shadow Ridge High School have won the 2024-2025 Maker Class Championship for their solar-powered go-kart.  Known as the SRHS Solar Stallion Solar Go-Kart Team, these engineering students got to put their skills to the test by researching, designing, testing, and building a full sized go-kart.  The team is comprised of Sam Hartsock (team captain), Alayna Dent (driver), Matthew Alvarez, Skylar Varkalis, and Josh Milonis.  Engineering teacher, Eric Bennett, is their coach.

After a year’s worth of work, the Shadow Ridge team went up against other high schools from around the state to race at the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson, Arizona.  The goal was to see how many laps the solar karts could complete, and secondarily, how fast.  The Stallions competed in the highest division known as the Maker Class.  This meant the students had to design and build their go-kart for the competition from the ground up. 

Preparing young engineers for this annual competition is always exciting for Mr. Bennett.  

“Working with students on our solar kart team has been an amazing and rewarding experience.  Each team is unique, but they all have the same goals and they work very hard to achieve them.” 

With driver Alayna Dent at the wheel, the Solar Stallions tied for first place at ten laps, and ultimately won by virtue of completing those laps faster.  This year’s win marks the fifth Maker Class Championship for Shadow Ridge.  The team was also named Speed Champion for having the fastest kart.

Mr. Bennett, however, is most proud of the Solar Stallions for winning the prestigious title of Best Engineered Team.  The award was new this year and is given to the top team from all divisions.  It’s an honor Mr. Bennett feels the team earned because of their hard work, ability to collaborate, and tireless dedication.

“It’s very fulfilling when the students see their efforts rewarded. Team captain Sam Hartsock led team members Josh Milonis, Skylar Varkalis, Matthew Alvarez, and Alayna Dent to a historically successful season!”

Mr. Bennett also won Coach of the Year.

When asked how they feel about all the awards and accolades, the students returned Mr. Bennett’s sentiment, albeit more succinctly.

“Coach of the Year? More like Coach of the Century!”

The Dysart Unified School District was proud to hold their Spring Athlete of the Month Awards along with their annual All District Boys Volleyball, Baseball, and Softball Team Award presentations to recognize and celebrate the student athletes who displayed excellence in the Spring 2025 season. Athletes were selected by district coaches from Valley Vista, Shadow Ridge, Dysart, and Willow Canyon high schools.

All District Boys Volleyball

1st Team 

Jalen Wadleigh (Willow Canyon)

Rylan Hayes (Willow Canyon) 

Isaiah Austin (Valley Vista) 

Parker Katena (Valley Vista)

Jorge Serna (Dysart HS)

Pao Apistar (Dysart HS)

Logan McMullen (Shadow Ridge)

Austin Kuehler (Shadow Ridge)

2nd Team 

Ben Perkins (Willow Canyon)

Parker Speaks (Willow Canyon)

Nathanael Blackledge (Valley Vista)

Roman Kelly (Valley Vista)

Matthew Erickson (Dysart HS)

Ryan Shetterly (Dysart HS)

Franklin Faulkner (Shadow Ridge)

Chase Fowler (Shadow Ridge)

Honorable Mention

Noah Caplan (Willow Canyon)

Ean Nichols (Willow Canyon)

Kaden Richardson (Valley Vista)

Will Ackerman (Valley Vista)

Kyle Giacoletti-Moody (Dysart HS)

Hayden O'Neal (Dysart HS)

Brady McMullen (Shadow Ridge)

Dylan Olson (Shadow Ridge)

Player of the Year

Jackson Blair (Willow Canyon)

All District Baseball

1st Team

Nathan Paxman (Shadow Ridge)

Jimmy Brooks (Shadow Ridge)

Juan Carlos Anaya Jr. (Dysart HS) 

Eduardo Carranza (Dysart HS) 

Ryan Sims (Valley Vista)

Diego Munoz (Valley Vista)

Kael Leon (Shadow Ridge)

KJ Kovaly (Willow Canyon)

Jackson Duce (Willow Canyon)

2nd Team

Nathaniel Pearson (Shadow Ridge)

Ashton Trumble (Shadow Ridge)

Aaron Olivas (Dysart HS)

John Amparan (Dysart HS)

Elias Garza (Valley Vista)

Braden Johnson (Valley Vista)

Santi Reyes Solano (Willow Canyon)

Cole Hansen (Willow Canyon)

Jake Miller (Willow Canyon)

Ethan Patrick (Willow Canyon)

Honorable Mention

Owen Gorman (Shadow Ridge)

DJ Lafitte (Shadow Ridge)

Payton Sheinin (Shadow Ridge)

Jamarian Johnson (Dysart HS)

Javier Hernandez-Olaiz (Dysart HS)

Justin Hernandez-Olaiz (Dysart HS)

Rylie Hanson (Valley Vista)

Nate Lara (Willow Canyon)

Matt Huff (Willow Canyon)

Matt Williams (Willow Canyon)

Malachi Lemau (Willow Canyon)

Aiden Peterman (Willow Canyon)

Player of the Year

Cam Davidson (Willow Canyon)

All District Softball

1st Team

Mya Sias (Dysart HS)

Savannah Farmer (Dysart HS)

Addison Kennedy (Valley Vista)

Adria Garcia (Valley Vista)

Madilyn Gentner (Shadow Ridge)

Destiny Johnston (Shadow Ridge)

Jadyn Scott (Shadow Ridge)

Bella Mora (Willow Canyon)

Mataya Olson (Willow Canyon)

Easton Spriggs (WIllow Canyon)

2nd Team

Lairanett Bowman (Dysart HS)

Elizabeth Kent (Dysart HS)

Aliyiah Juarez (Valley Vista)

Ashley Antelo (Valley Vista)

Zayda Atalima (Valley Vista)

Courtney Ray (Willow Canyon)

Mel Fox (Willow Canyon)

Jordan Scott (Shadow Ridge)

McKayla Ethington (Shadow Ridge)

Liliana Moreno (Shadow Ridge)

Honorable Mention

Juliana Bustraan (Dysart HS) 

Taylor Agaman (Shadow Ridge)

Avery Mackey (Shadow Ridge)

Angel Gallegos (Valley Vista)

Mikayla Torrez (Valley Vista)

Savanna Gumowski (Valley Vista)

Liberty James (Willow Canyon)

Player of the Year 

Easton Spriggs (Willow Canyon)

Athlete of the Month