Chandler Council recognizes disability contributors

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

Chandler’s mayor and City Council acknowledged Disabilities Awareness Month and handed out some awards at its Feb. 26 regular meeting.

Members of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities read the nomination rationale for each award winner. The award winners were nominated by businesspeople and others in the community.

Commissioner Bill Hespel read the nomination for Employee of the Year Natalie Tate. He said Tate, an employee of Fry’s grocery store No. 668, brings “a huge smile, adaptability, problem solving and focus” to work each day, according to her supervisor.

Commissioner Geoffrey Foote read the nomination for Arizona College Prep High School senior Caleb Giannoccoro, the Student of the Year. Foote said Giannoccoro, who was diagnosed with autism at age 4, navigated multiple schools on his way to ACP, where he carries a 3.92 GPA, encourages others to pursue their goals and plans to study architecture at Arizona State University.

Commissioner Jenny Miller read the nomination for Volunteer of the Year Gary Jantzen. A member of the Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities Board, Jantzen was praised for the many ways he assists, from securing unique raffle items to building connections at Chamber of Commerce and business alliance meetings.

Commissioner Steven Briggs read the nomination for Educator of the Year Donneen Mundt, saying the Payne Junior High School teacher “meets every student where they are” and “makes sure every student feels included and valued.”

Commissioner Julie Lazzara read the nomination for Disabilities Ally of the Year Irma Andrade Garcia. Lazzara said Andrade Garcia, an eight-year Chandler Unified special education bus driver, treats “our most vulnerable residents with the highest level of respect, safety and care.”

Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.