It was all smiles at Sun City Elks youth appreciation banquet May 6, where more than 50 northwest Valley students were recognized for their accomplishments over the last year.
The long-standing event culminated National Youth Week, May 1-7.
Students from the cities of Peoria, Surprise and El Mirage were honored at Sun City Elks Lodge #2559, 10760 W. Union Hills. The service organization annually contributes $50,000 to its youth programs, which include scholarships, seasonal events and other donations.
Exalted Ruler Bill Matthews, welcomed guests and was the master of ceremonies. Inner Guard Jose C. Torres posted the Colors and Chaplain Joan McConnel gave the invocation.
“And I thought I was doing good at a 4.0 grade average. Having a 4.3, I can’t event imagine that,” Matthews said. “Listen, without the youth, without the parental support, without these volunteers, none of this could be possible.”
2023-2024 Students of the Month
Presented by Ken Mattern
Liberty High School
Ryan Harris
Benjamin Lin
Shae Heimer
Carter Ward
Sabrina Apap
Ashley Briggs
Sunrise Mountain High School
Jessica Ojoye
Matthew Anderson
Isabella Prey
Sarah Bird
Amelia Cooney
Jonathon Lai
Ethan Kreuzwiesner
Dysart High School
Joel Linde
Jaidyn Gebel
Nahum Cabrea
Austin Henderson
Brayan Mac Williams Hernandez
Angel Rocha
2023-2024 Teens of The Year
Presented by Mattern
Vistancia Elementary
Ashton Chaffee
Scott Sinex
Lake Pleasant Elementary
Addyson Lee
Patrick Mohlman
Coyote Hills Elementary
Mason Hernandez
Alessa Bliss
Parkridge Elementary
Mckenna Morgan
Jayven John Reyes
2023-2024 Scholarship Winners
Presented by John Messelt and Terry Grindle
Ria Duggal, Basis Peoria
Lassya Kotta, Basis Peoria
Autumn Biancamano, Liberty
Andrew Cary, Sunrise Mountain
Lucille Salch, Sunrise Mountain
Ethan Kreuzwiester, Sunrise Mountain
Monte Coffland, Centennial
Isabella Hineman. Glendale Prep
Thalia Fuentes, Glendale Prep
Brook Wilkins, Dysart
Noah Castro, Dysart
Jacob Allen, Basis Phoenix
Briona Blake, Valley Vista
Jonathan Liang, Estrella Mountain
Lily Sekosky, Willow Canyon, Surprise
Aiden Dunne, Paradise Honors
Catalina Cisneros, Xavier Prep
Emma Ramirez Points, Valley Vista
Pratishtha Bharddwaj, Basis Scottsdale
2023-2024 HOOP Shoot Winners
Presented by Melanie Merrill
Giovanni Briseno, AZ Charter Academy
Emma Aguilar, AZ Charter Academy
Anthony Serpashyan, AZ Charter Academy
Hayden Hinton, Cadeo Elementary
2023-2024 Americanism Essay Winners
Presented by Ron Spear
Arly Mujaxhi, Zuni Hills Elementary
Matthew Thomas, Sunset Heights Elementary
2023-2024 Drug Awareness Poster Winners
Presented by Spear
Natalie Evans,* Vistancia Elementary
Isabella DeFusco, Vistancia Elementary
Trinity Buflin, Kingswood Elementary
*Elks State Poster Winner
Philip Haldiman can be reached at phaldiman@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
Philip Haldiman
News Editor | Peoria
phaldiman@iniusa.org
Philip Haldiman is a third generation Arizona native with brief residencies on the east and west coasts.
He has bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Journalism at Arizona State University, and is an award winning journalist with more than 15 years worth of experience in reporting and editing.
Most recently, he took first place for investigative reporting and third place for best sustained coverage or series at the 2023 Arizona Newspapers Association awards.
In his free time, he produces an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
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