Queen Creek council honors students, teachers

The Queen Creek Town Council is honoring students and teachers for their good work.

Recently, the council recognized 11 “Star Students” for being “helpful and considerate of others while demonstrating good citizenship, service and integrity,” according to a town press release.

Each school in Queen Creek was invited to nominate one student for the honor. The students recognized are:

• Sapphire Hales, Benjamin Franklin Charter School-Crismon campus
• Ridge Allen, Benjamin Franklin High School
• Ava Salais, Queen Creek Virtual Academy–Elementary School
•  Aaron Rippee, Queen Creek Virtual Academy–Junior High School

• Brooklyn Sanders, Queen Creek Virtual Academy–High School

• Addison Thornton, Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary
• Priscilla Hernandez, Jack Barnes Elementary
• Seth Legge, Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary
• Kenzie Larsen, Queen Creek High School
• Kirk Loock, Schnepf Elementary

• Avaerly Martinez, Frances Brandon-Pickett Elementary

The council also honored five teachers as part of the inaugural “Star Teacher Program.”

“Teachers provide unwavering support to their students, encouraging them to strive for excellence,” the release continued.

Each school in Queen Creek was invited to nominate one teacher. The winning teachers are: 

• Don Taylor, Frances Brandon Pickett Elementary
• Veronica Onofre, Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary
• Gabriel Gahn,Queen Creek High School
• Jill Moffat, Schnepf Elementary

A teacher from the Benjamin Franklin Charter School-Crismon campus was also recognized.

Each star student received a gift card to a local ice cream shop, thanks to donations from Bahama Bucks, Cold Stone Creamery, Dairy Queen, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice and Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt.

Star teachers received a gift card to a local coffee shop, courtesy of the Bistro, Sidewalk Coffee and Bagel Co., and Black Rock Coffee.

The town will be seeking nominations from Queen Creek schools for next year’s honors. For more information about the Star Student and Star Teacher program, visit QueenCreekAZ.gov/StarStudents.