The 2024-25 school year is in the history books and the Queen Creek Unified School District is looking back on its achievements.
Many schools, students and teachers reached milestones this past year.
Desert Mountain Elementary School
“Press Start,” a children’s musical, was a huge success.
Fifth grader Jake Vlahos won the district spelling bee.
Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary
Meeghan Leyva became a National Board Certified Teacher.
The Color Run rraised more than $75,000. As a reward, Principal Sherry Towns and Dean of Students Jim Chiang were slimed by students.
Frances Brandon-Pickett Elementary
Pickett students earned first place in the district kickball tournament.
The town of Queen Creek recognized fifth-grader Avaerly Martinez as a Star Student.
The town of Queen Creek recognized fourth-grade teacher Don Taylor as a Star Teacher.
Gateway Polytechnic Academy
The school received an “A” rating.
Kelli Gordon was a finalist for the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year award.
Jack Barnes Elementary
In partnership with the Arizona Cardinals, the school hosted a sports experience featuring placekicker Chad Ryland, two cheerleaders, mascot Big Red and parent volunteers.
Sixth grader and violinist Keelyn Ransbury represented the school and district at the Arizona Music Educators Association’s elementary all-state orchestra.
A new initiative, Pride Patrol, invited dads to interact with students in the hallways or on the playground before school on the first Friday of every month.
Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary
Sixth grader Nico Bishop was a finalist for the School Connect Champions of Education award.
Tiffany Chamberlain and Shanon Lines received a $5,000 SRP grant for the SMART Lab to purchase Ozobots and accessories.
Queen Creek Elementary
A new mural was painted in the cafeteria.
The school received an “A” rating and was listed among the top 50 schools in Arizona.
Kindergarten teacher Angi Cummins received a Fiesta Bowl grant.
Schnepf Elementary
The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce honored Jill Moffat as Schnepf’s Star Teacher.
Saroop Chohani represented Schnepf Elementary and QCUSD at the town of Queen Creek Civics Bee.
Kirk Loocke received the Star Student Award for his courage in battling Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita — enduring multiple surgeries — and serving as an ambassador of positivity.
Priscilla Santala and Maria Nally completed their teacher-certification programs through Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University.
Silver Valley Elementary
Jena Heise received a $2,500 Fiesta Bowl grant for kindergarten STEM classroom materials.
Student leader Brielle Stone was one of five winners in OdySea Aquarium’s annual Conservation Art Challenge.
Newell Barney College Prep
The RoboBucs robotics team visited the state capitol and was recognized.
The school hosted a leadership day at Queen Creek High School that included watching “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” and participating in leadership and college/career readiness activities.
The RoboBucs won the middle-school state championship in robotics.
Queen Creek Junior High School
Kyle Olson was nominated for Middle School Athletic Director of the Year.
Karson Young hit a hole-in-one at an East Valley Chamber golf tournament at Fountain of the Hills Golf Course.
Lisa Hawes collaborated with a muralist to transform a wall at the school into a work of art.
Crismon High School
Sophomore Ryland Johns was named a “Leader of Tomorrow” at the Queen Creek Hometown Hero Awards by the Queen Creek Independent.
Economics students placed first and third, and earned four of the top six spots in the Arizona Council on Economic Education’s statewide stock market simulation.
The Crismon Future Business Leaders of America team earned 35 medals at the region two competition at Arizona State University.
The girls’ soccer team was ranked the top 4A team in the state.
Graduated its first class of seniors
Eastmark High School
Madison Kjos placed second in Olympic lifting at the Arizona State Finals.
The orchestra and sinfonietta earned first and second place at the Music in the Parks Festival.
Bradley Dunham took first place in computer programming at SkillsUSA.
The Distributive Education Clubs of America team achieved gold standard recognition at the International Career Development Conference in Florida.
Mia Migliaccio was the Softball Region Defensive Player of the Year.
Queen Creek High School
Mario Aleman received the prestigious Flinn Scholarship.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America students Julia Frease and Maddie Egendorfer qualified for nationals.
Graphic design student Kaylee Miller placed third in SkillsUSA at East Valley Institute of Technology regionals.
The football field was upgraded to turf, helping conserve water and reduce costs.
Junior quarterback Tait Reynolds was 6A Conference Player of the Year, 12 News Friday Night Fever Offensive Player of the Year, Arizona Cardinals High School Football Player of the Year, and a top-five finalist for the Ed Doherty Award.
The theater company won multiple awards at the regional superiors.
Football coach Travis Schureman was twice named the Arizona Cardinals NFL Coach of the Week.
Taryn Whelan received the University of Chicago’s Outstanding Educator Award.
Queen Creek Unified School District
Named an “A” rated district.
Constructed Mountain Trail Academy in Mesa, which will open for the 2025–26 school year in July.
Teachers received a 3% raise after voter-passage of the budget override.
