Jennifer Jimenez

Independent Newsmedia

Dysart Unified School District is full of exceptional students and a handful of them were honored at the Governing Board’s Feb. 7 meeting at the Dysart Education Center, 15802 N. Parkview Place.

During the recognitions and celebrations at the start of the meeting, Shadow Ridge architecture students were honored for winning the 2018 National Association of Homebuilders/ International Builders show Jan. 9-11 in Orlando, Florida.

Additionally, eight students from Willow Canyon High School earned recognition of achievements on the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations taken last June.

DUSD Director of Communications and Public Relations Zachery Fountain recognized the award winners with the help of board President Tracy Sawyer- Sinkbeil and members Christine A. K. Pritchard and Jay Leonard, as well as Dysart Superintendent Dr. Gail Pletnick.

The architecture national championship winners were led by teacher Scott Thomas. The students included Katie Anderson, Megan Enouen and Sean Morey, who earned 1st place in the student design competition.

The group put together floor and foundation plans, building sections and details, exteriors elevations, and door and window schedules, construction details, site plans, vicinity maps, construction notes, project brochure, bill of materials and a construction schedule.

“All of these pieces were evaluated as part of an oral presentation to a panel of CEO’s, company residents and industry experts from around the nation,” Mr. Fountain explained.

The Cambridge IGCSE is the world’s most popular international qualification for 14 to 16-year olds and is given high merit by universities and potential employers. The Director of the Western States of the Cambridge program, Bob Mueller, was also there to honor the students.

Sophomore Jenna Necaise earned top in the country in first language English and top in the country in world history. Junior Mikaela Milanes earned top in the country for American history andboth students were recognized with the Cambridge Scholar Award with distinction for earning three A grades or higher.

Six Willow Canyon students were awarded with the Cambridge scholar award with merit for three grades of ‘ B’ or higher, including Jarod Botsford, Lahayla Curiel, Tanner Jenson, Braydon Mathis, Joshua Tunas and Aliyah Wiechmann.

The 24 Rachel’s Challenge Heartbeat Award winners were recognized for their demonstration of respect, kindness and compassion.

Those recognized included: Deirdre Cantrell from Ashton Ranch; Kelly Axelson, Chantelle Vargas and Jason Hall from Canyon Ridge; Kevin Costa from Countryside; Anna Adkins from Cimarron Springs; Christina Resler and Irene Silva from Dysart Elementary School; Russ Smith from El Mirage; Mina Munez from Luke; Katie Cockerham from Kingswood; Noemi Lindsey from Marley Park; Bonnie Chamberlain from Mountain View; Kathy Brady from Parkview; Stephanie Lawrence, Sarah Hernandez form Riverview; Dawson Kramer from Sunset Hills; Jesse Higuera from Sonoran Heights; Nicole Elliott from Surprise; Jasmeir Smith from Thompson Ranch; Ana Diaz from Western Peaks; Anthony Borden from West Point; Sue Gorzelnik from Dysart High School; Adrian Orona from Valley Vista High School VHS; Offi cer Rick Hernandez from Willow Canyon High School; Maritza Amador-Ventera from Sundown; and Carly McVay from the district offi ce.

Mr. Fountain also thanked Chris Hall, owner of the Surprise Chick-Fil- A for sponsoring the program.