Youth

In the Wake of Two Recent Child Drownings, Constant, Capable Supervisors Are Vital Beside the Pool.   As a leader in child drowning prevention, Phoenix Children’s Hospital constantly works to convey the very latest evidence-based information to Arizona families. In the wake of two child drownings this weekend, Phoenix Children’s reminds all families to ask, “Who is your Water Watcher?”   On Saturday, a three year old girl drowned in a family pool in Mesa, and a seven year old girl drowned in an above-ground pool in Phoenix. On Tuesday, a toddler was sent to a hospital in critical condition from water incident in the bathtub. Five children to date have drowned in Maricopa County. “Constant, capable supervision is a must when children have access to the water,” says Tiffaney Isaacson, Water Safety Coordinator for Water Watchers at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. “We have to really think about who that supervisor is, and how he or she can be effective. If we don’t,... More

2011 DHYFA WOLFPACK FOOTBALL & CHEER REGISTRATION  (A Charter Member Association of Junior Football of Arizona) Open to all Anthem, New River, Tramonto, Desert Hills & Black Canyon City Residents and all others along the I17 corridor to the 101 Loop in the south, 67th Ave in the west and 24th St. in the east Ages 6 to 14 for Football & 5 to 14 for Cheer (Age as of July 31st, 2011) >>>1ST DAY OF PRACTICE: AUGUST 8th, 2011<<< Additional schedule information regarding practice and games will be provided to you via your head coach or business manager as it becomes available through Junior Football of Arizona.  The season consists of 7 regular season games, and 3 playoff or bowl games. ***All practices are held in Anthem and HOME games are held at the Boulder Creek High School practice fields*** **Away games require travel to other Valley cities** REGISTRATION FEES: Tackle Football: $175.00Cheer: $100.00 DHYFA ENFORCES A STRICT NO REFUND POLICY – REFUNDS... More

  Come on April 29th at 7:00PM, and April 30th at 2:00PM and 7:00PM, to Cross of Christ Church to see a musical adaptation of the classic “Jack & the Beanstalk.” Follow Jack as he goes up the beanstalk and into the castle where he not only fights Gogmagog, the giant, but a malicious troll as well.  By the end of this zany tale, the cow is returned, the chicken learns how to lay golden eggs, and the good life returns to the kingdom.  You’ll love the lively score, including “Good Things are Bound to Happen,” “Magic Beans,” and the toe-tapping “Run, Jack, Run,” which will have both young and old humming the catchy tunes! Tickets are available at the Anthem Community Center, or from a cast member, and cost only $5 for children, and $8 in advance or $10 at the door for adults.   623.594.3832 OnTheTowne@cox.net... More

Boulder Creek High School softball is battling through a transition. A small lull in participation a couple of seasons ago, combined with a change in coaching staff, has left the Jaguars with an inexperienced roster that is lopsided with as many freshman as upperclassmen on the varsity squad.   First-year varsity coach, Tony Hamilton, explains, “We were left with no option but to build our program from this freshman class upward. We have five freshman playing varsity, six playing JV, and seventeen playing on the freshman team.”   The increase in interest in softball was a great sign for Coach Hamilton, who hosted mini-camps in the pre-season that drew up to fifty-five girls to the diamond. The senior and returning players helped host these camps, building a sense of ownership into a very proud program. This increased participation, combined with the success of local youth softball club teams within the district, are all good signs for Coach Hamilton as he tries to claw the... More

In 2009-10, the Boulder Creek High School Boys Volleyball team bowed out of the state championships in the first round. To some, this would be considered a respectable season, but to those who know the short but proud history of Jaguar Volleyball, the season was considered disappointing.   “That is about how good we were last year,” stated Head Coach Troy Dueling. “We had graduated some strong leaders from the previous year and had a roster of guys who had not played a lot together. When games got close, we broke down in certain areas, especially our serve-receive, and our opponents took advantage.”   Early this season, Coach Dueling decided to beef up his serve-receive by playing senior Mike Lebeau in the defensive specialist role of Libero. Lebeau, who has been an offensive weapon with a potent left-handed kill in seasons past, has embraced his new role and responsibilities to benefit the team. His accurate passing to fellow senior, setter, Tim Ciurdas, is proving to... More

Following an award-winning third season of twenty-five nominations and seven awards, and its spectacular production of “Peter Pan,” Musical Theatre of Anthem (MTA) announces its 2011-2012 season with an exciting line-up of award-winning musicals. “Our fantastic fourth season includes crowd favorites that not only patrons will enjoy, but that also offers tremendous opportunities for performers of all ages,” said Jackie Hammond, MTA’s Producing Artistic Director. “Because we believe all young people deserve the opportunity to perform and gain experience, we are extending our no-cut policy to performers up to age nineteen.” Kicking off the season for performers ages six to twelve will be “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.,” filled with magic, mayhem, and carpet rides. Based on the stage adaptation of the Disney hit, this musical favorite features an Academy award-winning score including “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me”. Performers ages thirteen to sixteen start off... More

Boulder Creek High School Anthem, AZ The Arts Council of the North Valley (ACNV) brings Dr. Kazadi wa Mukuna to Boulder Creek High School for a day of African vocal music. On March 22, 2011 Dr. Kazadi wa Mukuna, renowned ethnomusicologist and Director of the African Ensemble at the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, was invited to Phoenix by the Musical Instrument Museum to review and assist with the Brazilian and African Musical Instrument Exhibit.   During his visit to Phoenix, Dr. Mukuna, was asked by the ACNV if he would be receptive to assisting the Boulder Creek High School Choirs under the direction of Kirk Douglas, Choir Director.  Kazadi instructed the Honors Choir, Mixed Chorus, and the Concert Choir, teaching African songs and introducing complicated rhythms and melodies.   “I enjoyed working with the students at Boulder Creek High School,” said Dr Mukuna. “They were very receptive and responsive to my African music... More

On January 25, 2011, when sixth-hour Sociology teacher Linda Brunk tasked the class with choosing a social issue project for this semester, they could never know the waves that it would make on a local, state, and even national level a mere few months later.   Recognizing the need to take on the issue of drugs in American schools, and in particular the need to bring drug awareness to their own community, the class chose to write a bill that would help do that. With the help of former Rep. Ray Barnes (R-Phoenix) they wrote legislation now known as “SB 1377.” The legislation would require schools to send letters home and hold a community forum after three separate incidents that result in suspension or expulsion of a student in connection with the same type of drug, at the same school, and during the same school year. The letter would include signs and symptoms of drug use and information on where to find help.   The students visited the state house, lobbied for their bill, and... More

Writer Larry Link The Boulder Creek High School Men’s Tennis Team finishes the 2011 season at #3 in the Arizona High School State Power Rankings and their 4th undefeated season in a row under the guidance of 4th year coach, Lesli Link. With a 14-0 record in Region play, the BCHS team dominated the competition with 8 of the 14 wins being 9-0 shutouts! Their closest match was against Division 5A-I Mountain Ridge, with a 6-3 win.   The team was led again this season at the #1 singles & doubles positions by senior Grant Link who had another undefeated season in both singles and doubles. Link will be heading to Lake Superior State University in the fall with a tennis scholarship to play for the Division II Lakers. BCHS had 3 other team members come in with undefeated seasons. A trio of juniors; #3 Mark Webb, #4 John Gennero and #5 A.J. Solomon won some hard fought matches to reach the end of the season without a loss. Freshman Tyler Russeth playing #2 singles finished the... More

Water for Our World's Scott Foreman asked me for some photos this morning to show students at Sandra Day O'Connor High School, and I completely forgot that we'd taken shots of orphanage kids with the Sandra Day banner. I sent photos, but forgot about this one.   Students from Sandra Day are doing fundraising to match donations that were given by other donors through Compassionate Journeys. Water for Our World fronted the funds to get the project moving, but their end of the fundraising is still going on. I am not sure what they are doing, but if you hear about some great high schoolers raising money for an orphanage water project, please support them!   Here's the link to what we're doing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4RVW6Iox7U and also: http://blog.compassionatejourneys.com/2010/11/14/compassionate-journeys-joins-water-for-our-world-to-bring-clean-water-to-ghana.aspx   For more information on other great projects, visit www.waterforourworld.com and... More

WOLFPACK Football and Cheer serves all youth ages 6 -14 (age as of July 31st) in communities along Interstate 17 from Black Canyon City in the north to the Loop 101 in the south, from 67th Ave. in the west and 24th St. in the east. The communities include but are not limited to are Anthem, New River, Tramonto, Desert Hills, Sonoran Foothills, Amber Hills, Carefree Crossings, Riordan Ranch, Stetson Hills and Valley, Adobe Highlands, Pinnacle Hill, Boulder Mountain, Pyramid Heights, Foothills Highlands, Jade Park North and Black Canyon City. ****Practices in Anthem at the Anthem Community Center Fields**** and ****Home Games at Boulder Creek High School**** REGISTRATION FEE’s: Tackle Football - $175.00* Cheer - $100.00 * In addition, an association fee of $125 for tackle and cheer will be due by July 23rd, 2011. Each participant can pay the fee outright or participate in fundraising events to off-set this fee. Information will be available at registration or you can contact us at... More

April 14 – 17 MTA Performs Honk Jr. Anthem Arizona Musical Theatre of Anthem (MTA) announces its upcoming musical production of Honk! Jr. – the contemporary and comic retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story, “The Ugly Duckling.” Honk features a wonderful Dreamcoat-like score that everyone will enjoy. Visit the farm in Anthem with the talented cast of 65 area youth, ages 6-14, as they perform the heart-warming story that reminds us all not to judge a book by its cover.   Performances will be held on April 14 and 16 at 7:00PM, and April 16 and 17 at 3:00PM at Boulder Creek High School’s Performing Arts Center (Main Auditorium), 40404 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy, Anthem, AZ 85086. Adult tickets are $18 and Students, Seniors and Children 12 and under are $15. Tickets can be purchased at the MTA Website.   www.musicaltheaterofanthem.com... More

Writer Donna Kublin Anthem, Arizona   “The ACNV Regional Teen Art Competition has brought a great sense of pride to all the students who participated; even if they didn’t win they felt proud to see their artwork hung in a public place for the community, friends, and family to see,” said Stephanie Sullinger-Dukarm, Deer Valley High School art department.   Emerging artists from North Valley high schools compete for honors at the Sixth Annual ACNV Regional Teen Art Competition presented by the Arts Council of the North Valley. A free exhibition of their work is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, April 16 and 17, from 10AM to 5:00PM at the Outlets at Anthem. The art gallery will be located at Suite 550.   “Artists in Studio” will feature mixed media, ceramics, oil, acrylic, and more in a gallery/show type setting. To add to the fun, Musical Theatre of Anthem will perform live entertainment on Saturday at Noon and Sunday at 1:00PM.   Each year, through a... More

In just their first year the Anthem Prep Boys Baseball Team are co-champions of the Great Hearts Middle School League. Competing against established programs with older players the Anthem Prep Eagles battled their way through the regular season and finished with a 7 and 3 record. They entered the post season tournament as the number 4 seed with a tough road to the championship. In their first game the Eagles met a talented Scottsdale Prep team eager to avenge their two regular season losses to Anthem Prep. But the AP Eagles were ready once again and put away Scottsdale 13-7. Next the Eagles faced the number one seed Glendale Prep. Two of Anthem Preps regular season losses came at the hands of the experienced and talented Glendale squad. But the AP Eagles played near perfect baseball defeating the #1 seed 4-3 and sending Glendale Prep home for the season. The Eagles then met Chandler Prep in the championship game which proved to be an epic battle for the title. Lead changes, big hits,... More

CALLING All FAIRY GODMOTHERS It’s the time of year again to begin your spring-cleaning, and Janet Fitzgerald is here to help. As you go through your closet looking at gently-used cocktail, bridesmaid, prom dresses - short or long - along with accessories, jewelry, and shoes that you have not worn since, well… the prom, this special lady will happily take them off your hands and put them to good use.   For the seventh consecutive year, Janet is playing the role of queen of the fairy godmothers and is looking for other fairy godmothers to help make some not-so-fortunate young ladies have one night that they will always remember. Janet collects appropriate garments and accessories and gives them to young ladies who are graduating from high school, but who are homeless, in shelters, in meth homes, and on assistance. “Despite these circumstances these girls still go to school and manage to graduate. I think that they deserve to go to their prom. This is why I do this,” Janet... More