The President s Tracks By Peter DeMars, President

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1 Cougar Foundation Board Peter DeMars, President Penn Hightower, Vice-President Fran Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer Marti Jones Cougar Tracks Editor Members-At-Large Chuck Adams Jan Boyd Dave Clor Bobby Estrella Jeffry Gardner Debbie Choquette Glasser Jerry Halfmann Fred Knapp Sandy Novak Scott Rumel Chuck Stopani David Stopani Steven Weinstein Peter V. DeMars Sahuaro High School Class of 1970 Contents & Articles: Pg. Founder s Corner... 2 Website Updates... 3 HOF Breakfast...3, 6 + form Scholarships/Grants...4, 5 Charity Golf Tournament...4 Donor s Page...7 Membership Form...8 A Publication of the Sahuaro High COUGAR FOUNDATION Incorporated November 22, 1992 The President s Tracks By Peter DeMars, President Last year this column recapped some of the challenges facing the Foundation s primary fundraising activity. Revenue from our annual golf tournament was in serious decline. I outlined some of the efforts the foundation was considering to reverse the trend. This year s tournament is in the books and I am very pleased with the progress and results of the golf committee in returning the event to a first class fundraiser. Through the efforts of the committee, we advanced in every income category we track: sponsors up almost 40%, silent auction up 240%, prizes up 60%, number of golfers up almost 40%, net profit up 35%. Importantly, a more robust basis for future events has been established. A very special thanks to all who worked the many, many months leading up to this important event and to the golf committee s leadership: Penn Hightower, Fred Knapp and Debbie Glasser. Summarized in the previous newsletter was the dismal environment Arizona state leadership seemed to be building for our public school systems. Whatever your perspective on the contentious politics of Proposition 123, the proposition passed and some money is flowing to teachers, classrooms and facilities. That is the good news. The bad news is that Arizona, even with the new funding sources, remains last or second to last in education funding. Politifact (2/4/16) reported Arizona has endured the sharpest decline in state higher education funding from fiscal year 2015 to fiscal year Even on a per student basis, their spending dropped 47 percent, more than any other state. Point: This foundation s contribution to the students, faculty and community remain as relevant today as it did pre-proposition 123. At the annual Honors Night in May, the foundation and its affiliated contributors awarded almost $10,000 in scholarships and awards. That sum exceeded another TUSD foundation s funding, a school with similar goals but a wider base and longer history. A proud moment for all involved Fall The Foundation will be inducting six new members at the annual Hall of Fame Breakfast. Scott Carter will be the keynote speaker; producer, writer, performer and Hall of Fame classmate, Scott somehow convinced school administrators to allow him to smoke a cigar on stage in his famous Mark Twain act. No less convincing now than he clearly was in 1970, this is a breakfast you do not want to miss. Block out your calendar for the morning of October 22 and help us celebrate the new inductees, reacquaint with classmates and gain insights into how Scott does it. Sahuaro is rapidly approaching a 50 year anniversary of the school s opening. Stay tuned to the foundation s plans for this event, but it also points to some other realities and possibilities: many of us in the early years of the school s operation are now retiring or otherwise planning for significant changes in our lives. The foundation will be strategizing how to best involve itself in that eventuality. Meanwhile, if you have the means or opportunity, you might consider the foundation in your planning. Under consideration is a long range goal to establish an endowment that base funds our programs and efforts. Finally, some sad news: Bill Ismay passed away in April. He was instrumental in the formation and evolution of Sahuaro High School, was a good friend of the foundation and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Many of us remember him jogging the streets of Tucson in 105F temperatures. A remembrance gathering at the Johnson house brought together his family and great many of his friends and provided the critical mass for some unbelievable stories. Thank you Bill for all your contributions to the school and for your impact on the many faculty and students you touched in your journey.

2 COUGAR TRACKS Page 2 Fall 2016 Founders Corner... Memories and Anniversaries... By Dr. David Ashcraft Cougar Foundation & Cougar Hall of Fame CoFounders A recent display in the Arizona Daily Star s Tucson.Com online presence featured photos taken in April and August of 1968 as administrators and school board members walked through an auditorium without seats, a gym without bleachers, rooms without furniture, and grounds without landscaping. One photo showed students in a library without books. How quickly that all changed. The campus opened on time in September to a full complement of freshmen, sophomores and juniors. School colors and the Cougar mascot were in place; traditions were developing, and sports and clubs were up and running. In the second year, a state basketball championship was captured, and Sahuaro proved it would not wait to achieve excellence. Harry Johnson (deceased) Founder s Corner from the pen of this writer represents both the founding of Sahuaro High School in 1968, and the establishment of the Cougar Foundation in 1992, in conjunction with the school s 25th Anniversary- known as the Sahuaro Silver Celebration. Can it possibly be that the Golden Anniversary will be upon us in just a year? What a privilege it was to be part of the genesis of this incredible institution. I recall seeing Jim Daunheimer s black and white slides of the excavation of the school, the laying of the foundation, and the erection of the walls. Many of us were actually able to witness it all firsthand. Dr. David Ashcraft Class of 1970 I have stated numerous times previously that we were most fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. To leave a high school of some 4500 students in two shifts, and to move to the county line with a grand view of the Catalinas, was welcoming in, and of, itself. Perhaps being privileged to open Sahuaro allows for some forgiveness for the failure of the school bond issuance years before. Having been taught, mentored and surrounded by so many members of the Greatest Generation (and the generations to follow) who were my teachers and administrators, helped me shape who I have become. Each year and class has had its positives, but I can honestly say that we were part of the glory days. David Ashcraft, Bill Ismay, & Harry Johnson (L-R) Founding Principal Mr. Henry D. Hank Egbert has always remained in my memory, and to him I will be forever grateful. The photo to the left is one I treasure. Bill Ismay (pictured in the center) served as founding Dean of Boys at Sahuaro after serving as a teacher and wrestling coach at Palo Verde. A State Championship high school wrestler, and a wrestler and football player at the U of A, Mr. Ismay, aside from Mr. Egbert, was the toughest teddy bear I have ever known. He passed away on April 15 of this year after a long illness. Nothing really need be said about Harry Johnson, our founding Assistant Principal for Activities who passed away on March 5, He was in every sense of the word Mr. Cougar and served the school from his retirement until his passing. Harry was the driving force behind the Cougar Foundation, and the Hall of Fame bears his and his wife Fran s name. Perhaps this glimpse into the past might serve as an entrée leading up to Sahuaro s 50th Anniversary which is in the imminent future. Take time to dust off your yearbooks, reconnect with classmates, and stay tuned for more information about the big event.

3 Page 3 COUGAR TRACKS Fall 2016 The Editor s Pick: Heroes and Heroines & Other Notes of Interest Easy Online Payments Now Available For Donations, Registrations, Dues & Other Foundation Events Thanks to Jeffry Gardner (class of 02), the Cougar Foundation Webmaster, you can now purchase your Hall of Fame Breakfast tickets online! Simply visit the Cougar Foundation website at sahuarocougars.org, then click on Calendar of Events and choose Hall of Fame Breakfast. This annual school pride event will take place on October 22, 2016 and is a great opportunity to support the Cougar Foundation, Sahuaro High School, and its wonderful students and staff, past and present. Additionally, keep up with the latest Cougar news and information by signing up for the Cougar Tracks electronic edition of the Foundation newsletter by filling in your name, year of graduation, if applicable, and your address on the sahuarocougars.org website IS A REUNION YEAR FOR: Class of '77, Class of '87, Class of '97, and Class of '07. Do you have REUNION NEWS we can share? Please us at: info@sahuarocougarfoundation.org Sahuaro Cougar Foundation s 2016 Hall of Fame Nominees; Registration Form Enclosed for the October 22, 2016 Event Photo Unavailable Photo Unavailable Photo Unavailable Dea Caid Joel Estes Richard Fleming Mary Harrington Tad Simons Robert Smith

4 Page 4 COUGAR TRACKS Fall 2016 Continued from page 3 The Editor s Pick: Heroes and Heroines and Other Notes of Interest by Marti Jones, Editor April 2016 SHS Cougar Foundation Charity Golf Tournament Stats: 23 Hole Sponsors, 77 Golfers...Thank You!!! We wish to thank all the sponsors, players, and those who donated prizes for the silent auction and raffle. The Foundation couldn t do it without all your support! Awards: 1st Men s Team: Matt Knapp, Josh Knapp, Ryan Knapp, Chris Soto 2nd Men s Team: Dr. Jeffery Kay, Dr. Bernie Trejo, Ralph Saucido rd 3 Men s Team: Erik Akers, Tom Teinert, Dan Marquis 1st Mixed Team: Chris Duncan, Will Hjorth, Tomoko Nielsen, Jun Arai 2nd Mixed Team: Taylor Hughes, Hailey Hughes, Cameron Carr SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY, APRIL 29, Sahuaro Cougar Foundation Charity Golf Tournament 49er s Country Club 7:30 A.M. Shotgun Start Ladies Closest to the Pin: Hailey Hughes Men s Closest to the Pin: Bernie Trejo Ladies Longest Drive: Cameron Carr Men s Longest Drive: Will Shepherd Hope to see you HERE April 29, 2017! May 2016 Sahuaro Awards Night: Sahuaro Cougar Foundation Award and Scholarship Presentations Cougar Foundation Board Members/Presenters Sandy Novak & Peter DeMars These are just some of the students who benefit from your generous gifts and donations. Thank you!!!

5 Page 5 COUGAR TRACKS Fall 2016 The Cougar Foundation Offers Scholarships: Graduating Seniors As Well As CE Scholarships/Grants for SHS Faculty & Staff... The SHS Cougar Foundation again proudly offers scholarships for SHS graduating seniors: Sahuaro Cougar Foundation Senior Scholarships and Sahuaro Cougar Foundation Red and Blue Scholarships. Both scholarships (Senior and Red & Blue) offer $1200 scholarships for graduating seniors. Applications will be available soon and again using easy to fill-in/print-out forms found on-line at Application deadlines are April 15. Mini-scholarships are also offered to all students throughout the year for activities and enrichment programs. Faculty grants are offered to SHS teachers for classroom projects or other stated needs. For more information visit the Cougar Foundation Website: The Cougar Foundation Faculty/Staff Scholarship for Continuing Education is an annual scholarship that provides $500 to a Sahuaro High School faculty or staff member. Among the stated purposes of the Sahuaro Cougar Foundation is to support activities, students, and staff of Sahuaro High School. These scholarships help meet this goal. The Faculty/Staff Scholarship provides much needed financial assistance to employees who wish to continue their education. The continuing education may be taken at a two- or four-year institution of higher learning or through an approved educational program such as conferences that will enhance classroom performance or student contact. To be considered, prospective candidates must have served at Sahuaro High School for at least two consecutive prior years. To inquire about the SHS Faculty and Staff continuing education grants, please the foundation at: info@sahuarocougarfoundation.org Other scholarships that are managed by the Foundation for Sahuaro students are the $500 David Ashcraft Fine Arts Scholarship, the $1000 Matt Russell Public Scholarship, and the $1200 Hal Eustice Scholarship. Information regarding these and other scholarships may be obtained in the Career Counselor s office in the SHS Administration Building beginning December Please, Don t Forget to Pay Your Dues... Foundation 2017 Annual Dues (Jan 2017 thru Dec 2017) may be paid with the Hall of Fame Breakfast payment or anytime. See HOF enclosure or renewal form in this Tracks edition or online at SahuaroCougars.org for amount and mailing information. Thank you for your support!

6 Page 6 COUGAR TRACKS Fall 2016 October 22, 2017, Cougar Foundation Hall of Fame Inductees; Annual Honorarium Held at Sahuaro High School Dea Caid worked at Sahuaro High School from 1978 to She was a teaching assistant, note taker, copy room supervisor, department secretary, and overall Sahuaro party planner. Every member of the Sahuaro family was made to feel important and loved by Dea as well as her being very efficient at any job asked of her. She organized the holiday parties and the end-of-year retirement breakfasts at which she served as the emcee for many years. While serving Sahuaro, Dea also kept abreast of the happenings at Sahuaro and loved every aspect of the school and still keeps in contact with many Sahuaro faculty and staff. They, in turn, love keeping in touch with her. To say the least, Dea exemplifies the meaning behind: Once a Cougar Always a Cougar! Joel Estes graduated from Sahuaro High School in While at Sahuaro, he was Student Body President, Homecoming King, a member of the National Honor Society and was Valedictorian. He participated on the golf team, wrestling team and was a pitcher on the baseball team where he earned All-State Honors and helped lead the Cougars to a state championship. Following graduation, Joel attended the University of Arizona on a baseball scholarship and was a member of the 1986 National Championship Team. Later, Joel played professional baseball until 1990 when he returned to Tucson to begin his new career as a financial advisor and producing manager for Merrill Lynch. Currently he is Vice-President of Investments at Wells Fargo. Richard Fleming graduated from Sahuaro High School in During his years at SHS he participated in football, basketball, track and field as well as cross country. Richard excelled in track and field where he was an outstanding longjumper. In 1979, he set the school record in the triple jump and finished second in the state in decathlon. After graduation he attended Northern Arizona University on a Track and Field Scholarship. Richard continued to compete after college in bike racing and eventually triathlons. He competed in the Track and Field Senior Olympics where he earned over 20 gold medals. Richard has enjoyed a 30-year career in the home improvement industry and has also worked with the Rescue a Golden, an organization that rescues and saves abandoned Golden Retrievers. Richard Fleming is soft-spoken person who competes wholeheartedly and shows his Cougar pride in all he does. (Sadly, Richard Fleming passed away on August 13, He will be missed.) Mary Harrington, a 1975 Sahuaro graduate, competed in volleyball and track and field and received a full scholarship to Colorado State University for track. Mary also competed in the U.S. Track Olympic Trials in 1980 and 1984 then worked at the U.S. Track Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs becoming the Director of Operations for the U.S. Olympic Sports Festival. In 1987 Mary was selected as the assistant women s track team coach for the World Games in Sicily. She continued her work with athletes as the National Strength and Conditioning Association Director of Education while working as the Lexart Communications Director for Special Projects. Mary presently works in Colorado Springs in the Penrose St. Francis Health System as the Director of Ambulatory Operations. Mary continues to stay in contact with many of her Sahuaro classmates and enjoys her annual trip to Tucson to get together with her fellow Cougars. Tad Simons, a well-published author in medical and pharmaceutical journals, graduated in 1971 from Sahuaro where he served in student government and yearbook. After graduating number two in his class, Tad attended Stanford University where he earned a B.S. then an M.S. degree from the California Institute of Technology. Returning to Stanford in 1982, he earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. Tad was then employed by Hewlett-Packard Laboratories where he joined the Medical Department technical staff later becoming the Principal Project Engineer. In 1999, he became Director of Healthcare and Life Sciences for IDEO. In May of 2011, Tad co-founded Pyxera, a healthcare and life sciences strategy which designs medical devices, some of which include better drug delivery systems for diabetes, bone repair and cancer patients. Tad lectures and leads seminars on topics of medical devices and the Art of Prototyping. The Sahuaro community is proud of Cougars like Tad Simons who have helped make the medical field safer and more efficient for everyone. Robert Smith, class of 1971, acquired his passion for architecture in Sahuaro s Architectural drawing classes. In pursuit of this passion, Robert attended the U of A, earning a degree in architecture. In 1994, he became the U of A Campus Architect, and is currently serving as the VP of the U of A s Planning, Design and Operations Department. Robert has worked with innovative U of A sustainable designs and helped lead the university into the top ten universities in the nation for solar power, working also in water and energy conservation designs and is responsible for the state s largest Green Roof on a public building. Currently he is in charge of campus operations, facilities, risk management, parking, planning, design and construction of the new downtown Phoenix Biomedical Campus. Widely recognized for his architectural designs and innovative ideas, Robert is someone with a Sahuaro connection who proves once again what excellence looks like and of whom the SHS community is very

7 Page 7 COUGAR TRACKS Fall 2016 COUGAR TRACKS A Publication of the Sahuaro High School Cougar Foundation Marti Jones, Editor Sahuaro High School Cougar Foundation P.O. Box Tucson, AZ FAX: Cougar Foundation c/o Sandy Novak info@ SahuaroCougar Foundation.org More Foundation and Sahuaro News at: (Search: Sahuaro High School) Foundation Website See us at: or org Hall of Fame Nominations Accepted Year Round Nominations for the Cougar Hall of Fame may be made at any time by accessing the Foundation website at: If you know someone whom you believe deserves to be honored by his or her peers, please let us know. See you at the October 22, 2016 Hall of Fame Breakfast! DONATIONS THANK YOU!! 1 February 2016 to 14 August 2016 SCHOLARSHIPS & DESIGNATED PROGRAM DONATIONS $500 David Ashcraft David Ashcraft Scholarship $200 Frances Johnson Harry Johnson Spirit Award $125 Steve Kelley SHS Baseball Program $500 Jeffrey Lockwood Hal Eustice Spirit Award $100 Steven Lopez Hal Eustice Spirit Award $1000 Matt Russell Matt Russell Public Communications Scholarship $1200 Linda Stallings Hal Eustice Spirit Award HONORARIUMS & DONATIONS $500 or more David Ashcraft $250 or more Richard Cooper Virgil Stan Patricia Villamana $100 or more Joe Alcorn Kelly Byxbee Stephanie English Barbara Heefner In Memory of Bill Burgess Drew McKeever Linda Stallings $50 or more Pattie Amado In Memory of Bill Ismay Howard & Sally Breinig Fran Chiasson Richard Stagg David Thompson Joan Tolle In Memory of Bill Ismay Joe Alcorn Anne Broyles Tamara Dillon Jeffry Gardner Julie Goddard David Hanshaw FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS David Henry Bill Iveson Michele Jones Gwendolyn Lipsey Heather Stahle

8 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL (January-December) The mission and purpose for the Foundation are: To perpetuate the history, traditions, and spirit of Sahuaro High School. MEMBERSHIP To support RENEWAL the activities of its students and staff. To provide services to the Alumni. To invoke a system of honors and awards that recognizes the achievements of the students, staff and alumni. Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in supporting the Foundation and its work. Name Class of Last First Maiden (if applicable) Address Street City State Zip Phone: Home Work Cell DUES: Individual $15; Family $25 per year: Note: Member year is now January 1 December 31. Donations are gratefully accepted. Donations and membership dues are tax deductible. Enclosed is my gift for: [ ] $1000 [ ] $500 [ ] $250 [ ] $100 [ ] Other Gifts of $1,000 or more will receive a lifetime foundation membership and their name on the donor plaque in the Cougar Hall of Fame. Gifts of $500 & $250 will have their name on the donor plaque in the Cougar Hall of Fame. Make checks payable to Sahuaro High Cougar Foundation. Dues: Donation: Total Enclosed: Please make your check payable to: Sahuaro Cougar Foundation We proudly accept: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover (Please circle one) Name on Card: Card # Exp. Date Card CSC# Please Mail to: Sahuaro Cougar Foundation - PO Box Tucson, AZ Mail to: Sahuaro High Cougar Foundation, PO Box 18181, Tucson, AZ / info@sahuarocougarfoundation Website: SAHUARO HIGH COUGAR FOUNDATION P O BOX TUCSON AZ RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED