Cougar Tracks Supporting Students, Traditions, & Excellence Summer 2018 A publication of the Sahuaro Cougar Foundation, Incorporated 11/22/1992 The Numbers Don t Lie A message from the Board President I love data. You can almost always find statistics to support your view point and, of course, bury those statistics that don t. Big picture though, I believe statistics should inform sound public policy. The recent Red for Ed movement in Arizona highlighted statistics that engaged Arizonans, educators and employers have known for too long; Arizona is in 48th place among other states in total state revenue per pupil; 50th place in per capita revenue directed to districts; 49th place in revenue directed to schools per 1000 of personal income, etc., etc. Recall, there are only 50 states, not 52 not until California splits into three, so Arizona is at the bottom of the pile and apparently happy to remain there. There is no spinning this data. It seemed to me easy, perhaps too easy, to blame our state legislature for these dismal statistics; after all, among other obligations, they establish budgets and apportion revenue. Well, there was a surprise for me in the 110th Arizona Town Hall report published at the end of 2017: Arizona was found in 11th place for K-12 spending as a percent of the state s general fund. I had to read it again. 11th place. Arizona. Above average. Finally, an Arizona education statistic I could feel proud of. Was it possible our legislature was giving the educational line item a good Peter V. DeMars (1970) President, Board of Directors pvdemars@gmail.com slice of the general funding pie, but the pie is and remains far too small? This consideration refocused my angst, my attention and maybe my blame. What does it take to grow the pie? What part of the generic general fund was not participating? Is our community relying too heavily on offering deferred tax incentives to encourage developers and development? Maybe we are experiencing the documented effects of big box out-of-state retailers vs. locally owned retail? Perhaps Arizona is missing out on taxes derived from on-line sales? If you want to learn more about funding K-12 education in Arizona, a well-documented, non-partisan great read can be found at www.aztownhall.org. Navigate to Town Halls tab, then to #110 Funding prek-12 Education, then to Final Report. The document does a great job of vetting and documenting data sources. Draw your conclusions. I said it earlier in this message: I believe statistics should inform sound policy. Listen carefully to what your elected officials might be saying on these issues. Ask questions. Get clarity. Then, if you still live in Arizona, vote in November. Participation is a great way to support your Sahuaro Cougar community. Continued at NUMBERS, page 7 Sahuaro Cougar Foundation Board of Directors Peter DeMars PRESIDENT Fran Johnson SECRETARY-TREASURER Marti Jones EDITOR EMERITUS Jeffry Gardner COMMUNICATIONS Chuck Adams Steve Botkin Jan Boyd Bobby Estrella Debbie Choquette Glasser Jerry Halfmann Fred Knapp Sandy Novak Ed Rothlisberger Scott Rumel Steve Weinstein MEMBERS AT LARGE Sahuaro Cougar Foundation & HOF Founding Members Harry Johnson Dr. David Ashcraft Thank You, Marti! For years, Marti Jones spent countless hours cultivating news and articles to publish the Cougar Tracks Newsletter. Her work has helped keep us all informed of important updates at Sahuaro, the Foundation, and beyond. It was not always recognized, but it was always appreciated. Marti has decided that she is ready for a post-cougar Tracks lifestyle, and while we are sad to see her go, we are glad to have benefited from her work. Sahuaro Earns Honors Award earned for excellence in girls athletics Sahuaro Athletic Director (and Cougar Foundation Board Member) Steve Botkin was proud this year to announce to the Sahuaro community about the school s latest honor: The Tony Komadina Outstanding Girls Athletic Program Award. Botkin happily accepted the honor at the AIA Champions Luncheon at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on May 21st. Included with Botkin in the Sahuaro delegation were coaches and student-athletes who make up some of the program, as well as Sandy Novak and Jan Boyd, both long-time Cougars and leaders of equality in sports who were instrumental in building the programs our children enjoy today. The award, named for former Arizona Interscholastic Association Director Tony Komadina, Jr., is given out annually by the Association to recognize schools which demonstrate advocacy of (and progress in) girls athletics. The criteria to even be a finalist is stringent, and only the top sports programs qualify. As part of the process, the award committee reviewed specifics regarding over 100 departments across the state such as academic success, how the teams incorporate the Pursuing Victory With Honor program into their coaching philosophies, recruitment of positive female coaches and role models, and equity in boys and girls sports programs. Jeffry Gardner (2002) Member, Board of Directors jeff@sahuarocougars.org Sahuaro s representatives at the AIA Champions Luncheon. Pictured, left to right: Sandy Novak (Girls Head Tennis Coach, Isabel Brown- Tennis, Jan Boyd (Asst. Girls Volleyball Coach, Asst. Girls Basketball, Dani Kinter (Teacher, Asst. Girls basketball Coach), Abi Nash (Volleyball) Steve Botkin(Head Girls Basketball and Activities Director) Kaitlyn Kubly (Cross Country, Girls Basketball, Student Body President). In addition to the data points above, the awards committee followed up with interviews of student-athletes and staff, as well as a campus visit to inspect Sahuaro s athletic facilities. Those familiar with Sahuaro and the culture of the school know that while this award is a wonderful honor and great news, the fact that the program is deserving is not really news at all. Indeed, winning the Tony Komadina Award simply confirms what thousands of former and current students, coaches, parents, and athletes at Sahuaro already knew - that this school provides an excellent opportunity for student-athletes of all genders to compete and succeed, both on-field and off. Congratulations to Coach Botkin and the entire Sahuaro Community for a job well-done!
Cougar Tracks Summer 2018 page 2 Sahuaro Students See Success at SARSEF Students in Ms. Wexler and Mr. Rutherford s science classes haul in 12 honors Amanda Mourelatos Sahuaro Sophomore and SARSEF award winner Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation had their science fair on Thursday, April 12th and Sahuaro has come back with 1 winner from Mr. Rutherford s biology classes and 11 winners from Ms. Wexler s chemistry classes. Amanda Mourelatos and Jarilyn Jackson s project, Who s a Good Boy?, and Valeria Romero s project, The Effect of Music on the Heart Rate of Canines won an Excellence in Veterinary Science Award. The experiment Effects of Renal Transplant on Patients with Lupus Erythematsus and Renal Failure by Vy Ngyuen won the award of The Lonely Memories in the Biomedical and Health Sciences category. Chloe Chavez and Peyton Nielson won the Best Use of International System of Units Award for their project, The Effects of Different Water Fountains and the Amount of Chemicals Found in the Water in Chemical and Material Sciences group. The Acoustic Excellence Award was given to Austin J. Harley s experiment, Homo Sapiens Productivity Under the Influence of Separate Genres of Music in the group of Behavioral and Social Sciences; other winners in that category include Isabella Doodle Hoy with her project Effects of Social Influences on Prey Capture in Streptopelia Capicola with the SARSEF 3rd place Grand Award and the Tucson Audubon Fledgling Birder Award, Sasha Ndisabiye also won a SARSEF 3rd place Grand Award with her experiment, The Differences in Mental Health of Honors/AP 10th Grade Students vs. 10th Grade Standard Curriculum Students. Observing To Find If An Acute Sleep Restriction Is a Significant To a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mtbi) by Logan Martin received the Air Force Future Leaders of STEM Award. Grace Ann Merrit won a SARSEF 3rd place Grand Award for her project, Effects of Gryllidae, Blaptica Dubia, Tenebrio Molitor, and Pyralidae on Growth of Dionaea Muscipula in Plant Sciences. Macy Hannah Sigafus project, Identifying the Effects Synthetic Sweat Poses on Mineral Foundation in the category of Chemical and Material Sciences won a SARSEF 3rd place Grand Award. Alyssa Jordan Urff s project, The Effects of Sodium Lauryth Sulfate Shampoos vs. Shampoos Without Sodium Lauryth Sulfate on Breakage of Chlorine Damaged Hair won the SARSEF 1st place Grand Award in the same category. Lastly, Ayissa Faith Vizuet won the SARSEF 1st place Grand Award in the Physics, Astronomy, and Mathematics group for her experiment, The Effects of Cylinder Head Temperature, Ambient Temperature, Humidity, and Weight on the Elapsed Time of a Junior Dragster. Congratulations to all who participated for getting to experience such an amazing event and to all of those who made winning projects! Editor s note: the Cougar Foundation was proud to have funded the professional printing of the project boards for the second year and looks forward to providing more financial assistance next year. If you wish to help us, become a member (form on page 6) or donate at sahuarocougars.org Founder s Corner - Notes from Dr. David Ashcraft Sahuaro Celebrates Fifty Years A Time for Celebration! Dr. David Ashcraft (1970) Co-Founder and Founding President of Cougar Foundation Sahuaro High School recently completed its 50th year of excellence in education. This landmark accomplishment offers a prime opportunity to celebrate the feat, and to also momentarily glance backward. In the course of the past several issues of Cougar Tracks, Sahuaro s long-standing and ongoing philosophy has been touched upon, revealing many of the reasons for the school s long tenure of success. Here are two illustrious quotes as documented in the Silver Celebration Booklet of 1993: A school is not just bricks and mortar, it is people; staff, students, parents, and community; it is an atmosphere, a spirit of community, a sense of respect, a recognition of the individual, a sense of pride in the whole, a loyalty to one another, a sharing with each other. Sahuaro High School had the unique opportunity to begin with people who recognized these qualities and who nurtured them and passed them along from staff to staff and from class to class. These qualities, along with outstanding talents and abilities, have provided the Sahuaro community with twenty-five years of excellence in education and provided the larger community with excellent citizens and community leaders. Harry Johnson Founding Assistant Principal Cougar Foundation Co-Founder 1995 Hall of Fame Inductee Hank Egbert, the grand gentleman and first principal of Sahuaro, was allowed the time and the freedom to develop a philosophy based on humanism, high standards, and the value of all people. He hired and managed with this philosophy in mind and kept the entire school community in focus with the same. In my opinion, this is the reason Sahuaro soon became an All American School and continues to be a great school to this day. Bill Ismay Founding Dean of Boys 1996 Hall of Fame Inductee In the months to come, we ll make an effort to focus on accomplishments from the most recent two and a half decades. The tradition of excellence has continued, and Cougar grads still distinguish themselves and the school with their outstanding and often meritorious accomplishments. As a prelude to future glimpses of the past (and on a rather selfish note) let me leave you with just one A former member of the Sahuaro Band, Concert Choir and Sahuaro Singers who also competed on the Varsity Volleyball and Swim Teams, Ben Crawford is a 2000 graduate of Sahuaro, and a 2005 graduate of the U of A College of Fine Arts where he majored in Musical Theatre. Ben was a 2014 inductee into the Cougar Foundation Hall of Fame. Ben is a distinguished actor and singer who, among other things, played the lead role in Shrek on Broadway, prior to its closing in 2010. On Monday, April 16th of this year, Ben debuted as the sixteenth Phantom in the Broadway production of Phantom of the Opera. In a recent YouTube interview, he credited Sahuaro High School with helping to prepare him for his chosen career 1. Sahuaro s influence is felt nationwide, and around the globe. For certain, great things are in store during the next half century. Plan to attend the Hall of Fame Breakfast and Induction on Saturday, Nov. 3rd in the Auxiliary Gym at Sahuaro. More information is available on page 5. 1 https://youtu.be/adnd7jcq3gy
page 3 Summer 2018 Cougar Tracks Foundation Awards The Cougar Foundation proudly administers over 25,000 in scholarships, financial aid, training monies, application fees and more. Many of these scholarships are funded by Sahuaro alumni, retired faculty, and the generosity of the community. Senior / Red and Blue Scholarships Awarded for demonstrated leadership abilities through participating in community service, extracurricular or other service-based activities. (1200 each) Jordan Drath Rhea Rohr Huyen Nguyen Danielle Jamieson Alanna Burke David Ashcraft Artist-Scholar Award Awarded to a senior enrolled in a Fine Arts class at Sahuaro who demonstrates academic excellence and involvement in extra-curricular activities and community service. (500) Ramal Hairston Harry Johnson Spirit Award (200 / each) Jamelle Messinger Kena Byrd Hal Eustice Spirit Award (1200) Travis Cole Cougar Spirit Awards (200 / each) Awarded for exceptional school spirit. Alyssa Botkin, Class of 2019 Hayden Estrella, Class of 2019 Hayli Kubly, Class of 2020 Josiah Lane, Class of 2020 Ethan Kyte, Class of 2021 Ariana Rodriguez, Class of 2021 Excellence Awards (100 / each) Aubryana Lujan, Most Improved Student Megan Cook, Outstanding Initiative & Effort Frazier Barbery, Outstanding Community Worker Cougar Pride Scholarship Awarded to a senior who plans to enroll in college and who has participated in one or more sports representing Sahuaro and who has overcome hardships in order to achieve academic and athletic success. (5000) Iryna Shakurova Russell Public Scholarship Established by Matt Russell ( 85), with preference given to applicants pursuing a 4-year degree in political science, public administration, communications or journalism. (1000) Katelyn Kubly Ann Grose Memorial Scholarship Established by Tami Dillon ( 85) and Bechara Gholam ( 85), awarded each year to a selected applicant who demonstrates student leadership participation/skills. (1000) Austin Molina Dr. and Mrs. Mark Cavanaugh Pre-Med/ Athlete Scholarship Generously offered by Dr. & Mrs. Mark Cavanaugh. Awarded to a senior planning to enroll in college with a pre-med focus and who has participated in one or more varsity sports. (5000) Iryna Shakurova Dr. and Mrs. Mark Cavanaugh Academic Achievement Scholarship Generously offered by Dr. & Mrs. Mark Cavanaugh. Awarded to the top 5 seniors based on GPA. (1000/each) Isabel Brown Elizabeth Grijalva Huyen Nguyen Marlee Raniere Nathan Schafer Congratulations to all of our award winners, and may you continue to make us all proud. To learn more about the awards and scholarships the Foundation administers or to donate, please visit sahuarocougars.org
Cougar Tracks Summer 2018 page 4 Cougar Pride Evident at Annual Golf Tourney Event raised nearly 10,000 for Cougar Foundation Scholarships & General Fund In late April, Forty Niners Golf Club was taken over by Sahuaro alumni, students, and boosters in support of our annual Golf Tournament, which remains the Cougar Foundation s main fundraiser. Thanks to the Alumni, Friends and Family for being a part of the Foundation Golf Tournament this year. One thing the Golf Committee focused on was generating new and exciting activities and goodies, like the Air Cannon on Hole #4, shots of Fireball, Jello shots, and more. Members of the community also donated goods to help make the event a success. Baggin s Gourmet Sandwiches donated several hundred cookies thanks to 1990 Sahuaro Grad and Baggin s Vice President Sunny Lloyd Bravin. Spartan Promotional Group donated those lovely microfiber towels, courtesy of Jenifer Adams. In addition, several golf courses around the city donated foursomes. This was one of the most successful years yet, with almost 90 golfers participating, over 25 sponsors and a ton of great prizes. In the end we raised almost 10,000! We are very grateful to each and every one of you and are looking forward to seeing you again next year for another exciting event. Please take a look at our list of sponsors and support them as they have supported the Cougar Foundation: 2018 Tournament Sponsors 2500 Sahuaro Red Sponsor Valassis, Inc. 1000 -Sahuaro Blue Sponsors Cindy Rarick Penn Hightower 400 Platinum Sponsors CORE Construction Silverwest Stan Pallette Robert Fee Groundskeeper (David Ramsze) 125 Tee Sponsors DSW Commercial Real Estate (Michael Sarabia) Zocal Properties (Brad Chilcote) Ace Hardware (Tina Danloe) Spencer Manke Chuck & Heather Adams In Memory of Ann Grose Richard Stagg Dominick San Angelo Fran Johnson In Memory of Harry Johnson Linda Stallings Dr. Jeffrey Kay 75 Green Sponsor Sahuaro Class of 1980 Steve Weinstein Cox (Stephanie Bankemper) Mooney Insurance Broker Fred Knapp (1978) Cougar Foundation Board and Golf Committee Member Once again, thanks for your generosity and continued support of Sahuaro students and staff.
page 5 Summer 2018 Cougar Tracks Hall of Fame Breakfast The Sahuaro High Cougar Foundation cordially invites Cougar Alumni, Faculty, Parents, Students, and Friends to attend the Annual Breakfast and Hall of Fame Induction: Saturday, November 3, 2018 8:00 a.m.: Registration & Check In 8:45 a.m.: Breakfast Buffet Begins 9:15 a.m.: Program Begins 2018 Inductees to be announced soon! Sahuaro High School Auxiliary Gymnasium 545 North Camino Seco Tucson, Arizona 85710 Cost: 35 for an adult admission (15 is tax deductible) 25 for Cougar Hall of Fame Members 20 for Faculty & Staff (includes membership) 20 for Alumni celebrating a reunion this year (includes membership) 15 for children 6-18 FREE admission for children age 5 and younger Hall of Fame and Cougar Foundation Board Members at the 2017 Breakfast NAME: ADDRESS: PHONE: EMAIL: Ticket Purchases Adult Admissions: Hall of Fame Members: Faculty/Staff/Alum: Children 6 and up: 2019 Foundation Dues (optional) Individual Dues: Family Dues: Donations (optional) Donation amount (thank you!): Total Amount Enclosed x 35 = x 25 = x 25 = x 15 = x 15 = x 25 = Please list names of other attendees in your party: Checks and Cash Accepted. We proudly accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card Name on Card: Card Number: CSC # Expiration Mail registration to: Sahuaro Cougar Foundation, PO Box 18181 Tucson, AZ 85731 For additional information call: 520-886-7895 RSVP DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 26, 2018
Cougar Tracks Summer 2018 page 6 Membership Form In 1992, the Sahuaro Cougar Foundation was established as a non-profit organization that raised funds to benefit the students, faculty, and alumni of Sahuaro High School. This organization was started by a group of dedicated and loyal individuals who cared about the mission and existence of Sahuaro High School. Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in supporting the Foundation and its work. Your membership provides very valuable support to the Sahuaro Community. The mission and purpose for the Foundation are: To perpetuate the history, traditions, and spirit of Sahuaro High School. To support 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. Your Name: Class of: Last First Maiden (if applicable) Address: Phone: Email: Street, City, State, Zip Home Work Cell Annual Dues Note: Member year is now January 1 December 31. [ ] 25 Family Membership [ ] 15 Individual Membership Donations are gratefully accepted. [ ] 1000 [ ] 500 [ ] 250 [ ] 100 [ ] Other Gifts of 1,000+ 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. Donations and membership dues are tax deductible. We also proudly accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card Name on Card: Card Number: CSC # Expiration Sahuaro High Cougar Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization and your donations may be tax-deductible. Please consult your tax preparer for information specific to your filing circumstances. The Foundation s Taxpayer Identification Number is: 86-0720942.
page 7 Class of 78 Reunion a success Class members donate to Cougar Foundation in honor of Foundation Co-Founder Harry Johnson Summer 2018 Cougar Tracks The Sahuaro High School class of 1978 held their 40 year reunion on Saturday June 8th and 9th at the beautiful Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson Arizona. It was a wonderful and well attended event filled with good friends and fond memories of our days as Cougars. Part of the event was a raffle of donated items including original art work by Joe Bockman, a bottle of fine wine from Jackie and Pat Dukes vineyard and other treasured gifts. The proceeds are to be donated to the Sahuaro Cougar Foundation and that point made the raffle a big success. Harry Johnson was a friend and mentor to us as students at Sahuaro. He was a kind and gentle man who taught many of us young men to become old men with dignity and honor. It is our love for Mr. Johnson and our pride as Cougars that make it a pleasure to donate 260 to the Foundation in honor of his memory. Thank you for all that you do to help the members of the great Tucson community! Attendees to the 40th reunion of Sahuaro High School Class of 1978 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort on June 8th-9th Holding a Sahuaro Class Reunion? Let us know the details! We will post information at sahuarocougars.org and the Foundation Facebook page. email jeff@sahuarocougars.org NUMBERS continued from page 1 Until that pie grows bigger, the Sahuaro Cougar Foundation is still fitting and filling in where it can. We provided over 20 scholarships and awards to students at the May 2018 Honors and Awards night, funded numerous faculty and student requests, inducted 3 members of our community into the Cougar Foundation Hall of Fame at our annual breakfast and hosted our most successful golf tournament fund raising event ever. I believe statistics should inform sound policy. Listen carefully to what your elected officials might be saying on these issues. Ask questions. Get clarity. Then, if you still live in Arizona, vote in November. As always, I look forward to hearing your input. If you know of an alumnus, faculty member or other school associate that is not yet aware of or a member of the Foundation, please encourage them to learn of us via our web page. Invite them to our golf tournament. If you have time or wisdom to contribute, consider a board position. Or just introduce yourself. We will find a way for you to participate! Go Cougars. Honoring Hall-of-Famers Photos, biographical information added to website In the nearly 26 years since the founding of the Sahuaro High School Cougar Foundation, 95 former teachers, alumni, staff members, and other Sahuaro luminaries have been inducted into the Cougar Hall of Fame. From architects, professional golfers, medical professionals, men and women who have triumphed over adversity, military leaders, and more, Sahuaro truly has a Hall of Fame to be proud of. This year, we will honor more people who have demonstrated a passion for helping Sahuaro continue it s tradition of excellence. Those inducted are honored at our annual breakfast in the fall, and are further recognized with a permanent photo display on campus. As the Foundation is pulled into the 21st Century, we are proud to further honor these influential figures of Sahuaro on the Foundation s website, located at sahuarocougars.org. We are currently in the process of adding large amounts of content to the site (which is no small task), but feel free to browse the Hall of Fame section to learn more about Sahuaro s rich, proud history and those who worked so hard to make the school what it is today. From time to time, the Cougar Tracks will highlight inductees in an effort to futher honor their lasting legacy to the Sahuaro High School community. Please enjoy this excerpt from the bio of Hall-of-Famer Harry E. Johnson, who was one of the founders of the Cougar Foundation and was inducted in 1995. Jeffry Gardner (2002) Member, Board of Directors jeff@sahuarocougars.org Harry B. Johnson was born in Bisbee on August 15, 1926. He attended schools in Tucson, graduating from Tucson High School mid-year of 1945. He received both his B.S. and M.Ed. degrees at the U of A. He was employed by the Tucson Unified School District for 34 years, serving as P.E. teacher, coach, department chairman, athletic director, dean of boys, and assistant principal. Harry served six years on the Board of the Tucson High Badger Foundation. He was so impressed that he went back to Sahuaro High and working with David Aschraft and Ann Grosse initiated the Sahuaro Cougar Foundation, using all he had learned from John Barringer and the Badger Foundation. Harry is sure that the Sahuaro ites got sick of hearing how the Badger Foundation did it, but the model served Sahuaro well. He was a founding member and served on the board as treasurer, secretary, and president and was chairman of Sahuaro s Silver Celebration. In 1983, when Harry retired, the Sahuaro High School Student Council honored him by establishing the Harry Johnson Cougar Spirit Award to recognize the student who best exemplifies The Cougar Spirit. He was inducted into the Sahuaro High Cougar Foundation Hall of Fame in 1995. Read more at sahuarocougars.org