The Tribune has selected five outstanding graduating high school seniors as the All-Tribune Scholars of 2009. The students, nominated by their schools, were chosen based on their scholastic accomplishments, and school and community activities. They represent some of the best academic talent in East Valley high schools.
Of the five top scholars, Judy Zhang of Chandler High School was named All-Tribune Scholar of the Year.
What follows are profiles of Zhang and our All-Tribune Scholars, information on our nominees, and graduation listings for high schools in Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Apache Junction. It’s possible we may have missed some schools. If yours is not included, please let us know and we’ll try to include it next year. Contact assistant editor CeCe Todd at (480) 898-6820.
Chandler’s Zhang strives for perfection
Chandler student has eye on policy making
Mountain View senior intrigued by brain, mind
Lopez mastered language, then mastered academics
Celaya driven by passion to learn
East Valley high school graduations
Congratulations 2009 All-Tribune Scholars and graduating seniors!
All-Tribune Scholars nominees
Lindsay Adair
Apache Junction High School, Apache Junction Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Mike and Karen Adair
GPA: 4.17
Honors/Awards: Scholar-Athlete Award 2006, AP Scholar 2008, AJHS Academic Decathlon captain 2008, Outstanding Academic Achievement Award
Ajjya Acharya
Mesquite High School, Gilbert Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Ram and Anita Acharya
GPA: 4.73
Honors/Awards: salutatorian, vice president of Key Club, Academic Decathlon, New Global Citizens, Advanced Vocal Ensemble, National Honor Society, Gilbert Golden Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction
Arati Babaria
Basha High School, Chandler Unified
Age: 17
Parents: Rupal and Chutur Babaria
GPA: 4.85 weighted
Honors/Awards: valedictorian, Catalyst Award, Leaders in Training award for community service, first place at Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (2008), third place in Central Arizona Regional Science Engineering Fair
Katherine Ann Baglini
Seton Catholic Preparatory High School, Chandler
Age: 17
Parents: James and Patricia Baglini
GPA: 4.0
Honors/Awards: Notre Dame Summer Scholars, National Honors Society treasurer, Spanish National Honors Society president, Life Teen Notre Dame Leadership Conference
Bianca Ballejos
East Valley Academy, Mesa Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Alex and Celesta Ballejos
GPA: 3.6
Honors/Awards: LaMesita Homeless Shelter volunteer, student council historian
Casey Benford
Dobson High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Corey and Carmen Benford
GPA: 3.7
Honors/Awards: National Honor Society, Dick Pallas Award winner for Dobson 2009 recognizing the senior outstanding athlete, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, varsity swimming, baseball and basketball all three years
Lauren Buethe
Dobson High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Steve and Linda Buethe
GPA: 3.98
Honors/Awards: National Merit Commended Scholar, National Honor Society, Mesa Mayor’s Youth Committee, orchestra/symphony, We the People team
Samantha Collins
Westwood High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 17
Parents: Sally Pickett
GPA: 4.47
Honors/Awards: Top 20 graduate; Child Crisis Center volunteer; Mutt Ford Memorial Award; All-Region volleyball, first team; All Region soccer, second team; National Honor Society; United States Track and Field Junior Olympics, second in heptathlon; United States Track and Field Youth Nationals, second in long jump
Zachery Decke
Apache Junction High School, Apache Junction Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Kurt and Carmen Decke
GPA: 4.14
Honors/Awards: AP Scholar, 1st 2009 Team Winner Central Arizona College Math Contest, Boys State
Andrew Donald
Mountain View High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 17
Parents: David and Lawson Donald
GPA: 4.306
Honors/Awards: National Merit Finalist, Arizona Music Educators Association All-State Orchestra, 2008 National Old Time Fiddle Contest Best Male Entertainer Award
Chelci Fadden
Desert Hills High School, Mesa, Gilbert Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Ray and Shauna Fadden
GPA: 4.021
Honors/Awards: Arizona State University Presidential Scholarship
Dennis Aaron Fries
Chandler High School, Chandler Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Lori and Chuck Fries
GPA: 4.75
Honors/Awards: A3F 24-Hour Short Film Challenge (top 12 finalist); Angels in Action first place winner; Anne Frank Community Service Award; founder, president and public speaker for Operation Noah; Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair, second place
Lauren Gale
Higley High School, Gilbert, Higley Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Val and Tonya Gale
GPA: 4.29
Honors/Awards: MVP in volleyball, basketball and pole vault, holds school record for long jump, sprint medley and six-time school record holder for pole vault, placed third in state in pole vault, three scholarships to University of Memphis Honors College
Maryam Gilpatrick
Gilbert High School, Gilbert Unified
Age: 17
Parents: Marjaneh and David Gilpatrick
GPA: 4.51
Honors/Awards: AIMS High Honor Tuition Waiver Candidate, ASU President’s Scholarship, Maricopa Community College President’s Scholarship, UA Wildcat Excellence Award, Top 2 percent
Zakary J. Hambsch
Hamilton High School, Chandler Unified
Age: 18
Parent: Julie Hambsch, Tim Hambsch
GPA: 4.61
Honors/Awards: ASU President’s Scholarship; East Valley Tribune 2008 High School Football Player of the Year; Fiesta Region, Class 5A Division I, Most Valuable Player, 2008; Class 5A All-State Football
Lexis Hanson
Queen Creek High School, Queen Creek Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Sheila Hanson
GPA: 4.15
Honors/awards: state officer for DECA, nine DECA awards for work on various business, marketing, and service projects at local and state levels.
Beth Harasha
Mesquite High School, Gilbert Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Gregory and Sallie Harasha
GPA: 4.167
Honors/Awards: President of MHS Cares Community Service Club, Golden Scholar, National Honor Society, Student of the Month, HOBY recipient, Top 10 percent state math test
Dominique Inguito
Queen Creek High School, Queen Creek Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Danielito and Nornita Inguito
GPA: 4.02
Honors/awards: top award at Careers through Culinary Arts Programs competition, full-ride bachelors degree scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America in New York
Shannon Jewell
Skyline High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Linda and Daniel Jewell
GPA: 4.347
Honors/Awards: National Merit Finalist, drum major, Regional Honor Band, National Hispanic Scholar, National Honor Society, Boeing Merit Scholarship
Karylann Kwasny
East Valley Academy, Mesa Unified
Age: 17
Parents: Deborah Bonham and Robert Kwasny
GPA: 3.5
Honors/Awards: Presidential Scholarship for Maricopa County Community College District, animal shelter volunteer, Rotary student of the month
Nathan Larsen
Mesa High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Patricia and Timothy Larsen
GPA: 4.611
Honors/Awards: valedictorian, President’s Scholarship ASU, Arizona Board of Regents Tuition Scholarship, Eagle, student body treasurer
Than Le
Higley High School, Gilbert, Higley Unified
Age: 19
Parents: Khanh Le and Nao Nguyen
GPA: 4.09
Honors/Awards: math honors in junior year, presidential scholarship from Chandler-Gilbert Community College, overcame language obstacles and started taking honors classes his junior year
Erica Low
Skyline High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 17
Parents: Anne and Steve Low
GPA: 4.383
Honors/Awards: Youth Symphony of the Southwest, principal clarinet; Carnegie Mellon University, pre-college program; Arizona Ambassadors of Music European Tour, first chair clarinet; National Merit Finalist
Kaylin M. Lucas
The American Leadership School, Gilbert, Eagles Aerie charter school
Age: 18
Parents: Kyle L. Lucas and Susan Lucas
GPA: 4.0
Honors/Awards: Thomas Jefferson Scholar, 3rd place robotics competition
Alissa Lynch
Desert Hills High School, Gilbert
Age: 17
Parents: David and Brooke Lynch
GPA: 4.0
Honors/Awards: Arizona State University Presidential Scholarship
Kristen Marquardt
Gilbert High School, Gilbert Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Susan and Mitchel Marquardt
GPA: 4.40
Honors/Awards: AIMS High Honor Tuition Waiver candidate, GHS Class of 1975 Scholarship, Gilbert Education Foundation Scholarship, Manuel Tapia Memorial Scholarship, Maricopa Community College President’s Scholarship, UA Wildcat Excellence Award, Top 5 percent
Samuel McGuffin
Gilbert High School, Gilbert Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Jennifer and James McGuffin
GPA: 4.39
Honors/Awards: AIMS High Honor Tuition Waiver Candidate, ASU President’s Scholarship, UA Wildcat Excellence Award, Top 5 percent
Laura McRae
Mountain View High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Brent and Robyn McRae
GPA: 4.550
Honors/Awards: Valedictorian, AP Scholar, Principal’s Pass, swimming varsity letter, Scholar Athlete Award (9-11), Science Bowl, Paz de Cristo volunteer
Aleah Montano
Learning Foundation & Performing Arts Alta Mesa Campus, Mesa
Age: 18
Parent: Judy Ann Thompson
GPA: 3.4 average
School comments: Aleah has juggled real-life issues, along with facing employment, all while maintaining high academic scholarship in school.
Megan Rose Nuttall
Highland High School, Gilbert Unified
Age: 17
Parents: Todd and Cheryl Nuttall
GPA: 4.738
Honors/Awards: valedictorian, AP Scholar with Honors, Gilbert Golden Scholar, and the BYU Heritage Scholarship award
David Ortega
Mesa High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Noe and Elsa Ortega
GPA: 4.512
Honors/Awards: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas Historian Award, Questbridge Scholarship for Yale University, Harvard University scholarship, Tutor for the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program
Ameya Pathare
Hamilton High School, Chandler Unified
Age: 17
Parents: Meera and Viren Pathare
GPA: 4.67
Honors/Awards: National Merit Scholarship Finalist; Public Forum Debate 5A State Competition, third place; We the People State Competition, third place; AP Scholar with Distinction, Boys State
Erica Perez
Hamilton High School, Chandler Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Sandra Luque and Rene Perez
GPA: 4.0
Honors/Awards: Recipient of Tier 1 Naval ROTC Scholarship to Stanford, member of Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, offered appointment to the United States Naval Academy, United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar, National Outdoor Leadership School/Student Expedition Program
Amanda Pfeifer
Seton Catholic Preparatory High School, Chandler
Age: 17
Parents: James and Frances Pfeifer
GPA: 4.0
Honors/Awards: UA Wildcat Excellence Award; College of Science Bonnevie Scholarship, University of Arizona; Arizona State University President’s Scholarship; $10,000 Award for Academic Excellence at Colorado State University, 2008 Star Award in martial arts
Jamison Post
East Valley Academy, Mesa Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Matt and Cindy Post
GPA: 4.04
Honors/Awards: valedictorian, Excellence in Service Learning, senior class president
Zion Rempel
Basha High School, Chandler Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Brenda and Mark Rempel
GPA: 4.59
Honors/Awards: ASU Presidential Scholarship, student body president, AP Scholar, Eddie Basha Award, Africa Basha Project 2008-09
Madelyn Reynolds
Skyline High School, Mesa
Age: 18
Parents: Patrick and Elizabeth Reynolds
GPA: 4.446
Honors/Awards: valedictorian, drum major, All Region Honor Band, National Merit Commended Scholar, Thomas Eliot Scholarship for Washington University in St. Louis
Manuel H. Rodriguez III
The American Leadership School, Gilbert, Eagles Aerie charter school
Age: 17
Parents: Manuel H. Rodriguez Jr. and Tonya Rodriguez
GPA: 4.0
Honors/Awards: Eagle Scout, On My Honor, Duty to God, United States Heritage Award, Thomas Jefferson Scholar
Bailee Roth
Dobson High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Daniel and Patty Roth
GPA: 3.95
Honors/Awards: National Honor Society, 2009 Lady Mustang award recognizing outstanding senior female athlete, Link Crew, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, four-year letter winner for swimming, first team All-Region Team for basketball
Catherine Sadar
Mesa High School
Age: 17
Parents: Stephen and Mary Sadar
GPA: 4.44
Honors/Awards: National Merit Scholar, All-Region and All-State band, drum major
Amanda Scruggs
Red Mountain High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Mark and Sue Vermeeren, John Scruggs
GPA: 4.0
Honors/Awards: speech and drama scholarship, National Youth Leadership Conference-Award for Achievement, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control volunteer
Ethan Sheffield
Red Mountain High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 17
Parents: Alan and Kathryn Sheffield
GPA: 4.660
Honors/Awards: valedictorian, National Merit Finalist, National Honor Society, Distinguished Delegate for Model United Nations
Chelsea Sieck
Desert Hills High School, Gilbert
Age: 17
Parents: Christine Sieck
GPA: 3.3
Honors/Awards: Principal’s List and Honor Roll, nominated for Student of the Month and Spirit of Leona
Lakshmi Sivaguru
Basha High School, Chandler Unified
Age: 17
Parents: Mathangi and Ram Sivaguru
GPA: 4.6383
Honors/Awards: National Merit Scholar, National Honor Society president, coordinator for Smiles for Christmas project, drum major, AP Scholar
Kari Sleezer
Gilbert Early College, A Leading Edge Academy charter school
Age: 17
Parents: Dan and Lisa Sleezer
GPA: 4.19
Honors/Awards: Early Graduate Scholarship Grant for graduating a semester early; started the Early College Program offered by the school and took 27 credits at Chandler-Gilbert Community College while enrolled in high school; High Honor Roll
Vijesh Tanna
Red Mountain High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 17
Parents: Anant and Praksha Tanna
GPA: 4.327
Honors/Awards: President’s Volunteer Service Award, Prudential Spirit of Community state finalist, Lowes Community Scholarship finalist, Eagle Scout
Megan Traichal
Queen Creek High School, Queen Creek Unified
Age: 17
Parents: Elizabeth Ridout and Patrick Traichal
GPA: 4.65
Honors/awards: valedictorian, National Merit Finalist, Art Achievement Award, Academic Decathlon awards
Caitlin Turner
Apache Junction High School, Apache Junction Unified
Age: 17
Parents: Mark and Pam Turner
GPA: 4.10
Honors/Awards: National Merit Commended Student, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership school representative, drum major
Rachel Waldon
Gilbert Early College, A Leading Edge Academy charter school
Age: 17
Parents: Greg and Johna Waldon
GPA: 4.17
Honors/Awards: Student of the Year, Junior of the Year, Citizenship, Biology, Earth Science, Government, Advanced Math, Spanish, Academic Excellence, and High Honor Roll, spearheaded a dance club
Garhet Wright
Westwood High School, Mesa Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Christina and Jim Wright
GPA: 4.2
Honors/Awards: student body president, Eagle Scout, varsity football, Boys State, ASU Leadership Scholarship program finalist, Dr. Voei Stuart Chase Coy Scholar-Athlete Award from the Arizona Interscholastic Association, Wendy’s Heisman State finalist
Hesu “Kevin” Yang
Mesquite High School, Gilbert Unified
Age: 17
Parents: Jicheng Yang and Wei Su
GPA: 4.79
Honors/Awards: valedictorian, Seimans AP scholarship, National Merit Finalist, numerous Academic Decathlon and math awards, National Honor Society officer, state math contest winner, Homecoming King, accepted to MIT, Yale, Duke, Cal Tech, Vanderbilt, Dartmouth, Northwestern, University of Chicago, Washington University and Rice
Kevin Zeck
Seton Catholic Preparatory High School, Chandler
Age: 18
Parents: Susan and Gary Zeck
GPA: 4.0
Honors/Awards: ASU President’s Scholarship, National Merit Commendation, American Legion Boys State group, Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award from the University of Rochester
Amanda Zehring
Higley High School, Gilbert, Higley Unified
Age: 18
Parents: Timothy and Katrina Zehring
GPA: 4.52
Honors/Awards: AP scholar with honors, admitted into W.P. Carey School of Business and Barrett Honors College at ASU, Presidential Scholarship
