Boulder Creek administration praises reaction of students

~ Feb 1, 2012 ~

Thank you for a genuine and heartfelt letter.

Yesterday the school administration and staff spent the morning coordinating with the Maricopa County Sheriff's office on their open criminal investigation regarding the incident at the park. Because of the student body's commitment to standing up for this victim, we were able to immediately identify the students involved and turn all necessary information over to the deputies involved in the case.

Since this incident at the park is an active case with MCSO, we will continue to turn over any and all information to their investigation. But they are the leading agency working to apply appropriate consequences to the students involved.

It is a commendation to the students at BCHS that an act which was unprovoked and cruel was able to be immediately investigated and solved yesterday. This is the exact student character that we hope to see each day from our students. And your letter here is an extension of the pride and high moral character that we respect in our students. As you may know, we have been developing a school-wide character program that is not necessarily taught in classrooms, but modeled by students, teachers, and staff each day.

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns and serve as a model of how each Boulder Creek student should behave.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Thank you!

Nicole  Duquette
Assistant Principal
Boulder Creek High School

 

Boulder Creek senior reacts to cowardly act

~ Feb 1, 2012 ~

I feel it is my duty as a member of the Boulder Creek High School student body to write this letter.  I, as well as several of my classmates, am very bothered and angered about the incident that took place at the Anthem Park a few days ago.  The incident I am referring to is in regards to the Gyro employee in a Mickey Mouse costume that was pushed into the pond. 
The act of pushing someone in a full costume into a pond is ridiculous, but when it involves a developmentally challenged individual it is criminal! I hope everyone is also noting how deadly this event could have been.  I am sure the cowards involved never put to mind, “What if he can’t swim?” or “What if the costume is too heavy to swim in?” This behavior should not and will not be condoned by this community.  I have witnessed several occasions where this community has come together to assist those in need and for someone to turn a member of the community into a victim is absolutely obscene.
I have the privilege of having an Autistic family member and I have a full understanding that all people have the same rights and should receive equal respect from everyone. 
I have had to sort through a variety of emotions due to the event, anger being the strongest.  The level of ignorance we are talking about is enormous. Not only did they take the time to plan the event but they also videoed it. This just reinforces that this was not a “cool” thing to do, but an absolutely monstrous thing to do.
Thank goodness I have been blessed with strong family values or I’m sure I would have gotten myself into trouble by retaliating to the cowardly acts of a few freshmen at Boulder Creek High School.
I am proud to be a member of the Boulder Creek High School as well as the Anthem community.  I also feel strongly that the high school and community will respond appropriately. To not discipline the individuals responsible would be condoning their behavior and that is equally as criminal.
Sincerely,
Justin Corso
Boulder Creek High School senior

 

 

Colleague urges vote for Matson

~ Feb 1, 2012 ~

I have known Holly Matson for over two years. During that time, I have served with her in her capacity as the Executive Director (and later Board Member) of the Arts Council of the North Valley, Inc. I have served with Holly on behalf of other non-profit organizations as well.
I want a candidate who is energetic, experienced, and committed to serving on the Anthem Community Council. I want a candidate who will work to attract, support, and keep businesses in Anthem. I want a candidate who is concerned about Anthem in both the short and long-term, and who will balance those interests in a thoughtful, well-reasoned manner.
Holly Matson has the skills, desire, and experience to be an outstanding Country Club candidate on the Anthem Community Council. I urge you to vote for Holly Mason.  

Becky N. MacMillan
Anthem Country Club

 

Willis states case for spot on council representing Country Club

~ Feb 2, 2012 ~

Every Saturday morning a group of amazing North Valley neighbors gets together to go run.  It's not an exclusive club of hard-core elite athletes. It's not a professional training group.  It doesn't even cost anything.  It's a group of (primarily women) who decided to make a change in their lives and learn to run---and then pay it forward to other folks who have that same desire.
Their core motto is to "complete not compete." They are called the Cupcake Runners. 
You may have seen them---people of all shapes and sizes---trudging through the streets of Anthem in the early morning hours every Saturday. 
If you have been part of Anthem's annual Turkey Trot or Emma's Run, you couldn't miss them...the loud group of cheerleaders in matching shirts that are there until the very end, cheering in every last runner.
This group teaches people who have never run--who may not even like to walk--to slowly and steadily train for a 5K. Simple premise, but extraordinary results.  After many "batches" of Cupcakes, graduated runners often stick around and set a new goal: is it a 10K? a triathlon? a half marathon?  The non-competitivie, uber encouraging running support group is there to cheer you on to whatever "next" goal you may have.  It's a pretty cool concept. One, I am proud to be a part of.
So, a big thank you to the Cupcake nation, going into their 4th year of "completing" great runs.
You may not be able to put lightning in a bottle but if you could trap inspiration in a group, it would be this one.
Sincerely,

Heather Gray
Cupcake Runner, North Valley resident