Highland High School
Spring 2019
Melinda Murphy
Hello Hawks,
Here we are in May and I just want to say thank you for another great year! I am often asked what it's like to be a high school principal and I can honestly say it is one of the best jobs there is. I am so blessed to be able to work with your kids and in this community. Thank you for all of you support and involvement. We couldn't do it without you.
Happy Summer!
Melinda Murphy
Principal
Highland High
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Reese Neal
Assistant Principal, Seniors
First of all, I would like to formally congratulate Alvin Jiji and Fiona Thomas! Their hard work throughout high school has earned them the titles of Highland High School Class of 2019 Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively. Alvin and Fiona will be featured speakers at our commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 23, 2019.
I would like to recognize the following students for their efforts as well, finishing in the Top 2% of their class: Julie Wiltbank, Victoria Northrop, Marshall Hammond, Max Rizzo, Mackenzie Taylor, Romir Parmar, Kyla Yetter, Emma Civalier, Sierra Dixon, Kyra Hintz, Samuel Welch, Chloe Zaugg, Brooklyn Jones, Melyssa Preece, and Erin Collins. Selected by HHS faculty to be the Senior Speaker, Erin Collins will be speaking at graduation as well.
Reminders:
- Class of 2019 Commencement Information (Please read if you have not yet done so!)
- Important Dates to Remember (upcoming events - May 2019)
Lauren Harmon
Student Schedule Summer Information The summer informational packet will be accessible on-line through Highland High’s website, in mid July. The following information/forms will be accessible online: Your student’s schedule, fee schedule, parking application for Juniors and Seniors, and a schedule change form. All of the fees associated with this packet will be able to be paid through Infinite Campus, in mid July. Be on the look out for the “Summer Informational & Fee Info” delivered to your inbox indicating schedule and fee payment are available through the parent portal. Additional information will also be sent out via Infinite Campus over the summer. It is important that we have your current email addresses. Please contact our Registrar, at 480.813.0051 x 8114029, if you need to update personal information. Student Parking Updates Juniors and seniors that would like to purchase parking passes for the 2019-2020 school year must do so before the school year begins. In order to be eligible to purchase a parking pass, you must have a valid driver’s license on the first day of school. A link to the parking pass application will be accessible in the “Summer Registration & Fee Info” packet in mid July. Fees can be paid through Infinite Campus in mid July. After the permit is purchased, the parking pass must be picked up in the bookstore, no later than, August 12th, 2019. If the parking pass is not collected by this date, the pass will no longer be valid. The pass will be awarded to students on the waiting list. A refund for the parking pass will be given upon student/parent request. If a student who applies and purchases a parking pass no longer wishes to use the pass, they may request a refund. Refunds will be granted no later than October 4th, 2019. As usual, students will have to provide their driver’s license when they pick up their parking pass in the bookstore. Last, seniors receive parking pass priority.
Stacia Cantrell
Wow, I cannot believe that it is already May! Before you know it, final exams will be here and then it will be off to summer vacation! Hawks: Don't forget to take those extra steps to prepare for your final exams and finish strong. Make sure you are completing your review guides, studying them every night, reviewing old notes and homework assignments, and paying attention to review activities in class. Get a good night's sleep before any exams and take the extra time in the morning to eat breakfast. Good luck on your finals!
Check out the Spring 2019 Final Exam Schedule HERE.
Attention Freshmen: Do you need help studying for finals? Link Crew would like to invite you to Lemonade & Learn on Monday, May 13th, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm in the HHS Cafeteria. Junior and Senior tutors will be available to help you prepare for your upcoming exams.
Chromebook Reminders
- Seniors will turn in their Chromebooks and chargers in The Commons after their 3rd hour finals on Tues. May 21st.
- Underclassmen will turn in their Chromebooks and chargers in Hawk Hall after their 3rd hour finals on Thurs. May 23rd.
- Students enrolled in GPS Secondary Summer School 2019 must bring their summer school payment receipt and Chromebook to The Commons in order to be able to check out their Chromebook for use during summer school. If you are already enrolled for summer school, see Mrs. Koerner in The Commons to get this taken care of ASAP.
- Students who do not turn in their Chromebooks or follow the appropriate procedures to keep their Chromebooks for summer school will be charged.
Upcoming Events
Band
May 6 - Spring Band Awards Banquet
May 7 - Band Concert at 7pm SENIOR NIGHT!
May 13 - Monthly Parent Meeting at 8pm
May 14 - MB Drumline Auditions 6pm-9pm
May 15 - HHS/HJHS Jazz Concert 7pm
May 18 - MB Pre-Camp #1 9am-12pm, MB Parent Meeting 10:30-12pm
May 21 - MB Drumline Auditions 6pm-9pm
May 23 - 2019 Graduation--Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble performing
May 28 - MB Pre-Camp #2 9am-12pm, MB Instrument Checkout 11am-1pm
Career Center
February S.O.A.R. to Excellence
HHS STAFF
Donna Carrier
Assisting HHS students in getting a college level education, sponsoring the Spanglish club as well as helping out immigrant charity groups are just a few of the amazing deeds Mrs. Carrier has done with passion and enthusiasm. It is quite amazing that she has grown the Spanish dual credit class so large that another teacher had to be added to handle the interested students who hunger to gain college credits and learn another language at HHS. Donna has shown a commitment to making HHS a place were education excellence and service is a priority for her and her students.
Olivia Cheff
Olivia Cheff came to the rescue last week and helped out one of her students. A Varsity soccer player, who is also on Student Council, was asked by her coach to pick up the Varsity letters and pins for the soccer banquet from Vicki Haro. When we got to the banquet she realized she forgot to pick them up. I contacted both Rod and Melinda, hoping one of them would be on campus that night but neither were. The soccer player contacted Ms. Cheff, her Student Council sponsor, and asked her if she would be able to help her. Olivia, dropped what she was doing and drove back to HHS so she could meet the grandparents of the player and get them the letters and pins so our coach could present all of the girls with their awards. It was so sweet of Olivia to go out of her way to help out one of her students.
This is Olivia's second year teaching, and she has taken on a number of challenges that would be difficult for an experienced teacher to manage. She teaches Biology, which adopted the pre-AP curriculum this year, and has worked with her PLC to develop lessons for almost an entirely new set of standards. Two of the pre-AP biology classes are co-taught, which has pushed her to learn how to balance their unique teaching styles and adapt to her students needs (she previously taught honors bio). Olivia also took on Student Council where she has worked to revamp processes (including but not limited to elections) and increase student accountability. Finally, Olivia frequently attends her students' extracurricular activities, including dance performances, football, basketball, and softball games, as well as martial arts competitions.
Annalee Shumway
Annalee has transitioned into the bookstore this year with such ease. She has made my job as a teacher so much easier with the work she does for us at the bookstore. She was more than willing to help us figure out who paid for their class fees and printed out lists for us to keep track. She is such a pleasure to the students. I have turned in so many deposits and other paperwork for my clubs and she is always on top of these tasks so fast. I have the paperwork back to me so quickly; I am impressed. Thank you Annalee for all that you do for the students and teachers at Highland.
Katrina Wunderlich
Katrina came to HHS this year with the attitude of: all chemistry students are her students and all chemistry students deserve the best. Between teaching 7/5 when a teacher left to focusing on best practices with SBG and advocating for students to helping the color guard... Katrina is all about relationships and excellence. She makes HHS a great place to work.
HHS STUDENTS
Brooklyn Marlow
Brooklyn is a student in my advanced Baking and Pastry class, and has helped me out in countless ways this past year. Most recently, Brooke volunteered to work a charity catering event for me because I was short-staffed, even though she had already completed her required hours for the semester. Since I was not able to attend the event, Brooke took on a leadership role by picking up and distributing chef coats, organizing her team of peers at the event, and keeping in contact with me throughout the evening. This event would have not gone nearly as smoothly had it not been for Brooke's help. Please help recognize her efforts by selecting her for this month's SOAR award!
Hannah Nash
Hannah Nash is THEE Freshman who coordinates and supervises the volunteer crew (usually just Hannah!) that recycles HHS on the off or short weeks when the AP/Dual Enrollment Environmental Science students do not recycle. She also rolls out any bins that haven't been collected if my students don't do it. Hannah showed up out of nowhere at the beginning of the year and has been my right hand overseeing the bins, being sure they are all rolled out and checking what's left to do. In all of the 16 years I have coordinated the recycling service, I have never experienced the integrity and commitment to serving as I have seen in Hannah. She is a sweet humble young woman who has made a huge impact with her service this year. I can always count on her. Hooray for Hannah! Please give her this award. She really deserves it! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all you do Hannah!!
Raegan Watkins
Raegan did an absolutely phenomenal job organizing and running our "Saxy Gram" fundraiser. When Band Council came to me about doing it I said I didn't have the time, Raegan was "voluntold" to do it and managed selling tickets for two weeks, coming up with the schedule for the musicians, and organizing all the cards like a pro. She even thought of things we can improve upon next year. She really went above and beyond to make this fundraiser and event special and is very deserving of the award.
Delaney Wells
I wanted to mark all four categories but it would only let me mark one so I picked the one she does best that also helps me the most which is accountability. Delaney is my Vice President of Publicity for my 2nd hour HERO class. She is really amazing. She has taken her role to a new level and I am not sure if anyone can meet or beat these expectations. She is supposed to inform the members of our club about all club correspondence as well as big school announcements. She was to advertise all club events on and off campus as well as organize the recruitment process for next year. She has been so wonderful and keeping everyone informed all year. She doesn't even need me to remind her what to remind all the students. This makes my job so much easier because she thinks about it before I do. She performs in this role while respecting her fellow classmates. She definitely comes across as a leader giving information vs someone who is bossing them around. They all respect Delaney in return. She is obviously helping others in her role because she reminds them about important things that are going on. She ran for this office back in August knowing she had a busy schedule just like the rest of us but still took this opportunity to show/practice her leadership skills in this new experience. Thank you Delaney for all that you do.
March/April S.O.A.R. to Excellence
HHS Staff
Mary Brightman
Mary has created one of the best Culinary programs in the state of Arizona. She recently continued her annual "chopped" activity where faculty/staff can act as judges in this fun and challenging contest. She also supervises her students at MANY community events where her students create and serve food at district and community non-profit events. She also has helped integrate our special needs students into her Culinary program via her integrated culinary class. In addition to all of that, Mary participates and contributes to the HHS employee culture of success. She also connects socially with her colleagues and makes it a point to get to know her co-workers. Highland is a better school due to teachers like Mary!
Karen Childers
Karen Childers understands the importance of building supportive and collaborative environments. In addition to forming caring relationships with her peers. Karen Childers consistently looks after the teachers in her department by providing a heads up on upcoming events as well as offering a hand in a time of need.
Jennifer D'ambrosio
Jenny has been such a great help to me as a new teacher at Highland! She has freely shared her knowledge, teaching materials and time with me in order to assist me in this transition to teaching Spanish 2. She has gone out of her way to check on me along the way, going above and beyond and acting as a marvelous mentor and friend. I really appreciate all that she has done.
HHS Students
Alyza Alder
Lyza is in my 6th hour American Government class and she is nothing but a joy! She might be the most caring and compassionate person on our campus. She is truly beautiful inside and out. Lyza is a wonderful student - on task and on target - always prepared - focused and genuinely interested in gaining knowledge!!! She attends EVIT in the morning, has 3 classes at HHS in the afternoon, and she works two different jobs. Lyza is well liked and respected by her classmates because she is so genuine and such a sweetheart. She is in the nursing program at EVIT and it is a perfect fit - she will make an outstanding doctor or nurse - she is intelligent, hardworking, polite, respectful, helpful, authentic, and articulate. I'm nominating her because she makes me not only want to be a better teacher but a better human! Lyza makes Highland SOAR!!!
Jackson Coleman
Jackson selflessly helps his classmates daily with their assignments and has helped many of his peers master the material we are covering in class.
Kylee Otero
Kaylee Picthall
Kaylee is conscientious, mature, and genuinely cares about her academic progress. Kaylee is highly respected by her peers and her easy going personality is endearing to her classmates.
Sports
State Track Meet
Both teams have dominated from every event. Great job Hawks!!
Boy's Varsity Tennis
Highland Softball - 6A Central Region Honors
Highland Varsity Volleyball
Performing Arts
Congratulations Winter Guard!
We are so proud of our Teal and Black Winter Guard in their performances at WGAZ State Championships at ASU Wells Fargo Arena. Our Winter Guard Teal - JV, placed 2nd in Scholastic Novice and Winter Guard Black - Varsity placed 5th in Scholastic A with their incredible performances! Awesome job on an amazing season!
Highland Choir Spring Tour
125 choir students traveled to So. California on April 3-6 to attend the Choirs of America Choral Festival. The singers also attended master classes at Cal State Long Beach as well as a performance exchange with choir students at Hamilton High School for the Performing Arts. The students also performed at the Long Beach Veterans Hospital.
Highland Choir
Highland Theatre Department
Student Recognition
Gilbert Education Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Jordan Nwalor - Power of One HHS Scholarship $1,000
Sarah McCann - Dignity Health Medical Scholarship $1,000
Lauren Manning - Volunteerism Scholarship $1,000
Jacob Brightman - Michael Sabastian Carl Memorial Scholarship $3,000
Kylie Warren (HHS/CVS) - Michael Sabastian Carl Memorial Scholarship $3,000
Leo Daschbach
Sam & Ernest Green
Caroline McLeskey
Proficiency Award Spotlight: William Barmettler
2019 Youth Abassador - Mackenzie Goldman
Track & Field - Ammon Allen
Congratulations to Sophmore Ammon Allen who set a new school record in the Javelin, throwing 161 ft. 3 in. Great Job Ammon!!
Coding Competition Champions
Big congratulations to all of the students who joined me for the last two days of programming.
Tommy Blunt, Ian Sugg and Lucas Shaw won the coveted Best Game category in the Advanced Group against some very tough competition.
Highland Staff
HHS Blood Drive
Speaking of Heroes...Dinah Guhy was recognized for donating 81 times and potentially saving over 240 lives (1 donation can help up to 3 people). Congratulations Mrs. Guyh
25 Years with GPS
HHS Programs & Events
AT Stills Cadaver Lab
Scholarships
Most Total High School Donors Award
Congratulations and thank you to GC-105 and the thousands of Highland HS generous blood donors during the last 12 years. Highland has achieved the Most Total High School Donors Award in the state of Arizona for the 12th year in a row! 9,086 blood donations were made for Arizona patients during that time. United Blood Services is now Vitalant and we celebrated Highland High School’s achievement on field prior to the Diamondback game and then watched the game with dinner, cake and more celebration in a suite. Ms. Schlessinger and Mr. Allen were thanked for their leadership contribution to this service learning program that introduces blood donation and provides project management experience. Vitalant wished Ms. Schlessinger ALL THE BEST as she changes career paths.