Prescott Seniors and Teachers Honored

Eight seniors graduating from Prescott High School have been honored by the Prescott Unified School District Education Foundation (PUSDF) as “Rising Stars.”

PUSDF Executive Director Paul Kirchgraber said the eight students were selected because they had overcome obstacles and met challenges that might have defeated those less determined.

“We should all be proud of these youngsters. They persevered and now, having graduated, have paths that will take them on to higher education opportunities, career training and, in some cases, the military,” he said during a recognition dinner last month.

The students were nominated by teachers who observed them meeting and conquering personal, economic or physical challenges.

As was explained by author and adjunct teacher Amberly Neese, not only were the students honored, they also were able to nominate a teacher who had been a positive and inspirational influence on them.

Each student was featured in a brief video describing struggles both in and out of school. Also in the videos, the students talked about a special teacher, a “Distinguished Educator,” who encouraged and supported them along the way to completing high school.

The emotional evening brought laughter and tears as students and teachers shared anecdotes about how important it is to have encouragers in life.

Rising Stars and their inspirational teachers are as follows:

• Desmond Bennett, who will attend trade school to become a journeyman pipefitter, was inspired by Prescott head football coach Cody Collett.
• Madee Molster plans to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, and was inspired by Prescott High School chemistry, anatomy and physiology teacher Krystal Kalmes.
• Sapphire Murphy, who will attend Yavapai College, was inspired by former Mile High Middle School teacher Jenna Howard.
• Victor Ocampo, who will attend Yavapai College, was inspired by Prescott High School economics teacher Harrison Chislock.
• Liam Reeves will attend Northern Arizona University. He was inspired by Prescott High School English teacher Helen Wanamaker.
• Orion Sam, who will attend Northern Arizona University, was inspired by Prescott High School AP literature-language teacher Jan Hawley.
• Katherine Siebert will attend Yavapai College. She was inspired by Prescott High School English teacher Helen Wanamaker.
• Brannagh Woods, who will attend Arizona State University, was inspired by Prescott High School physical education teacher Deb Fitzgerald. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN