Academic League champions and principals recognized

Superintendent Dr. John Flores, during Wednesday night’s school board meeting,
recapped the recent Academic League finals, which were held on March 3 at Maricopa Elementary School.

With over 500 attendees, the tournament showcased enthusiastic students battling for victory as questions stemmed from a multitude of topics, including spelling, science, math, history and geography.

Superintendent Dr. John Flores, at Wednesday’s school board meeting, described the March 3 Academic League tournament as having “a lot of positive energy.” Santa Cruz fifth graders took top honors. Fourth grade champions were from Santa Rosa Elementary School.

In recognition of champions from both Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Elementary Schools, Dr. Flores congratulated Principal Lynnette Michalski and Principal Rick Abel from each respective school.

Santa Cruz’s tournament champions from the fifth grade were Zade Bennett, Madyson Carlin, Sabryna Del Rio, Megan George, Celina Landin, Anvie Nguyen, Brandon Tilley, and Alexander Vu.

Santa Rosa’s fourth grade champions were Anthony Amphonephong, Ashley Barber, Jessica Bremer, Jordan Cline, Taylor Ireland, Morgan Keime, Austen Pearce, and Luke Spencer.

Santa Cruz fourth and fifth grade teams received certificates for their Academic League participation at the Feb. 14 school board meeting. The fifth graders went on to win the inter-school championship on March 3.

Dr. Flores described the tournament as having “a lot of positive energy,” saying that the students who competed were all winners. He added that some of the students answered the questions he came up with before the questions were even finished being asked.

The Academic League’s elementary school champions are presently on spring break, but they will be recognized at the next school board meeting.