Here are some favorite photos from throughout 2018 of Maricopa and Maricopans. Click each photo to learn the story behind each.

JANUARY 2018

A large crowd gathered Jan. 13 for the All-Arizona Poetry Slam, which even drew a crowd outside the window of Honeycutt Coffee. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

Jacob Cowing, a junior at the time,, took flight for the Maricopa High School varsity basketball team. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration became a sold-out event at Copper Sky. Photo by Michelle Chance

FEBRUARY 2018


Navy veteran Harry Dieffenbach showed off his scratchbuilt ship models at Province. He later passed away. Photo by Victor Moreno

Members of the Maricopa High School Air Force Junior ROTC were in good form during a photo shoot for a story on Dylan Hill’s (far left) nomination to two service academies. She chose West Point. Photo by Joycelyn Cabrera

Chantel Holguin and the Maricopa High School varsity softball team started their season with a new coach. Photo by Michelle Chance

The annual Copa Color Run was again a great opportunity for colorful moments. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

MARCH 2018

Thad Miller, a home-town kid, talked about his transition from assistant to interim to official principal at Maricopa Wells Middle School. Photo by Mason Callejas

Butterfield Elementary School’s Alan Gofron allowed himself to be taped to a wall. Photo by Michelle Chance

Salsa Festival was not just a challenge for those trying to make the best salsa in town but also those eating the hottest peppers, like champ Ricardo Martinez. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

Nico Bandin got an eyeful of baseball playing for the Maricopa High School varsity team. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

APRIL 2018

Teacher walk-ins brought attention to education funding during the Legislature’s budget talks and eventually led to local teachers joining a statewide teacher walk-out. Photo by Mason Callejas

Jacob Dolph rode the air while trying out the Maricopa Motorsports Park. Photo by Victor Moreno

Teens did some role-play the annual “Don’t Crash the Prom” event to deter drinking and driving on Prom Night. Photo by Victor Moreno

Singing in a supporting role, Maricopa High School’s Britney Montgomery was a finalist for the state high school musical awards for “The Baker’s Wife.” Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

MAY 2018

The Maricopa Militia, part of a National Youth Sports league, recruited for players. Photo by Victor Moreno

Freelance photographer Victor Moreno shows his subjects, Sequoia Pathway graduating seniors Christiana Holguin, Ethan Armendariz and Fernanda Garcia, their portraits during a photo shoot. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

Maricopa High School hurdler Logan Taylor competed in the Arizona Track & Field Championships in the 110-meter and 300-meter finals while his teammates won the state gold in the 4X100 relay. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

Maricopa Unified School District’s Native American Education Program and its parent advisory committee (NAPAC) hosted their year-end Family Night with colorful performances. Photo by Mason Callejas

Family and friends cheered on their graduates during commencement exercises at Ram Stadium. Photo by Victor Moreno

JUNE 2018

Tiffany Yazzie, weaver of Navajo rugs, showed her technique for a textile feature. Photo by Mason Callejas

MHS Vice Principal Heidi Vratil stood in a busy hallway for a feature after coming through administrative turmoil. Photo by Mason Callejas

A crocodile smiled for the camera as Wildman Phil Rakoci showed off his collection of live animals for kids at UltraStar Multi-tainment Center. Photo by Michelle Chance

JULY 2018

Rick Brower displayed guayule biologic compounds at Beem Biologics as operations manager. Photo by Mason Callejas

Rochelle Raya, member of Arizona Blues Hall of Fame, performed with Sistahs Too for the Great American 4th at Copper Sky. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

Employees at Volkswagen’s Maricopa test site packed meals for the nonprofit Generosity Feeds. Submitted photo

Kyra Richards prepares paint for a VanGo 4 Kids mural. Photo by Michelle Chance

More than 70 Maricopa kids received free professional coaching on football drills and life lessons in a USA Football FUNdamentals clinic. Photo by Michelle Chance

AUGUST 2018

The Parks brothers – Tanner, Cutter and David – described their experience in the American Poolplayers Association Junior Championships. Photo by Mason Callejas

SEPTEMBER 2018

Long-time Maricopan Oliver Anderson sat for a portrait while sharing his memories. Photo by Mason Callejas

Children faced the sun waiting for the MHS Homecoming parade along Honeycutt Avenue. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

Pregame excitement met a September sunset at Pacana Park as Sequoia Pathway prepared to host a football game. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

Caleb Feiles, age 6, Brown Belt Leadership Student, ATA, at Kids Day Maricopa, Sept. 15, 2018. Photo by Angelica Ramis

OCTOBER 2018

A rainy autumn delayed work on the overpass but created reflecting pools for the early forms of the structure. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

Rain interfered with the Mud Run in October, though two rounds were completed before a delay was declared. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

Among the prize-winners on the Mysterious Mansion Mayhem tour was a Hotel Hell on Backus Street. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

NOVEMBER 2018

Maricopans of all ages turned out to celebrate at the Veterans Day Parade. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

Chef Larry Canepa was among the participants in the Ak-Chin Maricopa STEAM Day event. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

After the event was privately hosted for 10 years, the City of Maricopa took on the production of this year’s Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

DECEMBER 2018

Bull riding was part of the action during the junior rodeo that was part of Ak-Chin Masik Tas celebration. Photo by Jim Headley

Maricopa High School Marching Band performed for Pass in Review, with the sousaphone casting a reflection. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

Ahead of Christmas, the Desert Sun Performing Arts GEMS performed for their annual Sugar Plum Tea. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson