MUSD board honors student artists, athletes, scholars

By Michelle Chance

Spring athletes and artists received recognition during the Maricopa Unified School District’s Board meeting Wednesday.

Track and field coach Sheldon Hutchinson presented certificates to Terrell Handy, Phillip Austin, Jacob Cowing, Longman Pyne, Frank Jones and Darrell Handy. In early May, the boys’ team landed in fourth-place at the Division II Track & Field Championships, contributed to three school records and brought home medals in gold, silver and bronze.

“They have done an amazing job,” Hutchinson said.

Superintendent Steve Chestnut recognized middle and high school artists who placed in first, second and third places in the MUSD Spring Art Walk on May 4 at the District Office.

Elementary students also contributed pieces to the collection, but without the competitive element.

“We did things a little bit differently this year,” Chestnut said. “For elementary students, we really emphasized participation.”

Middle school students received medals in painting and sketching categories while high schoolers medaled in six categories: mixed and other media, sketches and drawings, painting, digital arts, photography and ceramics.

Proud high school Art teacher Maria Pour was on-hand during the presentation to photograph her students’ accomplishments.

“You guys might recognize me as your teacher in the classroom,” Pour said as she snapped a photo of the group. “You guys are amazing.”

At a previous meeting, Rotary Youth Coordinator Alma Farrell acknowledged three students of the month.

An eighth grader at Maricopa Wells Middle School, Joy Newey holds a 4.0 GPA and attends honors classes in math and language arts. Farrell reported Newey has served as a teacher’s aide, participated in choir and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and the current student body president. Newey plans to become a doctor.

“Joy is a great student and representative of (the) school,” Farrell said.

Morgan Cutrara, eighth grader at Desert Winds Middle School, was nominated by teacher Roger Wagner who described her as a leader with a vibrant personality.

“She works diligently and sets high expectations for herself and works hard to reach them,” Roger wrote.

Farrell said Cutrara is active in Student Council, plays volleyball and is involved in school clubs.

Maricopa High School junior Diamond Simms accepted her title as student of the month after recently being approved to graduate one year early by the School Board in April.

Nominated by Sims’ High School Counselor Rebecca Collins and remarked on by teachers Jennifer Andres and Jason Goodwin, the young go-getter previously said she plans to pursue a master’s degree in law and a career as a criminal attorney.

“To make these accomplishments in three years and graduating early is beyond commendable,” Farrell said.