Cuba advances to WBC semifinals for first time since 2006

AP

TOKYO (AP) — Cuba advanced to the World Baseball Classic semifinals for the first time since 2006 with a 4-3 win over Australia on Wednesday night as Alfredo Despaigne hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly and Yoelkis Guibert followed with a two-run single in three-run fifth inning.

Using current major leaguers for the first time at the WBC, Cuba plays on Sunday in Miami against the winner of a quarterfinal between Venezuela and the second-place team from Group C: Canada, Colombia, Mexico or the U.S.

Former Phiadelphia Phillies prospect Rixon Wingrove, who led Australia with seven RBIs in the tournament, hit a go-ahead RBI sngle in the second and had a two-run homer in the sixth off the Chicago Cubs’ Roenis Elías. Australia got two on later in the sixth before Elías retired Milwaukee Brewers prospect Alex Hall on a flyout.

JUNIOR: Ken Griffey Jr., having time of his life serving as Team USA's hitting coach

Elías pitched a perfect seventh, Liván Moinelo worked around a pair of walks in a hitless eighth by striking out Ulrich Bojarski and retiring Tim Kennelly on an inning-ending flyout. Raidel Martinez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save, striking out Darryl George on the eighth pitch of the at-bat for the final out.

Follow every game: Latest MLB Scores and Schedules

Before a crowd of 35,061 at the Tokyo Dome, Luis Robert tied the score for Cuba with a run-scoring groundout in the third.

Cuba, which lost the 2006 final to Japan, had been eliminated in the second round of the previous three WBCs. The Cubans won their third straight game in this tournament after losing their first two.

Australia advanced past the group stage for the first time.

Yoán Moncada of the Chicago White Sox had two hits and two walks, and is hitting .421 wth five RBIs. Moncada sparked the third with a one-out double off Mitch Neunborn, who had walked Roel Santos leading off.

Winner Miguel Romero, the second of five Cuban pitchers, allowed one hit in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Santos singled leading off the fifth against loser Josh Guyer, who walked Moncada. Sam Holland walked Robert, and Cuba went ahead on the sacrifice fly by Despaigne, who is hitting .412 (7 for 17) with four RBIs. The 36-year-old outfielder and designated hitter is a fan favorite in Japan after playing for the Pacific League’s Chiba Lotte Marines from 2014-16 and Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks from 2017 through last season.

Saudi Arabia's victory over Argentina is the greatest upset in World ...

CNN —

Argentina has won the World Cup twice – in 1978 and 1986 – but at Qatar 2022 La Albiceleste wrote its name into the history books in an altogether different way.

According to sports data group Gracenote, Argentina’s 2-1 defeat by Saudi Arabia in their Group C match is the biggest upset in World Cup history.

Led by Lionel Messi, ranked third in the world, unbeaten for three years and among the favorites to win the 2022 tournament, many had expected Argentina to sweep aside Saudi Arabia with 48 places separating the two teams in the world rankings.

All the pre-match talk focused on Messi, one of the world’s greatest ever players who is likely playing his last World Cup.

The Argentina captain scored an early penalty to put his side in the lead, but two second-half goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari turned the game on its head.

See hilarious moment a Saudi soccer fan tears a door from frame during surprise upset 00:45 - Source: CNN

Al Dawsari’s incredible winner from distance – and subsequent acrobatic celebration – will become one of the moments of this – or any – World Cup, and undoubtedly, in time, an “I-was-there” moment for fans.

According to Gracenote, the previous most surprising World Cup win was USA’s victory against England in 1950, in which the American team had a 9.5% chance of victory.

But Saudi Arabia’s chance of victory on Tuesday was estimated at 8.7%, which means the Green Falcons take over the number one spot.

Gracenote said it uses the company’s “proprietary football ranking system to identify the most shocking upsets over the course of the World Cup’s storied 92 years.”

But what have been some of the World Cup’s other big upsets?

Italy 1990: Cameroon 1-0 Argentina

Cameroon's victory at Italia 90 changed the world's perception of African football. David Cannon/Getty Images

Diego Maradona had taken the world by storm at the 1986 World Cup, delivering a succession of spectacular individual performances as Argentina claimed its secondd title.

Four years later, the tournament was hosted by Italy and Maradona came into the World Cup having led Italian club Napoli to an iconic Serie A title.

Argentina’s opponent in Italia 90’s opening match was a Cameroon team that had been knocked out of that year’s Africa Cup of Nations in the group stages and had recently recalled a then-38-year-old Roger Milla, who hadn’t played for the Indomitable Lions for three years.

Cameroon didn’t let Maradona play, practically fouling him every time the Argentine magician touched the ball – so much so that the African team ended the game with nine players.

However, a second-half header from Francois Omam-Biyik was enough to earn Cameroon a famous victory.

South Korea and Japan 2002: Senegal 1-0 France

El Hadji Diouf was African player of the year in 2001 and 2002. Eric Renard/Icon Sport/Getty Images

France won the World Cup on home soil in 1998, beating Brazil 3-0 in the final, then won Euro 2000 two years later and was a strong favorite to retain its world title in South Korea and Japan.

France’s first game was against a Senegal team making its debut at the World Cup.

The former French colony was clearly up for the match. With iconic players such as El Hadji Diouf, Khalilou Fadiga and current Teranga Lions head coach Aliou Cisse, Senegal went for the throat of its much-fancied opponent.

Diouf produced a spectacular performance, but it was the unheralded Papa Bouba Diop who scrambled home the only goal of the game to secure a stunning victory for Senegal.

Things went from bad to worse for France as the defending champion failed to reach the knockout stages, finishing bottom of its group.

Spain 1982: Algeria 2-1 West Germany

Like Saudi Arabia's team in Qatar, Algeria's team in 1982 consisted almost entirely of home-based players. Gerard Bedeau/Onze/Icon Sport/Getty Images

Another African nation making its debut, Algeria, took on West Germany in a group that would change the World Cup forever.

West Germany came into the game as one of the tournament favorites having won every single qualifying match. The team was so confident that manager Jupp Derwall said he would “jump on the first train back to Munich” in the event of a defeat.

That arrogance came back to haunt Derwall as a completely unknown Algeria team outplayed West Germany.

The North Africans took the lead in the 54th minute through Rabah Madjer, before Karl-Heinz Rummenigge leveled 13 minutes later. But straight from the kickoff, Algeria went up the other end of the pitch to retake the lead.

Despite the famous victory, Algeria would not make it out of the group, in part because West Germany secured a 1-0 win against Austria – a result that put both European sides through to the next round at the expense of Algeria.

Ever since the “Disgrace of Gijón,” the final group matches at the World Cup have been played simultaneously.

Brazil 1950: USA 1-0 England

The 1950 US team reached the semifinals, the country's highest ever finish at the tournament. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Ahead of the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, football had been fully professional in England for decades, though this was the English team’s first appearance at a World Cup having chosen not to appear in the previous three tournaments.

England was up against a US team comprising semi-professional and amateur players including a grave digger, a dish washer and a postman.

But those amateurs pulled off the first great World Cup upset as Joe Gaetjens’ glancing header near the end of the first half was enough to secure a remarkable win for the US.

Belinda Bencic, Kimiko Date-Krumm win at Birmingham

AP

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — The youngest and oldest women in the world's top 100 won their opening matches Monday at the Aegon Classic, a grass court warm-up event for Wimbledon.

Seventeen-year-old Belinda Bencic of Switzerland defeated fellow teenager Donna Vekic of Croatia 6-4, 6-4, while Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm, more than a quarter of a century Bencic's senior at the age of 43, overcame Paula Ormaechea 6-3, 6-1.

Bencic, who has been coached by Martina Hingis' mother, Melanie Molitor, is seen as one of the game's potential rising stars, winning two junior Grand Slam titles in 2013 at the French Open and Wimbledon. She next plays defending champion Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, who received a first-round bye.

Bencic struck the ball boldly against Vekic and responded quickly when the Croat rallied from a break down in each set.

"Of course I have dreams, but the dreams are so far away yet," Bencic said when asked about her goals in tennis. "So I'm just enjoying every tournament and enjoying this year when I have no pressure and no points to defend."

Date-Krumm, a semifinalist at Wimbledon in 1996, next faces the winner of the match between Puerto Rican Monica Puig and Switzerland's Stefanie Voegele.

If both Bencic and Date-Krumm win their next matches, they'll face each other. Bencic eliminated Date-Krumm in the first round of this year's Australian Open.

In other matches, 10th-seeded Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia was beaten by Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer 6-4, 6-4, and 13th-seeded Carolina Garcia of France lost to American Victoria Duval 6-2, 6-4.

Chris Evert diagnosed with cancer | CNN

CNN —

Tennis legend Chris Evert, who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles and three Grand Slam doubles titles in her career, said Friday she has been diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer.

In a Twitter post linking an ESPN article Evert co-wrote with ESPN journalist Chris McKendry, Evert said she wanted to share her diagnosis and story “as a way to help others.”

“I feel very lucky that they caught it early and expect positive results from my chemo plan,” Evert wrote in a statement posted on Twitter. “Thanks to all of you for respecting my need to focus on my health and treatment plan.”

Evert, 67, added she will appear from home at times during ESPN’s coverage of the Australian Open, which begins January 17.

After Evert’s announcement, the Australian Open’s official Twitter account posted, “Thinking of you here and wishing you a speedy and full recovery.”

“We are all with you and behind you Chrissie, you are a true champion and I have no doubt you will conquer this nasty opponent,” another tennis great and longtime rival of Evert, Martina Navratilova, wrote. The rivalry between the two women, which began in 1973 and lasted roughly 15 years, has been called the greatest in sports history. The two faced each other in 14 major finals.

Evert is no stranger to fierce competitions and coming out a winner.

Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1954, Evert climbed to the No. 1 nationally ranked player in the Girls’ 14-under Division by the time she was 14. When she was 15, she defeated the No. 1-ranked player in the world at the time, Margaret Court, in a Charlotte, North Carolina, tournament.

Evert turned professional when she turned 18 on December 21, 1972. Several months later, she faced – and defeated – Navratilova for the first time, in a women’s professional event in Akron, Ohio.

Just four years into her professional career, Evert became the first female athlete to earn $1 million in career prize money.

She also became the first female athlete to host “Saturday Night Live,” in 1989, the same year she retired. Six years later, Evert became a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, becoming the fourth player to be elected unanimously.

Evert holds 157 singles titles and was ranked No. 1 in the world for seven years: 1974 through 1978, 1980 and 1981.

She became a commentator and analyst for ESPN in 2011, a role she still holds today. Evert has three sons: Colton, Nicholas and Alexander.

She now operates the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Florida, according to ESPN.

High school report

Appoquinimink

Appoquinimink

Appoquinimink High School students in the career and technical programs helped to host a fall mixer Oct. 7. Students prepared displays and offered tours and information about our innovative college and career pathways. Members of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce and local representatives met with the students to learn more about the program.

Sophomore Brandon Gladden is an ambassador for the Wilmington Children's Chorus. As ambassador, he works to fulfill the chorus mission through community outreach, volunteerism and fundraising. He has been with the chorus for four years and recently traveled with the group on a Sister's Cities Foreign exchange program in Fulda, Germany.

On Oct. 9, the school’s Guidance Department took seniors Isaiah Pickett, Courtney McCrosson, Jade Dunning, Kaitlyn Olivas, Lizeth Vergara, Jada Carwell, Alexis Shoemaker, Hector DeJesus, Alexis Carmona, Tyshira Jones, Jacquie Javorski and Halie Johnson to Wilmington University’s New Castle campus. Students had an opportunity to speak with an admissions representative, tour the college campus and learn about the opportunities Wilmington University has to offer.

During the Appoquinimink School District Board of Education meeting Oct. 13, the 2015 Baseball State Championship team was recognized by the superintendent and board members. State Reps. Kevin Hensley and Quinn Johnson presented proclamations from the Delaware House of Representatives and state Senate. Teammates Julian Kurych, Matt Alexander, Cole Rodriguez, Brett Willett, Joseph Otto and Chandler Fitzgerald accepted the honor on behalf of their championship team. The team's coach, William Cunningham, was also recognized as the Baseball Coach of the Year.

Also Oct. 13, the school participated in the Principal for the Day program by welcoming Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Roxane Ferguson. She visited classrooms, participated in student discussions and ate lunch with student leaders Brianna Janocha, Theodore Fessarus, Samantha Fortunato, Jared Soldo, Gina Guidice and Aurora Gunter. The lunch was prepared by students in Appoquinimink’s culinary arts program and hosted in the Cat Café.

Linnea Bradshaw has taken 19 students to Japan, including six from Middletown High School and Appoquinimink’s social studies teacher John Hoffman. The Japan trip was completely funded by the Japanese Foreign Ministry under the auspices of the Kakehashi (Bridge for Tomorrow) Project. It promotes international understanding by bringing future leaders to Japan to see its culture and history. Students were to spend seven nights in Japan, both in the city and in countryside, visiting cultural sites, learning about high-tech industries, participating in a school visit and spending two nights in a homestay. The students who took the trip were Olivia Bedard, Kyle Bell, William Cantera, Colton Cassidy, Ryan Cruz, Laurel DellaValle, Jared Goodstadt, Owen Grabowski, Timothy Johnson Jr., Gregory Jones, Josiah Jones, Kyle Kruger, Shaayal Kumar, Grace Ly, Samarah Pagan, Kaitlin Perrotta, Chenoa Wingo, Deja Woodard and Zane Zaloga.

Brandywine

Brandywine

Brandywine will honor the late former football coach Carmen Bianco prior to the football game with Dickinson at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. All the coach’s former players are invited to attend the game and should arrive no later than 10:15 a.m.

Brandywine ended its Spirit Week Oct. 9 with a pep rally to get the entire school excited for the Homecoming weekend festivities. The rally was planned by Student Council President Gentry Meinecke, Vice President Maia Hill, Treasurer Eric Coffey and Secretary Alexa Crowell. The faculty adviser is Kenneth Rivera. Crowned at the pep rally, our underclassmen Homecoming Court was Zion Carr, Mr. Freshman; Kayla Sampson-Jones, Miss Freshman; Nick Ruggiero, Mr. Sophomore; Mikayla Purnell, Miss Sophomore; Darrien Caulk-Cooper, Mr. Junior; and Sandy Rico-Martinez, Miss Junior. At halftime of the Oct. 10 game against Glasgow High School, the Senior Homecoming Court winners were announced: Homecoming Queen, Aissata Bah; Homecoming King, Nycere Walker; first runners up, Skyler Lemma and Cory Ruggerio; and second runners up Nierra Montanez and Eric Coffey. The Homecoming Dance was held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

– Shannon Donovan

Mount Pleasant

Rehearsals have begun for the fall play, “Midsummer/Jersey.” The play, written by Ken Ludwig, is a high-octane retelling of William Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream” set at the Jersey Shore. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 19, 20 and Nov. 21.

Math League will meet every other Wednesday in Room 119 at 2:30 p.m.

Information sessions for students and parents interested in the International Baccalaureate Programme at Mount Pleasant will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 28 and Nov. 9 in the auditorium. For more information, call (302) 762-7054.

– Hannah Gray

Christina

Christiana

Christiana High School exploded with school spirit during Homecoming Week, leading up to the Oct. 10 football game and Homecoming Dance. Students had an opportunity to show their school spirit by participating in a school-wide decorating contest, Superhero Day, Throwback Thursday and Viking Friday. Senior Homecoming King Stevynjamaad Hawkins and Senior Homecoming Queen Najah Odrick were named Saturday at Christiana’s Viking football game against the Tatnall Hornets.

Christiana High School Winter Sports Parent Information/and Meet the Coaches Night will be Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m.

Glasgow

In varsity football, the Glasgow Dragons defeated Brandywine High School 44-6. Isaiah Wilson was 10-16 for 259 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. Edgar Mena was on the receiving end of two of the touchdowns. Edgar finished the game with three catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Ja'saan Cunningham scored two touchdowns including a 40-yard punt return.

In varsity soccer, the Dragons defeated Brandywine High School 3-2. Tanner Fonjweng scored two goals and had an assist for the Dragons.

In boys cross country, the team finished second in the Christina Cup. Juwan Grant won with a recorded time of 17:49. Alexander Nieves finished fourth and Darius Blalock finished in fifth place. In girls cross country, the team finished second in the Christina Cup. Kayla Meadows won with a recorded time of 23:10.

The new date for Christina School District College Fair is Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Glasgow High School. Glasgow’s Meet the Coaches night for winter sports will be Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Newark

Newark High School junior Angelique Shepard made it to the semi-finalist round in the 2015 National Business Plan Competition. This is Newark High School’s third year having a participant make the semi-finalist level.

The Delaware Nature Society thanked student volunteers from Newark High School for helping to make their Harvest Moon Festival fundraiser a success. Students helped with children's crafts and activities, farm interpretation, pony and tractor rides and other tasks.

Members of the 2015-2016 Newark High School Rude Mechanicals Improv comedy troupe will hold their first show Friday at 7 p.m. Donations of $3 at the door will benefit the Tri-State Bird Rescue.

Students are encouraged to attend a financial aid workshop on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. The workshop is free and open to all students in the Christina School District.

Red Clay

Alexis I. du Pont

The Sportsmanship Athletes of the Month for September are cross country teammate Erick Jones and girls’ volleyball player Caitlin Carbine, both seniors. The Coach of the Month for September is boys' soccer coach, Michael Morris. They will receive a framed certificate and have their pictures put on the hallway TV monitors and on TigersSports.com.

The athletics department would like to thank Coach Brian Derrickson and his Middletown boys' soccer players for making a donation of $110 to A.I.'s Make-A-Wish Donation Drive. The donation was made right before the A.I. versus Middletown boys' soccer game. The drive is being held during the fall sports season. A.I. will present the Make-A-Wish Foundation with a donation during halftime of the Nov. 6 football game.

The student council sent eight volunteers to the Harvest Moon Festival at Coverdale Farms and received a very nice letter of appreciation for their service. The counsil is now collecting funds for UNICEF and future plans include collecting food and canned goods for the Breakfast Mission.

The Key Club recently purchased a new Keurig's coffee maker and K-cups as a gift for the staff.

Homecoming spirit weekis from Nov. 2 to Nov. 6. The Homecoming Dance is Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.

Senior breakfast will be Nov. 6. Seniors need to pay dues by Nov. 3 in order to attend.

– Victoria Kohl

Cab Calloway

Cab Calloway's High School Theatre Department is producing “A Christmas Carol.” The show dates are Nov. 6- Nov 8 with 7 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. shows Saturday and Sunday.

Brian DiSabatino was Cab Calloway's Principal For a Day Oct 12. He visited many arts and academic classes and shadowed dean Julie Rumschlag.

– Meredith Lindsey

Conrad

Conrad Alumni will be holding a craft show Saturday in the gymnasium from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m.

Health Occupations Student Association nursing students Natalie Finch, Rolando Rivera, Chloe Connell, Albina Axhami, Emily Yeatman and Maryssa Borso are sponsoring a free Diabetes Education classin Conrad's Library. Classes will be every Tuesday through Nov. 17 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Conrad has raised $1,061 from September's Dress Down Fundraiser. All proceeds go to Team Gleason, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and finding a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

College Financial Aid Night will take place in Conrad's library Wednesday at 6 p.m.

– Cole McLaughlin

Dickinson

The canned food drive to benefit the Sunday Breakfast Mission runs through October. Homerooms are competing for the most cans collected and the winning homeroom will win free hoodies for each student in that homeroom.

Rod Ward, president of Corporation Service Company, spent the day serving as Principal for the Day last Friday.

Private

Archmere

Local young entrepreneur and Archmere Academy sophomore Shreyas Parab, chief executive officer of NovelTies, was selected as a national finalist by the Young Entrepreneurs Academy this summer. The Young Entrepreneurs Academy is a year-long program that teaches middle and high school students how to start and run their own businesses. As a finalist, Parab was invited to Bentonville, Arkansas, the corporate headquarters of the YEA national sponsor, Walmart/Sam's Club, to pitch his business to buyers, participate in supplier workshops, visit with chief executive officer Rosalind Brewer and experience the Walmart culture. Following the meeting, Walmart blogged about Parab and his company, and also announced in their post that he and NovelTies will be featured in the Sam's Club Showcase store soon.

– Kylie Lavelle and Frances Buckley

Caravel

Caravel Academy's Women's Ensemble earned third place in the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire's Madrigal Singing Contest Oct. 7 when Caravel's 86 seniors (some dressed in costume) attended a re-creation of King Henry VIII and Queen Catherine's court in Manheim, Pennsylvania.

Accompanying the choir were tambourine man Ryan Doyle, hand drummer Mike Peyton and flutist Matthew Hipkins. Accompanying the choir was junior Morgan Wallace as the choir teacher KellyBusovsky watched from the audience.

On a favorite annual trip, the seniors were shocked by the dungeon torture rooms and amazed by the hypnotist's crowd control along with experiencing many other insights into a world 500 years old.

Padua

Sophomore runner, Lydia Olivere was coming off a big win at the Paul Short Invitational where she broke the 18-minute barrier in the 5k distance for the first time in her career at the 43rd Annual Manhattan Invitational. Olivere clocked 14:08 on the 2.5-mile course at VanCortlandt Park in New York setting a new sophomore course record, running the fastest time ever by a Delawarean and posting the 10th fastest time ever run by a high schooler in the history of the event. The young Padua runners also ran to victory in their inaugural run at VanCortlandt Park. The Freshman squad consisting of Abby Vanderloo, Catherine Hogan, Madelyn Williams, Shannon McCartney and Celie Krienen placed 10th,11th,12th,13th and 14th respectively, crowning them the team winners. This is the first time Padua has won a freshman race at this event.

In continuing efforts to have Padua students meet with a variety of college and university representatives from across the nation, Padua hosted University of Georgia representative, Melinda DeMaria, in a Skype high school visit. Two students met with DeMaria and discussed the value and advantages of attending University of Georgia and about its scholarship programs and honors college. Padua is hosting over 120 college visits this year and look to continue to take advantage of the technology we have to increase that number each year.

Last week, Richard Beno's Introduction to Photography class visited Longwood Gardens. They worked on shutter speed adjustments to capture moving water and aperture adjustments to take close-ups.

On Oct. 3, the Class of 1965 celebrated their 50th reunion. Some class members stopped by for a tour of our school with Brother Mike.

Sanford

Today is also Grandparent's Day. Grandparents or special guardians of Sanford students are invited to come to school from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. to spend the day touring the school's campus and classrooms.

Next Tuesday, the 11th grade is going to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.

– Olivia Civiletti

St. Elizabeth

Chem Club meets today and will hold its most popular event of the year, The Tie Dye Project.

Spirit Week kicks off Monday with activities leading up to the Homecoming football game Oct. 30, and the Homecoming Dance Oct. 31.

The first marking period ends Wednesday, and report cards will be distributed on Nov. 4.

St. E students in Freshman Art Orientation, Digital Art,and Art 1, led by Jen Mrozek, have their work on display at Jerry's Artarama, 704 North Market Street in Wilmington, as part of the October Art Loop. The show is called "The Imagined Life," inspired by Henry David Thoreau's quote "Live the life you imagined." Subjects range from Pope Francis to reflective still life images to a Zentangle painting and all work is available for purchase.

– Dylan Gerstley

St. Mark's

On Oct. 10 during Saint Mark’s High School’s Alumni Weekend, hundreds of former students from the classes of ’75, ’90, ’00, ’05 and ’10 reconnected and celebrated in the gymnasium with DJ Master G (George Kramedas) spinning multi-genre & multi-generational tunes. The event kicked off with an open bar and heavy hor d’oeuvres, followed by dinner, an interactive photo booth and Spartan give-a-ways.

St. Thomas More

Twenty-five St. Thomas More Academy students have joined Champions’ Club, a 55-and-over community next to the Magnolia school, in a joint service project. Students are working with community residents on a one-acre landscaped grove in what was formerly part of the Jonathan’s Landing golf course.

St. Thomas More students designed the grove with the assistance of the school’s art department, and researched and selected 75 trees for planting with help from the science department. Once the trees are planted, students will help maintain the grove.

The students’ work will count towards their required 25 hours of annual community service and promote the mission to “use God given gifts and gospel values” of service to others.

A roll out ceremony to officially start the project will be Nov. 6 at 1:30 p.m. at the site. All are welcome.

Tatnall

Tatnall’s 2016 National Merit Commended Scholars are Bennett Atwater '16, Joy Lee '16, Victoria McDonald '16, Amanda Meixner '16, Michaella Moore '16, Emily Rose '16 and Ben von Duyke '16. They all placed in the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students who took the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

On Oct. 9, Tatnall held its first "Hive Is Alive" Fun Run in celebration of the school's 85th anniversary. Students, families, grandparents, alumni and friends came together to run, jog and walk along the 1.75-mile course on Tatnall's campus. The top 10 finishing students were Sasha Latina '19 (10:41), Sam Ginn '19 (10:56), Donald Kerr '16 (10:56), Fernando Garcia '16 (11:16), Beau Neff '19 (11:16), Joey Garrett '16 (11:26), Max Hardin '18 (11:27), Austin Leshock '18 (11:28), Gunnar Light '20 (11:53) and Andre Latina '22 (11:53).

Over the past several weeks, Tatnall students have been busily preparing for the 2015 Playbill production "Pippin." Focusing on the issues facing today's Millennials, such as the impact of growing up "online," cyber-bullying and the pervasiveness of reality TV, Tatnall students and faculty have incorporated current technology into the performance to reimagine this classic show for a new generation. "Pippin" asks audiences the question: In a world where "selfies" and "likes" equal self-esteem, what does it mean to live an "extraordinary" life? The show will be performed Nov. 5, Nov. 6 and Nov. 7. Admission is $10.

Earlier this month, students in Dean Goodwin's and Sharon Kreamer's AP Environmental Science classes attended a lecture by Ian Hutton at the Delaware Museum of Natural History. He is a recognized conservationist, curator and photographer. After the lecture, Tatnall's students joined Hutton for lunch.

Tower Hill

Elizabeth C. “Bessie” Speers was installed as Tower Hill’s 10th Head of School in a Oct. 2 ceremony. Thomas G. Speers III opened the ceremony with an invocation that also included speeches by board chair Earl J. Ball III, trustee Michelle Shepherd and AIMS executive director Peter F. Baily. The featured speaker was John M. McCardell Jr., vice-chancellor of the University of the South and president emeritus of Middlebury College. Mrs. Speers was presented with gifts from all three divisions of the school, and she presented Ball and Assistant Head of School Harry N. Baetjer III with the Founders’ Achievement Award.

On Oct. 3, the football team beat Tatnall and Red Lion, the field hockey team defeated St. Andrew’s, the soccer team beat Tatnall, St. Andrew’s and William Penn; the volleyball team played an exciting game against Wilmington Friends and Padua Academy, and the cross country team had a strong showing in a tri-meet versus St. Andrew’s and Centreville-Layton. The field hockey team defeated Tatnall School, William Penn High School and Wilmington Friends.

Tower Hill students attended the Survivors of Abuse and Rehabilitation Ostrich 5K Run/Walk Oct. 12. Students were given a chance to run or walk with their friends, while also donating to an important cause. Members of both the Jefferson Awards Students in Action Team and the cross country team participated.

On Oct. 13, Tower Hill alum Gracie Firestone '11 spoke to Upper School students at an assembly about making a difference in the community and overcoming obstacles, citing her foundation, Let The Kids Play, as an example.

Betsy Cox spoke to Upper School students Oct. 15 about her work with film. Cox produces and directs films that focus on social issues. Upper School students had previously seen her film, “Southeast 67,” about 67 students working to combine their college dreams with their turbulent communities.

– Jade Olurin

Ursuline

Seniors Jacquelyn Kepley, Kaitlin Coviello, Emma Derr, Katherine Hosey, Brooke Schaen, Bailey Garrison, Alexandra Perna, Lauren DePiero, Maeve Russo, Alexis Jeynes, Caroline Morris, Maryam Pasdar and Olivia Hatton who have been named AP Scholars. They are among the 42 Ursuline students, including those who graduated in 2015, who received this honor after taking last year's Advanced Placement exams.

Ursuline students will participate in the Ursuline/Salesianum Flag Football Tournament from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday Ursuline's Serviam Field. Spectator tickets will be $5 and all donations will support SALSthon.

Ursuline's first musical production, “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Ursuline's student ambassadors have been preparing for the Middle/Upper School Open House Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. The ambassadors plan student run tours and form a panel so that prospective students and parents can ask questions about what it's like to be an Ursuline girl.

Special thanks to Ursuline senior Jena Awad '16 and sophomore Yara Awad '18 for working to collect winter clothes for the Syrian refugees. They organized the clothing drive and designed a challenge for each grade and teachers to compete to see who could collect the most clothes.

Ursuline held its Upper School Student Council Installation and Honors Assembly. New student officers were inducted for each class and 70 students were honored for receiving highest and first honors.

– Lauren DePiero

Wilmington Christian

Auditions for the winter musical “Cinderella” will be today and tomorrow from 4:30 p.m. till 6:30 p.m. with callbacks Saturday from 10 a.m. till 12 p.m. Time slots and audition information is posted on the high school drama bulletin board.

A 2016 Budapest informational meeting for parents and students will be Monday at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

The end of the first marking period is Oct. 30.

Pam Love, assistant athletic director and varsity field hockey coach, scored her 300th career field hockey win. Love, who has been coaching at the school since 1984, is currently in her 32nd season. Team players celebrated by giving her flowers and making posters. The team was all smiles as they posed with Love for the historical photo.

– Robin Foster and Rebecca Soistmann

Wilmington Friends

Congratulations to volleyball co-captain, junior Alyssa Nathan, who recorded her 1,000th career assist in a conference match against Sanford Oct. 7.

Open House for families interested in grades 6-12 at Wilmington Friends will be Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Interested families may register in advance on the school website, www.wilmingtonfriends.org or contact admissions@wilmingtonfriends.org.

The College Guidance Office hosts the annual "First Steps" college program for freshmen and sophomores tonight; parents are also invited to attend the optional program. Follow the blog written by Director of College Guidance Kathleen Martin on the school website homepage.

Tomorrow morning, Head of Upper School Rebecca Zug and Upper School Dean for Students Lynn Puritz-Fine will host a coffee for parents of students in grades 9-12. Parents are encouraged to "bring your questions and your reusable coffee cup."

– Alex del Tufo

Crossroads: High School Report

Submitted

Brandywine

Brandywine

The Annual Spring Conference/Food Show for Delaware School Nutrition Association selected Angelica Dennis, Stephanie Hudson, Federico Narducci, Doug Till, Eric Quick, Gracie Hudson, Anna Sheeky, Stephanie Guzman, Alvie Hossain and Alyssa Street to showcase their mural Saturday at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.

Seniors selected Gracie Hudson and Michael Gallo to speak at graduation.

The Brandywine Alumni Association is offering two $500 scholarships. Each applicant must submit a two-paragraph essay outlining how the money will be used; what their post-high school plans will be, their volunteer activities while in high school and how they showed their school spirit. The deadline is Friday.

The Brandywine High School District Dance Department will hold its spring dance concert at 7 tonight.

The chorale competed May 3 in its first regional competition in some time received a rating of excellent.

On April 16, the Key Club made blankets for Fleece for Keeps, an organization that donates fleece blankets to foster children. It also donated $100 toward the cost of the blankets, which will be presented at the induction ceremony Tuesday.

Five Food Prep and Production students were servers for Transition Night and offered guests a variety of hors d'oeuvres prepared by the students: Isys Driver, Madeleine Wragg, Korryn McCullough, Angelica Zamarripa and Adrian Latney.

Junior Meredith Sobus was re-elected state FCCLA president. It's her third time as a state officer.

Five students helped with Rita's First Day of Spring promotion at the Claymont location. Ciaira Carver, a graduate and FPP pathway completer, is in charge of marketing for this location. She asked CTE teachers at BHS for volunteers who were given an inside look at how the business operates. FPP participants were Luke Wood, Isabel Torres, Zeni Marshall, Selina Davis and Marcus Brunswick.

Officers for the 2014-2015 Student Council are Secretary Meghan Ruoff, Treasurer Ben Pradell, Vice President Connor Michels and President Colin Michels. They attended the Congressional Delegation Youth Conferenceat Delaware State University last month.

Superior Court Judge M. Jane Brady visited Ms. Leonard's intro to law class on Monday to celebrate National Law Related Education Week. She shared some of her experiences on the bench as well as her prosecution of some cases as attorney general which received national acclaim. Additionally, she spoke about "Why Every Vote Matters" in order to commemorate the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Eric Quick

Mount Pleasant

This Saturday, the last aluminum recycling event to benefit the school band, hosted by the Band Boosters, will be held. At any point from 8 a.m. to noon, Wilmington residents wishing to help the school band and promote environmental health are encouraged to come to the school parking lot. Household aluminum items can be dropped of here, including cans, siding, ladders, door or window frames, gas grill parts and scrap items.

On June 3, the National Honor Society will host its last Nelson's BBQ Fundraiser. The event will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Available for sale are rack rib and chicken meals, for $13 and $8 (respectively). Meals can be pre-ordered from National Honor Society members and picked up in the student parking lot (near the stadium). All meals include a soda, side dish, and roll.

Seniors who have not yet purchased prom tickets are asked to do so in the next few days. Please see class officers or Kelli Bradley for more details. Prom will be followed by the after-prom party; those tickets are $15 and available to purchase at lunch. When purchasing the after-prom tickets, bring the (casal) clothes you intend to wear, and these will be ready at the party location on May 27 for you to change into from your prom attire.

Commencement will be held June 1 in the Bob Carpenter Center, and is an invitation-only event.

Sydney Nye

Christina

Christiana

The girls and boys basketball teams visited the Ronald McDonald House in Wilmington on May 3 and 4 to help families in need. Players (and coaches) planted flowerpots throughout the outdoor facility and assisted with yardwork. In addition, the teams took a tour to learn more about the history of the Ronald McDonald House and each team raised and donated $200.

On May 1, juniors Sitta Dunbar, Alice Solanke and Michelle Reyes attended the Explore Engineering Day at DuPont Co.. The event was designed to encourage women to become engineers and to learn about the diversity of jobs that engineers perform. The students were assigned to teams with students from other high schools, which then brainstormed and solved engineering problems such as designing a switch for a dance pad, making a kicking machine or a solar car. The students also had an opportunity to learn from six female engineers the career paths they took to become employed at DuPont.

Glasgow

In boys lacrosse,Glasgow defeated Dickinson, 13-3. Logan Malloy scored four goals. Nick Coleman and John Lewis each scored three goals while Thomas Bolin and Trevor Harrison scored a goal each. In girls softball,Glasgowdefeated Delaware Public Safety and Security, 17-1. In boys baseball,Glasgow won 8-4 in six innings against Dickinson.

In girls tennis,Glasgow defeated McKean, 3-2. Jackie Cornejo defeated her opponent in the Second Singles 6-2, 6-2. Samantha Hogan defeated her opponent in the Third Singles 6-0, 7-6. Rebecca Hall and Abigaie Hamilton defeated their opponents in the Second Doubles 7-6, 7-6.

In boys track and field, the team competed in the Caravel Invitational. Kwasi Amponsah finished first in the 100 meter. Raul Romero and Alexandre Nieves finished first in the 800 meter. Shareef Flowers finished first in the shot put.

Jobs for Delaware Graduates students participated in the Delaware Career Association and Jobs for Delaware Graduates Awards Ceremony held May 2. Zachary Levine received an honorable mention for interview skills.

Sarah Pyle Academy

Before Spring Break, Sarah Pyle Academy began to lay the foundation for the school's Peace Garden. The flower garden and patio space will be used by students as a "classroom without walls." Students will be exposed to the natural elements of the garden while using its resources to supplement and enhance their learning experience. Sarah Pyle thanks employees of CSD's Grounds Maintenance Department, who were a wonderful asset to the beginning stages of the garden. Bob Dougherty from Angerstein's Building Supply donated landscape materials for the project and Gerber Masonry installed the garden wall. Within the next few weeks, the Sarah Pyle community will begin planting seeds of learning, peace, and change.

Red Clay

Alexis I. du Pont

The A.I. Blended Learning group has been recognized as a 2014 Superstar in Education recipient.

Students participated in the RCCSD Art Show at the Delaware Art Museum. The display which includes paintings, drawings, sculpture and ceramics will be on display until May 18. The annual school art show will be held on May 21 in the art room.

Sophomores Jordan Washam and Nicholas Rapko represented A.I. in the 26th Annual Driver Education Competition at Dover Downs on April 16. Washam ranked 40th out of 118 students. Rapko ranked ninth out of 118 students and received a plaque for his effort.

Senior Jeff Chubbs, who plays tennis, and freshman Megan Shockley, who plays softball,are the Sportsmanship Athletes of the month for May.

Conrad

This year's prom was a success with 240 students and 36 faculty members enjoying the evening at the DuPont Country Club. Dinner and a dessert buffet were followed by dancing and a chance for students to be together with their friends and classmates. Thanks to junior class adviser Chris Sanna and volunteers for making the night one to remember.

The Future Farmers of America is collecting new and used supplies for all pets from dogs and cats to

reptiles and birds. These supplies will be going to all animal organizations around New Castle County to help with the increasing populations of unwanted pets in shelters and rehabilitation centers.

The eighth-grade formal dance in Conrad's gym, sponsored by the Conrad PTO, will take place 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. Tickets will be on sale in the cafeteria during lunch. Eighth-graders wishing to bring a guest must give a completed, signed dance guest form to Dr. Fitzgerald or Mr. Vincent no later than noon today. Guests must be no older than 16 and at least in the sixth grade. Forms are available in the main office or on the Conrad website.

Eighth-grader Patrick Elliott has been chosen as the state winner in the SunWise sun safety poster contest.

The international travel group has planned their next educational tour to Costa Rica during spring break 2015. High school students and their families will have the opportunity to travel together and enjoy a diversity of adventures.

David Ragolia has earned the Boy Scouts' highest rank, Eagle. Only 2 percent of Scouts persevere through the obstacles required to become an Eagle Scout. Qualifications are 12 hours of community service, 21 distinctive merit badges, 12 of which are required, and an Eagle Scout project.

Alexia Scott

Delaware Military

The Delaware Military Academy had ites annual Awards and Promotion Ceremony on May 1. During the ceremony, the new Regimental and Battalion leaders were named to lead the Corps of Cadets into the 2014/ 2015 school year. The following cadets who were promoted are: regimental commanding officer, Cadet Cmd. James Trentham; regimental executive officer, Cadet Lt. Cmd. Michael Leonard; Alpha Battalion commanding officer, Cadet Lt. Matthew Wiegner; Bravo Battalion commanding officer, Cadet Lt. Joseph Czajkowski; Alpha Battalion executive officer, Cadet Lt. Megan Glanz, and Bravo Battalion executive officer, Cadet Lt. James Gebhart.

May is Military Appreciation Month. Thank a military service member for their patriotism.

The marching Seahawk band and mixed choir performed at the recent Music in the Parks at Carowinds Amusement Park in North Carolina. The choir received a trophy for the ranking of excellent. The band also brought home a first place trophy and scored a 92.3 in competition, earning them the rank of Superior.

Despite having missed a number of school days this year because of weather issues, the school already had a number of extra hours built into the school calendar, and a number of days were forgiven by the state. Underclassmen are not required to make up any additional hours. However, the state mandates that seniors complete 1,030 hours, and Delaware Military is a few short. Therefore, May 23 and May 27 will be full days for seniors. These days were originally half days for senior exams. Exams will still be held in the morning with regular classes in the afternoon. It is imperative that seniors attend school on these afternoons. If a cadet needs to be here for an exam in the morning, we expect that they will stay for the afternoon classes unless they have a legitimate appointment in the afternoon. If they do not have an exam in the morning, we ask that they sign in prior to 11 a.m. on these two days. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Certesio.

Ciara Rice, Bria Burton and Mariah Shuster competed last weekend in Wildwood, N.J., with the competitive indoor color guard team sponsored by Cab Calloway High School. The team competed in the Scholastic Intermediate division against 90 other teams comprised of all high school students. These girls finished in second place, bringing home a silver medal. Their commitment to a 15-hour-a week rehearsal schedule since November paid off.

Brittany Carson

Dickinson

Two dozen athletes visited Pulaski Elementary School Friday to read and mentor first-graders. The effort was led by football coach Donavon Alderman and included members of most of the school's athletic teams.

Distinguished Honor Roll students for the third marking period included freshmen Camryn Blake,

Isabel Crowther, Sarah Gotthold, Madeline Hornung, Emily Jones, Amanda Korwek, Isaac Rodriguez, Karelin Torres and Alejandra Villalobos; juniors Habibullah Aslam, Milly Brea-Lorenzo, Zuzana Mohrova, Harshil Patel and Matthew Stormer and seniors Amanda Birowski, Anthony Chen, Stephanie McGuire and Kesean Young.

The junior-senior prom takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Hockessin Memorial Hall. The theme is "Promise You the Stars."

Senior final examinations begin Monday. See teachers for the exact schedule.

The senior awards banquet will be held at 1 p.m. May 22 in the auditorium. Parents are welcome to attend.

McKean

The Spring Sports Awards Ceremony will takie place at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the cafeteria.

The Spring Music Concert is May 22.

A Pep Rally will be held in the gym Friday.

Finals for seniors begin Tuesday.

Today's WMHS Music Party theme will be "Your Song II." Tune in at 2:30p.m. on WMHS 88.1 FM.

Moises Velazquez

Charter

Delaware Academy

Earlier this year the Delaware Academy of Public Safety and Security's Jayteens were welcomed to Delaware Jaycees state convention, and while there were able to bring home three membership awards. As being a part of the Delaware Jaycees Year-End Member Drive the DAPSS Jayteens were given an award for being the Junior Jaycees Competition Champion in the area of membership. Members aim to continue their service over the summer as well.

The girls soccer team is enjoying its five wins is a great record with more to come. Coaches are Mr.

Miller and Mr. Bais.

People are encouraged to support the baseball and softball teams at their remaining games. The boys baseball team has four wins. The softball girls notched their first win in a 29-run game against Dickenson

The National Honor Society inducted five this spring: J.C. Wissler, Katy Wheatley, Courtney Sweetman, Jessica Cousineau and Lejan Castro.

The first junior prom invited guests to begin a tradition of celebrating this rite of passage. The class will be the school's first senior class.

Clara Sabato

New Moyer

The junior-senior prom "Under the Stars" takes place May 23 on the Spirit of Philadelphia Cruise. See Leslie Fanning for information and tickets.

Join Moyer Academy in the Fitness Challenge at the Wilmington Grand Prix Saturday. Help win money for the school and get a chance to compete in basketball, baseball, tennis and cycling. If you're interested, talk to assistant principal Christopher Bennett.

The first "Moyer's Got Talent" show is coming June 6. Standup comedy, dance, art, music, singing -- all kinds of entertainers will appear on The New Moyer Academy stage. All will compete for trophies and monetary gifts. Contact the school for more information.

The senior graduation ceremony will take place June 13 and will be held at the Delaware Theatre Company.

The last full day of school for seniors is June 12. The last day of school for all underclassmen is June 20.

New Moyer Academy is still enrolling for grades six through 12 for fall of 2014 and space is limited. Call (302) 428-9501 for more information or go to www.thenewmoyeracademy.org.

Leonard Young

Newark Charter

Students who participated in the April 29 Technology Student Association state competition held their own against other high school teams. Santoshi Kandula and Olivia Johnson won first place for "Technology Problem Solving" and Shaily Patel, Ravina Shasti, Santoshi Kandula and Olivia Johnson for third place in "Fashion Design."

Rumi Khan and Josh Davis were awarded first place for "Video Game Design."

Prem Krishnaprasad won the first schoolwide chess tournament hosted by the Gaming Club. After a grueling match that lasted 1 1/2 hours against runner-up Karl Theopald, Prem was able to seize control and emerged victorious. This intense battle of wits will not be forgotten any time soon.

On May 2, musicians from band, chorus and orchestra traveled to Hershey, Pennsylvania, to participate in the Music in the Parks competition. Each ensemble placed in either the "Superior" or "Excellent" categories.

Spring concerts included Csilla Lakatos's orchestra on Tuesday. Kelly Kline's choir sings at 6:30 tonight. Finally, Sam Bisaro's band is scheduled to play at 6:30 pm. Wednesday.

Luci Ostheimer

Private

Archmere

Senior Chris Curcio was named the News Journal's Athlete of the Week for his outstanding performances this rugby season. Arizona and Kutztown, one of the nation's top 15-man rugby programs, recruited Curcio before he committed to St. Joseph's two weeks ago. He received a scholarship and will play both 15-man and sevens for the Hawks while majoring in pre-med.

Senior and starting pitcher Sean Deely came through both on the mound and in the batter's box as the fifth-ranked Auks defeated Hodgson, 3-2 on Saturday. Deely pitched a complete game, demonstrating pinpoint command through all seven frames as he held the Silver Eagles to just two runs on six hits while striking out ten. Deely also had a monster day at the plate, going two for two with a homerun, two RBI and a walk. The Auks (10-2) will look to continue their three-game winning streak Tuesday when they face Tatnall (9-4).

Junior Jack Dianastasis will receive the national Catholic Youth Ministry's St. Timothy National Award at its annual dinner at Dover Downs this month. Jack was nominated for the award through his efforts as a CCD teaching assistant of the eighth-grade class at St. Joseph's on the Brandywine parish, which he has been doing almost every Sunday morning since September 2013. The St. Timothy National Youth Award is the highest recognition from the NFCYM for a diocese to confer to a junior or senior high school youth.

Archmere's cast and crew of the West Chester University Drama Club Competition play "Asylum" took home three awards at Wednesday's competition. Freshman Keelin Reilly was named "Best Actor" and the crew was awarded "Best Scenic Design" and "Best Show at Competition."

The entrepreneurial team of juniors Devon O'Dwyer, Payas Parab and Raylin Xu took home first place in the Diamond Challenge for High School Entrepreneurs. The team's online tutoring proposal also earned them $7,500. Archmere also will receive $1,000 to further promote entrepreneurial activities and education. The Diamond Challenge competition gives students real-world experience in developing a business plan. Students present their ideas to a panel of judges, comprised of local business professionals. Business plans are judged on their feasibility and growth potential.

Sophomore Mareike Van Wie received recoginiton from the Delaware Saengerbund and Library Association for her outstanding performance in the written German exam. Mareike placed first in Delaware.

The fall production of "The Curious Savage" received three nominations for Cappie awards this year: Best Comedic Actress in a Play, junior Savannah Quinn; Best Actress in a Play, junior Anna South, and Best Costume Design, junior Claire Caverly.

Kendall Aulen

Caravel

Junior Rebecca Winer's synchronized ice skating team ranked second at the Eastern Sectionals in Hershey, Pennyslvania, this year and qualified for Nationals in Colorado Springs, where the team ranked ninth at the junior level. Having skated since the age of 4, Becky has passed senior (gold) moves, intermediate pairs and intermediate freestyle and is working toward pre-cold ice dance and novice freestyle. She has been synchronized skating for Team Delaware for seven competitive years. Becky has qualified for nationals for five competitive seasons, all while teaching classes to new skaters.

Senior Brandon Stacy recently earned first place in the pole vault event at the prestigious and highly competitive Penn Relays.

Senior Abhishek Rao was chosen as one of 565 semifinalists to advance to the final round of the 2014 Presidential Scholars, a program that began this year with more than 3 million seniors.

Fairwinds Christian

The school year is quickly coming to an end. The senior class Baccalaureate will be held Sunday and graduation May 22.

The Palooza will be held from 8:15 to noon May 29. Please pay the $3 by May 23.

The last SBC breakfast will be held Friday, May.

Kara Gallaher

Padua

Juniors Virginia Rodowsky and Ali Ferver received awards at the Girl's High School Art Show on the Avenue of the States in Chester, Pennsylvania. Virginiareceived first place for an etching. Ali was awarded Best Work of Art by a High School Girl for her scratchboard.

Seniors Lara Ballintyn, Jennifer Borio, Sarah Cushing, Amy Horney, Ashley Muschiatti, Angelina Spadaccini, Shannon Steiner, Samantha Szurkowski, Lucy Vavala and Erin Wendelburg received the St. Francis de Sales medal from Bishop Malooly April 30. The award recognizes seniors for excelling in faith development, scholarship, service, leadership and citizenship.

Sophomores Marguerite Beane, Anastasia Hutnick and Sarah Wenyon competed in the final round of the Diamond Challenge on Wednesday April 30. This event is an entrepreneurial education competition where participants learn how to conceive and test new ideas for new businesses and social enterprises.

Sophomores Meghan Hanson and Alexandra Roat came in third for their design of the State Math poster. They will be honored at a reception at Wilmington University today and also will be given a monetary award.

Graduation practices are scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, 27 and 28. These generally run from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The senior textbook buyback will be held May 22. The remaining grades may sell their books on June 4 and June 5.

For 2 Dimensional Art in the Ninth- and 10th-Grade Category, Tayler Blair was placed third for her pencil drawing. Emma Braun received third for her linoleum print and collage. They will receive awards at a ceremony at Moore College of Art June 2.

Seniors Lara Ballintyn, Jennifer Borio, Sarah Cushing, Amy Horney, Ashley Muschiatti, Angelina Spadaccini, Shannon Steiner, Samantha Szurkowski, Lucy Vavala and Erin Wendelburg received the St. Francis de Sales medal from Bishop Malooly on April 30. The award recognizes senior students for excelling in faith development, scholarship, service, leadership and citizenship.

Sophomores Marguerite Beane, Anastasia Hutnick and Sarah Wenyon competed in the final round of the Diamond Challenge on April 30. The Diamond Challenge is an entrepreneurial education competition where participants learn how to conceive and test new ideas for new businesses and social enterprises

Abby Strusowski

Salesianum

Students Jacob Vassalotti, Andrew Insley and Joseph Lawless were part of the team that took first at a STEM competition at the University of Delaware. Students from various schools were divided into interscholastic teams, and competed in various events throughout the day. Teams participated in four stations which tested our knowledge in math, biology, civil engineering and chemical engineering.

Students had to estimate the absorbency of a baby diaper (chem engineering), solve tough math problems involving algebra and geometry (math), find mutations (bio) and build a sturdy structure with limited wooden materials which was then tested on a shake plate (civil engineering). Numerous students from Salesianum were on the top three teams. This was the first year of the competition, which was run by a group of students studying STEM known as the Colbourn Crew.

Four students were recognized April 26, for their outstanding performance on the 2014 National German Contest, Level 3. Sophomore Aidan Drake received a cash prize from the Delaware Saengerbund for achieving the highest score in Delaware, the 94th national percentile, at that level. Freshman Kai Barniak and juniors Kyle Jones and Phillip Vavala received silver awards from the German Embassy for scoring at the 85th percentile nationwide.

Awards were presented by the Philadelphia Vicinity and Delaware Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German, at a ceremony held in Philadelphia at the Cannstatter Volksfest Verein. The contest is administered each January, and this year nearly 22,000 students participated nationwide.

Sophomore Michael Hirst also received a silver award for scoring above the 80th percentile. Three more level three students received bronze awards for scoring above the 70th national percentile: Juniors Jacob Ward and Michael Stroh and senor William Beck. Receiving certificates of achievement for scoring above the 60th national percentile was junior Patrick Sweeney.

Several students have received Jefferson Awards, presented by the Jefferson Awards: Students in Action team, a club dedicated to promoting service in the community and recognizing the extraordinary service performed by Salesianum students. They are:

Senior Daulton Gregory is a leader on the football and wrestling teams and uses his athletic and leadership skills to help others. As a member of the Blue Gold Foundation, Daulton has spent several hours each week fostering a friendship with his Blue Gold buddy. In addition, Daulton volunteers with the Mid Atlantic Wrestling Association, teaching children with disabilities to wrestle and have fun doing it.

Senior Vincent Vella helped pack and deliver 40 care packages distributed to needy families in and around the St. Anthony of Padua community during Christmas time. In addition to the care packages, he volunteers many hours to the many ministries of the church. He also volunteered numerous hours for the annual Italian Festival.

Junior John Filosa dedicated his summer to the Sterile Processing Department which supplies the operating room with the instruments needed at Riddle Memorial Hospital. John's work at the hospital aided the surgeons in their work and contributed to the successful recovery of many patients. In addition to his medical volunteer work, John raised money for medical research and was integral in the execution of the Autism Walk. John's work has had a positive impact on the people he served directly at the hospital and those benefiting from his work for the autism community.

Stephen Ryan

Sanford

Upper school band and choir students traveled to New York City for three days to perform for Léman Manhattan Preparatory School and attend a clinic with professionals working in New York City. The students also visited fun attractions including The Jekyll and Hyde Club, "The Ride" interactive bus tour experience, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditorium. They also watched the Broadway show "Bullets Over Broadway" and had the opportunity to eat with members of the cast.

Led by senior Christopher Malafronti, students performed their first student-directed play, Neil Simon's "The Good Doctor." The show featured seniors Bryan McLellan and Emma Heberton, juniors Kate Holden and Emma Ziesing and sophomore Justin McLellan.

Recently, third-graders crafted toys and supplies for Faithful Friends Animal Society, an animal rescue and hospital located in Wilmington. Teachers Katherine Stafford, Christine DiUbaldo and Candyce Pizzala helped the students, making five dog blankets, 93 bookmarks and 239 cat toys.

Brooke Finnicum

St. Elizabeth

The Middle States Mid-Point Review has been approved without any revisions or monitoring issues resulting in continued accreditation for St. Elizabeth High School until May 1, 2018. The agency will initiate the reaccreditation process in the spring of 2016.

Seniors Morgan Corey and Joe Schiavoni were named prom queen and king and juniors Julia Short and Dean Herrick were named prom princess and prince at the prom on May 2.

The senior physical education class enjoyed the annual canoeing trip on May 6.

On May 9 in St. Elizabeth Church, seniors who had performed more than 200 service hours were honored as part of the annual May Crowning and Service Awards ceremony. They are Leigh Bernetich, 706; Jessica Charney, 597; Myriah Wadley, 478; Gabrielle Kohl, 385; Chelsea Kulesza, 332; Patricia Worthy, 318; Jack Harkins, 294; Sierrah Harris, 256; Sabrina Hackendorn, 254; Sarah Todaro, 250; Matthew Rydlewski, 243; Owen Stecca, 235; Joseph Hitchens, 220; Jesse McCann, 219; Zachary Hagan, 205; and Justin Czech, 204.

The annual spring musical, Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Cinderella," will be presented Friday and Saturday in the Benedictine Performing Arts Center. Curtain is at 7:30 pm, and tickets are $8 and available at the door. The cast includes Robert Lynch, Erin Evans, Connor Davis, Jessica Rhein, Alexa Cruz, Abbey Gant, Taylor Staub, Jessica Charney, Conor Naughton, Gabrielle Kohl, Myriah Wadley, Karla Figueroa, Mason Bondrowski, Shelby McAllister, Kailee Crozier, Kaitlin Christof, Andrea Worthy, Cassandra Lowe, Emma Yerger, Abigal Rice, Nicolette Gemignani, Anjenee Cannon, Altair Dube, Rashell Brisita, Morgan Zebley and Stephanie Charney. Crew members are Madison Schulz, Jesse McCann, Egypt Bell, Nathaniel Kohl, Vanna Davis, Alyssa San Diego, Madelynn Norris, Patty Worthy and Sarah Todaro. The production is directed by Johanna Schloss, instructor of drama and chorus at St. E and associate director of education and community engagement with the Delaware Theatre Company.

Student Leadership Group speeches and voting are taking place this week.

Senior exams begin Monday.

Members of the class of 2018 will join with their buddies from the class of 2015 on Wednesday in the St. E Center for Game Night. This is one of the activities that assures that incoming freshmen already feel like part of the student body when they arrive for their first day of class in August.

Vincent DeLissio

St. Mark's

The annual freshman class Hershey Park trip is Saturday.

The 25th Annual St. Mark's Golf Outing will be held at Deerfield Country Club on June 11. The outing includes lunch, a round of golf, a post golf dinner and the chance to win prizes. Spots are limited. No day of registration will be permitted. Proceeds from the day's event will help support the Scholarship Fund. For more information, contact Mike Carney, director of development, or go to www.stmarkshs.net/parents to register.

On April 30, the Diocese of Wilmington honored seniors Christina Danberg, Claire Danberg, Camilla Daniel, Carl DiStefano, Luke Duchemin, Hannah Falchuk, William Fay, Lauren Johnson, John Livingstone and Claudia Seemans with the St. Francis de Sales Award, which recognizes outstanding Catholic school seniors. The convocation was presided by Bishop Malooly at Holy Family Church.

Senior leaders in every club, activity, service organization and sport were honored at the annual Senior Leadership Mass and Breakfast, held at the school May 3. Also at the event, Terre Alessandrini Taylor, assistant principal for student affairs,announced the nominees and winner of the Mark Weaver '05 Award for Excellence. Winner was Jake Diana; nominees included Carl DiStefano, Luke Duchemin, Hannah Falchuck and Claudia Seemans.

New Student Council officers were inducted Wednesday: Executive Officers – President Allan Carlsen, Vice President James Hamory, Secretary Lauren Crouse and Treasurer Gillian Hamory; senior class officers – President Ann White, Vice President Tanvi Walia, Secretary Justin Engelmann and Treasurer Jeffrey Pala; junior class officers – President Michael Hanling, Vice President Spencer Jones, Secretary Joanne Cheng, Treasurer James DiStefano; sophomore class officers – President Chelsea Vincelette, Vice President Joseph White, Secretary Meredith Fish and Treasurer Morgan Burlew.

Freshman Jessica Romano and her parents, Susan and Stephen, were chosen as the 2014 New Castle County March for Babies Ambassador Family for the March of Dimes. The family raises funds for the March of Dimes in memory of Jessica's brother, Daniel, who died shortly after his birth due to complications resulting from premature birth.

Senior Zach Schmelz broke records once again at invitationals held over the last two weekends. Schmelz won the 400m dash Friday at the elite Nike Invitational, held at Henderson High School in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Schmelz's time of 48.23 seconds broke his own school record; it is 10th All-Time in Delaware and 66th in the country this season. Schmelz also broke his own school record after winning the 200m dash on April 27, at the Unionville (Pennsylvania) Track & Field Invitational. Schmelz's time of 21.84 seconds is 23rd all-time in Delaware history.

Each year the Diocese of Wilmington through the Office of Catholic Youth Ministry asks parishes and schools to nominate students and adults who demonstrate a unique Christian witness in their communities. On May 6, five were recognized: Luke Duchemin, Lauren Johnson and Katie Lee were presented with the St. Timothy National Youth Award. Tom Parkins was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year. Sister Sandra Greico received the St. John Bosco award, a diocesan award given to adult leaders who have been involved in youth ministry for five or more years.

Jake Bertleson

Tatnall

Junior Leshi (Alice) Huang recently concluded her participation in a nine-month leadership program with the Delaware Youth Leadership Network. With Catherine Edge, assistant director of Enrollment and Financial Aid, and Sharon Kreamer, upper school science teacher, attending, Huang and the other 22 members of the DYLN class of 2014 shared short testimonials about the impact the program has had on their lives.

The middle school choral concert was held Tuesday and featured several all-state choir members. The upper school choral concert is at 1:45 p.m. today and will feature a medley of a cappella pieces. The Middle School instrumental concert will take place at noon Tuesday. The upper school instrumental concert is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. May 22. Eric G. Ruoss, who is retiring as head of school at the conclusion of the academic year, will conduct the Upper School band for part of the concert. Additionally, the upper school ensembles will perform two pieces arranged by students. Junior Miranda Grenville arranged a version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" for the jazz band, while senior Erika Rumbold arranged a version of the "Doctor Who" theme for the string ensemble. All music concerts will be held in the Laird Performing Arts Center. Admission is free.

The varsity golf team – Amanda Ebner, Grant Hartman, Kevin Levitsky, Tyler Maron, Davis Mitchell, Ryan Pala, Ethan Silverstein, Jack Tigani and Joe Tigani – as they clinched the Delaware Independent School Conference title and automatic bid to the state tournament for the fourth-consecutive season.

The next Home and School Association meeting will be at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the Laird Performing Arts Center.

Amanda Meixner

Tower Hill

The 13th annual Green and White Club Recognition Banquet will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The banquet, which will take place in the lower lobby of the arts center, celebrates and recognizes the hard work, dedication and excellence of Tstudent athletes from grades seven to 12. Green and White Club award recipients and other select school athletes will receive special recognition.

Distant Voices Touring Theatre performed a docudrama for the seventh and eighth grades April 29. The professional nonprofit arts group work on producing and touring original plays based on social justice events from America's past. The particular performance for the students was about the diary of Hiroaki Nishimaru, a Japanese-American who was sent to a internment concentration camp during World War II.

Blue-Gold week was a huge success, with the upper school raising more than $2,200. The money will be donated to DFRC. The goal of the week was to raise awareness toward DFRC and the Blue-Gold football game on June 21. Senior Kaeni Ekong has been invited to play in the game, and student ambassadors juniors Mckenna Polich and Gillian Georigi, also will attend with their buddies. Throughout the week, students sold water-ice, T-shirts, sodas, milkshakes and auctioned faculty parking and their favorite teachers for "valet for a day."

On May 9, Patrick Chambers, the varsity basketball coach at Penn State, spoke about "College Sports Today" in the last forum of the year. Before being appointed as head basketball coach of Penn State in 2011, Chambers attended Episcopal Academy and the University of Philadelphia, where he played on praiseworthy teams. In addition, he has coached at Villanova and Boston College, where his team won the American East Coast Conference Championships.

History department chairman Ellis Wasson organizied the forums for the past 16 years. After a long and successful career at Tower Hill, Wasson will retire at the end of the year.

Sixth-grader Grace Diehl and the St. Ann's basketball team won the St. Elizabeth's League Championship. Diehl has played on the team for two years, and this is the first time in several years that the team has won the championship.

Spencer Johnson

Ursuline

The upper school sports banquet was held April 14. The senior speaker, as nominated by her classmates, was Laura Hurff.

Winners of the Scholar Athlete Award (who have earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher): Freshmen Lindsay Brown, Marie Dickson, Cara Grzybowski Nina Kegelman, Brooke Schmeusser, Katelyn Sentman and Martha Skehan; sophomores Jena Awad, Nina Budischak, CarolineBullock, Katie Corbino, Katie Coviello, ElizabethdeBruin, Lauren DePiero, Emma Derr, Anna Desch, Gina Hallman, Sabriya Harris, Katie Hosey, Alexis Jeynes,Kailyn Kampert, Julia LaPira, Caroline Morris, Alex Perna, Maeve Russo, Caroline Steele and Olivia Troisi; juniors Emily Blaszkow, Mallory Blow, Rebecca Bussard, Leslie Collins, Aria DiLiberto, Rachel Fariello, Lexi Goldberg, Adrianna Hahn, Katie Houser, Maddie Hughes, Clare Lynam, Kodi Raymond, Lindsay Russell, Miranda Schiccatano, JoannaSchumann, Anne Marie Tedesco, Ali Tyler, Carly Volko and Courtney Wallace; seniors Erika Addison, Aileen BeVard, Becky Clark, Steph Drake, Siani Faison, Nicole Farina, Emma Field, CarolineFrancois, Torrie Griffiths, Makenzie Hendron, Laura Hurff, Casey Jablonski, Erin Joyce, Jenna Kirk, Rocio Posada,Kennedy Wong and Katy Woods.

Senior Kennedy Wong received the Outstanding Scholar Athlete Award, which is presented to the senior athlete with the highest overall GPA.

The Ursuline Coaches Award went to Conner Vorwick, Laura Hurff, Jenna Kirk, Torrie Griffiths, Stephanie Drake, NicoleFarina, Erin Turulski, Hannah Gladnick, Saleana Copeland, Morgan Thornton, Emma Field, Kennedy Wong and Aileen BeVard.

Other awards: Ursuline Spirit Award, freshmen Ali Kochie, sophomore Alexis Jeynes, juniors Lindsay Russelland Renee Plaza and senior Makenzie Hendron; Charlene Giammatteo Softball Award, freshman Emily Aleixo; Sue Wilson Award, Stephanie Drake and Rocio Posada; Ursuline Iron Woman Awards, Laura Hurff, Jenna Kirk, Kennedy Wong and Katy Woods; Laura Capadonno Achievement Award, Emma Field; Jane Thatcher Howell Outstanding Athlete Award, Laura Hurff.

The One-to-One Laptop Program was recently recognized as a 2014 Superstars in Education award winner for Technology by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and The Partnership Inc. The One-to-One Laptop Program personalizes the academic integration of technology for all middle and upper school students. The program was introduced as a key instructional component well before its time, making Ursuline the first wireless school in the State of Delaware and the first to offer an individualized laptop program. The 2014 Superstars in Education Recognition Ceremony was held May 5 at the Wilmington Sheraton South in New Castle.

A Sports Field Day for Special Olympics athletes will be held today on Ursuline's campus. Starting as an idea of Student Council President and Vice President Makenzie Hendron and Emma Field, in partnership with the Student Council and Project Unify Club, the Sports Field Day will offer Special Olympics athletes a fun day of activities. Athletes will be paired with Ustudents and will rotate through various sports stations during the event.

Junior Samantha Reid has been accepted to the Summer Dance Program at George Mason University. This is a two-week intensive program that will allow Samantha to study with the faculty of the University's School of Dance.

Sophomore Midori Lofton has been accepted to the Cornell University Summer College Program.

Shaina Twardus placed ninth in Delaware in level 4A of the National French Contest and Lauren Chua placed ninth in level 1A.

Friday is the last day of classes for seniors; their final exams are next week.

The 18th Annual Jim Keegan Golf Classic will take place May 19 at Rock Manor Golf Course.

The Senior Awards Assembly will be held in the Anna Raskob Auditorium at 10:30 a.m. May 22.

Elizabeth Coniglio

Wilmington Christian

The State of the School address was given May 5 in the auditorium. Mark Wagner, chairman of the Board, headmaster Bill Stevens and parent Jason Danner spoke about the results of the school's re-accreditation process whereby the school was accredited for another seven years. There was also a brief report on the school's new strategic plan. The most exciting news of the evening, however, was the unveiling of a $2.5 million capital campaign which will provide a turf athletic field and track, upgraded STEM room, upgraded library and art facilities, upgrading of the Fine Arts Center, parking lot renovations, elementary school modernization and faculty professional development. Headmaster Stevens presented an oversized check for $100,000, which represents campaign pledges from the school board and friends of WCS. The campaign will officially kick off later this month.

Young Life Delaware will launch a new ministry opportunity at the school. This will be the first time that Young Life has had a major presence in northern Delaware. Interested parents, teachers, administration and community members are needed for a variety of roles, including prayer team members, volunteer leaders, financial supporters and friends of Young Life. Those interested are invited to attend a Young Life Vision Night from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the cafeteria. Pizza will be provided. For more information, contact Bryan Launer, director of student ministries, at (302)239-2121, ext. 3504 or blauner@wilmingtonchristian.org.

The high and middle schools will perform their annual outdoor concert on the hill adjacent to the Fine Arts Center at 6 tonight. The performance will be directed by Barbara Schiller. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside.

Senior exams begin Monday and continue through Wednesday. An academic awards presentation will begin at 6:30 pm May 22 in the auditorium. The 36th commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. June 7 in the auditorium.

Junior Elizabeth Latham has been selected to be the new student writer for Crossroads. Latham is an avid writer and a member of creative writing and journalism classes.

A.J. Stiles

Wilmington Friends

The new school theater, atrium and gym at the Community Open House will open Sunday. A ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. will start the event, followed by a brief program at noon and self-guided tours until 3 p.m. The donor wall, made from locally reclaimed and natural materials, including wood from retired Friends School bleachers, also will be unveiled. Board of Trustees chair Susan Kelley and Head of School Bryan Garman will lead the program which will introduce the campus building and renovation projects that are still coming as part of the Future of Friends Campaign. Activities for children will be available, as well as refreshments, including food from alumnus Mark Raphaelson's Johnnie's Dog House.

An alumni men's basketball game will open the new Neff gym following the Community Open House Sunday. This game will honor longtime coach Brian Fahey who completed his 20th season as coach of the boys basketball team this year. Fahey will leaving the school this summer to become head of school at West Chester Friends.

The "Charity Water" committee successfully completed its fundraising campaign, raising $4,671. "Charity Water" was clerked by seniors Kenji Endo and Ellie McGinnis. English Department clerk Katy Kenney served as the faculty sponsor. WFS Water Day, bake sales and a 5k run/walk were just some of many fundraising functions held to raise funds. The student committee raised enough money to help 233 people get access to clean water and sanitation.

Eighth-grader Maia Bryson was chosen to sing the national anthem at the annual police memorial commemoration, a community event honoring officers who have been killed in the line of duty.

IB exams continue today with history and math. Chemistry, French and Spanish exams are next week.

Today and Friday, the lower school is hosting the spring Scholastic Book Fair.

The spring concert series continues today with the Early Learning Center through second-grade concerts, as well as the middle school choral concert tonight. On Saturday, middle school choirs and bands take their annual field trip to participate in the Music in the Parks program at Hershey Park.

A Parent-to-Parent Workshop, open to all Friends parents, is Friday. The Quaker Closet quality re-sale shop will be open to the public from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday. The eighth-grade has a field trip to the National Constitution Center on Tuesday as well.

A thank you breakfast hosted by the Home & School Association to honor this year's Association leadership and all parent volunteers will be held Tuesday. The breakfast also will introduce the new executive committee, clerks, and coordinators for next year. Thank you to all of the parent volunteers and to this year's Home & School executive committee including Co-Presidents Lynne Kielhorn and Debbie Ross, Vice Presidents Tara Agne and Janine Saber (who will serve as presidents next year), Secretary Nancy Denney, Treasurer Tracey McMillian, fundraising coordinators Amy Chapman and Kim Dolan, service coordinator Dawn Manley, board liaison Jane Hollingsworth, and past presidents Wendy Cutler and Lisa Pearce.

Next week, the Appreciation Luncheons for the Friends faculty and staff will occur, organized by parent volunteers. The lunches are designed to take the place of end-of-year gifts to individual teachers or staff members.

Jodi Lessner

azcentral sports

Each week, azcentral sports' Arizona Sports Awards, presented by Valley Chevy Dealers, will honor Athletes of the Week, presented by La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, and a High Achiever of the Week. This long-running list of all the Arizona Sports Awards High Achievers of the Week will be updated throughout the 2015-16 school year.

To learn more about the Arizona Sports Awards, visit hsawards.azcentral.com.

To nominate an Athlete or High Achiever of the Week, visit nominations.azcentral.com.

To purchase tickets for the end-of-year awards ceremony, visit sportsawards.azcentral.com.

Compiled by Arizona Sports Awards intern Samantha Incorvaia.

High Achiever of the Week for May 12-19

Marcus Naisant

School: Tempe Marcos de Niza

Class: Junior

Sport: Track and Field

Has a 3.0 GPA ... Naisant qualified for the Division II state championships in six events: High jump, long jump, triple jump, 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and 4x100-meter relay ... State champ in triple jump ... Placed second in long jump by 3/4-inch difference between first and second place ... Earned fifth in high jump ... Scored 33 of the 34 points that Marcos de Niza received as a team ... In July 2015, he competed in the USATF Junior Olympics in high jump, 100 and javelin ... He was in the finals for the 100 and came in third nationally in javelin for his age group ... Plays football and soccer, as well ... Volunteers in his mom's special education classroom when he has time ... Coach Dave Aoyagi said he can do whatever he wants, like when he learned to pole vault in two weeks and cleared 8-feet for decathlon ... "Not only is he scoring a lot of points, but he's cheering on the team, as well," Aoyagi said.

High Achiever of the Week for May 5-12

Hannah Hansen

School: Chandler Arizona College Prep

Class: Senior

Sport: Tennis

Has a 3.95 GPA ... Three-sport captain who competes in swim, basketball and tennis ... First in tennis doubles and third in singles ... Earned 18 varsity wins this season and represented ACP for the third time in the state doubles tennis tournament ... Takes classes at Mesa Community College, where she also works part-time in the Life Sciences Department ... Volunteers with girls group, runs the A/V for a yearly mother-daughter retreat and helps out with a local club basketball team ... Will attend Northern Arizona University in the fall as a Lumberjack Scholar ... "Hannah is a very competitive athlete," coach and mother Katy Hansen said. "She will work hard to win."

High Achiever of the Week for April 28-May 5

Kenny Silvestro

School: Chandler Hamilton

Class: Senior

Sport: Volleyball

Has a 4.3 GPA ... Libero who leads with 398 digs, 4.2 digs per set and 543 serving received successes on Hamilton's varsity team, as of Wednesday ... National Honor Society Member ... Link Crew leader ... Member of Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, which gathers high school student leaders in the community for service projects ... We The People government debate team state finalist ... Completed more than 100 volunteer hours during his senior year ... Chandler Education Foundation Impact Scholar ... Accepted to ASU's Barrett, The Honors College and plans to study biological sciences ... Plays club volleyball with En Fuego since sophomore year ... "He can't wait for practice to start and hates for practice to end," coach Jeff Bader said.

High Achiever of the Week for April 21-28

Haley Hernandez

School: Gilbert Campo Verde

Class: Junior

Sport: Softball

Has a 3.7 GPA ... Catcher who played her first year on varsity this season ... Enrolled in dual enrollment classes ... Volunteers for fifth-grade classroom at Ashland Ranch Elementary School, as eighth-grade softball assistant coach at Cooley Middle School and with the Cooley Early Childhood Development Center ... Plays utility for Batbusters, an 18U-division softball club in Mesa ... Received Hustle Award during her freshman season at Campo Verde ... Received Campo Verde Golden Glove award during sophomore season ... Sign Language Club member ... Played softball since she was 8 years old ... Hernandez's biggest highlight was hitting the winning home run against Desert Vista on April 9 ... Wants to major in communication disorders in college ... On the field, coach Joe Delsante said "as an athlete, she's got one of the best arms, I've seen."

High Achiever of the Week for April 14-21

Reuben Nach

School: Phoenix Sunnyslope

Class: Senior

Sport: Track and Field

Has a 4.6 GPA ... Distance runner who competes primarily in 1,600-meter runs and 4x800 relay ... Also played varsity basketball for three years ... Competed in two years of cross country ... No. 1 distance runner in the school and Most Valuable Runner recipient in cross country ... Anchor leg in the 4x800 relay team, earning fourth at the GUHSD Relays on March 24 ... Ranks in the top 5 percent of his class ... President of Mensch Club, a Jewish organization on campus ... President of BByo, a Jewish youth group off campus ... On April 15, Nach earned a personal record of 5 minutes, 4 seconds ... Nach ran a sub-5-minute mile at the GUHSD Track Meet on April 20 ... Attending University of Arizona after graduation ... "He's very conceptual," coach Jason Coury said. "He sees the bigger picture of where his team needs to go."

High Achiever of the Week for April 7-14

Graham Byron

School: Phoenix Arcadia

Class: Senior

Sport: Tennis

Has a 4.52 GPA ... Third in singles, first in doubles and captain of the tennis team ... Ranked seventh out of 419 students in the senior class ... National Honor Society treasurer ... Student Body and Key Club International, an on-campus volunteer club, vice president ... Member of Arcadia Student Advisory Board ... Ping Pong Club treasurer ... Math tutor ... Volunteers with Andre House, a downtown Phoenix organization committed to serving homeless under Congregation of Holy Cross and the Catholic Worker movement, and at Camp Anytown, focusing on leadership, diversity and acceptance, during the summer ... Started playing when he was 9 years old ... Wants to remain competitive and consistent with a positive attitude during Arcadia's first time in Division I ... "Regardless of the situation, he keeps a positive attitude," coach Annie Boothe said.

High Achiever of the Week for March 31 - April 7

Bethany Loveall

School: Bagdad

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Softball

Has a 4.0 GPA ... Third baseman who leads the team with seven hits and eight RBIs ... Has a .778 batting average ... Vice president of FCCLA ... Student council treasurer ... Member of National Honor Society ... Part of the Evening Light Fellowship ... Said her favorite memory was hitting an in-the-park home run against Williams during a tournament ... Said her greatest strength is her collaboration with her teammates ... Played softball since she was 8 years old ... Loveall said she always loved softball, and her sister inspired her to play the game, as well ... Coach Sarah Morris said athletes from opposing teams may underestimate Loveall at first glance because she plays while wearing a skirt for her religion ... Mentioned how her will to improve inspires other members on the team ... Morris said Loveall is the No. 5 batter on the team ... "Bethany is a big part of the team," Morris said. "She's a leader on and outside of her softball team."

High Achiever of the Week for March 24-31

Libby Fleury

School: Phoenix Sunnyslope

Class: Senior

Sport: Tennis

Has a 4.0 GPA ... No. 2 doubles and No. 3 singles on varsity team ... Captain and outside hitter of the Sunnyslope varsity volleyball team ... Played four years of volleyball and won Sunnyslope's "Viking" award at the end of the season, helping the team achieve two state titles ... Won the deciding match last night in a tiebreaker against Millennium ... Member of National Honor Society ... Sunday school teacher ... Participates in summer outreach efforts with her church in at-risk communities, and this year, she's heading to Angol, Chile, to work on a high school building project for the Mapuche Indian community ... Plans on going to University of Arizona to study business after graduation ... "She has the best attitude," coach Kristi Moore said. "She takes things in moment to moment."

High Achiever of the Week for March 17-24

Alex Dickey

School: Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep

Class: Senior

Sport: Softball

Has a 3.9 GPA ... Pitcher and third base ... As induction head on the executive board, she led a committee that planned the National Honor Society induction ceremony ... Went 2 for 3 with a two-run double and pitched seven innings, giving up four hits and no earned runs while striking out six in a 3-2 win against Flagstaff ... Member of Hope Kids Committee and Kairos ... Volunteers with her church ... Girl Scouts Ambassador ... Started playing softball when she was 8 years old ... Wants to beat her 20 RBIs from last season ... Committed academically to Carroll College in Montana ... "Alex is one of the best players who leads by example," coach Caitlin Melnychenko said.

High Achiever of the Week for March 10-17

Thomas Duke

School: Chandler Hamilton

Class: Junior

Sport: Tennis

Has a 4.8 GPA ... No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles ... Played two years of varsity tennis ... Also competed in swim his freshman year ... Leader of Hamilton Model United Nations ... Received fourth place in All-State Jazz Auditions for piano ... AP scholar ... National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society member ... Likes tennis for the competition and its physical, emotional and mental challenges ... Wants to go to Arizona State University or University of Arizona for electrical engineering ... "He sees the importance of what it's like to help other people," coach Phil Gonzales said.

High Achiever of the Week for March 3-10

Becky Ducar

School: Phoenix Xavier Prep

Class: Senior

Sport: Softball

Has a 4.08 GPA ... Captain and shortstop who is batting third with a .471 average and leads team with 14 RBIs, four doubles, two triples and two home runs, as of Wednesday ... On March 9, Ducar hit a home run in a win against Glendale Mountain Ridge 5-0 ... Enrolled in AP and honors classes ... Member of National Honor Society, Unity and Diversity Club, Spanish Club and Gator Guides ... Volunteers for elderly ... Plays utility for AZ Storm Club ... Named MVP for Xavier's varsity softball team during her sophomore and junior years ... Played softball since she was 5 years old ... Loves softball for its teamwork ... Said a favorite memory involved her first walk-off home run during a game against Boulder Creek on March 3 ... Committed to play softball at Villanova in the fall ... "Her passion and love for the game shows in how she plays," coach Carrie Markham said.

High Achiever of the Week for Feb. 25 - March 3

Brendan Hicks

School: Phoenix Desert Vista

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Soccer

Has a 4.4 GPA ... Defensive player and center midfielder who scored five goals, earned four assists and played every minute of every game ... Captained the defense and team to the Division I boys soccer semifinals this season ... Voted Most Valuable Underclassman as a freshman and Most Valuable Player as a sophomore on the varsity team ... All-City athlete as a freshman and sophomore ... Member of SC Del Sol Club 2000 White team ... Plays in Far West Regionals and led team to National Premier League Nationals in Indiana ... Started playing soccer when he was 5 years old ... Represented Arizona in the Olympic Development Program in regional tournament in January ... Member of East Valley Boys Service Club ... Member of Key Club ... Wants to play Division I soccer in college ... "He grew up being heavily involved, so it's part of his life now," coach Mark Wilson said.

High Achiever of the Week for Feb. 18-25

Jacqueline Iafrate

School: Scottsdale Christian Academy

Class: Junior

Sport: Basketball

Has a 3.9 GPA ... Point guard who leads the team with 4.9 assists per game ... Also earned 11.5 points per game and 3.3. steals per game ... Plans on trying out for track and field in the 400 meters event ... Plays club basketball for AZ Rebels ... Started playing basketball when she was 8 years old ... Signed up to volunteer as a mentor to kids with Crohn's disease, which she was diagnosed with three years ago ... Member of National Honor Society ... Going to Guatemala with Students International on a school mission trip next week ... Member of National Honor Society ... "She's a true strategist when it comes to games," coach Travis Hearn said. "She gives highly intelligent answers on and off the court."

High Achiever of the Week for Feb. 11-18

Jessica Roskelley

School: Glendale Deer Valley

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Basketball

Has a 4.48 GPA ... During her first year at Deer Valley, she plays post and leads team with 3.3 offensive rebounds, 6.6 rebounds per game and 1.9 blocks per game ... Competes in cross country ... Runs the 800 meters and 4x800 relay, and she high jumps in track and field ... Tutors students in RTI Math ... Involved in the Outreach Service Club ... Actively involved in her church ... Will be inducted into the National Honor Society this spring ... Started playing basketball in eighth grade ... Said her overall calmness improved as well as her ability to keep the basketball in her possession ... Wants to keep improving and become more offensive-minded ... "Jessica is a great kid," coach Matt Dennis said. "She goes out of her way to help other athletes."

High Achiever of the Week for Feb. 4-11

Cody Shear

School: Sierra Vista Buena

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Has a 3.8 GPA ... Captain and point guard who leads the team with 4.6 assists per game and 1.7 steals per game ... Competed in swim freshman year and football in junior year ... Played in state tournaments his first three years in basketball ... Student body president with student council... Enrolled in honors and AP classes ... Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Honor Society ... Volunteers with basketball camps, Edward Jones Canned Food Drive and St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church ... Started playing basketball in sixth grade with the Desert Dunkers travel team before playing for his dad's club team, the Hotshots ... Wants to major in computer science in college after graduation ... "He's evolved into probably one of the best leaders we've ever had," coach Dave Glasgow said.

High Achiever of the Week for Jan. 28-Feb. 4

Jordan Gardner

School: Snowflake

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Has a 4.4 GPA ... Forward who leads varsity team with 13.4 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game and 2.4 steals per game ... Also leads in 5.5 defensive rebounds per game and 2.8 offensive rebounds per game ... Ran cross country in 2015 and competes in track and field for mainly the 800 meters ... Finishing his landscaping project for a local museum to become an Eagle Scout ... Tutors his peers in math ... Received an All-American award for cross country ... National Honor Society treasurer ... Said sports was always part of his life, especially since his first word was "ball" ... Will go on a religious mission for two years after graduation ... "He's what we call our Energizer Bunny," coach Andy Wood said. "He doesn't stop, and he's one of the best leaders we've had in the history of our program."

High Achiever of the Week for Jan. 21-28

Delaney Rohde

School: Scottsdale Desert Mountain

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Soccer

Has a 4.1 GPA ... Midfielder who is in her second year on the varsity team with nine goals, 19 points and one assist ... Volunteers with Paiute Center and Maggie's Place through the National Charity League ... Model for Agency of Arizona ... Started playing soccer when she was 4 years old ... Likes soccer for the competition, her teammates and the running ... Said her favorite memory from soccer was after she and her team won the quarterfinals last year ... "She's one of those players a coach would dream of coaching," coach Mark Eggleston said. "She's the one everyone on the team will talk to."

High Achiever of the Week for Jan. 14-21

Justin Nelson

School: Chandler Perry

Class: Senior

Sport: Wrestling

Has a 4.3 GPA ... Team captain who wrestles at 195 pounds and starter on the football team ... Enrolled in the Perry STEM program ... Won first place at the 14-team Verrado Varsity Wrestling Tournament on Jan. 15-16 ... Season record is 30-5 ... Said discipline is his greatest strength ... Volunteers in Perry's youth wrestling program ... Member of A Capella Club ... Wrestles for the competition and the need to push himself ... Plans on going to ASU with a Presidential Scholarship for electrical engineering ... "He hasn't disappointed," coach Darren Johnson said. "He's done everything we've asked him to and more."

High Achiever of the Week for Jan. 7-14

Garrett Murray

School: Scottsdale Chaparral

Class: Junior

Sport: Soccer

Has a 4.0 GPA ... Midfielder who helped Chaparral to an 11-2-1 record, including a win at the Bulldog Invitational ... Scored one goal and one assist in a 4-1 win against Red Mountain ... Member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society ... Treasurer in Hiking Club ... Plays point guard in basketball at YMCA and Boys and Girls Club leagues ... Has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club, a pet market selling shelter dogs in Mesa and libraries in Scottsdale ... "He's a very optimistic kid," coach Jason Speirs said. "He's a joker on the team, so he keeps things light."

High Achiever of the Week for Dec. 31-Jan. 7

Makayla Filiere

School: Chandler Hamilton

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Has a 4.7 GPA ... Plays shooting guard and small forward ... Leads Hamilton varsity team with an average of 2.3 steals per game ... Member of the National Honors Society ... AP Scholar with honors ... Historian for Hamilton's Best Buddies Husky Pack ... Basketball coach in the Hamilton Unified Program, where she helps organize events with Hamilton athletes and students who have physical or mental disabilities ... Raised more than $5,000 for Feed My Starving Children by selling baked items she made ... Has offers to play college basketball next season ... "There's not enough words to describe her," coach Erik Dalipe said. "Her overall outlook in life is to help those in need by using herself and her accomplishments as a vehicle to provide service."

High Achiever of the Week for Dec. 24-31

Allison Jorden

School: Scottsdale Chaparral

Class: Senior

Sport: Soccer

Has a 4.81 GPA ... Co-captain who plays center midfielder for the Chaparral team with four goals and two assists this season ... Competes in SC Del Sol travel club team ... Ran primarily the 400-meter and 4x400-meter relay for track and field freshman year ... Coaches Chaparral's Unified Track team that consists of students with special needs ... Founder of Chaparral's Unified Cheer her senior year ... Vice President of Student Government ... Vice President of Best Buddies ... Works with Celebrate Autism, an organization that helps people with disabilities learn entrepreneurial skills ... National Merit Semifinalist ... Verbally committed to play Division I soccer at Indiana University ... "She's very positive," coach Robyn Carlson said. "Girls around her play better because she lifts them."

High Achiever of the Week for Dec. 17-24

Kelsey Siemons

School: Tucson Catalina Foothills

Class: Junior

Sport: Basketball

Has a 4.1 GPA ... Team captain who plays center in basketball ... Middle blocker in volleyball ... Competes with the Tucson Rattlers and played with Club Copper Volleyball in the past ... Honors student ... Involved in Link Crew and volunteers with her church ... After playing five games so far this season, Siemons is the leading scorer on the team, averaging about 11 points per game, and leading rebounder with 11 rebounds per game ... Said her personal goal this season is to stay positive while playing on the court ... To Siemons, basketball is a sport that's always challenging and teaching her ... Wants to be a marine biologist ... "Her greatest asset is being a very physical player but a very smart player, as well," coach Michelle Gallagher said.

High Achiever of the Week for Dec. 10-17

Mark Lugo

School: Tucson St. Augustine

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Has a 3.6 GPA ... Team captain who plays point guard in basketball ... Lugo played nine games this season with about seven points per game, five rebounds per game and three assists per game ... Visits the Phoenix VA to write letters and show appreciation to those who served the country ... His dad was deployed in the Army, so he and his family considers thanking veterans an important act ... When his mom accidentally signed him up for basketball instead of baseball in third grade, Lugo liked the sport and continued to compete ... Involved in Club Basketball ... Former student council member ... Looking into scholarships for attending Pima Community College before attending a bigger university for nutrition or journalism ... "He's probably the heart and soul on the team," dad and coach Mark Lugo-Gomez said.

High Achiever of the Week for Dec. 3-10

Sean Even

School: Phoenix Brophy Prep

Class: Junior

Sport: Basketball

Has a 4.42 GPA ... Forward and center for Brophy's basketball team ... Also plays middle in volleyball, his main sport ... Involved in Key Club in the past ... Former Eagle Scout ... Spent June on a Brophy immersion trip in Peru that included service work and exploration of Peruvian culture ... Even's project proposal for next year's trip won, so the group that goes next year will work on his project idea to add trash cans in Tacna, Peru ... Earned straight As through his first two years at Brophy, which included three AP courses and seven honors courses ... Currently enrolled in five additional AP courses ... Wants to study pre-med or engineering after he graduates ... "He's like a sponge," coach Matt Hooten said. "He wants to learn, wants to improve and he wants to get better."

High Achiever of the Week for Nov. 26-Dec. 3

Zoe Agundo

School: Chandler Arizona College Prep

Class: Senior

Sport: Soccer

Has a 4.2 GPA ... Co-captain of the soccer team ... Her goal save percentage for the season was 79.6 percent ... Starter with full-time minutes ... First goalie on the team since the school opened ... Was an All-Arizona honorable mention this season ... Started playing soccer in about sixth grade ... President of Cinematography Club and member of National Honor Society ... Participated in Ambassador Club, Key Club, Newspaper Club, Student Council and Mentor Club ... Volunteers at the Phoenix Art Museum and previously volunteered at the Chandler Public Library ... Plans on majoring in industrial or project design, so she's looking into Pratt Institute, Parson School of Design and Rhode Island School of Design and mentioned Lego or Apple as an example of companies that involve design and innovation in their work ... "She knows how to prioritize," coach Heather Osborn said. "She learned a whole lot of skills from everything she's involved in."

High Achiever of the Week for Nov. 19-26

Nekiyah Draper

School: Kayenta Monument Valley

Class: Senior

Sport: Volleyball

Has a 4.63 GPA ... Setter for volleyball ... Member of student council, National Honor Society, American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) ... Historian of her senior class ... President of prom committee her junior year ... Volunteers at soup kitchens and helped build a women's shelter ... Fell in love with the sport when she started playing volleyball in third grade ... Started playing varsity her sophomore year ... She said she's become a better leader by finding ways to motivate her teammates and herself ... She's currently working on her college applications, but Stanford is her dream school, and she wants to study bioengineering ... "She has evolved since her freshman year," coach Rennell Gilmore said. "She's everything you can ask for from an athlete and a student."

High Achiever of the Week for Nov. 12-19

Tavion Allen

School: Laveen Cesar Chavez

Class: Junior

Sport: Football

Has a 2.7 GPA ... Plays safety for Cesar Chavez's football team ... Had three interceptions in the first-round playoff game against Tucson Sabino, and he returned two of them for touchdowns, making the first playoff victory in the school's history ... Had two more interceptions in the quarterfinal playoff game against Goodyear Desert Edge gave him a school record of 10 interceptions for the year ... Second-leading tackler who averages 20 yards in punt returns ... Competes in the 100-meter, 200-meter and sometimes 4x400 relay, triple jump and long jump in track and field ... Community volunteer who helps coach young athletes on AZ Saints, a youth alliance football team ... Played football since he was 7 years old ... First-team all-region player as a junior ... "Every play is an opportunity for him," coach Jim Rattay said. "He goes full speed, and he gets double-figure tackles."

High Achiever of the Week for Nov. 5-12

Kelsey Decker

School: Gilbert Campo Verde

Class: Junior

Sport: Badminton

Has a 4.0 GPA ... No. 1 varsity player on the team for two years ... Used to compete in long-distance events in track and field, but currently pole vaults ... President of STEM for women club ... Member of League of Literacy ... Member of symphony orchestra and leads her section in Strolling Strings orchestra ... Former member of FFA ... Volunteers with Link Crew and Adopt-A-Family ... Said her favorite memory of badminton was playing in the 2014 state championship as a sophomore with her doubles partner ... Plays badminton with her family, specifically her twin brother ... Next season, she hopes to compete in badminton state championships again ... Wants to get a scholarship to Northern Arizona University or Arizona State University and study in veterinary school and minor in music ... "When you represent a school, you represent it at its full capacity," coach Rochelle Burson said. "And she embraces all of it."

High Achiever of the Week for Oct. 29-Nov. 5

Patrick Tansill

School: Gilbert

Class: Senior

Sport: Cross Country

Has a 4.65 GPA ... First in his class ... Competes in the 1,600-meter run and 4x800-meter relay in track and field ... Wants to try out for soccer ... Member of National Honor Society, Tiger Crew and the Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee (MYAC) ... Co-founded the ping pong club ... Plans to start an ultimate frisbee club ... Was part of Mu Alpha Theta club in his junior year ... Volunteered over the summer by shadowing a sports specialist, Dr. Charles Peterson, at the Arizona Sports Medical Center ... Wants to study pre-med ... Applied to Arizona State University and Northern Arizona State University, but he is also looking into University of Denver, Regis University, Benedictine University and Franciscan University ... "Even back then (four years ago), he was first to practice and the last one to leave," coach Jillian Stadt said.

High Achiever of the Week for Oct. 22-29

Allison Ruka

School: Peoria Sunrise Mountain

Class: Senior

Sport: Swim

Has a 3.96 GPA ... Achieved provisional state times in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke ... Takes AP and Honors classes ... Ranked third in her senior class ... Secretary for the National Honor Society ... Clarinet section leader for Sunrise Mountain's marching band ... Swim team captain who coordinates athletes for special practice and meeting times ... Volunteered with Sunrise Mountain Branch library over the summer ... Began swimming when she was 6 years old in club swim ... Wants to attend John Hopkins or Washington for math and music ... Coach Cris Dilworth said Ruka doesn't identify herself with her scores and times, making Ruka a humble student-athlete ... "She knows what it takes to do well individually," Dilworth said. "But she cares how the rest of the team does, as well."

High Achiever of the Week for Oct. 15-22

Drew Ketterman

School: Tempe Corona del Sol

Class: Senior

Sport: Swim

Has a 4.8 GPA ... Team captain who swims the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle relay ... Member of Site Council and Red Kettle Club ... Student body treasurer in student council and treasurer in National Honors Society ... President and founder of Corona del Sol's Mu Alpha Theta math club ... National Merit Commended Scholar and AP Scholar ... Part of the 200 Freestyle relay team, who finished in 17th place at the State Swim meet last season ... Volunteered in Belize for three weeks working in a hospital and building houses ... Wants to attend the University of Arizona for a Public Health degree ... "Every positive attitude you'd associate with him," coach Ron Musgrave said.

High Achiever of the Week for Oct. 8-15

Jeffery Goebel

School: Phoenix Sunnyslope

Class: Senior

Sport: Football

Has a 3.7 GPA ... Plays running back in football ... Runs 100-meter, 200-meter and 4x100 relays in track ... Rushed for 142 yards and scored three touchdowns, an extra point and a field goal in a 34-7 win over Notre Dame Prep on Sept. 25 ... During a game against Phoenix Greenway, he rushed for about 200 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns ... He is No. 2 in all-purpose yards in Division III, and in the state he ranks at No. 7 ... Enrolled in AP Physics ... Volunteered by cleaning up North Central Boulevard through adopting a street with his teammates ... Played football since he was in second grade ... Would like to go to Northern Arizona University ... Goebel said he's part of an awesome team because they have good camaraderie ... "He's an explosive kid who plays really big," coach Damon Pieri said. "He's never missed a practice. He's not a real talkative person, but everyone follows his lead."

High Achiever of the Week for Oct. 1-8

Samantha Berg

School: Mesa Red Mountain

Class: Senior

Sport: Badminton

Has a 4.7 GPA ... Enrolled in honors classes ... Plays varsity-level on the badminton ... Also No. 2 on the tennis team last season ... A National Merit Commended Scholar ... She looks forward to competing in the city and state tournaments ... Coach Maggie Borze said Berg is a natural leader, and younger teammates look to her for guidance ... Wants to apply early for liberal arts at Haverford College ... Berg said badminton helped her build confidence because she used to be shy ... Also mentioned that her favorite memory was from last season with her doubles partner during a state match, playing Desert Vista ... "Sam is my go-to girl when I need help," coach Maggie Borze said. "I am new to the sport, so when there are certain techniques that I am uncertain of, I can go to Sam and she can then inform me on how to present the strategy."

High Achiever of the Week for Sept. 24- Oct. 1

Javon Freeman

School: Peoria

Class: Senior

Sport: Football

Has a 3.8 GPA ... Lead tackler and defensive back in football ... Tied for interception lead ... Played football since he was 7 years old ... Runs 100/110-meter and 400-meter hurdles and 4x400-meter relay track events ... Enrolled in AP and Honors classes ... Student council member for all four years and student body president his senior year ... Member of National Honor Society, DECA, MESA (Math and Engineering), Club Links (peer mentoring for freshmen) and HOSA ... Over 200 hours of volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, Fountain of Life Church, Zoo Walk and Fun Runs ... Said he likes being part of a family on the football team ... Received two Division II offers, one from South Dakota School of Mines and Colorado School of Mines ... "He's unselfish and successful in football and track," coach Will Babb said. "If things aren't given to us, we don't like working for them. But he pushed himself."

High Achiever of the Week for Sept. 17-24

Drew Inness

School: Phoenix Northwest Christian

Class: Senior

Sport: Football

Has a 4.2 GPA ... Varsity football's quarterback ... Plays point guard in basketball and center field in baseball ... Was the starting center fielder on last year's Division III state championship baseball team ... Member of National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Society of High School Scholars, the student council and the school's advanced choir ... Student Ambassador ... Volunteers regularly at Feed My Starving Children and Young Life by being a Wyldlife leader ... Said he is happy when others are happy, which is why he dedicates time to volunteer ... Mentioned winning football state championships freshman year as the highlight of his football career ... Looking into Western New Mexico University, Arizona community colleges, California Lutheran University, Whittier College and University of Redlands ... His coach and dad, Dave Inness, said watching his son play is rewarding as both a parent and a coach ... "I have known Drew since he has been in elementary school," Jim James, dean of students at Northwest Christian, said. "The best part of this is watching him grow into the great man he is."

High Achiever of the Week for Sept. 10-17

Carly Baniszewski

School: Phoenix Arcadia

Class: Senior

Sport: Volleyball

Has a 4.81 GPA ... Four-year member of the volleyball program ... Member of National Honor Society and Travel Club and co-president of Raising Awareness Club ... Played soccer (MF) in the past and hopes to continue playing tennis this year ... Represented Arcadia as a Unitown delegate and at the National Student Leadership Conference ... Mentors younger players in volleyball ... Tutors students ... Member of the Phoenix Children's Hospital Teen Board, the Scottsdale Honors Cotillion and the National Charity League ... Said getting to know people is her favorite part about being in sports and extracurriculars ... Coach Joshua Olshan said Baniszewski is "everything you would want in a student athlete." ... "If there's something good happening on the Arcadia campus, Carly is usually nearby," Arcadia High School's Athletic Director Kevin Mooney said.

High Achiever of the Week from Sept 3.-10

Sarah Carter

School: Phoenix Xavier Prep

Class: Junior

Sport: Cross Country

Has a 4.4 GPA … Competed in the Peak’s Invitational Cross Country Meet with her teammates … Took first place in the 5K Summit Varsity Race and beat the Rolonda Jumbo’s course record in 2011 by nine seconds at 19:20 … Earned National Elite Silver Standard Status … Led Xavier to the Varsity Team first place podium … Was an AIA Student-Athlete Scholar for all seasons in freshman and sophomore years … Runs varsity cross country in top seven and track in the 800 meters, 1,600, 3,200 and 4x800 relay … Part of NHS, French club and Logos Film Club … Volunteered at the Arizona Science Center as a summer camp counselor … “All the girls want to be good, some want to be great, but I think Sarah takes it a step further,” coach Dave VanSickle said.

High Achiever of the Week for Aug. 27- Sept. 3

Cole Achtzehn

School: Scottsdale Desert Mountain

Class: Junior

Sport: Football

Has a 3.8 GPA … Was a Scholar Athlete for the 2014 season … Volunteers with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and Arizona Basketball Club by teaching and coaching basketball to members … Plays OL in football and played on varsity as a sophomore … Played basketball for two years … "He's a very intelligent, hard-working, diligent athlete," founder and president of Arizona Basketball Club Pat Murray said. "He's the definition of a student athlete." ... "He shows up everyday, ready to be a great player and teammate," coach Mike Morrissey said.

These are the most exciting Indianapolis restaurants opening in 2020

As 2019 winds down, we barely have time to reflect on so many new Indianapolis restaurants before it's time to start filling our bucket lists with eating places coming in 2020.

My roundup of the 30 best restaurants opening in 2019 signaled a year of ingenuity. Top-tier Indianapolis chef Greg Hardesty decided to cook what and when he wanted at his culinary arts Studio C. Prolific Cunningham Restaurant Group, better known for multi-location Bru Buger Bar, opened its own culinary studio, downtown Indy's CRG Test Kitchen, complete with two chefs' tables.

West-side Pakistani spot Chapti fashioned a secret door leading to the hidden spicy fried chicken gem Shani's. A tenacious pitmaster shipped post oak from the Lone Star State to fire true Texas-style barbecue at tiny Old Gold food truck behind Metazoa Brewing.

The 2020 list of newbies seems shorter but only because 13 of 2020's newcomers are inside two food halls. All together, they'll add 29 eating places as restaurateurs across the country turn to quick-service formats to cope with labor shortages.

We'll also see three major Indianapolis chefs — Carlos Salazar of Rook, pastry master Pete Schmutte, formerly of Cerulean and Beholder, and Abbi Merriss of Bluebeard — take on fresh concepts.

Restaurants will continue to populate Carmel and Fishers, where chain-weary crowds demonstrate an ever-growing appetite for better places to eat. The two suburbs have become the area's hot spots for restaurant growth, even attracting a new offering from the owners of St. Elmo Steakhouse.

That's not to say chains are dead, but in 2020, we'll see an international spin on fast food.

Read on for most anticipated restaurant openings.

Root & Bone

704 E. 46th St., rootnbone.com

Past "Top Chef" competitors and well-known Miami chefs Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth had planned their steak and seafood concept Stiltsville Restaurant and Bar at this landmark Meridian-Kessler location that once hosted Kroger Grocery and Bakery Co. and most recently Big Al's used furniture store. They decided this American restaurant with Southern flair was a better fit for an Indy market in love with comfort food.

When the 170-seat restaurant opens, probably in 2020’s first quarter, McInnis said, expect dishes like fried chicken biscuit sandwiches with pepper jelly, mac and cheese under herbed biscuit crumble and grilled pumpkin with ginger barbecue sauce and pink peppercorn marshmallow fluff. The 24-seat full bar will serve signature cocktails including Old School Medicine’s blend of turmeric, ginger, elderflower and sage-infused gin.

Root & Bone locations in Miami and New York City feature rustic wood and brick surfaces, neutral tones and charming housewares scattered about.

Leviathan Bake House

1101 N. College Ave.

Around Indianapolis-area professional food circles, pastry chef Pete Schmutte is often called “the best chef in the city” thanks in a large part to intricate desserts he showcased at the late contemporary restaurant Cerulean and more recently at Beholder. Schmutte has been known to put caviar on a white chocolate tart, and he once prepared a jarred dessert that looked like a mini terrarium wonderland.

Schmutte has been talking about opening his own place for a few years. At this 40-seat bakery/café at the former R2GO specialty food market near Mass Ave., Schmutte teamed up with Gallery Pastry Shop alum and Ivy Tech culinary arts instructor Matt Steinbronn and others yet to be named to create a place proffering naturally leavened breads incorporating freshly milled grains.

Expect fancy pastries, too, like the beloved chocolate mousse and espresso bombe Schmutte served at Cerulean, alongside simple cookies, albeit with a twist like, maybe, ginger chocolate chip. Pop in mornings and afternoons for croissants, breakfast sandwiches, coffee and light soup-and-sandwich lunches. At night, consider Leviathan a dessert bar.

Curry Up Now

curryupnow.com

Fast food has come a long way since White Castle slung its first burgers in the 1920s. This Indian fusion chain scouting for a downtown Indianapolis location to open in the fall serves tikka masala, saag paneer and cilantro chutney, but you can get them stuffed in burritos and tacos or as a poutine.

Go semi-traditional with the meat sweats thali platter of Kashmiri lamb, butter chicken and kadai chicken on cauliflower rice. Indian street foods include traditional samosas but also a deconstructed version that’s a sort-of a spicy garbanzo bean stew.

Indian fast food:It's a thing in Indianapolis

Curry Up Now began as a San Francisco food truck, founded in 2009 by husband and wife duo, Akash and Rana Kapoor. Locations are in California and Georgia, but more than 40 others are under development across the country, the company reported.

Gold Leaf

1901 E. 46th St., goldleafindy.com

Hang out with friends, share small plates, have a few beers or a glass of wine, don’t spend a lot of money. That’s the idea behind this 60-seat eatery budding just east of Arsenal Park.

Nothing on the food menu will cost more than $10, and beer and wine by the glass is priced at $5 to $8.

On Instagram:Follow Liz Biro's culinary adventures in Indy

Chef Kristine Bockman is a trained butcher who spent much of her cooking career at Italian restaurants in New York City and catering in Seattle. She’s also been a Smoking Goose sausage maker.

Nibbles in the loungy café she has in mind include lemon-glazed pecans, provolone-stuffed meatballs in tomato sauce and grilled pork loin kababs on a bed of tabbouleh. Spoonfuls of crème brulee, mini cream puffs and salted carmel pot de crème are on the sweets menu. By day, Gold Leaf will offer full coffee service, quick breads, breakfast sandwiches and lunch boxes featuring sandwiches and salads.

Lil’ Dumplings

9713 District North Drive, Suite 1210, Fishers, fisherstestkitchen.com/the-food/lil-dumplings

Chef Carlos Salazar’s Asian-fusion food at Rook is a big reason why the Holy Rosary/Fletcher Place area is foodie destination. He starts testing his dream restaurant for the north side at this stand opening in early 2020 at Fishers Tests Kitchen at The Yard at Fishers District.

Despite the name, the stand won't be a dumpling-centric project. Lil’ Dumplings is Salazar’s nickname for his kids. His plan is global street food like Szechuan hot chicken steam buns and lobster corn dog fritters drizzled with bacon fat honey.

The half-pound smashed burger, a blend of beef chuck, brisket and heart, plus pork fat, will land on the Japanese pancake called “okonomiyaki” instead of a bun. Dressed with yuzu kosho mayonnaise, local Tulip Tree trillium cheese, Smoking Goose bacon bits, cucumber pickles and traditional okonomiyaki sauce containing ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, the stack is a total “knife and fork burger,” Salazar said.

One dumpling special will always be on the menu, maybe more, depending on customer demand. Salazar whas been testing a bready oyaki-style dumpling fat with rib-eye and carmelized onions. “It’s a take on my favorite sandwich, the Philly cheesesteak," Salazar said. "I love Cheese Whiz.”

If all goes well at Fishers Test Kitchen over the next two years, Salazar plans a full-service restaurant where nibbles may be delivered to tables via dim-sum-style carts.

Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie

1258 Windsor St., kankanindy.com

The team that brought Indianapolis top restaurant Bluebeard and Amelia’s Bakery, and helped develop famous Milktooth, is working on this family-friendly theater/restaurant/bakery combo set to open in February in Windsor Park.

Bluebeard chef and James Beard Awards semifinalist Abbi Merriss will helm the brasserie where locally sourced ingredients will end up in brasserie-style dishes like steak frites and tartines. An Amelia's Bakery cafe is under construction next door.

Order food and bring it into one of three theaters on site, seating a total of 240 people. The nonprofit Indianapolis Film Project Inc. will run the theaters spotlighting indie, local and foreign films along with some more mainstream titles.

Hinata

130 E. Washington St.

This Japanese kaiseki experience was originally scheduled to open in November 2019. The date has been moved to spring 2020 as chef Akinori Tanigawa relocates from Japan to introduce Indianapolis to the Japanese multi-course feast of small plates eaten over a couple of hours.

Steak might be roasted in a salt crust. Little sandwich-like nibbles called “monaka,” are usually sweet in Japan. Hinata’s may be savory with avocado and caviar between crisp mochi shells.

Owner Nobuharu “Nobu” Nakajima is in the manufacturing business, but he missed the food in his native Japan so much he decided to develop Hinata just east of Mile Square’s Fogo de Chao.

Blu Point Oyster House & Bar

5858 N. College Ave.

Construction delays pushed the opening date of this seafood restaurant from spring to fall 2019. Now, owner Gino Pizzi, the man behind Indy’s popular Italian restaurant Ambrosia, is banking on early 2020, maybe as soon as January.

Pizzi ran an oyster bar by the same name years ago in Broad Ripple. Expect raw East Coast oysters, clam bakes, lobster rolls, chowders, clams casino, oysters Rockefeller, mussels steamed in red chili broth and from-scratch linguini with fresh clams.

Another Blu Point location also opens in 2020 at The Garage food hall, part of the Bottleworks District project on Mass Ave. Also, keep your eyes open for a new Fountain Square speakeasy named Bar Fontana from the Pizzi family in early 2020.

Gallery Pastry Shop No. 2

130 S. Pennsylvania St., gallerypastryshop.com

Owners Allison Keefer and pastry chef Ben Hardy said they had hoped do bring their perfect macarons and Insta-worthy European pastries to Mile Square by the end of 2019. The new schedule has the dessert bar opening in spring on the bottom floor of Hyatt Place/Hyatt House hotel, across from Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Big picture windows will light every delicious bite at the 70-seat shop. Sip dessert-inspired cocktails at the full bar. A bruleed pina colada topped with a crackly sugar shell, perhaps? Or a boozy milkshake whizzed with housemade champagne gelato?

Better downtown Indy restaurants:And they're not steakhouses and chains

Hit counter seating around an open kitchen twice as big as the one at the original Gallery near Broad Ripple. Watch pastry chefs craft eye-popping sweets or join them for a cooking class. Dessert tastings in the works pair a different cocktail with each of several sweet courses.

The HC Tavern & Kitchen

9709 E. 116th St., Fishers, atthehc.com

The owner of Indy's famous St. Elmo Steak House originally thought he'd put an off-shoot of his Downtown restaurant Burger Study at The Yard, but he decided to install this completely new restaurant concept instead.

A "purposeful selection of American classics," will populate the menu, Huse Culinary Group CEO Craig Huse said. Menu testing of late has focused on king crab salad, escargot and cheesy lobstercargot, classic smashed burgers, rib-eyes alongside blue-cheese-crusted roasted tomatoes and s'mores mousse pie.

The final mix of steaks, seafood, salads and sandwiches will be served in an upscale setting featuring a 30-foot-wide, 9-foot-tall mosaic depiction of the north side's roundabouts. It's composed of nearly 72,000 tiny tiles. Opening day is scheduled for February.

Fishers Test Kitchen food hall

9713 District North Drive, Suite 1210, Fishers, fisherstestkitchen.com/the-food

The culinary incubator at The Yard at Fishers District nurtures three restaurant concepts when it opens in early 2020, maybe as soon as February. Besides Lil' Dumplings, mentioned above, look for Korean barbecue fusion at Korave, where chefs plan bulgogi poutine and fried chicken dumplings.

California cooking inspired comfort food planned at West Coast Nook. Vegan chili with panko-crusted carrot fries and roasted chicken ciabatta sliders with red pepper goat cheese and onion jam are some of what's on the menu.

The test kitchen also hosts The Signature Table, a culinary performance space where up to 15 guests can watch cooks in action at special events like tastings and cooking classes.

Pier 48 Fish House & Oyster Bar

11549 Yard St., Fishers, eatpier48.com

Seafood delivered within 24 hours of being harvested, New England family recipes and regard for protecting the environment are the cornerstones of this Carmel-based FK Restaurant Group concept. Two locations opened in 2019, in Broad Ripple and downtown Indianapolis.

At The Yard at Fishers District, seafood, steaks, pasta, salads and sandwiches on the list include fried fish, lobster rolls and a couple Italian family recipes like pork and Black Angus meatballs on pasta. Squid stuffed full of bread crumbs, parsley, garlic, olive oil and parmesan cheese is simmered in marinara sauce.

The Garage food hall

850 Massachusetts Ave., bottleworksdistrict.com/garage

The rambling, 500-seat food hall, akin to Cleveland’s West Side Market or L.A.’s Grand Central Market, is scheduled to open in spring 2020 inside two old garages at Mass Ave.’s former Coca-Cola bottling plant. Twenty-six vendors will serve a wide range including lobster rolls, tacos and poké bowls.

The Tartine Station owners plan a mash-up of Palestinian and Filipino influences in open-face sandwiches. Gaucho’s Fire owners plan Brazilian street food like steak and provolone smothered fries with chimichurri. Azucar Morena will do arepas, and Furious Spoon will bring off-beat ramens like Duck Duck Noods with duck confit in duck fat broth.

Livery

13901 Town Center Blvd., Noblesville, livery-restaurant.com

Mention the name of this restaurant and someone is bound to say, "I love the empanadas there." Latin-themed Livery was a new concept for Cunningham Restaurant Group when the eatery first opened in 2016 on Mass Ave. It quickly gained a following thanks to sharable plates of those empanadas, lamb tamales and carnitas taquitos; colorful cocktails; and five distinctive dining spaces including a roof-top patio, all inside a renovated 1800s-era stable.

Livery's next stop is Hamilton Town Center in Noblesville. The opening is scheduled for summer.

Rize

12955 Old Meridian St., rize-restaurant.com

One of Indianapolis' best brunch restaurants arrives at Carmel's Gateway Plaza by summer. Cunningham Restaurant Group opened the first Rize in 2017 at Ironworks hotel on the north side. A Fishers location debuted in November 2019.

From-scratch dishes incorporate local ingredients. Pickled red onions and basil pesto go on sunny eggs draped over chicken and potato hash in tomato fennel gravy. Fig mustard lands on Canadian bacon, slightly funky triple-cream cheese slices and an orange and pine nut persillade. Orange glaze coats hefty cinnamon rolls.

Follow IndyStar food writer Liz Biro on Twitter: @lizbiro, Instagram: @lizbiro, and on Facebook. Call her at 317-444-6264.