Portrait of a Graduate

Evelin A.C. - Nominated by Julie Nelson

Evelin is an excellent example of what it means to be a strong communicator. As a dedicated MEChA member, she actively contributes in meetings by sharing her ideas and helping turn them into action. She played a key role during Future Freshman Night, effectively communicating in both Spanish and English to help grow membership. At a recent MEChA event, Evelin once again stood out, confidently engaging with others and bridging communication across languages. In the classroom, she continues to demonstrate her strengths by actively participating and contributing thoughtfully to discussions. Evelin’s ability to connect with others makes her truly deserving of recognition for communication.

Manuel H.O. - Nominated by Leilah Fletcher

Manuel proactively prepared for his absence by notifying his teachers weeks in advance and maintaining consistent communication afterward to stay on track with his work. This not only demonstrated his dedication to his academics but also showed his commitment to keeping his teachers informed and involved. He displayed effective use of communication!

Audriana S. - Nominated by Alicia Bedolla

Audriana is a strong collaborator! She works effectively with any group or partner she is assigned, ensuring that everyone is engaged and stays on task. She is dependable and often steps in to support her peers, especially when individual assistance isn’t immediately available. Audriana consistently contributes to a positive and productive learning environment!

Zuri N. - Nominated by Alicia Bedolla

Zuri demonstrates strong critical thinking skills and consistently puts forth her best effort, even when she is frustrated. She remains persistent when material is difficult, working diligently to build her understanding. She thoughtfully analyzes information, breaking down complex ideas and making meaningful connections to deepen her understanding. It's a joy to have her in class!

Dylan V.G. - Nominated by Leilah Fletcher

Dylan has been a great classmate. During partner work, he consistently takes the time and puts in the effort to support his peers. While it can be easy for students to simply share answers, Dylan approaches these moments with care, making sure his classmates truly understand the material. I have witnessed many instances where he goes above and beyond to help others succeed.

Jari H. - Nominated by Trevor Chaco

Jari is always friendly and professional with her communication in class with myself and her peers. She shares her opinions when given the opportunity and listens respectfully to others and their ideas. Her responses both verbally and through technology are both clear and effective. Jari is a pleasure to have in class.

Rudy R. - Nominated by Monica Ballaro AND Alicia Bedolla

Rudy works great in groups and is a team player! In their conflict resolution project, he collaborated with his group by filming and editing their video, and it turned out great! Rudy always has a positive attitude and works hard towards anything he sets his mind to.

Rudy is a strong collaborator! It does not matter what group or team that he is in, he works well with his peers and helps to guide them through the activity through humility and an open mind.

Alexandria E. - Nominated by Kathy Casamalhuapa

Alexandria is a great example of showing critical thinking in the classroom. She utilizes the resources at her disposal and tackles challenging problems with confidence. Her approach to each task is marked by curiosity and determination, frequently exceeding the basic requirements to help deepen her comprehension. Keep up the fantastic work!

Michael F. - Nominated by Alex Cucciarre

Michael has found a great deal of success in his percussion education. He works hard every day and has the best attitude toward his education. He truly embodies Integrity when he works so hard to find his success. I am super proud of his growth, and he should be proud of himself! Michael deserves recognition for the hard work he puts in every day.

Luis U. - Nominated by Amanda Munoz

Luis comes to class prepared and ready to participate every day. He learns from mistakes and actively works to improve. Luis models responsible behavior for his peers. He frequently respects rules, routines, and expectations consistently. He demonstrates responsibility beyond the classroom.

Emily A. - Nominated by Amanda Miller

Emily consistently demonstrates exceptional communication skills within her freshman class. She regularly asks in-depth, thoughtful, and pointed questions that show strong engagement with the content and a genuine desire to deepen her understanding of what we are learning. Beyond her own learning, Emily is highly collaborative and supportive of her peers, frequently sharing helpful resources through Google Classroom to clarify concepts and strengthen classmates’ understanding. She communicates her ideas clearly and concisely, whether speaking in class or contributing online, and her input is always purposeful, respectful, and easy to follow. Her willingness to engage, support others, and communicate effectively makes her a positive leader and an invaluable contributor to the classroom learning environment. She is just a great student!

Ronin H. - Nominated by Gerald Brown

Ronin has been great since the first day of school collaborating with his classmates and myself. He is constantly taking advantage of opportunities to assist others. He is a pleasant and selfless person. He is a joy to have in class!

Ebony L. - Nominated by Angela Tauer

Ebony consistently demonstrates exceptional critical thinking skills in Algebra 1. She works diligently to truly understand the material, taking pride in ensuring her answers are accurate and that she fully grasps each concept. Beyond mastering current lessons, Ebony shows remarkable initiative by exploring future topics and working ahead, reflecting both intellectual curiosity and strong personal responsibility. Her motivation, attention to detail, and commitment to deep understanding make her highly deserving of recognition as Critical Thinking Student of the Month.

Ilee L. - Nominated by Amanda Munoz

During lunch, Ilee picked up multiple pieces of trash around campus without being told. She went out of her way to make sure our campus is clean. Great job Ilee!

Katelynn R. - Nominated by Alicia Bedolla

Katelynn is a leader in responsibility. She consistently completes her independent practice work efficiently and on time, which positively carries over to her assessments and overall learning. Although she is quiet, she demonstrates careful attention to detail and clearly values her work. I am very proud of her growth.

Christina C. - Nominated by Julie Nelson

At our recent Future Freshman Night at Goodyear High School, Christina did an outstanding job representing and leading our MEChA organization by confidently communicating with parents and future members. I was truly impressed by how she stepped up without hesitation and how comfortable and clear she was in sharing her ideas with others. Through her strong communication skills, friendliness, and professionalism, I have no doubt that our club will grow by leaps and bounds next school year. Great job, Christina!

Morgan J. - Nominated by Micaella Butterfield

Morgan frequently volunteers to assist our athletic trainer at after school events. We’re proud to recognize her for exemplifying true collaboration through their volunteer work with our athletic trainer. By stepping in, offering support, and working as part of a team behind the scenes, she helps to ensure our student-athletes are cared for and ready to compete. Morgan's willingness to learn, communicate, and contribute shows that success in athletics—and in life—happens when we work together. Way to model what it means to be a Maverick! 

Jasmine M. - Nominated by Alicia Bedolla

Jasmine is extraordinarily strong in critical thinking. She consistently grasps high-level concepts and approaches texts with thoughtfulness and curiosity. Jasmine offers insightful ideas, supports her thinking with evidence, and often adds depth to our class discussions. Her genuine engagement and strong critical thinking skills make her a joy to have in class!

Aiden B. - Nominated by Frances Siler

Aiden consistently demonstrates integrity in his everyday actions and interactions. He always does the right thing, even when it goes unnoticed, and regularly goes above and beyond to support those around him. Aiden helps keep other students focused, willingly assists classmates who are struggling by carrying items or offering support, and approaches his work with a positive, respectful attitude. His reliability, kindness, and strong moral character make him an excellent role model and a truly deserving recipient of this award.

Leonardo S. - Nominated by Amanda Miller

Leo demonstrates an outstanding sense of responsibility in math class through his consistent preparation, strong work ethic, and willingness to advocate for himself when he needs support. He comes to class ready to work hard every day, stays focused on improving his understanding, and does not give up when concepts are challenging. Even though math may not be his favorite subject, Leo shows maturity and accountability by putting in the effort necessary to succeed. His determination and responsible approach to learning prove that he is capable of meeting high expectations and continuing to grow as a student. He is just an outstanding student and a joy to teach.

Thomas P. - Nominated by Alicia Bedolla

Thomas is astoundingly communicative about his learning. He checks in whenever he is absent to see what he missed and he ensures to schedule my class for RTI to make up missing work. He is also a leader in communication during class discussions and sharing his ideas with his peers.

Gemma I. - Nominated by Amanda Munoz

Gemma is a model student in Publications class. She is a leader within her group and strives for excellence on her spreads. She is responsible and collaborates with both peers and her Publications teacher. Gemma is also involved in sports and collaborates well with her teammates. She is respectful, kind, and helpful both inside and outside the classroom.

Izaiah-Jay T. - Nominated by Leilah Fletcher

Jay elevates our classroom discussions by making thoughtful connections between new content and what he has previously learned. He naturally sees both the big picture and the small details, allowing him to transfer knowledge across topics and apply it to new situations. He approaches learning with a genuinely curious and open mind. The thoughtful choices he makes to guide how others understand or respond truly highlight his level of critical thinking.

Katelyn H. - Nominated by Julie Nelson

I would like to nominate Katelyn Hiller for POG Student of the Month for exemplifying the character trait of integrity. Integrity means doing what is right, even when no one is watching, and Katelyn truly personifies this word. She consistently demonstrates a strong moral compass and makes thoughtful choices that reflect honesty, fairness, and kindness.

Katelyn treats everyone around her with respect and compassion. Her actions—both seen and unseen—show her commitment not only to her own success but to the well-being of others. She is a wonderful reflection of what Goodyear High School strives for: being inspired, staying focused, and leading with character.

Integrity cannot be imitated; it must come from within. I see that genuine integrity in Katelyn every day. I am confident she will continue to achieve great things in her future.

Elijah T. - Nominated by Lisa Dailey

At a home basketball game, Elijah showed strong leadership by stepping in to ensure all athletes were respected. He communicated clearly and promptly, reminding spectators to model appropriate and respectful behavior.

Audrey T. - Nominated by Heather Fernandez and Carol Price

I am nominating Audrey because she has learned how to express her needs clearly, ask questions and engage in conversations that help create a supportive and structured environment for peers!

Ava A. - Nominated by Marcy Cooper

Ava consistently demonstrates strong critical thinking skills in the science classroom, especially through her written expression. She is able to analyze information, make thoughtful connections, and clearly communicate her reasoning in well-developed responses. Her recent presentation of cellular energy showed not only understanding of the topic but the ability to teach the information clearly. Ava frequently takes initiative in her learning and shows characteristics of being a positive leader on campus.

Jaelynn D. - Nominated by Angela Tauer

Jaelynn consistently demonstrates outstanding responsibility in the classroom. She takes initiative by asking thoughtful questions, signing up for RTI sessions when she needs additional support, and staying fully engaged during lessons. Her commitment to completing and turning in homework on time reflects her strong work ethic and dedication to learning. Jaelynn’s reliability, positive attitude, and determination make her an excellent role model, and she is truly deserving of this nomination for responsibility.

Mia M. - Nominated by Trina Hautala

Mia has shown her leadership across campus since the beginning of school. Mia always has a smile on her face and is willing to step up and assist with her peers by talking and supporting them, reassuring when she can. She demonstrates maturity and professionalism when she's around campus and truly enables The Maverick Mindset daily.

Yesenia G. - Nominated by Amanda Munoz

Yesenia is an amazing leader both in the classroom and on the volleyball court. She is one of the editors in chief for the yearbook. She displays leadership amongst her group/class and collaborates well with others. She takes initiative and is always willing to go above and beyond.

Jeremiah V. - Nominated by Kathy Casamalhuapa

He has been doing an amazing job in his math classes! He is not afraid to fail and try again until he is right. He likes to help others when he notices they need help. Jeremiah has shown so much growth and cannot wait to see him succeed so much more! Also, he has improved his grade for Algebra 1 and has been teaching in Ms. Reyes’ class!

Gabriella H. - Nominated by Heather Amenhauser

Gabriella consistently demonstrates integrity and a strong sense of responsibility. She is always willing to help clean up after class and go above and beyond when asked to assist. Her positive attitude and reliability make them a great role model for others.

Joaquin S. - Nominated by Amanda Miller

Joaquin demonstrates responsibility in many ways. He always completes assignments on time and puts forth his best effort in every task. Joaquin takes ownership of his learning by asking thoughtful questions and seeking ways to improve. In group settings, he can be counted on to contribute meaningfully and ensure the team stays organized and on task.

Beyond academics, Joaquin shows responsibility through his behavior and leadership. They follow classroom and school rules without being reminded, set a positive example for their peers, and often volunteer to help myself, other teachers or classmates. His maturity, reliability, and accountability make them a role model within our school community.

Joaquin truly embodies what it means to be responsible, and I believe he is highly deserving of this recognition.

Andrew - Nominated by Trevo Chaco

Andrew has done a great job of communicating appropriately and respectfully with his classmates during both small group and whole class discussions. He is always willing to share his ideas and listen to those he is working with.

Marco - Nominated by Alicia Bedolla

Marco is always dropping gems when providing an answer to a writing prompt! He provides positive and knowledgeable insight that I believe every student can benefit from. He shows maturity, wisdom, and independent thinking in personal and academic subjects.

Jade - Nominated by Alex Cucciarre

Jade is not only a very responsible student, but she helps take responsibility for her entire section in the percussion section. She is a leader, and she wants to take her and her section to the next level. I think she is a fantastic student and deserves to be recognized!

Jaylen - Nominated by Julie Nelson

Jaylen came into the school year with such a positive attitude. He is constantly making others feel welcome, advocates for himself with both teachers and students, and communicates well with his peers. Jaylen stood out to me as a great communicator and leader from day one.

Nevaeh - Nominated by Alicia Bedolla

Nevaeh is always in class ready to learn. She collaborates well with her peers and during whole-class discussions. She adds insightful input and puts her best foot forward when tackling a thought-provoking topic. She leads the charge in positivity and effort on a consistent basis. It's a joy to have her in English!

Colton - Nominated by Micaella Butterfield

He is consistently a leader on campus, considers his peers, and applies himself to schoolwork!

Malachi - Nominated by Mariah Kramer

Malachi has shown the most amazing amount of integrity through the first few weeks of school. He has stepped up and been the most AMAZING leader in the unified sports class. Even though he does not want to be in unified sports he shows up every day willingly to support his peers and emulates what it is to be a leader on Goodyear's campus! He knows what it takes to push through things he doesn't want to do, with a great attitude and gets the job done!

Madison - Nominated by Amanda Munoz

Madison has been a model student in the classroom while also being a leader for Yearbook. Yearbook does not have cameras yet. However, Madison took it upon herself to borrow a family member's camera to ensure photos were taken at the football scrimmage. The photos were amazing! Madison is eager to help!