Jim Frey
The Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek recognized and celebrated 14 students from the Agua Fria Union High School District for Outstanding Excellence of Achievement in the 2025-26 school year. Superintendent Mark Yslas selected Millennium (M) and Desert Edge (DE) High Schools as the recipients of the awards. Rotary Youth Services Members, Karen Gimse and Colleen Malany, worked together with advisors Jessica Femiak (M) and Colleen Koblinski (DE) to present awards monthly to students that excelled in a variety of subjects and service areas. Students were nominated by their teachers and one student from each school was selected in the category for that particular month.
A culminating reception was held in their honor on April 22, 2026 in the Tiger Den at Millennium High School. Parents and nominating teachers joined the students and members of the Rotary Club to honor the recipients. September Leadership awards went to Ashlee Park (M) and Kodee Barker (DE). October Fine Arts awards went to Juliette Gonzales (M) and Violet Farinella (DE). November Community Outreach awards went to Danielle Grumbling (M) and Alexis Segobia (DE). December Overcoming Adversity awards went to Jeremiah Wilson (M) and Anevay Jones (DE). January Science awards went to Marlee Suaverdez (M) and Samara Doversola-Williams (DE). February CTE/VOC awards went to Olivia Wright (M) and Logan Trainor (DE). March Academic Excellence awards went to Jaydin McCoy (M) and Gurleen Dulay (DE).
In addition to receiving the award, each student had a Watts of Love solar light donated in their name to a recipient in Kenya. Watts of Love is a nonprofit organization that provides vulnerable communities with solar lights and a financial literacy program that empowers families to break out of poverty. These outstanding “star” students are already sending out their light to “shine in the darkness!”
To learn more about the solar light program you can visit wattsoflove.org. The Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek (goodyearrotary.org) meets every Wednesday morning (September through June) at 7 a.m. at Eagle’s Nest in PebbleCreek. Visitors and Rotarians are always welcome.