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‘Rising Stars’ banquet scheduled for May 1
“Rising Stars” senior Maurea Norris delivers balloons to his favorite educator, PHS English teacher Helen Wanamaker. (Nanci Hutson/Courier)
By Nanci Hutson | HutsonNanci
The Daily Courier. Originally Published: March 22, 2023 8:54 p.m.
Prescott High School Athletic Director Missy Townsend was having a grim Tuesday morning until she was delivered balloons from a selected “Rising Star” graduating senior.
Badger football player and Student Council member Cameron Brown selected Townsend as the educator/coach he suggests encouraged and enabled him to succeed on his path to graduation and a promising future.
“She’s just so nice to the students. She’s always open to new ideas and starting new traditions. She is supportive of making the time here special so you enjoy high school, rather than just trying to get through it,” declared Cameron who was the first of eight “Rising Stars” selected by the PUSD Education Foundation to recognize their favorite teacher, coach or staff member who they credit with helping them overcome some type of academic, social, health or other life obstacle so they could reach the high school finish line. Cameron said he sees Townsend as an example of an adult who has not forgotten that all people at all ages are just “kids on the inside.”
Three of the 2023 selected high school teachers — Helen Wanamaker, Jen Hawley and Brenda Lee — have been honored in past years; the other five are Molly Orr, Rebecca Wood, Crystal Ontiveros, James Rhine and Townsend. Wanamaker, Hawley, Lee, Wood and Rhine are all subject teachers; Ontiveros is a counselor; Orr is an academic advisor and program director for the Early College pilot program at Yavapai College this year; and Townsend is an administrator.
Beyond Cameron, the other seven students are: Maurea Norris, Jessica Cope, Leilani Chuning, Michaella Kpodo, Joaquin Sierra, Shaylin Almquist and Elijah Resnick.
The eight students, educators and their families with all be honored at the foundation’s annual, invitation only “Rising Stars” banquet on May 1. The keynote speaker for the event will be Amberly Neese, a local motivational speaker, comedienne and parent of a former “Rising Star.”
The eight students, educators and their families with all be honored at the foundation’s annual, invitation only “Rising Stars” banquet on May 1. The keynote speaker for the event will be Amberly Neese, a local motivational speaker, comedienne and parent of a former “Rising Star.”
Prescott Unified Education Foundation “Rising Stars” Prescott High senior Cameron Brown, left, presents balloons to his selected “Distinguished Educator” Prescott High Athletic Director Missy Townsend. (Nanci Hutson/Courier)
With tears in her eyes, Townsend hugged Brown tight; his recognition the reward of a job she suggests comes with a broad range of expectations and emotions on any given day.
“He’s a special one,” Townsend said.
In this work, Townsend said to her it’s all about doing what’s best for students. She wants them to be in the spotlight. To be the one spotlighted is a “little embarrassing, but humbling as well.”
PHS “Rising Star” senior and jazz band performer Joaquin Sierra delivered his bouquet of balloons to first- year high school English teacher Rebecca Wood, the instructor he said embraced him when he came to Prescott from Peru.
At the time, Joaquin said, he did not speak English. Through Wood’s English Language Learner class, Joaquin said he not only learned the language but gained some social confidence. Though still shy, Joaquin said Wood helped him find his musical niche at PHS. After graduation, Joaquin intends to attend Florida International University where he will study musical production.
Wood said she is elated to be selected, but will be more so to see her student collect his diploma at commencement exercises.
She said it is an honor “just to know he feels part of the community.”
For Wanamaker who is on her third such nomination, the recognition is always a treat because teachers hope, but don’t always know, if they are making a difference. She said she actually nominated her “Rising Star” student Maurea Norris “because he is just so fantastic.”
Education Foundation Executive Director Paul Kirchgraber said he loves this program because it speaks to the power teachers, coaches, even bus drivers and custodians, can have on the life of a student. The selected “Rising Star” students are not the graduates that are likely to earn lots of other accolades. Yet he said these students have risen above some tough odds to earn their diplomas and pledge to continue their education after graduation thanks to the encouragement and commitment of PUSD education professionals.
To Kirchgraber and other foundation leaders, this cadre of professionals are a reflection of the caliber of people PUSD hire to love, nurture and educate all of its students.
“They’re not just teaching the ABCS or how to solve a math problem,” Kirchgraber said. “These leaders are teaching helping our students with life problems that can have an impact on a student’s success.
“That’s why we love this (event). It’s a unique opportunity to recognize both students and their (educators).”
Reach Nanci Hutson by email at nhutson@prescottaz.com or call 928-445-3333 ext. 2041.