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Students from the Holbrook and Joseph City unified school districts were honored during the Holbrook Elks Lodge Youth Awards Banquet on May 6.
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After a dinner of sloppy joes, chips and cookies served by the Elks Lodge members, Exalted Ruler Pat Nichols introduced HUSD Superintendent Robbie Koerperich to announce the winners of the Holbrook Elks Hoop Shoot.
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Starting with the youngest group, 8 to 9-year-old girls, Shayla Attakai won first place with six out of 25 shots.
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Winners in the 8 to 9-year-old boys were William Cassidy, first place with 10 out of 25 shots; Rigden Fish, second place; and Nikki Gurule, third place.
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Winners of the 10 to 11-year-old girls division were Alayna Yazzie, first place with 14 out of 25 shots; Maya Francisco, second place; and Jordin Attakai, third place.
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Winners of the 10 to 11-year-old boys division were William Nez, first place with 11 out of 25 shots; Brady Becenti, second place; and Deandre Irving, third place. It was noted that initially all three boys tied at 11 and had to have a shoot off to determine the winner.
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Winners of the 12 to 13-year-old boys division were Jason Becenti, first place with 19 out of 25 shots; Tristen Attakai, second place; and Kenneth Nez, third place.
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Koerperich said the Hoop Shoot was put on in December of 2018. “In the past HUSD has had several champions go to nationals. It is a great experience and builds character for students as they stand alone at the free throw line and put in as many shots as possible through the hoop.”
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The Joseph City Junior High Student of the Year awards went to Blake Palmer and Brenlee Hutchens.
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Joseph City Junior High and High School Principal Eric Miller presented the awards, as he shared, “When we nominate and choose our students for student of the year, we look at character, grades and their commitment to our community.
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“Both of these students have done that,” said Miller. “I have noticed throughout the year, that both of these students will take kids who are having a hard time fitting in and be a friend to them as well as others. I have seen them around the town doing service and helping the community. “
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Miller went on to present the Joseph City High School Student of the Year awards to Shyla Jesmer and Toby Ballew.
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“Toby is recognized for his leadership and excellent character in our school district,” said Miller. “He is willing to help out and contribute to anything.”
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In spite of an injury that derailed his career on the wrestling team this year, Ballew chose not to give up, instead he stayed on and helped the team for the rest of the year. Ballew is third in his class for grade point average and a member of the National Honor Society (NHS).
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“Shyla has excellent grades as well and is described as 100 percent dedicated and an extremely hard worker,” continued Miller. “I coached her in basketball as a freshman and noticed she was a hard worker then. One of her coaches described her as the hardest working player he had ever coached. She has already enlisted in the Marines and is a member of NHS.”
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The Holbrook Junior High School Student of the Year awards went to Samuel Francisco and Kelly Hill. HJHS Principal Dr. Jeri McKinnon said, “Samuel is an all-around great kid. He always has a smile on his face and is very uplifting.”
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Regarding Hill, McKinnon noted she was also a great kid. “Kelly got straight A’s in math and had to go to the high school to take geometry because she had already gone through all of our math classes and aced them.”
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The Holbrook High School (HHS) Student of the Year awards went to Jack Hardy and Hailey Guttery.
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HHS Principal Lance Phaturos shared that both students are “very caring, compassionate and genuine young adults. They have very rewarding futures ahead of them and will bring joy to the world.
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“Jack is very involved in the affairs of HHS,” continued Phaturos. “He is active in a variety of student organizations, a member of the all-region choir for four years, has amassed 36 college credit hours and over 400 hours in community service during his four years at HHS as well as being a member of NHS and recipient of the Lumberjack and Obama Scholarships.
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“After graduating high school, Hailey plans to attend Northland Pioneer College for a year then transfer to the University of Arizona to study pediatric nursing,” said Phaturos. “She is a very caring individual, a four-year member of our student council and senior vice president this year as well as a member of the NHS. Hailey has tallied over 205 hours of community service during her four years at HHS.”
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Holbrook Elks Scholarship recipients for $300 each included Dallon Laird, Tynen Thomas, Rebecca Smith and Sydney Plumb.
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Jack Hardy received the $1,600 Arizona Elks State Scholarship.
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Also recognized were Holbrook Eagle Scouts Logan Hatch and Wyatt McLaws and Joseph City Eagle Scout KJ Kinlicheenie.
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