When asked his inspiration for the video McBride, a student at Phoenix College, stated, “Myself and the members of the Arizona SADD Student Leadership Council had been discussing how alcohol is really taking over advertising. We wanted to do something to let our voices be heard, but weren’t sure how to go about it. That is when we found out about the Free The Bowl contest,” he recalls. “We were excited to find a platform to help get the message out.”
The videos can be found at FreeTheBowl.com and more information on Arizona SADD can be found at www.azsadd.org or by calling 623-434-1670.
Irwin honored by
Downtown group
When the Arizona Center was in the planning stages and a new convention center, a ballpark and the light rail were hardly an idea—let alone a consideration—North Central resident Neil Irwin stepped forward to help revitalize Downtown Phoenix. He served 20 years as the chairman of the Downtown Phoenix Partnership (DPP), watching his beloved city grow to the fifth-largest in the country with billions of dollars invested in its core.
The Partnership honored Irwin for his 20-year tenure as its board chairman at its 16th Annual DREAMR Awards on Feb. 1, held at the Phoenix Convention Center. Irwin was honored with a special “Visionary” Award only given out once before.
Irwin was one of the original signatories establishing the Downtown Phoenix Partnership, a nonprofit business improvement district focused on managing and marketing a 90-square block area in the downtown core. He helped shepherd strategic visioning plans, as well as the establishment of services for the core—including security and transportation, the popular Ambassador program, street improvements, major project development and marketing initiatives.
“It’s been lots of fun to be part of the revitalization of downtown,” noted Irwin. “I never viewed it as a leadership role, but as part of a collaboration effort with a shared vision of what downtown Phoenix could and should be.”
Irwin has practiced law in Phoenix for more than 35 years, is a partner at Bryan Cave, LLP and has been recognized as one of The Business Journal’s 25-Most Admired Top Level Executives in 2009.
The Downtown Phoenix Partnership is a nonprofit organization made up of property owners located between Fillmore to south of Jackson streets and Third Avenue to Seventh Street. The Partnership provides enhanced municipal services within this area including the management and marketing of Downtown Phoenix. Visit www.DowntownPhoenix.com.
Glawe honored by
Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation on Jan. 22 presented North Central resident Sue Glawe with its first-ever “Best Supporting Role in a Community” award during the Foundation’s Red Carpet Event at Saks Fifth Avenue. The Red Carpet Event was the first in a series of events the foundation hosts in celebration of the Oscar Season.
“When you think of a city like Phoenix, you think of all the people, the businesses, and the support services, but what weaves them together to make them truly a community? It is people like Sue Glawe, vice president of Community Relations for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona,” comments event chair Maryglenn Boals. “She has an amazing ability to see a 3-dimensional view of our challenges as a community and shares that vision with others, challenging them to partner together so all can succeed.”
Glawe was described as being a treasured source of knowledge, advice, counsel and inspiration whose commitment to women, children and the health of the Phoenix community has benefited hundreds of groups over the years.
Local youth an
advocate for others
North Central teen Xavier Cameron was one of more than 50 Valley youth who participated in the MY LIFE Youth Day at the Capitol on Feb. 10. The youth met with legislators on issues of importance such as foster care, substance abuse, mental health issues, homelessness and more.
Cameron is a former foster child whose mental health issues kept getting him into trouble. He knew he needed to make a change in his attitude and life in order to find full recovery. Through his rap music, he’s found a creative outlet in which to share his thoughts and feelings. He also finds that counseling other youth and empathizing with the personal and mental health issues they may be dealing with through his role in MY LIFE helps him in his own recovery.
Cameron currently is pursuing an education at Phoenix College to keep him on a successful path for the future.
MY LIFE (Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring Future Empowerment) is a group comprised of youth, ages 13 to 23, who have experienced mental health, substance abuse and/or foster care-related issues. The group gives youth an opportunity to make positive changes in their lives, while helping other youths do the same.
Bahlbi named a
‘Youth of Year’
Seventeen-year-old Amy Bahlbi is a first-generation American. Her parents are immigrants from Eritrea, who came to this country looking for a brighter future for their children. For one child, that bright future already is coming true.
Bahlbi was named a Youth of the Year, representing the Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. She and the other 11 branch winners, along with their families, were recognized at the annual “Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars” dinner event on Feb. 20.
Bahlbi became a member of the Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch more than seven years ago. She currently is president of the Rosenzweig Keystone Club, a leadership development club for teens. As president, Bahlbi plans and coordinates monthly activities for younger club members.
When Bahlbi is not being a leader in her local club, she is using her leadership skills as a senior at Central High School where she currently is the captain of the varsity cheer squad and editor-in-chief of the school’s yearbook committee.
“The club really helped me to develop my own leadership skills. It is because of those experiences that I was able to take on other roles at school with so much confidence,” she says.
After high school, Bahlbi plans to attend Northern Arizona University, where she will study journalism or social recreation.
