Students give back during holiday season
In late November, Brophy’s Broncos set a new standard for giving, the school said. The 2025 record-breaking Turkey Drive raised nearly $16,000 for St. Vincent de Paul and local partners, with extra funds coming from ‘Movember’ participants. The drive culminated in a massive “Can the Man” victory, filling Principal Bopp’s office with 10 full bins of donated food.
With its recent Tournament Champion win, Team 8373P is now focused on delivering an outstanding performance at the VEX Robotics Arizona State Championship, taking place in March (photo courtesy of Madison Highland Prep).
Robotics team advances to state championship
Madison Highland Prep’s VEX Robotics Team 8373P has secured the coveted Tournament Champion title at the recent HPW third Annual VEX Robotics Competition, earning them a place at the state competition. The winning alliance included students Adebowale Rafiu, Rocket Rolando, Keelan Shardonofsky, Wayne Galloway and Tate Del Housaye.
The team attributed their decisive victory to their new strategy and significant modifications to their robot, which provided a distinct competitive edge in the tournament’s complex challenges. The collaborative effort and hours spent on design and programming proved instrumental in their success.
With the Tournament Champion win, Team 8373P is now focused on delivering an outstanding performance at the VEX Robotics Arizona State Championship, scheduled to take place on March 6 and 7. The team is eager to take on the best competitors in the state, utilizing the skills and strategies developed throughout the season. Their ultimate goal is to secure a spot at the prestigious VEX Robotics World Championship, showcasing Madison Highland Prep’s innovation on a global stage.
Five Arizona School for the Arts students recently showcased their talent at a Thespian Festival, where they earned excellent or higher scores (submitted photo).
Student performers show talent
Five members of Arizona School for the Arts’ (ASA) International Thespian Society recently competed at the Central Region Festival, and every student earned average scores of Excellent or higher.
“An incredible showing!” the school said in a December social media post. “Special shout-out to Alice Elder and Rob Foley, whose duo performance received three Superior scores and an invitation to continue on to the 2026 International Thespian Festival. Way to represent ASA with talent, hard work, and heart!”
Sixteen Brophy students were recognized by the school in December for setting an outstanding example for their fellow students (photo courtesy of Brophy College Preparatory).
‘Distinguished’ students honored
On Dec. 4, Brophy College Preparatory honored its Fall 2025 Distinguished Students, 16 seniors who live Brophy’s Mission and Vision in impressive, inspiring ways.
The Fall 2025 Distinguished Students are Carlo Bernardez, Seb Cevallos, Andres Garcia, Jeronimo Gomez del Campo, Hank Halaby, Mael Huarcaya, Cooper La Voy, Pablo Laurian Cantu, Graham Long, Leo Ochoa Armenta, Quinn Rassas, Nyle Rizvi, Finn Sheridan, Carter Walsh, Carter Weyrauch and Greg Zabor.
Phoenix Country Day School’s new 23,844-square-foot Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts will be fully operational in January (photo by Mark Skalny Photography; courtesy of Phoenix Country Day School).
New Ahsan Center reflects commitment to the arts
In December, Phoenix Country Day School (PCDS) celebrated the grand opening of the Ahsan Center for Excellence in the Creative & Performing Arts, a new facility that the school says “marks a major milestone in the school’s commitment to fostering artistic innovation, collaboration, creativity and student expression.”
The premiere event welcomed donors to the Play On! Campaign – including current parents, alumni, grandparents and friends – whose collective contributions made the $24 million facility possible. The evening celebration began with a reception in the Taira Family Breezeway, accompanied by a strings performance by student Audrey Weinshel ’26 and PCDS strings faculty member Maurine Fleming. Guests then gathered for dual ribbon-cutting ceremonies led by the Ahsan Family – whose generosity named the building – and the Salter Family, naming donors of the new Performance Hall.
The building will be fully operational starting in January. The Ahsan Center is the first major component of the multi-phase capital campaign, which will continue with the Reese House for Music, Art & Theater, opening in 2026, followed by expanded athletic and wellness facilities.
Members of the Xavier National Honor Society, along with the school’s broader community, collected more than one million cans and $60,000 in cash donations to donate to St. Vincent de Paul this year (photo by Lisa Zuba).
Xavier donates record one million cans
Each year, Xavier College Preparatory students give more than 30,000 hours doing volunteer work and community service as part of Xavier’s Christian Service Program. As part of the program, Xavier’s National Honor Society (NHS) started its Canned Food Drive to benefit St. Vincent de Paul in the 1980s. The goal back then was 10,000 cans. Each year Xavier breaks the record of food collected.
This year, the Xavier community donated more than one million cans for St. Vincent de Paul. Together, the school raised more than $60,000 in cash donations.
St. Vincent De Paul CEO, Shannon Clancy, who graduated from Xavier in 1988, said, “This is not simply a food drive. A huge piece is homeless prevention because giving people food means they can put their dollars to housing. Xavier’s effort is one of the largest drives in the country and an extraordinary model for the community.”
