Another school year is drawing to a close — so if you have young children, they’re one year closer to the day when they head off to college. And both you and your children need to prepare for that day. Your kids can do so by developing good study habits. As for you, it’s never too soon to start preparing for the high costs of higher education.

Dear Mikey,

Alexandra Soto of Desert Vista High School has been named the recipient of the USDA/NIFA A-UBET Scholarship.

Alexandra Soto of Desert Vista High School has been named the recipient of the USDA/NIFA A-UBET Scholarship.

Three high school students submitted three big ideas to the Ahwatukee Chamber Charity Foundation with hopes of being selected for a brand new college scholarship. On Wednesday the foundation presented a $4,000 scholarship to Spencer Elliott of Mountain Pointe High School, and a $500 scholarship to Josh Greene and Emily Pawlik, both Desert Vista students.

For high school seniors this is the time of year when emotions run high. The month of April brings its own set of challenges as seniors approach May 1, National Decision Day. This is the day when seniors who have been offered admission to a college or university must accept or decline all offers. How will you make this very important, perhaps even life-changing decision? Here are a few tips to guide you:

A new facility at Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) aims to offer students an athletic facility and student services building, all under one roof.

The college that established a “one course a month” schedule format will open its doors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 for an open house, at 13430 N. Black Canyon Highway, Suite 190, in Phoenix, for those interested in educational programs in nursing, health care and wellness, business and technology, and legal studies.

Have a long list of home improvement projects? Don’t know where to start?

Have a long list of home improvement projects? Don’t know where to start?

The state’s jobless rate jumped a tenth of a point in January to 8.0 percent.

This month, every single resident in Ahwatukee Foothills and beyond (this means you!) is being asked to do one simple thing — give.

Attorney General Tom Horne did nothing wrong in transferring $50 million from a nationwide mortgage settlement to the state general fund to balance the budget, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.

Gov. Jan Brewer rallied doctors and nurses at the Capitol on Tuesday in her bid to get the necessary votes to expand the state's Medicaid program.

The share of tax dollars that actually wind up in Arizona classrooms slid again last year, to the lowest level in the 12 years the state has been monitoring.

A unique partnership between a car dealership and area rescue groups is good news for animals looking for forever homes.

A DNR, or a “Do Not Resuscitate” form, is a legal order signifying that a patient does not want to be resuscitated if he or she is to suffer cardiac or respiratory arrest. It tells emergency personnel that the patient does not want CPR, endotracheal intubation, defibrillation, cardiac life support drugs or related medical procedures. This does NOT withhold medical interventions necessary to provide comfort or to alleviate pain. You may recognize this order by its bright orange color, often found attached to the refrigerator in someone’s home. Typically, these orders are in effect for persons whom are terminally ill and prefer to avoid painful or invasive procedures at the latter stages of their life. It is important to have the DNR form easily locatable, as emergency personnel must see the form in order to honor it. DNR bracelets are also an option. These forms are available through various medical organizations or you can print your own. Contact me if you would like an electronic copy of the printable version or if you have any further questions about DNR forms.

Claiming illegal retaliation, the Arizona Students' Association is asking a federal judge to void a vote by the Board of Regents changing how its fees are collected.

A House panel voted Monday to dangle more money in front of Arizona schools to convince them to add an extra 20 days of instruction.

A House panel voted earlier this week to dangle more money in front of Arizona schools to convince them to add an extra 20 days of instruction.

A special election in March will decide if changes are made to Phoenix’s unbalanced pension system, which could save the city about $600 million over 25 years.

Parting ways with her own Republican Party, Gov. Jan Brewer on Monday proposed expanding Arizona’s Medicaid program to take advantage of the federal Affordable Care Act.

The South Mountain Community College Ahwatukee Foothills campus is offering an Entrepreneurship Certificate Program with seven different classes in all aspects of running a small business including marketing, finance, hiring and managing employees and creating business plans.

If you have young children, the end of another school year means you are now one year closer to the day when you send them to college — and one year closer to dealing with the high costs of higher education. However, you still have time to save and invest — and one of the best investment choices you can make is a Section 529 college savings plan.

The Tempe Union High School District’s 2013 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists were recognized at an awards reception on Oct. 29 at Desert Vista High School. Families, friends and principals were joined by Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Baca and governing board members Michelle Helm, Zita Johnson, DeeAnne McClenahan, David Schapira and Mary Lou Taylor. Dr. David Garcia, ASU associate professor, Division of Educational Leadership and Innovation, was the guest speaker.