It’s not just the lightning bolt earrings.

Soon-to-be graduates aren’t the only ones smiling these days. Parents are happy, their kid is graduating and they’re coming out and spending some money. A typical football weekend is busy — but it never tops the graduation celebration.

Soon-to-be graduates aren’t the only ones smiling these days. Parents are happy, their kid is graduating and they’re coming out and spending some money. A typical football weekend is busy — but it never tops the graduation celebration.

As an aircraft mechanic, Nicholas Camarillo thought it was kind of ironic that his homecoming flight from Japan to Phoenix was delayed two days due to mechanical reasons.

May I be frank?

May I be frank?

The executive chef title is a goal for students working their way through culinary school.

For Ahwatukee Foothills high school seniors, now is a time of excitement as graduation and the last summer before they take the next step in their lives rolls closer.

For Ahwatukee Foothills high school seniors, now is a time of excitement as graduation and the last summer before they take the next step in their lives rolls closer.

Will Claye bided his time, not well, mind you, but he knew it was part of the process.

Will Claye bided his time, not well, mind you, but he knew it was part of the process.

This year’s Taste of Kyrene hit a new milestone: It was the Kyrene Foundation’s most successful fundraiser ever. It also represented the first time in recallable history that a single, $10 bid by Councilman Cory Woods netted the top auction prize, a weeklong Puerto Vallarta vacation.

Desert Vista High School is offering sign ups for the 2011 grad night. The event will take place on Thursday, May 26, immediately following the graduation ceremony, at F1 Race Factory. There will be Formula 1 racing, a hypnotist, a magician, casino and arcade games, prizes, food and much more. If you have not received a packet in the mail, please e-mail DVGradnight11@gmail.com with your name and address and one will be mailed to you right away. Tax-deductible donations can be made to this safe-haven grad night event. Please make your check's payable to DV Grad Night and mail to our treasurer at DV Grad Night c/o Laurie Kaptur 14255 S. 12th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85048.

Here: Garage sale to benefit MPHS grad night (location change)

A parking lot sale is planned for Saturday, Jan. 11 from 7 to 10 a.m. at Mountain Pointe High School located at 4201 E. Knox Road in the front parking lot. The sale will help benefit the MPHS Grad Night 2011. Donations are being accepted for the parking lot sale. Please call Beth at (480) 496-0508, email at TheBrownFamily4@cox.net or Ruby at (480)496-6814 for information on a donation drop off location.

Erica Cicero is in the running to win a unique nationwide contest.

Today is my last day at the Ahwatukee Foothills News. After 13 years I’m moving on to new endeavors.

Today is my last day at the Ahwatukee Foothills News. After 13 years I’m moving on to new endeavors.

Today is my last day at the Ahwatukee Foothills News. After 13 years I’m moving on to new endeavors.

It’s that time of year when students don caps and gowns to celebrate their academic achievements and wrap up their high school or college careers.