As anyone who has ever taken a standardized test knows, the last step in preparing for the test is to sharpen your No. 2 pencil. That may not be enough, however, for those thinking about taking college entrance exams. Planning and preparation for the ACT/SAT should begin now for rising seniors. Here are some topics to consider as you establish your test-taking strategies.

Olivia Maiefski, a 2009 alumnus from Mountain Pointe High School, graduated from the University of Arizona Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in speech, language and hearing sciences and a minor in Spanish. Maiefski graduated summa cum laude.

Sun Devil and Wildcat fans will get to show their school pride at Florencia Pizza Bistro in Ahwatukee tomorrow during the “Duel in the Desert” fundraiser.

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.

Positive Coaching Alliance has announced the official kick off of its new Phoenix Chapter. Established in 1998, Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is a national nonprofit organization providing all youth and high school athletes a positive, character-building youth sports experience.

Even though “The Great Gatsby” has gotten the movie treatment several times in the past, no film adaptation has ever really stood out as the definitive version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s celebrated novel.

Dear Mikey,

After 20 years, life-long runner and local coach David Allison returned to his alma mater recently to compete in the Penn Relays.

"Had I known about the crime problems around Arizona State University I would have never let Kyleigh move to Tempe.” Those are the words of Karen Montenegro, the mother of murdered ASU student Kyleigh Sousa.

The prom is making a big comeback.

The city of Phoenix and Arizona State University announced that Sun Devil baseball will begin playing at Phoenix Municipal Stadium at the start of the 2015 season.

Zack Tamburo of Ahwatukee has received the university scholarship and residence life leadership award to attend Southeast Missouri State University for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Mary Myles, a 2009 alumnus from Desert Vista High School, will graduate from the University of Arizona Honors College this month with degrees in marketing, business management and entrepreneurship from the Eller College of Management.

With graduation just around the corner, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton emphasized the importance of college and answered questions about city issues as he spoke to a classroom of seniors on Wednesday at Mountain Pointe High School.

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

I received a press release today on the Brothers in Arms Classic the Desert Vista football team is participating in the fall.

Having observed the failure of our education system by dumbing-down our children for the past 50 years, concern has to be expressed about the “new” Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI).

Cyan McFarlane, a 2009 graduate of Mountain Pointe High School, received the presidential service award from New York University this spring.

While rowing has been a sport dominated by colleges and teams on the East Coast, crew teams have started to flourish in unsuspecting places—like the desert.

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

It’s all about community.

The Cannes Film Festival in France will be getting a taste of the Valley next month.

Administrators at Arizona State University’s Preparatory Academy-Polytechnic campus will host a series of information sessions through May to discuss enrollment for the upcoming school year.

It’s no wonder that Carter Gladstone has shown a tremendous ability to be patient at the plate.

J’ontar Coleman wanted what he felt was rightfully his all along.