As the media continues to cover the violence in Mexico, most Americans have turned a blind eye and dollar to the country, but one woman saw an opportunity and seized it.

Aidan Schramm and Maddy Kovacs, students from Kyrene Altadeña Middle School, are preparing to swim from Alcatraz Island to shore at the San Francisco Aquatic Park.

Two longtime fixtures at Kyrene de los Cerritos Elementary School now have permanent fixtures on the campus in their honor.

Duncan Schramm has a pretty good vertical leap.

Growing up, Duncan Schramm felt he was better at hitting a ball than shooting one.

In September the Tempe Union High School District made the decision to show weighted grades on student transcripts. The decision, made after a 16-month effort by Desert Vista substitute teacher Susan Schramm and without the need for a vote from the governing board, came as no surprise and with little argument. District administrators decided both a weighted GPA on a 5.0 scale, which adds extra weight for honors classes, and a traditional unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale will appear on transcripts. Weighted GPA will not appear on report cards and also will not change requirements for students to be invited into the National Honor Society.

Desert Vista High School senior Summer Garvin and junior Airicka Lapre learned that hard work pays off Wednesday when they held the first meeting of the Gay-Straight Alliance club in the library after school. About 25 students and three teachers joined Garvin and Lapre that afternoon to discuss future fundraising possibilities, group activities, events and collaborations with other school clubs. "This club isn't about just gay, lesbian and bisexual students," Garvin said. "It's about collaborating with other clubs and making a difference on campus." The 17 year old transferred to Desert Vista from South High Community in Massachusetts this year. As the former president and founder of South High Community's GSA, Garvin was surprised to learn there was no group even slightly related to GSA when she began school at Desert Vista. "I immediately encountered roadblocks and resistance from the staff," said Garvin, who admits she understands the political differences between the two states. "I was informed that I would have to go through the counseling office and create the group that way. That's not what we want; we don't need to be counseled." The policy to start any club at Desert Vista involves filling out a new club packet to introduce the purpose of the group and how it will benefit Desert Vista and the community. There must be at least 10 interested students and a staff sponsor. After two months of hard work, Garvin and Lapre found Susan Schramm, a substitute teacher at Desert Vista and mother of five, to sponsor the GSA, along with support from other Desert Vista staff, including fine arts and ceramics teacher Mark Honaker. Garvin said they had no problem finding at least 10 interested students. "When I walked in to T.J. Snyder's office this time, he just gave me the paperwork and it wasn't a problem," Garvin said. "I had people e-mailing me wanting to sponsor." Schramm said Snyder, an assistant principal at Desert Vista, inspired students and teachers to get involved in the GSA. "Kids surprise you," Schramm said. "They are a lot smarter and far more interesting and excited than adults would ever give them credit for. I would like to see not only gay students but kids of gay parents and siblings of gay students in this club." Schramm said the group has not encountered any conflict from the staff since its beginning and commends Principal Anna Battle for her strong support. The GSA currently meets weekly on Wednesdays in the school library at 3:10 p.m. After events and fundraisers are scheduled, the group will meet bi-monthly. The club plans to take part in the Suicide Walk and Random Act of Kindness Day this year, as well as raise money to support charities such as AIDS Phoenix and PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). For more information regarding Desert Vista's GSA, contact Garvin at summer_garvin@yahoo.com or visit the group's myspace Web site, www.myspace.com/desert_vista_gsa. Corinne Frayer can be reached at (480) 898-7917 or cfrayer@aztrib.com.

After a 16-month effort, Susan Schramm and Tempe Union High School District parents can expect to see a weighted grade point average on their student's transcripts this year. The decision, made without the need for a vote from the governing board, came as no surprise and with little argument. District administrators decided both a weighted GPA on a 5.0 scale, which adds extra weight for honors classes, and a traditional unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale will appear on transcripts at the end of the semester. "I am tickled to death that this is over," Schramm said of her journey. "It's a wonderful thing." Initially, the issue concerned Schramm when her son began applying for out-of-state scholarships. However, it was the fact that the adaptation of weighted GPAs had become more popular in high schools throughout the country, and that most college admissions and scholarship requirements - including Arizona's AIMS Award - now accept a weighted GPA that drove her further. "This is where it affects most of our kids," she said. For Schramm, the issue lay far beyond the concern for her own children. Although the absence of a weighted GPA on her oldest son Hank's high school transcript blocked him from receiving the Dean's scholarship at the University of Oregon in 2006, the substitute teacher and mother of five had a concern for all students in the district. Her dedication, involvement and research on this issue over the last 16 months made a slow, steady impact and finally received a positive outcome. On Sept. 11 Schramm planned to speak to director of guidance, career and technical education Nori Cannell and Tempe Union guidance chairs on the topic. Additionally, she planned to present her research to the Desert Vista curriculum committee and department chairs on Sept. 12. Then, she says, she received word not to bother, that the decision was basically a done deal. In other concerns, weighted GPA will not appear on report cards, TUHSD spokeswoman Linda Littell said. "It is something I believe parents should be aware of," Schramm said. "But, really, it's about college admission and scholarships." The adoption of weighted GPAs on transcripts also will not change requirements for students to be invited into the National Honor Society. Students will continue to be invited based on their unweighted GPA, with a 3.0 the minimum accepted achievement level. Corinne Frayer can be reached at (480) 898-7917 or cfrayer@aztrib.com.