Congratulations to the winter guard teams from Corona del Sol High School and Desert Vista High School for taking first and second place in the Arizona State Winter Guard Championship on April 6. These two teams have been competing all season and have forged what can best be described as a “friendly rivalry.” On the floor, they gave their best and used the competition to push each other to higher performance levels. When each competition was over, they could often be seen hanging out together and forming friendships. The season is over with a terrific showing on behalf of Tempe Union High School District. This level of achievement is only possible with a strong commitment to excellence and willingness to put in many hours of hard work week after week.

An Andean bear cub recently had its first check-up with Phoenix Zoo vets. After patiently waiting for more than three months, they found out the cut is a boy. Rio, the mother bear, is doing an excellent job raising her young cub. Recently, for the first time in the presence of zookeepers, Rio let go of the cub, stepped away and allowed the cub to be briefly on its own. Keepers were able to capture video of the cub taking some of his first steps, which you can watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkwv-n9KspU.

Brantley Bell shared a funny story about the 2001 World Series.

Jordan Kipper has done some good things on the diamond since leaving Mountain Pointe for Central Arizona.

Girls from Girl Scout Troop 1538 in Ahwatukee are getting their hands dirty while taking action and helping out in the Ahwatukee Community Garden Project’s Children’s Garden.

Summer is coming up and the school year is coming to an end. Parents will face the inevitable question, what to do with the kids?

Debra Gutierrez knows first-hand how lasting friendships can be made while being a Girl Scout.

Jozef Bagby, 14, of Ahwatukee recently received his Eagle Scout Award in a court of honor ceremony on March 16 at Esperanza Lutheran Church. Bagby began his scouting career as a Cub Scout Webelos in 2007. He earned his Arrow of Light before bridging into Boy Scout Troop 124, and eventually transferred to Troop 14 after moving to Ahwatukee.

With a little bit of a lull during spring break, I had a chance to get some down time and poke around about several topics.

Step one of 74 to prepare for the 37th Annual Ahwatukee Easter Parade began the week after Christmas when parade boss Mike Schmitt asked the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee if they wanted once more to sponsor the parade.

The major league scouts who surrounded Mountain Pointe’s baseball field on Tuesday should have come back Wednesday morning to truly see what Zach Cordova is about.

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

The Boy Scouts of Troop 78 worked on the Children’s Garden at the Ahwatukee Swim and Tennis Center on Feb. 16 and 23.

Freshmen, it’s not too early to start thinking about your college plans. Your first step — build a strong resume. If you establish high standards and work hard, you will set yourself up for unlimited opportunities when you apply to colleges in the fall of your senior year. Here are some tips to get you started:

Eagle Scout and Mountain Pointe High School junior Jacob Rak-Kinonen, along with Chandler MMA owner Master Paul McGowan, hosted a women’s self defense clinic on Feb. 10 as a fundraiser called “Helping women be prepared” for local Boy Scout Troop 1/A212.

William Austin Gray has enjoyed participating in scouting since he became a Cub Scout in the second grade. He is an active member of Boy Scout Troop 697 in Tempe.

The Mesa Arts Center will have a new outdoor stage for performances and visual art demonstrations in the next year or two, as part of a transformation planned for the 8-year old facility.

In 2011 hundreds of Girl Scouts descended on Club West Park grabbing paints, brushes and canvasses to help with the Great Ahwatukee Paint Out. The goal was to fill the walls of the Ronald McDonald House with love.

Stephanie Ann Kuells went to be with our angels on Wednesday, Feb. 20. She was born on Aug. 3, 1988, to Jennifer and Keith Kuells at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. This happened to be her father’s 30th birthday. What a beautiful gift! Stephanie had many challenges in her short life, but she tackled each one with determination, beauty and grace.