Molly Barlow of Ahwatukee-Foothills recently graduated summa cum laude and alpha chi from High Point University in North Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in coaching. Barlow played four years of NCAA Division I volleyball and finished her career as the eighth player in HPU’s Div. I history to reach 1,000 career digs. She was named the 2012-2013 Big South Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

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.

Phoenix film makers Marcus A. Stricklin and Sandy Kim, of Future Legends Production, have been invited to the Cannes Short Film Corner for the production of their film, “The Last Dance,” working with children actors from Ahwatukee.

There were hurdles, blocks and bars all over the track Saturday at Mesa Community College.

Around 8 p.m., a party bus with a large Jack Daniels logo pulled up to the home.

Near the end of Equestrian Trail's winding road in Ahwatukee, nearly 80 students along with parents, family and other friends met at fellow senior Kyndall Johnston's home.

Fellow senior and girlfriend Tina Trujillo was waiting in her living room with her sister, parents, and other family when Campbell arrived.

Trying to fasten on his bow tie, cummerbund and pocket square, Tre Campbell, of Mountain Pointe High School, got ready in a matter of minutes for his senior prom.

The scenes were about 20 miles and three hours apart on Thursday, but nonetheless felt much the same.

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to the women of Mesa Arizona Hermosa Vista Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My Sisters’ Place recently received 60 beautiful handbags filled with an assortment of makeup, jewelry, lotion, perfume and notes filled with love and encouragement for the women in our shelter.

The Phoenix City Council will vote on the final draft of the city’s 2013-14 budget, which includes new efficiencies in the city’s public information office, parks and public transit, on May 21 but Councilman Sal DiCiccio says the city could have increased even more services if staff didn’t get any raises or bonuses.

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.

MESA – There were hurdles, blocks and bars all over the track Saturday at Mesa Community College.

Dillie Nerios is a Florida food stamp recruiter. Her job is to sign up 150 seniors monthly in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The Horizon Honors golf team is headed to Division III state golf event this weekend as it hopes to better last year’s eighth-place finish.

There are times when the most satisfying part of a meal is the appetizer.

Tucked in the back of Scottsdale steakhouse Roaring Forks, the group mingled in the dim restaurant just minutes away from their prom's location.