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COUGAR TRACKS
2015
Spring
A Publication of the Sahuaro High
COUGAR FOUNDATION
Incorporated November 22, 1992
The President’s Tracks
By Peter DeMars, President
Cougar Foundation Board
Peter DeMars,
President
Penn Hightower,
Vice-President
Fran Johnson,
Secretary-Treasurer
Marti Jones
Cougar Tracks Editor
Members-At-Large
Harry Johnson, Co-Founder
Chuck Adams
Pattie Amado
Jan Boyd
Tina Wainwright Connors
Bobby Estrella
Debbie Choquette Glasser
Jerry Halfmann
Fred Knapp
Jack Lehmkuhl
Sandy Novak
Scott Rumel
Chuck Stopani
David Stopani
Peter V. DeMars
Sahuaro High School Class of 1970
[email protected]
Another year behind us and as this board’s
newly elected president I first wish to
thank all those who serve this foundation
in either a leadership position or as a
supporting member to the Foundation’s
goals and service. It is only through the
combined efforts of both communities that
we can continue to effectively recognize
and serve the students, faculty, alumni,
school and community.
Without diminishing the efforts of many,
few have dedicated as much of themselves
to this end as Harry and Fran Johnson.
Both Harry and Fran served Sahuaro High
School in a number of important capacities
beginning with the school’s opening in
1968. Harry co-founded this foundation in
1992 in support of the school; both have
been inducted into the Cougar Hall of
Fame and both continue to serve to this
day on its board. Harry’s health has
recently limited his attendance at board
meetings and necessarily focused some of
Fran’s unlimited energy as she and her
family work to restore Harry’s strength.
Please join me in wishing Harry a full
recovery and Fran a little rest.
Looking to the year in front of us, the
foundation remains strong.
Our
fundraising,
scholarship,
recognition
programs and funding of various projects
and facility needs, which are intended to
make life a little easier on both the faculty
and staff, continue to grow. The board
recently identified two areas for near term
focus: increase Foundation membership
and streamline our management and
information systems.
Strategies for
meeting and measuring improvements in
these areas will be developed and
implemented.
The board also identified a long-term
goal: increase community visibility.
One strategy for advancing this
objective may be to leverage our voice
in local, district and state initiatives that
support the Foundation’s goals and
conversely, articulate our position on
issues that may adversely affect our
students and faculty.
As recently
reported in the Arizona Daily Star, it’s
discouraging to think it may take the
combined effort of over 200 state
school superintendents to get the
attention of Arizona’s leaders on
educational
issues.
But
it’s
encouraging if we can imagine our
voice having added effect and even
more encouraging that we might lead
and inspire others to act.
The
Foundation has shown great success in
providing and sustaining programs that
support our agenda; perhaps it is time
to look to goals that won’t be reached
as quickly but strategically are
important to our mission. Over the
next several months the board will be
discussing, debating and formulating a
balanced long-term approach to this
goal and this publication will inform
you of our progress.
If you have concerns that you believe
this board or the Sahuaro High Cougar
Foundation could or should address,
articulate or resolve, please either
contact the Foundation via our web-site
or contact me directly by email. I look
forward to hearing your input. Also, if
you know of an alumnus, faculty
member or other school associate that
is not yet aware of the Foundation or
who wishes to become a member of the
Foundation, please encourage them to
learn of us via our web page.
Go Cougars!
Page 2
COUGAR TRACKS
Spring 2015
The Founder’s Corner
By David Ashcraft
Article 1 of the Cougar Foundation
Bylaws delineates the purposes of the
Foundation as it was organized and has
continued to function:
David Ashcraft, Bill Ismay and Harry
Johnson
David and Harry are the Co-Founders
of the Cougar Foundation
&
Cougar Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame Breakfast is both a
fundraising event and, more
importantly, a way to highlight the
achievements of the Sahuaro family.
Sahuaro Foundation Board with 2013
HOF recipients and families.
• to perpetuate the history, traditions, and
spirit of Sahuaro High School
• to support the activities, students, and
staff of Sahuaro High School
• to provide services to the alumni
• to develop a system of awards and
honors to recognize the achievements of
alumni, students, and staff.
These tenets clearly define the mission of
the Foundation, and they have long served
as the driving force behind its existence.
Many of the school’s traditions, including
the
colors,
mascot
and
student
governance, as well as the template for
many of the school’s future activities were
established by the initial steering
committee that was convened by Harry
Johnson in 1967 at Palo Verde High
School. After a full day of work at Pueblo,
Mr. Johnson traveled across town to meet
with a group of future Cougars, even as
the land was being cleared, the footings
dug, and the walls erected on Camino
Seco. Simultaneously, the committee was
engaged in its own building project. The
Cougar Foundation has singularly strived
to ensure that these traditions, and the
spirit of Sahuaro, would continue in
perpetuity.
Last year, as reported in the Cougar
Tracks, the Foundation, along with our
generous alumni and friends of the school,
contributed in excess of $18,000 in
scholarships, grants and equipment in
support of Sahuaro High School. I would
challenge each member to consider
establishing a scholarship, or making a
regular gift to help the Foundation
continue this part of its mission.
Alumni connections and reunion activities
are central to the Foundation’s purpose. In
just five short years, the inaugural Class of
1970 will celebrate its 50-year reunion. At
its 40th, the class established an ongoing
website for members to share personal and
family information and to continue
connecting with one another. Several
interim reunion activities have also
occurred. The Foundation’s published
alumni directories have been a valuable
resource in an attempt to keep the Sahuaro
family connected.
Each fall, outstanding members of the
Sahuaro community are recognized by
induction into the Cougar Foundation Hall
of Fame. In addition, outstanding students
are honored with cash scholarships that
are presented each spring by the
Foundation. The ongoing generosity of
Foundation members, as well as annual
fundraising activities, are vital to the
success of these endeavors. (Please mark
your Calendars for the 2015 Dick Arnold
Memorial Sahuaro Cougar Foundation
Golf Tournament that will take place at
the newly renovated Forty-Niner Country
Club on Saturday, April 18th. More
information is available by contacting the
Foundation
at:
[email protected].)
In closing, I am reminded of the African
proverb: It takes a village to raise a child.
Our teachers, administrators and staff do a
remarkable job each and every day. I
challenge each and every one of the
members of Sahuaro’s extended family to
become actively involved in this noble
pursuit.
Page 3
COUGAR TRACKS
Spring 2014
2015 Dick Arnold Memorial Golf Tournament
at 49er’s Country Club . . . Where Cougars Go To Play!
The 2015 Sahuaro Cougar Foundation Golf Tournament will again be held at the updated and continually improving FortyNiner Country Club.
The fairways, tee boxes, greens, and water hazards have all been
updated and refurbished along with the 49er Club House. FortyNiner Country Club is ready for you to play. Are you? This
year’s Golf Tournament is being held on Saturday, April 18,
2015.
Of course, there are prizes as well as opportunities to play with
your friends and buds, but the real benefit is providing the much
needed funding to students and faculty as well as funding two
post high school scholarships for Sahuaro’s seniors, grants for
students and faculty, and facility updates — all for the betterment
of our community. The Sahuaro Cougar Foundation Board and
your friends look forward to seeing you at the beautiful FortyNiner Country Club where you will enjoy the course’s beauty
along with making and renewing friendships.
Forty-Niner Country Club
12000 E. Tanque Verde Road
Come Join Us for
GOLF and LUNCH
Or Just LUNCH!!!
Dick Arnold Memorial Sahuaro Cougar Foundation 2015
Golf Tournament; Honorary Golf Chairman, Cindy Rarick
2015 SHS GOLF TOURNAMENT
49er’s COUNTRY CLUB … Where Cougars Play!
This year’s Dick Arnold Memorial
Sahuaro Cougar Foundation Golf
Tournament will be held at the
49’ers Country Club on Saturday,
April 18, 2015. Former LPGA
player and Sahuaro alum, Cindy
Rarick, will serve once again as the
Honorary Tournament Chairman.
includes a silent auction. The raffle and
course play prizes will be awarded
during the closing ceremonies as well.
Also, the Golf Tournament Committee
is searching for a headline sponsor for
the tournament. If you are interested,
please call Tina Connors at 520-9827715.
Lunch
immediately
follows
tournament play in the club ramada
adjacent to the club house and
Tee Sponsor - $125
 Signage
 Representatives
allowed on Tee
 2 Additional Lunches
Cindy Rarick
Honorary Tournament
Chairman
Saturday
April 18, 2015
49ers
Country Club
Registration:
6:30 a.m.
Platinum Sponsor - $400
 1 Tee Sponsor
 Golf Foursome
 2 Additional Lunches
 Special Recognition
Green Sponsor - $75
 Signage
Name:
Phone:
Company/Address:
Start Time:
7:30 a.m.


I would like to donate a raffle prize _______
I would like to join the Cougar Foundation for $25 _____
Contact Information
Foursome Registration - Singles Encouraged
Peter De Mars
Foundation President
520-979-4016
Tina Connors
Tournament Committee
520-982-7715
Fran Johnson
Secretary-Treasurer
(520) 247-0336
Please make checks
payable to:
Sahuaro Cougar
Foundation
Mail checks and
registration to:
Sahuaro Cougar
Foundation
P.O. Box 18181
Tucson, AZ 85731
1.
Name, Company, phone or e-mail
2.
Name, Company, phone or e-mail
3.
Name, Company, phone or e-mail
4.
Name, Company, phone or e-mail
A) Golf & Lunch:
Golf & Lunch
$80
Foundation Dues $25
Lunch Only
$15
__________
__________
_________
A: Total ___________
B) Sponsorship:
Platinum Sponsor $400 _________
Tee Sponsor
$125 _________
Green Sponsor
$75 _________
B:
Total _________
Total columns A & B (Amount Enclosed) $ _____________________
Please make your check payable to: Sahuaro Cougar Foundation
We proudly accept: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover (Please circle one)
Name on Card: ___________________________________ Card #_____________________ Exp. Date _________
Card CSC#_______
Please Mail to: Sahuaro Cougar Foundation - PO Box 18181 - Tucson, AZ 85731
Page 5
COUGAR TRACKS
Spring 2015
The Editor’s Pick:
Heroes and Heroines & Other Notes of Interest
By Marti Jones, Editor
In Memoriam:
Joan Richardson, Sahuaro’s fourth
principal, passed away on November 4,
2014 following a brief hospital stay. She
was preceded in death by her husband,
Ron, who had been an assistant principal at
Tucson High.
The Sahuaro Cougar
Foundation
Dedicated to continuing
Sahuaro High School’s
tradition of excellence through
building, strengthening &
preserving the Sahuaro
Community.
Joan came to Sahuaro in February of 1986
after serving as assistant principal at
Cholla High School. Prior to Cholla Joan
had worked at Rincon and Tucson High
Schools as well as in Tucson’s Sunnyside
District.
Her brilliant mind allowed her to bring
many innovative ideas to Sahuaro
including the once famous “Tardy Room”
where almost every Sahuaro student was
allowed to “visit” should they linger too
long in the hallways between classes. Joan
was also a master at scheduling but did
invite input from the faculty when
developing a master schedule.
Joan, along with Larry McKee, was able to
assemble a strong administrative team.
They soon brought along Jack Lehmkuhl
and Judy Hokett into the team that together
was able to develop programs that were
later used throughout the District.
Although Joan was not an extremely social
person she believed it important that the
faculty should be a close knit group. To
help reach this goal she organized faculty
parties at her home as well as supporting
holiday get-togethers at other faculty
members’ homes.
Joan was progressive in her thinking, being
one of few women to regularly attend
Rotary, a primarily men’s civic group. She
was also very interested in politics and
later became very involved in the
Republican Women’s Group.
Her family was extremely important to her
and she found comfort in having her sister,
Beth, also an educator, live nearby. She
was also very proud of her children, Lisa
and Ron, as well as grandchildren
Brendan, Conner and Jonathan.
Joan cared deeply about education and
even though she was “promoted” to
director of human resources for the last
few years before she retired, she often said
Sahuaro was best place she ever worked.
She felt Cougar Country was truly a family
which is a tribute to the entire dedicated
faculty she was able to retain. Tucson has
surely lost an able and innovative educator.
Contributed by Jan Boyd
Joan Richardson
The Sahuaro Student Council
(right) attended the Annual State
Conference in Phoenix for all the
High Schools throughout Arizona
and won the Outstanding Council
of Distinction, the highest honor in
Arizona for any student council.
Way to go, SHS Student Council!
Girls Basketball Team
Also, Coach Steve Botkin’s SHS
girls’ basketball team, pictured left,
traveled to Yuma to compete in the
Arizona State Tournament and won
in overtime with a buzzer beater
last shot by Shelby Mattice to win.
They now play Thursday night,
February 26, in the quarter-finals
of the State Division II girls’
tournament. Go Lady Cougars!
SHS Student Council
Page 6
COUGAR TRACKS
Spring 2015
The Editor’s Pick: (Continued from page 5)
A Letter from SHS Principal, Roberto A. Estrella
Dear Sahuaro Community:
I want to start this letter by thanking everyone who
continues to make Sahuaro an exceptional school. I
feel compelled to address the recent incident that took
place off campus. The incident was serious and
disturbing. We continue to take strong measures to
address this situation. As troubling as this event was,
it is not representative of the values or culture held by
our students, faculty, staff, parents, and community. I
would like to recognize the efforts of those students
who more closely represent what our school is about.
Here is a short list:
Congratulations to our school’s Student Council.
They were recently awarded Outstanding Council of
Distinction, the state’s highest award for student body
councils. They were recognized largely due to their
many community service efforts. This semester, our
student leaders continue to build on those efforts.
They have been working with Mesquite Valley
Growers, Home Depot, TEP, and other organizations
to plant 50 trees on our campus. They are also
working with Flouresco and the Cougar Foundation to
restore the courtyard clock.
The Impact Club is sponsoring a 1,000 Acts of
Kindness Challenge for Sahuaro. Our goal is to
document 1,000 acts of kindness as quickly as
possible. We have challenged Palo Verde High
School to do the same. If students see an act of
kindness, they can ask a teacher for a green slip to fill
out and return it to the teacher. The Impact Club will
collect these slips to build a kindness chain that will be
displayed in the cafeteria. We need everyone’s help to
reach this goal!
Special recognition goes to our Orchestra. They
presented their 2nd annual SOPApilla Night in the
Little Theater on Wednesday, January 28th. The
Concert Orchestra and Jazz Band performed as large
ensembles and the Symphonic Orchestra played in
chamber groups (solos, duets, trios, etc). Music from
the Classical Era through the Pop Music of today was
performed. They played very well! After the
performance, they provided refreshments in the choir
room.
Several members of the Performing Arts at Sahuaro
auditioned for the AMEA (Arizona Music Educator
Association)
Regional
Music
Festival.
Congratulations to the following for being accepted:
Band: Geoff Robertson, Katie Robertson, Jon Keating, Daja
Burley, Donna Bondoc.
Choir: Lylah Field, Jaida Dixon, Casey Mills, Justin
Schicker.
Orchestra: Carissa Powe, Sanem Reinhard, Liselle Alcorn,
Megan Bridges, David Reyes, Rick Botkin, Levi Powe,
Matt Bley, Evan Ellingsberg.
These are some of the best musicians in the South Central
Region of Arizona! In addition, our Fine Arts and
Performing Arts have a packed calendar over the next
month. Please come out and help support our programs.
Upcoming Events:
February 16-17: Our school is proud to host the TUSD
Middle School Festival during the school day.
February 18: The Band, Orchestra and Choir will have a
concert in the auditorium at 7:00 pm. It is free!
February 19: Sahuaro will host the Thespian Inductions at
6:30 pm in the Little Theater.
February 24: Sahuaro Shakespeare Competition at 3:30
pm in the Little Theater.
March 4: Sahuaro will host the TUSD Chamber Orchestra
Festival at 4:00 pm.
March 25: The Children’s Show at 6:00 pm in the Little
Theater.
Congratulations to our wrestlers Armando Valencia, Adrian
Villasenior, Carlos Martinez, JD Luna, and Tino Murrillo
for qualifying to compete in the State Tournament in
Prescott. JD Luna placed 2 nd at sectionals and Tino
Murrillo was the Sectional Champion. Congratulations to
the girls soccer team for their state qualifying season. Also,
a big thank you to the girls soccer team. They recently
helped Kellond Elementary School with their clean up day.
Deanna Harris-Quinnan, Kellond’s Principal, wrote in a
letter to our school, “Our PTO leaders and Fellowship Bible
could not stop talking about their work and character
exhibited”. We also wanted to wish the girls and boys
basketball teams the best as they head into their sectional
and possible state tournaments.
Again, this is just a small list, but it is a better
representation of what our students do. We have many
remarkable students who wake up, come to school, and
quietly make our campus exceptional.
For more District information regarding Sahuaro, access the
TUSD website http://www.tusd.k12.az.us/ , choose From
the Superintendent at the bottom of page and then click on
Team Member Update, February 19, 2015.
Page 7
COUGAR TRACKS
Spring 2015
COUGAR TRACKS
A Publication of the Sahuaro
High School Cougar
Foundation
Marti Jones, Editor
Sahuaro
High School
Cougar Foundation
P.O. Box 18181
Tucson, AZ 85731
FAX:
Cougar Foundation
C/o Sandy Novak
520-731-7105
E-MAIL:
info@
SahuaroCougarFoundation.org
More Foundation and
Sahuaro News at:
http://sahuarohighschool.net
http://www.graduateconnectio
ns.com/sahuaro/
http://www.facebook.com/
(Search: Sahuaro High School)
Foundation Website
See us at:
www.sahuarocougar
foundation.org
Hall of Fame Nominations Accepted Year Round
Nominations for the Cougar Hall of Fame may be made at any time by accessing the
Foundation website at http://sahuarocougarfoundation.org . However, the deadline for
consideration for this year’s inductees is May 1. If you know someone whom you believe
deserves to be honored by his or her peers, please let us know. See you at the 2015 Hall of
Fame Breakfast!
The Cougar Foundation Offers Continuing Education
Scholarships for Faculty and Staff . . .
The Cougar Foundation Faculty/Staff Scholarship for Continuing Education is an annual
scholarship that provides $500 for one male and one female Sahuaro High School faculty or
staff member. Among the stated purposes of the Sahuaro Cougar Foundation is to support
activities, students, and staff of Sahuaro High School. These scholarships help meet this
goal.
The Faculty/Staff Scholarship will provide much needed financial assistance to employees
who wish to continue their education. The continuing education must be taken at a two- or
four-year institution of higher learning or in an approved educational program that will
enhance classroom performance or student contact. To be considered, prospective candidates
must have served at Sahuaro High School for at least two consecutive prior years.
GRADUATING SENIORS: The foundation also offers two $1200 scholarships each year
for graduating seniors (one female, one male) in the spring of the school year as well as
mini-scholarships to students throughout the year for activities and enrichment programs.
Grants are also offered to faculty for classroom projects or other stated needs. The SHS
Senior Scholarship applications are due April 15.
For more information and to download applications and information go to the Cougar
Foundation Website: www.sahuarocougarfoundation.org
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
The mission and purpose for the Foundation are:

To perpetuate the history, traditions, and spirit of Sahuaro High School.

To support the activities of its students and staff.

To provide services to the Alumni.

To invoke a system of honors and awards that recognizes the achievements of the students, staff and alumni.
Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in supporting the Foundation and its work.
Name_____________________________________________________________________________Class of___________________
Last
First
Maiden (if applicable)
Address____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Street
City
State
Zip
Phone: Home________________________Work__________________________Cell_____________________________________
Email:______________________________________________________________________________________________________
DUES: Individual $25; Family $40 per year: Note: Member year is now January 1 – December 31.
Donations are gratefully accepted. Donations and membership dues are tax deductible. Enclosed is my gift for:
[ ] $1000
[ ] $500
[ ] $250
[ ] $100
[ ] Other

Gifts of $1,000 or more will receive a lifetime foundation membership and their name on the donor plaque in the
Cougar Hall of Fame.

Gifts of $500 & $250 will have their name on the donor plaque in the Cougar Hall of Fame.
Make checks payable to “Sahuaro High Cougar Foundation”.
Dues: ____________________________Donation: ________________________ Total Enclosed: ____________________
Please make your check payable to: Sahuaro Cougar Foundation
We proudly accept: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover (Please circle one)
Name on Card: ___________________________________ Card #_____________________ Exp. Date _________
Card CSC#__ __ __
Please Mail to: Sahuaro Cougar Foundation - PO Box 18181 - Tucson, AZ 85731
Mail to: Sahuaro High Cougar Foundation, PO Box 18181, Tucson, AZ 85731
Email: info@sahuarocougarfoundation
Website: www.sahuarocougarfoundation.org
SAHUARO HIGH COUGAR FOUNDATION
P O BOX 18181
TUCSON AZ 85731
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED