Meet the azcentral Student of the Week nominees for May 26-30, 2025
Student of the Week offers schools the chance to celebrate teens who have placed in an art, dance or music competition, excelled in a science fair, won an essay contest, received a scholarship, were recognized for their volunteer service, or excelled in some other way.
All high schools in Arizona are invited to nominate students to be included in an online poll where azcentral.com readers vote to choose the Student of the Week.
Student of the Week voting is open from 6 a.m. Monday through noon, Wednesday. The winner is announced online on Friday morning.
Meet this week's nominees!
Ruben Camarena Gonzalez came to Carl Hayden through our Intro to High School summer program as an incoming freshman. Now, wrapping up his junior year, he has grown into a focused, grounded and self-motivated young man. Ruben is steady, thoughtful and driven — he keeps up with his schoolwork, gives everything to his volleyball team on the court and consistently holds himself to the highest standards. He has big dreams of furthering his education and studying business, and he's doing the work every day to make that future real. What stands out most is the way he carries himself — with kindness, determination and a sense of responsibility to those around him. Ruben is a student we're proud to have on campus, and he's a truly deserving choice for Student of the Week.
Nomination submitted by Andrew Scott, teacher and coach, Carl Hayden Community High School.
I am honored to nominate Angelique "Angie" M. Chavarria as Student of the Week. As her ninth grade English language arts teacher, I've had the privilege of watching her grow into a thoughtful, driven and compassionate leader. Angie is involved in StuGo, several after-school clubs and programs, and is currently earning honors credit despite not initially starting in the honors class. This achievement alone speaks to her resilience and commitment to excellence. Angie consistently goes the extra mile in her academics, not just to master content, but to support others. She's the kind of student who learns something and then turns around to help a classmate understand it. She is open-minded, eager to take on challenges and always lifts those around her. Angie is one of the kindest people I know, and it's clear that her positive impact reaches far beyond the classroom. She truly exemplifies what it means to lead with heart.
Nomination submitted by Jane Miller, teacher, Alhambra High School.
Aidan Mead, a senior at Apache Junction High School, plays on the varsity baseball team. He is a leader on and off the field. Aidan is an excellent student, but he is also known for his friendly and energetic personality. His dedication on and off the field has earned him the title of Pinal Prep Performer of the week for his outstanding performance this season as a pitcher for the baseball team. After graduation, Aidan is planning on attending Arizona State University.
Nomination submitted by Lisa Ginn, principal, Apache Junction High School.
Dezzarae Medina, a senior at Camelback High School, is a shining example of what it means to lead with heart, purpose and positivity. As head Link Crew leader, she represents our school community with courage, dignity and greatness. She acts with love and kindness in every interaction and brings a spirit of compassion to all she does. She finds joy in supporting others and consistently looks for ways to uplift those around her. Her commitment to personal growth and to making a difference makes her truly deserving of Student of the Week.
Nomination submitted by Erika Wimble, freshman house coordinator, and Connie Doherty, literacy coach, Camelback High School.
For more information on Student of the Week, email studentoftheweek@azcentral.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Meet the azcentral Student of the Week nominees for May 26-30, 2025
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