Governing Board Clerk Patty Kennedy
presents Jennifer Runger with her award. |
Ms. Runger proudly serves as the chairperson of
the math department at Glendale High. |
Teacher of the Year- Jennifer Runger
A native of Phoenix, Jennifer Runger graduated from Ironwood High School and then attended Trinity University in Texas where she received her bachelor's degree in history, with a minor in mathematics, and her master's degree in secondary education.
She began teaching at Glendale High in August 1999, and although she majored in history, she has always taught math. She currently teaches AP Calculus and algebra 1/ Ascend Math Lab, but she has also taught geometry and algebra 1-4. Ms. Runger is very active in the math department, serving as the math intervention specialist and the department chairperson.
Outside the classroom, she has coached volleyball for the past 12 years and used to coach girls basketball and softball. She also sponsors the math honors society, Mu Alpha Theta.
Fellow math teacher Mrs. Striedieck says, "Jennifer is fair and professional as a department chair for the math department. She cares about all of her students as well as ours and has high hopes for their success every minute of every day."
Congratulations, Ms. Runger!
Governing Board Member Pam Reicks presents
Angel with his award. |
Angel is at the top of his class at Glendale and
maintains perfect grades. |
Student of the Year- Angel Morales
Angel came to Glendale High School after attending Desert Spirit Elementary School. He is a straight A student, and is at the top of his class. Throughout his time at GHS, he has taken every honors and AP course that the school offers.
Angel says that his favorite subjects are science and math, and it shows. During his freshman year, he was taking honors algebra 2, a junior level class, and by his junior year, he was taking calculus courses at ASU. In 2010, he participated in the Joaquin Bustoz Math and Science Honors Program at ASU, and he said this was one of the most memorable experiences of his life.
He is very involved in extra-curricular activities on campus, including the French club, Interact, theater, National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. He especially enjoys the volunteer work he is able to do with Interact and the performances he has participated in with theater. In addition to all of those activities, he also recently took up percussion in the band and works as a peer tutor in AP Physics.
After high school, Angel will be attending the University of Rochester in New York, where he hopes to major in optical engineering and minor in theater.
Principal Deborah Jordan says, "Angel is a quiet, but persistent young man. He does not have the words "I can't" in his vocabulary."
Congratulations, Angel, and best of luck to you in the future!
Governing Board President Ian Hugh presents
David Gallegos with his award. |
The Gallegos family has strong ties to GHS, as
all of them have graduated from or worked for
the school. |
Support Staff of the Year- David Gallegos
David's family has a long history with Glendale High School. He, his wife, his mother, his siblings, and many of his other family members graduated from GHS. His mother currently works in Glendale's cafeteria, and his father formerly worked as a parking lot attendant there.
After graduating from Glendale, David attended Cochise College and Southern Arizona Bible College and received his CNA license. He began working as an instructional aide in the special education department at Glendale in 2004.
David is very involved on Glendale's campus. He has been the co-sponsor of the junior class for the past four years, has put on proms for the special education students, and has served as a co-coach for the wrestling team for the past year. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the piano and camping.
David's supervisor, Carol Collins, says, "If you come and visit the community based classroom or the Glendale campus and mention David Gallegos' name, students and staff alike will immediately generate smiles and stories of David's helpfulness, his good humor, and his ability to make the educational experience one dedicated to excellence."
Congratulations, David!
Governing Board Member Vicki Johnson
presents the wrestling team with their award. |
The GHS wrestling team focuses on doing what's
right, instead of focusing solely on winning. |
Student Group of the Year- Wrestling
The Glendale High School wrestling team is coached by head coach Brian Horaski, Jason White, David Gallegos, and Brian Ress. In just five years' time, the team has grown from six students to 28 this year.
The team's captain, senior Mike Holwell was the state champion in his weight class last year, and this year, he broke a school record by having 48 pins and no losses. This year, he advanced to the state level championship, but missed the win by one. Wrestlers Gilberto De La Toree, Juan Carlos Hernandez, and Drew Harmon also competed at state.
The team is always improving. Last season ended with three wins and eight losses, and this year, the season ended with a 16 wins and 11 losses. However, Coach Horaski says winning is not the main focus of the team. He says his team is constantly focused on hard work, dedication, perseverence, and integrity. The team's belief is that if the right things are done the right way, wins will follow.
Congratulations, Glendale Wrestling!
Governing Board Member Rick Fields presents
Jerry Foley with his award. |
Jerry Foley is an asset to Glendale High School,
and the school's administrators are grateful to
have him around. |
Volunteer of the Year- Jerry Foley
A career military man, Jerry Foley spent 32 years serving with the US Navy, including serving tours in Vietnam and Saudi Arabia, and working at bases in Japan, South Korea, and many in the US.
After retiring from the Navy in 1993, Mr. Foley received his bachelor's degree in English and became a substitute teacher at Glendale High in 2006. Since then, Mr. Foley has become a staple on the campus, helping administrators maintain a presence in the hallways and volunteering to work on different events and projects.
When the time came for the school's centennial celebration, Mr. Foley became one of the chairpersons of the committee. He donated many hours to the event, handing posters, contacting local businesses, managing sales of memorabilia, and attending class reunions.
Assistant Principal of Operations and Resources Julie Patton says, "Wherever there is a need, Jerry is always willing and able to step up and take it on. He lives up to the Navy motto, 'not for self, but for country,' his country being Glendale."
Congratulations, Mr. Foley, and thank you for all that you do!