Latest news with #PanAmericanChampionship
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Future Olympic diver and culinary arts standout: Vote for Student of the Week, March 10-14
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 have shined in some other way. All high schools in Arizona are invited to nominate students to be included in an online poll where 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 at 6 a.m. Meet this week's nominees! Gabby Lowe truly deserves to be Student of the Week. Born in Ethiopia and adopted by her mom at age 2, Gabby has shown unwavering dedication and a positive attitude toward school, her peers and her future. She excels academically at her home campus and is a standout student in the culinary program at her trade school. Gabby demonstrates exceptional leadership in the classroom and is actively involved in the Desiderata student government. Always ready to assist her peers, she fosters a collaborative environment and is committed to personal growth. Beyond academics, Gabby is a kind, respectful young lady who shows empathy and support for others, putting a smile on everyone's face, especially her teachers. Empathetic, witty and loved by all, Gabby consistently sets a positive example for her peers and teachers. Her contributions inside and outside the classroom make her an outstanding candidate for this recognition. Nomination submitted by Pete Aitken, exceptional student services science teacher, Desiderata High School. At 15, Mik Schwickert of Scottsdale has his sights set on the Olympics. The competitive diver describes his ascent modestly: 'I started diving with a recreational program when I was six. Then my brother was in a club program, so I joined him. Then, in 2019, I was a national champion on five meter and three meter.' Countless hours have gone into perfecting his champion-level dives. The three-time Pan American Championship qualifier hopes to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team eventually. In the meantime, he's perfecting his form. He earned fifth place and seventh place at the 2024 World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships in Rio de Janeiro. He's also keeping up with his academics. All of the training time makes a traditional school schedule impossible, but Mik is enrolled at ASU Prep Digital, where there's more flexibility and NCAA accreditation means he is well-poised to explore athletic scholarships. Nomination submitted by Shasta Schrempp, learning success coach, ASU Prep Digital. For more information on Student of the Week, email studentoftheweek@ This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Future Olympic diver, culinary arts standout: Vote Student of the Week
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kapolei softball's Saito set to play for Team USA
Fourteen-year-old Skyla Marie Saito is set to represent her home state and country on one of the biggest stages in youth softball. The Kapolei High School freshman was recently named to the USA Softball 15-and-Under National Team, earning a coveted spot among 16 players from across the nation. The Ewa Beach native will don the red, white, and blue at the upcoming Pan American Championship in Acapulco, Mexico, and later at the WBSC World Cup in Italy. For Saito, the honor is both humbling and thrilling. 'I get to represent Hawai'i—that's a big thing for me,' Saito said. 'We're small, so getting to represent this very small state means a lot. And overall, representing USA internationally—it's crazy to be one of the few people to do it.' Saito credits her teammates and mentors for pushing her to new heights in the sport she loves. 'All my teammates have made me want to be better, especially working with my upperclassmen. They've really pushed me to improve,' she said. A catcher with a powerful bat, Saito plays club softball with Hana Pa'a while balancing her freshman year at Kapolei. She sees the game as more than just a sport—it's a lifelong teacher. 'Softball is basically my life,' she said. 'It's taught me so many life lessons—how to work with others and adapt to different situations. I'm really excited to see these new places and play with people I've never seen before. But honestly, I'm also a little scared about how it's all going to turn out.' Saito and Team USA will first take the field at the Pan American Championship, set for March 19-26 in Acapulco, Mexico. Following that, the squad will compete in the WBSC World Cup from June 27 to July 5 in Italy, where they will take on some of the top young talent in the world. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
