Student Council Hosts Regional Conference
1,200 student council members and sponsors from 36 high schools attend AJHS event
On the stormy morning of August 26, 2008 approximately 1,200 Student Council members and sponsors from 36 high schools all over central Arizona converged on Apache Junction High School (AJHS) as the AJHS Student Council hosted the Spirit Conference for the Arizona Association of Student Councils (Central Region).
   The purpose of a Spirit Conference is to inspire, educate and bring student councils together to improve each individual student government. The appropriate theme for the location was the Wild West and students came dressed as cowboys, Native Americans and even cows. The enthusiasm of all of the participants was apparent throughout the conference.
   Although some of the events had been scheduled to be on the football field, early morning thunder, lightning and rain changed the venues to the Performing Arts Center, the North gym and the Technical Center.
   Two motivational speakers challenged the council members to reach out to people on their campus and truly lead with their hearts. The AJHS choir, drum line and varsity cheer squad of participated and their talent helped to make the event special, according to organizers.
   The AJHS Student Council (STUCO) is composed of only 17 members, half the number of members some larger schools boast. STUCO sponsor Colleen MacCallum called the successful event ”truly, a team effort.” She thanked the many groups including volunteers from Desert Shadows Middle School, the AJHS girls’ basketball and volleyball teams, administrators, teachers, support staff and cafeteria and custodial workers for their assistance.

See A-1

A Community Grows Into The Future
City of Apache Junction Community Relations Department
Part VI in a series on city government for FY 07-08
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
During annual trips from Illinois to Apache Junction, Stephen Amrhein and his wife spent more than $8,000 on rental fees. So the next logical step was to purchase property in the the state.
   When they became full-time Apache Junction residents eight years ago, Amhrein began to read the News. The city intrigued him so he began his journey to learn more about it.
   In 2007, the Seton Hall University graduate attended the Citizens Leadership Institute, and now he volunteers at the city’s front desk, helping patrons who visit City employees. “They asked me if I can come from 10-1 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,” Amhrein said. “Business has been slow. I’ve had a few visitors. I find out what they want, who they want to see and I get them lined up with that person and we go from there.”

See A-1 and see Future, page A-5

Project ChalleNGe Cadets Help Clean Retiree’s Yard
Frontier Ace Hardware donated supplies for clean up
By Meghan McCoy
The News
A group from Arizona Project ChalleNGe spent several hours last weekend in Apache Junction to help clean a retiree’s front and back yard as part of the residential phase of the program that provides the cadets service to the community.
   Project ChalleNGe began in July 1993 as a program that fills a void for high school dropouts who still wish to succeed by providing a challenging, military-based educational program that stimulates each participant physically, psychologically and emotionally to help them function productively in their community.
   As part of the Project ChalleNGe program, the cadets have to complete 40 to 60 hours of service to the community during their five and a half month residential phase of the program. Project ChalleNGe Coordinator Katrina DeVinny said the community how to give back and contribute in a beneficial way to their own communities.
   Retiree Deatra Jackson received the cadets’ help in trimming trees and bushes, pulling weeds and unwanted grass, along with rearranging her brick walkway last weekend in both her front and back yard.

See A-1

A.J. Dominates, 68-0
Corral Mustangs in opener for second straight year
By Chuck Baker
The News
For the second year in a row, Apache Junction opened their football season with a dominating win over the Sinagua Mustangs inside the Walkup Skydome at Northern Arizona University in the Flagstaff Kickoff Classic, the latest a 68-0 thrashing this past Friday evening.
   The Prospectors dominated on both sides of the ball, rushing for 327 yards in the first half alone while the first team defense limited the Mustangs to minus two net yards for a commanding 48-0 lead at intermission.
   Second and even third team AJHS players tacked on 20 second-half points and finished off the defensive shutout.
   Senior All-State running back Shane McCullen ran for 159 yards on just five first-half carries, that included an 80-yard touchdown. The senior also scored the first time he touched the ball Friday with a 38-yard touchdown run and McCullen also had a 53-yard TD run called by on a Prospector penalty.
   Senior fullback Justin Ferman tacked on 94 firsthalf rushing yards with his six carries, including a 29-yard scoring run, junior quarterback Nate Scola scored on runs of 24 and 23 yards, and senior back Mike Taylor got into the end zone twice with two first-half short TD plunges.

See C-1 and see AJHS, page C-3