By Nina Lin, Waley Lin and William Zheng
We asked students, faculty and staff to tell us about the highlight of their summer vacation. Here are their answers.
Tyrone Jordan, 6A – During the summer, I played basketball so that when school starts I will be a better point guard for my team. I’m ready for basketball season.
Natalie Padron, 6B – Over the summer, I went to Flagstaff to camp with my family. We set up the tent and rode our four-wheeler quadricycle. It was fun to ride it with my sister and brother. I also went fishing and spend a lot of time playing volleyball.
Logan Duplissis, 6B – I went to Portland, the coast of Oregon, with my family. We went swimming at the beach. My favorite part is when we tip-toed through the water without getting wet.
Caroline Webster, 6C – This summer I went on a road trip to Washington to visit my grandparents in Whidbey Island. Along the way, my family and I stopped at a restaurant and decided to eat there. Big mistake! The food that I ordered was nasty and disgusting. There were cabbages and soggy potato pancakes. It was a soggy gross dinner. However, I did have a great time at Washington with my sisters. It was a really fun trip.
Nickolas Mascaro, 6C – During the summer, I went to Slide Rock State Park with my family. I went camping there with my Dad and my brother, Matt. The water slide was awesome and fun. I almost fell off the waterfall. There was also a deeper part of the slide rock to swim. The best part was when I jumped off a 10-foot cliff and plunged into the water.
Nickolas cooling off at Slide Rock State Park in Sedona.
Clara Moffitt, 7A – Over the summer, we had an exchange student come from China named Lewis who lived with us. We went to visit our grandparents and cousins. We went to the Redwood Forest with Lewis and it was fun. We also went on roller coasters in Santa Cruz. Overall we had fun with our Chinese exchange student. He also had a lot of fun here.
Carter Mendoza, 7A – I went to New York and went to a huge M&M manufacturing factory. It was exciting to see how it works and how M&Ms were made. I also went on a speedboat ride called “The Beast” that traveled in high speeds. I was all soaked after the ride. It was cool and awesome.
(Image of The Beast)
Hayden Wisneski, 7A – Over the summer, I did not do anything because I had pneumonia. I was able to watch Netflix and swim though. I did go to Sedona, where we went to a resort. We also went to Payson where I hiked with my cousins. Lastly, I went to Flagstaff. We went to a art festival and saw a lot of interesting art.
Niah Johnson, 7B – Over the summer, I went to Canada and went water skiing and tubing. It was extremely cold there, but it was fun. I came back to Arizona and went to Sunsplash a few times with my family. Nice to be back in Arizona.
Daniel Tsark, 7C – During the summer, I went to Virginia Beach with my family. There we watched huge fireworks that exploded in the sky. It was amazing to watch as it sparkled through the night sky. Then we went to Washington, D.C. Boy, it was packed with so many people. You can easily get lost. We saw the White House, hoping to see President Obama, but sadly we didn’t. Overall, it was fun and it rocked!
Tykiera Jordan, 8A – During the summer, I played on a co-ed basketball team. It was hard work but I felt confident that I could do this. At the end of the summer I went to Sunsplash to celebrate my sister’s birthday. It was fun!
Preston Smith, 8A – I went to Spain for three weeks without my parents. I also went to many cathedrals to sing . I sang there with a choir called the “Phoenix Boys Choir.” The food was great, the scenery was gorgeous, and I got to meet many friendly people.
Major Reis, 8C, Lexi Reis, 7B – Over the summer, we went to Alaska, we went fishing and caught some fishes. We also helped our dad build his shed. It felt great after we finally finished the project!
William Zheng, 8B – Over the summer, I went to China with my family members. I went to provinces Beijing and Fuzhou. My grandpa owned a five-story house in Fuzhou that is over 30 years old! Also, when I was in Beijing I went on a tour that took me to the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, The Imperial Garden, and the largest silk manufacturing company in China. After that I met my 90-year-old great grandpa in California’s Chinatown. I had a fun and great time there.
William’s adventure in China.
Therese Thirkhill, 8B – I was a junior lifeguard of at Rhodes Junior High. I got to learn how to be a lifeguard and had fun with new friends. I also went to Violin Camp where I studied and played my violin. I feel more experience in it now.
Zachary Brown, 8C – I went to San Diego, California and hung out with my friends who used to be my neighbors. I went to a summer camp during my vacation. However, my favorite trip was when I went to Newport Beach to spend time with my relatives. I like going to the beach every single day and spending time there. My brother, Jacob Brown, had his hair permed. He looks like a weirdo.
Laxmi Wiese, 9A – I went to LA in California. I went to the Seal Beach, was a lifeguard, and saved kids – yay! It was nice to see the beach and was lots of fun too!
Charlotte Mclntosh, 9B – Over summer break I went to Portland, Oregon. It was a lot of fun because the weather was super nice and there were tons of books there to read. It was really relaxing and peaceful.
Maria Zello, 10A – I went on a two-week long road trip around the USA. I went to Seattle for two days. I got my bronze certificate for Congressional award. And, I finished tons of TV series.
Joya Ma, 10B – I learned driving over the summer. It was amazing and I feel like I’m so good at driving. I also made my new portfolio at fashion design. It took some time to draw but I love drawing in my spare time.
Some of Joya’s designs and artworks.
Denzel Rustempasic, 11A and Jamie Sprout, 11B – First, we got all the books from the previous year and reread them. Then we reviewed game film from the TPA football season. Then we went to the uniform store to try on our cute outfits for the year. And now we’re enjoying life at TPA, and looking forward to a rematch against Yuma. Go Knights!
Rachel Dinh, 10B – I went to Vietnam during the summer. It was super fun because I got to meet my family members. I enjoyed spending time with them. I also learned how to ride a motorcycle. It was pretty cool and exciting to ride.
Cole Klassen, 11B – I went to Oceanside, California. I enjoyed the food, the beach and most importantly the weather.
Christian Pantera, 11B – I went to Payson with my family and we camped on a weekend. I had a blast there spending time with my family. I can’t wait for the next summer.
Joe Swingle and John Paul Beguhl, 11C – We went to Makuto’s Island where there were many tunnels and slides, and an indoor playground–not to mention an arcade and pizzeria. We ate churros on the slide. We also met Arnold Schwarzenegger who was eating a fish taco. It was so much fun.
Jon Maza, 12A – I went to Germany with Tempe Sister Cities, and met a lot of interesting people and tried new food. Friendship and memories 2015! #friendship #follow me on Twitter to see my adventure in Germany.
Sterling Hicks, 12A – I went to Indiana and Illinois for a month to visit families and work on cars. After I got back from Illinois, I hung out with Alexi, Shea, and Bradley. After a week back I went to California with previously graduated friend Denzel. I went to beaches almost every day. I had a great summer!
Erin Guiney 12B – I went to Dallas for a speech and debate tournament. Then I also went to a speech and debate camp at ASU Barrett.
Mary Goodykoontz, 12B – I went to North Carolina for five weeks as a staff in a training for summer camp. It was super fun and I met a lot of people from around the world. I rode a horse and went contra dancing, and learned kendama.
Mary at the training camp with a group of friends/staffs.
Daniela Ledesma, 12B – I went to Disneyland with my cousins! It was super fun, and I really want to go back soon! My favorite ride is Space Mountain; it’s an awesome ride and Disneyland was a perfect way to end my summer break.
Bronson Stephens, 12B – I worked at Boy Scout Camp, Camp Geronimo, in Payson, Arizona at the climbing tower. I went to Quertaro, Mexico; Albuquerque, New Mexico; St. Paul, Minnesota; had a layover in Chicago, Illinois; Pasco, Washington; and Hermiston, Oregon. I traveled to a total of seven places this summer. I had never been to Mexico and I thought it was amazing to see how different and how similar the culture was compared to the culture in United States. My favorite part of the summer would probably have to be working at Boy Scout Camp because I was able to get away from technology, not worry about it, and just enjoy the nature and nice people. It was really fun, relaxing, and peaceful. We had one scout rappel down while wearing a horse mask.
Right Corner: We had a scout that wanted to rappel down while wearing a horse mask.
Bottom Right: Here is a panorama of a church we went to in Mexico.
Left: This arch design is made entirely out of seeds (semillas).
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Teachers and Staff
Mrs. N. Calahan – I celebrated the end of an Athletic Director’s career (14 years!). That’s pretty cool. I also celebrated a new daughter-in-law’s wedding. It was held in the Phoenix Art Museum. It was glorious and beautiful with galleries on the backgrounds. I was extremely happy for Mr. Calahan to find his true love. It’s a miracle too–didn’t think he would find a girl. One of the best day of my life.
Mr. & Mrs. Calahan’s wedding.
Dr. Evans – During the summer vacation, I cut a rose bush that was 15 feet high. I went on a trip to New Mexico and fly-fishing in the San Juan River. I also went to Lac La Croix, Minnesota, and canoed 80 miles down the lake.
Dr. Evans at Lac La Croix, Minnesota. Photo by David Trombold.
Dr. Konikoff – During the summer, I was in ASU where I was researching and submitting papers. I was the faculty associate. With the load of work, I was still able to complete what had is to be done. I didn’t really have a summer vacation. However, I’m glad that I am teaching at TPA.
Mrs. Magana – During my summer vacation, I spent most of the time at Tempe Prep. However, I went to Disneyland with my husband and my kids for three days. I rode on the Splash Mountain for the first time, it was great! Overall, it was amazing and the most happiest place in the world.
Mr. Thurston – On May 24, the Saturday after Senior Graduation, I flew to London, England for five days. I did tourist stuff. I took a train to Bruges, Belgium which it went under a large tunnel called Chunnel. So pretty. I also took a train to Amsterdam and saw the art gallery. There was a Russian artist who was present. Then I took a train to Paris where I saw the Eiffel Tower, then to Notre Dame. I went to Musee d’Orsay and saw many famous paintings. There are many great foods that I enjoyed and I had a great time there with my wife.
Mr. Thurston’s adventure in London & France.
Mr. Keating
During the summer, I remodeled the kitchen, a project which has been going on for two months. I taught summer school at TPA. I did a lot of TPA political works. However, I also went to Venice, California and did workouts at Muscle Beach.