2011 College Grant Award Winner

Congratulations Mitchell!

GPPA Awards Annual Grant to Mitchell Lyons

          Mitchell Lyons, a graduating senior from Cactus Shadows High School, is the 2011 recipient of GPPA's college grant. GPPA makes the award annually to a high school student who is enrolled and accepted for college in the coming spring. Mitchell will be attending Arizona State University and majoring in Earth and Environmental Studies.

          Entrants are evaluated based on past performance and future potential, with particular focus on activities demonstrating a commitment to desert preservation, wildlife conservation, and the protection of quality of life in our community. A 2.5 grade point average or higher is required.

          GPPA's award committee, headed by Maxine Rosenberg, had a difficult time choosing from the outstanding group of applicants. Congratulations on your upcoming graduations and keep up the good work for your community.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Honors Curriculum
Dual Enrollment / Paradise Valley Community College
Arizona State Science Fair First Place Medalist
Kiwanis of Carefree Science Fair Second Place Medalist
Heritage Music Festival Rating of Excellence
Dr. Vote Stuart Chase Coy Scholar - Athletic/Activity Award
Cultural Exploration Both Here and Abroad
Student of the Month Accreditations

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT and ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Founder of Community Recycling Program 2002 - 2011
Local Community Environmental Scuba Diving Clean Up Dives 2004-2011
World Exploration Volunteer/Environmentalist/Scuba Diver 2004 - 2011
Humanitarian Relief Programs 2007 - 2011
Mayo Clinic Nurses Internship Program 2008
Senior Mentor Kid's First Ice Hockey Program 2009 - 2011
The City of Carefree Community Volunteer 2007 - 2011
The City of Cave Creek Community Volunteer 2007 - 2008
Kiwanis of Carefree Volunteer 2007 - 2011
Veterans Administration Volunteer 2007 - 2011
Assisted Living Community Volunteer 2007 - 2011
Local Restaurants/Retailers/Business Entertainment 2007 -2011

SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT and ACCOMPLISHMENTS

AHSHA High School Ice Hockey Starting Center Captain 2007 - 2011
AHSHA Hockey All Star Award 2007 - 2011
AHSHA Hockey State All Star Forward Award 2007 - 2011
AHSHA Hockey State Champions
Falcon Pride Marching Band 2007 - 2011
Falcon Pride Concert Band 2007 - 2011
Falcon Pride Jazz Band 2007 - 2011
Falcon Pride Philanthropy Committee 2007 - 2011
Falcon Pride Social Committee 2007 - 2011
Drama Club 2008 - 2009
Spanish Club 2008 - 2010

PERSONAL INTERESTS and ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Sonoran League Ice Hockey Starting Center Captain 2005 - 2010
Phoenix Pride & Purpose Award 2009
Student Body Leader
Academic Class Room Leader
Scuba Diving / Ocean Preservation
Environmental Preservation
Humanitarian Relief
Travel / Culture
Biology

Application Statement

By Mitchell Lyons

                                                                                      Sonoran Desert

        The Valley of the Sun is a beautiful and diverse region of the Sonoran Desert and I am honored to call it home. Today there are more people calling Arizona home than in any previous year. With the influx of people that are drawn to the Grand Canyon State, the potential for damage to the unique terrain has escalated. I have made a conscious effort to protect the northern Arizona pines, the Sonoran wildlife, and the desert cacti.

        I am proud to say that I've had a hand in protecting the towering, tree-lined skyline of northern Arizona. Nine years ago, I self-implemented a community aluminum recycling program. Each week I collect aluminum from the neighborhood schools, businesses, and residents. In return, I provide funds to the elementary school library to purchase accelerated reading materials. The age of "flipping the page" is being phased out. Promoting the use of technological advancements within our schools, saves the trees that would have become pulp for paper products.

        I am proud to say that I had a hand in protecting the wildlife that we share our surroundings with. As a certified scuba diver, I participate in several "'clean up dives" a year in our precious waterways. Our lakes and parks are not only used for recreation; they are home to many species of desert wildlife. Ridding the lakes the debris promotes a healthy aquatic animal population. Removing fishing poles, tangled lines, and beer bottles from the bottom of our lakes sustains the Sonoran Desert ecosystem by keeping the food chain not only alive, but thriving.

        I am proud to say that I had a hand in protecting the vegetation of the desert. The Sonoran Desert plants are in a sticky situation (pun intended), many exist on land that is being inhabited at an increasing rate. There are housing communities, six lane roads, and retail centers built on what used to be lush desert. As part of this growing community, I have made an effort to save threatened cacti. In designing our new home, our family incorporated a courtyard so that a saguaro could remain. There are several other homes under construction in the area. I have witnessed the unrelenting and instant destruction of cacti by a bulldozer. I have tried to salvage the discarded plants, thus creating a nursery. As I tend to my garden, my green thumb has proven sufficient. With time and care my intention is to replant these succulents in the area from whence they came.

        I have made a conscious effort to protect the landscape, wildlife, and vegetation within my community. I have protected the northern pines through recycling, the waterways, and desert animals by actively participating in clean up dives, and with the application of my green thumb has allowed the cacti to bloom once again. I am thankful for the Sonoran Desert lifestyle and beauty that I awake to each day. What I have given back is a small token of appreciation for what the environment and my community has provided for me.