Nick Martinez (Art

Director/Artist), Los

Angeles, CA:

I graduated

from Holbrook High

School in 1997. After

high school, I studied

English Literature and

Painting/Printmaking at

Arizona State Universi-

ty in Tempe. During

college, I worked as a

sign artist at Trader

Joe’s.

After college, I

began working as a

display coordinator at a

clothing store called

Anthropologie. I de-

signed and installed

window and store dis-

plays for them around

the country. I also con-

tinued to create sign-

age and displays for

Trader Joe’s.

In 2008, Trader

Joe's offered me the

chance to move to Cali-

fornia and create sign-

age for their stores in

Orange County and

Long Beach.

After a year in

California, a friend

from college offered

me an opportunity to

paint signs and sets for

TV, music videos, and

commercials. I left

Trader Joe’s and began

painting sets and signs

full-time.

In the past six

years, I’ve worked as a

set/sign painter on tel-

evision commercials

for Apple, Nike, Skit-

tles, BMW, Snickers,

Call of Duty and more.

I’ve also worked on

Music Videos for Katy

Perry, Pitbull, TI, the

touring set for Kanye

West, and the Gram-

mys. I've also helped

paint sets for TV shows

like The Voice, The Re-

al, The Queen Latifah

Show, Kris! and Just

Keke.

Three years

ago, while painting a

set for The Jersey Shore

reunion special on

MTV, I was asked to

join the art department

of a production compa-

ny called 495 Produc-

tions. I worked in their

art department as a

painter and set dresser

for a few reality shows.

Then, I

began leading the art

department as art di-

rector on shows includ-

ing Snooki & JWoww on

MTV, Party Down South

on CMT, Ex Isle and It

Takes a Sister on Oxy-

gen, and most recently

Mother/Daughter

periment on Lifetime.

Set work is dangerous!

Why Not Me? Pursuing the Dream with Passion Phaturos’ Philosophy

I find the theme

of our final senior news-

letter—Why not me?—to

be very powerful and

fitting for our gradu-

ates. As I reflect on the

personal and profes-

sional ladders that I

have climbed in my life,

there were always

rungs missing, self-

created reasons why to

not take further steps

higher. However, also

present was an impulse

to continue moving ver-

tical. In light of this

mental duel, I believe it

is important to under-

stand that we are all

challenged by doubt,

fear, and reservation;

however, the key to un-

locking their constraints

on our personal growth

and fulfillment is to de-

velop a habit of mind

that someone has to do

it, someone has to be

that person, WHY NOT

ME! As a result, I urge

all of you to realize that

other Roadrunners be-

fore you are succeeding

in their adult lives and

you will too, so long as

you are able to see

those missing rungs for

what they are—

temporary illusions.

HHS Senior Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 4

May 1, 2016

Life is full of opportunity!! Nothing is a greater testament to this than the lives of former HHS Roadrunners!! We asked

folks to share what they are currently doing in the hope that it will inspire you to consider the unfathomable number

of possibilities that you have for finding your passion and creating a career that will bring you joy!

Experiment on Lifetime.

My job as an art director

is to help the set designer create

their vision of what the set

should look like. Together, we

lead a team of carpenters, paint-

ers, set dressers, and prop styl-

ists to build sets from the ground

up and to modify pre-existing

sets to fit our filming needs.

I love art directing, but I

also still love to paint. In be-

tween art directing jobs, I con-

tinue to paint signs and artwork

for other entertainment projects

and for my own enjoyment. I

have a painting studio space in

Downtown LA where I spend as

much of my free time as possible

creating new things.

My advice to anyone who

wants to work in a creative in-

dustry is to practice what you

love to do until you master it.

Also, never be afraid of making

mistakes in front of more experi-

enced people in your field.

More often than not, they will

help you correct your mistakes

and then you can pass that

knowledge on to the next gener-

ation.

Hetal Patel

Smile!

I am

currently a third year dental stu-

dent at Midwestern University

College of Dental Medicine.

Following Holbrook High

School, I attended the University

of Arizona where I graduated

with a B.S. in Molecular and Cel-

lular Biology and minors in Busi-

ness Administration and a The-

matic Minor in Southeast Asian

Languages. During my time at

UofA, I was very involved in vol-

unteer work, various extracurric-

ular organizations, and shadow-

ing.

A year from now I will

graduate with my Doctorate of

Dental Medicine, and will per-

form procedures from basic fill-

ings and extractions to placing

surgical dental implants, im-

proving smiles through veneers,

complex full mouth rehabilita-

tion cases, and much more. To

get to that point, requires at least

8 years of schooling following

high school, passing two parts of

the National Board Dental Exami-

nation, and multiple steps to

gain licensure.

Everything I would look

for in a career can be found in

dentistry. It is challenging, multi-

faceted, constantly evolving, re-

warding, flexible, and gives me

the opportunity to directly im-

prove the quality of lives of thou-

sands of people. A person’s oral

health has such a great impact

on quality of life, being able to

enjoy food, smile, and speak.

It’s something very easy to take

for granted until you see

firsthand the importance of it.

Dentistry also allows for a

good work-life balance with a

predictable work schedule and a

comfortable lifestyle with job

stability. One thing that sets den-

tistry apart is that you get to real-

ly develop a relationship with

each of your patients, and have a

meaningful impact on

their lives. There is great

fulfillment in being able to take a

patient out of pain, improve their

health, or help build a patient’s

self esteem by giving them a

beautiful smile.

As with anything else, the

more work and energy and pas-

sion you put into your schooling

and career, the more satisfaction

and reward will come from it.

“Dentistry also allows for a

good work-life balance with

a predictable work schedule

and a comfortable lifestyle

with job stability.”

Page 2 HHS Senior Newsletter

I am a Fellow at the CDC

(Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention), and I work with a pro-

gram called the Field Epidemiolo-

gy Training Program (FETP). My

team’s primary mission is to in-

crease capacity for disease sur-

veillance in developing countries.

Say, 15 or 20 years ago - if a dis-

ease broke out in a developing

country with no health infrastruc-

ture - that disease would have

gone unnoticed until rumors

spread to the Western World and

alerted people at the WHO or

CDC. Then those people would

have traveled all the way to those

places to hopefully identify, track,

and stop the disease.

Meanwhile, that disease

would have killed or sickened

countless people. In the last few

years there has been a global

push to change this. Instead of

having Western doctors and epi-

demiologists track diseases from

afar, we know it’s far better to

train local people in how to detect,

report, and respond to disease.

Think of it as the old maxim about

giving a man a fish versus teach-

ing a man to fish.

A perfect (and horrifying)

example for why we need this sort

of work was the recent Ebola out-

break in West Africa. Most of

those countries had failing or non-

existent heath surveillance infra-

structure. And what happened?

Thousands of people died grue-

some deaths - and many, many

more had to claw their way from

the brink of death. And beyond

sickness and death, the culture in

these areas was shaken to its core.

People who did not under-

stand the disease did everything

from quarantining healthy people,

shunned children who lost their

entire families to the disease, or

even unknowingly continued to

spread the disease by carrying

out traditional burial practices. If

there had been more people from

these countries who had an inti-

mate knowledge of the culture and

health system AND who knew

basic tenants of epidemiology and

disease surveillance — the spread

of Ebola would have been very

different.

My role in all this is to help

make sure some of our programs

run smoothly. I do a lot of work in

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E),

which is a process of understand-

ing whether we are doing what we

set out to do, and understanding

the impact of what we do. This

sounds simple enough, right? Well

- we manage over 40 programs in

40 countries, and each country

comes with its own set of issues.

Additionally, each country

has a different need for these pro-

grams. I mostly work with our East

Africa countries, but I do some

things with West Africa and Asia

as well. I work out of Atlanta, but

do get the opportunity to travel to

visit our programs in person.

While I was in Kenya I met

with our local program staff to ob-

serve some trainings, but also

asked the staff how things were

going. The people running our

Kenya program are incredible.

The staff is 90% Kenyan, which is

exactly what we want to see. This

is human capacity development in

the works. Over the past year, the

Kenyan program has guided their

surveillance officers in respond-

ing to many, many cholera out-

breaks throughout the country,

and are actively monitoring for the

introduction of the Zika virus into

the country.

As a result of their

work with the cholera outbreaks,

they were better able to track the

disease and amplify the local

health system to get people the

medical attention they needed. It’s

almost impossible to say this for

sure, but lives were probably

saved because of the actions of

our Kenyan program staff. And

that is what makes me want to go

to work every day.

All of this may sound very

exciting, but the truth is 95% of my

days are spent in front of a com-

puter, in a cubicle, wearing un-

comfortable “business casual”

clothes. But I’m okay with that.

The work we support in

other countries matters, and more

importantly, it will have a lasting

impact. Plus, the people I work

with have a wealth of knowledge

that I benefit from every day; this

is critically important for someone

like me who is at the very begin-

ning of a long career.

Page 3

Samantha Perkins: The World is in Need of Compassion and Care

evaluations for patients who

have had traumatic injuries,

serious illnesses or strokes.

There are pros and cons to

both jobs, but I love what I do

and I’m passionate about my

career.

Weekdays-I work as a

contracted speech language

pathologist in a Preschool – 8th

grade school. In this job I work

with a wide variety of language

disorders and speech impair-

ments. Weekends- I work as a

“per diem” speech language

pathologist in a hospital. In this

job I conduct speech, lan-

guage, cognitive, and swallow

I feel very blessed to have

two jobs. I honestly have a hard

time calling them jobs. Most days

I go to work I can't believe I'm get-

ting paid to do what I do.

I'm a police officer in

Holbrook, the city I love and grew

up in. I love being a police officer;

every day is different and every-

day I feel like I can make a differ-

ence, whether it's a big difference

or a small difference.

I've had the opportunity to

participate in catching a suspect

who was involved in a double

murder to picking up trash from a

citizen’s yard because some stray

dogs knocked down their trash

cans.

Being a police officer is

fun and always exciting. I have

been able to go to different train-

ings and have made it on the re-

gional SWAT

team. I've

also been

able to give

presenta-

tions at the

schools

about being

a police of-

ficer. I love

training and working for the com-

munity.

The other job I have is part

time as a soldier for the AZ Army

National Guard. I love being a sol-

dier and doing it part time is awe-

some. Being in the Guard has al-

lowed me to work on my career as

a cop and as a soldier.

My job for the military is

an MP, military police. I was able

to work with other police depart-

ments in the Super Bowl as a sol-

dier for my MP company. We got

to provide security and my pla-

toon was the quick response team

if there was any type of threat to

the Super Bowl. Being a soldier in

the Guard is filled with training

and the opportunity to be de-

ployed and serve the country.

I've been out of high

school for almost nine years, and I

love what I do. I’m excited for

what else is in store for me.

Holbrook High School is awesome

and I feel blessed to have been a

graduate of HHS.

Patty Singer: Communication=The Human Connection

Stratton Hatch: The High Calling of Public Service

Page 4 HHS Senior Newsletter

every day about kindness and

love and respect for others. I

also get to teach the fun things

like potty training, proper

ways to wipe noses, and all

about their body parts. The

best part of all is I get to watch

them learn and grow every sin-

gle day. Children really are

amazing!

them when

they are sick,

kiss cuts and

scratches, play

pretend, color,

read, give

horseback

rides, etc. I get

to teach them

My name is Sherah La-

Buff (HHS Class of 2009) and I

am currently attending the Ari-

zona College of Optometry to

become an optometrist, other-

wise known as an eye doctor. I

have one year left of training

before becoming a doctor, but

am already managing and

treating patients with an over-

seeing doctor, and I love it!

While most people

think eye doctors primarily just

prescribe glasses and contact

lenses, we actually do so much

more! We help treat infections

in and around the eye and can

also diagnose several different

health issues like diabetes and

high blood pressure just from

looking in the back part of the

inside of the eye. I've already

helped save a patient's life by

diagnosing them with severely

high blood pressure! They did-

n't know that their blood pres-

sure medication was not work-

ing properly, and they were at

severe risk of having a stroke!

It takes a lot of school

and training, but it has been

worth it. It is so rewarding get-

ting to see patients and make

their lives better with the help

of my decision making!

It is an absolute privi-

lege to wear the uniform of my

country, as well as lead/

command highly motivated

Airmen. Because of this privi-

lege, I absolutely love my job!

I am a Civil Engineer and Pro-

ject Manager for the United

States Air Force (USAF). My job

includes leading Airmen, and

contractors, to design and con-

struct cutting edge facilities/

airfields for USAF weapon sys-

tems.

Lisa Larsen: “Children Really Are Amazing!”

My job is a full time

mom. I spend my days caring

for the needs of my family. I

love it so much. Sometimes it's

hard, but it's always worth it.

With my husband’s crazy work

schedule (law enforcement ), it

allows me to be a constant in

their lives. I get to care for

Page 5

Sherah LaBuff: Seeing Eye to Eye-A Study in Optometry

Chad Harvey: Proud to Serve So That We May Pursue Our Dreams

having a relationship with God. I

believe I have finally found my

calling.

I want to add that I

earned my Bachelor’s Degree in

English at University of Arizona

in 2011. Mrs. Caffey is the rea-

son I chose English as my major.

She had an enormous impact on

my life in high school and contin-

ues to be a great source of inspi-

ration for me.

Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support

Center in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Bridgehaven is a Christian non-

profit organization which offers

free pregnancy tests, ultra-

sounds, Earn While You Learn

classes, and post-abortion sup-

port groups. I teach a sexual

risk avoidance curriculum in

public classrooms from the 7th

grade level up through high

school.

My favorite aspect of my

job is connecting with at-risk

youth (both through one-on-one

meetings and drug treatment

facilities) and speaking to them

about the harm of drug addic-

tion, the challenge of single

parenthood, and the joy in

I completed my BSN at

ASU and work as a pediatric

RN. Within this field I have

previously worked as a floor

nurse at Phoenix Children's

Hospital and as an elementary

school nurse. I currently work

from home as a telephonic pe-

diatric triage nurse.

The nursing field has

provided me with opportuni-

ties to care for others, love on

babies, and write letters to the

tooth fairy. Most importantly,

because of the diverse oppor-

tunities within the field, it has

allowed me to maintain my ca-

reer while raising my family.

The flexible schedule I enjoy

allows me to spend most wak-

ing moments with my children.

I couldn't ask for more!

Kelli Hansen: Compassion and Hope Offered Here

I am currently employed

in the Prevention department at

Jody Karges-Christensen: A Helping Hand in Times of Need

Valerie Blie: Playing and Learning with Our Little Folks

I am a physical edu-

cation teacher at Grease-

wood Springs Community

School. I honestly love my

career. I get to have fun with

the students and play almost

all day. I add reading and

math to my classes because

every little bit helps when it

comes to learning. Yes, there

are times when I want to pull

my hair out but what teacher

doesn't? When you are pas-

sionate about what you do, it's

not work, it's pure fun.

Doobie Brothers and got an auto-

graphed picture out of it!

After the casino, I took a

better position as Assistant Pastry

Chef at Skyline Country Club. Un-

fortunately, about one year after I

started, the club was bought out

by another company. The new

company made the decision to get

rid of the

pastry

depart-

ment, so I

was

forced to

move on

from that

job. I

now currently work in a kitchen at

Davis Monthan Air Force Base.

Roman Mid-

dleton: I am a Journeyman

Lineman for

Salt River Pro-

ject in Phoe-

nix. No, I don't

play football! I

keep the lights

on and make

sure they stay

on! I absolute-

ly love my ca-

reer and couldn't be any more

thankful being given the oppor-

tunity to go to school for this and

make a living doing it!

Alan Simpson:

I am

currently teach-

ing at a K-8

school in Phoe-

nix. I teach gen-

eral music to

kindergarten

through 5th

grade. I also

teach band to

4th-8th grade.

The school I am at also happens to

be the Roadrunners. We are the

Maryland Roadrunners.

Serenity Sells: I am currently working on a

crisis mobile

team at Empact

Suicide Preven-

tion Center. I

am called out to

people who feel

hopeless and

lost and most

times just need

to talk to some-

one who cares.

I faced a lot of

close calls with my own suicide

attempts including driving into a

walk going 100 mph with my seat-

belt off. I walked out with a scratch

on my knee and with an amazing

realization!!

That night my heart was so

full, and I realized I was meant to

do something important! The very

next day I began looking for jobs

to help people that have been to

that dark place. Here I am today

and have never been happier.

Children and adults have told me

"You have changed my life." I

hope one day I can do even more

for people but even helping one

person, I feel invincible!!!

Amy

Pack Stephensen: I work as a dental hygienist two days a week

and I love what I do. I started as a

dental assistant right out of high

school and worked on my dental

hygiene little by little. I am a stay

at home mom the rest of the week.

My life is truly blessed!

Sara Guzzo:

I graduated from culinary school

in 2011 with a degree in Baking

and Pastry Arts. My degree

helped me land a job as a pastry

cook in the pastry department of

Casino del Sol here in Tucson

soon after graduation. I stayed

there for three years, where I

mainly focused on making des-

serts for the four star restaurant

inside the casino, PY Steakhouse.

I even got to make dessert for the

Kellee Clark: I am a Li-

censed Asso-

ciate Mar-

riage and

Family Thera-

pist. I'm mov-

ing to Denver

at the end of

this month to get my independent

license...this will allow me to have

my own practice. Eeek !

Sharon Young:

I am a toddler teacher at a

private preschool in the valley!

"What can you teach toddlers?" is

one of the most common questions I

get from people. That's a great

question! At age one, toddlers are

developing at a rate faster than they

would at any other age.

I teach them sign language,

life skills, and work with them on

physical development, too! I can

say that I love my job and have so

much fun doing what I do! I have

always wanted to teach children

and I've always loved young chil-

dren. Working as a tod-

dler teacher has been so rewarding

for me, in more ways than I could've

thought possible. I've been reward-

ed enough to see just how much

children can develop in 6 months or

1 year. IT'S PHENOMENAL!

I've

been blessed enough to acquire a

patience and skill for attempting to

really help these children grow and

learn! Watching them grow over

the course of time is my favorite

thing! I truly enjoy my job!

Always a Roadrunner… Page 7