SantanJunior High

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Santan Junior High (2023-2024)

Donna Gustafson, a Social Studies teacher at Santan Junior High, was chosen to take part in National History Day's professional development program for fall 2023. This program utilizes the resources available in the online Library of Congress to enhance the development and backing of historical arguments. This opportunity is made possible through NHD's affiliation with the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Consortium. Donna's selection is particularly noteworthy, as she is one of just seven educators in Arizona to receive this prestigious honor.

Santan Junior High (2021-2022)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP:  Santan Junior High School drumline won the WGAZ (Winter Guard Arizona) State Championship on April 2-3. Additionally, the Santan band director Mike Hancock was named the WGAZ Director of the Year.

Santan Junior High (2021-2022)

Congratulations to Mia Wilson who won 4th place in Behavioral and Social Sciences - JR, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2022 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled "The Effects of Age, Introvertism/Extrovertism, and Perfectionism on Motivation."

Santan Junior High (2021-2022)

Congratulations to Myla Crawford who won 1st place in Animal Sciences - JR, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2022 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled "Favorite Cat Treats."

Santan Junior High (2021-2022)

Santan Junior High math teachers Missy Stanley, Sarah McGinnis, and Megan Jeffers were chosen to be videoed by AMP (Arizona Math Project) to showcase exemplar models of active learning and building thinking classrooms. The promotional video will be used to recruit new teachers to the project. Way to go ladies, we are SO PROUD OF YOU!

Santan Junior High (2021-2022)

Santan Junior High seventh grader, Emma Robertson, placed second in her age division in the Chandler inaugural Through Your Eyes art contest with her submission. She was recognized with a $250 scholarship and presentation at the State of the City address by the Mayor where her submission was displayed and she got to meet the City Council.

Santan Junior High (2021-2022)

The Sun Lakes Rotary honored Santan Junior High science teacher Tracy Phillips as Teacher of the Month for February.

Santan Junior High (2021-2022)

Congratulations to eighth grader Sarina Frink, the school winner from Santan Junior High in the Sun Lakes Lions International Peace Poster Contest.

Santan Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to Ava Arjona and Lily Hindes who won 3rd place in Physics and Astronomy, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2021 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled "How does Temperature affect the bounce of a tennis ball"

Santan Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to Max Christ for placing 2nd in the 2021 Chandler Innovation Fair Invention Convention category for the project titled "Autonomous Bus".

Santan Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to Paige Taylor who won Honorable Mention in Animal Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2021 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled "Beta Fish Maze Experiment."

Santan Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to custodial manager Martha Avila who won the Apple Achievement Award, Christine Factor who was named the Outstanding Volunteer, and eighth grader Taumi Spencer who is the Superintendent Citizenship winner from Santan Junior High for 2021. Read their stories here!

Santan Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to Amandeep Pruthi of Santan Junior High who won 2nd place at the 2021 Chandler Unified School District Spelling Bee on February 2. Amandeep will advance with the other top 10 spellers to the Maricopa Region 6 Virtual Spelling Bee to be held on Tuesday, February 16. Good luck!

Santan Junior High (2020-2021)

Santan Junior High student council (STUCO) collected Fry's Gift Cards to help support Chandler Care Center's Thanksgiving distribution. By collecting gift cards, they were able to successfully and safely help families in need. Students brought in gift cards they purchased from Fry's Marketplace and donated them to student council. From there, Santan's STUCO was able to buy from the list of supplies and package a great Thanksgiving dinner for the families who needed it the most. Thanks to Santan's generous students and staff, they were able to raise a total of $1,435! Santan was able to package and donate 122 Thanksgiving meals for the Chandler Care Center.

Santan Junior High (2020-2021)

The Sun Lakes Rotary honored Donna Gustafson from Santan Junior High as teacher of the month for September. She received a framed certificate and $500 from the Sun Lakes Rotary - sponsored by Trust Bank and Earnhardt Auto Centers.

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Santan Junior High Advancement Via Individual Determination students (AVID), collected hundreds of boxes of cereal to benefit the Chandler CARE Center. Shout out to teacher Wendy Umbrianna for organizing the effort. It was a wonderful act of love!

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

The Santan Junior High cheer team won the U.S.A. Championship in Anaheim, California in the "Show Cheer Advanced" category.

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Ryan Fisk and Meera Domadia who won 1st Place in Animal Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Oily Feathers. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Adelaide Howard, Sidney Weed and Jocelyn Dickey who won 2nd Place in Cellular & Molecular Biology, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Tomato DNA. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Alexis Taylor who won 1st Place in Cellular & Molecular Biology, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Germy Places. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Alexandra Longfellow who won 3rd Place in Chemistry, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Apple Browning. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Isabelle Stubbs who won 3rd Place in Plant Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Root to Success. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Brian Chung and Alex Coles who won 3rd Place in Computer Science, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Insiteful Experiment. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Kole Fluckiger, Madison McPoland and Layla Hammad who won Honorable Mention in Earth & Planetary Science, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Soil Wars. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Joshua Sherman, Landyn Morgan and Niall Sphier who won Honorable Mention in Earth & Planetary Science, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Tsunami vs Structure. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Tyler Mesias, Ashton McClinton and Isaac Franco who won Water Wise Award in Environmental Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Water Vapor. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Collin Hale and Kallan Speider who won 1st Place in Physics & Astronomy, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Does Insulation Affect Sound?. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Sierra Powers and Nola Smith who won 2nd Place in Plant Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Cross Pollination. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Seventh grade students at Santan Junior High learned about convection currents, both in the earth and the atmosphere. To illustrate the concept, they built and launched hot air balloons to help students make connections with convection and the lift of the balloons into the sky. It was a fun day for all who participated.

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Santan Junior High won the state championship for the sixth year in a row in Junior High Show Cheer (Large) at the Arizona State Cheerleading/Pom Tournament held on February 7 and 8 in the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The team is coached by Heather Kochanski and Kailey Fisher.

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Superintendent's Student Citizenship Award winner: Jake Byars excels in both academic and personal pursuits. He has a passion and desire to make change in the world. His planning and organization of first-ever school Volunteer Fair was particularly impressive. He contacted all the non-profit organizations, organized the event, contacted junior high and high schools to invite them, promoted and oversaw the event as it unfolded. More than 300 junior and high school students attended and will benefit from networking with volunteer organizations around the valley.

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Santan Junior High - team 7A went to Harkins to watch "The Outsiders" after reading the novel.

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Bronson Gentner whose Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest entry was selected as the school winner for Santan Junior High. For over 30 years, Lions clubs around the globe have sponsored this international art contest to give children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity. Audrey was awarded a certificate and cash prize from the Sun Lakes Lion's Club, sponsored by Intel.

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Santan Junior High cheer placed first in the USA National Qualifier and will represent CUSD at the National Cheer Competition in Anaheim, California in February. They are defending last year's title.

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Ana Abbott, Chicanos Por La Causa Esperanza Award Recipient and Teacher of the Year for 2019. The Esperanza award recognizes outstanding Latino teachers who have distinquished themselves through their extraordinary achievements. Chicanos Por La Causa website

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Santan Junior High Spanish teacher Ana Abbott was one of four educators across Arizona to be named by Chicanos Por La Causa as an Esperanza Latino Teacher of the Year. She will be recognized at an awards event at ASU Gammage Auditorium. Additionally, the Santan Junior High Jazz band will be performing that evening.

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to our 7th grade girls volleyball team led by Coach Kerry Lantgen, winners of the East Valley Conference Championship against Queen Creek Middle School. Santan won in three very close sets.

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

STUCO (Student Council), under the leadership of Santan 8th grader Jacob Byars and STUCO sponsor Mrs. Gustafson, put on our inaugural Volunteer Fair on September 23 -- National Volunteer Day. Twenty-five vendors showed up to showcase their programs and recruit teen volunteers from Santan Junior High and other junior highs/high schools within CUSD. More than 200 students showed up to inquire about volunteering!

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Through hard work and perseverance, Santan Junior High brought in more than $19,000 from a school fundraiser recently. Forty percent of those proceeds will go to students and activities for lunch time connections for all students. Lunches will include games such as massive CONNECT FOUR games, music at all lunches and support to our SJHS Lunch Bunch, where no student will ever sit alone.

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Our incredible Santan Junior High Booster's donated a brand new COW (computer "Cart On Wheels") to our school. The COW includes charging cart and 30 laptops for student use. These funds were collected by generous donations from our parents in 2018-19, and our incredible Boosters will continue the vision this year for another COW to serve our students!

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Santan Junior High teacher Heather Yordy who won $250 dollars worth of Scholastic Books for her classroom recently. She was selected from more than 124,000 teachers in the James Patterson and Scholastic Book Clubs Giveaway!

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

WEB (Where Everyone Belongs - facilitated by Donna Gustufson) successfully welcomed students to Santan Junior High!

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Sports at Santan Junior High are full of passion, talent and championships. We are a school that participates in the National Program, Positive Coaching Alliance - promoting better people, better athletes.

Santan Junior High (2019-2020)

Students and staff on our Multicultural Committee put on a Celebration of Diversity. Sophia Brantley sings "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the Multicultural Day event.

Santan Junior High (2018-2019)

Arizona Diamondbacks and Breyer Law Group awarded Santan Junior High and teacher Donna Gustafson a $2,500 "Game Changer" grant. Additionally, the school was provided 150 tickets to the game against the Pirates where they will be recognized in a pre-game ceremony.

Santan Junior High (2018-2019)

Santan Junior High teacher Alysa Olson is the recipient of another SRP Robotics Grant for $5,000. This is her fourth year in a row to earn this grant for a total of $20,000. Congratulations!

Santan Junior High (2018-2019)

Santan Junior High seventh grader Alex Coles won the Phoenix Suns and Southwest "Heart of Freedom" Essay and Poster Contest. By winning this year's Phoenix Suns & Southwest Airlines "Heart of Freedom" Art and Essay contest, he and one parent won a trip to Houston, Texas, all-expense paid.

Santan Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to Santan Junior High's Indoor Percussion winterguard who won the state championship on March 29-30 at Arizona State University in the junior high division.

Santan Junior High (2018-2019)

The Sun Lakes Rotary last week honored Kathleen Mejia from Santan Junior High as teacher of the month for April. She received a framed certificate, a $100 personal award from the Sun Lakes Rotary and an additional $100 from Trust Bank to be used in her classroom.

Santan Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to our Santan Junior High indoor drumline for capping off their undefeated season with a first place finish at WGAZ (Winter Guard Arizona) Championships at the end of March. This makes our Santan indoor drumline State Champs! YouTube: SJHS Indoor Drumline

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