WillisJunior HIgh School

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Willis Junior High (2022-2023)

Susana Ceballos, media assistant at Willis, is one of three CUSD recipients of the Intel Teacher Diversity STEAM Grant in 2022. She begins student teaching next semester. Susana receives $1,200 which can go toward schooling and education.

"I am so grateful and honored to have received this award. I would first like to thank our incredible principal Jeff Delp for nominating me and being such a supporting and encouraging presence in our school. I am so excited to be able to use the scholarship to help make my future classroom a welcoming and warm place for students."

"Intel is proud to support CUSD educators dedicated to transforming the school-to-STEAM pipeline into an equitable pathway for all students. Most people had a teacher who changed their life for the better. We are investing in teachers who are inspiring families and striving to make Chandler a more vibrant community for everyone," Jenn Sanchez, Intel Arizona Community Manager, said. Read more on the Intel Teacher Diversity STEAM Grant Winners.

Willis Junior High (2021-2022)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP:  Congratulations to Abbie Johnson, Clara Olpin, Hana Gerstberger and Alexia Heaton for winning 1st place in the Junior Group Performance category at the National History Day State competition with their presentation "The Equal Rights Amendment." Abbie, Clara, Hana and Alexia were among top two entries in their category at the state/affiliate level, and are now invited to the National Contest to be held virtually June 12-16. Willis Junior High is proud to continue their strong tradition of sending student to National Competition.

Willis Junior High (2021-2022)

Congratulations to the Willis Jazz band for participating and performing at the NAU Jazz Festival in Flagstaff, Arizona on the weekend of February 26. The Jazz band was awarded Superior by every judge, which is the highest ranking achieved. The following students also were awarded Outstanding Soloist Awards: Dante Maxim on Vibes, Lincoln Rounds on Tenor Sax, Owen Anderson on Bass Trombone and Maya Lampol on piano. Way to go, Firebirds!

Willis Junior High (2021-2022)

Congratulations to Willis 8th grader Kailah Johnson who won 1st place (Visual: 4th - 8th Grade) in the City of Chandler's Creative Expression Competition. Congratulations also to 7th grader Claire Ulep who won 2nd and 8th grader Clara Olpin who won 3rd in the Writing: 4th - 8th grade category. This year's theme was: Connected Through Diversity: Finding commonalities and connections in our diverse community.

Willis Junior High (2021-2022)

Students in the English Language Development (ELD) Program at Willis Junior High School recently read the book, A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park. The story tells about the Lost Boys of Sudan and the dire water situation that still exists there. It didn't take long for students to act and hold a fundraiser for the foundation Water for South Sudan. The foundation was created by the main character of the story, Salva Dut, one of the Lost Boys who relocated to the USA. The WJHS students raised over three-hundred dollars that will go for water pumps at the Water for South Sudan organization. If anyone is interested in learning more about the group, their details are at: Water for South Sudan

Willis Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to Emmy Anderson, Emily Chao and Emma Weiss who won 1st place in Medicine and Health Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2021 Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (AzSEF) for the project titled "An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away" Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (AzSEF) website

Willis Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to Emmy Anderson, Emily Chao and Emma Weiss who won 1st place in Medicine and Health Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2021 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled "An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away"

Willis Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to custodial manager John Lackie who won the Apple Achievement Award, Maritza Moreno who was named the Outstanding Volunteer, and eighth grader Cullen Schreiner who is the Superintendent Citizenship winner from Willis Junior High for 2021 Read their stories here!

Willis Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to Emma Weiss of Willis Junior High who tied for 6th place at the 2021 Chandler Unified School District Spelling Bee on February 2. Emma 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!

Willis Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to winners in the 2021 City of Chandler Creative Expression Competition from Willis Junior High. Visual Arts winners (5-8 Category): Eli Lovely, 2nd place; Alexandra Carranza, 3rd place tie; Madison Ong, 3rd place tie; and Devin Vidrios, Runner-up. The theme for the 2021 contest: How your experience of culture or understanding of equity has changed with time. Winning artwork entries were displayed as street light banners in downtown Chandler during the month of January 2021 and on the City of Chandler website. City of Chandler Creative Expression Competition website

Willis Junior High (2020-2021)

Willis Junior High teacher Christine Diaz contributed to the Center for Responsive Classrooms, The First Ten Days of Responsive Advisory Meetings, a special-edition e-book addressing the specific and unusual needs of the 2020-2021 school year. This comprehensive publication will guide teachers nationwide in creating meaningful connections and positive communities.

Willis Junior High (2020-2021)

Christopher Holley, music teacher at Willis Junior High, ACP Erie and ACP Oakland, was nominated for the 2020 Grammy Music Educator of the Year award. He has made it to the quarterfinals for the national award. He was nominated for his work at Willis Junior High. This award is presented by the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum, the Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college, public and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Paxton Minter and Rafael Cedillo who won 3rd Place in Animal Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Testing Natural Repellents on Farmer Ants. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Emma Hogarth and Ella Kraver who won 2nd Place in Behavioral & Social Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Gender Discrimination in Presidential Elections. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Jacob Husul and Brenden Dales who won Honorable Mention in Medicine & Health Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Building an Artificial Pancreas. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Alana Toigo who won 2nd Place in Medicine & Health Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Albedo, Electrolytes, and Potatoes. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Emmy Anderson and Emma Weiss who won 2nd Place in Medicine & Health Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled A Transdermal Treatment. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Emily Chao 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 Antibiotics: A Blight on Bacteria. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Nathan Feely who won 2nd Place in Chemistry, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled The Effect of Certain Biodegradable Straws on PPM of Water After a Certain Amount of Time. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Cullen Schreiner, Tauceti Lopez and Grant Gibbons who won Honorable Mention in Computer Science, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled How Different Weather Conditions Affect Camera Visibility On Cars. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Alexander Holdren and Simon Aleksov Rodriguez who won 2nd Place in Earth & Planetary Science, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Resisting Earthquakes. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Madison Ferrari and Taylor Relvas who won 3rd Place in Earth & Planetary Science, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Enhanced Weathering. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Adeline Compton who won 3rd Place in Engineering, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled How the Shape of a Barrier's Slope Affects the Result of a Wave's Force on the Given Barrier. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Daniel Johnson who won Honorable Mention in Engineering, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled CAP Wheelchair Ramp. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Michael Rosendahl who won 2nd Place in Environmental Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Bioplastic Spoons. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Ian Zeiger who won Honorable Mention in Environmental Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled The Effects of Carbon Soot on the Surface of Ice. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Willis Firebots VEX Robotics Team 6142W hosted the Junior High State VEX Robotics tournament at the 2nd annual Chandler Innovation Fair (CIF), won the junior high school VEX Tournament state championship, and they have now qualified for the 2020 World Vex Championship in Louiville, Kentucky. Congratulations to Taylor Relvas, Allan Brown, Cedric Crandell, Caymen Cibbarelli, Noah Hanson, and Coach Prichard!

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Dr. Scott Nelson, Willis Junior High volunteer, who won the "People's Choice" award at the annual City of Chandler volunteer recognition event on February 6. City of Chandler Volunteer Recognition Awards website

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Superintendent's Student Citizenship Award winner: Salome Sebastian Pablo came to the United States, speaking English as a third language. She demonstrates determination, grit, responsibility and nearly every positive character trait represented by the Willis Core Values. Salome is an extremely hard worker, and a great example of the power of perseverance. She is determined to be successful in school. She is not only an English Language Learner success story she is a success story, period.

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

The Willis Junior High School Jazz Band auditioned and was selected to perform at this year's Arizona Music Educators' Association Conference. Director John Studzinski and members of the jazz band presented a break-out session on Friday, January 31 related to beginning and building a successful jazz program. On Saturday, February 1, the jazz band was one of two featured groups for a morning concert. As always, they did a phenomenal job and were positive representatives of Willis and the Chandler Unified School District! Willis Jazz Band Honored - Photo Album

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Willis Junior High School hosted its annual showcase on November 7. There were displays of student work, hands-on activities for kids, live music, games, and much more. There was a tremendous community turnout and they were happy to host families from all feeder schools.

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Willis Jazz Band was selected to perform at this year's Arizona Music Educators Conference in Mesa, Arizona during the weekend of January 31, 2020. In addition to performing, the Willis Band has been selected to present a clinic to state educators on: "What it Takes to Build a Successful Jazz Program." They will then perform for the music educators as an Honorary Ensemble representing the best of the state.

Willis Junior High (2019-2020)

Redemption Church in Gilbert donated several boxes of materials to the Willis Junior High community resource room, including more than $2,000 in giftcards (to purchase things like jackets, shoes, towels, etc.), and a check for $1,000. THANK YOU, Redemption Church!

Willis Junior High (2018-2019)

Willis Junior High jazz band, under the direction of John Studzinski, received the highest-ranking award for their division at the Highland Jazz Festival. This annual jazz festival has been running for the past 10 years and this year had more than 45 jazz bands performing for adjudicators from all over the United States. Willis received a Superior rating from all three judges and received the highest ranked score in the Junior High and Middle School Division.

Willis Junior High (2018-2019)

Emma Hogarth and Ella Kraver won 1st Place in Junior Division: Medicine and Health Sciences (ME) for the project titled Can't Stop the Beat at the 2019 Arizona Science and Engineering Fair. For their project, they tested the effects of alcohol and caffeine on the heart rate of daphnia (small aquatic crustaceans commonly called "water fleas"). They are interested in the effects that alcohol and caffeine have on our overall health. Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (AzSEF) website

Willis Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to 7th Grade award winners Emma Hogarth and Ella Kraver who won 2nd Place in Medicine & Health Sciences at the 2019 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Can't Stop the Beat. HISEF 2019 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to 7th Grade award winners Madi Ferrari, Arianna Wheeler and Angel Rojas who won 3rd Place in Plant Sciences at the 2019 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled The Effect of Plants on Temperature. HISEF 2019 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to 7th Grade award winner Adeline Compton who won Honorable Mention in Chemistry at the 2019 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled The Effect of Type of Paper on how Much Weight the Sheet Holds. HISEF 2019 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to 8th Grade award winners Claire Adams and Veronica Tapia Velazquez who won Honorable Mention in Chemistry at the 2019 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled How Do Battery Voltages Affect the Decomposition Rate of Water?. HISEF 2019 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to 7th Grade award winners Emma Hogarth and Ella Kraver who won Intel Innovator Award in Medicine & Health Sciences at the 2019 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Can't Stop the Beat. HISEF 2019 Award Winners

Willis Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to Katie Shaffer who was named a Si Se Puede Foundation Educator of the Year winner for 2019. She will be recognized at the Annual Educators of the Year Awards Dinner on April 13 at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino. Katie is an English Language Learner teacher at Willis Junior High. She received her Master's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan in 2005. Katie also has an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems. She has taught in CUSD for many years, primarily working in early education, but she made the move to Willis Junior High in 2018.

Willis Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to winners in the City of Chandler's Creative Expression Competition from Willis Junior High. Visual Art winners (5-8 Category): Arayah Rosehill, 1st place; Michelle Barragan, 2nd place; Jasmin Panopio, 3rd place. Contest winners will be presented with an award and a cash prize for the school at a future city council meeting. City of Chandler Creative Expression Competition website

Willis Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to Willis 7th grader Daniel Enriquez, winner of the school Geography Bee, and 8th grader Lynette Hurtado who placed 2nd.

Willis Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to Ms. Shandel Roberts, social studies teacher at Willis Junior High School. Ms. Roberts was recognized as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8053 AND VFW District 10 Teacher of the Year. If you know Ms. Roberts, you know that this recognition is well-deserved. We are very proud of her and fortunate to have her as a member of the Firebird family!

Willis Junior High (2018-2019)

Principal Jeff Delp arrived to school Monday, September 10th to find thousands of dollars worth of school supplies donated by Redemption Church. Their generosity has been a huge boost for our school's community resource room and will also allow us to support the needs of students at several feeder elementary schools.

Willis Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to Willis Junior High eighth grader Sumaya Quitugua who won the Arizona Department of Health's "Must Stop Bullying" video competition.

Arizona Department of Health Services - MustStopBullying.org website

Willis Junior High (2017-2018)

Congratulations to Daniel Hoang, 2017-18 Willis Chess Champion, and runner-up Todd Applegate! These two skilled players battled it out all year for the top spot; they are very evenly matched. Daniel is a 7th grader and will be defending his title next year as he has the opportunity to become the only repeat Willis Chess Champion in school history.

Willis Junior High (2017-2018)

Willis Firebirds placed 5th in the state in Odyssey of the Mind (O.M.) competition in Tucson after qualifying in the central regional tournament. O.M. is a creative problem-solving competition. Students may not accept assistance from adults, so each team's solution is completely original. As part of the competition, students built a balsa wood structure weighing less than 15 grams that held 120 lbs in competition before breaking! They also created an artistic performance to accompany the test. Odyssey of the Mind website

Willis Junior High (2017-2018)

Thirteen Willis Junior High students auditioned and were selected to perform at the American Choral Directors Association Conference over Spring break in Pasadena, California. These students spent countless hours practicing prior to the event and went through a rigorous rehearsal schedule to be a part of the ACDA Western Division Honor Choir. An exceptional music program has always been a hallmark of WJHS, and these students certainly exemplified that through their participation in this event. Western Region American Choral Directors Association Honor Choirs website

Willis Junior High (2017-2018)

The Willis Firebots VEX Robotics team won the Sportsmanship Award and were Tournament Champions of the Campo Verde High School Robotics Tournament on Saturday November 18th. Willis Firebots Website

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