Success Stories 2025 - 2026
The Tempe Union High Schools Education Foundation sponsored and donated to the following:
Grants the Foundation Awarded in 2025-2026
The Tempe Union High Schools Education Foundation awarded $35,000 to 15 TUHSD teachers and staff to promote effective and innovative teaching and challenge teachers to improve student performance.
-
Alaina Rowitsch from Mt. Pointe High School, to support Rocketry Exploration for her Math Students.
-
Stacey Forget from Desert Vista HS, to support Genetic Engineering and DNA Analysis in the Biotechnology Classroom.
-
Musa Gabere from McClintock HS, to support Algebra 2 Students in order to boost ACT scores and prepare students for higher math classes.
-
Jane Chu from McClintock HS, to create a sensory friendly technology crafting space for students.
-
Alex Torres from the Tempe Union Online Learning Program, to organize monthly outreach events for online students to bring them together for educational and social experiences.
-
Chris Rooney from Tempe High School, to support the campus-wide Economic Education Fair.
-
Reagan Guzman from Marcos de Niza to support mosaic panel and sun catcher-stained glass projects.
-
Amber Struthers from Tempe HS, to purchase an Arduino Starter Kit for Robotics and Automation Classes.
-
Nick Bonds from Mt. Pointe HS, to purchase a VEX CTE Work cell Unit for the Robotics & Automation classes.
-
Michelle Cabanillas from Corona del Sol HS, to create a Neurodiversity Club with Related Activities.
-
Amy Smith from McClintock HS, to support the Tetra Chamber Music Residency Program that will benefit students from both McClintock and Tempe High Schools.
-
Robert Owen Jones from Marcos de Niza HS to expand the Library Maker Space.
-
Kimberly Bonagofski from Mt. Pointe HS to support the development of a puppet theatre unit and to purchase materials for it.
-
Scott Werner from Corona del Sol High School to purchase mallets for the steel drum band and percussion ensemble.
-
Angela Rollins from Marcos de Niza to create a Shakespeare in the Park Event.
2025-26 Grant Recipients Recognized
Grant recipients being recognized at the September 17, 2025 TUHSD Governing Board Meeting.
CAREER READY - Partnership with the Tempe Chamber of Commerce and the City of Tempe
Twenty local students spent their summer break gaining work experience and building professional skills thanks to the Career Ready Tempe Program, which matches students with Tempe businesses for a six-week paid summer internship.
This year, 17 businesses participated as internship host sites, giving students experience in fields as varied as marketing and media, engineering, retail, construction, higher education and municipal government.
Now in its sixth year, Career Ready Tempe helps prepare and develop Tempe youth to participate in the future workforce through an internship and soft skills training provided at no cost by ASU’s EDGE Modules. Students are also matched with College Connect Tempe advisors who can provide guidance on career and educational goals. Interns work up to 120 hours during the summer.
Career Ready is a collaboration among the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, City of Tempe’s Community Health and Human Services Department and Economic Development Department, in partnership with the Tempe Union High Schools Education Foundation.
Safeway Pass-through Grant
The Education Foundation (TUHSEF) worked with Safeway to apply for a generous grant donation to Tempe and McClintock High Schools to celebrate the re-opening of Safeway at Broadway and Rural Roads. Safeway awarded $16,000 to MHS and THS to support school programs.
Opening Day Rally
The Education Foundation (TUHSEF) funded refreshments for faculty and staff at their Back-to-School Rally held at Desert Vista on July 21, 2025. The Foundation also handed out notepads and promoted Educator and Innovative Grant applications.
