Avondale honors students, schools, food-drive volunteers and inaugural small-business awardees

Avondale Mayor Pineda and council members used their Jan. 26 meeting to spotlight local achievement and community service, honoring students, school leaders, food‑drive volunteers and the first recipient of a new small‑business award.

Donna Gardner, the city’s youth and community engagement manager, read nominations for Avondale’s Exceptional Student recognitions, praising students for academic progress, leadership and service. Honorees included Frankie Olivias (Agua Fria High School), Anaya Salcedo (LADI Core), Declan Blades (Corte Sierra Elementary), Allison Lisonbee (Garden Lakes Elementary) and Emily Ding (Westview High School). “He interacts with peers and staff in a respectful, thoughtful, and positive manner,” Gardner said of one student, noting nominees demonstrated both classroom achievement and community impact.

The council also presented plaques to La Jolla Community High School and West Point High School after the Arizona State Board of Education gave each school an A grade. West Point principal Brandy Haskins and La Jolla principal Bill Sorensen credited teachers, families and community partnerships for the ratings, with Haskins noting high expectations and targeted supports. “It’s the work of the hard, the hard work of teachers on campus every single day with our students,” Haskins said.

Stacy Arellano, Neighborhood and Family Services coordinator, reported results from the City’s 2025 School Spirit Food Drive: staff recorded 8,085 pounds collected, reported by organizers as equivalent to 6,737 meals. Arellano listed participating schools and announced the top three contributors, naming Legacy Traditional School first, Avondale Middle School second and West Point High School third. She thanked students and the Avondale Youth Advisory Commission for coordinating collection and distribution.

The council also launched the quarterly Avondale Business Spotlight Program and presented the inaugural award to Yolanda and Orlando Chavez of Panaderia La Central. Business Development Manager Adam Shipley said the couple provided free wedding cakes to couples affected by a Phoenix bakery closure in late 2025, an effort that inspired other bakeries to offer assistance across the region. Council members urged residents to support the bakery after the recognition.

The recognitions concluded with photo opportunities and brief council remarks thanking students, school staff, volunteers and small‑business owners for their service to Avondale.