Prescott-area students shared their best moments of the last school year with Prescott LIVING Magazine. The magazine’s 2018 Essay Contest asked, “What was your greatest moment in school?” Essay contestants received a family four-pack of Heritage Park Zoo tickets.
Our school-aged writers will show you that children learn from experiences, not just from lessons.
A fourth-grader decided her career goal of being an astronaut was attainable after she met a real one. Art class inspired a student to create a castle. A Highlands Nature Center field trip taught students to think like coyotes.
Robotics sparked another student’s creativity, while a child’s first exposure to school involved an outdoor classroom that boasted dirt, trikes and a playhouse.
Take a few minutes and read about their exciting experiences, in their own words:
Brooklyn Kolar – 7th grade
My best day at school was when I got picked for helping Ms. Middlemiss out on Field Day. The partner that helped was needed Stella Packard. The station we worked at was the bouncy ball station. What you would do is you will either bounce, toss to your partner, shoot hoops, or play Hot Potato. K-2nd was actually easy sort of, but fun.
Field Day is a fun thing K-2nd do for the end of the year. The reason I wanted to be a helper was because of the kids. There were two in particular, Sara & Renee. Sara was a young friend of mine that was in 1st grade and Renee was my reading buddy the was in Kinder. I loved to see them one more before I had to leave 6th grade to go to middle school.
Derik – 5th Grade – Age 10
The first best moment in my school life is when I was voted in second on the run for class president. I was so impressed with myself. Even though I wasn’t class president I still was happy with myself.
At boys and girls club the firemen came and showed us their tools such as, the Jaws of Life, and sprayed us with the hose. We also got to see the fire truck from the inside and out. That was a really fun experience in my life. We also go on field trips, and have parties because we earn it.
My third best moment is when I met my friend Michael, but when we first met we didn’t like each other. At that time, I was new to my school when we first became friends. I was telling jokes and he joined in on telling jokes. We both told the most funny jokes and we talk so much. Although, in class we stay quiet, but that’s my third best moment in my school.
My fourth best moment in my school life was when I met my friend Brock. My friend Brock and I used to hate each other, because I was friends with a boy he didn’t like. But, when we met again in third grade, we became really good friends. After that, he moved schools, but we were still friends. Those are the four best moments of my school life.
Sergio – 5th Grade – Age 10
At Taylor Hicks, I got three honor rolls, and I was proud of myself. It was a good year. We also had really nice teachers, and one of the teachers owned a turtle, corn snake, two geckoes and three bull snakes. My other teacher had no class pets, but was my home room teacher.
At Boys & Girls Club, the firemen came to show us their tools, the Jaws of Life and they also sprayed us with the hose and we had a lot of fun. We also go on field trips, parties, and we have nice staff. We also we do fun activities and a lot of fun games. We do art, dodgeball, computer games and outside. Outside, we have a basketball court and have a garden where we grow mint, basil, rosemary, strawberry’s corn and squash. Also, I make a lot of friends. My friends are Noah, John, Ken, Levi and Derik.
I met John at preschool when I still peed my pants, I met Levi at the Boys & Girls Club, I met Ken at the Boys & Girls Club too, I met Noah at Taylor Hicks and I met Derik at the Boys & Girls Club .
You can make a lot of friends and have a lot of fun.
Addie Bauer – 4th Grade
Ever since I was a little girl, it has been my dream to become an astronaut. In fact, my favorite moment at school was meeting astronauts during space month at my school in Hawaii. That moment I knew that my dream job could really happen someday.
Space month was a month long event at school, when we studied outer space. We did projects to help us learn more about planets, the moon, and the sun. On the last day of space month, our school principal surprised us by inviting two real live astronauts to visit the school. When the astronauts came to my classroom, they talked about what life is like on the International Space Station, they answered our questions, and they inspired us all.
This was my most favorite moment in school. This made me want to be an astronaut even more, even though it is a lot of work to become one. Meeting real live astronauts made me realize that my dreams could someday come true.
Allison Binder – Kindergarten
My name is Allison and I went to Discovery Gardens for PreK. The best thing about my school is the outdoor classroom. It has trikes, dirt, sand, and a playhouse that you can play with. I love the trikes because there is a big area to ride in so that I can go fast. Playing in the dirt is fun because there are toys, a little oven, and a little sink with nozzles, but they don’t really work. Every afternoon, we went out to the outdoor classroom, but sometimes we went to the field instead. It was so much fun.
Jillian Binder – 3rd Grade
My name is Jillian and I go to Taylor Hicks Elementary School. My favorite thing about my school is that we get to go to art class each week. My art teacher, Mrs. Dean, is AMAZING! She is so talented and she is very nice. She gave me an art kit. Just me. No one else in the whole school, but me. My most favorite thing she taught us how to draw is a castle. It was textured art. Mrs. Dean chose my castle to be displayed at the grand opening of the new Prescott Unified School district office. I love my castle and I love art so much. I also love art because the room is so organized and Mrs. Dean has every art supply to make anything you want to make. It is so much fun. I can’t wait for next year so I can go to art class again and see Mrs. Dean. She’s the best art teacher ever!
Abbey Flood – 2nd Grade
At school I love to dance. At school I love to play because it’s fun. I love my friends like Emma because they are nice. At recess with Emma was the best because we have some talks about our families.
Taylor Hogan – 5th Grade
This school year was the best! Although it was kind of the same thing everyday there were always those moments that made it different. My best moment this year was when me and my best friend made up.
My best friend and I have been together since kindergarten. Over the years we grew closer and closer. But last year we kind of started driffed apart. This year we both joined track so we could be together but then the fighting started……..
We both got all mad (I won’t get into it). Then we never hung out. We didn’t even talk to each other for like 2 months.
Then we talked and we told each other why we were mad. It turns out we were mad about the same thing and just decided to forgive each other. Now we are really close and still in the summer keep in touch.
Zoe McCoy – 5th Grade – Age 10
My name is Zoe and I go to Sacred Heart Catholic School. My greatest moment was when I was in second grade. The Joy Awards were coming up and we were voting on three people who we thought were the nicest. We turned in our paper to the teacher. The next week we went to mass, and at the end, we did the awards. When they got to my class they called my name. I was so shocked that I wanted to run out of the room. I slowly walked up to the front of the room. Mrs. Dickerson, the school principal, said congratulations and handed me a certificate. She handed out goodie bags to all the people who got certificates and dismissed us to our classes. My classmates walked up to me and said congrats. That was my favorite time at school.
My favorite time at Boys and Girls Club was when I got camper off the week. Camper of the Week is when the kids in the Club get a special recognition for being helpful, kind to piers and willing to participate. At the Boys and Girls Club, we play games like dodgeball and hula-hoop contests. When I first came, I was thinking if I’ll be able to make some friends and will I be able to fit in with others? I made a lot of new friends. Three of their names are Tatum, Chris and Liana. A girl named Maya, Liana’s best friend, showed me around the club. She told me the names of the rooms. The multi, games room, art room, the teens room and the green room. I am in the ten and older group. We eat lunch outside at 11:30am. We have quiet time for a half hour and the tens go to the green room. I have had the best time at Boys and Girls Club. I hope I can come again next year.
Annabeth Roberts – 2nd Grade – Age 7
My greatest moments of school was the genius party at the end of the school year. We worked really, really hard to get the genius party. We had to earn 400 genius points. I learned a lot and I had fun! To earn the points we had to point out special things that we studied. At the party we ate fruit by the foot and airheads.
Liana Torosian – 5th Grade – Age 10
Hi, my name is Liana Torosian and I am 10 years old. I am going in to 5th grade to Granite Mountain. So, my best moment was when I was at Taylor Hicks Elementary School. Now, let me tell you about it. I was going into 4th grade, and I was very excited to see my friends again after two months. And, I bet they were very excited to see me too. I was kind of sad when I saw the people in my class, because I only had one friend from my class there. Her name was Alicia, so I just played with her all day, and so did this other girl named Shaylyn. But, I didn’t like Shaylyn at all and she didn’t like me either, but one day that all changed.
When Shaylyn’s best friend forever Mckennah, moved away to California, she was very sad. But, I didn’t care. And one day we became best friends. We played together, laughed everyday together and we got in trouble together, but the good kind of trouble. Nothing could stop us from being friends. We talked so much in class that the teacher had to separate us. We couldn’t talk to each other during class time anymore. We even went to Boys and Girls Club together. We were really happy, because we got to be together and play together every day, but that all changed too.
We didn’t listen to the staff at Boys and Girls Club, and we messed around too much. That’s how good of friends we were. Apparently, we got separated at Boys and Girls Club too. So, she was in a different group than me, and I was very sad I couldn’t play with my BFF anymore. But, we got to play together sometimes. So, that’s how we met. My best day at school when we first became friends.
Johanna Zieran – 1st Grade
I attend Humboldt Elementary School. It is a small school filled with super nice teachers. They are smart and good at teaching the boys and girls. My greatest moment was a field trip to the Highlands Nature Center. My teacher, Ms. G took us there. I liked the trail walk because we did an activity that used our senses. We had to pretend to be a coyote. I liked building with the wood logs and sea shells. It’s fun to learn about nature.
Jonathan Zieran – 4th Grade
Humboldt Elementary School is a great school. I started attending school there last year. The teachers are very nice because they believe in second chances and speaking of second chances, many people don’t know, but Humboldt elementary has burned down two times. I got to be in the track team this year. My favorite part though, was joining LEGO Robotics club. In Lego robotics, I learned about programming and with my team went to the competition at Embry Riddle. It was a fun, unique experience that I will always remember.
Nadia Martinez – 11th Grade
(Dedicated to Mr. Ric Carter)
Every school has something exceptional about it, whether it is the teachers, the academics, the extracurriculars, the students, or overall learning environment. Everyone’s school is different, but there are qualities that contribute to making it superior.
My school, Canyon View Preparatory, is unique. In the time I have been attending I have been fortunate to have remarkable teachers; educators who go above and beyond for their students. I’ve been able to receive amazing academics, which has improved my abilities more than ever.
My teachers have strongly influenced me, due to taking time to get to know me personally, and have deeply cared. Several teachers offer their time before and after school. That shows they will do anything for students to be successful, even if it means staying late, and arriving early.
Canyon View has a family feel to it. We are able to grow close with our teachers, and are able to look up to them as role models. As students graduate, our teachers are the first to say goodbye before students fly away to begin new chapters in their lives. To me that’s a great example of a family-like atmosphere.
With just 140 students, regular opportunities occur for families to get together and participate in activities such as making Christmas ornaments, and doing team building activities. Our classes are minuscule, allowing the teachers to get to know each student, and have more one-on-one attention. This adds the family feel to our learning environment and is one of the biggest reasons why I love Canyon View.
Two teachers have made my experience extraordinary: Mr. Carter and Mrs. Short. Not only was time given to help me improve in Spanish and English, but they willingly mentored and helped me through several difficulties. Through their loving, caring, and compassionate personalities they drew me out of my shell.
Another important aspect is the academics. As a college prep school, we are challenged to raise the bar, to never give up, to keep reaching for our goals, and to do the best we possibly can as individuals. With the help from our superior educators we are able to reach our goals. Our school’s motto is: “learners today, learners tomorrow.” I believe we never stop learning. When I started at Canyon View, I was behind, and had numerous academic struggles. By the end of my first year I was caught up. Now I am able to reach the proper academic level and reach higher than my set goals.
A favorite part of academics for me is our annual educational competition: Achieve 3000. We compete in comprehension by reading articles, answering questions, and receiving points for our work. At the end of the competition I received recognition for reading the most articles, getting the most points, which abundantly raised my lexile. It takes dedicated teachers to take time to make learning fun and still make it challenging.
This school has contributed to help me grow a love for learning, and achieve many goals. I am proud we are an A-rated school.
In conclusion, every school is different, whether it’s from the teachers, extracurriculars, the students, or academic success. Every school has qualities that could make it an excellent school, but my school, Canyon View Preparatory, is great in so many ways. Teachers not only inspire young minds to achieve academic success, they guide and shape who we will become, encouraging us to never stop learning. We are a family that is there for one another, who encourage one another, and who are learners today, and learners tomorrow together.
