Do you know a remarkable high school student deserving recognition for their accomplishments or contributions? If so, take the opportunity to put them in the spotlight by submitting a nomination for The Arizona Republic’s esteemed Student of the Week award. Here’s how you can participate in honoring their achievements.
The Republic
The highly anticipated 2024 AIA Badminton State Championships are set to kick off this weekend, with thrilling competitions continuing into the following week. The exciting Division I and II singles and doubles matches will commence on Friday afternoon, October 25, and will carry on through Saturday at Independence High School, a well-known venue for high-stakes matches.
The much-awaited Division I and II team championship matches will begin on Monday, October 28, culminating on November 2. Here are the first-round matchups for the team tournament, which will highlight each team’s seedings and their regular season records. All opening-round matches are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on Monday at the home court of the higher-seeded teams, showcasing the competitive spirit of Arizona’s top talent. Winners from these matches will advance to the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
DIVISION 1 TEAM
No. 16 Liberty (6-8) at No. 1 Hamilton (14-0)
No. 9 Pinnacle (9-5) at No. 8 Basha (8-5)
No. 12 Highland (10-4) at No. 5 Perry (10-4)
No. 13 Mesa Mountain View (Mesa) (12-2) at No. 4 Xavier Prep (11-3)
No. 14 Westwood (8-6) at No. 3 Desert Vista (13-1)
No. 11 Sandra Day O’Connor (9-5) at No. 6 Mountain Ridge (9-4)
No. 10 Red Mountain (8-6) at No. 7 Chandler (9-5)
No. 15 Mesa (7-7) at No. 2 Sunnyslope (13-1)
DIVISION 2 TEAMS
No. 16 Shadow Mountain (8-6) at No. 1 Chaparral (13-1)
No. 9 Raymond S. Kellis (10-4) at No. 8 Paradise Valley (9-5)
No. 12 Greenway (10-4) at No. 5 Sunrise Mountain (11-3)
No. 13 Combs (9-4) at No. 4 Prescott (13-1) at Prescott Preparatory.
No. 14 Horizon (7-7) at No. 3 AZ College Prep (12-1)
No. 11 Thunderbird (9-5) at No. 6 Verrado (12-2)
No. 10 Campo Verde (9-4) at No. 7 Mesquite (10-4)
No. 15 Deer Valley (7-7) at No. 2 Ironwood (12-2)
Interview with Jane Smith, Editor at The Arizona Republic
Interviewer: Welcome, Jane! Thank you for joining us today. The Arizona Republic is calling for nominations for its Student of the Week award. Can you tell us a bit about why this recognition is important?
Jane Smith: Absolutely! The Student of the Week award is a fantastic way to celebrate the remarkable achievements of high school students across Arizona. These young individuals contribute not only through academics but also in their communities, sports, and various extracurricular activities. Recognition can motivate them and their peers to continue striving for excellence.
Interviewer: What kind of accomplishments should nominators look for when submitting a candidate for this award?
Jane Smith: We encourage nominators to think broadly. We’re looking for students who excel academically, show leadership, engage in community service, or even those who have overcome significant challenges. Every student has a unique story, and we want to highlight those who are making a positive impact.
Interviewer: That’s inspiring! Now, shifting topics a bit, The Arizona Republic is also gearing up for the 2024 AIA Badminton State Championships. What can we expect from this year’s event?
Jane Smith: The championships promise to be thrilling! We’re excited to see top athletes from across Arizona compete for the state title. It’s not just a showcase of exceptional skill but also an opportunity for students to experience high-stakes competition and demonstrate sportsmanship. We’ll have full coverage, so stay tuned!
Interviewer: That sounds like an event not to miss! Lastly, can you share how someone can submit a nomination for the Student of the Week award?
Jane Smith: Certainly! Nomination is straightforward. Interested individuals can visit our website, where they’ll find a nomination form. It’s important to be specific about the student’s achievements and contributions. We review each submission carefully, and the selected student will be featured in The Republic, highlighting their hard work and inspirational stories.
Interviewer: Thank you, Jane! It’s great to see organizations like The Arizona Republic shining a light on our youth. We look forward to the nominations and the upcoming badminton championships!
Jane Smith: Thank you for having me! We’re excited to honor these incredible students and celebrate the spirit of competition.
Interview with Jane Smith, Editor at The Arizona Republic
Interviewer: Welcome, Jane! Thank you for joining us today. The Arizona Republic is calling for nominations for its Student of the Week award. Can you tell us a bit about why this recognition is important?
Jane Smith: Absolutely! The Student of the Week award is a fantastic way to celebrate the remarkable achievements of high school students across Arizona. These young individuals contribute not only through academics but also in their communities, sports, and various extracurricular activities. Recognition can motivate them and their peers to continue striving for excellence.
Interviewer: What kind of accomplishments should nominators look for when submitting a candidate for this award?
Jane Smith: We encourage nominators to think broadly. We’re looking for students who excel academically, show leadership, engage in community service, or even those who have overcome significant challenges. Every student has a unique story, and we want to highlight those who are making a positive impact.
Interviewer: That’s inspiring! Now, shifting topics a bit, The Arizona Republic is also gearing up for the 2024 AIA Badminton State Championships. What can you tell us about this event?
Jane Smith: The excitement is definitely building! The championships are set to kick off on Friday, October 25, and will feature thrilling Division I and II singles and doubles matches at Independence High School. We’re expecting some fierce competition from Arizona’s top high school badminton players. The team championship matches will follow, culminating in a week of high-stakes games that really showcases the talent in our state.
Interviewer: With so many teams competing, how important do you think these championships are for the athletes?
Jane Smith: They’re incredibly important! Not only do these championships provide a platform for student-athletes to demonstrate their hard work and dedication, but they also foster school spirit and community pride. Winning a state championship is a significant achievement that many of these students will carry with them throughout their lives.
Interviewer: Thanks, Jane! It sounds like it’s going to be an exciting week celebrating both remarkable students and talented athletes!
Jane Smith: Thank you! We’re looking forward to it and encourage everyone to get involved—whether it’s nominating a student for the award or cheering on their favorite badminton team!
