About Our School

Achievements

State Level Awards

Desert Meadows is proud of our staff and students who have earned awards at the state level.

School Awards

HonorSponsorYear
PBIS AmAZing AwardPositive Behavior Intervention & Support Systems2019-2020
Silver Achievement AwardPositive Behavior Intervention & Support Systems2018
No Place for HateAnti-Defamation League of Arizona2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Youth and Government Mock Trial, 3rd PlaceYMCA2018
A+ School of ExcellenceArizona Educational Foundation2024
“Best” Elementary and Middle SchoolsU.S. Best News and World Report2024
American’s Healthiest Schools AwardAlliance for a Healthier Generation2024

Staff Awards

HonorSponsorRecipientYear
Golden Apple AwardStudent ServicesMr. Irving Barraza2020
National Board CertificationAZ K-12 CenterMs. Cotylee Kendall2021
National Board CertificationAZ K-12 CenterMr. Steven Humble2019
Outstanding Leadership AwardCouncil of Administrators for Special EducationMr. Steve Preis2017
Exemplary Principal Award Maricopa CountyJ.P. Ketcham2024

Student Awards

HonorSponsorStudentYear
Science Fair, 1st PlaceLaveen School DistrictSelasi Abaya2019
“I Can Do It” AwardArizona Council for Exceptional ChildrenBarbara Hoyt2018
“I Can Do It” AwardArizona Council for Exceptional ChildrenJuliana Garcia2016
“I Can Do It” AwardArizona Council for Exceptional ChildrenCarlos Gaspar2016
Silver Award, Essay ContestGrand Canyon State GamesElisabeth Montoya2014
“I Can Do It” AwardArizona Council for Exceptional ChildrenTayvon Dolman2025

District & Local Awards

Additionally, we are proud of our students and staff that have been recognized at the district and local levels through awards and scholarships.

Laveen’s Excellence in Education Award

RecipientYear
Stacy Hedrick2020-2021
Cotylee Kendall2019-2020
Steven Humble2018-2019
Jill Oden2017-2018
Briza Gutierrez2016-2017
Maria Bugarin2015-2016
Brooke Somers2014-2015
Charlene Saltereli2021-2022
Maria Bugarin2022-2023
Irving Barraza2023-2024

Laveen Excellence in Service Award

RecipientYear
Karmyn Craig2021
Monica Moss2020
Brandy Seechoma2019
Tiffany Oliver 2022
Jesusita Martinez2023
Aracelli Jimenez2024
Jennifer Urbach2025

Laveen Legends Award

RecipientYear
Jenni Urbatsch2019
Tracey Zolltheis2018
Brandy Seechoma2017

Scholarship Recipients

SponsorRecipientYear
Phoenix Union High School Alumni Association Legacy ScholarshipMaddi Rhodes2025
Laveen Education FoundationMichael Perez2025
Laveen Education FoundationAltice Washington2025
Laveen Education Foundation, Susan SandbornNyamire Monjong2025
Laveen Education FoundationJacob Prinzhorn
Eva Escarzaga		2021
Laveen Education Foundation, Susan SandbornSelasi Abaya2021
Laveen Lions ClubRhianna Ware
Jackson Tiquet		2021
Phoenix Union High School AlumniAlexis Olivas2021
Laveen Education FoundationDamien Perez
Berenice Beltran		2020
Laveen Lions ClubGabriel Villegas
Morgan Falkenstein		2020
Phoenix Union High School AlumniLesley Mathis2020
Laveen Youth Sports ScholarshipChris Urbatsch
Owen Kunes		2019
Jerry Cook ScholarshipSabrina Maldonado Cortez2019
Laveen Lions ClubSam Rollins
Denver Bryant		2019
Phoenix Union High School AlumniAlexandria Uribe-Crouse2019
Steve Preis ScholarshipEmily Cota2019
PTA ScholarshipBryanna Venegas2019
Jerry Cook ScholarshipMatt Urbatch2018
Laveen Education FoundationEddy Hadzic2018
Laveen Education FoundationLynae Martinez2018
Laveen Lions ClubMatthew Miller2018
Laveen Lions ClubBryce Brown2018
Phoenix Union High School AlumniYoselin Saldana2018