Legendary baseball player Hank Aaron once said, “You may not think you’re going to make it. You may want to quit. But if you keep your eye on the ball, you can accomplish anything.”
These are the kinds of lessons our students can learn outside of the classroom. On playing fields, courts, stages and concert halls, they learn resiliency and build character. At Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD), we value educating the whole child, providing opportunities to develop lifelong skills through athletics and the arts with award-winning programs.
This past school year, Queen Creek High School (QCHS) had three coaches who were named Region Coach of the Year. Football coach Travis Schureman was named 6A Conference Coach of the Year. QCHS programs produced three state track and field champions, three all-state players and a 6A Conference Player of the Year. Their softball team competed in the state semifinals. The QCHS Theatre Company earned Superior ratings at the International Thespian Society’s National Qualifying Competition and Orchestra earned Superior at a regional festival.
In its first year with a senior class, Eastmark High School (EHS) won two region titles in football and softball, and had playoff wins in sports across all three seasons. Their track and field javelin thrower won the state championship. Junior high athletes proved their talents earning regional titles in volleyball, flag football and wrestling. The EHS Orchestra and Firebird Marching Band earned awards in regional competitions, and the Winter Guard team brought home the first team State Championship in school history.
A dozen QCUSD seniors signed to play for colleges and universities after high school, where they are sure to build upon what they learned through their experience in our district and contribute meaningfully to their teams.
These accomplishments wouldn’t be possible without facilities and spaces to train, compete, rehearse and perform. Our goal in QCUSD is to build upon what we already know to be successful, and provide the resources for these programs to achieve their fullest potential.
We know that an investment in extracurricular activities is an investment in our community’s future. When our students become champions, they open new doors to higher education, career opportunities and experiences that will shape who they become. When we support these activities, we are championing our future.
Dr. Perry Berry has been superintendent of the Queen Creek Unified School District since June 2015.
