In this heartfelt episode of the Somos Sunnyside podcast, we are honored to have Mike and Lorena Arias, founders of the Victoria Teresa Arias Memorial Foundation, share their daughter Victoria’s beautiful legacy. Victoria was born on December 1, 1998, in Tucson, AZ, to Michael and Lorena Arias and has one older sister, Desiree. She went to be with …

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we are joined by Rafael Meza, Senior Director of Enrollment Management and Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Arizona. Rafael discusses the valuable partnership between Sunnyside Unified School District and the University of Arizona, focusing on how this collaboration helps prepare st…

In this episode of the Somos Sunnyside, we tackle an important topic: school safety. We welcome Director of Security Ryan Powell, Director of Public Information Marisela Felix, and Sgt. David Hill from the Tucson Police Department to the show to discuss the importance of school safety. They provided valuable insights into how we prioritize the safe…

In this exciting episode of Somos Sunnyside, we're honored to welcome Elizabeth Soltero, CEO of the Sunnyside Foundation, and Jennifer Overpeck, a dedicated Sunnyside Foundation Board Member. Together, they share all the details about Sunnyside Gives Week and its impact on our community! We kicked off this incredible week of giving with the Burrito…

In this episode of the Somos Sunnyside podcast, we sit down with Myrna Leal, the new Family Resource Coordinator for Sunnyside School District. Myrna, originally from Puerto Rico, brings a deep sense of compassion and a rich background in community service to her role. She shares her excitement about the recent grand opening of the Family Resource …

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we sit down with Anjolie Navarrete, a first-year teacher at Sierra K-8 School, where she teaches 7th grade math. Anjolie shares her journey of balancing her teaching responsibilities while being a full-time student in the UA Pathways program. She talks about how this program is equipping her with the skills and k…

WE'RE BACK FRO SEASON TWO! In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we kick off the new school year with a special guest, Ella Buckner, a senior at Sunnyside High School. Ella shares her journey, starting from her early years in Southern California to moving to Tucson, where she attended Apollo Middle School and eventually Sunnyside High School. She spe…

In this special episode of Somos Sunnyside, we shine the spotlight on an exceptional young woman who has set a remarkable example for her peers and community. Lindsay, the valedictorian of Sunnyside High School, has consistently pushed herself to excel, embodying the spirit of hard work and dedication. From day one, Lindsay set the bar high, expect…

In this episode of the Somos Sunnyside, we have the pleasure of talking with Crista Zepeda Ramirez, Sunnyside High School's salutatorian and a proud recipient of the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship. Crista shares her inspiring journey of academic excellence and personal determination, shaped by her experiences as the daughter of immigrants…

In this uplifting episode of Somos Sunnyside, we shine a spotlight on Andrea Romero, an exceptional senior at Star Academic High School. Andrea is set to graduate third in her class and has earned acceptance letters from seven universities! Her journey has been marked by resilience and determination, especially in the face of the challenges brought…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we delve into the inspiring journey of Frankois Valdez, co-valedictorian at Desert View High School, who shares his remarkable story of perseverance, gratitude, and determination. With a stellar 4.3 GPA and the prestigious Dorrance Scholarship under his belt, Frankois reflects on his high school experience with h…

In the latest episode of Somos Sunnyside, we are joined by the remarkable Lucy Pacheco, co-valedictorian of Desert View High School, whose humility and dedication shine through her academic achievements. Lucy shares her insights into the power of collaboration in education and the invaluable role of teachers in shaping her journey. Throughout the c…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, the spotlight is on Desert View High School's Learning Ambassador group with students dedicated to amplifying student voices in education. Listeners get an inside look at how these passionate students are thriving in the classroom and aiding teachers in their professional growth. Through articulate discussions, t…

Welcome to Somos Sunnyside! In this special episode, we are joined by Audrey Jimenez, a remarkable athlete, and Coach Anthony Leon. Audrey is no stranger to victory, being a four-time state champion and gearing up for the 2024 Olympic Trials this month, where she's poised to dominate as the top seed in the challenge tournament. Audrey's journey is …

Welcome to another episode of Somos Sunnyside! In this installment, we're honored to host five remarkable guests who embody the spirit of excellence and dedication in education. Joining us are Thad Dugan, Principal of Apollo Middle School; Matthew Craft, Principal of Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School; Adriana Molina, Principal of Challenger Middle S…

Welcome to another episode of Somos Sunnyside! In this edition, we take you inside the inspiring world of the Education Professions program at Sunnyside High School, led by the dedicated Leticia Craft. Joining us for an insightful conversation are two passionate juniors, Brayan Rodriguez and Mari Lujan, who share their aspirations for a future in t…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we dive into the world of sports medicine with an insightful conversation featuring Sports Medicine Instructor Carlos Rue and two of his students, Mark Acosta and Ronnie Ventura. The sports medicine class at Desert View High School goes beyond the boundaries of traditional education, providing students with a han…

Buckle up for an extraordinary episode of Somos Sunnyside as we dive headfirst into the thrilling world of rodeo with none other than the remarkable Rodriguez family! In the spirit of Rodeo Week in Tucson, our esteemed guests bring a wealth of experience, not only in the adrenaline-pumping arena but also in the heartwarming halls of education withi…

Dive into the rich world of agriculture on the latest Somos Sunnyside podcast! This time, we explore Desert View High School's Agriculture Science program with the incredible Mrs. Lawrie. Mrs. Lawrie, a seasoned expert with roots deep in agriculture, shares her passion for cultivating knowledge in the classroom. Joining us are Golda and Mariana, of…

Get ready for an adrenaline-packed episode of Somos Sunnyside! We hit the road and land at Sunnyside High School, where Mr. Coody and Soleil Ponce from the Emergency Medical Services CTE course share their exhilarating experiences. Fresh off an extraordinary triumph in HOSA State Qualifiers, these students are setting the bar high with 11 teams qua…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we get to know Art Ortega, the Supervisor for Maintenance at Sunnyside Unified School District. With a wealth of experience dating back to 2008 when he joined as a carpenter, Art has been on a mission to bring positive changes to the educational landscape across our 21 schools. Starting with a carpenter's toolbox…

Step into the new year with insights from a remarkable leader! Join us on this episode of Somos Sunnyside as we sit down with Elizabeth Soltero, the dedicated CEO of Sunnyside Foundation. With a wealth of experience in city governance, academia, and public library administration, Liz brings decades of passion to the table. Throughout her illustriou…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we are thrilled to welcome our first community guest, Rob Elias, the CEO of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Rob is a native Tucsonan, deeply connected to the community and its growth. The Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, under his leadership, is dedicated to fostering success for individuals and busi…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we are honored to feature a dynamic community leader, Consuelo Hernandez. Currently serving as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives and the Sunnyside District Board, Consuelo's roots in the district run deep as an alumni, highlighting her enduring commitment to the community. From her early years as a…

We are delighted to have Michelle Gottleber, the principal of Esperanza Elementary School, join us today on Somos Sunnyside! Hailing from Michigan, Mrs. Gottleber has dedicated the past two decades to Southern Arizona, with an impressive 18 years specifically invested in Sunnyside schools. Originally, her intention was to gain teaching experience a…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we hear from Roberto Martinez, the current director of Mariachi Los Diablitos de Sunnyside. Mr. Martinez has had a fruitful career filled with travel and entertainment. After graduating from Sunnyside High School, Mr. Martinez continued his education at the University of Arizona which eventually led him to obtain…

Get ready for an exhilarating game week as the anticipation for the Duel in the District reaches its peak! Join us this Friday at the Jaguar Stadium as the Desert View Jaguars clash with the Sunnyside Blue Devils. In this special episode of Somos Sunnyside, we delve into the minds of the head football coaches and two standout players from both team…

In the latest captivating installment of Somos Sunnyside, join us as we engage in an enlightening conversation with two distinguished individuals, Mary Acosta and Andy Townsend. Mary, an esteemed music educator and the Music Coordinator for an impressive 44 years in our District, shares her wealth of experience. Meanwhile, Andy Townsend, with a car…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we hear from Hilaria Szelog, a fifth grade teacher at Los Amigos Technology Academy, who found our District as a student teacher at the University of Arizona! She loved our District so much that she decided to stay and she describes Los Amigos Technology Academy as one big "FAMILIA" for the culture and mindset th…

The inaugural episode of "Somos Sunnyside" kicks off with host Superintendent Jose Gastelum at the helm. In this episode, he sits down with Patrick Hart, a passionate 7th-grade teacher from Gallego Intermediate Fine Arts Magnet School, to explore his unique approach to teaching and the infectious love for learning he imparts to his students. Main H…