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FIESTA BOWL 2011 and related  items!

Kurt Warner, Fiesta Bowl Parade Grand Marshal  
and V.I.P For Game Day  at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl 
Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV

Thursday, December 30, 2010                                                                 

HENDRICKSON HIGH SCHOOL ROCKS

FIESTA BOWL BAND CHAMPIONSHIP

Glendale, Ariz. – The Grand Master Trophy is heading to Texas.

On an unseasonably cold day at University of Phoenix Stadium, nine bands from across the country competed for one of the most prestigious awards in the high school marching band circuit.

The Hendrickson High School Marching Band from Pflugerville, Texas swept five of the award categories, including best overall performance, winning the coveted Grand Master Trophy. The band also won top honors for: Percussion, visual performance, general effect and music performance.

Although cold winds whipped through the practice lots in Glendale and snow in the north attempted to halt Skyview High’s trip from Vancouver, Wash., the stadium was alive with rhythmic beats, ornate costumes and outstanding showmanship.

While the event judges were making their difficult decisions for top performances, the Pride of Connecticut Marching Band and Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band displayed their on-field talents for onlookers and event participants. The brief previews of what the bands have in store for Saturday’s Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium caused fans to erupt in applause.

The nine bands from tonight’s competition will march in tomorrow’s Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in central Phoenix. They will be joined by four other bands from across the country and the Connecticut and Oklahoma marching bands.

Full event results:

Final Awards:
5. Nogales High School ­– La Puente, Calif.
4.  McQueen High School – Reno, Nev.
3. Gilbert High School - Gilbert, Ariz.
2. Desert Vista – Phoenix, Ariz.
1. Hendrickson High School – Pflugerville, Texas

The Fiesta Bowl Band Championship is a ticketed event. For more information about the Fiesta Bowl Band Championship, please visit www.fiestabowl.org.

(0817) Members of  Desert Vista High School's Thunder Marching Band make a fine
catch during their band championship presentation.

Desert Vista High School from Phoenix flying girl at band day.
 - Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

33th Annual Fiest Bowl Band Championship, Thursday
 December 30, 2010 at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Photos By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Desert Vista High School

Phoenix, Arizona

Band Director: Josh Thye

Band Championship Program Selection:  "From the Ground Up" and " Asphalt Cocktail" by John Mackey, "Aerodynamics" by David Gillingham and "Locomotion" and "Turbine" by John Mackey.

  Assistant Band Director: Michael Krill

  Number of Band Members" 142

(7738)  Music, dance and coordination skills are required to do this.  In
addition to having athletic abilities.

(0821)  The salute has been a gesture of respect for a long time.

Gilbert HIgh School
Gilbert, Arizona

Band Championship Program Selection:

"Journey to the Center of the Earth" featuring music from "Journey to the Center of the Earth" by Peter Graham and "Spiritual Planet" by Wataru Hokoyama.

Band Director: Lance Libby

  Assistant Band Director: Hilario Triana

  Number of Band Members: 121

(817) Gilbert High School's Tiger Pride Marching Band setup for their
program.

7886 Music, flags, color and precision makeup Gilbert High School's program.

Hendrickson High School
Pfugerville, Texas

Band Championship Program Selection: "Illumainatus: Song for Lyndsay" by Andrew Boysen,  "Confutatis Maladictis" from the Requiem of Wolfgang Mozart, "Dies Irae" from the Requiem of Wolfgang Mozart, and "Der Feuereiter" by Hugo Wolf.

Band Director: Garth Gundersen

Assistant Band Director: Andrew Polk, Edward Lopez, Angela Bokosky

Number of Band Members: 200

7949 The Hawk Band enters the field at University of Phoenix Stadium.

7943  A bight purple brightens the field as does well rehearsed routines.

McQueen High School
Reno, Nevada

Band Championship Program Selection:

"The Curse" featuring selections from the Mummy and the Mummy 2.

Band Director: Rick Moffit

  Number of band Members: 132

7799               McQueen HIgh School Lancer Band marches off the field after
their Fiesta Bowl Band Championship competition.

7778 The McQueen High School Band from Reno, Nevada program
takes the audience on an adventure.

40^{th Annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Connecticut vs. Oklahoma}

^{University of Phoenix Stadium}

^{Glendale, Arizona}

^{Compiled from media sources by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet}

^{Game date - January 1, 2011 6:00 p.m. (MST) Be there!}

The "chips" are on the table for two teams University of Connecticut and Oklahoma University, in the upcoming 40th Annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl January 1, 2011 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. This is the first meeting for these two teams for football. On Saturday, Connecticut will be in white jerseys, and use the west bench. Oklahoma will be in dark jerseys and will use the east bench. Both teams are used to cooler weather, so the chilly weather predicted for Saturday's game should not be a problem. However it is supposed to be chilly with temperatures in the 50's.

The UConn Huskies comes to the Fiesta Bowl with five consecutive wins. During the Connecticut Media Day Wednesday, December 29, Head Coach Randy Edsall mentioned that that some of the UConn team were under the weather, due to a bug or something they ate. Hopefully by game time Saturday, everyone will be feeling better. To some the Huskies are considered the underdogs. They were considered the underdogs in the West Virginia game but that changed with the Huskies won in overtime 16-13.

Teammmates remembered Jasper Howard who was fatally stabbed on campus October 18, 2009; just nine hours after their win over the Louisville Cardnials. This would have been Jasper's senior year. Jasper Howard will be on the field Saturday in spirit and in the hearts and minds of his teammates.

Head Coach Randy Edsall is the 2010 Big East Conference Coach of the Year.
Jordan Tooman, No. 23, is the unanimous choice for the 2010 Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Congratulations to both.

Zach Hurd, No. 78, is an Offensive Guard and has blocked for four 1,000 yards during his career. He earned an Official Game Ball for the Pittsburgh game on November 11, for helping the Huskies gain 265 yards of rushing. Head Coach said when referring to his teach that "offensive is what they can do". Keep an eye on Zach Hurd and his offensive teammates.

The Oklahoma Sooners have won their fourth Big 12 Conference title in the past five years. This will be their third appearance in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in the past five seasons. This year the Sooners may have a little extra energy on the field, it may seem a little familiar to them. The 2007 game was the surprise heart attack game that caught everyone of their guard. Boise State did some fancy stuff during overtime and OK lost by one. West Virginia took OK in 2008 48-28. Maybe this is Oklahoma's year.

Oklahoma is king in the modern era of college football. Since the end of World War II. The Sooners are the nation's No.1 team, with more victories (560) than any other school and the best winning percentage (.757).

This is their eighth appearance in a BCS game. Four of the eight games have been in a BCS championship Game. Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops completes his 12th season at Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Sooner Sophomore, Jamarkus McFarland, defense team, replied, "defense is tough, but it's more of a thinking man's game. It's not all physical," when asked if football had gotten too rough. In addition, he said he can do without all of the attention the quarterback gets. Come game time watch for Oklahoma's number 97. He is smart, strong and a tackler.

We all wanted to capture the beauty of the trophy Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV
 closest to the Fiesta Bowl Trophy at the media day for the 40th annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

 12 29 10  An interview with:

12^th Annual Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge
Microsoft Mission Control Finals at Challenger Space Center
12/31/2010 

By Ed and  Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

(Peoria AZ - Glendale Daily Planet) Coyote Hills Elementary emerged as the winner of the 12th annual Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge finals held today at the Challenger Space Center in Peoria.

 It all started at ASU West with approximately 1200 students descending on the campus for a preliminary two day completion for this event. 

There  were six finalist teams,  "D-Jack Attack” from Coyote Hills,  “A.K.A. 34”, from Coyote Hills,  “E.R.I.C.A. 5” from St. Simon & Jude Catholic School, “The Rockettes” from Most Holy Trinity Catholic School,  “Helion” from South Mountain Home School, “The Moon Maniacs” from Most Holy Trinity Catholic School .

These competing teams gave oral presentations on their plans for an international lunar base complete with a physical scale model before a panel of senior-level Honeywell engineers and NASA astronauts.

Just being  one of the 6 finalists was an extreme honor but these teams moved on to the Challenger Space Center in Peoria Arizona for a final showdown on December 30, 2010.

Coyote Hills’ winning team, named A.K.A. 34, was comprised of fifth-grader Katie Hurley and seventh-graders Allyson McClellan and Annie Hurley. The team will receive an on-field appearance during the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, 2011 and a tour of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston later this spring.

People started filing in to hear the presentations. Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

And... the winner is...  Bob Whitehouse, Fiesta Bowl Committee Member  and Chad Cundiff, Honeywell Vice President, Crew Interface Products Marketing and Product Management/Aero (right with microphone)  prepare to announce the winning team!  Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet 

The  Final Winner?  A.K.A.34!

 (L to R)   Excited team members  -  Annie Hurley, Allyson McClellan and Katie Hurley,   of A.K.A. 34 rush up to the stage to receive  a handshake from Chad Cundiff, Honeywell Vice President, Crew Interface Products Marketing and Product Management/Aero and get their awards.  Bob Whitehouse, Fiesta Bowl Committee Member, is  behind in yellow jacket. Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Bob Whitehouse, Fiesta Bowl Committee Member (left) Team members  -  Annie Hurley, Allyson McClellan and Katie Hurley,  of A.K.A. 34  and Chad Cundiff, Honeywell Vice President, Crew Interface Products Marketing and Product Management/Aero (right with microphone) Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet (add other names)

Annie Hurley, seventh grade, Katie Hurley, fifth grade, and Allyson McClellan, seventh grade, comprised winning team A.K.A.34, and will receive a V.I.P trip to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston , Texas , along with their teacher and coach Deb Jones. In addition to these laurels, the team will be presented from the field to the world during the 40th Fiesta Bowl game in Glendale Arizona at University of Phoenix Stadium New year's day.

Martin Fox hands  out the free tickets to the Fiesta Bowl and  the honor of being presented 
to the world from the center of the field! Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Front - Finalist ' D-Jack Attack' from Coyote Hills Elementary: Grant Davis, Elizabeth Jones, Omar Alavi, Jordyn Cooper, and Payton Kuhnel.  Back - Coach Deb Jones, Mission Specialist Michael Good, Pilot Dominic “Tony” Antonelli and  Commander Kenneth Ham.  This team, under the guidance of teacher and coach Deb Jones, and other finalists will receive a complimentary simulated space mission field trip to Challenger Space Center Arizona courtesy of the Fiesta Bowl.                                       
Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Team Name: A.K.A. 34 

Team Quote: "Second star to the right, then straight on 'til morning."

Annie Hurley 7th Grade 

Katie Hurley 5th Grade 

Allyson McClellan 7th Grade

Deb Jones, 8th Grade Science Teacher and Aerospace Coach at Coyote Hills Elementary School in the Peoria Unified School District. is the coach of the winning team and also a runner up team at the Aerospace Finals Competition. Imagine that...  two teams!

Meet Deb Jones  A.K.A Team Coach

Coach for A.K.A. 34 is Deb Jones, an eighth-grade science teacher at Coyote Hills, who has participated in the competition as a coach for eight years.

“It’s bittersweet, as we had two teams competing in today’s challenge, but I am so excited for our winning team.” said Jones.

Coaching Timeline

I began coaching in 2003 at Oasis Elementary School in the Peoria Unified School District. This was the last year the competition was held at the Challenger Space Center. I took 4 teams.

2004: I had 4 teams. This was the first year to go the ASU West.

2005: I had 10 teams and this was the first year to win an Honorable Mention.

2006: Fourteen teams, one Honorable Mention.

2007: Eleven teams, one wins the semi-finals and goes on to the finals.

2008: This is my first year at Coyote Hills School in the Peoria District. Eleven teams, one going on to the finals, lost in a tie-breaker for the grand prize.

2009: Nine teams, one Honorable Mention for the Lunar Base the Judges would most like to live on!

2010: Twelve teams, two teams are going on to finals, one team wins the finals!

Deb Jones interviews with her winning team---

Since these girls are the Aerospace Finals Champions they are not allowed by the rules to compete again, I was very thrilled to hear there answers as they told me that they would like to continue in Aerospace at Coyote Hills helping me!

What were your thoughts when you heard your name called as a winner? "I thought they were calling the names of the lower places and I didn't realize our team had won."

What is your future in Aerospace? "I would like to continue to work with Aerospace as a volunteer working with Mrs. Jones." "My future plans are to join the Air Force."

Were there any problems during the construction of your base? "There were no problems during the planning and construction of the base. There were times when the numbers weren't right and we had to do last minute calculation."

How did you feel as you were giving your presentation before the judges? "Nervousness and not wanting to mess up or make a mistake."

How did you feel when you were standing in front of the audience as the state championship team? "Excitement!"

Annie Hurley (7th grade):

What were your thoughts when you heard your name called as a winner? "I didn't realize I was a winner. It was a stiff competition and I was surprised."

What is your future in Aerospace? "Probably come back and help Mrs. Jones."

Were there any problems during the construction of your base? "No problems at all, we worked as a team."

How did you feel as you were giving your presentation before the judges? "I was nervous but confident."

How did you feel when you were standing in front of the audience as the state championship team? "So excited!"

Katie Hurley (5th grade):

What were your thoughts when you heard your name called as a winner? "Well, my thoughts were how could we win there were so many good teams, and then I was excited to realize that we had won."

What is your future in Aerospace? "I want to be Mrs. Jones assistant."

Were there any problems during the construction of your base? "No, I am not really sure of any."

How did you feel as you were giving your presentation before the judges? "I felt nervous and I felt confident and maybe intimated by the judges."

How did you feel when you were standing in front of the audience as the state championship team? "I felt that everyone was cheering me on and happy that we won. I felt satisfied and relieved."

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Aside from the Glendale Daily Planet  other press 
sources were eager to interview the news winners.

? interviews  Winning students Annie Hurley, Allyson McClellan and Katie Hurley 
Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

? interviews   Winning students Annie Hurley, Allyson McClellan and Katie Hurley 
Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Arizona Republic Education Reporter, Jeff Javier,  interviews  winning students Annie Hurley, Allyson McClellan and Katie Hurley 
Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

ONTO THE FIELD!

Honeywell Vice President, Chad Cundiff,  Crew Interface Products Marketing and Product Management/Aero.  and Martin Fox, Honeywell along with  Deb Jones, coach (hidden) and Coyote Hills Elementary School science teacher,  Annie Hurley, Katie Hurley and  Allyson McClellan, team members of  of A.K.A. 34.-   Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet.

 Annie Hurley, Katie Hurley and   Allyson McClellan, team members of  of A.K.A. 34.
  Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet.

Annie Hurley, Katie Hurley and   Allyson McClellan, team members of  of A.K.A. 34 AND Coach Deb Jones.
  Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet.

Front - Kari Sliva, Executive Director, Challenger Space Center Arizona, Deb Jones, coach and Coyote Hills Elementary School science teacher,  Allyson McClellan, Katie Hurley, Annie Hurley, team members of  of A.K.A. 34.
Second row Martin Fox, Honeywell Aerospace and Chad Cundiff, Honeywell Vice President, Crew Interface Products Marketing and Product Management/Aero.  -   Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet.

Randy Sliva, Kari Sliva, Executive Director, Challenger Space Center Arizona,Commander Kenneth Ham, Mission Specialist Michael Good, Pilot Dominic “Tony” Antonelli also got to walk the filed and be presented doing the game.
  -   Photo by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet. 

What a day for these students! The free tickets to the Fiesta Bowl and  the honor of being presented  from the center of the field are just the  first of their adventures.   They will also  receive a complimentary simulated space mission field trip to the Challenger Space Center Arizona courtesy of the Fiesta Bowl. 

Soon they will be off to the greatest adventure of all! The team will receive a V.I.P trip to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, along with their teacher and coach Deb Jones.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

About Coyote Hills Elementary School

Coyote Hills Elementary School, located in the Northwest Valley, is part of the Peoria Unified School District. The District boasts a 93 percent high school graduation rate. As the third largest school district in Arizona, it prides itself on excelling schools, award-winning teachers, high AIMS test scores, specialized signature programs and championship sports programs. The Vision of the Peoria Unified School District is “Every student, every day, prepared to meet tomorrow.”

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

About the astronauts from STS-132

Image above: Pictured clockwise from bottom are Commander Ken Ham, Mission Specialists Garrett Reisman and Michael Good, Pilot Tony Antonelli, and Mission Specialists Piers Sellers and Steve Bowen. -  Image credit: NASA

Space shuttle Atlantis launched on its final planned mission to deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station. STS-132 was the 32nd mission for Atlantis.

Three spacewalks were conducted while Atlantis was docked to the orbiting laboratory. During the first spacewalk Mission Specialists Garrett Reisman and Steve Bowen installed a spare antenna and a stowage platform. On the second spacewalk, Bowen and Mission Specialist Michael Good replaced batteries on the P6 Truss that store solar energy. Outside for the final spacewalk were Good and Reisman who replaced the last of the P6 Truss batteries and retrieved a power data grapple fixture for installation at a later date.

Rassvet, the Russian-built Mini Research Module, was removed from the shuttle's payload bay and installed on the Zarya module. Reisman and Mission Specialist Piers Sellers operated the station's robotic arm, Canadarm2, during this process. Reisman and Sellers also maneuvered the Integrated Cargo Carrier from Atlantis into position on the station with Canadarm2. The cargo carrier provided a worksite for spacewalkers to store tools and gear.

 About Challenger Space Center 

Location: 21170 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria AZ 85382 (South of Deer Valley on 83rd Ave.)
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 am – 4 pm, Sat. 10 am – 4 pm, Sun. Closed
General Admission Rates:
Adults $8
Children (4-18 yrs) $5
Seniors (55+ yrs) $7
Military $7Z
Ages 3 and under are free.

Group rates, facility rentals and teambuilding are available with advance notice.
Contact: 623-322-1001 www.azchallenger.org  Fax: 623-322-3716
Discount Programs Accepted with card: AAA, Max Save Card

Visitors jump and catch a virtual planet in My Solar System with motion detection technology. Guided tours are provided on the hour where guests hold a real meteorite, blast off in an Earth-Space-Transport-Module simulating a shuttle launch, and touch a vapor cyclone. Space exhibits include Smithsonian Institution’s An Astronaut’s Life: Articles Flown In Space, a life-sized Iridium satellite model, a ten-foot Shuttle Atlantis display, gravity game, and astronaut autographed memorabilia and mission patches. Saturday events often include Family Fun Days, Stargazing, or StarLab planetarium. Become a crew member on a two-hour simulated mission aboard the International Space Station (additional fee.) Open: Mon. – Fri. 9 am – 4 pm, Sat. 10 am – 4 pm, Sun. Closed. Adults $8, Children (4-18 yrs) $5, Seniors (55+ yrs) $7, Military $7, Ages 3 and under are free. Group rates, facility rentals and teambuilding are available with advance notice.

Do you have what it takes to be an astronaut? Become a crewmember on a two-hour simulated space mission! Families, friends, and teams of co-workers can participate in an exciting space-based learning experience where they become members of a flight crews, mission controllers and scientists. Mission themes include Rendezvous with a Comet and Voyage to Mars.

The Challenger Space Center’s Technology Flight Deck features over $1 million in technology including: Mission Control designed after Johnson Space Center; the Spacecraft, which simulates a room onboard the International Space Station (ISS); and Earth Space Transport Module which shuttles crew members up to dock with the ISS so they can live and work in space.

Space Mission Boarding Pass:
$22.50 Adults
$19.50 Students & Seniors
$19.50 Summer Matinee for Adults, Students, & Seniors

Saturdays 10:30 am and 1:00 pm (year-round)
Summer Matinees on Tues. & Thurs. at 1:30 pm (June 8 – Aug. 5)

Advance reservations are required by calling 623-322-2001
Check website for exact mission dates/times. www.azchallenger.org.

Duration: 2 hours
General admission is included in mission boarding pass.
Participants are given instructions at a 6th grade reading level, and 3rd and 4th graders must fly with a ticketed adult.

Simulated Space Mission group discount rates are available for Adult groups of 16+ with prior reservations. Call Group Reservations at 623-322-2006.

Front - Kari Sliva,
 

Fast-Forward to Challenger Space Center in Peoria  Friday April 29, 2011where the group is presented to guests...   FRIDAY NIGHT ENDEAVOUR LAUNCH PARTY  Story and Photos by Bette and Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV   “As the Space Shuttle program finishes its three decade run, please join me in the celebration of the final launch of Endeavour, the space vehicle which safely conveyed me to space sixteen years ago. What better way to honor and remember all that the Space Shuttle Program has brought us, than to recognize and support the Challenger Space Center; how it enhances learning about space for both young and old alike, and how it reminds us of the sacrifices made by my colleagues in the pursuit of space exploration.” --William G. Gregory, Astronaut.  Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DCS_2172   The final liftoff of Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-134 from the Kennedy Space Center will have to wait. The launch was postponed by NASA on Friday, due to heater problems. The new launch time pushed to May 10 at the earliest.  However the Launch Party at the Challenger Space Center in Peoria Friday April 29, became a chance to preview the Final Launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-134, hosted by STS-67 Endeavour Pilot William G. Gregory--a benefit for Challenger Space Center’s science, technology, engineering and math programs. Mr. Gregory, who currently works for Valley aerospace company Qwaltec, gave a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be an astronaut, to launch aboard a space shuttle, and to fly in space traveling more than 17,000 mph.  During his half-hour presentation, he used video footage of his launch, STS-67, to give attendees a glimpse inside the Space Shuttle Endeavour as the astronauts worked and even managed to find time to have a little fun. Mr. Gregory’s successful astronomical research mission launched the Astro 2 satellite and set a new mission duration record of 16 days, 15 hours, 8 minutes and 46 seconds, while completing 262 orbits and traveling nearly seven million miles.  Mr. Gregory has flown more than 40 different types of aircraft, logged 400 hours in space, and has accumulated more than 5,000 hours of flight time. An added pleasure was the opportunity to meet Meteorite Man, Geoff Notkin, owner of Aerolite Meteorites and co-star of the Telly Award-Winning Science Channel’s TV show “Meteorite Men.” In this reality show, Notkin, an internationally known meteorite hunter, along with co-host Steve Arnold, travel the around the world looking for meteorites. Notkin's company, Aerolite Meteorites, LLC, provides meteorites specimens to researchers, institutions and collectors.  In attendance were members of the Peoria city council, Vicki Panhuise, Chairman of the Arizona Aerospace & Defense Commission, Arizona State Rep. Amanda Reeve and former Secretary of Transportation under George W. Bush, Mary Peters. Opening remarks were made by U.S. Congressman Trent Franks.  Over at The Challenger Space center they have a saying...."We never know when the next astronaut will walk through our doors." Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DCS_2849. The setting for Friday's event at the Challenger Space Center in Peoria at the Endeavour Launch Party on Friday, April 29, 2011.     Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2942 Peoria Conuncilmember Tony Rivero, Acacia District, was in attendance at Friday's Launch Party in Peoria.   Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2934. Also attending Friday's Launch Party at the Challenger Space Center was Peoria Councilmember Joan Evans, Willow District.   Bette Sharpe/Glendale Planet no. DSC_3087. Kari Sliva, Challenger Space Center, and William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67.                                                           Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DCS_3024.     Toni and Nick Jourdan and Jack Frisk (Nick's grandfather) hold autographed photographs of astronaut William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67's  photograph. Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2868. Betty Eklund and Florence Froland setup and monitor the silent auction during the fund raiser.     Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2904.   A.K.A. 34 team members with their families at Friday's Launch Party at the Challenger Space Center in Peoria.  Team A.K.A. 34 is leaving for a VIP trip to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.  A.K.A. 34 won the 12th Annual Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge earlier this year.  The challenge is for students in grades fifth to eighth and requires them to construct an International Lunar Base with a physical scale model.  The students are from Coyote Hills Elementary School in Peoria. From left to right front row:  Mrs. Elizabeth McClellan, Allyson McClellan, Annie Hurley, Katie Hurley.   Back row:  Mr. David & Mrs. Karen Hurley. Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_3005. Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation under the G. W. Bush, Mary Peters (far right) stops to talk with Toni and Nick Jourdan during the meet-n-greet and  autograph segment of Friday's Launch Party.   Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3097 On Display!  William G. Gregory, Pilot,  points to is his Endeavour STS-67 1995 crew group photo on display at the Challenger Space Center.  Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_3047. Deb Jones teacher/coach for  Honeywell Fiesta Bowl space 12th Annual Aerospace Challenge winning team "A.K.A 34" and William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67 at Friday's Launch Party at the Challenger Space Center.   Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2279. Kari Sliva, Challenger Space Center, and William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67. Matching  funds were graciously contributed by  audience members to assist  some children to attend space camp this summer!   Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2162. William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67 took  many questions from a fascinated audience at the event. During his half-hour presentation, he used video footage of his launch, STS-67, to give attendees a glimpse inside the Space Shuttle Endeavour as the astronauts worked and even managed to find time to have a little fun. Mr. Gregory’s successful astronomical research mission launched the Astro 2 satellite and set a new mission duration record of 16 days, 15 hours, 8 minutes and 46 seconds, while completing 262 orbits and traveling nearly seven million miles.      Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2233. Katie Hurley, Annie Hurley (center) and Allyson McClellan of Coyote Hills Elementary won the 2011 Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge, with their entry A.K.A. 34.  The three girls and their teacher/coach are getting ready for a VIP trip to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.  Congratulations!!!  Each student gave an abbreviated statement about their winning project. Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2003. Teacher/coach Deb Jones, Annie Hurley, Allyson McClellan, and Katie Hurley stand by their winning science display.   Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_3062. Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_3063. Meteorite Man, Geoff Notkin, and astronaut William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67. at Friday's Challenger Space Center Launch Party.  Mr. Notkin, on behalf of his company, Aerolite Meteorites, LLC made a substantial donation of meteorites to the Peoria's Challenger Space Center.  Among the donated meteorites was a large Campo del Cielo iron meteorite from Argentina that weighs 19.4 pounds. Notkin also donated an actual meteorite to the event’s silent auction -- a Yelland Dry Lake Stone meteorite (H4 chondrite) 57.6 gram fragment, found by Geoff while filming “The Dry Lake Bed” Episode 5, Season One. CHALLENGER LAUNCH PARTY SCHEDULE Presented by COX Challenger Space Center In Association with the  Smithsonian Institution    6:30 p.m.  Guest Registration Reception, Lower Level Rotunda Silent Auction, Lower Level, Training Rooms A & B Exhibits Open For Touring, Levels 1 & 2 Stargazing, Level 3, Roof Observation Deck 7:30 p.m.  U.S. Congressman Trent Franks, Opening Remarks William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67 Launch Commentary & Preview of the Final Mission of the Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-134 Championship Team AKA 34, Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge, Coyote Hills Elementary 8:15p.m.  Dinner 9:00 p.m.  Meet-N-Greet & Autographs, Level 1, Theater Exhibits Open For Touring, Levels 1 & 2 Stargazing, Level 3, Roof Observation Deck Silent Auction Items Pick-up 10:00 p.m.  Conclusion   Kari Sliva, Director, Challenger Space Center is interviews after the even by Eric at Peoria Cable 11

12^th Annual Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge

Microsoft Mission Control

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

More photos... more captions to come! 

One of the Finalists...“The Rockettes” from Most Holy Trinity Catholic School along with B. J. Copeland
 a Fiesta Bowl Committee Member - Fiesta Bowl Submitted Photo

The top three teams form each day of the preliminaries will compete in the final competition on December 30 at the Challenger Space Center in Peoria, Arizona in front of a panel of judges and five NASA astronauts.  The first place team and teacher, at the finals, will be awarded a trip (VIP) to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.  There they will tour the NASA facilities.  They will also be recognized on the field at the 40^th Annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl!

Team AZ Astros from Zuni Hills Elementary School, Sun City, Arizona . Starting at the far left, Shealee Stannard, Briannah Yaeger, Alexia Updike, and Jennnefer Cheesman.  All three students are in the 7^th grade at Zuni Hills Elementary. In the photograph to the right, the space station is designed for astronauts to stay two years.  Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet. (288)

The dormitories are the blue buildings to the far right; the combination cafeteria and entertainment center is the white building.  The clear building is the large green house and the other two buildings are for medical and farming purposes.  The "straw" connectors are the ventilation system.  Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet. (rotated 287)

Not one, not two but three judges examine the Zuni Hills' station at Table 123. Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet. (284)

Tommy Reyes, Micaela Valenzuela, Lizeth Mendoza, and Jocelyne Soto of Toltec Middle School left this morning at 5:15 a.m.  All are in the 7th grade.  They used the first letter in each of their names for their team's name. Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet. (296)

Students from Toltec Middle School take their turn with the team of judges. Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet. (291) 

South Mountain Home School students, Ethan Bilrabaum and Jordan Defriend are with Mr. Richard Birmbaum.  The social side of the event requires communication skills. (301)

B. J. Copeland a Fiesta Bowl Committee Member thinks that next year the event will be expand to a three day event due to the growing success of the challenge.  Fifty-six schools from around the state participated in this year's two-day event.  The Aerospace Challenge encourages students to use critical thinking, communication, beam building and decision-making skills while learning about science, math, design and other skills.  Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet. (332)

Owen Craig, an eight grader from Stetson Hills Elementary School in Phoenix, is on the Lunar Devils team.  His teammates (not pictured) are Patrick Teetsel, Ryan Edwards, Ryan Nicely, and Paul Morrison.  Dana Edwards is the team's coach.  Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet. (352)

 The judging continues throughout the day.   Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet. (280)

Detail of some of the model building skills demonstrated at Tuesday's challenge.  
Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet. 

Eisenhower Space Center, is the work of Anthem Elementary eight grade students, Annesha Wright, Porscha Newby, and Taylor Ellsworth.  Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet. (335)

Lee McMahon and Sabrina Bandin are also on the Eisenhower Space Center team. Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet. (341)

Taylor Ellsworth, points out some of the details located on the Eisenhower Space Center's first level. Photo by Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet. (340)  

(0298) The Rockettes team from Most Holy Trinity Catholic School was one of the
six winners of the Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge.

(300) Ethan B. of South Mountain Home School is one of the students on the Helion team.  Their lunar base was one of the six winners from the Honeywell's Fiesta Bow aerospace Challenge.

(302) There is a basement lawyer to the Helion
Station.  Removing the "top" level shows more detail to the team's lunar base model.

“A.K.A 34”, from Coyote Hills -  Submitted Photo

“A.K.A 34”, from Coyote Hills -  Submitted Photo

“A.K.A 34”, from Coyote Hills -  Submitted Photo

“A.K.A 34”, from Coyote Hills -  Submitted Photo

Schools that participated in the 2010 two-day 
Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge are...

...and the  winners are!

D-Jack Attack” from Coyote Hills

 “A.K.A 34”, from Coyote Hills

 “E.R.I.C.A. 5” from St. Simon & Jude Catholic School

 “The Rockettes” from Most Holy Trinity Catholic School  

 “Helion” from South Mountain Home School

“The Moon Maniacs” from Most Holy Trinity Catholic School

Finalist Team “A.K.A 34”, from Coyote Hills - Fiesta Bowl Submitted Photo

More photos... more captions to come! 

Well can you believe another year has gone by and YES! the time nears for the next Tostitos  Fiesta Bow game and University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale Arizona.

This  is a special year as it is the 40th birthday of the Fiesta Bowl and the 5th year it has been held at the  Stadium in Glendale Arizona.
 
The first activity around downtown Glendale to herald the start of game is the staff and volunteers of the Glendale Visitor Center bursting into action to set up clocks with the  four teams time zones after the announcement of the contenders for both the BCS Championship and the Fiesta Bowl.

Gift baskets are made up containing Cerreta's  chocolate and goodies to go to the teams that will be visiting Glendale for this season's games.
 

Becky Shady  - Glendale Convention and Visitor Bureau  Volunteer  Terry Williams  - Glendale Convention and Visitor Bureau Specialist and  Lorraine Pino  - Glendale Convention and Visitor Bureau Manager, remind us...
 GLENDALE'S GOT GAME!               Photo by Ed Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

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"Fiesta Bowl fans are fabulous" exclaimed Lorraine Pino, Glendale Convention and Visitor Bureau Manager, and to welcome them to the valley they should start their journey at the Glendale Visitor Center where Pino said "A special treat for our football fans are the Glendale’s Got Game Gift Bags which we hand out at the Visitor Center to anyone wearing their team colors.”

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 - 

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl 
 January 1, 2011 - 6:00PM 
Glendale, AZ

UConn vs. Oklahoma

Television: ESPN   Radio: ESPN Radio

 

 

BCS Championship - 
January 10, 2011 - 6:30PM
Glendale, AZ

Auburn vs. Oregon

Television: ESPN   Radio: ESPN Radio

 

About the stadium

• With its retractable field and roof, University of Phoenix Stadium is unlike any other in North America.
• The roof contains two large panels that retract to uncover the entire playing field. The natural grass field remains in a retractable, 12 million pound tray outside the stadium until game day for maximum sun exposure and nourishment.
• Stadium capacity for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and Tostitos BCS Championship game is 73,000

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Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and Tostitos BCS National Championship Game
http://www.facebook.com/FiestaBowl

For questions, please call 480-350-0909.

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Tickets? Questions? Fiesta Bowl Site >  - http://www.fiestabowl.org/

There you have it! Glendale's Got Game AGAIN! Put some colors on and go get some goodies and get ready for the big game!