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WATERMARK FOR KIDS AWARDS IRONWOOD STUDENT
Story and Photos by Marla Levine- Special to the Glendale Daily Planet

Watermark for Kids award recipient Da’Vaughn Cantley (center), a freshman at Ironwood High School in Glendale, receives congratulations from Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s executive director Kristi Roberts (right) and Watermark University director Linda Wiley. The Watermark for Kids program provides Cantley with an opportunity to receive coaching in the culinary arts at the Glendale retirement community, so he can pursue his dream of becoming a pastry chef. Photo by Marla Levine.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Thunderbird Retirement Resort teamed with its Tucson-based management company, Watermark Retirement Communities, to kickoff the Watermark for Kids program at the Glendale retirement community. The “Shine Night” celebration honored the first local Watermark for Kids award recipient, Da’Vaughn Cantley, a freshman at Ironwood High School in Glendale.

The Watermark for Kids award encourages underserved kids to express their creative spirit, leadership skills and compassion in a way that makes a difference in the world and helps the Watermark Kid thrive.

Cantley’s dreams of becoming a pastry chef are being nurtured by hands-on coaching from Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s food and beverage director, John Valencia. As Chef Valencia shares his secrets of the culinary arts with the aspiring baker, Cantley will get a taste of preparing meals for the retirement community’s restaurant-style dining room menu at the Dailey Street Grill.

“Ten years ago, the first time I watched the Food Network, that’s what inspired me to be a chef,” Cantley recalled. “I was six and at my graduation from kindergarten the teacher asked what I wanted to be? I said,  ‘Food Network chef.’”

Originally an Emeril Lagasse fan, he favors cooking shows with Martha Stewart, and the Food Network’s Ace of Cakes, Chef Duff, and the Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro.

“My specialty for my own cooking recipe is Cantley Cookies,” he said. “Oatmeal, chocolate chips and walnuts – tastes delicious.”

To sweeten his success, the Watermark for Kids program will sponsor him at the culinary summer camp at The Art Institute of Phoenix. The Ironwood Class of 2014 student also plans to take courses in culinary arts and creative foods.

During the Watermark for Kids “Shine Night” program, Thunderbird Retirement Resort awarded Cantley several tools of the trade including a chef’s uniform and hat, Faberware cookware, bakeware set, and a knife roll.

Raffle tickets sold at Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s “Shine Night” raised funds for Watermark for Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering kids to fully express themselves and thrive.

Thunderbird’s executive director, Kristi Roberts announced, “We are thrilled to have MidFirst Bank tallying and matching donations, which are topping $500, which is incredible.”

MidFirst Bank stationed a coin van that counted $577.10 in monies contributed by Thunderbird residents, staff and guests. MidFirst Bank generously matched the donations by adding another $577.10, for a grand total of $1,154.20 contributed to Watermark for Kids.

Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s food and beverage director, John Valencia (right), shares his secrets of the culinary arts while coaching Watermark for Kids award recipient Da’Vaughn Cantley, a freshman at Ironwood High School in Glendale. Chef Valencia will be mentoring the aspiring pastry chef and offer hands-on experience in the art of fruit carving techniques and preparing meals for the Glendale retirement community’s Dailey Street Grill. Photo by Marla Levine.

Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s executive director Kristi Roberts (left) and Watermark University director Linda Wiley congratulate Watermark for Kids award recipient Da’Vaughn Cantley, a freshman at Ironwood High School in Glendale. During the Watermark for Kids “Shine Night,” Cantley was honored as the first local Watermark Kid. He receives hands-on coaching in the culinary arts at the Glendale retirement community, so he can pursue his dream to become a pastry chef. Photo by Marla Levine.

For inquiries about the Watermark for Kids program at Thunderbird Retirement Resort, call 602-938-0414. Visit www.watermarkforkids.org to learn more about how tax-exempt donations support Watermark for Kids. 

About Thunderbird Retirement Resort: Thunderbird Retirement Resort is located at 5401 W. Dailey St., one block north of Thunderbird Road at 53rd Avenue in Glendale. Thunderbird Retirement Resort features spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with courtyard views of the sparkling ponds, fountains and heated swimming pool. To learn more about Thunderbird Retirement Resort, visit www.watermarkcommunities.com or call 602-938-0414 to schedule a tour. 

About Watermark Retirement Communities: Watermark Retirement Communities has owned and operated innovative, senior living communities for 20 years, and is committed to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive. Watermark communities are located in Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Watermark Retirement Communities is headquartered at 2020 West Rudasill Road in Tucson, Ariz. Visit www.watermarkcommunities.com for details.

WATERMARK FOR KIDS AWARDS IRONWOOD STUDENT
Story and Photos by Marla Levine- Special to the Glendale Daily Planet

Watermark for Kids award recipient Da’Vaughn Cantley (center), a freshman at Ironwood High School in Glendale, receives congratulations from Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s executive director Kristi Roberts (right) and Watermark University director Linda Wiley. The Watermark for Kids program provides Cantley with an opportunity to receive coaching in the culinary arts at the Glendale retirement community, so he can pursue his dream of becoming a pastry chef. Photo by Marla Levine.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Thunderbird Retirement Resort teamed with its Tucson-based management company, Watermark Retirement Communities, to kickoff the Watermark for Kids program at the Glendale retirement community. The “Shine Night” celebration honored the first local Watermark for Kids award recipient, Da’Vaughn Cantley, a freshman at Ironwood High School in Glendale.

The Watermark for Kids award encourages underserved kids to express their creative spirit, leadership skills and compassion in a way that makes a difference in the world and helps the Watermark Kid thrive.

Cantley’s dreams of becoming a pastry chef are being nurtured by hands-on coaching from Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s food and beverage director, John Valencia. As Chef Valencia shares his secrets of the culinary arts with the aspiring baker, Cantley will get a taste of preparing meals for the retirement community’s restaurant-style dining room menu at the Dailey Street Grill.

“Ten years ago, the first time I watched the Food Network, that’s what inspired me to be a chef,” Cantley recalled. “I was six and at my graduation from kindergarten the teacher asked what I wanted to be? I said,  ‘Food Network chef.’”

Originally an Emeril Lagasse fan, he favors cooking shows with Martha Stewart, and the Food Network’s Ace of Cakes, Chef Duff, and the Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro.

“My specialty for my own cooking recipe is Cantley Cookies,” he said. “Oatmeal, chocolate chips and walnuts – tastes delicious.”

To sweeten his success, the Watermark for Kids program will sponsor him at the culinary summer camp at The Art Institute of Phoenix. The Ironwood Class of 2014 student also plans to take courses in culinary arts and creative foods.

During the Watermark for Kids “Shine Night” program, Thunderbird Retirement Resort awarded Cantley several tools of the trade including a chef’s uniform and hat, Faberware cookware, bakeware set, and a knife roll.

Raffle tickets sold at Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s “Shine Night” raised funds for Watermark for Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering kids to fully express themselves and thrive.

Thunderbird’s executive director, Kristi Roberts announced, “We are thrilled to have MidFirst Bank tallying and matching donations, which are topping $500, which is incredible.”

MidFirst Bank stationed a coin van that counted $577.10 in monies contributed by Thunderbird residents, staff and guests. MidFirst Bank generously matched the donations by adding another $577.10, for a grand total of $1,154.20 contributed to Watermark for Kids.

Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s food and beverage director, John Valencia (right), shares his secrets of the culinary arts while coaching Watermark for Kids award recipient Da’Vaughn Cantley, a freshman at Ironwood High School in Glendale. Chef Valencia will be mentoring the aspiring pastry chef and offer hands-on experience in the art of fruit carving techniques and preparing meals for the Glendale retirement community’s Dailey Street Grill. Photo by Marla Levine.

Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s executive director Kristi Roberts (left) and Watermark University director Linda Wiley congratulate Watermark for Kids award recipient Da’Vaughn Cantley, a freshman at Ironwood High School in Glendale. During the Watermark for Kids “Shine Night,” Cantley was honored as the first local Watermark Kid. He receives hands-on coaching in the culinary arts at the Glendale retirement community, so he can pursue his dream to become a pastry chef. Photo by Marla Levine.

For inquiries about the Watermark for Kids program at Thunderbird Retirement Resort, call 602-938-0414. Visit www.watermarkforkids.org to learn more about how tax-exempt donations support Watermark for Kids. 

About Thunderbird Retirement Resort: Thunderbird Retirement Resort is located at 5401 W. Dailey St., one block north of Thunderbird Road at 53rd Avenue in Glendale. Thunderbird Retirement Resort features spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with courtyard views of the sparkling ponds, fountains and heated swimming pool. To learn more about Thunderbird Retirement Resort, visit www.watermarkcommunities.com or call 602-938-0414 to schedule a tour. 

About Watermark Retirement Communities: Watermark Retirement Communities has owned and operated innovative, senior living communities for 20 years, and is committed to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive. Watermark communities are located in Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Watermark Retirement Communities is headquartered at 2020 West Rudasill Road in Tucson, Ariz. Visit www.watermarkcommunities.com for details.

WATERMARK FOR KIDS AWARDS IRONWOOD STUDENT
Story and Photos by Marla Levine- Special to the Glendale Daily Planet

Watermark for Kids award recipient Da’Vaughn Cantley (center), a freshman at Ironwood High School in Glendale, receives congratulations from Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s executive director Kristi Roberts (right) and Watermark University director Linda Wiley. The Watermark for Kids program provides Cantley with an opportunity to receive coaching in the culinary arts at the Glendale retirement community, so he can pursue his dream of becoming a pastry chef. Photo by Marla Levine.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Thunderbird Retirement Resort teamed with its Tucson-based management company, Watermark Retirement Communities, to kickoff the Watermark for Kids program at the Glendale retirement community. The “Shine Night” celebration honored the first local Watermark for Kids award recipient, Da’Vaughn Cantley, a freshman at Ironwood High School in Glendale.

The Watermark for Kids award encourages underserved kids to express their creative spirit, leadership skills and compassion in a way that makes a difference in the world and helps the Watermark Kid thrive.

Cantley’s dreams of becoming a pastry chef are being nurtured by hands-on coaching from Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s food and beverage director, John Valencia. As Chef Valencia shares his secrets of the culinary arts with the aspiring baker, Cantley will get a taste of preparing meals for the retirement community’s restaurant-style dining room menu at the Dailey Street Grill.

“Ten years ago, the first time I watched the Food Network, that’s what inspired me to be a chef,” Cantley recalled. “I was six and at my graduation from kindergarten the teacher asked what I wanted to be? I said,  ‘Food Network chef.’”

Originally an Emeril Lagasse fan, he favors cooking shows with Martha Stewart, and the Food Network’s Ace of Cakes, Chef Duff, and the Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro.

“My specialty for my own cooking recipe is Cantley Cookies,” he said. “Oatmeal, chocolate chips and walnuts – tastes delicious.”

To sweeten his success, the Watermark for Kids program will sponsor him at the culinary summer camp at The Art Institute of Phoenix. The Ironwood Class of 2014 student also plans to take courses in culinary arts and creative foods.

During the Watermark for Kids “Shine Night” program, Thunderbird Retirement Resort awarded Cantley several tools of the trade including a chef’s uniform and hat, Faberware cookware, bakeware set, and a knife roll.

Raffle tickets sold at Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s “Shine Night” raised funds for Watermark for Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering kids to fully express themselves and thrive.

Thunderbird’s executive director, Kristi Roberts announced, “We are thrilled to have MidFirst Bank tallying and matching donations, which are topping $500, which is incredible.”

MidFirst Bank stationed a coin van that counted $577.10 in monies contributed by Thunderbird residents, staff and guests. MidFirst Bank generously matched the donations by adding another $577.10, for a grand total of $1,154.20 contributed to Watermark for Kids.

Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s food and beverage director, John Valencia (right), shares his secrets of the culinary arts while coaching Watermark for Kids award recipient Da’Vaughn Cantley, a freshman at Ironwood High School in Glendale. Chef Valencia will be mentoring the aspiring pastry chef and offer hands-on experience in the art of fruit carving techniques and preparing meals for the Glendale retirement community’s Dailey Street Grill. Photo by Marla Levine.

Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s executive director Kristi Roberts (left) and Watermark University director Linda Wiley congratulate Watermark for Kids award recipient Da’Vaughn Cantley, a freshman at Ironwood High School in Glendale. During the Watermark for Kids “Shine Night,” Cantley was honored as the first local Watermark Kid. He receives hands-on coaching in the culinary arts at the Glendale retirement community, so he can pursue his dream to become a pastry chef. Photo by Marla Levine.

For inquiries about the Watermark for Kids program at Thunderbird Retirement Resort, call 602-938-0414. Visit www.watermarkforkids.org to learn more about how tax-exempt donations support Watermark for Kids. 

About Thunderbird Retirement Resort: Thunderbird Retirement Resort is located at 5401 W. Dailey St., one block north of Thunderbird Road at 53rd Avenue in Glendale. Thunderbird Retirement Resort features spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with courtyard views of the sparkling ponds, fountains and heated swimming pool. To learn more about Thunderbird Retirement Resort, visit www.watermarkcommunities.com or call 602-938-0414 to schedule a tour. 

About Watermark Retirement Communities: Watermark Retirement Communities has owned and operated innovative, senior living communities for 20 years, and is committed to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive. Watermark communities are located in Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Watermark Retirement Communities is headquartered at 2020 West Rudasill Road in Tucson, Ariz. Visit www.watermarkcommunities.com for details.