Sean Gale

For all of us, high school graduation is a seminal moment that dually represents all the hard work and commitment necessary to reach that milestone along with the promising start of a new chapter in our lives.

For students at Hope College and Career Readiness Academy in Phoenix, their commencement ceremony means so much more.

The institution was created in order to serve those whose academic needs are not otherwise being met in traditional educational settings, and therefore Hope Academy places a special emphasis on celebrating their graduates given that it signifies their perseverance to overcome immense personal challenges in both life and in the classroom.

When the coronavirus pandemic unfortunately forced Hope College and Career Readiness Academy to cancel their standard commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020, the school’s students, teachers and administrators were equally devastated.

During these unparalleled times, the Phoenix Suns partnered with Hope Academy and developed a whimsical plan to provide intimate, heartfelt and imaginative graduation ceremonies for students, right outside their doorstep at home.  All told, reps from the Suns &amp; Hope Academy delivered diplomas, along with their deepest congratulations, to 18 graduates this week as part of the a one-of-a-kind celebration.

Each mini graduation began with a loud knock on the front door by the Suns Gorilla before students emerged to find the Orange Carpet rolled out for their very own commencement ceremony as their families, Suns and Hope Academy officials, and even some curious neighbors proudly looked on with excitement.

Suns broadcaster Tom Leander emceed each ceremony, while Maricopa County School Superintendent Steve Watson shared some special words of encouragement with the students during this momentous occasion. 

Among the graduates in Hope College and Career Readiness Academy’s Class of 2020 was an impressive young man named Woody Harris, who shared his excitement about being able to experience his high school graduation, no matter how unconventional the ceremony may have been.

“I know that there are people out there who really care,” said Harris. “There are people out there who want to hear your story and want to see you succeed.”

Woody was raised by a single mother of eight kids on the south side of Chicago, but moved to Phoenix with his mom and younger siblings during middle school in order to escape rampant gun violence in the city.  The tipping point came when Woody was robbed at gunpoint for $14 on the school bus at the age of 12.

After relocating to the Valley before he was set to begin 7th grade, Woody and his family were really enjoying their new chapter in the desert, until a series of vision tests revealed a harrowing diagnosis: Woody had a brain tumor. 

Understandably beside himself at first, Woody eventually summoned the strength, both physically and mentally, to beat the odds and finish middle school. 

The next few years presented a new set of challenges for the family. Chief among them was the heartrending death of Woody’s older brother, who was shot and killed back in Chicago.

Woody was already struggling with his transition to high school. The tragedy left him broken and devastated, and he stopped attending classes for more than three months.

According to Woody, everything changed when he had a dream about his brother and realized that he needed to persevere and stay strong in order to make his brother and his mother proud. With a renewed vigor to earn his high school diploma, Woody soon discovered Hope Academy and immediately knew it was the right place for him. 

After withstanding more heartbreak and overcoming more daunting obstacles at his age than some people endure in an entire lifetime, Woody officially became the first male in his family to graduate high school on Thursday night.

While I’m sure it wasn’t the celebration he envisioned a few months ago, the Suns and Hope Academy were privileged to host Woody’s richly deserved commencement ceremony.  Most importantly, his mother, siblings and neighbors all stood behind him beaming with pride.

There’s no doubt that his older brother was there, too.

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Phoenix Suns & Hope Academy Deliver One-Of-A-Kind Graduation Surprises To Extraordinary High School Students Across The Valley

Marylin Maldonado knew that Monday was going to be a big day.

The coronavirus pandemic unfortunately robbed the Carl Hayden Community High School senior of the opportunity to experience a traditional graduation ceremony, but she was excited to celebrate the achievement alongside her fellow graduates in the Class of 2020 during a drive through graduation ceremony at Hayden last night.

Before that, though, Maldonado woke up bright and early to participate in a teleconference interview with representatives from a local organization who were deliberating their final candidates for a small college scholarship.

Just before the conversation was slated to begin, Maldonado received a call from Jessica Solis with Be A Leader Foundation. The local nonprofit aims to help students in Arizona navigate the college application process by providing them with the tools and resources needed to become college bound, and Maldonado got involved with the organization a few years ago as she began to plan her next chapter beyond high school. 

Solis instructed her to come outside, where Maldonado was surprised by a small group of representatives from the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Suns Charities. The Gorilla hopped out of his Hummer and excitedly handed her an iPad featuring a special video message from Suns President &amp; CEO Jason Rowley on behalf of the Phoenix Suns Charities Board of Directors. 

“We know you want to be a Northern Arizona University Lumberjack, so the Suns, along with Helios Education Foundation, want to help make that dream a reality as we’d like to offer you a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to NAU,” said Rowley.

Maldonado, who will be the first in her family to attend college, couldn’t believe it and the tears began to flow. 

“I can’t even explain it,” Maldonado said. “I’m speechless.”

The Phoenix Suns Charities Board of Directors selected Maldonado based on her strong academic record, display of leadership as a member of the Carl Hayden Community High School marching band and her involvement with Be A Leader Foundation in an effort to set herself up for an incredibly bright future. This marks the second consecutive year that Phoenix Suns Charities and Helios Education Foundation, which has underwritten the scholarship, awarded a four-year, full tuition scholarship to a deserving Arizona high school student. 

The last two months introduced a wave of uncertainty and apprehension among local students, who had to finish the school year via online classes and missed out on several traditional senior activities. Maldonado was especially distraught by missing out on the chance for her family to see her walk across the stage with diploma in hand. 

While she certainly envisioned a more ordinary ending to her high school years, she was elated by the surprise of a lifetime on Monday morning and couldn’t be more excited to attend NAU this fall.

“I’m really thankful for all of you, and I hope to become something big in this world.”

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Phoenix Suns Charities & Helios Education Foundation Award Full-Tuition College Scholarship To Carl Hayden Community High School Student

A pair of former Phoenix Suns guards and head coaches joined broadcaster Tom Leander in the latest installment of Valley Chatz, brought to you by FirstBank, as Suns Ring of Honor member Paul Westphal and All-Star guard Jeff Hornacek made a special appearance to discuss living in Phoenix, the best shooters in Suns franchise history and more.

The newest Valley Chatz episode will premiere on Sunday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. (PT) on Suns.com/now and FOX Sports Arizona, the team’s exclusive local television station, prior to “Sunsday” at 7 p.m.

Before talking hoops, Hornacek provided an update on how his family has been holding up during quarantine and talked about enjoying some quality time with his kids and new grandson. His daughter Abby, who is a rising media star and serves as a television host on FOX Nation, also made a brief cameo during the conversation.

Hornacek was selected by the Suns with the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 1986 NBA Draft and ultimately carved out a 14-year career in the Association, in large part due to his elite shooting ability. During the discussion, he gives credit to Phoenix’s all-time leading scorer Walter Davis, Hall of Famer Jerry Colangelo and his wife, Stacy, for helping him fine-tune the jumper that allowed him to enjoy as much success as he did in the NBA. 

During his six-year stint in the Valley as a player, Hornacek grew into a key contributor on a contender following the additions of Kevin Johnson, Tom Chambers, Eddie Johnson and Mark West in the late 1980s under the direction of Suns Ring of Honor member Cotton Fitzsimmons.  Interestingly enough, Hornacek fondly remembers heated 1-on-1 battles before practice between two Suns assistant coaches: Paul Westphal and Lionel Hollins.

“We would stretch every morning and Paul and Lionel would be playing 1-on-1 down at one of the baskets,” said Hornacek. “They were fresh out of the league, and they would argue about fouls and get after it.”

One day, when the coaches didn’t play their customary game of 1-on-1, Hornacek and the rest of the team asked what happened to the daily competition.

“They said, ‘Well, our wives told us we couldn’t play because we kept arguing when we went out for dinners.’”

The story was confirmed by Westphal, who also validated Hornacek’s claim that their wives put an end to the 1-on-1 contests (and the ensuing arguments). 

Leander and “Westy” then chatted about the latter’s laundry list of basketball achievements, headlined by his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2019. 

“I was so blessed, Tom. It’s unbelievable to do what I loved to do for as long as I did,” said Westphal. “Those honors are incredible icing on the cake, but I honestly never did it for the honors. It was just great to be able to play and coach that long.”

Fans are encouraged to check out Suns.com/now to discover upcoming Valley Chatz guests and submit questions for the discussion, providing a forum to glean insight from Suns and Mercury personalities about the things fans want to hear about.  Tom Leander will lead the conversations with special quests that will provide updates and commentary on a wide array of topics.

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Suns Legends Paul Westphal & Jeff Hornacek Check In With Hoops Fans on Valley Chatz, Brought to you by Firstbank

For 34 years, Chicanos Por La Causa De Colores Shelter has hosted a special Mother’s Day celebration each year to honor the brave and loving mothers in their community. The annual event features food, gifts and plenty of social activities for the women and their families and serves as a platform to strengthen the unique bonds among them.

This year, the coronavirus pandemic unfortunately forced Chicanos Por La Causa De Colores Shelter to cancel their Mother’s Day celebration.

“When we sent the word out that unfortunately because of COVID-19 we were going to have to cancel it, we got a great call from Phoenix Suns Charities who said, ‘Hey, let’s do something! Let’s not cancel it completely’” said Chicanos Por La Causa President and CEO David Adame. 

During these difficult times, Phoenix Suns Charities identified an opportunity to keep the tradition alive and ensure that all the moms throughout their community felt recognized, admired and appreciated on Mother’s Day this year.

Suns representatives made a special visit to Chicanos Por La Causa De Colores Shelter on Friday to deliver a creative Mother’s Day experience for 65 residents, while adhering to COVID-19 safety precautions the nonprofit has implemented since mid-March. The mothers were gifted bouquets from Fry’s Food Stores, See’s Candies and Suns swag items and their families were also treated to a delicious meal catered by Paz Cantina.

“We knew that moms need to be celebrated, especially right now with all the things they’re doing at home with keeping their families together and doing schoolwork,” said Suns Vice President of Social Responsibility and Executive Director of Phoenix Suns Charities Sarah Krahenbuhl.  “We knew that now is not the time to go cancelling Mother’s Day.”

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Phoenix Suns Charities Help Keep Mother’s Day Tradition Alive at Chicanos Por La Causa Colores Shelter

Frenchmen Boris Diaw and Elie Okobo joined Phoenix Suns broadcaster Tom Leander in the latest installment of Valley Chatz, brought to you by FirstBank to talk about the history of their relationship, the French influence in the modern NBA and more.

The newest Valley Chatz episode will premiere on Sunday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m. (PT) on Suns.com/now and FOX Sports Arizona, the team’s exclusive local television station, prior to “Sunsday” at 7 p.m. 

After two up-and-down years with the Atlanta Hawks, Diaw was traded to Phoenix in the summer of 2005 and made an immediate impact on the court for the Suns en route to winning the NBA Most Improved Player Award during his first season in the Valley. 

“It really gave me the chance to start a real career in the NBA,” Diaw mentioned about his time in Phoenix. “I have so many good memories and had such a good time here.”

Diaw’s positional versatility and unselfishness made him a perfect fit for the Suns’ high-octane approach, earning the nickname “3D” for his ability to drive, dish and defend.  A fan favorite among basketball fans in the Valley, Diaw was also an inspiration for aspiring hoopers in his home country of France more than 5,000 miles away. 

“Boris is from my hometown, so he was like The Man over there,” said Okobo. “He was so smart on the court. He was athletic. He could find open teammates and he was guarding the ball, too.”

Diaw &amp; Okobo first connected when Elie was just seven years old. In fact, Diaw often played basketball at a local playground in Bordeaux with Elie’s father.

Okobo shared that Diaw’s guidance has helped him develop throughout his basketball career, especially during his transition to the NBA from France two summers ago. Diaw has always taken great pride in helping the next generation of French players thrive in their basketball careers, something that drew him to his current position as Deputy General Manager of the French national team. 

During the exclusive conversation, Diaw &amp; Okobo also spoke about how their families are holding up during quarantine, who they think are the best French players in the NBA and Okobo’s cameo in Drake’s “Chicago Freestyle” music video earlier this year.

Fans are encouraged to check out Suns.com/now to discover upcoming Valley Chatz guests and submit questions for the discussion, providing a forum to glean insight from Suns and Mercury personalities about the things fans want to hear about. Tom Leander will lead the conversations with special quests that will provide updates and commentary on a wide array of topics.

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The French Connection: Boris Diaw & Elie Okobo Catch Up with Suns Fans On Valley Chatz, Brought To You By Firstbank, This Sunday

Since the moment he arrived in the Valley nearly two years ago, 2018 No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton has made his presence known both on the court and throughout the community. 

Ayton has put up some big numbers in his first two NBA seasons, evidenced by the fact that he and reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo were the only players to average at least 19 points and 12 boards per game at the time the NBA season was suspended on March 11. 

While his performance on the hardwood has been remarkable, his dedication to giving back to the community and lending a helping hand to those in need has been equally impressive.

In an effort to demonstrate his gratitude for their continued service and sacrifice, yesterday Ayton dished out meals from Ocean 44 for those who have remained on the job in downtown Phoenix during the pandemic and also planned a special visit for the Aioli Burger food truck to deliver hundreds of gourmet burgers to medical staff at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale.

“I’m happy to support two of my favorite local restaurants while sending a small token of appreciation to the staff taking care of the arena until we can get back on the court and the brave healthcare workers fighting this pandemic on the frontlines,” said Ayton. 

Ayton arranged the donations in celebration of #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity designed as a platform for those across the world to help overcome the unprecedented challenges introduced to our society as a result of COVID-19.

This isn’t the first time Ayton has answered the bell during some tough times, as he stepped up in a big way last fall when he pledged $100,000 for Hurricane Dorian relief efforts and organized an item donation drive in Phoenix to support those in his native Bahamas.

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Ayton Serves Up Meals for Frontline Healthcare Workers & Essential Staff

Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, one of the most prominent and beloved athletes in the history of the Valley sports landscape, joined Phoenix Suns broadcaster Tom Leander in the fifth installment of Valley Chatz, brought to you by FirstBank, to discuss how he’s holding up during the NBA hiatus, who he believes are the best players in Suns franchise history and more. 

The newest Valley Chatz episode featuring Sir Charles will premiere on Sunday, May 3 at 5:30 p.m. (PT) on Suns.com/now and FOX Sports Arizona, the team’s exclusive local television station, prior to “Sunsday” at 7 p.m.  The episode will also re-air at 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. this Sunday evening. 

Additionally, FOX Sports Arizona will broadcast the thrilling Game 5 of the 1993 NBA Western Conference Finals between the Suns and Seattle SuperSonics as part their “Sunsday Classics” at 8 p.m.  Barkley, who posted a triple-double in that matchup with 43 points, 15 rebound and 10 assists, will join the postgame show alongside fellow Suns Ring of Honor member Dan Majerle, who knocked down eight three-pointers in the pivotal Game 5 victory, to reminisce upon one of the most memorable series and moments in franchise history.

Following a blockbuster trade in June 1992 that sent Barkley to Phoenix where he’d team up with NBA All-Stars Kevin Johnson, Tom Chambers and Majerle, the 1992-93 Phoenix Suns squad took the Valley by storm and remain one of the most iconic teams in Arizona sports history. 

Barkley and Suns made their first season at Talking Stick Resort Arena (then known as America West Arena) a memorable one, as they won a franchise-best 62 regular season games and earned a trip to the 1993 NBA Finals while Barkley took home the first MVP award in Suns history. 

 “I’ve never felt the loudness and energy from Day 1 like at America West,” said Barkley. “The fans here were crazy. It was electric every night.”

The 11-time All-Star still calls the Valley home and shared some details about he’s staying active during quarantine, such as hitting the golf course a few times a week and taking plenty of rides around the neighborhood on his new bicycle. The Chuckster also offered a few hilarious responses when asked which three celebrities he would choose to shelter in place with, but you’ll have to tune in for those answers. 

Barkley’s old teammate, Suns broadcaster and Ring of Honor member Tom Chambers, also made a cameo on this week’s edition of Valley Chatz to talk about their personal Mount Rushmore of Suns players. While Barkley played just four seasons in Phoenix and remains one of the biggest personalities in the NBA, his love for the Valley and Suns fans is apparent throughout the discussion. 

“This is a Phoenix Suns town,” said Barkley. “These fans are amazing … I really want to see the Suns do better, because when the Suns do great the city is on fire.”

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Suns Legend Charles Barkley Set To Make A Special Appearance On Valley Chatz, Brought To You By FirstBank, This Sunday

In basketball, it’s important to have trustworthy teammates that you can rely on when the going gets tough. The same can be said for life, especially during these challenging times we’re collectively experiencing today.

The Phoenix Suns and Carl’s Jr., one of the organization’s most dependable partners, have teamed up to provide 2,000 meals to those in need throughout the Valley.  Carl’s Jr. has enhanced the team’s recent community efforts in response to COVID-19, such as Kelly Oubre Jr.’s basketball delivery to local elementary and middle school students in Phoenix earlier this month, by supplying meals for kids and families that could use an assist during these tough times.

The Suns and Carl’s Jr. recently stepped up to provide meals for local youth and staff at five different branches of the Boys &amp; Girls Club of the Valley, which has remained a reliable resource for nearly 700 local kids every day during this pandemic.

“Thank you, Phoenix Suns, for giving our Club kids the best day,” said Marcia Mintz, CEO of Boys &amp; Girls Club of the Valley. “You came through with your partners, Carl’s Jr., delivering thousands of burgers to our kids, who were also able to take some home for their families. It brought a huge smile to their face, and we really appreciate your partnership and support.” 

Most recently, the Suns and Carl’s Jr. surprised their neighbors at 1st Street &amp; Jefferson last week as The Gorilla surprised staff at the Fry’s Food Store in downtown Phoenix with a lunchtime burger delivery to demonstrate our appreciation for their hard work and dedication during the pandemic.

“I want to take a moment and thank our amazing team members for their efforts the last several weeks in supporting our local communities, and specifically, how we’ve partnered with the Phoenix Suns,” said Warren Forsythe, President &amp; CFO of Starcorp, LLC. “Together, we donated 300 of our Star Pals meals to a local school, 1,500 free hamburgers to five different Boys &amp; Girls Clubs across the Phoenix area, and 50 of our amazing Famous Star burgers along with over 100 free burger cards to the frontline employees at Fry’s grocery in downtown Phoenix.” 

Forsythe added that the burger donation to Fry’s Food Stores frontline employees represents a special display of appreciation from the frontline employees at Carl’s Jr. 

“Fry’s Food Stores appreciates the Suns and Carl’s Jr. for recognizing our associates who are working tirelessly to keep our stores clean and stocked,” said Chris Berryman, downtown Phoenix store manager. “It was a kind gesture and my team was excited to receive the unexpected lunch.” 

Grocery stores rank among the most essential businesses in our society, and Fry’s Food Stores has gone above and beyond to keep shelves stocked while ensuring the safety of customers and associates alike since the advent of the coronavirus pandemic here in the Valley last month. 

Fry’s Food Stores is limiting the number of customers permitted in the building at any given time and has also installed special signage and equipment, including protective glass barriers and floor markers at check lanes, that encourage shoppers to practice proper physical distancing.  Additionally, all stores are offering dedicated business hours for customers age 60 and older and implemented enhanced disinfecting protocols that include cleaning frequently used areas, equipment and high-touch surfaces. 

Fans are encouraged to check out Suns.com/Community2020, the team’s new digital platform to keep our global NBA community connected as we navigate the current climate together, to learn more about how the Suns and our partners are continuing to serve the Valley community.

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Phoenix Suns & Carl’s Jr. Team Up to Feed Those in Need Across The Valley

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