Monarchs Consistently Among Top United Way Givers in APS
Manzano High's staff has for the past three years been the top giver among APS high schools. This year's APS Employees United Way campaign is underway. The last day to submit pledge forms is Tuesday, Nov. 20.
October 19, 2012
At Manzano High School, it’s always about community.
Perhaps that’s why the Monarchs are about as consistent and successful as the New England Patriots in the APS/United Way Employee Campaign.
Manzano’s staff has for the past three years been the top giver among APS high schools. Principal Therese Carroll says that’s because the campaign is a natural extension of the every-day concern for one another – and the community.
“The main factor I observe in our community is the desire to support one another, especially those in need or those helping folks in need,” she said.
Manzano’s campaign for years was run by activities director Helen Cortez, a legend at the school for her innovation and belief in the United Way campaign. She retired last spring but has been succeeded by Jennifer Huynh-Arnold, who is helping organize the effort this year.
The campaign, run through the APS Education Foundation, is nearing its home stretch. Pledge forms are due in mid-November. APS employees may give to any nonprofit of their choice, including the Foundation, which puts every dollar back into Horizon Awards, competitive grants that go to APS teachers and teams of teachers.
It’s the one-for-all spirit at Manzano, Carroll said, that makes a difference in her school’s campaign.
“Our school’s name puts us square in the middle of the alphabet; our test scores and socioeconomic indicators tend to fall in the middle, too. But when it comes to caring for one another, Monarchs care more than any community in town. I’m proud to serve with them,” Carroll said.
Manzano will likely get a run for its title as champion among APS schools. Navajo and North Star Elementary schools, plus Taylor Middle School and Dolores Gonzales Elementary, all ran exemplary campaigns a year ago.
“It’s amazing to see what individual schools have been able to do,” said Foundation Executive Director Phill Casaus. “But Manzano has been the standard.”
It’s the Monarch way.
