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At graduation, Public Allies Arizona Class 12 celebrates a year of service

Public Allies Arizona Class 12 graduates gather inside a large auditorium. Some are holding framed certificates.

Phoenix, Ariz. – On June 29, 2018, Public Allies Arizona celebrated the graduation of Class 12 with an emotional ceremony and sendoff for the cohort. Over the past 10 months, these emerging young leaders served with nonprofit organizations to meet community needs, while also growing as individuals. The program staff is honored to have worked with such a diverse and passionate group of change agents and cannot wait to see how their leadership, talent, skills and service will continue to make an impact.

The graduation ceremony included guest speaker Martin Quintana, the president and CEO of Friendly House and chair of the ASU Lodestar Center’s Leadership Council; recognition awards for Allies and supervisors; and two Ally speakers, Prisma Paredes and Luv Junious.

Collectively, the 2017-18 Allies served over 46,200 hours and implemented nine community service projects, impacting hundreds of individuals. For their service with Public Allies, the class earned $140,000 in Segal Education Awards that can be used towards college or professional development courses.

For more on the Allies' experience, read the powerful Stories of Impact that they presented in May.

Class 12 Graduates – First Year Allies

  • Iman Adam*, Friendly House
  • Samirah Andrews*, Neighborhood Ministries
  • Kendelle Brown, Opportunities for Youth
  • Hanna Burris, Arizona Commission on Post-Secondary Education
  • Francella Danley, Neighborhood Ministries
  • James Davis*, Opportunities for Youth
  • Genesis Dunigan*, Neighborhood Ministries
  • Jaden “Gigi” Eung, Boys & Girls Club of Scottsdale
  • Jalyn Hopkins, Tempe Community Action Alliance
  • Cierra Hughes, Lodestar Day Resource Center
  • Michelle Jimenez, American Lung Association in Arizona
  • Damonte Johnson, Opportunities for Youth
  • Angelina Magerl, Tempe Community Action Alliance
  • Beatriz Mendoza, Million Dollar Teacher Project
  • Jennifer Molzahn*, Friendly House
  • Emma Mones, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona
  • Lukas Nava, Arizona Foundation for the Handicapped
  • Prisma Paredes, Creighton Community Foundation
  • Santiago Romero, Children’s Museum of Phoenix
  • Elinor Slater, Arizona Foundation for the Handicapped
  • Chelsea Stewart*, Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona
  • Khori Stingley, American Lung Association in Arizona
  • Shiloh Thacker*, Arizona Commission for Post Secondary Education
  • Niamey Thomas, Swift Youth Foundation
  • Kumoyo Wakunguma*, Opportunities for Youth
  • Samantha Witter, AZCEND

* Fall 2018 Graduate

Graduating Second Year Allies

  • Juliet Allen, St. Vincent de Paul
  • Cynthia Gonzalez, UMOM New Day Centers
  • Luv Junious, Children’s Museum of Phoenix
  • Judy Mwanzo, Opportunities for Youth
  • Taylor Polen, Alzheimer’s Association, Desert Southwest Chapter
  • Rachelle Wayne, Mentally Ill Kids in Distress