Buzz On The New Biz: Primp and Blow
zona: How would you best describe Primp and Blow?
melodi: We are Scottsdale’s Premier Blow Dry Bar. We offer an affordable place for women to go on a moments notice for a Shampoo blow dry.
zona: How long have you been open?
melodi: We opened Scottsdale’s first ever blow dry bar in December of 2011 and our second location at the Waterfront in Old Town Scottsdale in October 2011.
zona: What are the services that you provide?
melodi: We provide Shampoo blow dry’s, deep conditioning treatments and full high def make-up and lashes at both locations. The Waterfront location offers more with our Skin Spa offering Airbrush Tanning, Waxing, Lash Extensions and Specializing in Organic facials that are great for anti aging, acne and all skin types.
zona: What made you think of the ideaof a blow dry bar?
melodi: I love the idea of making ladies feel beautiful and wanted to provide an affordable place to make that happen on a regular basis with easy access to appointments by being open 7-days a week with online bookings and by accepting walk-ins.
zona: How can kids from high school benefit from this?
melodi: We love having the high school girls come in and love to help get them ready for their dance, parties, pictures or to just pamper them!
zona: How much do your services run?
melodi: We offer shampoo blow dry’s for $35 and memberships for as low as $25 each.
zona: Can you tell us about your digital magazines?
melodi: We offer digital iPads at each station with all the top magazines loaded from Cosmo to Us weekly or just surf the web while getting your blown out!
The Ragan Bros
Jack and William Ragan attend St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School.
Zona: Is baseball your favorite sport? Why do you love it?
Jack: Yes, it is my favorite sport because I get to play with my friends and have a great time.
William: Yes, because I get to play my favorite sport with my favorite friends.
Zona: Who is your favorite MLB player? Why?
Jack: Roy Halladay because he is a pitcher for my favorite team and he is a great pitcher and a great community leader.
William: Babe Ruth because he is my inspiration to play baseball.
Zona: What is your favorite MLB team?
Jack: Philadelpia Phillies
William: New York Yankees (even though my mom’s favorite team is the Red Sox…BOOO!!!)
Zona: Will you be a pro someday? Would you rather pitch a no hitter or hit the game winning home run?
Jack: Yes I will!!! If you work hard enough and practice like you mean it, you will someday make it. Pitch a no hitter because I am a pitcher and my dad thinks I can.
William: Yes, me too! I would rather win the game hitting a home run.
Zona: What position do you play? What team or teams do you play for?
Jack: Pitcher, catcher, and 3rd base. Madison All Stars, STA Brewers, and RAMMS.
William: Third base and outfield. Dbacks with my classmates and RAMMS.
Zona: Is your brother a good player? What is he best at on the field?
Jack: Yes, my brother is a great player and he is a great hitter.
William: Yes, he is and he is best at pitching.
Zona: Why is your school so cool?
Jack: My school is so cool because I have great teachers and great friends.
William: I have teachers and friends who respect me for who I am.
Zona: What’s your favorite subject or thing to do in school?
Jack: Favorite subject is Math.
William: Favorite subject is Reading with Mrs. Junker.
Zona: Can you tell us about one of your favorite teachers and what makes him/her so great?
Jack: Mrs. Baker because she is so nice and she tutors me so that I do better in school.
William: I have two! Mrs. Baker because she is so helpful t me. Mr. Michael Vincent because he loves me.
Zona: If you could be any animal in the zoo, what would you be?
Jack: Tiger.
William: Monkey.
Leaders Shaping Leaders
Christ Lutheran’s Exemplary Advisory Program
Each of Christ Lutheran’s junior high students is paired with a teacher or staff member as a 7th grader. The adult mentors them for the 2 years of junior high, checking on grades, helping with note taking and organization, etc. to ensure that they reach their maximum potential while they are at CLS.
In the Zona sat down with 2 CLS students and their mentors: 7th grader Kennedy Williams and her mentor Tracy Skoog and 7th grader Jake Mara and his mentor Christie Roe.
zona: What has the CLS Advisory Program meant to you? Has it helped you become a better student? How?
kennedy: The advisory program is very unique. It has definitely made me a better student. It makes me aware of what I need to do better and what I need to strive for.
zona: Who is your Advisor? What are some of your Advisor’s greatest attributes?
kennedy: Mrs. Skoog is my advisor. She is hilarious, smart, helpful, and the best thing about her is that she always has your back.
zona: What exactly does your Advisor advise? How has your Advisor prepared you better for eighth grade and high school?
kennedy: Your advisor shows you your current grades, helps you plan study time, and more things like that. It has prepared me; the program has shown me skills I can use in later years.
zona: Where do you want to go to high school? Are you excited to be an eighth grader and be the “king of the school” next year?
kennedy: I will most likely go to Arcadia. I guess I am excited to be in eighth grade, but I’ve also heard it is a big challenge, which also makes me a little nervous.
zona: What would you tell a classmate that was interested in the Advisory Program?
kennedy: I would tell them that it is extremely helpful and would definitely impact them for the rest of their school years.
zona: What else do you like to do when you’re not studying or attending class? Do you have any interesting hobbies, or collections? Do you play sports?
kennedy: Yes, I play soccer for the Blackhawks. We have done extremely well, winning the league and state.
zona: What’s your favorite TV show? Favorite book you ever read? Favorite subject in school? Least favorite noise? Favorite dessert? Favorite restaurant in town to go to with your family? Favorite board game? Favorite video game? Favorite band?
kennedy: Favorite TV shows: Pretty Little Liars, Glee, Modern Family, and The Middle… Favorite book: Heaven is for Real. Favorite subject: science or writing… Least favorite noise: styrofoam rubbing together… Favorite dessert: pazooki… Favorite restaurant: Sauce… Favorite board game: Clue… Favorite video game: Temple Run… Favorite band: One Direction.
zona: What has the CLS Advisory Program meant to you? Has it helped you become a better student? How?
jake: The CLS Advisory programs keeps me focused on school and what I need to work on. Yes, it keeps me on top of my work.
zona: Who is your Advisor? What are some of your Advisor’s greatest attributes?
jake: Mrs. Roe she is funny, energetic, and very encouraging.
zona: What exactly does your Advisor advise? How has your Advisor prepared you better for the eighth grade, or even high school?
jake: Each advisor is given a certain number of students to advise. It is nice to have Mrs. Roe as an advisor because she is also an 8th grade teacher so she knows what my work is in 8th grade.
zona: Where do you want to go to high school? Are you excited to be an eighth grader and be the “king of the school” next year?
jake: I haven’t thought about it much but I am probably going to go to Arcadia. I guess I am a little excited to be an 8th grader.
zona: What else do you like to do when you’re not studying or attending class? Do you have any interesting hobbies, or collections? Do you play sports?
jake: Yes, I do play sports I like to play baseball, football, and sometimes basketball.
zona: Is your dad cool? What makes him such a great dad?
jake: Yes, my dad is fun to be around because he is funny, he likes to watch sports with me, and I can always count on him to be there for me.
zona: How about your mom, why should your mom win the “Mom of the Year” award, if there was such a thing?
jake: My mom should win it because she is kind, generous, and always there for me just like my dad.
zona: What’s your favorite TV show? Favorite book you ever read? Favorite subject in school? Least favorite noise? Favorite dessert? Favorite restaurant in town to go to with your family? Favorite board game? Favorite video game? Favorite band? Top two songs on your iPod? Favorite vacation destination? Dream car?
jake: SNL, The Great Brain, Math Screeching, Crème Brule, Yard House, Apples to Apples, Call of Duty, Gym Class Heroes, Good Feeling and Stereo Hearts , Mexico, Ferrari.
zona: If you could hang out with one person on a Saturday, dead or alive, make believe or real, who would it be and what would you guys do?
jake: If I could I hang out with one person it would probably be Will Ferrell, and we would watch a bunch of his funny movies.
zona: Would you like to give a ZONA “shout out” to your parents?
jake: I would just like to thank my parents for everything they do for me.
Christie Roe, Jake’s advisor, was a stockbroker before she became an English teacher. She had 3 boys graduate from CLS.
zona: Tell us about the Advisory program?
christie: We began the Advisory program three years ago after hearing about it at a conference we attend in Long Beach every three years. The conference is called CAPSO: Catholic and Private School Organization. A number of our faculty happened to attend the session and were excited and impressed by the presenter and the results they had seen in their school.
zona: Did you get picked to be a part to this program or did you volunteer?
christie: We decided three years ago to implement the program and by and large are very happy with it. The goal is to have one advisor for a group of 10-12 junior high students (7th and 8th graders in each Advisory group), thus all the junior high faculty are involved, as well as a few other staff people to keep the ratio where we want it. The program allows for individualized attention for each student as they transition to and move through junior high.
zona: What is your favorite part of the program?
christie: Over the years we have continued to tweak the curriculum and are arriving at a happy medium of a core curriculum with some flexible time in the 45 minutes we meet each Wednesday afternoon. The structured time allows for a lesson which is centered around a variety of topics including time management, learning styles, organization, personality profiles, etc. The flexible time allows the advisors to review grades and progress with the students weekly.
zona: Can you tell us something great about Jake and Kennedy?
christie: While I don’t know Kennedy or Jake well, as I teach 8th grade and they are 7th graders, I do have Jake in Advisory. He’s a very strong student who is transitioning well to junior high. He is a hard worker and an enjoyable young man with a delightful sense of humor. Likewise, I had time with Kennedy this fall at another program we have, Astrocamp. Kennedy is a leader and a tremendous athlete.
zona: How long have you been teaching?
christie: This is my 8th year of teaching English and literature at Christ Lutheran. I love sharing my faith on a daily basis and am humbled to be a part of a student’s life at such a pivotal time in their learning and personal growth.
zona: What did you do before you became a teacher? What subject(s) do you teach now?
christie: Prior to teaching at Christ Lutheran, I taught English 101 and 102 at Mesa Community College and
Scottsdale Community College. Before we had children (a zillion years ago!) I was a financial advisor with E.F. Hutton.
zona: Would you recommend this program to other teachers and/or schools?
christie: I think the Advisory program holds much potential for our students and future at CLS. Our low student to teacher ratio allows for this program to be successful, which may not be a possibility in the larger public school classrooms.
Tracey Skoog, Kennedy’s advisor, is also an English teacher and has one current CLS student in 5th grade and one who graduated from CLS.
zona: Tell us about the Advisory program?
tracey: Our advisory program is made up of small groups consisting of 12-14 students and a faculty member advisor. Groups meet once a week. During these meetings, students have the opportunity to conference with their advisor one-on-one for the purpose of discussing grades and addressing other issues or concerns. Advisors also lead students in lessons that address topics such as study skills, organization and time management. Advisors also act as liaison between school and home. This is very beneficial since junior high students work with 6-8 teachers per day.
zona: Did you get picked to be a part to this program or did you volunteer?
tracey: Being an advisor is a responsibility of most junior high teachers.
zona: What is your favorite part of the program?
tracey: My favorite part of the program is having the opportunity to develop relationships with students and families.
zona: Can you tell us something great about Kennedy?
tracey: Kennedy is a hard very hard worker. She is organized, studious and makes the job of advising an easy one.
zona: What did you do before you became a teacher? What subject(s) do you teach now?
tracey: This is my 20th year of teaching. I’ve always been a teacher. I have taught many ages and have enjoyed them all. I have to be honest and admit that junior high is one of my favorite age levels to teach. I currently teach 7th grade English and Literature.
zona: How long have you been involved with this program?
tracey: This is my 4th year with the advisory program.
zona: Would you recommend this program to other teachers and/or schools?
tracey: I would definitely recommend this program to others. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to help students and families develop connections between school and home. It is also important to provide students with an individual that they can go to for support or questions throughout the two years in junior high.
Pets and Pals
Pets and Pals: Amber is in a hug sandwich with her owners Serenity and Sami
In our January 2012 issue, In the Zona started a Pets and Pals section that features our kids with their favorite pets. Grab a copy of our latest issue to check out more of our Pets and their Pals. If you would like to be on this page email a photo and your pet’s information to: anna@iminthezona.com
REMY: Rising To The Occasion
Remy Smidt, Xavier College Prep’s Senior (glasses), heads up the student-run foundation to raise funds and awareness for the child soldiers called Invisible Children in Uganda.
Zona: Why are you having a bake sale?
Remy: The bake sale is for Invisible Children. Three young filmmakers from UCSD started it. They took a trip to Africa and discovered a war that isn’t very well known. It’s fueled by children soldiers. Children are abducted in the night, indoctrinated and forced to fight. The war is in northern Uganda. Partly due to the visibility the Invisible Children cause has generated, northern Uganda has seen relative peace for awhile now. The war has unfortunately spread to other African nations.
Zona: What does Invisible Children actually do?
Remy: They actually go in and educate the children and the women in the country. They open rehabilitation centers for the children who have fought in the war. They set up radio towers to help improve communication within the towns and villages. It’s a great organization and it si inspiring to young people.
Zona: How did you find out about Invisible Children?
Remy: I found out about it last year online. Even though the organization is pretty big in California, it isn’t really well known, especially in the Phoenix Area. I am really trying to get Arizona schools involved with this.
Zona: Is this the first event that you have done for Invisible Children or have you done other things?
Remy: We have done a few other things. When Invisible Children actually came to our school it was great. Everyone got to see it and a lot of the girls donated and bouth t-shirts. This is just our small series of fundraisers that will lead up to our big event, in March. That event is going to be for parents and tickets are going to be sold for $25.00. There will be dinner and a concert.
Zona: Will you be having a presentation that night?
Remy: Definitely. Invisible Children have these people called “Roadies” who are people that ravel around and talk to others about the organization. They might come or we may just talk since we are all educated on the program.
Zona: Tell us about the bill.
Remy: It is the LRA disarment bill. The LRA is the Lord’s Resistance Army which is terrorizing the countries of Central Africa. It is lead by Joseph Kony.
Zona: How much did you raise from the bake sale?
Remy: More than $200 from the bake sale and over $900 from other fund raisers.
Zona: What are you going to do for college?
Remy: I am looking at liberal arts schools. I am going to major in Peace and Justice or something that is related so I can do more things like this. If I don’t get into the school that I want I may take a year off and volunteer with this organization.
Zona: Any big ZONA “shout outs” that you would like to give?
Remy: I would like to give a shout out to all of my fiends because without them this would not be possible. I never thought that they would be this supportive because it’s really hard to do anything like this alone. Also our parents for their support.
Charging To The Top!
Grace Koester from St. Theresa Catholic School recently won 2 tournaments: in November Grace won the SWEET 16 girls 12 and under competition. This tournament takes the top 16 kids in the Southwest. In October she won the El Conquistador Junior Open in Tucson.
madison: How often do you practice tennis?
grace: Two to three hours a day.
madison: Which tennis legend would you most like to play?
grace: Andre Agassi.
madison: Jeans or a skirt?
grace: It depends on the occasion.
madison: Is there a treat or snack you can’t resist?
grace: Chocolate!
madison: Where is the furthest place you’ve traveled?
grace: For tennis, Florida and for vacation all the way to Europe.
madison: Who would win if you played against your brother?
grace: My brother Stefan would win, but I don’t mind, because he is a good tennis player.
madison: FAVE strategic play?
grace: Sorry, that’s classified.
madison: Worst and best game you’ve ever played?
grace: Worst was in Albuquerque and BEST was in Palm Springs.
madison: What’s your coach’s name and your Favorite thing about him?
grace: Dave Critchley. I love how patient he is and how much he truly cares.
madison: If you had to rank your tennis coach on a scale of 1 to 10, where would he rank?
grace: Eleven!
madison: Best Christmas present you have ever received?
grace: A nice pair of earrings.
madison: How many games have you won/lost?
grace: I have won more than I have lost, but my focus at this time is learning.
madison: Why did you choose tennis instead of any other sport?
grace: I have played a variety of sports. The two sports I most enjoy are tennis and soccer, but given that school has a high priority, I had to choose. A passion is hard to describe, but I love everything about tennis from being on the tennis courts to the sound of a tennis ball hitting my racquet.
