Jen & Friends | Jen's Two Cents.

He's the sports guy everyone knows and loves in Prescott, Arizona. On this episode of Jen & Friends, we have a spirited conversation with KYCA Radio Sports Director John Rust.

From his dream interview to his beef with guacamole, we get more insight about John's interests and hobby-turned-side hustle as an author.

We also discuss the state of youth sports. Why are kids leaving the game? How can parents support their student-athletes?

Also find out John's favorite historical places to visit... and the historical figured he would have loved to interview.

We turn the interviewer into the interviewee. And we hope you enjoy this podcast as much as we have. Thanks, John, for your time... and the laughs! -Jen

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Watch the Podcast: https://youtu.be/5sObxNrVPXE

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In this exclusive interview with Sgt. Tyler of the Goodyear Police Department, we tackle TWO big issues.

1. Teen Mental Health
Sgt. Tyler is part of an ad hoc committee looking for solutions to prevent teen suicide.

2. School Resource Officers
Sgt. Tyler discusses Goodyear's SRO program and his hopes for the future of the program.

We've so enjoyed this conversation. Please send us your ideas for future episodes to [email protected].

#jenandfriends #news2jb

Please send news tips to [email protected].

A second west Valley student was denied the honor of being named "valedictorian" at a local high school graduation. West Valley Families first broke news of this trend in Arizona. Our reporting has led to one top-achieving student to get the recognition he deserves, while a student in another district wrangles to create change for future classes.

Independent journalist Jen Barber has exclusive interviews with Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne and Board President Trey Terry of the Agua Fria Union High School District. Dr. Steve Bebee of the Buckeye Union High School District was unable to speak on camera, but did send a statement and explainer about his district's graduation ranking policy.

This report also includes a follow up interview with Caden Lipsky, whom we heard from just a few days before his graduation.

It's an honor to be able to hear from these excelling students in the west Valley.

If you have a news tip, please email it to [email protected].
#JenandFriends #News2JB

Please send news tips to [email protected].

Great conversation with the Board President of the Agua Fria Union HSD. Trey Terry and Jen Barber talk about the District’s long-standing policy on ranking students by GPA… a decision its district made - due to a possible cheating scandal and unrelated to equitable outcomes, he says. The current ranking policy was established well before Arizona School Boards Association started recommending sorting students into percentages. 

The Valedictorian at Canyon View High School, Caden Lipsky, weighs in, too. Trey and Jen discuss merit-based ranking and what other districts do to determine Valedictorian status. 

The investigation continues. Later this week, we examine the ranking policy in the Buckeye Union High School District. It’s an update you won’t want to miss as it appears it was updated after a family raised concerns over last year’s ranking system - which may have awarded students who took home periods over those who took a full class load. 

Please send news tips to [email protected].

Please send news tips to [email protected].

West Valley Families' Jen Barber has an exclusive interview with AZ Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne about the hotline established to report CRT in the classroom.

Please send news tips to [email protected].

The West Valley's Caden Lipsky is a graduating senior with a 5.24 GPA. Number one in his class. But the aspiring astronaut won't be named "Valedictorian" due to school district guidelines now becoming more popular in schools nationwide.

While schools like to brag on #1 athletes, they diminish the values of hard work in the classroom by lumping top students into categories of Top 1%, Top 5%, and Top 10%. No longer are Valedictorians and Salutatorians honored in a growing number of school districts.

Inspired by astronaut Senator Mark Kelly, Caden worked tirelessly during his parents' divorce and the pandemic to earn the #1 spot. Being ripped of Valedictorian status is a disappointment... but he's taking it in stride and hopes to change the policy for those graduating after him.

MORE: https://open.substack.com/pub/westvalleyfamilies/p/the-caden-lipsky-story

#news2jb #jenandfriends

View: https://youtu.be/z8hdPyZN70A

P.S. Special thanks to Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne for taking 20 minutes to speak with me on a variety of topics affecting public schools. I will be breaking education news throughout the weekend.

Please subscribe to my Substack.
SIGN THE PETITION HERE: https://chng.it/dXJrgJdw85

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On our first podcast of 2023, Jen and Friends is sure to get you thinking.

We talk with my good friend, Ginger. Pour a glass of wine and join us as we laugh, think, and talk about Goodyear's growing needs. 

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On this second episode of Jen & Friends, good friend Brenda Bernardi Blume joins me for a trip down memory lane.

We take a look at how Goodyear, Arizona won the All-America City Award and how the recession impacted plans for a City Center.

In our next episode, Brenda will talk with us about how the "Ziz" came to be at the Goodyear Ballpark.

Thanks for listening!

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Goodyear, Arizona and the entire West Valley are growing quickly. Why are people moving here?

In this very first episode of Jen & Friends, I mic up my hair stylist who opened her salon just before the pandemic started. Not much later, she became a new mom.

Hear Leeann Garcia's thoughts on this booming area, how she's created a positive vibe in her salon, and motherhood...

Business Links:
West Valley Families - A Resource Guide
Cotton Salon and Spa

Send your ideas for future topics and guests to Jen @ [email protected].

Please send news tips to [email protected].

Take a sneak peek of our very first podcast with Jen & Friends....

Please send news tips to [email protected].