Category: Education

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition to participate in 2025 Flagstaff Community STEM Celebration on April 26 at Fort Tuthill

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

The Coalition will participate in the 2025 Annual Community STEM Celebration to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Fort Tuthill Fairgrounds.

THE EVENT, PRESENTED BY Flagstaff STEM City, IS FREE!!!

This year’s event is extra special as, for the first time ever, it will be held in partnership with the Lunar Legacy Invitational—bringing even more opportunities for hands-on STEM exploration.

The Lunar Legacy Invitational will welcome robotics teams from across the Southwest to celebrate Flagstaff’s rich history in space exploration. Teams will compete in space-themed challenges, earn awards, and explore exciting STEM exhibits—continuing the legacy of innovation in our community.

The STEM Celebration is a unique opportunity for Flagstaff residents to dive into the exciting world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Through interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and engaging demonstrations, attendees will experience STEM as more than just a subject—it’s a pathway to education, careers, and groundbreaking discoveries. Let’s come together to celebrate Flagstaff’s designation as “America’s First STEM Community” and inspire the next generation of innovators!

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2025 Coconino County Teacher of the Year winners announced

Hosted by Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget, the 2025 Teacher of the Year awards were held Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the High-Country Conference Center in Flagstaff.

The evening honored the exceptional efforts of teachers across the county—highlighting those who go above and beyond in shaping the future of education.

2025 Award Recipients:

Coconino County Teacher of the Year: Dawn Quamahongnewa, Leupp Elementary School
Coconino County Rookie Teacher of the Year: Lesley Littlefield, Knoles Elementary School
Lifetime Achievement Awardees:
Traci Parker, Principal, Tse’ Yaato’ High School
Lisa Barquin, Preschool Director, San Francisco de Asis

Sedona Arts Center — Call to Artists

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 25, 2025
Teens ages 15-18 are invited to apply to Sedona Arts Center’s Gallery 928 program, a unique summer art apprenticeship that partners students with a master artist to create a work of public art.

This summer, Sedona Arts Center will offer its fourth year of Gallery 928, a unique art apprenticeship program for teens ages 15 to 18. Based on Chicago’s infamous Gallery 37 summer public art program started in the 1980s, students will be hired to apprentice with a master artist to create a public art mural for the Sedona Arts Center.

Apprentices will receive art instruction, knowledge of the public art field and develop tangible employment skills like resume building, presentation development and public speaking. Students will also receive a $500 stipend from Sedona Arts Center and 3 free college credits through Yavapai College. Up to 12 students will be selected to participate.

Creative Flagstaff announces 2025 ARTx artists & projects

FLAGSTAFF — Creative Flagstaff is excited to announce the selected artists and projects for ARTx 2025, a seasonal series of creative activations designed to connect art with the community in dynamic and engaging ways. NEW IN 2025: This year, ARTx…

NAU’s Dr. Robert Neustadt to present ‘Music on the Line. Songs and Politics on the U.S./Mexico Border’ on April 24

FLAGSTAFF — NAU’s Dr. Robert Neustadt will give an update on the progress of his latest book during the Sabbatical Talk “Music on the Line. Songs and Politics on the U.S./Mexico Border” at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 24 at NAU’s Liberal Arts Building, Room 136.

The NAU Review — What to expect at the Undergrad Symposium

At NAU, coveted research positions aren’t just for graduate students. Each year, hundreds of undergraduates participate in, and even lead, research projects across dozens of subjects. The NAU and Flagstaff communities can learn all about their groundbreaking findings at the annual Undergrad Symposium, happening April 25. In preparation for the big event, we’re spotlighting a handful of student research projects in zooarchaeology, communication sciences and more.

2045 Flagstaff Regional Plan —Spring Survey due April 25

The deadline to take the Spring Survey on the Regional Plan has been extended to Friday, April 25. Your input is needed! Survey results will inform the upcoming Joint Retreat on May 2nd, when City and County elected officials will discuss the plan.
Click here to start the Spring Survey on the Regional Plan

NAU, ASU and UofA students share heartfelt stories, debate current issues at Regents Cup competition in Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — In one classroom, an emotional roller coaster with students in the space of 10 minutes baring their souls and sharing the highs and lows of their personal experiences to total strangers.

In another room, students debated on the efficiency of having the U.S. education system controlled by officials in Washington, D.C, versus an educational system guided by state officials who understand the unique cultural, economic, financial and social challenges facing their local students

So went the first two sessions of Regents’ Cup 2025, a competition pitting students from Northern Arizona University, Arizona State and the University of Arizona, held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at NAU.

The Regents’ Cup 2025, presented by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), rotates annually among the three universities, features 48 students who compete to win scholarships ($15,000 first place, $12,000 second place and $5,000 third place).

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: April 14-18, 2025

Grand Canyon National Park Night Sky Programming – 2025 Season Kickoff!

We’re excited to kick off our 2025 night sky programming season at Grand Canyon National Park! Join us for our first stargazing event on Friday, April 18 at 8 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

These programs celebrate the park’s stunning dark skies and offer a chance to learn more about the cosmos through ranger talks, telescope viewing, and celestial storytelling. Events will be held throughout the week—not just on weekends—now through the end of the year. Topics, times, and locations may vary.

To stay up to date on upcoming night sky events, scan the QR-code flyer posted in park buildings or visit our webpage directly:

Cancelled: Earth Day Celebration & Bike Ride on April 19

While we were excited to come together as a community to honor our planet and promote sustainable practices, the decision to cancel was made after careful consideration of current circumstances and with the well-being of everyone involved as our top priority. We recognize the disappointment this may cause and deeply appreciate the community’s ongoing support and enthusiasm for sustainability actions. We encourage everyone to continue honoring Earth Day in their own way — whether through a neighborhood cleanup, planting native species, or reducing personal waste.

Coconino County Juvenile Court participates in third annual Kinship Fair on April 29

COCONINO COUTY — Coconino County Juvenile Court (CCJC) and Mercy Care’s Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Council, in partnership with two dozen local and state agencies are teaming up on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to bring basic and much-needed resources to families caring for their young relatives at the 3rdAnnual Kinship Fair. The event will be held at Puente de Hozho Elementary School in Flagstaff from 4 – 6:00 p.m. 

The Fair was created in 2023 to assist kinship caregivers who were stepping up to provide a place for a relative’s children to stay while their relatives went through the child welfare process.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition outreach efforts continue with ‘Celebration of Youth’ at Flagstaff Mall, upcoming event in Page

COCONINO COUNTY — With a variety of children and youth entertainers performing on the main stage at Center Court, representatives from various community health and welfare organizations— including CCC&Y — shared information with parents at the annual “Celebration of Youth” event on April 11, 2025 at the Flagstaff Mall.

Presented by the Flagstaff Mall, the event featured a number of information tables for parents staffed by representatives from the Arizona Dept. of Economic Security — Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP), Boys & Girls Club of Flagstaff, CHIEC-ECO.Alitas. Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, Elevated Soft Play, Flagstaff Unified School District Foundation, FIT4MOM Flagstaff, the Foster Alliance, Lived Black Experience in Flagstaff, Meteor Crater Education Alliance in Flagstaff, the Museum of Northern Arizona, Rosewood Music in Flagstaff and the United Way of Northern Arizona.

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Flagstaff College announces Giant Puppet-making workshop on April 27, 28

Why puppets? Why now?

“Now, more than ever, social movements and protest groups need the emergent qualities of puppetry–qualities understood through both watching and performing–to challenge the status quo and articulate our society’s demands.”
(Bread and Puppet Theater founder, Peter Schumann)

The NAU Review — Ditch the car and win!

Green Transportation Week, a new initiative from the Office of Sustainability, invites students, faculty and staff to celebrate Earth Day by leaving the car at home and finding alternative modes of transportation. Participate in events throughout the week of April 21-25 and win bikes, gift cards and a healthier lifestyle!

Sedona Arts Center — SIGN UP! Art Classes & Workshops…

Scholarships Available

Scholarships are an important part of Sedona Arts Center. It has a long history in providing students in need of financial assistance, the ability to hone their skills and creative talents. Art classes and workshops also allow an emotional break from daily life and offer social interaction with fellow lovers of art. We are proud to offer our scholarship program, with the help of The Kling Family Foundation, The Ceramics Scholarship Fund, and the Debbie Winslow Scholarship Fund, which allow us to continue this long standing opportunity.

For more scholarship information, policy updates and to apply: CLICK HERE

Gov. Hobbs Issues Statement on Legislature’s Refusal to Hear Nomination of Arizona Board of Regents Appointee

Editor’s note: The following statement was released by the Office of the Gov. Katie Hobbs after the Republican-controlled Arizona Senate refused to confirm Board of Regents appointee Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta, former Coconino County Supervisor and a member of the leadership team of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Joseph Biden.

“It is a shame that the (Arizona) Senate refused to hear the nomination of Liz Archuleta, a fiscally conservative and fair-minded public servant and nonprofit leader, to the Arizona Board of Regents. This decision is a loss for higher education in Arizona and an affront to all Arizonans who care about higher education.

“Since I appointed Liz to the Arizona Board of Regents last year, Liz has brought accountability and transparency to the Board when it needed it most. She has helped guide the Board through several important decisions and critical moments, including enhancing financial oversight and accountability, hiring a new university president, managing the University of Arizona’s fiscal recovery, and addressing issues with FAFSA. …”

HANDS OFF Flagstaff! — Largest protest in city’s history jam downtown Flagstaff City Hall

Story/photos courtesy of www.MosaicNAZ.org

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes Town Hall to be held April 15 in Flagstaff. More protests to come April 19, May 1 at Flagstaff City Hall.

FLAGSTAFF — Protesters (estimated between 2,000 and 2,500) flooded the zone in downtown Flagstaff for the “HANDS OFF! Flagstaff AZ Fights Back!” rally, part of a national day of protest held on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

The Arizona Daily Sun put the estimated crowd at 2,500 people, who surrounding City Hall from the corner of Humphrey Street and Aspen Avenue south to Route 66 and west to Milton Road.

A small overflow crowd could be seen across the street from City Hall, with others protesting from the traffic islands at the Santa Fe Avenue and Milton Road exits.

Carrying a variety of signs reflecting the organizer’s multi-issue event, protesters took aim at everything from Hands Off Medicaid to Medicare, Social Security, Our Jobs, Our Wallets, Our Books, Fair Elections, Personal Data, Public Lands, Veteran Services, Cancer Research, NATO, Consumer Protections, Clean Air, Schools, Libraries, Free Speech, LGBTQ+ Rights, Immigrants, Courts and other issues.

Coconino County Comprehensive Plan Advisory Group Meeting set for April 14

The Coconino County Comprehensive Plan Advisory Group (CPAG) is meeting monthly.  This temporary group, invited by the Board of Supervisors, represents the diversity of the County.  The role of the CPAG is to provide recommendations on the updated goals, policies, maps, and implementation strategies of the Comprehensive Plan Update, Envision 2045 to the Board of Supervisors, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and staff.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: April 7-11, 2025

Bright Angel Trail Reopening and Ongoing Trail Closures

On May 15, 2025, Bright Angel Trail and Bright Angel Campground (excluding large group sites) will reopen to the public following months of closures for Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL) project work. This milestone marks a significant step forward in restoring access to one of the park’s most popular corridor routes. However, construction in the inner canyon remains active, and several key trail segments and facilities will stay closed through October 1, with impacts expected throughout the summer.

Arizona Office of Indian Education presents the Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkit for students and families!

Research, recommendations, and resources included!
The Arizona Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education is thrilled to launch the Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkit for Students and Families! This invaluable resource has been developed through extensive collaboration with Tribal Leaders, State Leaders, community partners, and Indigenous families. It is a heartfelt effort designed to honor and protect Native American graduates during this significant milestone.

Inside this toolkit, you will find:
Arizona laws and other relevant legal protections
Information about tribal regalia and its significance during graduation
Visual examples of tribal regalia worn by community members across the State
A self-advocacy letter template for students and families
Additional resources from the ACLU, Native American Rights Fund, and more!

Sedona Arts Center — ‘The Element of Sport’ (through April 27) and other events

As part of the exhibition, a series of public programs are planned for April. The Sedona Film Festival will host two outdoor film screenings in the SAC parking lot: “42,” the inspiring story of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, on April 10, and “McFarland, USA,” the true story of a small-town underdog cross-country team, on April 24. Screenings will take place from 7:30 to 9pm and are $10 per person.

Grand Canyon National Park announces updates to construction closure schedule and planned re-opening updates for 2025

GRAND CANYON, AZ. — Grand Canyon National Park will reopen the Bright Angel Trail and Campground for public use beginning May 15, 2025.

Multiple inner canyon areas were closed last fall for Transcanyon Waterline project construction activities. The Phantom Ranch Canteen and Lodge reopened on schedule, April 1.

The River Trail, between River Resthouse and the South Kaibab Trail junction, Silver Bridge and Plateau Point Trail, between the Tonto Trail West junction to Plateau Point, originally scheduled to reopen in May, will remain closed until Oct. 1, 2025. The Bright Angel Campground group sites will remain closed until Oct 1, 2025.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — City of Flagstaff employees gain valuable System Change information to help them become more resilient at work, home

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

COCONINO COUNTY — From dealing with day-to-day tasks and public service requirements, to assessing and meeting community needs such as building permits, parks and recreation programs, library services, to addressing housing, fire and police response, to responding to and working to prevent emergency including wildfires and floods, City of Flagstaff employees often face a wide range of community stressors and traumatic events each day.

Each individual has their own stress and trauma that they may be dealing with on top of the complex work they are tasked with. To support the City of Flagstaff employees, CCC&Y Executive Director  Virginia Watahomigie recently presented “Trauma in the Workplace” as a live workshop.

“The research is clear that what happens to us impacts our behavior and interactions with others. When we are in a trauma-responsive environment we not only understand this, we make simple changes that can improve outcomes and relationships as opposed to creating further stress or trauma,” Watahomigie said. “Organizations and systems who are on the frontlines of our community’s deepest needs are supported when they understand the behaviors they and others are experiencing.”

The NAU Review — A student’s idea is bringing generations together + meet an NAU swimming star from Team USA

NAU students and senior citizens don’t have too many opportunities to interact with each other—but Honors College student Emma Patterson is changing that. Inspired by her relationship with her grandparents, Patterson launched a pen pal program connecting NAU students with residents at The Peaks as part of an independent study course. The writing club not only bridges generational gaps but also encourages students to see beyond seniors’ physical and mental limitations.

NEW Art Classes & Workshops at the Sedona Arts Center!

Do You Know About Our Scholarships Program?

Scholarships are an important part of Sedona Arts Center. It has a long history in providing students in need of financial assistance, the ability to hone their skills and creative talents. Art classes and workshops also allow an emotional break from daily life and offer social interaction with fellow lovers of art. We are proud to offer our scholarship program, with the help of The Kling Family Foundation, The Ceramics Scholarship Fund, and the Debbie Winslow Scholarship Fund, which allow us to continue this long standing opportunity.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 31-April 4, 2025

Northern Arizona Weather Outlook: Navigating Drought, Fire Season, and the Anticipated Monsoon

Northern Arizona, including Grand Canyon, faces ongoing weather-related challenges. While March brought some relief, an exceptionally dry winter has left much of the region grappling with severe to extreme drought conditions. Flagstaff’s snowfall, at just 46.8 inches, represents only 56% of the average through March, and overall precipitation wince October 1, 2024, has remained below 50% of normal across the region.

Looking ahead, the forecast indicates a high likelihood of drier and warmer-than-normal conditions throughout Arizona during the fire season from April to June. This combination elevates the risk of wildfires. However, there is an anticipation that a warmer and drier spring could lead to an earlier or more intense monsoon season from July to September, with projections favoring above-normal precipitation alongside warmer-than-average temperatures.

Want more information on weather and fire projections for 2025? The National Weather Service-Flagstaff Office recently compiled this outlook in the attached powerpoint here.

City of Flagstaff Beautification, Arts & Sciences announces news, opportunities

The City of Flagstaff and Arizona Public Service (APS) have partnered on a pilot program to transform 10 utility cabinets into stunning works of art. Building on the City’s highly successful traffic signal cabinet program, this initiative continues to turn utilitarian cabinets into colorful, community-centered art. Now in its fifth year, the program has introduced a variety of designs to Flagstaff’s streetscapes, from imaginative scenes of northern Arizona’s flora and fauna to playful abstract compositions.

Art classes and workshops at the Sedona Arts Center

Do You Know About Our Scholarships Program?

Scholarships are an important part of Sedona Arts Center. It has a long history in providing students in need of financial assistance, the ability to hone their skills and creative talents. Art classes and workshops also allow an emotional break from daily life and offer social interaction with fellow lovers of art. We are proud to offer our scholarship program, with the help of The Kling Family Foundation, The Ceramics Scholarship Fund, and the Debbie Winslow Scholarship Fund, which allow us to continue this long standing opportunity.

For more scholarship information, policy updates and to apply: CLICK HERE

More than 300 people take part in Mexican Consulate’s ‘Consulado Móvil en Flagstaff’ on March 29 at CCC

Story/photos courtesy of www.MosaicNAZ.org

FLAGSTAFF — With 200 people pre-registered, and at least another 100 dropping in seeking immigration services, the Mexican Consulate’s “Consulado Móvil en Flagstaff” proved to be an overwhelming success at Coconino Community College on March 29. Those attending the event were able to sign up to receive information on Mexican Electronic Passports (Pasaporte electrónico), Consular Registration (Matríconsular), Voter Credentials (Credencial ed elector) and Birth Certificates (Actas de nacimiento). The event was organized locally by Alejandra Vasquez, the City of Flagstaff and the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association. Officials from Mexico addressing the audience included representations from the Consulado General de México en Phoenix (Deputy Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix, Armando Manuel Esparza Miranda) and representatives from the Mexican state of Sonora (Gerardo Valenzuela Buelna).

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Join us for our next Prevention Council Zoom meeting on April 3 to share your story

Please join CCC&Y for its next Prevention Council Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 3. Our meetings provide our Coalition partners with the opportunity to share the latest news about their projects that support children, youth and their families in Northern Arizona.

Scheduled guest presentations include the United Way of Northern Arizona on FUSD’s KinderCamp and Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona’s “My Career Advisor” program.

The Council meets the first Thursday of the month.

Want to be a guest speaker at our next meeting? Send an email to CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie at coalition@coconinokids.org​​​​​​​ to be placed on the agenda or to receive a Zoom link to our next meeting.

Coconino County Comprehensive Plan Advisory Group Meeting to be held April 3

The Coconino County Comprehensive Plan Advisory Group (CPAG) is meeting monthly.  This temporary group, invited by the Board of Supervisors, represents the diversity of the County.  The role of the CPAG is to provide recommendations on the updated goals, policies, maps, and implementation strategies of the Comprehensive Plan Update, Envision 2045 to the Board of Supervisors, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and staff.

City of Flagstaff to celebrate Water Awareness Month in April

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff will celebrate Water Awareness Month in April with events hosted at various locations around town. Events will be focused on helping residents and community members conserve water.

The Flagstaff Water Conservation team will provide free water efficiency consultations and supplies at events throughout the month. They will also host a raffle for a free high efficiency toilet. The full schedule of events and tabling is below:

The NAU Review — April checklist: Eat a burrito, celebrate API Month + read up on your local book fest

Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander culture

Azah Quach, manager of Louie’s Cupboard within the Lumberjack CARE Center, remembers feeling “huge culture shock” when she moved from Hawaii to the mainland. “I was suddenly in a space where I rarely saw anyone who looked like me, and I felt out of place in ways I hadn’t before,” Quach said. “That experience highlighted just how important it is to celebrate students from a wide variety of Asian and Pacific Islander backgrounds.”

April at the Museum of Northern Arizona

With the arrival of spring, the Museum of Northern Arizona is filled with beauty and activity from our gardens to our galleries.

The MNA gardens are waking from their winter slumber, and we’re excited to see our native plants flourishing once again. At Colton Garden, we’re kicking off the growing season with a free Garden Starts Workshop this Saturday, April 5th.

As we embrace the season of renewal, we invite you to mark Slow Art Day with us. The April 5th global event encourages us to slow down, look deeply, and genuinely appreciate the beauty and complexity of art. In a world that often moves too fast, Slow Art Day reminds us to pause, reflect, and connect with creativity more meaningfully. We hope you’ll join us in taking a closer look at some of the remarkable works in our galleries.

At the end of April, we are thrilled to welcome six talented emerging artists to MNA for the Namingha Institute, an annual two-week residency program led by master artists Dan and Arlo Namingha.

We look forward to sharing this beautiful time of year with you. Thank you for being part of our MNA community.

Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona

Sedona Arts Center — Join us for an Opening Reception Friday, April 4 from 4 to 6pm!

Art and sport meet at the “The Element of Sport” special exhibition from April 4 through 27, 2025. The exhibition kicks off with an opening reception Friday, April 4 from 4-6 pm, in conjunction with “Celebrate Sedona.” Visitors will enjoy an afternoon of artist demonstrations, food, wine, beer and music by DJ Shondra. Both events are free and open to the public, with complimentary parking located behind Sedona Arts Center’s Art Barn.

2025 Flagstaff Community STEM Celebration to include Lunar Legacy Invitational robotics teams competition on April 26

The Lunar Legacy Invitational will welcome robotics teams from across the Southwest to celebrate Flagstaff’s rich history in space exploration. Teams will compete in space-themed challenges, earn awards, and explore exciting STEM exhibits—continuing the legacy of innovation in our community.

The STEM Celebration is a unique opportunity for Flagstaff residents to dive into the exciting world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — Communications Issue #38: Update on Mill Town Student-focused Housing Development

We want to provide you with an update on the proposed Mill Town student-focused housing development that was discussed by City Council on February 4 and March 4. The development will be located across the street from Target on Milton Ave. and will be composed of a commercial development located in front of student-oriented housing. The original plan for Mill Town was approved by Council in 2018 and allowed for over 1000 beds as well as the commercial development. 

Students share their culture, talents during opening of NAU Ethnic Studies Program’s ‘Wings of Change: Our Narratives Reclaimed’ art exhibit

FLAGSTAFF — From an enchanting scene featuring a colorful butterfly, nopales, roses and seeds soaring to the heavens, to an image stating “Education is NOT a Crime — Making Our Ancestors Proud,” students from throughout the region displayed their heartfelt images in an exhibit of more than 30 murals and mix-media projects during the annual “Wings of Change: Our Narratives Reclaimed” exhibit presented by the NAU Ethnic Studies Program.

The exhibit, which opened March 26, will be on display through April 28 at NAU’s School of Behavioral Science West Building, Suite 100 (Building 70) in the south campus.

City of Flagstaff hosts Earth Day Celebration on April 19 at Bushmaster Park

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office invites community members to the annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Bushmaster Park. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., join us for fun in the sun! Listen to live music, attend a free workshop, eat food from a local food truck, and discover dozens of sustainable-minded organizations and activities.  

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition Partners, supporters participating in Arizona Gives Day on April 1, 2025

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

COCONINO COUNTY — A variety of CCC&Y member partners and supporters that support children, youth and facilities throughout Northern Arizona are taking part in the annual Arizona Gives Day on April 1, 2025.

“Every year 1000+ nonprofits come together across the state to build a better Arizona and tens of thousands of donors come together to support the amazing work nonprofits are doing in our community,” Arizona Gives reported. “Arizona Gives is an initiative of AZ Impact for Good that began in 2013. This partnership has helped raise nearly $47 million for Arizona’s nonprofit sector, directly benefiting thousands of nonprofits across Arizona.”

Some taking part on Arizona Gives Day include:

Sedona Arts Center — An important message from our CEO

These are interesting times to say the least.  I realize that it is hard to know what is going to happen from one day to the next but we here at Sedona Arts Center are continuing to move forward despite the uncertainty.
 
You see, we have to – because when life is uncertain and people are feeling stressed, they turn to the arts more than ever.
 
The arts heal. The arts calm. The arts focus our minds so that we can be productive.
 
That is what we strive to provide at Sedona Arts Center – whether you are participating in an art workshop or class, perusing our Gallery Shop or one of our Special Exhibitions, or attending an event.  We improve lives. We change lives. And some have told us, we’ve saved their life.

The NAU Review — Humans of NAU with Katy Montoya, An easy way to save a life + meet CHHS students and alumni for Health Careers Week

The social work professor received the National Association of Social Workers’ Transformational Educator of the Year. Find out what inspired her to become an educator and what this award means to her.

Channeling the spirit of César E. Chávez, community leaders provide passionate response to our times at annual community breakfast

FLAGSTAFF — With a mixture of fiery speeches, presentations featuring the importance of telling everyone’s stories and a commitment to refusing to be erased from the history books, the 7th annual Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council’s (CHAC) César E. Chávez Community Breakfast took on a more feisty tone this year.

The event, held at the American Legion Post 3, included an opening presentation of the importance of remember the community’s history presented by Dr. Pedro A. Cuevas, assistant teaching professor at the Dept. of Ethnic Studies at Northern Arizona University.

Cuevas, who is a nationally recognized, award-winning educator with more than 25 years of experience working with incarcerated felons, gang members, drug addicted teenagers and migrant families, used his own family’s history in Flagstaff to tell of the importance of the Hispanic community to the fabric of the region’s society. He drew upon the oral history tales of the NAU Los Recuerdos del Barrio en Flagstaff Collection featuring interviews by Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces member Delia Muñuz, who happened to be attending the breakfast program.

United Way at Northern Arizona — Student United Way at NAU is Back!

The Student United Way at Northern Arizona University is back and making strides toward supporting youth mental health on campus.

With guidance from faculty advisor Amanda Black, the club is setting the foundation for impactful initiatives that benefit students and the local community.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 17-21, 2025

U.S. District Court and Grand Canyon National Park Implement New Fine Structure to Enhance Public Safety 

The U.S. District Court of Arizona and Grand Canyon National Park are taking proactive steps to improve public safety for residents and visitors alike. As part of this initiative, the U.S. District Court and the park are implementing a new fine structure for certain violations, including fire safety and speeding in school zones. 

To reduce the risk of wildfires, fines for having fires in undesignated areas have been significantly increased. During Stage 1 restrictions, individuals will face a $300 fine, while Stage 2 restrictions will result in a $500 fine. These increased penalties aim to deter unsafe fire practices and protect our park and community. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — 2025 Summer Camps registration continuing. See our listing

Register soon before camps fill up!

The following is a listing compiled by CCC&Y of upcoming summer camps in Coconino County. Contact individual programs for more information on their 2025 summer camps.

Please check with individual organizations to confirm times, dates, other information. Registration deadlines may have already passed for some programs.

If your organization would like to be added to this listing, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org

(INFORMATION UPDATED March 18, 2025)

The Literacy Center — 28th Annual Spelling Bee tickets – JUST 15 DAYS AWAY!!!!

This year, the bee will be help on April 3rd from 5:00 – 9:00 at CCC’s Lone Tree campus. 

Come celebrate with us and support access to literacy for all members of our community. There will be dinner, drinks, games, raffles, auctions, and of course, the bee competition!

This year the bee will be held at CCC’s Lone Tree campus and will be catered by Tamles USA with an taco bar and an assortment of delicious appetizers, and desserts!

The NAU Review — Making the first year of college an easier one + how to help the planet while at the office

Helping students adjust to college life

A program for incoming students wants to make sure they feel at ease during their first year in college by showing them the ropes, helping them make friends and giving them a sense of belonging, all while learning leadership skills and supporting their fellow Lumberjacks.

Sedona Arts Center — Do You Know About Our Scholarships Program?

Scholarships are an important part of Sedona Arts Center. It has a long history in providing students in need of financial assistance, the ability to hone their skills and creative talents. Art classes and workshops also allow an emotional break from daily life and offer social interaction with fellow lovers of art. We are proud to offer our scholarship program, with the help of The Kling Family Foundation, The Ceramics Scholarship Fund, and the Debbie Winslow Scholarship Fund, which allow us to continue this long standing opportunity.

For more scholarship information, policy updates and to apply: CLICK HERE

Sedona Arts Center — Join us for an Artist Reception on March 19

Join us on Wednesday, March 19, from 4 to 6pm for the “44th Annual Juried Friends Show & Sale” artist reception! You will have the opportunity to meet participating artists, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and explore a stunning selection of artwork available for purchase. This event is free and open to the public, with complimentary parking available behind SAC’s Art Barn.