Character Counts Nominations

CHARACTER COUNTS

Makena Jordan is the 2026 Arizona Sports Character Counts winner

Barry Goldwater High School junior Makena Jordan has a passion for serving others and it all stems from a unique personal experience.

DAVID VEENSTRA

Barry Goldwater junior Makena Jordan uses unique experience to empathize with others

Veritas Prep Academy Anthony Sanfratello

BAILEY LEASURE

Anthony Sanfratello a leader at Veritas Prep Academy on and off the field

Sunnyslope High School senior Ryan Choukalas

KEVIN ZIMMERMAN

Ryan Choukalas leads in the community and at Sunnyslope High School

CHARACTER COUNTS NOMINATIONS

Desert Vista senior Isabella Valencia wants to cultivate a feeling of family

CHARACTER COUNTS NOMINATIONS

Desert Sunrise junior Adrian Williams excels in the classroom and in the pool

CHARACTER COUNTS NOMINATIONS

Verrado senior Abigail Vasquez guides and supports her fellow students

The Latest

ERIC MATSUMOTO | Nov 4, 2025
Williams Field’s Amelia Ray is researching organ donation on her way to becoming a surgeon

From picking up trash to research about organ donation, Amelia Ray wants to make an impact in the world in whatever way she can.
ERIC MATSUMOTO | Oct 14, 2025
Campo Verde sophomore Allison Bufmack focused on spreading positivity

Both on the field and through her school's Radiate Club, Allison Bufmack wants to spread positivity and create a welcoming environment for all.
ERIC MATSUMOTO | Oct 7, 2025
Canyon View’s Kaylani Tucker leads teams on the field and in business

Kaylani Tucker from Canyon View High School is the first in her district elected the state president of the Future Business Leaders of America.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Mar 4, 2025
Charlotte Gould is the 2025 Arizona Sports Character Counts scholarship winner

Corona del Sol High School junior Charlotte Gould was named Monday as the Arizona Sports Character Counts scholarship winner, presented by Parker & Sons.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Dec 31, 2024
Gilbert Christian’s Owen Fermoyle sees his impact in the community

Gilbert Christian senior Owen Fermoyle has started his own nonprofit and gotten politically active to help improve his community.
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CHARACTER COUNTS | Dec 17, 2024
Horizon Honors’ Kalyn McLeod walks the walk when it comes to volunteering for others

Kalyn McLeod cared for others as an elementary school student, so much so that it frustrated her that volunteer opportunities had an age minimum. So she did something about it.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Dec 10, 2024
Corona del Sol junior Charlotte Gould advocates for children needing facial surgery

Charlotte Gould's own experience of being born with a cleft lip and palate sparked her path of giving back. She is a finalist for the Arizona Sports Character Counts Scholarship, presented by Parker & Sons.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Dec 3, 2024
Paradise Valley’s Caden Becker transforms football adversity into commitment to healthcare

Paradise Valley High School senior Caden Becker uses past adversity on the gridiron to make a difference in the medical field.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Nov 19, 2024
BASIS Phoenix senior Tanay Naik finding innovative ways to fight for environment

BASIS Phoenix senior Tanay Naik has taken his passion for the environment and his innovation skills to make a difference in different ways.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Nov 12, 2024
Corona Del Sol’s Aidan Odom passionate about teaching after overcoming difficult upbringing

Corona Del Sol's Aidan Odom overcame a difficult childhood to reach where he is, a state championship-winning wrestler set to attend college.
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CHARACTER COUNTS | Nov 5, 2024
Thunderbird High School senior Kayla Madsen on track to keep serving

Thunderbird High School senior Kayla Madsen's goals are clear. She has been accepted to Arizona State University to pursue a nursing career.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Oct 29, 2024
Paradise Honors High School’s Addison Seabaugh has a picture of how to uplift others

Addison Seabaugh has a good picture of where she wants to go and what she wants to do in her professional life.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Oct 15, 2024
Chaparral High School pitcher, Princeton commit Ryan Penney uses baseball to uplift others

Chaparral pitcher and Princeton commit Ryan Penney enters his senior season with expectations.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Oct 8, 2024
Westwood High School’s Kate Anderson juggles leadership in the pool and Unified Sports

Westwood High School's Kate Anderson might be surprised she's a senior now. But in her busy schedule of activities and athletics, it's clear that falling into new passions and leading comes naturally.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Feb 29, 2024
Arcadia student awarded 2024 Character Counts scholarship

Arcadia's Aani Nagaiah on Wednesday night was presented as the winner of the 2024 Character Counts scholarship courtesy of Parker & Sons.
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VINCENT DEANGELIS | Jan 16, 2024
Arcadia’s Aani Nagaiah inspires people through music, sports and research

Aani Nagaiah is a senior at Arcadia High School who volunteers, plays three different sports and is even a nonprofit owner.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Dec 19, 2023
UMKC track commit Naomi Malone has a plan to help others

University of Missouri-Kansas City sprinter commit Naomi Malone has a clear picture of her future, even if the present might be a tad busy.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Dec 12, 2023
Gilbert Classical Academy senior thrives on keys, track and volunteer work

Regan Birk has had an impact in his community through many different facets before he looks ahead to the transition to college next summer.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Dec 5, 2023
Casa Grande sophomore making most of his time on and off basketball court

Casa Grande Union High School sophomore Phinneas Linehan aspires to make it on the basketball court with law school on his radar.
DAMON ALLRED | Nov 21, 2023
Heritage Academy’s Abby Dirks works hard to be a good example for all

Abby Dirks knows what it means to be a leader on and off the court. She understands the big picture and her place in it.
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AARON SCHMIDT | Nov 14, 2023
Campo Verde’s Addison Gavigan spreads positivity, overcomes academic adversity

Addison Gavigan might don a 3.20 GPA as a senior at Campo Verde High School, but there's more to her academic career than the eye can see.
AARON SCHMIDT | Oct 24, 2023
Red Mountain’s Matt Hamilton faces adversity, leads with purpose

At Red Mountain, Matt Hamilton has faced adversity throughout his running career. Despite his challenges, he remained a leader off the track.
AARON SCHMIDT | Oct 17, 2023
ALA Ironwood’s Braxton Henderson impacting community at young age

As a student, business owner and varsity baseball star, ALA Ironwood's Braxton Henderson has had quite the high school experience.
ZACH LARSON | Mar 25, 2023
Notre Dame’s Andrew Roe named Arizona Sports and Parker & Sons Character Counts winner

Notre Dame's Andrew Roe was diagnosed with a form of juvenile arthritis just two years ago and has turned the obstacle into something more.
ZACH LARSON | Jan 10, 2023
Saguaro’s Sloane Richie using faith to support her community

Saguaro volleyball player Sloane Richie has a soaring GPA, helped turn her team around and volunteered in communities near and far.