Four seniors from Mesa Public Schools have been recognized by the Mesa Citizen of the Year Association as recipients of the 2025–2026 Student Community Service Awards. The honorees are Davis Grondin from Red Mountain High School, Summer Fairbanks from Skyline High School, and Christina Alozie and Amyla Serenity Buckhannon from Westwood High School. Each student received a $2,500 scholarship for their dedication to community service during their high school years.
To be eligible for this award, students were required to complete at least 150 hours of community service and show a long-term commitment to making a positive difference outside the classroom. The Mesa Citizen of the Year Association highlights the achievements of Mesa Public Schools students whose volunteer work supports local nonprofits, civic projects, and programs that benefit the wider community.
The Mesa Citizen of the Year Award was established in 1935 by Charles and Florence Mitten, owners of the Mesa Tribune. It recognizes individuals whose service has made a significant impact on the city.
Grondin is graduating as the top-ranked student at Red Mountain High School and plans to study computer science. He has achieved a 1500 SAT score and aims to develop software solutions for underserved communities. His service includes involvement with Special Olympics, National Honor Society, Model United Nations, and Feed My Starving Children.
Fairbanks is also ranked first in her class at Skyline High School and intends to attend Arizona State University to become a special education teacher. She is a Flinn Foundation Scholarship semifinalist and has focused her volunteer efforts on supporting people with disabilities and seniors through roles such as Special Education Adaptive Physical Education assistant and volunteering with Laura’s House and Brookdale Assisted Living Center.
Alozie ranks third in her class at Westwood High School. She plans to study political science and philosophy with goals of attending law school and working in public service. Her leadership experience includes founding the Black Student Union, mentoring International Baccalaureate students, serving on the Mayor’s Youth Committee, and organizing voter registration drives.
Buckhannon is also a senior at Westwood High School planning studies in business administration, law, and financial services before pursuing a law degree. Her service record includes acting as Rotary Interact Ambassador to Kenya, leading a DIY Dog Toys Project, organizing a “Senior Prom” event at a local senior center, and assembling hygiene kits for the Salvation Army. She hopes to continue her leadership by starting a Rotaract Club in college.
Mesa Unified School District serves more than 61,000 students across 79 schools in Arizona’s East Valley region according to its official website. The district offers educational programs from preschool through high school including STEM, arts, dual language immersion, International Baccalaureate curricula and supports academic achievement along with community involvement. It provides resources such as transportation and nutrition services and emphasizes partnerships that support family engagement.
According to organizers: “Together, these students exemplify the values of service, leadership, and civic responsibility that the Mesa Citizen of the Year Association seeks to honor, reflecting the positive impact Mesa Public Schools students continue to make across the community.”
