Scottsdale Honors People with Disabilities and Local Organizations

Posted By Les Conklin on Sep 28, 2016

September 28, 2016

City honors people with disabilities, organizations dedicated to their advancement

Amit Sanghvi, 2016 High School Student of the Year

A Desert Mountain High School senior who lost most of his sight as a toddler has been named “High School Student of the Year” by the Mayor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.

Amit Sanghvi was diagnosed at 2 ½ with neuroblastoma, an adrenal cancer that usually affects infants or children younger than 10.

Amit never lets his disability stop him from experiencing an expansive scope of activities. He volunteers and participates with the Miracle League of Arizona, a baseball league for children living with disabilities. He’s also organized fundraisers to help other children with neuroblastoma.

Nominator Jay Taska says Amit is a “strong student who mentors and motivates younger students with disabilities. We celebrate Amit for coming to school every day with his sleeves rolled up, ready to help and share his time with a pure but simple, wonderful and everyday magic.”

A ceremony honoring Amit and other winners will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at The Scottsdale Museum of the West, 3803 N. Marshall Way. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Other award recipients include:

Employer of the Year – Chris Gammel, Chick-fil-A
Employee of the Year – Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Blankmeier, STARS
Entrepreneur of the Year – Matthew Cottle, Owner, Stuttering King Bakery
Exemplar Award – Deanna Zuppan, City of Scottsdale Adapted Services Program
Para-educator of the Year – Lorri Olmstead, Scottsdale Unified School District
Student of the Year (College) – Michelle Forest, Scottsdale Community College
Teacher/Counselor of the Year – Lisa Sampson, Creative Arts Therapy Services

In addition, the following people will receive $1,000 scholarships:

Jacob Waterman, Scottsdale Unified School District /Scottsdale Community College
Adriana Otero Jimenez, Gateway Community College
Mattison Blackwell, Scottsdale Unified School District /SCORE Program
Kevin Groeger, Scottsdale Community College
Steve Schwartz, Scottsdale Community College
Dannon Matthews, Scottsdale Community College/NAU

Learn about programs and services for people with disabilities.

Jan Horne
Public Information Officer
City of Scottsdale
jhorne@scottsdaleaz.gov
Office: 480-312-2636
Mobile: 602-527-2211

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