Cupcakesters' Sweet Sensation: New Bakery Delights Gilbert at SanTan Village!

Cupcakesters, the beloved local bakery, has sweetened the deal by opening its second location in Gilbert on August 4th, right in the heart of SanTan Village mall at 2268 E. Williams Field Road, suite 108.

What's their specialty, you ask? Well, it's all about cupcakes! But that's not all - they also whip up delectable cakes, cookies, and brownies. And here's the cherry on top: they offer an array of options to cater to various dietary needs, including gluten-free, keto, and vegan treats.

Have a special occasion coming up? Cupcakesters has got you covered with custom cakes that'll make your celebration even more unforgettable.

With their first successful location in Mesa, Cupcakesters is already well-loved, and now they're here to sprinkle Gilbert with a little extra sweetness. Give them a call at 602-571-4821 or visit their website at www.cupcakesters.org for a taste of what's in store!

Gilbert Public Schools Celebrate A-Plus Achievement with Over Half Earning Top Marks

Over half of Gilbert Public Schools earned A grades from the Arizona Board of Education in the 2022-23 assessment. The district boasts 23 schools with A grades, 12 with B grades, and three with C grades, excluding the ungraded Canyon Valley.

This year's results demonstrate improvement compared to the previous year, with two more schools earning A grades and two fewer schools scoring C grades. Notable upgrades include Desert Ridge and Highland junior high schools improving from C to B grades, and Boulder Creek and Playa del Rey elementary schools moving from C to B grades.

However, GPS Global Academy dropped from a B to a C grade, while Quartz Hill Elementary declined from an A to a C. The district welcomed seven elementary schools to the A rank, and a total of 11 schools showed improvement.

Superintendent Shane McCord acknowledged the importance of the "Letter Grade" system for assessing academic progress and pledged that staff and campus teams would use the grades to refine and improve their strategies and programs. McCord also highlighted the schools' commitment to sharing their successes and strategies with the community for ongoing improvement. The school labels are determined based on various academic metrics, including state-mandated assessments and academic growth.

Here's a snapshot of elementary, junior high, high school, and hybrid school grades:

Elementary Schools

• A Grade: Ashland, Burk, Canyon Rim, Carol Rae Ranch, Finley Farms, Islands, Meridian, Mesquite, Neely Traditional Academy, Settler’s Point, Sonoma Ranch, Spectrum, Superstition Springs, Towne Meadows.

• B Grade: Augusta Ranch, Boulder Creek, Gilbert, Oak Tree, Playa del Rey, Val Vista Lakes.

• C Grade: Quartz Hill.

Junior High Schools

• A Grade: South Valley.

• B Grade: Desert Ridge, Greenfield, Highland.

• C Grade: Mesquite.

High Schools

• A Grade: Campo Verde, Highland.

• B Grade: Desert Ridge, Mesquite.

Hybrid Schools

• A Grade: Gilbert Classical Academy.

• B Grade: Gilbert High School.

• C Grade: GPS Global Academy.

Higley Schools Soar to Success with Majority Earning Top Grades

In the 2022-23 school year, Higley Unified School District achieved excellent results, with 12 out of 14 schools receiving A grades from the Arizona Board of Education, and the district itself also earning an A.

This is an improvement from the previous year when eight schools received A's and five received B's. The Higley Virtual Academy secured its first A grade this year after being in operation for only two years.

Interim Superintendent Sherry Richards expressed gratitude to parents and students for their dedication and commitment to success. The school ratings are determined using various academic measures, including state-mandated assessments and academic growth.

Here are the key grades and scores:

• Elementary Schools: 11 out of 11 received A grades.

• Middle Schools: 1 out of 2 received a B grade.

• High Schools: Both high schools received A grades.

• Hybrid: Higley Virtual Academy received an A grade for the first time.

Desert Heartbreak: Diamondbacks Fall Short as Rangers Clinch First-Ever World Series Title

Hey there, Diamondback fans, we've got some news that's as tough to chew as a cactus in the desert. The Texas Rangers, those Rangers, yeah, they did it. They bagged their first-ever World Series championship in their whopping 63-season history. Ouch, that stings, right?

Picture this: Nathan Eovaldi, aka the gutsy six-inning hero, led the charge. The Rangers broke a nail-biting scoreless tie with an RBI single by Mitch Garver in the seventh inning. And you can't make this stuff up; they went on to win 5-0 in Game 5. But hold your cactus smoothie; there's more.

The Rangers, who were held hitless for a whopping six innings by Zac Gallen, managed to go 11-0 on the road this postseason. Yep, you read that right; they swept the Fall Classic with three straight wins in our desert. A tough pill to swallow, huh?

In their very first season, their fearless leader, Bruce Bochy, snatched his fourth title. The Rangers outlasted Arizona in a white-knuckle pitchers' duel, proving that dreams can come true on a baseball field. They went from taking a 10-run lead by the third inning in Game 4 to nailing down the World Series.

Gallen, the guy who took a no-hitter into the seventh, was this close to etching his name in the history books. But then, like a mirage in the desert, Corey Seager found a way to break the spell with a single. Evan Carter, a rookie at a tender age of 21, followed suit with a double. Garver, whose bat was as cold as a winter in the desert, made the shot heard round the world to score the first run.

In the nail-biting ninth inning, it was a Josh Jung and Nathaniel Lowe combo that set the stage for a grand finale. Jonah Heim's single brought Jung home, but wait, there's more! Lowe, with an adventurous run, made it all the way from first base to home thanks to an error by center fielder Alek Thomas. Two outs later, Marcus Semien's two-run homer gave the Rangers a 5-0 lead. It was their 13th time scoring a triumphant three or more runs in an inning this postseason.

For Semien, it was the moment he had worked his whole life for. He hailed Gallen's performance, but in the end, the Rangers came through, proving that when you believe, anything is possible. Eovaldi, the magician on the mound, pitched out of trouble all night, only to pass the torch to Aroldis Chapman and Josh Sborz to seal the deal.

Fast forward to the grand finale. Picture this: The Rangers, whose history goes way back to 1961 when they were the expansion Washington Senators, finally, finally achieved the impossible. It took them five stadiums, a myriad of managers, and a whopping 10,033 games to savor the sweet nectar of victory. And boy, wasn't it worth the wait?

But let's not kid ourselves; it wasn't a walk in the desert park. The Rangers led the AL West for most of the season, only to hand over the division title to rival Houston on the final day of the regular season. They had their share of setbacks, with injuries and trials, but they persevered, showing the world the true spirit of a champion.

So, Diamondback fans, take heart. While the Rangers have had their Cinderella moment, remember that the desert sun still shines bright, and our day will come. As Gallen proved, even in the face of adversity, we can shine like the stars we are.

Here's to a season filled with hope, resilience, and the promise of a future World Series championship for our beloved Arizona Diamondbacks. After all, in the words of the famous baseball philosopher, Yogi Berra, "It ain't over till it's over."

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