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Grace Howell is a senior at Arete Prep ^[2] who finished her final high school basketball season by passing the 1,000-point mark, making her the all-time leading scorer at the academy, leaving a school record that will be hard to beat. “The way she can shoot the ball is one of the best in the state, hands down,” said the head coach of the girls’ program and her father, Jake Howell. “It’s been a joy to watch her put the ball through the net non-stop.”

It was a great capstone to an amazing high school basketball career that has included three trips to the state tournament, two of those her team made it to the Sweet 16 and one to the Elite 8. In the 2020-21 season she was Freshman Player of the Year. She was First Team All-Region player all four years, and 2A Valley All-Region Offensive Player of the Year. Howell is currently ranked 56th in the nation for three-pointers.

Howell’s 1,000th point came as a surprise to her during a home game for Arete Prep ^[2] against San Tan Charter on Jan. 2^nd of this year. “I didn’t know that I was six points away. My coach kept that from me,” she recalled. “My thought process going into the game was business as usual. I got a steal, dribble down for a three-pointer, and when it went in my coach called the timeout which was really out of character.”

^[3]“I was walking back to the bench and then all of a sudden I hear our athletic director’s voice over the PA system.” It was Arete Prep ^[2] Athletic Director Todd Conklin announcing to the fans and a surprised Grace that she had just surpassed 1,000 points. “It was surreal to realize that I accomplished what I accomplished. It was emotional.” And her proud father/coach was right there to celebrate (and shed a few tears) right by her side.

“My career has been a roller coaster, a fun roller coaster,” she shared. While this achievement marks a high point for Howell, she’s weathered her fair share of lows. Diagnosed with scoliosis in eighth grade, she endured the daily struggle of wearing a back brace for two years. Despite this, she continued to excel on the court, even having to put the brace back on after games. And although she feared the season might not happen due to a shortage of players initially, she persevered. “It prevailed,” she said. ” I just hope it’s not the end.”

Howell wants to play at the collegiate level and is currently in a recruiting process, hoping to announce her decision soon. But until then, she is continuing to make the most of what is left of her senior year with her friends and teammates.

She recently told the East Valley Tribune ^[4], “If you told me when I was four and started playing basketball that I would be here now, I would not believe any word that came out of your mouth,” Howell said. “I’m astounded. Being reminded of where I came from and how I used to not be able to hit the rim. It’s surreal.”

Howell expressed her gratitude to everyone who has supported her throughout high school. “I’d like to say thank you to my all my teammates past and present. I wouldn’t have accomplished what I accomplished without them. Thanks to my family for being at every game and for really pushing me to develop my game to where it’s at now. They’ve all been a key factor in shaping me as a person and an athlete.” she’s said. “I never would have imagined that I’d be standing here leaving with the accomplishments, leaving the legacy that I created, and having that influence on the program.”

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts?  Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org ^[5].

Jody Folley stands tall as a pillar of Great Hearts, both literally and figuratively at 6’1”. “I truly enjoy the act of teaching because I love building relationships with my students and being part of their growth process,” said Jody Folley. “I have high expectations for my students, but I get away with it because they know I care about them.  I hope my students remember this about me and not just that I am tall!”

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With an unwavering commitment to Arete Prep ^[2], Folley is celebrating her 17th year teaching at the Great Hearts academy. To put that in perspective, Folley began teaching at Arete Prep ^[2] the same year that Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone, the first hashtag was used on Twitter, Netflix began streaming content, and NASA landed a spacecraft on Mars.

Folley is an Arizona native raised in Scottsdale and Cave Creek. She has dedicated her life to education and has proudly served for several decades. She embarked on her academic journey at the University of Arizona ^[7], earning her Bachelor of Arts in Education in Latin and Math. Folley began her teaching career at Paradise Valley High School, where she taught Latin and math for five years.

Folley then served as the state chairperson for the Arizona Junior Classical League ^[8]. In this influential role, she collaborated with Latin students across Arizona, and her admiration for the caliber of students from Great Hearts academies inspired her desire to provide her own children with this type of education. “I knew I wanted my own children to have that experience and that I wanted to teach at a school like that,” she said.  Motivated by this vision, Folley joined what is now Arete Prep ^[2] in 2007 as a founding faculty member, under the guidance of Karyn Mercado, who now serves as Director of Academics at Veritas Prep. ^[9]

Over the years, Folley has shared her expertise by teaching 8th grade Latin, 6th-11th grade math, coaching volleyball for a decade, and taking on leadership roles such as Lead Math Teacher on multiple occasions. In the present academic year, Folley is engaged in teaching 9th and 11th grade math, leading the Math Department, and contributing to the mentorship of new teachers.

One of her most notable achievements at Arete Prep ^[2] is her instrumental role in implementing and sustaining the Exeter Math curriculum. Exeter Math is an integrated, problem-oriented, inquiry-based approach to mathematics that differs significantly from the traditional approach to math curriculum. Introduced to students in 2011, the curriculum has empowered hundreds of students to become creative and confident problem-solvers. Folley’s dedication extends beyond the classroom as she has led numerous parent meetings, passionately advocating for the benefits of the Exeter curriculum.

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Reflecting on her 17 years at Great Hearts, Folley expresses gratitude for the enriching experience it has been. “Great Hearts has been a wonderful place to work for the past 17 years,” said Folley fondly. “And I am so proud to say that all three of my sons are Arete Prep ^[2] graduates.” A fact that exemplifies her pride in the academy. As she continues to contribute to the educational community, Jodi Folley stands as a testament to the dedication and passion that defines a lifelong educator.

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts?  Please contact jason.moore@greathearts.org ^[11].

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In the heart of winter, the role of an Athletic Director (AD) at Great Hearts Arizona becomes a testament to dedication and resilience. Jon Rickey, the Director of Athletics, describes January as a whirlwind of activity, juggling responsibilities across multiple sports with unwavering commitment.

Great Hearts currently boasts an impressive roster of 872 high school athletes and 1,374 middle school athletes engaged in winter sports. The diversity of sports, including soccer, basketball, tennis, baseball, and softball across various age groups, creates a dynamic and demanding environment for ADs. Unlike the regular rhythm of fall with sports like football, winter sports present a kaleidoscope of schedules, often stretching the workdays of ADs into late-night hours.

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Rickey recalls his time as AD at Glendale Prep ^[14], humorously noting that his son’s query about his frequent absence was met with a simple yet telling reply, “Because it’s January!” This month, affectionately dubbed “Hug-Your-AD Month,” highlights the extraordinary time and effort poured into their roles annually.

^[15]“Ah, January.” Todd Conklin, the Athletic Director at Arete Prep ^[16], echoes this sentiment. His 60-70 hour workweeks in January are a testament to the relentless pace and ever-present feeling of playing catch-up. Even in the early hours, Conklin is seen tending to soccer fields, ensuring that nothing hinders the flurry of games scheduled.

For first-year AD Chase Beebe at Veritas Prep ^[17], the experience has been eye-opening. “With spring around the corner, hosted games happen nearly every day of the week… not considering the wet weather and changes that we have to make or adjust with rain… this is busy!” The intensity of the schedule, exacerbated by weather challenges, underscores the relentless nature of the job as spring sports loom on the horizon.

^[18]Veteran AD Duane Ediger of Scottsdale Prep ^[19], with over 30 years of athletic administration under his belt, emphasizes the importance of proactivity. Balancing the needs of soccer, tennis, and beach volleyball, alongside the unpredictable weather, requires meticulous planning and adaptability. “What I have learned is to be as proactive as possible to get fields and other things ready in advance, as well as our spring season. Fields, tennis courts, beach volleyball courts, and hiring coaches makes it very busy. If there are weather issues, for soccer we have to reschedule, cram them in at the end of the season, which ends at the end of January. Just yesterday, we had four middle school soccer games cancelled and a middle school baseball game cancelled because of weather. Now I am having to put them back-to-back with many other games,” The impact of these schedule changes extends beyond the field, affecting students, parents, and families, and demanding a high level of focus and time management.

In every profession, there are periods when the workload intensifies, demanding extra dedication and resilience. For our Athletic Directors, January represents this peak of challenge, a confluence of ending one season and preparing for another, often amid daunting weather conditions. It’s a time that calls for understanding, support, and perhaps a gesture of gratitude for their relentless spirit and unwavering commitment to our student athletes.

As we navigate through these bustling days, let’s take a moment to appreciate our ADs. Their passion and selfless dedication are what enable our athletes to thrive and excel, shaping not just games, but lives.

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jason.moore@greathearts.org ^[11]