The time has finally come for Best of 2025 voting. This is when the local community gets to recognize the best places and people, from Horizon Honors to local businesses like BoSa Donuts.

Horizon Honors is nominated in three categories: Best Preschool (Question 85), Best Place to Work (Question 54), and Best Charter School (Question 88). The competition is strong with schools such as Pinnacle, Summit School of Ahwatukee, and Desert Vista as competition. Horizon Honors continues to stand out for its supportive environment and dedicated staff.

Several of Horizon’s teachers and leaders are also nominated. Chris Henderson and Mariah Driggs are up for Best High School Teacher (Question 86). Julie Moses, Erin Reid, Chelsea Throne, Meredith Colbrunn, and Kasey Guajardo are nominated for Best Elementary or Middle School Teacher (Question 87). Lastly, Laura Wanstreet and Stacy Dietz are nominated for Best School Leader or Principal (Question 96).

Horizon Honors has won in both 2023 and 2024 and hopes to win again in 2025 to complete a three-year winning streak. Being nominated for Best of Ahwatukee is a huge honor and can only be described through the nominees themselves. The Sun interviewed nominees from different categories to learn about their reactions.

The Horizon Sun: What was your reaction when you were voted for Best Highschool Teacher?

Mariah Driggs (English Teacher): “It is a great compliment to be selected by community members for the “Best of Ahwatukee.” I am grateful to be a part of Horizon and thrilled that students are able to find joy and success in my classroom.”

Kasey Guajardo (Spanish Teacher): “My first thought was of my students. They are the ones who make my job easy to love. I was incredibly touched, mostly because I know that for a teacher to be recognized, it usually means a student went home and told their parents something good happened at school that day. That’s the best feeling in the world!”

Meredith Colbrunn (Communications): “I felt happy and honored.”

The Sun: Do you believe it was surprising? Why?

MD: “I am always surprised to be voted in for “Best of Ahwatukee” because I have no idea who is voting for me! But thank you and I appreciate you.”

KG: “It was surprising because I don’t do this for the accolades; I do it for the ‘aha’ moments when a student finally understands a concept. I didn’t expect it, but I am deeply appreciative of it.”

MC: “It is always surprising to be recognized. I think most people are their own worst critic and that is what makes it surprising when I heard of this.”

The Sun: How do you feel about possibly winning the Best Highschool Teacher?

MC: “Winning is never my goal in anything. I attribute that to a long childhood of being terrible at sports. When you lose enough you learn to just have fun playing the game. I choose to be here every day and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

KG: “I would feel very proud, not just for myself, but for my school and my students. It shines a light on the positive environment we are trying to create here. If I win, I hope it serves as a reminder to my students that hard work and kindness are noticed and valued by the world around them.”

MC: “Of course, that would be wonderful, but I know how many talented teachers there are at this school and all of the others, and so not winning is perfectly fine as well.”

The Sun: Is this your first time? If yes, how do you feel? If not, how do you feel about being nominated again?

MD: “This is not my first time being nominated. I hope someone from Horizon wins this year. I don’t ever expect to be nominated so it is always a fun surprise.”

KG: “I have been fortunate enough to be nominated before, and if anything, I appreciate it even more now. It validates that the first time wasn’t a fluke! It proves to me that my teaching philosophy—treating every student with respect and kindness—is a sustainable way to teach. It encourages me to keep doing exactly what I’m doing.”

MC: “It is not my first time. It makes me feel very grateful and honored to be nominated more than once.”

Voting is a great way for our community to show support for Horizon Honors and the amazing people who make our school special. Vote here! Best Of Ahwatukee 2025