Mr. Ty White, high school chemistry teacher at Willcox High School is the recipient of the 2020 High School Teacher Award from SAZACS and the recipient of the 2020 Regional High School Teacher Award to the Rocky Mountain Region of the American Chemical Society.

The Southern Arizona Local Section of ACS is particularly pleased that this year's recipient, Mr. David "Ty" White, teachers at Willcox High School demonstrating that quality teaching be had outside Pima County.

Mr. White's greatest strength is his ability to guide students to view chemistry as more than just a collection of facts. He effectively shows them how research works and how knowledge is gained. He helps students expand their view by involving them in collaborations with other schools and organizations. Colleagues and past students all attest to his ability to motivate those around him to excel. Willcox is truly blessed to have a teacher of his quality and we are pleased to make this award of $500 to the teacher and another $500 to the school to be used by Mr. Wite to equip his class.

As the winner of the 2020 High School Teacher Award from the Southern Arizona Local Sections, his application was submitted to the Rocky Mountain Region of the American Chemical Society along with the winner from Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. Mr. White was selected as the recipient of the Regional Award for Excellence in High School Teaching during the Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting that took place in November 2020.

Mr. Duane DeSpain is the recipient of the 2020 College Educator Award. 

Mr. DeSpain exhibits all the characteristics one expects to see in a quality college educator. He effectively employs the tools of an interactive classroom and is constantly working to improve the curriculum. He readily and effectively collaborated with his fellow instructors and has been a leader on the Eastern Arizona campus. His colleagues, all attest to this collegiality and his students to his effectiveness in his ability to motivate them to succeed. The Southern Arizona Local Section of ACS is pleased to make this award of $1,000.

The College Educator Award is an award to recognize the outstanding teaching of chemistry that occurs in our Southern Arizona community colleges.

Brooke Massani, Director of Research Support Services at the University of Arizona, received the 2020 H. Wayne Adickes Service Award for her long commitment and volunteering work to the Southern Arizona Local Section of the American Chemical Society.

Congratulation, Brooke!