Sunnyside High School’s basketball team have number of reasons that they can be proud of this week. The Grizzlies have been in the midst of a winning streak that spans five games, will play Rincon/University in the Kino Sports Complex Saturday to keep the Western League title.

The team has also received remarkable community support over this time. This shows the devotion coaches and administrators are towards their team members.

Coach Richard Sanchez

Through his 30-year career coaching football in the last 30 years, the coach Richard Sanchez has traveled a many times. Coach Sanchez has been on levels like the NCAA Division I and NAIA levels, as well as in community colleges and with the high-school football.

Sanchez, a Sunnyside two-time champion Sunnyside football coach applied the bulldog approach to help Sunnyside’s Blue Devils win five consecutive state titles in wrestling. Sanchez is also a mentor to students making the most of their academic as well as athletic performance.

Humberto Torres Coach

Director Humberto Torres was a driving factor behind the success of Sunnyside’s on and off the field. During his time at Desert View and Sunnyside, the coach coached wrestling and football, and was instrumental in taking home the AAA Southern Division Football Championship as well as three AAA Arizona State Wrestling championships.

His assistance and mentorship of students was greatly appreciated, particularly the English-speaking students. He developed a very effective program at DVHS for these students and ensured they got similar opportunities to other students within the school.

Coach Fil Barrera

Sunnyside High School’s football team is enjoying a promising start this year. The Grizzlies are 4-0 with a perfect starting under coach Fil Barrera and will look to build on that record against Richland.

He’s also been instrumental in helping the Grizzlies over adversity in this season. Injuries have been a constant for many players. However, He’s been able to maintain the Grizzlies moving forward and placed them at the top of their Big Nine Conference.

His involvement in the community spans a number of positions. He’s part of the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, Tucson Clean & Beautiful Education Coordinator, and fundraiser.

Coach Taunya Garcia

The coach Taunya Garcia has a history of high-quality work both on as well on the fields. Her work has been recognized with awards including The Arizona High School Athletic Association’s Teacher of the Year, and she has been a four-time Outstanding Educator Award recipient at Sunnyside High School.

Valla Dalrymple has dedicated herself to strengthening families within the Sunnyside community, as well as the surrounding area. She is a member of Sunnyside District Alumni Assoc’s Board She has also created an endowment fund for the Tom Dalrymple Memorial Scholarship in the memory of her husband. She is also a mentor and counselor for Sunnyside the High School’s Teen-Age Parents program.

Bob Jaramillo, Coach

Bob Jaramillo is a 14-year veteran in the Junta Directiva del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Sunnyside. He is now in the position of instructor at Desert View High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program. The coach said he felt it was the greatest honor assist students in the area he is from.

Yolanda Corrales, District’s Title I and Family Engagement Coordinator oversees a variety of activities that assist students and families in the pursuit of success. The work she volunteers for includes overseeing the McKinney Vento Angel Tree program that assists homeless kids who are not accompanied during Christmas. Volunteer work she does includes Back to School Wellness Fair and Sunnyside Meet Yourself, as well as an annual Thanksgiving dinner to families.

School Leader Conor Hynes

School Head Conor Hynes has been with us since the start and has been a proud supporter of everything KIPP. He’s excelled in his classroom, and has been the proud holder of an honorary title as student body president. He’s not a slouch in playing field as a strong member for the local community in his off-field time. Learning from an impressive group of instructors is something will continue to talk about for many years to be.

Buck Crouch

Buck Crouch, a Sunnyside high school student who is now an active participant in our community. Since 2011, he’s been part of the Sunnyside Governing Board. He is the current president of Sunnyside Foundation. As a Sunnyside Literacy Council member and chair, he volunteers for the Kino Rotary Club in South Tucson. His passion is for learning new things and helping other people. He is grateful for having the chance to lead Sunnyside High School.