One by one, the 20 Flinn Scholars from the Class of 2026 approached the stage to honor a special teacher who made a major impact somewhere along the way.
The Distinguished Educators selected by the new group of Scholars were recognized Saturday, May 2, during the annual Flinn Scholarship Recognition Luncheon in Scottsdale. These educators represent teachers across Arizona who not only shape academic journeys, but also instill confidence, and champion students at pivotal moments in their lives.
On the weekend prior to Teacher Appreciation Week, students honored teachers from elementary and middle school, as well as those who guided them in high school classrooms and extracurricular pursuits including Mock Trial and Academic Decathlon.
The luncheon also introduced the Class of 2026 Flinn Scholars and honored the 20 Scholars graduating from an Arizona public university this year.
Meet the Distinguished Educators selected by the 2026 Flinn Scholars and learn how these teachers made a lasting impact. The educators are:
Lori Gahr
AP World History and AP U.S. Government and Politics, Tanque Verde High School
Scholar: Katherine Beverage
“Ms. Gahr has always been there for me, and her AP World History class helped me realize that I love studying history. She inspired me to pursue a career outside of STEM.”
Dennis Conner
Engineering, Entrepreneurship, and Computer Science, The Gregory School
Scholar: Ethan Bialis
“Mr. Conner’s impact has been immeasurable; mentor, leader, and friend. He saw potential I could not and relentlessly shaped me into more than I believed possible, redefining both my limits and my sense of self.”
Michelle Hogsett
AP English Language and Composition, Arizona College Prep High School
Scholar: Nethra Chintaboina
“Mrs. Hogsett consistently helped me find my voice in writing and always believed in me, shaping my growth with compassion, confidence, and unwavering support throughout high school.”
Christopher Klugman
AP U.S. Government and Politics, BASIS Scottsdale
Scholar: Vedang Chintalapati
“Mr. Klugman guided me as a teacher, coach, and mentor throughout high school, helping me learn to explore with passion, communicate with confidence, and lead with empathy.”
Mark Vest
AP U.S. History, AP U.S. Government and Politics, Blue Ridge High School
Scholar: Rain Elika Dimaliwat
“Mr. Vest has helped me grow immensely, as both a student and a person. He made me confident in my ability to do hard things.”
Danyelie Vo
Engineering, San Luis High School
Scholar: Mae Gomez
“Ms. Vo’s dedication to her students, combined with her genuine passion for engineering and teaching, inspired me to confidently pursue it as my own path.”
Jann Johnson
1st Grade, Jacobson Elementary School
Scholar: Charlotte Gould
“My first grade teacher, Ms. Jan Johnson, sparked my love for learning and problem solving. Even 11 years later, we still stay in close contact, frequently going out for pizza nights.”
Kaycee Mahon
Fifth grade, Riggs Elementary School
Scholar: Alex Josanu
“Mrs. Mahon helped me find my voice when I was surrounded by silence, pushing me to speak up and build confidence in my ideas.”
Jason Crosby
7th Grade Biology, Honors Biology, AP Biology, BASIS Ahwatukee
Scholar: Timothy Kulangara
“From NFL Draft chats over MS Teams during COVID to cell signaling lessons and club support, Mr. Crosby has always inspired me to channel my curiosity into service of those around me”
Juanita Hardy
Kindergarten, Sunset Elementary School
Scholar: Michelle Luna
“Ms. Hardy was my day one in education. As she watched me grow up, she knew I’d do great things, and for any dream I had, she was always there to support me.”
Carly Kazanas
AP World History, Desert Vista High School
Scholar: Rafael Mather Alvear
“Ms. Kaz has shaped how I see the world through writing. Through her guidance in AP World analysis, I’ve learned to seek complexity and discovered writing as a tool for deep self-reflection.”
Jeremy Samoy
AP U.S. History and Mock Trial, Tanque Verde High School
Scholar: Finnegan McGill
“Mr. Samoy always has my back, especially in suits during four years of Mock Trial. He is supportive, fun, caring, and believes in me.”
Agatha Andersen
AP Physics I and AP Physics II, Xavier College Preparatory
Scholar: Riya Mehta
“Mrs. Andersen makes physics a class you actually want to be in, bringing nonstop energy and making sure every single one of us truly understands the content she teaches.”
Joann Wuthrich
Academic Decathlon, Basha High School
Scholar: Arnav Modem
“Mrs. Wuthrich consistently encouraged me to act on my potential to perform better and become a better team player; her actions have helped make me into who I am today as a student and leader.”
Rabia Bithi
AP Calculus BC, Hamilton High School
Scholar: Adrian Alejandro Perez-Martinez
“For me, Mrs. Bithi embodies what it means to be a teacher. With endless selflessness and kindness, she is the best friend of many students.”
Joshua Troub
Agriscience and Leadership, Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center-Estrella Mountain
Scholar: Isabella Pettet
“Mr. Troub leads with respect in everything he does. He models kindness, honesty, and strong boundaries, and shows what it means to treat others well.”
Angelique Krencius
Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, BASIS Oro Valley
Scholar: Aleena Rafiyath
“Ms. Krencius is a teacher who always matched my passion for the subjects she taught, welcoming curiosity and guiding me in pursuing research and medicine.”
Raymond Baker
Junior and Senior Robotics and Robotics Coach, Globe High School
Scholar: Jonas Schwenk
“Mr. Baker nurtured a space where I could thrive. He worked tirelessly providing our robotics team with the knowledge and resources needed for success. His leadership and influence have truly changed my life.”
Logan Brumm
AP U.S. History, Flagstaff High School
Scholar: Ciera Tsosie
“Mr. Brumm has fulfilled many roles in my academic journey beyond an AP History teacher. He has been an AP Mentor and someone I felt comfortable sharing my achievements and challenges with.”
Rebecca Peiffer
IB Math Applications and Interpretation HL, North High School
Scholar: Charlotte Williams Gross
“From weekly office hours to IB math paper guidance, Ms. Peiffer has been an invaluable part of my high school experience because of her commitment and care for her students.”
The merit-based Flinn Scholarship is supported by the Phoenix-based Flinn Foundation in partnership with Arizona’s three state universities. Its value exceeds $135,000, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, an international summer seminar and at least one additional study-abroad experience.
The 2026 Flinn Scholarship attracted 1,150 applications from Arizona high-school seniors. The 41st class of Flinn Scholars joins a supportive community and network of more than 750 current and alumni Flinn Scholars.
Read more:
20 Arizona high-school seniors selected for 2026 Flinn Scholarship
Meet the 2026 Flinn Scholars
About the Flinn Foundation
The Flinn Foundation is a Phoenix-based privately endowed, philanthropic grantmaking organization established in 1965 by Dr. Robert S. and Irene P. Flinn that awards grants and operates programs in four areas: the biosciences, the Flinn Scholars, arts and culture, and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership. The foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Arizona to benefit future generations.