During the Queen Creek Town Council meeting on March 6, 2025, the council celebrated the remarkable achievements of local sports teams, highlighting their dedication and success in recent competitions.
The meeting began with a tribute to the Benjamin Franklin dance team, specifically the JV Palm team, which triumphed at the Arizona State Cheer and Palm Tournament, winning first place by a significant margin of 20 points. The council recognized the hard work of the team and their coaches, including head coach Kayleen Palmer and assistant coach Emily Augustine, who were present to accept the accolades.
The Varsity Palm team, known as the Chargerettes, also received commendation for their impressive performance at the NBA Dance Team Championships in Orlando, Florida. They represented Arizona as the sole team from the state and secured a bronze medal in a competitive division, finishing fourth in palm and sixth in hip hop, marking three top-10 finishes.
The council further honored the Benjamin Franklin girls' varsity soccer team, who achieved an outstanding record of 16-0 in the regular season and were crowned state champions for the second time in three years. The team, led by head coach John Greska and assistant coaches Paul Bourgeois and Jason Hakes, demonstrated exceptional skill, allowing only six goals against them throughout the season. The meeting highlighted individual accolades, including regional player of the year Dylan Peterson and offensive player of the year Jasper Rocha.
As part of the celebration, the council invited players, coaches, and families to participate in a series of photo opportunities to commemorate their achievements. The recognition of these teams underscores the community's pride in local talent and the importance of fostering a supportive environment for youth sports. The council's commitment to celebrating these accomplishments reflects a broader dedication to community engagement and support for local initiatives.