Event Name: Focus Comics, United Humanities Project Heroes Art Exhibition, Awards and Graduation Ceremony.
Where: Zinc Apartments club house. 2005 North 103rd Avenue. Avondale, Arizona 85392
The Heroes event honor military (active and veterans), and first responders for their courage; sacrifice, selfless service, patriotism, kindness, compassion and leadership. The event celebrates autism acceptance month by celebrating the accomplishments of young autistic and special needs talent within the community for those graduating on the free Hero art program. Local heroes are presented their honors on stage in recognition of those who protect our liberties freedoms and justice.
Open to: The General Public
Admission: Free
Award Recipients:
Congratulations to our United Humanities Project 2026 Hero award recipients:
Gary Michiel Montiel US Army E4 2001-2005.
David Shuler : USMC E4 1998-2002.
Robert Charles Taylor : USMC Corporal E4 1961-1966
Carlos Emilio Lopez Hernandez : USAF Fire Service Engineer : SSgt E5
James Deck :US Navy E3 1985-1993.
Adrian Robin Hakes USCG Petty officer 2nd class E5 2019-2025
Mark Schweikert : Phoenix Police Department : Lieutenant
Vance Stein, AZDPS Trooper #11724
Kelly Sullivan, AZDPS Trooper #5935 / Posthumous Award / Attending to accept the posthumous award: Twila Sullivan, Brandi Sullivan, Sullivans two sons: Brody and Cooper Sullivan.
Congratulations to our autistic and special needs students for graduating on the free Focus comic hero art program celebrating autism awarenss month. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments at the event. All graduates will receive gifts from all branches of the military and first responder agencies.
Agencies / Military reps attending: Avondale Fire Department. AZDPS. Army. Marines. Navy. US Air Force. USCG.
Dignitary: Mayor of Goodyear.
Trophies: 9
Legacy Portraits: 9
Military Challenge coins: 9
Photographers: 3
Broadcast film maker: 1
Hero themed Agency Vehicles for the graduates to explore at the event: 4
All military agencies and government agencies will have fun activities to engage our students at the event.
Date of Award ceremony: Saturday May 2nd. 2pm.
Where: Zinc Apartments club house. 2005 North 103rd Avenue. Avondale, Arizona 85392
Ceremonies: The USAF honor guard will perform the Presentation of Colors during the National Anthem. Pastor Holmes will sing the national anthem on stage.
8 Heroes Award recipients will receive a complimentary legends portrait by award winning artist Yvonne Wan, a certificate of honor signed by our dignitaries, trophies and challenge coins, plus a complimentary Photoshoot. Yvonne Wan will create a broadcast standard highlights film so everyone can remember their special day.
Artist:
- Yvonne Wan, Award winning artist, certified social cultural anthropologist and Focus comic creator.
The legacy portraits will be gifted to the award recipients at the event.
Thank you Sutton Custom for gifting these custom trophies to our award recipients in support of our heroes.
Examples of our students Hero Art:
Yvonne Wan will also be on exhibiting her Sports hero art at the same venue at 4pm (after the graduation ceremony) as part of a fundraiser for the humanitarian project supporting autistic and special needs kids and honoring heroes. The original art will be up for silent auction at the event and a limited number of prints will be available for purchase. All proceeds will go towards supporting autistic and special needs kids. The art exhibition starts at 4pm after the graduation event, and ends at 6pm. The deadline for bids may be extended if the reserve isnt met. Please Contact yvonne@focuscomic if you have any questions. Click here to learn more about the art exhibit and order the posters.
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