During the public comment portion of the Dec. 9 Litchfield Elementary School District Governing Board meeting, Mark Islas, superintendent of the Agua Fria Union High School District, thanked the board for the opportunity to describe a districtwide "Academic Superstars" recognition campaign aimed at highlighting high-achieving students.

Islas said the initiative includes mailed outreach to roughly 100,000 people in his district, recognition of National Merit Scholars and students accepted to selective colleges, and a billboard campaign planned to run from February through May to spotlight students. He said the campaign grew from a desire to better recognize students districtwide and previewed plans for celebratory events, including a year‑end dinner at the Wigwam with a guest speaker.

The Litchfield board had earlier recognized its own former students who achieved high scores in math and English language arts during 2024–25; Executive Director Noanes read the list of honorees and noted one student, Jaden Giordano, was present at the meeting.

Islas said the campaign was inspired in part by board members’ encouragement and expressed appreciation for local partnerships and publicity opportunities to recognize student achievement.