Partners of the Foundation

Your tax-deductible donation supports the foundation and its funding of education improvement initiatives..




Gail Stapleton Mini-Grants for our Teachers

Your donation provides grants to teachers to implement forward thinking and creative solutions to student achievement.



Mary Buscema College and Career Ready Scholarship

This scholarship fund supports Higley students pursuing non-4 year degree programs, specifically community college degrees/certificates or accredited technical/career certificate programs. Its purpose is to fill an underserved scholarship niche for HUSD students attending technical training or community college programs. It is named in honor of longtime Williams Field High School Career Center Specialist Mary Buscema, who assists students daily as they seek and prepare applications for colleges, careers, and scholarships. Her efforts helped each of the last few graduating classes obtain a record number of scholarship offers.



HUSD Payroll Deduction Form

For HUSD Employees Only

Higley Achievement Foundation supports education, scholarships, innovative instruction and charitable projects to benefit the students, staff and programs of Higley Unified School District.
Our purposes are to:
• Provide student scholarships and grants to enhance academic achievement and success
• Build and foster relationships with communities served by Higley
• Support special projects that enhance the quality of educational programs
• Provide recognition of Higley staff, students, or members of the community for outstanding service or contributions to Higley
• Provide non-profit support and partnership with Higley parent and student organizations.
Be a supporter of HAF, and click here to download the Payroll Deduction Form and submit the completed form to your Payroll Department

Ken Vandehei Scholarship Fund

Kenneth Gerald Vandehei, 48, died from a lightning strike while vacationing with his family at Lake Powell on Sunday, July 30, 2006. Ken Vandehei was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He graduated from Cheyenne Central High School in 1976 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wyoming in 1981. Prior to moving to Arizona, Ken pursued a successful career as a general contractor and land developer in Cheyenne’s Western Hills. In 1990, he moved to Phoenix and started Vandehei Enterprises and San Tan Distributing. He was also a regional mortgage banker for Community Lending, Inc. and a Senior Associate with World Financial Group. A lover of aviation, Ken earned his instrument-rated private pilot’s license in 2002 and frequently flew his family to vacation destinations in their plane. A man of true character, Ken was loved by many and respected by all who knew him. His strong work ethic and dedication to his family, was matched only by his love for life. To honor Ken’s life and passion, his family established the Ken Vandehei Scholarship Fund managed by the Higley Achievement Foundation. The scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding high school seniors who plan to continue their education at a college or university of their choice.