By Andrea Falkenhagen, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz. Jan. 15--"Dear Andre's Dad: I think it would be sad living in a hotel. I'm sorry that you don't have a home," reads a letter, printed in a child's handwriting, hanging on a bulletin board outside Gwen Struble's first-grade classroom.

By Emily Gersema, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz. Mar. 12--Cheers, screams and whistles in the stands overpowered the whirring of wheels and gears.