MS ARIZONA SENIOR AMERICA 2019,
AVA GENUNG

CONGRATULATIONS to AVA GENUNG, Ms Arizona Senior America 2019!

Ava Genung was born in Chicago, Illinois but grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she received her education. Ava attended Mesa Community College, Arizona State University, and The University of Arizona where she earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Elementary Education.

After a rewarding career as a National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, New Teacher Mentor, Teacher Trainer, and Adjunct Professor, Ava is semi-retired and is currently an Educational Consultant and also provides training through Grand Canyon University. Ava has taught in Arizona, Southeast Alaska, and has traveled to Beijing, China, where she taught in a Summer Gifted program. She has a strong passion for excellence in education and knows the best way to achieve student success is to professionally train, develop, and support our children's teachers.

In college, Ava met her husband, Herb, on a blind date! They just recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. Herb and Ava have two beautiful married daughters, Jacque, (Paul), and Jenny, (Justin). When Ava is not training teachers, she loves to travel with her husband and family. Ava's four grandchildren, Preston, Paxton, Blake, and Lily are the "jewels in her crown", and she loves making memories with them and their families.

Ava's other interests include dance, where she performed on the dance lines in high school, MCC, ASU and UofA. She now dances at the Phoenix Suns basketball games with the Golden Grannies, and performs with the Arizona Inspirations to support the Cameo Foundation as they raise money for victims of domestic violence. Ava also loves to give back to the community by raising money for Breast Cancer research and serves as an Angel fundraising for the Arizona Women's Foundation. The foundation has raised millions of dollars that support Arizona's women for their Safety, Health, and Economic Empowerment (SHE).