2016 news from 80108
By Lisa Crockett
Timber Trail Elementary School is planning to raise funds for vital school services this year – and help a needy school in Denver do the same.
“We’re using the tagline ‘Healthy Hearts, Caring Hearts’” said Kevin Warnke, parent of a Timber Trail first grader and chairperson of the fundraiser. “Students will raise pledges to sponsor them as they perform various activities to raise money not only for our school, but for students in need who live nearby.”
It’s a tall order, but Warnke, who is co-chairing the event with his wife Page, thinks they have a formula for success. Students will collect pledges to sponsor them for a fundraising campaign called the “Move-a-Thon,” which will be held on September 9. Sponsors will pledge money for each minute of physical activity performed during an hour-long session of fun, kid-friendly exercises performed at 10 activity stations in the school’s field on the day of the event.
Once the school reaches its initial fundraising goal of $40,000, half of all proceeds will be donated to Harrington Elementary – a Denver elementary school that provides a free or reduced-price lunch to 100 percent of its students. Sixty-five percent of Harrington students speak English as a second language.
“This is a departure from some of the fundraising we’ve done in the past,” said Warnke. “We’re hoping that people in our community will be excited about the fact that it promotes wellness and helps us extend our reach to people who really need our help. We want to promote Caring Hearts by adopting a sister school in even greater need than our own and hope that other schools will follow our lead.”
The school will begin accepting pledges now; students will collect pledges in August 2011. Event sponsorships are now available. If you own a business or work for a company that might be interested in being a sponsor, go to www.timbertrailparents.org.
By Rachael Zetwick; photo courtesy of Ryan Vandersmith
Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) had a great start to the new year as the Technology Student Association (TSA) won best in region and best in state in the Verizon App challenge for their app called “School in One.” The five team members – Ryan Vandersmith, Tina Gilbert, Jon Meade, Sam Ware, and Owen Vandersmith, ranging from freshman to juniors, and RCHS faculty advisor Kyler Barker combined what they considered to be the best features of various learning organization and help tools they already use in school, such as Schoology, Infinite Campus, and traditional planners, to create a new app to help students succeed.
“We began working on the Verizon App Challenge submission around September, but the idea has been in the back of our heads for several years now,” said Ryan Vandersmith, a junior at RCHS and a Castle Pines resident since the fifth grade.
TSA is an organization where students focus their time on various technical projects to work toward conferences at both the state and national level. They present the projects they have worked on throughout the year at these conferences. However, their submission to the Verizon App Challenge was officially separate from TSA, but was related to the organization as sponsors have equally contributed to the success of both the club and the app project.
School in One does not stop at the state level. The app has the chance to move on to the Fan Favorite level if they receive enough text votes. One hundred other teams have made it to this level, and all are hoping to receive a $15,000 technology grant as well as the help of MIT developers who will aid them to get to the next stage of implementing the app to be used by students across the country.
“[If the team were to win,] the plan is to use the money to improve the funding for STEM clubs such as TSA and CyberPatriot, as well as catalyze the development of School in One, which would be helpful to anyone involved in education,” said Ryan. He is very proud of the development of his app and has highlighted that many of his friends have asked if there is a way to download the app to start using now. The app will be available outside of the testing group after the app is advanced from the prototype phase. “We want the grant to provide our fellow students with the resources and opportunities they need to explore their full potential in today’s world of technology,” Ryan concluded.
To view the School in One promotional video, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFoM32Ztl74.
By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of the Halvas Family
I had the pleasure of meeting Castle Pines resident Jenn Halvas nearly two years ago as we forged a friendship while working together on the Rocky Heights Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). She is a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a volunteer, and so much more. Jenn was courageous enough to talk with me about her own heart journey in hopes that she might be able to help someone else as we celebrate and embrace heart month. Here is her story …
In August of 2013, Jenn was 41 years old and enjoying a family trip in Steamboat Springs. She was relaxing on the couch after horseback riding and her chest started hurting on the left side. It was really painful, and especially painful in her back. She started to walk and wonder, “what is this pain?” Jenn’s husband Rich noticed something was wrong. The pain moved down into her arms. Rich started checking her symptoms and asked if she was having a heart attack.
Jenn was upset; she knew the heart attack symptoms but could not fathom the thought that she could be having one. “I was probably in the best shape of my life,” said Jenn.
After a full work-up at the hospital located just one mile away, Jenn was sent home with some medication but no real answers. The next day she continued to feel some lesser pain, but pain nonetheless, and wondered if it could have been a pulled muscle. Once home, she got busy with typical mom duties as the one-week-to-school countdown began. That night, she ran up the stairs to go to bed and the pain hit again – only worse with jaw pain, nausea, and sweating.
After a barrage of tests at Sky Ridge Medical Center to systematically rule things out, it was the nitroglycerin placed under her tongue (which helps in a cardiac event) that gave the first clue.
“Immediately the pain stopped,” she said.
In the morning, her Troponin levels increased and she was sent straight to the catheterization lab. It was there that doctors discovered that she had a very rare cardiac event called a Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD). The dissection happened so low in her heart that doctors feared they might create additional dissections if they tried to stint it. So, it was left alone and after two days and additional medication, she was sent home.
One week later, pain hit Jenn again while she was watching her daughter’s softball practice. This time she took an ambulance ride to the hospital where then pain hit harder than ever and could not been controlled. Eventually with a catheter they discovered that all of her arteries were having spasms and clinching closed.
There is still no real clarity about why Jenn experienced SCAD and whether or not the spasm episode was related to the SCAD event or if they are entirely unrelated. Surgery is was not an option for Jenn; but she medically manages her symptoms and takes part in three-times-a-week cardiac rehab (monitored workout sessions) and has, for the most part, remained symptom free.
Jenn’s life has changed a lot since that August. “I’ve become a different person. Something like this changes you. It makes you re-evaluate your priorities. I think about my kids … what’s really important. My husband has been amazing through all of this. I could have never asked for a better husband. He takes such good care of me,” she shared.
She gets emotional talking about her journey but still feels strongly about sharing her story in hopes it might help someone else. She stresses to know the symptoms and to never be afraid of calling 911 (an ambulance can not only drive you to the hospital but the EMTs can also treat you while on the way to the hospital).
Jenn recommends that all women watch “Just a Little Heart Attack”, a short video featuring actress Elizabeth Banks. It can be found on the American Heart Association website or on YouTube. Banks plays a busy mom getting her family ready for the day while ignoring heart attack symptoms and even apologizing to the 911 operator when she finally makes the call. It’s a humorous “moms do it all” video that women will appreciate and, more importantly, remember.
To learn more about heart disease and all of the symptoms of a heart attack in both men and women, visit the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.
Much gratitude goes out to the Halvas family for allowing me to share Jenn’s story.
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of RCHS
Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) took part in a Women in Sports luncheon on January 15 at Chaparral High School to honor female athletes. Five student athletes from RCHS were recognized at the luncheon; Abby Kochevar - girls swimming, Allison Janedis - cross country/track, Mackenna Balman - cross country/track, Janielle Burrage - poms/track, and Ashley Bradley - cheerleading. Three of the athletes reside in 80108; Janedis, Kochever, and Bradley. RCHS Athletic Director Tom Brieske shared some thoughts on each athlete:
Allison Janedis will begin her fourth year in track this spring and was a member of the 2013 league championship cross country team and earned second team all league this season. Dan Davies, her coach at RCHS said, “Allison is one of the hardest working and most dedicated cross country and track athletes we have ever had at RCHS. Day in and day out she always gives one hundred percent.” Allison is also a two-time CHSAA First Team Academic All State award winner who carries an impressive 4.022 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, and has been awarded the coveted Jag of the Month Award. Allison is planning on running in college but is still weighing her options on where.
Ashley Bradley has been a member of two state championship cheerleading teams, three league championship teams, and three top five national teams. She has earned First Team CHSAA All Academic honors as well as the CHSCA All-Elite Team award. Ashley carries a 3.95 GPA and is an amazing artist. Academically, she has earned highest honor roll all four years at RCHS and artistically has won Scholastic Regional and National Gold Medalist awards. Ashley has a painting hanging in the Denver Art Museum, another one in the Parsons School of Design in New York, and also one in the U.S. Capitol. Her coach Amanda Mundaca said, “Not only is Ashley an extremely talented athlete, she encompasses a great work ethic, demonstrates consistent leadership skills, and maintains a positive attitude at practice. She embodies what it means to be a true teammate. She has overcome tearing her ACL twice, but never lost her drive and passion for cheer.” Ashley is trying to decide between two extremely prestigious art schools, The Art Institute of Chicago and the Rhode Island School of Design.
Abby Kochevar has been an outstanding swimmer at RCHS during the past four years. She is a two-time state champion in the 100 yd backstroke, has taken second place in the 50 yd free, and will compete in both events again this year at state. Abby is also an All American in the 100 yd backstroke, 50 yd free, and the 200 yd medley relay. Abby’s USA Swimming career is equally impressive as she achieved her Olympic trial qualifying time in the 100 meter backstroke last summer where her time placed her in the top 16 nationally. Academically, Abby has maintained a 3.85 GPA and has achieved such honors while training nine to10 practices per week. Her coach Nicole Vanderpoel said, “Abby has always been a humble, resilient, graceful competitor and supportive teammate. She is a disciplined and determined role model to all. She always shows impeccable sportsmanship under both the best and the most challenging of conditions, which makes her truly shine as a leader. Last, but certainly not least, Abby is ALWAYS smiling!” Abby will be furthering her academics and swimming at the University of Wisconsin on a swimming scholarship where she will study business.
Janielle Burrage has been a member of the RCHS Poms program for four years and also has competed in track for two years. She is an outstanding student athlete who carries a very impressive 4.2 GPA. She has been on the highest honor roll each semester, is an AP Scholar and is also president of the French National Honor Society. Coach Christina Leone said, “As most coaches will tell you, their ideal athlete is positive, coachable and of course has natural athleticism; Janielle is the epitome of all three of those traits. She might be one of the most coachable kids we’ve ever had, you can just feel her undying desire to improve and grow. All the while, ‘Jan’ is funny, honest, approachable and a great teammate. As a multi-sport athlete, including a four-year commitment to poms, Janielle is also an exceptional student earning numerous academic awards, scholarships and outstanding grades.”
Mackenna Balman has been an impressive multi-sport student athlete at RCHS participating in cross country and track. She was a member of the 2013 league championship team and individually placed fourth at the league meet and fifth at regionals. Her coach Dan Davies said, “Mackenna’s contributions have been invaluable. She is a total ‘team player’ whose work ethic, determination, and leadership has greatly influenced her teammates. Her hard work has resulted in All League honors as well as numerous state championship appearances.” Academically, Mackenna has maintained a 3.6 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. Mackenna is undecided on where she will attend college in the fall.
Congratulations to these amazing women athletes for their accomplishments, both academically and athletically. Best of luck in the future!
Article and photo by Amy Shanahan
Six Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) boys with a monumental challenge to overcome led to an impressive result. Castle Pines eighth grade students Owen Villas, David Blaeser, Sam Murray, Chase Martinez, and Sam Isert worked as a team with their designated leader Gianni Bonnici to formulate a plan for the Lexus Eco Challenge.
The competition encouraged students to identify a problem in the environment and find a solution to the problem. This group of students formed a team called “The Antidote for Humanity” and set to work finding ways for our community to cut down on vehicle emissions in order to further protect the environment. “We really thought this was a big problem,” explained Blaeser. “Emissions are growing rapidly because so many single people drive cars and we have a growing population.”
The boys created a project in which they identified the current emissions of cars at RHMS, and then compared that to data based upon more kids carpooling and taking the bus to school. The team surveyed students, involved social media, created a video and much more as part of their campaign to bring awareness to their fellow students and prove that carpooling and bus riding greatly decrease emissions.
Under the guidance of science teacher Heather Haney, the team entered their project into the Lexus Eco Challenge. They competed with teams from 13 states in the western region of the United States. Much to the surprise of the students, they were one of only two middle school teams to be chosen to move on to a final challenge which will take place in March. The team was awarded a significant cash prize, so that each team member received $1,166.67. “We found out during fifth period that someone from RHMS had won,” explained Murray. “At the end of day they made an all-school announcement that we had won and everyone was looking at us. We couldn’t believe it!”
The students credit their incredible teamwork and the leadership of Bonnici as their reasons for winning. Martinez remarked, “I think the reason we won was because it was a team process; we all collaborated and worked well together.” Isert agreed. “Gianni was the driving force behind the project and a large part of our success is due to him and the way we all worked together.”
The team will now work to improve their project further in order to hopefully win the grand prize in March. However, right now they are enjoying the rewards of their hard work and their teacher could not be more proud of her students. “I was totally impressed with the amount of work they put into it,” stated Haney. “They went above and beyond what the expectations were for this project.”
To view the team’s website and twitter account, visit www.RockyHeights.org.
Article and photo by Maria Pangalos, RCHS intern writer
Number of members, 215,000; high school chapters, 3,500; advisors, 5,500 ... This is the result of a nonprofit organization that has been running for nearly 70 years. Since 1946, more than 10 million participants’ lives have been changed. What is this amazing program? DECA.
DECA is no longer an acronym for anything specific, but the purpose it serves is far more important than the name. DECA helps prepare future entrepreneurs in high school and/or college for fields such as marketing, finance, hospitality, and management on an international scale.
On December 9, Castle Pines resident, Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) student, and co-president of DECA Katie Suhanyi competed in DECA Districts. Alongside her fellow RCHS DECA members, Suhanyi competed for a place in the upcoming state competition. Districts were held at Douglas County Fairgrounds, and 19 of the 23 members who competed advanced to the state competition.
This year, the annual competition will be held February 21-23 at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. From state, students have the opportunity to go on to compete at nationals.
DECA may seem like an extremely difficult program to get involved in, however that is not the case. Getting in is the easy part, winning competitions is the uphill battle. The only requirements that the RCHS DECA club holds are current participation in one of the six High School of Business Program classes that RCHS offers to all of its students. To be part of DECA, you are required to take the third class in the program, which is the marketing class. That is the only requirement!
DECA offers monetary prizes and scholarship money as well, which proves that not only is it an amazing organization for students to get involved in and make contacts, it also offers an ample amount of graspable opportunities for the future.
Article and photo by Nancy Koontz
Ken Elliott is a respected landscape artist, an award-winning author – and lives right here in Castle Pines. Ken is also an accomplished teacher, speaker, workshop leader, and all around brilliant artist specializing in a variety of art forms: oils, pastels, monotypes, etching and collage. His work is part of numerous private and corporate collections around the world, and some of his limited editions are reproduced as dramatic giclee’ prints.
Ken’s artwork has been exhibited locally at the Madden Museum, Denver International Airport, Lone Tree Arts Center and the Parker Arts Culture and Events (PACE) Center, as well as in galleries throughout the United States including New York, California, Texas, and New Mexico. If you see the new Will Smith/Alec Baldwin movie “Concussion,” Ken’s art piece “Into Fall” appears in one of the scenes.
Elliott recently authored the acclaimed book, “Manifesting 1-2-3” which provides people with the tools to take life in their own hands and create the desires of a lifetime using their own positive thoughts and techniques. Spiritual Leader Lynn Van Praagh (of the famous Van Praagh family) wrote in the forward of Ken’s book: “Through life’s journey, we come upon special people who greatly impact our lives. Ken Elliott is one of those extraordinary gifted individuals. His insight and vision contained in his book will change your life forever.”
Ken is a gracious neighbor and a captivating storyteller. As far as life here in Castle Pines, Ken says: “I’ve been in Castle Pines for about 15 years. It’s amazing with a strong sense of place, and I like the openness with its lack of fences and power lines. It is quiet and a joy to just BE in!”
For more information on Ken Elliott’s work, visit www.kenelliott.com.
By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of the Lyng Family
Castle Pines Village neighbor Benjamin Lyng has filed as a Republican candidate for Colorado State Senate District 4, in Douglas County. The seat is currently held by Senate Majority Leader Mark Scheffel, who is term limited.
“My wife and I chose to live in Douglas County because we wanted to give our son a great childhood – one where he could explore and play safely as well as receive a great education,” stated Lyng. “While our state bureaucracy continues to enjoy robust growth, many Colorado families are working harder than ever, but not getting ahead. That must change.”
Values, such as duty, respect for others, and teamwork are touchstones that have helped form Lyng’s character and shape his world view. His grandparents’ military service during World War II inspired Lyng to join the ROTC program in college and serve in the military.
At 21, he was commissioned as an officer in the Army where he served on three major deployments to the Middle East, culminating with a combat tour in Afghanistan where he served as commanding officer of an explosive ordinance disposal company. Lyng was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, among other decorations and awards during his tenure. He was immersed in a culture where selfless service was the standard, and not the exception.
While Lyng described his military service as transformative and rewarding, the transition to the private sector was uncertain and challenging.
Following his service in the military, Lyng earned an MBA from Cornell University, after which he embarked on a career in the banking and finance industry. “I had fantastic opportunities come my way and I want to again create an environment where young people coming out of college can be successful. That means more freedom and less regulation,” he said.
Lyng is an avid runner (40+ miles/week) and in his spare time he enjoys golf and fly fishing in the mountains. He volunteers with an organization that helps veterans transition into the job market, and mentors college students interested in careers in finance.
When asked how she felt about Ben throwing his hat into the political arena, wife of eight years Michelle shared, “Ben and I have volunteered in politics for as long as I can remember, but it’s more exciting, and also more stressful when your husband is the candidate. Ben has always been incredibly supportive of my career, especially after our son Andrew was born, and I am happy to support him in his campaign.”
For more information about Lyng’s campaign, visit BenForColorado.com.
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Janine Glennon
“We love what happens around the table.” That simple statement from VistaVino Modern Grill’s owner, Janine Glennon, embodies her and her husband’s, chef Michael Glennon, philosophy about their restaurant. With a Tuscan-inspired menu, VistaVino is one of Castle Rock’s newest dining experiences.
The Glennons’ love of hospitality and food is traced back to their families. Both households placed an emphasis on food and having meals together whether for ordinary dinners or entertaining. While some children got excited over blocks, Michael Glennon was captivated with his mother’s pasta machine.
These longtime restaurateurs are no strangers to the industry. Michael started his career as a dishwasher and learned various positions while working at several restaurants, including the James Beard House in New York City. Janine worked as a restaurant’s bookkeeper and transitioned into the restaurant management area. When each decided to move west from their respective east coast cities, they ended up in Vail where they ultimately met while working at Sweet Basil restaurant in the late 1980s.
After branching out on their own, the Glennons owned and operated two successful restaurants in Avon (Vista restaurant) and Edwards (Vista at Arrowhead) before falling in love with Castle Rock. When an opportunity arose, the Glennons knew it was time to create a new “Vista” restaurant.
VistaVino’s menu is bursting with creative selections. Chef Glennon’s dishes are Tuscan-inspired and boast traditional recipes such as Pasta Carbonara, as well as items with a twist like the Seared Rare Yellowfin Tuna, which has an Asian flair. There are also plenty of gluten-free options, such as Zucchini, Carrot and Beet Spaghetti. While diners might expect a side of olive oil with the complimentary bread, VistaVino offers Italian hummus, which is a delicious spread of white beans, lemon, and chives. Bold and simple flavors permeate the small and large plate offerings.
Diners can savor a selection from the small plate menu like the favorite Burrata Cheese with roasted Roma tomatoes, nutless pesto and aged balsamic or the Pear and Mascarpone Pasta Purses with browned butter, fig balsamic, fried sage and pine nuts, and make a meal out of the delicacies. If the appetizer special happens to be the Carrot and Ginger soup, which has a warm peppery flavor with a light spicy taste and gorgeous color, there is no need to look further.
Chef Glennon’s large plate selections are mouthwatering delights, stimulating three out of the five senses. The Roasted Stuffed Chicken Breast, which is filled with spinach, mushroom, prosciutto stuffing with Pecorino Romano cheese and served with carrot and tomato wild rice risotto with a dollop of Italian parsley pecan pesto is one of VistaVino’s most requested meals. This simple but elegant dish’s chicken is tender and juicy with risotto that is a creamy, flavorful accompaniment.
No dinner is complete without dessert, and as long as you are older than 21, the Tiramisu with espresso soaked ladyfingers with chocolate, dark rum, and mascarpone Marsala custard is not to be missed. (The age disclaimer is due to the fact the dessert is stronger than most because it uses alcohol instead of flavored syrups.)
While there are a few menu items for children, you will not find baskets of crayons on the tables. Children are welcome, but VistaVino is an ideal restaurant for a date night. The sleek, open interior has a surprising urban look and feel. Whether you sit at the very popular community table overlooking the kitchen, in the intimate bar area or the cozy dining room, be sure to make reservations – especially if your date night includes the Valentine’s Day special on February 12 and 13. VistaVino seats 50 inside and an additional 30 on the porch in warmer weather.
Dinner at VistaVino has the feel of being with friends, courtesy of the gracious staff. “We love to see people enjoy food,” said Janine. “It warms us inside.” The welcoming environment combined with the delectable food makes VistaVino a fantastic addition to the Castle Rock restaurant scene. Pull up a chair, and enjoy!
