Jacqueline Hart, Gilpin County. On May 22, 2019, Gilpin Middle and High School Booster Club recognized the outstanding academic accomplishment of students as they concluded another year of growth. Students, parents and staff were welcomed with dinner, the pasta alfredo was fabulous, and it was followed by a ceremony honoring the hard work of the students in attendance. 

Principal Donaldson hosted the evening. She kicked off the event by expressing gratitude to the Booster Club, the school board and the parents, and concluded her introduction by recognizing the hard work of the students. 

Eagle, principal and superintendent honor roll were the achievements awarded. Eagle honor roll students earned a GPA between 3.0 and 3.49. Principal honor roll students received between a 3.5 and 3.99 GPA and superintendent honor roll recipients earned a 4.0 or higher GPA. 

Claire Bergman received an award for outstanding Colorado High School Junior from the University of Colorado in Boulder. If she chooses to attend CU after graduation next year, she will receive a scholarship of $1000 a year for four years. 

Awards were presented to each grade class for growth in various general courses including; math, writing, science, social studies and PE. Students were awarded for both excellence and improvement.  

Mr. Rouse and Ms. Meyers presented the awards to the sixth-grade class. Ms. Selseth and Mr. Wardell awarded the seventh-grade class and eighth-grade awards were given by Mrs. Stephens and Mrs. Reiner. 

After the eighth-grade class had received their awards, Principal Donaldson took a moment to recognize the class as a whole, as they would be continuing on to high school as ninth graders next year. She acknowledged this year’s class for strong leadership and congratulated them as they complete middle school to embark on the high school era of their lives next fall. In welcoming the new additions to the high school, Ms. Donaldson stated, speaking for herself and the staff, “We know you will be a strong part of our high school next year.” After she presented the class with awards for continuation Ms. Donaldson said, “We look forward to having you all come up for high school.” 

Upon completing Middle School Awards, the ceremony was turned over to Ms. Henry and Mrs. Newberg to present freshman awards. Students received awards for academics, physical education and three sport participation. Ms. Henry also thanked the Elks Club for volunteering to help with decorations over the holidays. 

Mrs. VanHoose and Ms. Gillette presented awards to the sophomore class. Sophomore students also received awards for academics, physical education and three sport participation.

The junior class awards were presented by Mr. Schuessler and Ms. Neman. The class, who will be continuing on for their senior and last year of high school next year, received awards for excellence in academics, physical education and three sport participation. 

Ms. Donaldson concluded the evening by reminding the students of their upcoming exams and anticipated, and supervised, upcoming annual ditch day. “It’s been a wonderful year. Let’s close it out well,” she said to the students, and thanked the parents and others in the audience for coming to the event and supporting Gilpin students. 

Honor roll recipients, 3.0 - 4.0  and above, by grade:

Sixth Grade

Jiselle Osteboe, Eliza Westbrook, Avery Ramsey, Raygann Roark, Scarlett Hardie, Mackenzie Marr, Madeline Lane, Joseph Lintner, Annabelle Aloel, Samantha Kapke, Caeden Marshall, Killian O’Brien, Joei Sutton, Aiden Zeilbeck, Brianna Crawford, Gavin Knaus, Faith Ramsey, Max Tanner, Morgan Mann, Adalyn Ball, Ava Bruno, Kira King, Aubrey Allen, Remington Rich, Calla Brandon, Ella Lindenthaler, Dylan Schott and Dannika Sternlicht.

Seventh Grade

Jordanna Gagnon, Emma Hardy, Jordan Hobson-Kroll, Anna Thomason, Skylar Webb, Lynda Icenogle, Brianna Rice-Dietz, Sara Bellinsky, Russell Wood, Josue Lopez, Jax Wyka, Alexa Brandon, Joseph Morgan, Cheyanne Fejarang, Dusty LeBeau, Cheyanne Weger, Lili’Uokalani Cope, Dakota Cowles, Sterling O’Sullivan, Sophia Giuliano, Jesse McCurry, Conner Vincent, Haley Anderson, Garrett Adler and Ben Zeckser. 

Eighth Grade

Dominick Anderson, Hannah Donaldson, Aucklynne Sacco, Sasha Sonsino, Abby Smith, Sarah Lovett, Kade Copeland, Gracie Putman, Zac Gebhart, Trey Lindberg, Sierra Ramsey, Samantha Rust, Jesse McCurry, Skyley Ramsey, Bailey Bagwell, Kayla Marr, Camryn Ganz, Bryan Deckett and Jamison Lane.

Ninth Grade

Esme Halsted, Halle Yocum, Ashton Turkaley, Cassidy Wood, Meir Bellinsky, Lance Prewitt, Tristan Mitchner, Kennedy Perez, Callie Ralstin, Caleb Murphy, Madison Altman, Robert Grapes, Chris Pence, Katelyne O’Sullivan, Alice Rodriguez-Hemenez, Destany Garcia and Kendra Wenholz.

Tenth Grade

Damian Sonsino, Blake Boulter, Tristan Braning, Stephen King, Shane Wu, Archer O’Brien, Drake Hylton, Warren Hardman, Jasmine Crook-Arends, Nolan Lindberg, Katie Stanton, Dallas LeBeau and Casey Usnick.

Eleventh Grade

Bailey Hobson-Kroll, Claire Diekman, Jessica Wilhelm, Ashley Parkhurst, Alicia Johnson, Lena Warren, Samantha Smith, Joyce Jewell, Alyssa Webb, Sarah Trujillo, Seth Anto, Isabel Szucs, Kianna Negrete, Nicole Adams, Lodie Haagar, John Paul DeMarro, Jade King, Logan Pruitt and Mike Wenholz.

(Originally published in the June 6, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)