BLACK HAWK - The Gilpin County Education Foundation sponsored its annual scholarship dinner on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ameristar Hotel & Casino in Black Hawk.

This year’s scholarship dinner included a three-course meal and wine. Ameristar helped underwrite some costs, so the Foundation was able to keep ticket prices the same this year. All money raised from the annual Scholarship Dinner is granted to graduating seniors attending post-secondary schools.

Since 2012, the Foundation has given out more than $97,500 in scholarships to Gilpin County students.

As guests entered the event, each received a name tag with their name and table number, two raffle tickets, and a Bingo game. The goal of the Bingo game was to meet your fellow dinner guests while learning something interesting about them.

“Simply find someone in attendance that has done any of the items below and have them initial the square. You will receive one raffle ticket for every square you get someone’s initials,” the game instructions explained.

Foundation President Sarah Swanson welcomed everyone to the event. Most of the 100 seats in the room were full.

Swanson said the Foundation was created in 1994 to support the Gilpin County School District and all students in Gilpin County. Many of the Foundation Board members attended.

The Gilpin Education Foundation is run entirely by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of local Gilpin County residents representing a broad spectrum of industries including retail, sales, fundraising, law enforcement, education, insurance, and others.

Sarah Swanson is Board President; Sunshine Vincent, Vice President; Jennifer Ferrante, Treasurer; Kellie Bayne, Secretary. Board members include Kevin Armstrong, Rebecca Blondo, Jennifer Bowman, Victoria Edwards, Craig Holmes, Sarah Houpert, Jim Larson, David MacKenzie, Suzanne Murphy, and Barbara Thielemann.

Swanson also said she was grateful for the Scholarship Dinner sponsors, which included Ameristar Casino, Rudi’s Bakery, United Power, and FCTF. Area businesses also donated prizes for the raffle.

Then dinner was served. As dessert was served, teacher and Board member Sunshine Vincent introduced Jordanna Gagnon, 2024 Gilpin High School graduate and scholarship recipient. who is currently attending Colorado State University.

Vincent said Gagnon was class valedictorian and captain of the volleyball team. She was an active member in the National Honor Society and played basketball as well. “As a teacher and a coach, she has done incredible work.”

Gagnon said this event is so much more than fundraising. It opens doors for students.

“It has made a huge difference in my life,” she said. About 50 percent of college students think about dropping out because of the cost. With her scholarship, she can focus on getting her degree.

“I have the feeling of being supported at an important time of my life,” she continued. “My goals are within my reach.

“You are investing in the future and supporting the community. I was incredibly fortunate to grow up in Gilpin County. Thanks to all the donors. It has a $2,000 value,” Gagnon concluded.

Swanson noted that it costs $20,000 a year to go to college. Scholarships help students on their journey. They can use the funds for any part of their education.

The scholarship dinners are in their 13th year. This year, the deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, May 2.

Guests had the opportunity to fill out green cards on the table to make donations. “We cannot do it without you.” She commented that she and her husband give $1,000 annually.

Swanson, Vincent, and staff conducted the raffle and called out the winners for a variety of gift certificates, overnight stays, and even a round trip on Southwest Airlines.

Swanson introduced Justin Gold of Justin's Nut Butters as the keynote speaker. Gold originally launched Justin’s Nut Butters in 2004, selling his products at Boulder Farmers Markets. His company quickly grew when he became the only company in the United States selling single-serve packets of organic nut butters.

In 2016, he sold his company for millions of dollars and now serves to support other organic food companies.

Gold told the crowd that he dreamed of a product, Justin’s Nut Butters, as he grew up in Western Pennsylvania. “If it weren’t for financial aid, I wouldn’t have been able to go to Dickinson College in constitutional law,” he declared. As a senior, he worked for an environmental program and decided he didn’t want to practice law, but he got his degree.

Gold said he ended up in Boulder and became a vegetarian. “They have lots of natural products in Boulder,” he smiled. He performed experiments and was eating lots of peanut butter.

He went to the CSU library and did research. He said that at 23 years old he was interviewing executives. He raised $45,000 and launched a Farmer’s Market.

Then he went back to school. “Higher education helps you to know what’s out there,” Gold asserted. "I’m really amazed, and it’s a credit to you. Thanks for all the work you do.”

Right now Gold works for Rudi’s Bakery in a national food campaign.

Following the speech, the evening ended with an invitation to stay and chat—and turn in the donation cards.

Board member Jim Larson said he has been on the Gilpin County Education Foundation Board for 10 years. Both of his children graduated from Gilpin schools. “I enjoy it,” he said. “I like being with the school and giving the kids the money they can use.”

Swanson said the event raised $16,700, “one of our best years since its inception.”

For more information go to Gilpin County Education Foundation – Providing Enrichment Opportunities to Gilpin County Youth Since 1994.