Rayvaughn Amaya-Beard

Archer O’Brien, Gilpin County. Gilpin High School senior Rayvaughn Amaya-Beard is amiable and well-respected among his peers. His history with Gilpin is different than most having attended the school for a few years in elementary and then leaving only to come back for high school, adding up to a total of seven years spent at Gilpin County Schools. Rayvaughn’s mom currently works at the front desk for the school so it only makes sense for him to go to the same school that his mom works at. 

Rayvaughn is especially dedicated to the athletics programs at Gilpin and has participated in many of the sports for years. Football is the only sport he has participated in for four years in a row. He also participated in baseball for three years, basketball for two years, and track for two years. He said that aside from his mom, athletics are the other main reason he has remained at Gilpin. He will miss the sports the most when he graduates.

Physical education was one of his favorite classes as well and said one of his favorite teachers was the earlier P.E. teacher Mr. Moran. Rayvaughn did also enjoy the math classes at Gilpin, another one of his favorite teachers being Mrs. Blake who is a current math teacher at the school.

After high school, Rayvaughn will be attending Northeast Texas Community College to study Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement. “I am passionate about becoming a police officer and playing team sports,” he said and it’s clear he was telling the truth about both. 

Finally, Rayvaughn left a message for future Gilpin students telling them not to “slack off” and as long as “you put effort into your work and class” then the teachers will be “willing to work with you and help”.

Blake Boulter

Omayra Acevedo, Gilpin County. Blake Boulter has been attending Gilpin County since preschool. One of his fondest memories is when he got to play sports his freshman year with his older brother, Austin. It offered him the opportunity to learn from and look up to one of his brothers. Throughout his high school career, Blake has been active in football, basketball, track, baseball, the student council, interact and the National Honor Society. Upon graduating, he will be using his Daniels Fund and President’s Scholarships, as well as his experiences with AP classes and online college courses, to attend the Colorado School of Mines in Golden. 

Blake shares that being able to build relationships with friends and teachers has been one of the most important aspects of his childhood. Growing up in a small school gave Blake the ability to know and understand everyone as well as communicate with his teachers. What he will miss the most is playing sports with all of his friends. He has developed life-long friendships with his coaches and teammates. Blake shares that the memories he has made will be with him forever and understands that they are a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Blake’s favorite classes have been AP Calculus and AP Biology. “Mrs. Vanhoose, in AP Calculus, has taught me a lot about being a hardworking and dedicated student who can manage their time around a busy schedule. On top of that, I found that AP Biology, with Ms. Newman, broadened my spectrum of life in general.”

This is the advice Blake would like to offer students entering Gilpin County Schools, “Take advantage of the teachers and staff that are always willing to go above and beyond to help their students succeed. I also recommend not only being involved in sports but in student government and all other clubs that are offered.”

Blake also shared a few more people that have had a positive influence in his life. “I have looked up to my parents because they made me into the student I am today. They have shown me that with a lot of hard work, good time management skills, and a busy schedule, I can accomplish my goals. I have been lucky to have my dad at my side coaching me in football and always being there for me. My family has always been my biggest support system.” Congratulations Blake Boulter!

Stephen King

Stephen King says, “Covid has definitely made this year difficult. Nevertheless, it was an amazing year. I am honored to be graduating from Gilpin County Schools after attending for so many years. I have been here since kindergarten and have since encountered many ups and downs. It was an experience that taught me many valuable lessons that I can carry with me for the rest of my life. 

I want to recognize my friends who stuck by my side. If it wasn’t for them, I can’t imagine how high school would have been like. Not only did they make it tolerable, but they also made it fun. 

Thanks to the teachers for helping me progress to where I am now. They never gave up on me and were right there to support me if I needed anything. They helped me truly enjoy learning. 

Thanks to my coaches for being there for me inside and outside of sports. Their dedication and lessons have truly improved me as a person. 

Most importantly thank you to my family who supported me in all my endeavors. They never turned their back on me nor did they give up on me. They always pushed me to be a better person no matter what. 

I will be attending the Colorado School of Mines in the fall of 2021 to study Chemical Engineering. I am so grateful to have had this experience and although I’m sad it’s ending, it was worth every second. Thank you, Gilpin.”

Dallas LeBeau

Sara Sandstrom, Gilpin County. When Dallas LeBeau started preschool at Eagle’s Nest Early Learning Center in Gilpin County I wonder if he brought his skis and his baseball glove. Equipment for his two favorite sports. Two sports that have turned into passions.  

Dallas has been attending Gilpin County Schools since those early days at Eagle’s Nest. He will be graduating from Gilpin High School this month. 

While in elementary school he enjoyed the Halloween carnivals, winter concerts, Miller Farms, Little League (with his dad coaching), recess and lunch. As you can see these are all activities that require movement and some risk taking. Dallas does not shy away from an action packed situation.

In high school Dallas played baseball for the Gilpin Eagles. He is a pitcher, second baseman and short-stop. He is a versatile player and quick on his feet. Win or lose, he enjoyed the game. When asked what he will miss most about high school he said baseball and his friends, of course.

When it came to classes in high school he enjoyed physical education, art, financial literacy and, like in elementary school, lunch. 

Dallas points out that teachers Darren Newberg, Aaron Moran and Mrs. Van Hoose all helped him be successful. Dallas said this about Tony Lorenz, his former baseball coach, “He had a very positive influence on me, as well as the entire baseball team, both on and off the field.”

Now about those skis mentioned in the first paragraph. Dallas LeBeau is a skier. A sport that came to him through his mom and grandfather. Dallas is not just a guy who enjoys hitting the slopes on the weekends and over the winter holiday. He is not the guy that goes over a little jump here and there. Dallas is a self proclaimed daredevil. 

Dallas’ parents had him on skis in the driveway before he could walk. He was skiing at the resorts, mostly Winter Park, by the age of five. He started participating in the Winter Park Competition Center when he was 10. There he started competing on jumps and rails. Recently he transitioned to competing for the IFSA (International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association). 

He is a Slopestyle and Big Mountain skier. Dallas skis the terrain parks like you see on the X Games and he skis the steepest areas of the mountains doing jumps off rocks. 

Dallas is going to continue with competitive skiing after high school and hopes to compete at the international level. He looks forward to the day when he will be skiing in Japan, Chile and in the French and Swiss Alps. Slopestyle and Big Mountain skiing is thrilling and, simply put, fun for Dallas. 

In the next few years watch for the name Dallas LeBeau as you watch the X Games or a film about Big Mountain skiing. Dallas is a young man who has lived in Gilpin County his entire life and plans to live his dream catching big air on the mountains and terrain parks around the world.  

(Originally published in the May 6, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)