Michael Ray Fry 

I’m going to keep this short and sweet. Congratulations to all the senior class of 2020. I hope everyone stays safe. Thank you to all my family, friends, coaches, and teachers for being there for me. This has been one heck of a year. Good luck to everyone in their future plans.

Samantha Gabrielle Smith

 I’m beyond grateful to have gone to Gilpin since Kindergarten. Not only did all the teachers and staff help me through school and other situations, they are going above and beyond to make this different time extra special for all of the seniors. Although it’s sad that I don’t get to spend these last few months of high school with all of my friends, many of whom I’ve known since my Eagles Nest days, I am so glad I had the chance to spend up to 17 years with them. I will never forget all my high school memories. 

Being a part of the athletic program gave me some of my best memories in high school. Basketball was by far my favorite sport. I got to play, announce the home games, help manage, and have lots of fun with my best friends. All of the coaches I had, helped me grow as an individual and made me a better person. They all believed in me and helped me succeed outside of the classroom. I am so glad I got the opportunity to be a part of these teams (Track and Cross Country too) with great coaches and teammates. 

I will be attending Colorado Mesa University in the Fall to study nursing. I have always loved helping others and I look forward to the rest of my life doing so. 

The amount of people reaching out to me has been incredible. Parents, relatives, family friends, teachers, staff, and others in the community have all reached out in various ways to make me and the rest of this year’s graduating class feel extra special and remembered. 

Isabel Szucs

 My name is Isabel Szucs. I have attended Gilpin for the majority of my life. There have been many ups and downs, migrating between friend groups, and wonderful memories. I have known most of my classmates since we were in Girl Scouts, which I believe made us closer friends in the long term. 

I have gone through many changes while I’ve been at this school and I am grateful to all those who have helped me become a more confident young woman who is prepared to take on this next journey. My teachers have always supported me and pushed me to try harder, motivating me to go outside my comfort zone and reach for what I really want. I truly believe that Gilpin teachers are of the highest quality, unlike any other teachers I have encountered. They teach because they want to help students succeed, and they are always there to answer any questions. 

Although I am not an athlete, during my high school years I grew closer to all of our amazing teams. One year, I managed the volleyball team. I really got to see the true characters of those I already knew and see the strong bond between the teammates and coaches. I have bounced around a lot when it comes to activities. However, I have always found my nook in the theater department. I have been with the department since sixth grade, portraying a wide variety of characters. I found that with every character I became more confident in speaking up for myself both on stage and off stage. The memories, and undoubtedly hysterical moments, are just a few of the things I will treasure about my experience as a thespian. My director, cast, and crew have a special place in my heart as they largely contributed to shaping me into the person I am today. 

As I look forward to my future, I have to say I am forever grateful for all of the wonderful people in my life that have helped me get this far. My teachers, my director, castmates and crew, my friends, and my family. No matter what I wanted to try, they always supported me. I feel confident that I can take the lessons I have learned in high school with me throughout life, continuing to better myself as a person and learn from the future individuals I encounter. 

Jessica Wilhelm

I have attended Gilpin County School since I was in pre-school, and I can’t believe it’s finally coming to an end. While I will always appreciate the close-knit community Gilpin has to offer, I am so ready to spread my wings and be somewhere new.

I want to thank so many of my teachers for being such great influences on my life and for paving so many opportunities for my future. I also would like to recognize my coaches from over the years, especially Coach Shoe, Coach Alan, and Coach Brook, who all motivated me to do great things on the basketball court, but more importantly, motivated me to do great things off the court. I enjoyed every single moment of playing basketball for Gilpin, and I wouldn’t have traded the special moments with my teammates and friends for anything. Despite facing a huge injury that lasted from my sophomore to junior year, I was able to bounce back and have a great senior year with support from the entire community.

I will be continuing my education and studying Physical Therapy at Western Washington University in the fall. I am so excited to start this new chapter, and I’m grateful for all the people at Gilpin who helped shape me into the person I have become.

Alyssa Webb

Alyssa we are so very proud of you and who you have become. You have grown up so fast and surprised us every step of the way. We are very excited to see what you do next.

Alyssa has attended Gilpin County School since Kindergarten. She has encountered many things along the way. She had tried different things like basketball, cheerleading, soccer and the play. 

Her dreams of what she wanted to do in life have changed a few times from a veterinarian to an actress and now the medical field. She is so amazingly smart and we know that she will be amazing at everything she does. 

Alyssa was a lifeguard for the Gilpin County Rec Center for almost two years. Alyssa plans to attend Red Rocks Community College, then transfer to CU Boulder. She plans to study Pre-Med and then go to Medical School to become an Anesthesiologist. Alyssa says, “My time at Gilpin County wasn’t always the greatest but I feel it has prepared me for my future.”

(Originally published in the May 14, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)