Supporting education in Gilpin County: Four ladies support the foundation. From left, Dorothy Sweet, Sierra Simpson, Cairey Viagra and Jo Ann Kerr. PHOTO BY ANNE SCARFFE[/caption]

The Gilpin County Education Foundation hosted a scholarship dinner at Ameristar Casino and Hotel in Black Hawk on April 22, 2023, at 6 p.m. Upon registering at a table manned by Barbara Thielman and Kellie Bayne, guests received a bingo game with graphics on a sheet of paper.

The objective was to get someone to sign on for an activity such as “Caught a Fish” or “Went through the Moffat Tunnel.” Those who completed the game received tickets for a raffle. They could place their tickets in a bowl before each item available for the silent auction.

Items included an Amazon gift card for $20, two e-bike rides from Basin & Bend, $25 for Mountain Poppy, $50 in gas from Circle K, Saratoga Casino for $50, JKQ barbecue for $50, an overnight stay Horseshoe Casino, two gift baskets full of bread and food and a gift certificate for $150, $100 from Southwest Airlines and four Rockies tickets.

Gilpin County Education Foundation President Sarah Swanson thanked everyone for coming. About 90 people attended the event. “It is amazing how this group is tonight.”

Dinner was served at about 6:30 p.m. with salad, chicken, potatoes and green beans.

After dinner, Swanson said she moved to Gilpin County 11 years ago and then found the Gilpin County Education Foundation, and it was the first year of the scholarship dinner, so she decided to help.

So far, the Foundation has given away $70,000 in scholarships to Gilpin County School students. She thanked the Horseshoe Casino, United Power, the Allen Green Foundation which awards scholarships to Gilpin County students, a $5,000 grant from Mount Thomas Education Fund which will be used for scholarships and early childhood education and to be sure every student can participate in sports, Ameristar Hotel did not charge a fee for the room and provided dinner at a lower cost.

Former Gilpin County School student Halle Yokum spoke and said she is attending the University of Colorado in Boulder after graduating from Gilpin High School last year. She is working on a degree in physiology, nutrition and human biology.

She is also working on a minor in Chinese languages. The scholarship from the Foundation helped her to buy a laptop, which has been critical to her education.

She said that tuition is expensive, and she has been taking 16 credit hours.

It takes a lot of time and effort. Her chemistry course is one of the hardest classes at the University, she said.

“It has been an amazing experience, and I’ve met a lot of people.”

Swanson said the Foundation cares about students in Gilpin County. Scholarships provide from $1,000 to $2,000, but everyone who applies receives some money.

Swanson announced that the $10,000 has been received tonight. She and her husband will give $1,000 and ask attendees to make up another $3,000 to pay for the dinner and hotel.

The prizes were then awarded and those holding tickets that matched the drawing received the item.

Jason Luber with Channel 7 in Denver spoke and said he is the morning traffic reporter for the station. He was supposed to be at the dinner three years ago, and then the pandemic shut down the hotel.

His daughters are participating in baton twirling competitions, so he has been in Omaha, Nebraska. He gets up at 2:30 in the morning to go to work. There is no traffic at that time except for me and the cops and the drunks.

“You learn to live with your schedule,” he said. He started his career when he wanted to be on the radio. He had doubts when he was in college and changed his major several times.

Growing up, he attended five schools in 10 years before moving to Atlanta.

In 1993, he worked for Domino’s Pizza in Mile High Stadium. He became a manager and learned all of the streets in Denver.

He said students should take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way. He finally ended up at KOA radio station. Then he went to work for Channel 7 doing traffic and the experience he had with Domino’s taught him all the streets and backways.

“I’m doing a job I truly love. Whatever you focus on grows. And give thanks and share what you have.”

The dinner ended with folks meeting and the last awards given out. To make a donation or further information, go to Gilpin County Education Foundation – Providing Enrichment Opportunities to Gilpin County Youth Since 1994.

For more information, check out gilpineducationfoundation.org.