Columbine High School senior Erin Baumgarten thanked math teacher Jean Coyne for believing in her and helping her to believe in herself at a recent Teacher Appreciation Dinner
By Babzanne Barker
Twenty-one graduating seniors in the Columbine area recently expressed thanks to a teacher, mentor, or coach who had inspired, encouraged, and motivated them at a Teacher Appreciation dinner sponsored by the Columbine Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
High School seniors who are members of the Columbine Stake were encouraged to invite a teacher or other role model who had affected their life in a positive way, and to present a personal tribute to them at the 19th Annual Teacher Appreciation Dinners, held April 13 and 14.
A special plaque was given to Columbine High School teacher Kiki Leyba for being honored for the tenth time. Chatfield Senior High School teacher Dale Clark—who had been previously recognized as a tenth time recipient—was acknowledged for being invited for the 14th time.
Columbine English teacher Kiki Leyba is acknowledged by LDS Church leader Rick Dubois for being invited to the Teacher Appreciation Dinner for the tenth time
It was a diverse group both evenings. Dakota Ridge senior Alexa Buchli said that basketball coach Melissa Ward taught her to be positive and smile when things got tough, as well as other lessons she could use both on and off the court. Following Alexa’s tribute, Captain Ward, a commercial pilot, had to leave for the airport as she was flying a plane later than night.
Teachers of almost every subject were joined by drama coaches, a Marine Corps recruiter, a school resource officer, Church leaders, a soccer coach, and even a husband and wife team who had taken a group of students on a humanitarian trip to Sierra Leone in West Africa last summer.
In honoring Hope and Les Law, Heritage High School senior Emily Beck said: “I’m excited to introduce you to the two coolest people I’ve ever met!” The Laws had traveled to Sierra Leone every summer for the past 50 years, even building a school several years ago with the help of the Heritage High School Community Relations Club. Emily fell in love with the people of Sierra Leone, describing them as “very poor, but very happy.”
Chatfield senior Christian Ure credited Church leader JT Bergstrom with helping him to get back on track after a rough sophomore year, especially thanking him for spending so much of his free time tutoring him. “I hope I can follow his example and try to be as good as he is.”
Columbine senior Erin Baumgarten said that math teacher Jean Coyne had made math fun, easy, and enjoyable, adding, “Thank you for believing in me and helping me believe in myself.”
Other seniors expressed their desire to someday become teachers themselves. Chatfield senior Hannah Donaldson honored World History teacher Michael Gordon: “He will always be one of the teachers I will strive to be like as I pursue my career in secondary education and I hope I’ll be half the amazing person and teacher he is.”
Senior Hannah Donaldson said that when she is a teacher someday she hopes to be half as amazing as Chatfield World History teacher Gordon Hoffman
Columbine High School senior Marissa Harris said of AP Geography teacher Amanda Cooke, “She taught us to always be as kind as you can be, and that no matter how hard things seem, they always get better.” Marissa hopes to return to Columbine as a psychology teacher and “live down the hall” from Ms. Cooke where they “can be best friends forever.”
Other comments made during the tributes included “She makes you feel you are the most important person in the world.” “He taught me that when you make a mistake you should move on and try not to make the same mistake again.” “She opened my eyes to things I didn’t know and made learning fun and entertaining.” “Every day when I wake up in the morning, his class is the one I’m excited to go to.”
Master of Ceremonies James Dean evoked laughter from those present when he said, “We know many of you go into teaching just for the money,” adding, “but once in a while it’s nice to get a little recognition.”
Dean thanked the teachers for being a light in a world that has many negative influences. “Please know you have made a difference, not just to these students, but to many, many students.”
Both nights the seniors began the program by singing “Peace in Christ.” They were directed by Craig Ellis and accompanied by Lori Despain.
After presenting their tributes, each student and teacher were photographed together by local photographer Amber Allen.
“Peace in Christ” was conducted by Craig Ellis and accompanied by Lori Despain
Senior Zac Meyer expressed appreciation to Chatfield Senior High School Spanish teacher Eva Poveda-Alonso
Master of Ceremonies James Dean greets Chatfield History teacher Wendy Ford, who was invited by senior Mason Simcox
In closing remarks, Church leader Rick Dubois said, “Loving teachers like you help our students to understand that it’s okay if people don’t think, or feel the way you do. You have given them safe places to talk about things that are really important to them. Thank you for touching their hearts. What we hope for our youth today is that they will find joy in life, and that they will seek to do good in the world as they follow the Savior Jesus Christ.”
In addition to those mentioned, others honored were Chatfield Senior High School teachers Mark Bergdale, Jessica Dixon, Wendy Ford, Stacy Keene, Matt Moore, and Eva Poveda-Alonso; Columbine instructors Maryann Kane, Jason Webb and Cristofer Welsh; and Two Roads Charter School teacher Lisa Potthast. Also invited were soccer coach Richard Casteel, Marine Corps Recruiter Staff Sergeant Benjamin Gutierrez, school resource officer Deputy David Bruening, and Church teachers Cari Cardon and Alex Heath.
Other seniors included Adam Bates, Isabella Beals, Lauren Goodwin, Maggie Goodwin, Rachel Goodwin, Katie Harvey, Jessica Laing, Rebekah Macias, Zac Meyer, Ariell Nemmers, Laura Prueitt, Aaron Ross, Hope Trapp, Gerrit VanBeuge, and Cami Wheeler.
Local school and community leaders attending Friday night were Jim Jelinek, Dakota Ridge HS principal; Scott Christy, Columbine HS principal; Dan Cohan, Jeffco Schools achievement director; Ron Mitchell, Jeffco Schools Board president and his wife Sheryl; and Tina Francone, Jefferson county commissioner.
Saturday night’s school and community leaders included Jeff Stephens, assistant principal at Chatfield Senior HS and his wife Tana; Scott Allensworth, Jeffco Schools achievement director and his wife Amy; and Tim Neville, Colorado State Senator, District 16, and his wife Barb.
