By Olivia Johnson
The
DailyRecord
The F.E.W.
Fremont’s Exceptional Women
APartofthe FEW
Communities rely on various organizations,businessowners, and nonprofits to function and thrive. Since2017, aspecial niche of luminaries has emerged and local leaders have come together to honor them, the greatwomen, of FremontCounty
On Friday, people from all walks of lifeconverged to honor these women at the seventh annual Fremont’sExceptional Women Banquet
“[These women] arebold.They have changedthe worldfor themselves and for others.They have made apermanentmarkontheir families,their friends,and their community. They have changedthe worldfor the better,righthereinFremont County,”said eventemcee Debbie Bell.“They include wonderful wives, marvelous moms,superbsisters,delightful daughters,great givers,and virtuous volunteers.” Dozens of nominations streamed into the F.E.W. Boardthroughout the summer and afterpainstaking review and discussion, 15 outstanding ladies were selectedfor final consideration in five categories each named affectionately afteraFremontCounty lady who leftanindelible markon her community--byapanel of judges from the Mariposa Center forSafetyin Pueblo The five tophonorees were Kassidee West,Janet GunkelRisingStar Honoree; Nancy Jensen, Minnie Harding Overcoming AdversityHonoree; Delores Comstock,Ruth Carter ExcellenceinCharacter; Millie Wintz, Cara Fisher CommunityServiceHonoree; and Tara Kane,Norma Hatfield Professional AchievementHonoree West,arecentgraduate from FlorenceHigh School,servedinamyriad of roles while in high school.Honor roll student, topathlete, Head Girl, and FutureBusiness Leaders of America participantwerejust some of the wordstodescribe her high school career
However, her hearttruly belongs to the FutureFarmers of America program. She servedinmanyleadership roles during her six years of membership--eachofwhich showedadeep love of agricultural education.
In August,West wasone of manyFFA and 4H members who were slatedtosay
goodbye to their belovedlivestock and poultryduring the100th FremontCounty Fair and Rodeo Livestock sale.Though manytears were shed thatday as children wavedgoodbye to their belovedanimals,West spentthe dayforging aunique bond with alocal boybornwith physical disabilities and one of the goats she had raised
“This particular goatwas Kasidee’s favorite,and it washeaded to the auction block
But Kassidee decided on the spot -instead of selling her goat, she asked the boy’s family if she could give it to him to keepasapet,”Bell said as she introduced West to the gathered crowd.
Though she’s moving onto the next phase of her life, West has aspecial appreciation forthose who propelled her to whereshe is today.
“Myparents have blessed me by making surethatIhaveevery opportunityinlife andallowing me to seek opportunityand try,”West said Theother tophonorees in the Janet GunkelAward forRisingStar were Maya Guzman-Narvaez, Savanna Lynch, and JadeThompson. ForJensen, recovery is not just aword, but away of life.
“Recoveryisgaining controloverthe direction thatyou want your lifetogo, not the
direction thatyour mental illness wantsyou to go,”she said about her ownjourney
“You can have alifebecause youcan controlyour life.
With ahistoryofmanydifferentforms of abuse,Jensen ultimately found herself in residenceatKaufman House in Kansas,whereillegal and heartbreaking abuses occurredfor severaldecades
Jensen wasthe first to reportthe Kaufmans and their abuse of countless clients and, though it took years,ultimately attained justicewhen the center wasshut down and the Kaufmans were incarceratedfor the rest of their lives
Since2005, she has served as the executivedirectorofCaring Place, Inc.,asa
boardmember of theKansas Consumer Advisory Council forAdult Mental Health, advocated forlawstoprevent futureabuse and neglectinfuturemental health scenarios,and has worked at the Self Help Networkand Center forCommunity Supportand Research at Wichita StateUniversity.
She also servedasacertified peer specialist and peer trainer from 2008-2013 and wasawarded the SubstanceAbuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s VoiceAward in 2006 and the Training and Advisory SupportCenter’sAdvocacy Award in 2014for her incredible work in bettering the field of mental health
“This is such an honor coming from my hometown,”Jensen said.“Iwanttogivea message to all of us to listen to those thatcome to youand saythere’ssomething going on please check it out.
Theother tophonoree in the MinnieHarding Awardfor Overcoming Adversitywas Olga Brown.
At 81,Comstock is far from done making her mark in FremontCounty
Inadditiontoworking as aFremontCounty paraprofessional fornearly 30 years, tutoringatafter-school clubs, andworking in children’s ministries,Comstockhas spentmorethan 60 yearsasastaple of localvolunteerism. She has volunteered with 4-H, youth developmentprograms, FremontCounty Fair Board--several of which she has served in leadership roles -and continues to defy the march of time
Countless generations of FremontCounty students, 4-Hers,and fair-goers have been impactedbyComstock’s selfless work something thatcomes from the bottom of her heart.
“I would like to thank all of the people who have helpedmealong the way,
Comstocksaid simply
Theother honoreesfor the Ruth Carter AwardinExcellenceinCharacterwereKelly
Cosper and Trudy Gagas
Another oldie butgoodie, Wintz, is well into her 90sbut continues to defythe adages of oldage with her work in multiple preservation efforts in FremontCounty She belongs to nearlyevery preservation effortinFremontCounty andreliesdually on her background of ceiling-smashing in the architecturalworld and her love of historic buildings to remember FremontCounty’s faded butinvaluable past Wintzwas instrumental in opening the FlorenceArchives in 2012 and can be found volunteering at the Bell Towerand at the Pioneer Park Farmer’s Market in the summers She has also wonthe prestigious DocLittle Memorial and FlorenceOutstanding Citizen of the Year Award.
“This awardisverybackward,”Wintz said.“Because,iftherewas no community, there would be no communityservice.
Kane’s dedication continues to raise domestic violence awareness
By Carie Canterbury
The DailyRecord
When Tara Kane began her work in thedomestic violence field,she had no idea it would take her on a nearly 30-year journey
Forher,it’snot ajob.It’sa passion.
Aftergraduating college whereshe double majored inpsychology and sociologywith an emphasis in criminology,Kane,53, heard about a part-time position available at Tu Casa, Inc. in Alamosa. She quickly became the assistantdirectorofthe domestic violence/sexual assault crisis center thatservedsix counties in the SanLuis Valley.
It wastherethatsomuch of the foundation of my philosophyand dedication waslaid,”she said During her six years there, she helped establish the SanLuis Valley Anti-ViolenceCoalition,a multidisciplinaryteam working together against domestic violenceand sexual assault
“Fromthis team, we established twolaw enforcementtraining teams,one fordomestic violence investigations and one forsexual assault investigations,”she said.“Iwas partofthe team training lawenforcementondomestic violence.
Thecoalition wasrecognized by the Colorado Regional CommunityPolicing Instituteasa“Best Practices”collaboration forthe StateofColorado
While at Tu Casa, Kane also helped develop amodel prevention education programfor youth. Additionally,beforethe Domestic ViolenceOffender Management Boardwas created, she wasthe Chair of the 12th Judicial DistrictDomestic Violence Board. Their jobs were oversightand certification of perpetrator treatmentproviders in the 12th JD
When thelegislatureonthese boards sunset,she was then partofthe statewide collaborativegroup that developed the DVOMB Kane also servedonthe boardfor whatisnow ViolenceFreeColorado,formerly knownasthe Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence, for four years
She has provided nonprofitboardtraining forother
area nonprofits and has been certified in RioGrande, Alamosa,Costilla and Fremontcounties as an expert witness fordomestic violencetrials
In 2002, aftersix years at the organization in Alamosa, Kane movedtoFremontCounty to be the Executive Directorand Victim AdvocateatFamily Crisis Services Inc.
“I didn’t know anybody here, Ihad recently become asingle mom, Ihad just gonethrough adivorce,”she said.“Imoved here cold just because Icouldn’t get this work out of my system.”
During her interview,she immediately recognized the potential forFCSI. One year aftershe washired, construction on the organization’s building was completed.Ithousesanemergencyshelter,aswell as officesfor FCSI.
Off and on through the years, Kane has offereda strong prevention education programinlocal schools She workswell with agencies, but her focus has always been on the individual who walks through the door
“These arethe strongestpeople I’ve ever met,”she said.“They don’t know it,but Iknowthatthey’vebeen through so much beforetheyevercome through our doors.Beforethey have ever reached out forany help, they have already implementedsurvival strategies thattheydon’t even know aresurvival strategies.”
Beginningin2007, FCSI has hosted one of the state’s largest Take Back the Nightmarches and has implementedthe Prison Rape Elimination Act program. An advocate is dedicated to correctional facilities and they have anew sexual response coordinator.
“Wehavesomuch potential nowbecause we have the most amazing staff rightnow,”Kane said.“We have an unstoppable team.”
Themost satisfying partofdoing whatshe does is watching people have that“lightbulb moment.”
“Towatchthemstarttorealizethatthey actually dohavevalue and worth, and realizetheir opinion actually matters and they canmake decisions,thatis the most rewarding piece,”she said During the last 22 years, Kane attempted to retirea
couple of times,but this work is simply in herblood She wasonly completely gonefor twoyears
During her time away from FCSI from 2009 to 2011, Kane homeschooled twoofher children. She and her husband have four grownchildren and two grandchildren. They also ended up being accidental foster parentsa couple of times in the last 10 years
They areproud parentsoftwo Bengal catsand an adorable two-year-old PartiPoodle who accompanies her to work,asshe nowworks withadisability, multiple sclerosis
Being nominated forthe FEW’sProfessional Achievementcategorywas humblingand surprising, she said
“I don’tlike the spotlight; I’drather highlightmystaff and the amazing jobs thatthey aredoing,”Kane said.“I can tell youwhatI enjoyabout this work,Ican tell you whatIbelieveinwholeheartedly aboutthis work,but I don’tlike the spotlight.
‘Blessed
By Carie Canterbury The DailyRecord
to work in this beautiful placewith greatpeople’
Peggy Gair had manyjobs in varying fields beforeshe became an integral part of the Royal GorgeBridge and Park’s management team for almost 25 years
Gair,71, movedtoCañon City from Colorado Springs when she and her husband bought an autosupply storein1989. Before that,she startedasamagazine editor straightout of college,worked in public relations foralarge firm in Minneapolis,operatedamarketing firm from her ranch, and then married andstarted afamily
As her children grew older,she substitutetaught forthe Cañon City School Districtfor about six years in the early 1990s.Fromthere, she catapulted into anew position as theSchool to Work AllianceProgram coordinator, working withthe Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to help find jobs forindividuals 16 –24years old with mild disabilities.
Afterthree years,she became theHuman Resource Manageratthe RoyalGorge Bridge and Park on Jan. 14, 2000.
“I wastheir first HR managerever,”Gair said.“The managers used to hiretheir own, so that cracked me up.”
In 2004, she movedintoadual role as manager of HR and public relations
“I probably helpedhireover250, 275 people to run the park,”she said.“At thattime, we were the largest employerofyouth betweenthe ages of 14 and17.”
Gair kept busy with all the HR functions,aswell as overseeing marketing budgets,advertising, social media, large eventsand photography. In 2013, the parkwas closed afterawildfire
swept through andburnednearly all the structures
“During thattime,Iwas frequently thevoice of the parkduring local and national media coverage,providing updates,”she said.“Iwas partofthatteamthatwas here to help rebuild the park.I alwayslook on thatasone of the pinnacles of my career,being able to do that.”
During hertime at the RoyalGorge,Gairhas worked,orcurrently works, extensivelyonmany boards and committees in varying capacities across the community and the region. She has satonthe UpperArkansas WorkforceBoard, Colorado RuralWorkforce Consortium, Pueblo Community College AdvisoryBoard,Colorado WorkforceDevelopmentCouncil -agovernorappointedposition, FremontCounty Tourism Council and Region 13.
“I am very grateful to the companybecausethey have let me serve the communities and the rural areashere,”she said
In 2021, Gair hassolely been theHRmanager “Everybody keepsaskingwhenIamgoing to retire, andIkeep sayingnot yet,”she said.“I’m not ready to quit working.I’m notready to give up the ship.Thereare some days Ifeel like Icould go out andget another college education or start another career,eventhough Iloveithere.”
When asked whather favorite partofher job is,it didn’t take Gair long to answer
“I love the park, Ilovethe tourism industry, Ilove coming up hereevery day, Ijust like being part of this team,”she said.“Iworkinone of the most beautiful places in the world, and I’mprettysure that’swhy I’ve been here24years now. Youdrive up Highway50and youhit EightMile Hill and yousee the mountain ranges,you can startto see the gorge.Ifeel like I’ve been reallyblessed to work in this beautiful placewith greatpeople.” Gair and her husband,Rod,havebeen married for40years.They have twogrown daughters In her free time,she enjoys watching football, walking,reading and serving on boardsand commissions.
She said being nominatedfor Fremont’s Exceptional Women’s Professional Achievement categorywas asurprise and an honor
“You reallydon’t think people arelooking,you don’t expectthem to look,but Iamgrateful to the communityfor letting me do all this stuff,” she said.“Iamverygrateful to my employerfor giving me the timetodothis.Ifeel like when youare givenanopportunity, youneed to take advantage of it -and forthose young people out looking forjobs,ifyou can create your own opportunity, do it.”
Kennedystill has that passionfor learning
By Carie Canterbury
The DailyRecord
Kathleen Kennedy has alwayshad asense of dedication to children and apassion forlearning
In elementaryschool,Kennedy,65, servedasa kindergartenclassroom aid beforemoving on to teach preschool forher church. She babysit forseveral children while in middle school andhigh school
Afterattending college,Kennedy worked in construction and banking andeventually owned her ownrestaurant. She married,moved to Colorado and began raising afamily
Onceher children were old enough to attend Florence ElementarySchool,Kennedy volunteered at the school and got involved as the Reading is Fundamental coordinator.
“Thatwas reallyfun because it waskids and it was literacy,”she said.“Istartedwith being able to provide books to kids from kindergartentothirdgrade.Bythe end of the first year,because we did book fairs,every
kidfromkindergartentosixth gradegot afreebook three times ayear.”
As her children grew,Kennedy went back to owning businesses in Florence. But afterwinding roadsand side tracks, lifeeventsled her back to the field of early childhood education.
She spentseven years working at Kinder Haus before working in home visitation and being ananny. She lovedbeing in the classroom but discovered she also enjoyed the administrativerole in early childhood education and helping families directly.
Thelast 10-15 years of her career have been centered around the earlychildhood council
Kennedyworkedfor Starpointfor nearly 18 years beforebecoming the SpecialProjects Manager for Echo and Family Center Early Childhood Council two years ago
Circling back to her love forreading and desirefor childrentohaveaccess to books,she helped launch DollyParton’sImagination Librarylast year.Todate, 921 children have been enrolled in the program, which is open to children from birth to their fifthbirthday.
In addition to getting books into children’s hands Kennedyhas satonavarietyofboards and committees,operates her ownpublishing company and is an activemember of Rotary
Kennedyisthe mother of three grownchildren and one stepson. She enjoystraveling,crafting photography, junk journaling,sewing,creating 12thscale miniature projects,authoring children’s books, volunteering with Nature’sEducators and participating in theSouthernColoradoCommunityBand
In November,she will perform tworolesin“Mary Poppins”atthe Rialto Theater.
“That’spartofwhy IamwhereIam-Isay yesto
everyopportunitysomeone throwsmyway,”she said “What’sthe worst thatcan happen? We can succeed or maybe it doesn’t work andthat’sOK, too. Iwas always willing to take achance.
She says yestoevery opportunitybecause it offers chances to expand andgrow.
“Sometimes that’sscary and sometimes it’s actually perfect,”she said.
Her desireisfor children to have thoseopportunities, as well
“I just want our kids to have as much opportunityas they can to learnand find what their path is goingto be,”she said.“Themorethingschildren can explorein their education alone,the better chance they have in picking apaththatsuitsthem.
Being nominatedfor the FEW’sProfessional Achievementcategorywas humbling,she said,but a lovely surprise
“I am really humbled andexcited to be in this group of all of these other women whoare beinghonored this year andall the women whohavecome thesix yearsbefore,”she said.“Youdon’t startout expecting someonetosee what you’re doing -you justdoyour thing. It needstobedone and it’s important.
Comstock adds FEW honor to long list of accolades
By Sarah Brunski
The Daily Record
Delores Comstock has made such a positive impact on local residents that in 2013, the Fremont County Commissioners named a day after her
Oct 8 2013 was proclaimed as “Delores Comstock Day”
This year, she reached another milestone by being inducted into the Fremont Hall of Fame, which recognizes those who make Fremont County a better place
Now, Comstock is being recognized once again – she was the winner of the Fremont Exceptional Women’s Ruth Carter Award for Excellence in Character
Comstock, who has lived in the area for much of her life, is widely known across the county for her 61 years of dedication to Fremont
County 4-H, where she saw generations of residents grow up
As a leader in 4-H, Comstock, who is also the vice president of the Fremont County Fair Board, assists members with a wide range of projects, from general exhibits to livestock and small animals
“My favorite part of 4-H is watching the difference the program can make in the lives of children and how they grow,”she said, adding that she plans to continue volunteering “as long as her health holds out”
Her 4-H journey began in childhood, when her parents who were also leaders in the program enrolled her Comstock and her late husband, Gene passed their passion for 4-H on to their children, Randy and Tami, who also enjoyed participating Randy then passed his love for the program to his own children
Comstock doesn t just volunteer for 4-H however She is an active member of her church, and assists with the childrens nursery, children’s ministry and Awana
She said it s a blessing to be able to spend so much time at her church helping children
Comstock also contributes to the community in other ways – she has been a paraprofessional at the Cañon City School District for three decades
(My favorite part of it) is working with the children, and hopefully making life better for them, she said
When not volunteering or working, Comstock enjoys spending time with her family and reading “something light and relaxing”
Comstock is thankful she was able to raise her family in Fremont County
“I think it’s a wonderful county for young people to grow up in, she said It is still small enough that it feels personal, although, unfortunately like every place else is changing as far as society goes”
Comstock is humbled and honored to be a FEW nominee
“One reason I feel that I’ve been able to do what I’ve been able to do is because of the people I have had the honor of working with both through the school district and through the 4-H program,”she said
Cosper’s caring natureisevidentineverything she does
By SarahBrunski
The DailyRecord
Cañon City residentKelly Cosper extends her nurturing spirit far beyond her own family,enriching the livesofhundreds of students and school facultyand staff with her compassion.
AndCosper’s caring natureisevident even afterthe school bellrings
“I like to connectwiththe students and betherefor them, when they maynot haveany family present,”said Cosper,the executiveassistantatCañon City Middle School and anominee forthe Fremont Exceptional Women’s Ruth Carter Award for ExcellenceinCharacter.“I liketobe at band concerts,sporting events, choir concerts,drama productions,dances and anything else thatstudents arepart of. This lets students know thatIsee the amazing things they aredoing,and Icare about each of them.”
Having attended Cañon City Middle School herself,Cosper cherishes the opportunitytowatch sixth-graders grow upand become moreconfident.
“I have so manygreat memories of growing up in Cañon City and continue to make new ones as Igrowolder and watch all the students come in and out of the middleschool,”Cosper said.“Ihavebeen able to watch so manyofthem graduate fromcollegeand starttheir ownfamilies
hereinCañonCity.”
As partofher daily job duties,Cosper manages the middle school budget, assists with teachers’classroomneeds, oversees spending codes,arranges and supportssubstituteteachers and handles anyother duties assigned by the principal
It doesn’t stop there, however. Cosper also takes on tasks outsideher official responsibilities to brightenthe lives of her work family
“Myfavoritethings to do arethe little things forstaff, providing little treats to make them know howmuch we appreciate them,”Cosper said.“Ibake them cookies and decorateclassrooms for their birthdays, give them some TLCwhen they arenot feeling well.(Ialso)organize potlucks,picnicsand other activities for staff to connectwitheach other.”
Cosper,who has twodaughters, one a senior in high school and the other a teacherinColorado Springs,said her husband, her parents, her friends and manypeople in the communitylookout forone another –and that’swhatshe likes most about living here.
“Cañon City maynot have alot of things thatthe bigger towns do,but we have some of the best people,”she said “Iamsothankful Iwas able to raise my children here.”
When Cosper isn’t at work or aschool function, Cosper thrives on quality family time
“Anytime Ican be around my family, Ihavethe best time Ican ever imagine,” she said
Cosper feels grateful forher FEW nomination
“It’ssuch an honor,”she said.“It was prettyoverwhelming to hear it,and it wasdefinitely something thatIwasn’t expecting.”
The Ruth Carter Excellence in Character Honoree Delores Comstock addresses the crowd at the seventh annual F E W Banquet on Friday (Olivia Johnson/The Daily Record)
Gagas workscountless hours to benefitveterans
By Olivia Johnson
The DailyRecord
Trudy Gagas grew up surroundedbymilitarymembers, particularly an AirForce father,and she eventually found herself apartofthe militaryinvarying ways over the next several decades
Gagas movedtoColorado Springs with her family as a child and,alongsideabrother and sister,attended Coronado High School in 1980
Just three months aftergraduating,Gagas leaped into the AirForce (and eventually Army Reserves) something she’d dreamtofdoing sinceshe wasjust 16 yearsold
“Mydad wasinthe AirForce and Isaw thatitgavehim a really good life--Ialso wanted to make my dad proud,” she said
Aftercompleting boot camp in Texas,she spentjust under three years as an active-dutyAir Forceservicewoman as a material handlingspecialist.She wasdischarged in 1983 afterreceiving orders to serve overseas and, at 5months pregnant, opted to leave activedutymilitaryservice.
Her daughters,Kimberly,Michelle, and Samantha were borninthe following years and,by1998, she found herself back in Colorado
In 2001, she took ajob as astationaryengineer at NORAD near Colorado Springs.The family movedtoPenrose in 2006 and Gagas waspromoted to asupervisoryposition.
“I wasthe first woman to ever be asupervisor at the Cheyenne Mountain powerplant,”she said
In 2011, Gagas transitioned to civilserviceand servedat NORADuntil January2022.
Despiteretiring from her work at NORAD, Gagas leaped into multiple efforts within FremontCounty that each playedtothe manyskills she’d developed during the past several decades
She currently workswith her husband,Dale,and Kimberly, atColorado Lifestyle Properties and Rentals andisalso a co-collaborator in Monarch Aussies Kennels and raising Australian Shepherds
Her true heartproject, however, lies with thecommunity of veterans that pepper FremontCounty
In May2022, she became theMilitaryAdvocate and chairman of Volunteers forMcCandless Veterans Home for theFlorenceElk’s Lodge No.611 and has been apartof the Elks Grand Lodge formanyyears
“Ilovegoing there[thenursinghome]. We have pizza parties,webring them donuts,we’ve savedupenough to takeprime ribupthere,”Gagassaid
Alongtimelover of art, Gagas has hosted artclasses at the nursing homeand,due to her backgroundofbeing born and raised in the military, hasfoundher niche.
“I have apassionfor helpingveterans and theElks have alot of outletstomake that happen,”she said.“We take veterans shopping,particularly homeless veterans
Everybody thinks it’s nicethatI go up therebut it does more formethan anything it’s rewarding to see those people smile and know that people aregoing up to that nursing homeother than Christmas and Veterans Day.”
Alongside 52 residents,Gagashas organized countless parties and events including the construction of waisthigh planters in 2023 and newbirdhouses in 2024. Her innovativeprojects lend avibrantnew lifefor the veterans at the nursing homeand she continues to strive
to develop new programs and pursue grants thatwill support those programs
Gagas also organizes regular craftdaysfor the residentsas well as deliveryofroutine special meals each of which is designed to make the veterans feel lovedand appreciated.
Her current projectinvolves building atrain trackin conjunction with amodel train group
“I like to ask the residentswhatthey like the music class wastheir idea, the birdfeeders were their idea,”she said Gagasalsoworks to activelybring youth into thenursing home as it’s both arejuvenatingexperiencefor the veterans as it is educational forthe youngsters “It’ssogood forthe kids,”shesaid.“It’s really good forthem to work with the residents--kids need to work with older age groups.”
In addition to working countless hours with Fremont County’s veterans,Gagas also leads an active, healthy outdoor lifestyleand enjoys roughing it in the area’s numerous hikingtrails andvenues
Jensen an example of strength and perseverance
By Olivia Johnson
The Daily Record
It’s rare forsomeone to enterahome as one person and leave as another but it’s an unearthlyexperiencethatNancyJensen has lived not once, but twice.
Jensen bounced between Colorado,Kansasand Oklahomaasshe grew up all the while suffering avarietyofabuses and it wasa journey thatwould foreverchange her life.
In 1984, she found herself in Newton, Kansas,whereshe was eventually placed in agroup home called Kaufman House.Now knownnotoriously as ahouse of horror, Kaufman House wasrun by Arlan and Linda Kaufman and wasanunlicensed sortof“halfway house”for recently released institutionalized people who suffered frommental illnesses
Originally referred to achurch-supportedcentercalled Prairie View, Inc.,Jensen’s therapist recommended she go to Kaufman House. “They thoughtitwould be good formebecause Iwould be with people my ownage in ahousehold setting,”Jensen said So,Imoved in.
“He [Arlan] did horrible things to his patients,”she added quietly Though she wasonly thereayear,Jensen suffered mental, emotional,and physical abuse at the hands of the Kaufmans “Therewerethings he [Arlan] wanted me to face--thatI should never get married,thatIshouldnever have ajob,thatIshould never have achild,thatIshould never go to achurch because I’ll burnout of achurch it’s like he wasthe only help,only hope [for me],”she said
She tried to blowthe whistle.She reportedthe abuse to her local church, Adult ProtectiveServices,and mental health centers, where shewas ignored,and she leftKaufman House worse than she’d entered.
But thatwould not alwaysbethe case
Though it took 20 years,vindication and justicewereinstore for Jensen and she servedapivotal role in serving the latter to the Kaufmans
Aftergetting married,having her son, and facing significantmental health struggles,Jensen received acall while living in Cañon City in 2005.
TheKaufmans had been arrested
“Every couple times amonth, aU.S. Marshalwould call me and ask mequestions about the house or questions about the people that lived there. and Iwould sharelike it wasyesterday,”Jensen said For the first time,Jensen wassharing her storywith people who not only believed her,but needed her
In the fall of 2005, she returned to Kansas whereshe wasthe first victim to testify against the Kaufmans during their federal criminal trial
“I laid the foundation of howitwas in 1986 and,iftheyhad believed me in 1986, thennone of these other horrible,horrible things would have happened,”she said “I didn’t really know Iwas being an advocate, Iwas just tellingmy story,”she added.
Jensen’s testimonywas furthervalidated by the Kaufman’s subsequentincarceration forthe remainder of theirlives
ForJensen, the fightwas far from over Since2005, she has servedasthe ExecutiveDirectorofCaringPlace, Inc.,asa boardmember of the Kansas Consumer AdvisoryCouncil forAdult Mental Health, advocated forlawstoprevent futureabuse and neglectinfuturemental health scenarios,and has worked at the Self Help Network and Center forCommunitySupportand Research at Wichita StateUniversity.
She also servedasacertified peer specialist and peer trainer from 2008-2013and wasawarded the SubstanceAbuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s VoiceAward in 2006 and the Training andAdvisorySupportCenter’sAdvocacyAward in 2014 for her incredible work in betteringthe field of mental health.
“Recoveryisgaining controloverthe direction thatyou want your lifetogo, not the direction thatyour mental illness wantsyou to go,” she said abouther ownjourney.“You canhavealifebecause you cancontrol your life.”
In 2014, she wasinvited to speak to Washington D.C., whereshe spoke in frontofacongressional subcommittee thatquestioned the vitalityofProtection &Advocacyfor Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) programs throughoutthe country. View Jensen’s talk here https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=AJRVqCfne6U
“Itwas PAIMI who shutdownKaufman [House],”she said.
“They helped me find ajob and find housing...I spoke to the subcommittee about my lived experience.
In 2023,she wasthe keynotespeaker at the Kansas Consumer AdvisoryCouncil ForAdult Mental Health conferenceand has spoken at countless campuses and conferences about the vitalityof healthy, monitoredmental health sites.
Theyear 2023 proved to be apenultimate year forJensenasshe movedback to CañonCitytobecloser to her son and his family and also took one moresteptowardher ownhealing
“People whohavetrauma canrecover before IleftKansas Iwent backthrough Kaufman House,”she said
Though thehouse had beenheavily renovated,Jensenwalked throughfamiliar roomsand hallwaysand peeredthrough windows that had held her captivefor ahellish year
“When Iwalked out,beforeIshut the door,Icalledeveryone’s name and Isaid,‘We aretruly free now’,”she said.“It waslike aheavy coat had been lifted[from me].
Forthe last time,exiting abuilding has changed Jensen, this time, forthe better.She wasfree.
Jensen released her first book,“TheGirlWho Cried‘Wolf!’: A Memoir,”in 2013 and looksforward to publishing asecond book in thecoming years
When it comes to her nomination as partofthe F.E.W.,Jensen couldn’t be more humbled
“I’m awoman of faith so it’s adivine thing to be nominated,”she said.“Andit’sanhonortobenominatedfor something when you’ve knownsome of the women who’s names inspired the categories.
By Olivia Johnson
The DailyRecord
Theworld wasset back on its heels when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Through the eyes of the world, the warhas sincedragged on fortwo years
ForOlga Kondratova-Brown, it’s been alifelong struggle punctuated with heartache,triumph, and patientwaiting
Kondratova-Brownwas bornand raised in asmall village outside ofthe Ukraine capital of Kyiv under the regime of the UnitedSociet Socialist Republic.ByUkrainian standards,Kondratova-Browngrew up in asomewhatwealthyfamily with land,livestock,and holdings until it wasconfiscatedbythe Russians
“Itwas terrible,”Kondratova-Brownsaid.“We didn’t have much I didn’t have my first [pieceof] Bubble Gum until Iwas 12...Wedidn’t havenormal food,wedidn’t have normal clothing everything wascontrolled.”
Steeped in family tradition and cultural heritage,Kondratova-Brown learned to speak Ukrainian, despiteitbeing an outlawedlanguage and bound herself tightly to her family.Her grandmother,aresolute woman in her ownrespect, had lost twodaughters tostarvation because of Russian intervention, and Kondratova-Browngrewup learning to rely on her ownstrength and thatofher people USSR-controlled Ukraine wascharacterized by just that, control.
Though Kondratova-Brownand her family had television, they had no choiceinwhatthey watched,and all sortsofmedia were regularly edited and/or withheld from the general populace.
“I thoughtthis wasnormal life,”Kondratova-Brownsaid She didn’t learnthatlifecould be wholly differentuntil the collapse of the USSR in 1993.
“After that, we began to build another life, we could travel,wecould
see howreal people lived their lives,”she said “One day, everything changed.Wewoke up and everything was changed.Ifound ajob,wehad asalary, we had everything in stores food,clothing.Stepbystep, we lived like aregular European country,”she added
In addition to obtaining adegreeinBusiness Managementand Financefromthe Kyiv PolytechnicInstitutein2000, shealso gave birth to her belovedson and took ajob as an accountantwitha major grocerychain.
Thefamily livedinrelativetranquilityuntil theRusso-Ukrainian conflictescalatedinearly 2022.
“The first three days,wedidn’tunderstand one part[of me] understood because Iwoke up at 5a.m.todamage,”she said.“One part [of me] didn’t understand whathappened.”
“The first twomonths wasvery, very difficult,”she added
Although Kondratova-Brownhad the option of evacuation by means ofher now-husband,Chris Brown, an Army Officer, she declined Hertown, Obukhiv,was locatedaboutanhour from Kyiv,which suffered heavy damage in the early war, butObukhiv itself remained somewhatsafe.
However, it wasn’t uncommon forher and her family to hear the rocket strikes and tank fire at night
“Weslept in our clothes,just in case we needed to leave,”she said
As the wardragged on, food and other necessities began to dwindle because of supply chains beingbroken and morethan four million people fled Ukraine.
“For the first month, she couldn’t buybread,she couldn’t buy anything,”said her husband.“Forthe first twomonths,she wasonly able to get some food because she worked forthe supermarket because theywantedtokeep her working.”
Kondratova-Brown, however, remained steadfast in her desire to holdtighttoher country. Family and friendsfromoccupied territories cametoher residenceand they relied on food from their garden as time went on.
OnlywhenUkrainianforceswereable to pushthe Russian interlopers away from Kyiv didKondratova-Brownevenconsider leaving her belovedcountry.
But she didn’t consider leaving forafrivolousreason she had fallen in love
She and Brownmet in December 2021 while he wasstationed in Kyiv and,overthe next year,she traveled Europe to spend time with him.
She accepted his marriage proposal in April2023and thecouple began the arduous challenge of getting Kondratova-Browntothe United States
“I had asked her to marry me [when the warbroke out] butshe said, ‘No,somebody has to work,somebody has to paythe taxes so we can kill these pigs,’”Brown said Afternine months of laborious work,she set foot on American soil on aFiancee Visa in December 2023 with the stipulation of getting married within 90 days
In addition to asimple wedding at the El Paso County Courthouse
Kondratova-Brownleaped into learning Englishand also began exploring her new life. In no time,she had made several local friends, including her“second mom,”FlorenceresidentCathey Young,and got involved with the community.
She has volunteered with Manna House in Florenceand also took an accounting job with Second-61.
“I have asmall opportunitytohelp American people whohelp my people,”she said simply
Though the warcarries on in Ukraine,she keeps in close contact with her family whoremains there, sends them money at every opportunity, and praysfor the wartocome to aclose
Though it mayseem like atrivial thing when compared to the warin her home country, Kondratova-Brownhas nothing but gratitude for her nomination as partofthe F.E.W.
“I am very excited to be nominated,”she said.“Ihavebeen through a lot,but Iamglad to be here.
Wintz’slovefor Florencemotives her to preserve the town’s history
By Sarah Brunski
The
Daily Record
FremontCounty maynot have ayellowbrick road,but to local historian and archivist Mildred“Millie”Wintz, this area is likethe magical land of Oz
TheFremont’sExceptional Women winner for the Cara Fisher Awardfor CommunityService, who made Florenceher home aftermoving fromPennsylvania 15 years ago,still finds herself amazed by the town’s charmand its hardworking people
“I couldn’t think of anyother place Iwouldwant to be and no other placeIwould rather go to,” Wintzsaid.“Thereisnocomparison between
hereand Pennsylvania. That’s whyIcall this placeOz.”
Driven by her deep love forFlorence, Wintzhas dedicatedcountless hours to preservingthe town’s rich history forfuturegenerations.In 2015, she playedapivotal role in opening the FlorenceHistorical Archive, which nowhouses and protects various local historical documents, including newspapers, photos,diaries,letters and records. Wintzcontinuesvolunteering at the Archiveand remainsactiveinseveral other heritage and historical groups.
Wintzis“havingaball”archiving documents that bring Florence’shistory to lifeand hearing stories of thepast.She said thatmanycommunity membershaveaunique storythatshows how resilientFlorenceisand alwayshas been.
“The West is aworking environment,”she said “You can’t just sit on your butt and have anything come to you, mentally,emotionally,and physically.The stories of the people and their families,eventoday, requiresomuch energy,raw intuitiveenergy.”
Before the Archivewas established,much of Florence’shistory“was hidden in attics, under beds and in closets,”Wintzsaid.Overadecade ago,Carol Fox, who hadcollected boxesupon boxesofhistorical information about the town, asked Wintzand otherstohelp organizeit. These efforts eventually led to the creation of the FlorenceHistorical Archive.
Wintzwas chosen to help archiveFox’s collection because of herbackground
“I had beentrainedasaformalarchivist,”she said “I learnedthatit’snogood havingsomethingifno one else can find it or use it.Documentation is a
veryimportantpartofscience…and that’swhere my teaching certificate lay, wasinthe sciences.”
Wintz, who earned aDoctorate in Education and amaster’sinenvironmental education, spentmorethan five decades in the field.
She said she never truly retired, as she remains deeply involved in the work that fueledher career
Wintz, who wasnamed FlorenceChamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizenofthe Year in 2013, said she was“stunned”tobea FEWnominee
“It’sthe reverse of my usual role,soit’salittle hardtodealwith,”she said with alaugh.
The Cara Fisher Community Service Honoree, Millie Wintz speaks at the seventh annual FE W Banquet on Friday (Olivia Johnson/The Daily Record)
Evans has made adifferenceinyoung people’s lives
By Olivia Johnson The Daily Record
Mary KayEvans hadn’t planned on somedaybeing astaple of the FremontCounty Probation Office whenshe faced family strifewhen she wasateenager--but afterworkingthrough toughsituations she discovered thateach had sculpted her into the perfect probation officer.
“That’swhatmakes you, you,”she said.“Youlearnfromthose kinds of situations,you learnhow to have good relationships.”
Afterobtaining adual degreeinsociology and psychology in 1970, she took ajob at MountSaintVincentPediatric Behavioral Health laterthatyear and worked closely with emotionally unstable children.
Evans spenttwo years working closely with 12 at-risk boys,which provedtobeanexperiencethatwould be invaluable in the years tocome.She servedasacounselor and sort-of house parentfor the young men, but she movedtoCañon City withher husband, John, in 1977.
She spentseveral years as astay-at-home mother to herchildren, Matthew and Aaron, and also rana daycareout of her home before accepting ajob as aFremontCounty Probation Officerin1981.
Isaw the need forserviceintown,”Evans said.“Serving and helping people to find out who they areand to be abetter person.”
Of her astounding 31 years career as aprobation officer, Evans spent 25ofthem working diligently with local youth and forevermaking a differenceinthe lives of those young people
“You accept them forwho they areand youtry to help them see a better path. Youdon’t dwell on the negativething they did...you ask
wherecan we go from here?”she said Evans spentdecades meeting with young offenders and their families in order to constructaviablemeans of becomingproductive members of society--and has witnessed the effectofher work for years
It’s not unusual forEvans to be approached by agrown man or woman in thecommunitywiththe simple statementof,“Thankyou,I have never been in trouble sincethen.
“It’ssogood to know that, even though it washardand even though youstruggled .itwas worthit,”Evans said with atear in hereye
Afterretiring in 2013, Evans wasfar from done when it came to workingwithFremontCounty youth.
She had helped to launch and coach thegirls’soccerteam at Cañon CityHigh School in 1991 aftermanyyears of recreational soccerand the programcontinued to flourish underher guidance.She servedin the Cañon City Tiger Pride Booster Club and spentcountless hours in concession stands and tailgatefundraisers.
Evans also spenttimeand energy supportingthe Cañon City High School Senior Funfest,held annually to protectseniors the night before graduation, and servedonmultiple school accountability committees and volunteered in kindergartenand first-grade classrooms at WashingtonElementary, Canon ExploratorySchool and Harrison School
Her work with the school districtdeepened when she servedseveral termsonthe Cañon City School Boardand,alongside fellow board members, received the honor of the 2019 All-State Boardfromthe Colorado Association of School Boards.Evans wasalsoawarded the
McGuffey AwardfromCASB forher involvementinadvocating and implementing reading programs
She also servedasavolunteer forHeartofColorado CASA forseveral years,aplacewhere her long historyasajuvenile probation officer wasput to the test and immensely valued, and worked with several young childrenand their families as they navigated the complex courtsystem.
It’s not uncommon to find Evans at local sporting events,whether or not she’s manning theconcessionstand,and giving her runs deep in FremontCounty
Awoman of deep faith, Evans is also amember of asinging group at St.MichaelCatholic Churchand has also spenttime servinginthe “Proclaimers of the Word”lectorministry
“I’vealwaysenjoyedserving,”she said regarding her nomination for the F.E.W.“IfChrist came to serve us,Ican do the same.”
Frushour has been avaluable asset to Florence
By Olivia Johnson
The
DailyRecord
Susan Frushour is living proof thatyou don’t have to liveinacommunity for50years to makeitbetter.
Frushour movedtoFlorencein2011,after yearsof living in LosAngeles and Denver,and broughtsome special expertise toFremontCounty
During the years she lived in LosAngeles, Frushour worked as ahigh-end makeup artist and hair stylist (alongsideshow-biz titans,such as Marvin Westmore) and,correspondingly,she openedfour salonsin Denver years later. She worked six yearsalongside the American Cancer Societytocut hair and create wigs for cancer survivors (something she still does in Florence) --which is just one example of her earlyphilanthropic career
Aftermoving to FremontCounty in 2011,Frushour leaped into the local communityand also opened Montage Salon.
“We’ve had groups of communityvolunteersthatjust picked projects and we worked on them,”Frushour commented.
Her already-establishedloveofcommunity service flared brightduring the next decade in avarietyof forms. She wasthe brains behind Spark81226in2018, a local nonprofitwith the mission of supporting rural communities and their organizations--but thatwas just the beginning
She’s worked diligently toclean up the downtown Florenceareaand attempted on severaldifferent occasions to designatedowntownas acreativedistrict. AsapartofSpark81226, Frushour organized the
Open:6am-10pm
largely successful BigBand Bash and similar events with the singular purpose of promoting small businesses and supporting the largercommunity. She wasalso anorganizer in the BarnDanceand PieAuction but discovered thather communityspiritwasn’t limitedto nonprofitorganizations
She’s done extensivegrant writing forthe Florence PoliceDepartmentand has successfully attainedfunds fornew safetyequipmentand other vital necessities
TheCityofFlorencealso benefitedfromFrushour’s literaryskills as she obtainedamarketing grantfrom the StateTourism Board.
“Weget $18,500topromotedowntownFlorence,”she said.“Therewas agroup of us working on thattogether --Idon’t do anything by myself.There’salwaysa group behind me so even though I’mnominatedfor this award,it’snot mine,Ihavetoshareitbecause youcan’t do everything on your own.”
Frushour has also been astaple member of the FlorenceMerchants Association and FlorenceChamber of Commerce forsix years and has servedina variety of positions,including president. Her efforts founded the rewriting,designing,and printing of the Chamber’s promotional book whichwas first printedin1902.
Life isn’t all business forFrushour,however
She organized Florence’s first fantastically spooky WitchesFlash Mobaspartofthe city’sHalloween celebrations,which will soon celebrateits sixth year
It’s an eventthatpeople of all ages can enjoyand forFrushour,thatisone of the greatest aspects of communityservice thatshe can offer
“It’simportantthatpeople know that everybody is important,”she said.“Everybody deservestofeel special.”
That’s asimple sentimentthatshe strives to attain everyday in her salon and,althoughshe’s taking abrief hiatus from her busy volunteeringschedule,you can bet shewill be back on the communityservicescene sometimesoon.
“I’m not one of those peoplethatcan just sit on the couch,”she said.“Iwantpeople to know just how importantcommunityserviceis. and to try somethingnew.”
Injury opened the door to other opportunities for West
By Sarah Brunski
The Daily Record
Just 20 feet from the finish line while competing in a high school track medley relay, Florence resident Kassidee West felt a sharp, sudden pain tear through her leg she had ruptured her Achilles tendon
Instead of allowing the injury and the three subsequent surgeries to hold her back, the Fremont’s Exceptional Women winner for the Janet Gunkel Rising Star Award used it to fuel her personal growth
When West was injured she initially thought her dreams were dashed – she wanted to play college volleyball However, she quickly realized she now had more time to devote to her other passions
I m honestly grateful for that injury at that time,”West, a recent Florence Junior Senior High School graduate, said “It was a turning point for me I got way more involved in FFA,
FBLA, Student Council, and I realized if one door shuts, it doesn’t mean that another can’t open”
Future Farmers of America was West’s true home Through this student organization she passionately shared stories about her prized market goats and proudly showed them off “Goats all have their own personalities, and I love getting to know them,”West said “You can train them, as well as a dog They can be potty trained and interacting with them is honestly so much fun, because they know their names They come to you; they want scratches They are spoiled”
Through FFA, West showcased her love of animals to the community, helping run a petting zoo in Florence where she showed her goats
“I love taking my goats to the elementary school, on Main Street, everywhere, to show everybody,”West said “I love seeing the look on children’s faces who’ve never been around goats and when they jump up and want to be loved on
West began her FFA journey as a freshman and her love for the organization grew year after year
“I believe FFA is a stepping stone for the rest of your life she said It has definitely put me on the path for the rest of my life, and I’ve made lifelong connections FFA teaches leadership and so many skills”
West has passed on some of the skills she’s learned from FFA to others
“I had the opportunity to serve on a district officer team and work with kids from Lamar to Rye and everywhere in between, and it was such an amazing experience”she said “And during my junior year, I began working down at the elementary school for my internship teaching ag lessons to fifth-graders and first-graders”
West initially dreamed of becoming an agricultural teacher However, she has since shifted gears and now intends to become a physical therapy assistant
“I want to work with people who have had similar injuries to my own,”she said “I want to work at a high school as an athletic trainer”
When West isn’t busy taking classes at Pueblo Community College her favorite pastime is babysitting
I love children, always have, she said I get to watch my little cousin, my bonus nephew, who is one of my brother’s best friend’s kids, and I enjoy spending time with my little nephew”
West is thrilled about being a FEW nominee
“It is such a fantastic opportunity and I’m so grateful for it,”West said
Guzman-Narvaez leftimpactonCañon City School District
By Sarah Brunski
The Daily Record
Maya Guzman-Narvaez, who recently moved to Gunnison to attend Western Colorado University, left a lasting impact on Cañon City through her friendliness and service, while Cañon City, with its unique beauty and rich history, deeply influenced her in return
Guzman-Narvaez, a nominee for Fremont’s Exceptional Women Janet Gunkel Rising Star Award, went above and beyond her high school duties to support the Cañon City School District
“I tutored at Washington Elementary School for about a semester, and I also helped around the counseling office a lot”said
Guzman-Narvaez, a 2024 Cañon City High School graduate
Guzman-Narvaez, who was born in Guatemala and lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, also provided school tours as a student She remembered how nervous she felt when first stepping into Cañon City High School, and she was inspired to help others feel more comfortable in their new environment
I feel like a tour is nice, it gives you somewhat of an introduction, even if you don t fully remember it by the time you do start school,”she said Guzman-Narvaez said Cañon City gave back to her as well – it was here she discovered her love for history She interned longer than
required at the Royal Gorge Regional Museum, where she cataloged information and conducted research, and she chose to continue her involvement by volunteering there the summer before last
But Guzman-Narvaez’s passion for history didn t stop there She is now pursuing a master’s in museum and gallery management to deepen her knowledge
“I really am interested in historic preservation, and I think my major is a good step (forward), she said “I want to be able to preserve the past so that future generations can learn from it The people of the past and the buildings especially are most interesting to me
Guzman-Narvaez is enjoying her college journey so far, embracing the challenges and opportunities that come with it
We are only five weeks in, but I love it here, she said “The town is smaller than Cañon City, so it s more walkable and the campus is small, so my classes are all small, and you get to form good relationships with your professors and mentors”
When Guzman-Narvaez isn’t busy with coursework, she tries to find time for her hobbies
I really like to read, she said And I like to paint, even though I’m not the best at it It’s just fun to put on a movie in the background and just paint”
She is thrilled to be a FEW nominee
“It’s an honor,”Guzman-Narvaez said “There are so many great women being nominated, as well”
The Janet Gunkel Rising Star Honoree Kassidee West addresses the crowd at the seventh annual FE W Banquet on Friday (Olivia Johnson/The Daily Record)
Lynch filledwith joybyhelping others
By SarahBrunski The DailyRecord
Those who do good not only make a differenceinthe lives of others but also uplift their ownspirits
Savanna Lynch, Fremont’sExceptional Women nominee forthe Janet Gunkel Rising Star Award, found joyin donating countless hours and essential items to supportbabies and adults in need
A2024 graduate of Cañon City High School,Lynch is deeply passionate about assisting low-income families and individuals impacted by domestic violence. Forher senior capstone project, she chose the Cañon City PregnancyCenter as herway to give back to the community she loves.
As apartofher project, she posted on social media and created flyers asking forinfantand adult clothing and shoes for the pregnancy center.She also purchased bottles,pacifiers,formula and diapers
“I liked seeing people whodonated feel happythatthey were donating to agood cause,”Lynch said “Ialso really enjoyedgiving to the pregnancycenterbecause it made me feel happythatIcould help others I just wanted to give whatIhad to
people who didn’thaveit.”
She not only gave back to the community, butshe also educated CCHS on howmanypeopleinthe county arestruggling financially.
“Mycapstone projectshowed how oftenpeople areliving under the povertyline,”Lynch said.“My information wasfromthe pregnancy center,and Ialso did alot of research online,aswellasasking people thatI knowthathavelived under the poverty line or had been throughdomestic violenceorsexualassault. Iliked learning about the statistics.”
Also,while in high school, Lynch cheered during her freshman and sophomore years.After that, she focused on work and stepped away from sports.
Sincegraduating,Lynch has been saving up money and preparing forher future. She is acurrent college student at PuebloCommunityCollege
When Lynch isn’t at work or class, she enjoys immersing herself in good book and showing her creative side.
“I like to do arts and crafts,”Lynch said “I liketomake origami.Ilike to make duct-taped flowers on topofpens.”
Lynch wasborninCañon City and spentabout 12 years in Greeley before
moving back home. She is thankful to liveinapicturesquearea.
“I really enjoy Skyline Drive, and Ireally enjoy theriver,”shesaid.“It just makes our town very prettyand Ijust love nature, so Ilike to drivearound.”
Lynch feels deeply honored to be a FEWnominee
“I feel happy,”she said,“I’mglad that someone has recognized whatI’ve done forthe community and thathelps me feel betterabout myself Ifeel good.”
Thompson passionate about education
By Sarah Brunski
The Daily Record
Jade Thompson, a 2021 Cañon City High School graduate, has inspired her peers and is now eager to continue making a difference by bringing positivity to future elementary school students
A nominee for Fremont’s Exceptional Women Janet Gunkel Rising Star Award, Thompson is majoring in elementary education and can’t remember a day when she didn’t want to be a teacher
“I love watching people get excited about learning, especially when it’s something they’ve been stuck on for a while,”she said “You just see that lightbulb moment, where they are like, ‘Oh, I get it now’And I see that, especially with the younger kids, which is why I love elementary – they are all excited about learning, and I just want to be a part of that”
Thompson’s goal is to help students understand that failure isn’t something to fear
“I think that’s where our best learning comes from is when we are trying something and we aren’t good at it the first time, but we keep trying and eventually get it,”she said, adding that she will also teach her students to be compassionate, empathetic and joyous
Thompson, a senior at the University of Northern Colorado, is currently spreading compassion among her college peers through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where she leads the Black Campus Ministries Bible study
“It has been really cool to have conversations, especially about the crosssection of culture and how that fits into your faith,”she said “We’ve been talking about being purposefully designed by God He made no mistakes when he made us And that includes, why he made us Black, and how (that has) a purpose for who God calls us to be”
This past summer, Thompson traveled more than 5,500 miles to Bosnia for her first international mission trip
“I got to be with the students in Bosnia, which was really super cool,”she said “I talked to them about Jesus and how much they are loved I had a lot of good conversations about who Jesus is and what I believe, and I had one of the college students accept Jesus, which was super cool”
After graduation, Thompson plans to stay in Colorado, where she wants to make more memories
“I have a long-term sub job after I graduate this semester, up here in Greeley,”she said “After that, I am going to hopefully find a permanent teaching job somewhere in Colorado”
When not attending classes or leading bible studies, Thompson enjoys creating pottery, singing, dancing, and immersing herself in a good book
Thompson said she was shocked and grateful when she was told she is a FEW nominee
“It was not something I was expecting at all,”she said. “And just to see that amount of support from the community and the people around me is just a huge blessing I’m so excited”