Alessandra Medrano, a senior at Eagle Valley High School, is a student to remember. She is an extremely courteous, thoughtful, and a kind young person. Alessandra exemplifies what it means to be a role model: she works hard in school and dedicates time to go above and beyond expectations; she commits fully to her extracurricular programs and prioritizes her time to attend all aspects of them; she engages with other participants in programs, checks in on how they’re doing, supports them through challenges and is eager to see them be successful; she is devoted to her family, supporting her mom and grandparents around the house, traveling and connecting meaningfully with her heritage. During high school, Alessandra’s been involved with CMC Upward Bound, The Cycle Effect, P-TECH and environmental awareness projects, and has been a volunteer soccer coach. In middle school, Alessandra also participated in 4-H, in the sewing club. Alessandra attributes her development of kindness and perseverance to her time in The Cycle Effect. During a recent race, before it was her time to go, Alessandra decided to join the coaches in cheering on other bicyclists and rode in the back of a different race to encourage girls struggling the most. Alessandra shares, “I really enjoyed being there for the girls on my team. It reminded me of how much I loved and appreciated the support that my team gives to me. Actually, by watching them try their best during a race, and push themselves to their limits, it also empowered me to do the same once it was my turn. Through this program, I learned about the importance of perseverance and how pushing yourself is a lot better than just letting life pass you by and not taking chances.” The Cycle Effect has helped Alessandra push through negative self-talk and mental blocks and build her confidence and self-esteem; experiences she’s had in the program have given her the courage and awareness to tackle the “metaphorical mountains” in her life. This level of support for others has also encouraged Alessandra to become a volunteer soccer coach for elementary and preschool aged youth. She coached for a month in October and met every Wednesday to teach them the basics of playing soccer, building community skills, and learn how to work as a team. Since they were so young, the most essential thing they could learn was teamwork to help them continue to play soccer. In all these activities, Alessandra is mindful of her commitments and time, and is cognizant not to overschedule herself to make sure she is present and fully participating in what she commits to. Alessandra lives with her mom, who is a single mother, and for the last couple of summers has been visiting and connecting with family in Mexico. It’s been helpful to see where the rest of her family lives since they don’t have a lot of family here. She's enjoyed being able to learn more about her culture and where she comes from. During her sophomore summer, Alessandra went to Mexico City and went to a museum to learn more about Mexican history, and did tours to learn about the Aztec and the people who currently live there. She finds it helpful to talk with family and become more proficient in Spanish. This year, Alessandra and her mom went to Mexico for Día de los Muertos, and went to a town that’s known for its big celebration where the youth were nicely dressed with make-up and there was dancing and an art exhibit of varying celebrations across Mexico. It was amazing for her to see how the country celebrates this day differently across the different regions. The day is focused on celebrating life, the loved ones who have gone and the Mexican heritage. Alessandra has also been a part of the Upward Bound program since 2021, a college readiness program through Colorado Mountain College. Through the program, her biggest take away has been the college tours. They’ve been very helpful in figuring out her next phase in life, and she has really benefited from the tutoring and college application process support provided by the program. Since her mom did not go to college, it’s been helpful to work with the staff in filling out applications, practicing for interviews, and learning which questions she should be asking to make college decisions. “Alessandra is an observant young woman, who is cognizant of the fact that how she engages with and treats other people really matters. As a result, she is welcoming, encouraging, and positive whenever she is around her classmates and whenever she is in Upward Bound activities,” shares Suzanne Kirch, Upward Bound Coordinator. After high school, Alessandra plans to attend Fort Lewis College and pursue a career in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She was introduced to environmental sustainability through her high school P-TECH class and has since had a growing passion for it. P-TECH is a program that helps students get an associates in environmental science and connect to internships with sustainable companies throughout the valley. She has brought some practices into her home, recycling and composting more, and seeks to learn more new concepts and continue to grow her passion. “I want to work in a career that allows me to help others and the environment,” shares Alessandra. After college, Alessandra envisions living in Mexico for a couple of years to be closer to family there as well as apply her college education to help with Mexico’s conservation and sustainability programs. She has great ambitions and after all these experiences hopes to return to the community and work for a company promoting sustainable practices. Whatever Alessandra pursues in life, all who know her and have worked with her are confident she will be successful and create a lasting positive impact on the world. -Mikayla Curtis, Director of Strategic Impact

From Thrills on Dirt Bikes to Purposeful Pedaling: Kyle Foster's Journey Kyle Foster's life has been a testament to resilience and determination, shaped by overcoming challenges and pursuing his passions. Raised by a single mother in Golden, Colorado, Kyle faced hurdles in traditional education until finding his stride at Compass Montessori, where he embraced a self-directed learning approach. Fueled by a love for extreme sports, Kyle ventured into professional dirt bike riding and freestyle motocross. However, a serious injury redirected his path towards a new passion: cycling. Immersing himself in ski and bike shops, Kyle honed his craft and accumulated invaluable experience. Despite a brief stint in college, Kyle realized his calling lay elsewhere, founding a ski and snowboard movie business in Breckenridge. As a videographer, he seamlessly blended his filmmaking pursuits with his enduring love for biking. The seeds of his current venture were sown when clients began seeking his expertise in bike repair, leading him to tinker with bikes in his girlfriend's garage. Today, Kyle proudly owns Seagulls Cycles in Eagle, Colorado, where he champions a philosophy of "Leading with education to dissolve the unnecessary bike shop ego, and understands you can’t live without your bike." Beyond being a conventional bike shop, Seagulls Cycles embodies a purpose-driven ethos centered around community engagement. Kyle's dedication to customer service knows no bounds, exemplified by his willingness to go above and beyond for every patron. His ambition to be a trailblazer in his field finds expression through active involvement in various community initiatives. A key driver of Kyle's professional endeavors is his commitment to mental health advocacy. He spearheads community rides, including the Vail Valley Mountain Bike Club, offering inclusive experiences for riders of all skill levels. Notably, his recovery ride, tailored for individuals in mental health recovery, has experienced exponential growth, serving as a beacon of hope and support. In addition to mental health advocacy, Kyle extends his support to local youth programs, such as Mountain Youth and The Cycle Effect. He channels his passion for cycling into initiatives like bike donations for BFF (Bright Future Foundation) and sponsorship of Eagle Valley Cycling. Embracing mentorship, Kyle welcomes aspiring young cyclists into his shop as apprentices, fostering a culture of learning and growth. His involvement as a peer support lead with Speak Up Reach Out underscores his commitment to creating safe spaces for dialogue and support. When asked to impart wisdom to the youth in his community, Kyle emphasizes the importance of authenticity and making healthy choices for a sustainable future. Kyle Foster's journey is a testament to perseverance, hard work, and a steadfast dedication to destigmatizing mental health. His open-door policy, coupled with a contagious smile, continues to inspire and uplift those around him.

Gabby embodies a relentless drive and enthusiasm for a multitude of pursuits. Currently a junior at BMHS, she immerses herself in various endeavors with genuine joy. A fervent participant in the theater program, Gabby has also been an active member of the Speech and Debate team since her freshman year, now proudly serving as one of its captains. Her affinity for public speaking shines through in this role, marking it as her personal favorite. Beyond her involvement in extracurriculars, Gabby showcases her innovative spirit through initiatives like revamping "Huskies Happenings" for BMHS. She transformed the mundane information platform from a simple Google presentation to a captivating video format, garnering rave reviews in the process. Furthermore, Gabby's commitment extends to her academic pursuits, evident in her membership in the National Honor Society, alongside her impressive feat of juggling three jobs, which she considers invaluable for broadening her understanding of people. Among her many accomplishments, Gabby considers her role as the Youth Advisor to the B.E. Partners in Eagle County as her proudest achievement this year. Believing in the significance of youth representation in decision-making processes, she actively contributes her insights to ensure that programs, particularly those focused on mental health, reach as many young individuals in the valley as possible. Gabby's voice resonates as a beacon for youth concerns, offering feedback that drives tangible change within the community. Her integral role in fostering growth and inclusivity within Eagle County is truly commendable. Thank you, Gabby, for your unwavering dedication!

A small town Wisconsin girl moved to the Eagle River Valley 30 years ago and is making a big impact in our community. Many in our community have crossed paths with Sue Terbush whether at a neighborhood pot luck, Church, volunteering time at schools, on the sports fields or on the river or maybe have heard her voice announcing Buddy Werner League and State HS ski races. Sue learned from her parents at a very young age that as she stated, “Volunteering makes a Community”. Sue has lived her life following this message and models this behavior alongside her husband Dave, who has volunteered his time coaching every sport this county offers and showing their two children Tage and Teegan, both members of Mountain Youth Valley’s Voice, what it means to be apart of bettering the community they live in. Sue is a leader and role model to 80 girls from Kindergarten to Highschool as the Eagle County Service Unit Manager of the Girl Scouts as well as being a Girl Scout Troop Leader for the past 8 years to 12 seventh grade ladies.  Though these positions she empowers these young ladies learning life skills thru organizing actives with community partners.  Sue organized a “learn to build a campfire” with the Eagle County Wildlife District as well as a “First Aid Session” with the Eagle County Ambulance District just to name two of the many programs she has organized over the years; not to mention organizing the Girl Scouts largest fundraiser managing coordination of 36,000 boxes of cookies. Many of these young ladies as well as many other youth in our valley have come to know Sue as a trusted adult as Substitute Guest Teacher in the Eagle County Schools and a Sunday School Teacher.  When Covid hit and guest teachers were in high demand Sue jumped in to help without hesitation.  And if not in the classroom, Sue is busy organizing concessions for team sports, setting up dances or supporting the fundraising of the High School Booster club. Sues impact with young ladies continues past High School as av20 year member of the National Philanthropic Education Organization as an active member with our local chapter, providing continuing education support for women across the country. An organization she had the honor of being inducted to by her very own mother a 50 year member of this organization. And it is not just youth Sue is making an impact within our community. The Terbush family have also fostered 74 dogs (so far only keeping 3 of their own thru the years). Sue is an inspiration to many of our local youth and families providing opportunities to build self confidence, leadership skills and a path to volunteering all while having lots of fun and laughs making a lasting impact in our community. -Michelle Zoller, Operations Manager at Mountain Youth

Exciting, energetic, and encouraging would be words that I would use to describe Anya Chavira! Anya Chavira is currently a Senior at Battle Mountain High School who spends her time being involved with the school. Anya is currently in the YES (Youth. Equity, Stewardship) program and played softball during the fall. While in YES, Anya volunteers her time to go to the local elementary school (Edwards Elementary) and help teach what she takes from YES to the local fourth and fifth graders. While in YES she likes to give out her voice and her perspective to our school admin as feedback to know if they can improve or not. Influencing what goes on in the school! Anya also takes what she had learned from softball as it is the most recent sport added to Battle Mountain as of 2022. Learning things such as leadership, communication, and having good relations with other people! Anya enjoyed softball a lot because of how welcoming and encouraging her teammates and coaches were. She said that "there wasn't really a JV or Varsity team because as a team we all just didn't feel that way that we were better or worse and someone else". As for in-school stuff, Anya loves and appreciates her teachers a lot. She is super grateful to have an education that was taught by teachers who weren't someone that saw you as a student but saw her as a person. Anya wants to create opportunities and make school a more diverse place before she leaves and to have a mark on the school. Being a relatively known person in the school, she hopes to use that to impact the school's future and to leave her mark with the school admin also! -Victor Lopez, Valley's Voice Youth Advisor and Student at Battle Mountain High School

Passionate, ambitious, and courageous are all words I would use to describe Coco Boock. She is currently a Junior at Battle Mountain High School and is a actively involved within her school through extracurricular clubs and sports like wrestling and cross country. She also enjoys being with her family and is a genuine fan of our beautiful community and tries to enjoy everything the Vail Valley has to offer like skiing, hiking, and everything else in between. She characterizes growing up in the Vail Valley as unique not only because of the nature, but also because of the diversity here. “It’s a really unique experience to be able to grow up in a place with so much to do outside, and with so many different types of people.” The local spots she frequents are the Bookworm in Riverwalk or Vendettas in Vail but says her favorite place to be is all the way in the back of the Vail Mountain. Coco’s appreciation for the valley is certainly not limited to exclusively enjoying being outside in nature. She is also passionate about environmental issues like climate change and pollution. “The effect that climate change has had on this valley has been really visible over the last couple of years and is going to have negative effects all around the world. I think that the amount of emissions we put out can be moderated at the local level but we also need to work with other countries to fix this problem.” She mentions that a mentor she would love to learn from is Natalie Nuewirth who works for Walking Mountains and the Green team at Battle Mountain, because of her extensive knowledge about environment and environmental stewardship. Another mentor and role model in Cocos life is her AP Teacher, Ms. Juarez. She admiringly shares that she is inspired with how her teacher conducts herself when a setback or sudden changes arise. Though Coco admires Ms. Juarez for being resilient, persistent, and showing initiative, Coco herself displays these traits and more. In addition to those traits she is also courageous, brave, and determined when she is faced with difficult challenges like. She does not let challenges or obstacles stop her. She is steadfast and determined in creating opportunities for herself and persistent whe she sets a goal for herself. She recounts her proudest moment when she demonstrated these traits at the end of her cross country season in November. “This was my first year running cross country, and I decided to train past the end of the normal cross country season for the Nike Cross Regionals race. I ran that race 8 minutes faster than my first one. I felt very proud of myself then because I proved to myself that I can work hard on things and get better at them, even if they’re really difficult.” When I asked Coco to share some final words of wisdom she said, “Put yourself out there. No matter what part of life you’re in there’s always something you can learn from connecting with new people and saying yes to something new. Without a doubt, Coco is a rockstar. She is such a hardworking, kind, and all around impressive person, and I was honored to learn from, and about, her. The Vail Valley is lucky to have awesome youth like her. -Ariana Gonzalez, Youth Liaison for Mountain Youth Apasionada, ambiciosa y valiente son las palabras con las que describiría a Coco Boock. Ella es ahora una Junior en Battle Mountain High School y participa activamente en su escuela a través de clubes extracurriculares y deportes como la lucha libre y cross country. También le gusta estar con su familia y es sinceramente una admiradora de nuestra hermosa comunidad y trata de disfrutar de todo lo que nuestro valle ofrece como el esquí, las caminatas en la naturaleza y todo lo demás. Ella caracteriza el crecer en el valle de Vail como algo único no sólo por la naturaleza, sino también por la diversidad que hay aquí. "Es una experiencia realmente única poder crecer en un lugar con tantas cosas que hacer afuera y con varias personas diferentes". Los lugares locales que frecuenta son el Bookworm en Riverwalk o Vendettas en Vail, pero dice que su sitio favorito es la parte que queda en la parte más alta de la montaña de Vail. El aprecio de Coco por el valle no se limita exclusivamente a disfrutar al aire libre en la naturaleza. También le apasionan temas relacionados con el medio ambiente, como el cambio climático y la polución. "El efecto que el cambio climático ha tenido en este valle ha sido muy visible en los útimos años y va a tener efectos negativos en todo el mundo. Creo que la cantidad de emisiones que emitimos puede moderarse al nivel local, pero también tenemos que trabajar con otros países para solucionar este problema." Menciona que una mentora de la que le encantaría poder aprender de seria Natalie Nuewirth, que trabaja para Walking Mountains y tambien con el Equipo Verde en Battle Mountain, por su amplia sabiduría sobre el medio ambiente y la protección del medio ambiente. Otro mentor y modelo ejemplar en la vida de Coco es su maestra de Espanol avanzado (AP), la Srita Juarez. Coco comparte con admiración que se siente inspirada por la forma en que su maestra se conduce cuando surgen contratiempos o cambios repentinos. Aunque Coco admira a la Sra. Juárez por ser resilente, persistente y mostrar la iniciativa. Coco, a su vez, muestra estos atributos y más. Además de estos atributos, es también valiente y determinada cuando es enfrentada a situaciones difíciles. No deja que los retos ni los obstáculos la detengan. Es firme y dispuesta a crear oportunidades para sí misma y persistente cuando establece sus propias metas. Ella comparte un recuerdo de su momento de mayor orgullo, cuando demostró estos atributos al final de su temporada de correr en cross-country el mes de noviembre. "Era mi primer año corriendo en el equipo de cross-country y decidí entrenar más allá del final de la temporada normal de campo traviesa para la carrera Nike Cross Regionals. Corrí esa carrera 8 minutos más rápido que la primera. Entonces me sentí muy orgullosa de mí misma porque me demostré que puedo trabajar duro en las cosas y mejorar en ellas, aunque sean realmente difíciles." No deja que los retos ni los obstáculos la detengan. Es firme y dispuesta a crear oportunidades para sí misma y persistente cuando establece sus propias metas. Ella comparte un recuerdo de su momento de mayor orgullo, cuando demostró estos atributos al final de su temporada de correr en cross-country el mes de noviembre. "Era mi primer año corriendo en el equipo de cross-country y decidí entrenar más allá del final de la temporada normal de campo traviesa para la carrera Nike Cross Regionals. Corrí esa carrera 8 minutos más rápido que la primera. Entonces me sentí muy orgullosa de mí misma porque me demostré que puedo trabajar duro en las cosas y mejorar en ellas, aunque sean realmente difíciles." Cuando le pedí a Coco que compartiera unas últimas palabras de sabiduría, me dijo: "Lánzate, atrevete. No importa en qué momento de la vida te encuentres, siempre hay algo que puedes aprender si te relacionas con gente nueva y le dices que sí a algo nuevo". Sin duda, Coco es una superestrella. Es una persona muy trabajadora, sincera e impresionante, y para mí fue un honor aprender de ella y sobre ella. El valle de Vail tiene suerte de tener jóvenes increíbles como ella. -Ariana Gonzalez, Youth Liaison para Mountain Youth

If you’ve ever shopped or donated items at the Youth Closet & Toy Chest in Eagle-Vail you’ve more than likely had the pleasure of chatting with Rebecca Kanaly! Rebecca was born and raised in Colorado and has been supporting community members in Eagle County for the last two decades. Rebecca received her BSBA from our very own Colorado Mountain College in Edwards and then obtained an Executive MBA from the University of Denver. She has been dedicated to working in executive nonprofit management as both staff and board for over 24 years! Rebecca has a beautiful little family that includes her husband, two young daughters and her father with special needs, whom Rebecca cares for. Rebecca is passionate about ensuring families have equal access to opportunities in Eagle County because of the support she received from local programs while caring for her father and then becoming a parent. Rebecca’s primary motivator for opening the Youth Closet & Toy Chest in 2020, beyond the COVID-19 response aspect, was to support healthy equity in our community through a sustainable lens. She continues to see every day how much of a need there is and how important this resource is for our community members.“Families can thrive because of the support from the Youth Closet. For example, thriving means moms and dads have the resources to provide their babies with a safe and healthy start to life because they have the basic supplies, like a bassinet and a breast pump, that otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to afford.” When asked what advice Rebecca would have for youth in our community, she answered, “Get out of your own way! Meaning don't let your self-consciousness or fears get in the way of your success. Put yourself out there, ask questions, be a part of the discussion and know that it's okay if you don't have answers. Just being there and showing up is one of the most important things. If you engage with the opportunity you have you will learn and you will get something valuable out of the experience.” By Hannah Conoley, Community Mobilizer for Mountain Youth

Molly DeLallo is a trailblazer in the truest sense of the word. Whether it’s running ultra-marathons or descending our mountains on bike or board or skis, she’s most at home in the wilderness. Brought out to the mountains of Colorado to teach Social Studies at Zealous Schools, Molly was looking for a change in scenery. Most of her teaching career was spent in boarding schools in New Hampshire, where she also coached sports like mountain biking and skiing, and even taught Spanish. Her affinity to entertain while teaching makes her stand out with youth who might not be fully served in the traditional setting. Now, she’s hung up her classroom teaching hat and switched to the flannel of teaching trail stewardship with Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance (VVMTA). As the Trail Stewardship Coordinator she oversees volunteer engagement and taking people out onto the trails many of us know and love. It’s not only an opportunity to build and maintain our trails, but to educate people in our community about sustainable recreation. Molly manages the Adopt-A-Trail program and the Youth Trail Stewardship program, as well. This allows her to work with students from many organizations by getting them in the natural classroom to do trail digging, maintenance, and ensuring they understand the responsibility they have to our trails and the land. She believes youth are carrying the torch forward to set the standard for their younger cohorts and people in the community. I had the chance to interview Molly on the importance of letting people know VVMTA doesn’t just build trails. She stated: “We have hundreds of miles of soft surface trails in this area. Between our trail crew in the summertime, and the Forest Service’s trail crew, and the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps…hundreds of miles of trails translates to a lot of need from volunteers, and a lot of maintenance.” This maintenance is where her passion for Leave No Trace and stewardship is proudly expressed in her time with organizations, youth, and senior volunteers by teaching the ins and outs of what it takes to keep our trails in pristine shape. “I was really fortunate growing up in Vermont and New Hampshire. Access to the outdoors has just always been there. It was encouraged and supported by my family, to get out, to play outside. I grew up camping, spent a lot of time hiking with my family. That was entertainment for us. It's been really cool having opportunities to travel for running, biking, and skiing. I've been incredibly fortunate, incredibly privileged. When I left the traditional education in the classroom, it was really hard for me. Teaching is important to my identity and it's something that I hold so close and I'm so proud of. And now, I get to educate people about the outdoors. I'm combining the things that I love, the things that I'm so passionate about like playing outside, being on trails, being healthy in the outdoors, sustainable recreation, and I'm teaching that to people. So that educator title that I thought I lost, I've regained with the work that I'm currently doing.” With the Youth Trail Stewardship program, Molly is engaging youth with the outdoors and providing more accessibility for all youth in our community. Partnering with organizations like YouthPower365, she is able to reach more youth that don’t have accessibility through their homelife. Students who don’t have the same options for outdoor activities are able to learn how to be good stewards and feel comfortable and safe on the trails. She desires to see the youth experience a connectedness to the outdoors like she was able to have throughout her youth. Soul Dirt is another program VVMTA offers that brings diverse groups and organizations on the trails. It helps to serve populations that do not always have access or felt the trails weren’t for them. “We're working to diversify VVMTA by making sure materials are bilingual, making sure information is in Spanish. We've seen this around the state of Colorado because there's a large Hispanic population. There is a need to have signage in multiple languages. Hopefully that will not only let people who are marginalized in our community feel seen and heard, but they’ll have a greater understanding of where to go and where not to go. These trails are truly for everybody.” Molly is also helping collect vital data about Eagle County’s youth by proctoring the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey in our schools in January. This anonymous survey provides youth serving organizations like VVMTA and Mountain Youth data around the needs and issues facing our youth. This way, programs and support can be built out that will have a relevant and positive impact. Thank you for the passion and education you provide on the trails, Molly. And we’ll see you out there! Molly DeLallo es una " pionera " en el sentido más literal de la palabra. Ya sea corriendo ultramaratones o descendiendo nuestras montañas en bicicleta, o sobre tabla, o esquiando, se siente más en casa cuando se encuentra en plena naturaleza. Al ser trasladada a las montañas de Colorado para enseñar Estudios Sociales en Zealous Schools, Molly buscaba un cambio de aires. La mayor parte de su carrera de maestra la pasó en internados en New Hampshire, donde también fue entrenadora de deportes como ciclismo de montaña y esquiar, e incluso enseñó Español. Su afinidad por entretener a la vez que enseña la hace destacar entre los jóvenes a los que tal vez no pueda atender plenamente en el entorno tradicional. Ahora, ha colgado su gorra de profesora de aula y se ha pasado a la franela de enseñar administración de senderos con la Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance (VVMTA). Como coordinadora de administración de senderos, supervisa la participación de voluntarios y lleva a la gente a los senderos que muchos de nosotros conocemos y amamos. No sólo es una oportunidad para construir y mantener nuestros senderos, sino también para educar a la gente de nuestra comunidad sobre la recreación sostenible. Molly también gestiona el programa "Adopta un Camino" (Adopt-A-Trail) y el programa "Youth Trail Stewardship". Esto le permite trabajar con estudiantes de muchas organizaciones, introduciéndolos en las clases en plena naturaleza para cavar y mantener senderos, y asegurándose de que entienden la responsabilidad que tienen con nuestros senderos y la tierra. Cree que los jóvenes están llevando la antorcha para marcar el estandard a sus cohortes más jóvenes y a la gente de la comunidad. Tuve la oportunidad de entrevistar a Molly sobre la importancia de que la gente sepa que la VVMTA no sólo construye senderos. Afirmó: "Tenemos cientos de kilómetros de senderos de superficie blanda en esta zona. Entre nuestro equipo de senderos en verano, y el equipo de senderos del Servicio Forestal, y el Rocky Mountain Youth Corps... cientos de kilómetros de senderos se traducen en mucha necesidad de voluntarios, y mucho mantenimiento." Este mantenimiento es donde su pasión por No Dejar Huellas y la administración se expresa con orgullo en su tiempo con las organizaciones, los jóvenes y los voluntarios de la tercera edad mediante la enseñanza de los entresijos de lo que se necesita para mantener nuestros senderos en forma prístina. "Tuve mucha suerte de crecer en Vermont y New Hampshire. Siempre he tenido acceso a la naturaleza. Mi familia me animaba y apoyaba a salir y jugar al aire libre. Crecí campando, pasé mucho tiempo de excursión con mi familia. Era un gran entretenimiento para nosotros. Ha sido genial tener la oportunidad de viajar para correr, montar en bicicleta y esquiar. He sido increíblemente afortunada, increíblemente privilegiada. Cuando dejé la educación tradicional en las aulas, fue muy difícil para mí. La enseñanza es importante para mi identidad y es algo que llevo con gran aprecio y de lo que estoy muy orgullosa. Y ahora puedo educar a la gente sobre la vida en la naturaleza. Combino lo que me gusta, lo que me apasiona, como jugar en espacios afuera, recorrer senderos, vivir saludablemente afuera en la naturaleza, la recreación sostenible, y se lo enseño a la gente. Así que ese título de educadora que creía haber perdido, lo he recuperado con el trabajo que hago ahora". Con el programa Youth Trail Stewardship, Molly está involucrando a los jóvenes con la naturaleza y aportando más accesibilidad a todos los jóvenes de nuestra comunidad. Al asociarse con organizaciones como YouthPower365, puede llegar a más jóvenes que no tienen acceso a través de sus vidas personales. Los estudiantes que no tienen las mismas opciones de actividades en la naturaleza pueden aprender a ser buenos administradores y sentirse cómodos y seguros en los senderos. Desea que los jóvenes experimenten una conexión con la naturaleza como la que ella tuvo en su juventud. Soul Dirt es otro programa que ofrece la VVMTA y que lleva a diversos grupos y organizaciones a los senderos. Ayuda a poblaciones que no siempre tienen acceso a los senderos o que creen que no son para ellos. "Estamos trabajando para diversificar la VVMTA asegurándonos de que los materiales sean bilingües y de que la información esté en español. Lo hemos visto en todo el estado de Colorado porque hay una gran población hispana. Hay una gran necesidad de tener señalización en varios idiomas. Esperemos que esto no sólo permita que las personas marginadas de nuestra comunidad se sientan vistas y escuchadas, sino que también les ayude a saber adónde ir y adónde no. Estos senderos son realmente para todos". Molly también está ayudando a recopilar datos vitales sobre los jóvenes del condado de Eagle al supervisar la Encuesta Healthy Kids Colorado en nuestras escuelas en enero. Esta encuesta anónima proporciona a las organizaciones dedicadas a servir a los jóvenes, como VVMTA y Mountain Youth, datos sobre las necesidades y los problemas a los que se enfrentan nuestros jóvenes. De esta manera, los programas y el apoyo pueden ser construidos para tener un impacto relevante y positivo. Gracias por la pasión y la educación que proporcionas en los senderos, Molly. ¡Y nos vemos ahí afuera! -Marcus Carter, Senior Manager of Partnerships and Engagement

January 2024 marks the 10th administration of the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS) in Eagle County since 2007. While readers of the Vail Daily might remember the survey from past years, what they might not know is the impact it has on members of our community. On a community level, many of our local nonprofits and government agencies have used data from the survey to understand our youth’s behavioral needs and strengths, and to apply for grants that support their work. In fact, Mountain Youth and other local agencies have collectively received over $28,000,000 towards programs supporting youth and families since 2007. On a more individual level, this data has enabled Mountain Youth to sponsor close to 850 individuals at our Family and Community Education series, engage 1,320 students and other community members with Safe Driving Education, and provide Life Skills education to over 1,500 Eagle County students in 2023. In addition to helping organizations apply for grants and support programs, the data also influences policies and strategies to increase protective factors for our youth. For example, at Eagle County School District, wellness policies impacting students and staff, and the addition of wellness goals to the Board of Education Ends Policy were identified utilizing HKCS data. Community-wide, laws and norms around substance use have also been revisited in light of the HKCS data. Eagle County has also implemented changes thanks to the data. As Commissioner Jeanne McQueeney explains, “The Healthy Kids Colorado Survey administered by Mountain Youth has provided excellent data points as our Eagle County Public Health team develops the Public Health Community Plan. This plan will help guide our actions across our community for the next 5 years, so it’s important to have reliable data to refer to. The plan was just approved by the Board of Health in early December so it’s hot off the press.” Something else readers might not be aware of is how this data is collected. Each participating middle and high school selects an administration time that has the least impact on student learning and students take the online survey, which is completely anonymous, confidential and voluntary. Youth who participate may choose to skip questions they don’t understand or don’t want to answer. Students and families that chose to opt out are provided details from the district and their schools on how to do so and will participate in a different activity while the survey is administered. Once the surveys are complete, the raw data is compiled by the University of Colorado for a detailed report that we anticipate will be available for the community by early summer 2024. We recognize that times are tougher than ever for youth, not only in Colorado, but around the nation. Young people are experiencing alarming rates of anxiety, depression and loneliness, and families are struggling to connect in authentic and meaningful ways. Which is why this survey is more important than ever, as it will give us insight into what Eagle County Schools and community partners can do to support local youth. Health Kids Colorado Survey gives insight to help our community better understand how our youth are feeling and the struggles they’re going through. It addresses topics of students’ regular daily routines such as; physical activity, nutrition, and engagement in local sports and activities, and sensitive topics, including identity, drug use, and sexual activity. As a community, we don’t want this survey to be the first time youth are hearing those terms or thinking about their experiences. In fact, we hope that parents and guardians are having those important conversations at home prior to the survey administration. If you’re struggling to have those conversations with the youth in your life, here are a few tips you can check out. In addition to the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, this winter will mark the first time 18-25 year olds will be able to make their voices heard through a similar survey specific to their age demographic. This is a vulnerable population with limited support, and Mountain Youth and community partners are eager to engage their voice to better understand what resources and opportunities would be best to develop in our community. Finally, parents and caregivers of the Eagle River Valley are also invited to participate in a simultaneous survey administered by Mountain Youth which may be accessed via MountainYouth.org beginning in January. This comprehensive assessment has been administered since 2017 and helps Mountain Youth and the community understand parent behaviors and parent perceptions of their children's behaviors. This brief, anonymous survey will take about ten minutes to complete. Upon completion, parents can either elect to support their child’s school or a local nonprofit through our survey incentive fund. Our short-term goal is to provide parent perceptions and neighborhood behaviors in our community with the long-term goal of improving behavioral outcomes. In short, we hope that this administration of the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey is the most accurate one yet, and that the community can benefit in learning about the behaviors and needs facing children, young adults and parents. Please take a moment to visit MountainYouth.org/Survey to learn more, and to encourage honest participation in January, 2024. -Michelle Hartel Stecher, Executive Director, Mountain Youth

What do you get when you cross a pirate with a wolfpack? Hannah Miano, seventh grader at Eagle Valley Middle School, is a proud Eagle Valley Middle School pirate as well as a member of the Vail Valley Eagle’s club basketball wolfpack. This hardworking, thoughtful buccaneer stays busy with a pile of athletic pursuits including playing soccer, pickup football, mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding when she’s not shooting hoops. While she recognizes that all of this running and pedaling might make others tired, this schedule energizes Hannah. Off the court, music remains a passion of Hannah’s as she recently exchanged her violin for clarinet and plays in the Pirate Band. Sports may keep Hannah fit and healthy, yet her passion for literature keeps her sharp. She loves reading fiction, especially fantasy. Born and raised in Colorado as a Summit County native, the Mianos experimented with a stint in Ashville, North Carolina before boomeranging back to Eagle three years ago. The homelessness, public drug use and trash had them dreaming of a cleaner, healthier lifestyle, and Eagle fit the bill as a cozy ski town. Hannah loves that everybody knows everybody, yet shares that the small-town atmosphere also made it hard to break into as the new kid. Getting involved with sports helped Hannah forge friendship circles. Accomplished student athletes often settle as jocks. Not Hannah! Although sports play a major role in her life, Hannah is involved in many other endeavors. Hearing about SOS Outreach through school, Hannah eagerly signed on. She had grown up skiing with her parents, and SOS lured her in with the opportunity to learn to snowboard. Her experience with SOS Outreach spans beyond sliding down the hill, especially now that Hannah has graduated into the mentor program. “Our recent service project was awesome; we picked up trash and planted seed balls to help the recovery of a fire near Wolcott. My mentor is a trusted adult for me and my peers. I hope to become a junior mentor one day,” Hannah shares. Of the SOS Outreach core values, integrity and courage shine bright for Hannah. She explains, “I have always been a risk taker through adventure sports, so it’s fun to talk about courage and see it encouraged in other people.” Hannah recently got involved with Mountain Youth’s Valley’s Voice program through a close friend. It was eye opening for her to learn that middle schoolers could have a paid job while leading projects they are passionate about. Hannah eagerly describes her passions of gender equality, and hopes to advocate for gender-neutral bathrooms. “I want to be sure we have spaces where people feel welcome and safe,” she reflects. Student voice is important for Hannah, and she cites Mountain Youth as an organization that makes an effort to listen. Hannah sums it up, “It feels really cool as a student to know that I am making a difference and having an impact on my community.” Cameron Dole, Mountain Youth’s Senior Manager of Youth Engagement describes Hannah as, “Really organized! Hannah takes great initiative, gets involved and is always thinking of ways to connect Valley’s Voice with other efforts. She has a solid sphere of influence.” Hannah credits her parents as her biggest influencers. In her own words, “My parents are so supportive of me doing all the things that I love to do, and they keep me in check to make sure I don’t overcommit.” Hannah described her parents as putting the right amount of pressure on her academically- just enough to motivate but where she doesn’t feel like she has to prove herself to them or that she is disappointing them. They have reinforced that the way you do in school does not define the person you are. Hannah also gives a shout out to her little brother Lennon. Hannah describes Lennon as a bundle of joy, and is supremely grateful to always have someone to talk to and a sibling with similar interests. She shares that they have always been close and love adventuring together. Hannah eventually hopes to play soccer or basketball competitively in college, and thinks studying marine biology could be cool. In the meantime, her advice to peers is, “Do not feel pressured by others to be anything that you know you are not. There is so much peer pressure in middle school… just ignore it. If someone says something that isn’t nice, know that it is not about you; it’s not personal. They are trying to let some past hurt out that they have bottled up and need to get out.” Hannah- thank you for sharing your energy and perspective with the world! Written by Michelle Stecher, Executive Director of Mountain Youth

“Sé tú. Si eres tú mismo, lograrás grandes cosas.” Si alguna vez necesitas a alguien que no solo valide tus sueños sino que también te ayude a encontrar una manera de hacerlos realidad, no busques más que Luz Ríos. Como miembro del condado de Eagle, durante más de dos décadas, Luz ha sido la animadora que siente que la comunidad hispana necesita y merece. Ya sea alentando a las organizaciones a ofrecer becas y a las familias a solicitarlas, o dirigiendo muchos grupos de Whatsapp enfocados en compartir recursos, Luz nunca ha perdido de vista a su comunidad y por qué hace este trabajo además de un trabajo de tiempo completo en Safeway. Según Luz, su trayectoria como defensora comunitaria y creadora de diferencias comenzó cuando su hija mayor, Karol, comenzó la escuela secundaria. En ese momento, no estaba consciente de todos los recursos disponibles para ella y familias como la suya. Como resultado, pagó de su bolsillo cosas como los deportes y las clases AP de Karol. No fue hasta que asistió a una sesión informativa en la escuela de su hija que Luz conoció todas las formas en que ella y muchas otras personas podían recibir ayuda. A partir de entonces, ha dedicado gran parte de su vida fuera del supermercado a conectar a familias y jóvenes con recursos como el Ejército de Salvación, Community Market, My Future Pathways y muchos más. Sin embargo, hacer que los miembros de la comunidad sean conscientes de lo que tienen a su disposición es sólo la mitad de la batalla para Luz. La otra mitad es ayudando a su comunidad a superar la desinformación y el miedo que les impide acercarse o pedir ayuda. Luz, que no se avergüenza fácilmente ni tiene miedo de hablar, a menudo se encontraba haciendo preguntas en nombre de su comunidad. Ahora ya no tiene que asumir esa carga sola, ya que cada vez más personas han comenzado a asistir a sesiones de información y a crear conciencia sobre los propios recursos. Esta es una de las formas más profundas en las que también ha sido defensora de los jóvenes en el condado de Eagle. Al ayudar a los padres a conectarse y acceder a los recursos ellos mismos, ella está facilitando una comunidad más feliz y saludable para nuestros jóvenes en el proceso. Como alguien que no se disculpa por sí mismo y, como resultado, alguien que hace la diferencia y que vale la pena celebrar, el consejo de Luz a los jóvenes es apropiado. En sus propias palabras, “Sé tú. Si eres tú mismo, lograrás grandes cosas”. Más recientemente, Luz encontró otra manera de ayudar a los miembros del condado de Eagle. En el Consejo Asesor de Elevar, un fondo de liderazgo e impacto social de Eagle Valley Community Foundation centrado en apoyar a los empresarios locales, ella puede continuar defendiendo las aspiraciones de su comunidad. Bien puede admitir que no tiene muchos conocimientos sobre cómo iniciar un negocio, estará allí para apoyar y animar a todos en cada paso del camino. Para obtener más información sobre el trabajo que está haciendo Elevar, visite eaglevalleycf.org/our-programs/elevar. "Be you. If you are yourself, you will achieve great things.” According to Luz, her journey as a community advocate and difference maker started when her eldest daughter, Karol, started high school. At the time, she wasn’t aware of all the resources available to her and families like hers. As a result, she paid out of pocket for things like Karol’s sports and AP classes. It wasn’t until she attended an info session at her daughter’s school that Luz learned of all the ways she and so many others could receive help. From then on, she has dedicated much of her life outside the grocery store to connecting families and young people to resources like the Salvation Army, Community Market, My Future Pathways and many more. However, making community members aware of what’s available to them is only half the battle for Luz. The other half is helping her community overcome the misinformation and fear that prevents them from reaching out or asking for help. Not one to get embarrassed easily or scared to speak up, Luz often found herself asking questions on behalf of her community. Now she no longer has to take on that burden alone as more and more people have started attending info sessions and spreading awareness about resources themselves. This is one of the more profound ways she has also been an advocate for youth in Eagle County. By helping parents connect and access resources themselves, she is facilitating a happier and healthier community for our youth in the process. As someone who is unapologetically themselves and as a result a difference maker worth celebrating, Luz’s advice to youth is fitting. In her own words, “Be You. If you be yourself, you will accomplish great things.” Most recently, Luz has found yet another way to help members of Eagle County. On the Advisory Board of Elevar, a leadership and social impact fund of Eagle Valley Community Foundation focused on supporting local entrepreneurs, she is able to continue advocating for the aspirations of her community. While she can admit she doesn’t have a lot of knowledge about how to start a business, she will, however, be there to support and cheer on everyone every step of the way. To learn more about the work Elevar is doing, please visit eaglevalleycf.org/our-programs/elevar. Written by Jo Pennock, Marketing and Events Manager of Mountain Youth

“How could you not love this place” Steven said as he recalled the overall beauty of the Eagle Valley. Steven Herrera Gurrola is just 14 years old, but has been making impacts and impressions throughout the Eagle Valley community his whole life. Steven’s heart is visible to those who are lucky enough to know him, and his hard work ethic should be envied by everyone. Steven has been and influential leader in Valley’s Voice and this year we are excited to have him serving as a Youth Advisor with Mountain Youth. Snowboarding, soccer, school, and supporting his community are some of Steven’s hobbies. Read on to learn more about Steven! “How could you not love this place” Steven said as he recalled the overall beauty of the Eagle Valley. He lived in Edwards for a short time, but now calls Gypsum home. He’s appreciated the experience, sharing it helped him learn and understand more about different communities and know more about his local corridor. He thanks and calls his parents his largest role models- as they have worked so hard to get their family to where they are today. He enjoys calling the valley home and sharing it with his parents, three sisters, grandma and cousin Bryan. Relatable to many, he recalls camping in the desert with his family as some of the most amazing memories from the last year. “Appreciating time and slowing down are important to connecting and getting to know the people around you” Steven shared. Aspiring to be an aerospace engineer, Steven knows his career path and is driven to reach that goal. He enjoys reading (sci-fi specifically), and calls “Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut” one of his favorites. This nonfiction novel speaks to a driven mindset and being hardworking, but this isn’t the only place Steven has built these talents. His mom, dad, and other family elders have inspired and mentored him, along with his soccer coach Jim Glendining. Steven has played soccer his whole life and is a goalkeeper for Battle Mountain, and other local clubs. Steven and Coach Jim’s son (1 year younger) have grown up together playing soccer, and challenging each other. When talking about competition, Steven’s mindset is driven and focused; he’s excited to keep getting better and continue supporting his team. His favorite recent memory is making an incredible save against EVHS, where he surprised himself and his teammates and showed his tested skills. Steven’s kindness is contagious, and while I took him out for ice cream (his favorite) for this interview, he got the door for someone using a mobility assist device. His thought process and actions are a perfect example of what makes Steven a special youth in our community. He encourages youth (and adults) to stay on top of the important things, and take care of your body. When he’s not in the game or school, Steven likes to hangout with his friends at the rec center, as well as the bowling alley and of course, Sundae. Steven said that he appreciates Mountain Youth because he sees how you can actually make change, and youth voice does not get ignored. His ideas of projects and community impact improvement are ahead of what I could start to imagine, and he’s got the drive to. In 5 years, he hopes to be in an aerospace program at CU Boulder- if not already heading into outer space! He’s gunning to already have obtained an Associate’s degree, and (maybe) playing soccer in college. He’s had this vision for a while and with the passion he speaks to it, I know he will achieve what he puts his mind to. To all the adults- let Steven serve as a reminder that age is not a barrier to success, and determination, passion, and a commitment to making a difference can lead to incredible accomplishments. Thanks for letting our community get to know you Steven! If you know a youth like Steven who deserves to be highlighted, send us their name and contact information- we’d love to recognize them. Written by Cameron Dole, Senior Manager of Youth Engagement. cdole@mountainyouth.org