Perla Michelle Chavez is a Junior from Battle Mountain High School who has been such a committed and amazing part of our Mountain Youth program by sharing her knowledge with our Communities that Care team. Her willingness, perseverance, and acting as a role model are some of the characteristics that make a leader. Michelle possesses every single one of those characteristics. Being active in her community is something that Michelle is very passionate about. Before being part of the Mountain Youth Program, she would volunteer with United Way Eagle River Valley, and at her local Catholic Church of Santa Clara de Asis. Working with the community has shown her that you can never judge a book by its cover. We never know what support people need until you work so closely in finding the needs in the community. For Michelle, having kindness is the best way to go no matter what the situation is! In addition to helping her community and being a student, Michelle has a passion for always being busy and active in her personal life. She is a member of the Soccer and Softball teams at BMHS and she is also part of many of our local soccer clubs. Michelle also participates in speech and debate, as well as being an employee at Subway. She enjoys spending time at the gym, playing basketball with friends and spending time with her family. But, she also expresses her love for reading and how she enjoys spending her quiet time with a good book. Michelle is part of CTC groups and expresses how being part of the Data Team is her favorite project so far. She finds that being able to look at the data that is shown during these meetings has become an eye-opening experience. Learning that there are youth that struggle with substance abuse or members of their families struggle has been of interest to her. Knowing that there are many families that struggle to put food on their table and may need other assistance has motivated her to help. She has learned that community service is something that can be so impactful for the individual but also the organizations in need of help. She believes that self-improvement and learning new things on both ends are part of the process for a better community. Michelle describes very strongly her view on what needs to happen in order for someone to make a change in the community. Anyone that would like to make a change should first work on being the best version of themselves, as well as showing respect in every way possible. This is important and something that we should all keep in mind when wanting to work on making a change. She hopes that by being a part of Mountain Youth she is able to have students reach out and know that there will always be a way to fix a situation, regardless of what it could be. She hopes that adults are able to realize the importance of connecting with their children and learn a way to separate work from home. Michelle states, “Thanks to being part of Mountain Youth, I have learned so much and made so much progress in my life and goals." Michelle is such an inspiration and a role model for other youth and adults in our community. She brings kindness, joy and wisdom to every meeting that she is part of. She is filled with desire for a better tomorrow for all and expects nothing in return but the fulfillment of others having joy. Written by Judith Rojas, Mountain Youth Community Liaison, jrojas@mountainyouth.org

Some people seem to bring light wherever they go. They actively seek ways to make a difference and do not hesitate to do what it takes to make someone else's future a bit brighter. Jo Pennock is that light and she brings humility, empathy, and passion to all that she does. After Jo graduated with a degree in Sociology from Smith College, she realized that she was tired of learning only about the world's problems, rather than working to figure out solutions to those issues. Naturally, she set out to solve all of these problems with her relentless determination. Recognizing that there are too many problems to solve for just one person, she decided to focus her attention and efforts on working with youth in need. Jo acknowledges that, while it may sound cliché, the "children are the future." That is why her role with Bright Future Foundation is a dream come true and has allowed her to pursue her passions. Now, she has the opportunity to help and positively impact the lives of the youth in our community in a meaningful and mutually beneficial way. Jo is the Youth Advocacy Manager at Bright Future Foundation. Her role involves going into schools and teaching about healthy relationships. An extremely significant part of a child's life are the relationships that they form. A healthy relationship can help youth feel secure and supported, whereas unhealthy relationships can have long-term adverse effects. The prevention work done in this area is vital in assisting young people in identifying unhealthy behaviors and maintaining healthy boundaries. Jo also coordinates the Buddy Mentor program within the organization. Buddy Mentors seeks to inspire and support youth. Adult volunteers commit time to regularly meeting with a local youth who could benefit from a positive role model. In addition to offering support, encouragement, and guidance, the mentor also acts as a source of support for the child. Mentors encourage youth to dream big and grow stronger by spending time with them, learning new things, and enjoying the friendships created. A Junior and Senior buddy are matched for a minimum of one year and spend several hours a month with one another. Many Junior and Senior buddies remain connected for many years! Jo is responsible for identifying safe and approved adults from the community who then get matched with at-risk youth that have been referred by their schools, counselors, or anyone who believes they may benefit from this program. Buddy Mentors is based on the Big Brother/Big Sisters model and has similar results in increasing confidence and self-esteem and decreasing risky behaviors in the youth involved. Jo's favorite experience of the job so far has been seeing the joy on the faces of a Junior Buddy once they had been matched with their Senior Buddy. When that time comes, they are very excited! These youth have had a more difficult life than most of us would understand, and just introducing them to a safe and reliable person is a huge success which can help to shape their future in a more positive way. While Jo has lived in many places, including some time abroad, she has always been drawn to the mountains. Not only is Vail Valley a picturesque place to live, it also brings her closer to her family. Jo appreciates the community's efforts in bettering the health and well-being of our youth. Jo believes that every day is a new opportunity and continues to learn through curiosity. It is people like Jo who make the world a better place. We thank her for her passion and dedication! If you know of a local child that would benefit from the Buddy Mentor program, please click here. If you are interested in becoming a Senior Buddy, click here. Written by Grace Meinberg, Manager of Safe Driving Efforts with Mountain Youth, gmeinberg@mountainyouth.org

Compassion. Humility. Positivity. These characteristics sum up my experiences with two incredible young women leading powerful opportunities for local youth. Elsa Morales, Battle Mountain High School senior, and Grecia Mena, Eagle Valley High School senior, have joined forces as leads in a Tu Guia tutoring and mentorship program in the community. Conceived during the early phase of at-home learning during the pandemic, Grecia and her peers recognized the academic struggles many families were facing in supporting their children’s learning. These young leaders conceptualized a program where older peers- high school and college-aged would be paired with families of elementary and middle school students to provide support with academics. Before long, other needs emerged beyond just academic learning and the tutors embraced training on communication, time management, conflict resolution and a multitude of other behavioral and life skills. Unlike many other tutoring and mentorship programs, family engagement is a priority with built-in parental supports. Fast forward and, while fortunately students have been back on school campuses for some time, Tu Guia continues to grow and support local families. “It is obvious that school and learning are very important to Elsa and Grecia. They both recently transitioned into Tu Guia Lead roles with Mountain Youth and are truly an inspiration. Elsa and Grecia are excited to dive into the program, explore new opportunities, and ensure that each student’s individual needs are met,” shares Denise Kipp, Director of Education at Mountain Youth. As Leads, these women get to build connections with other tutors, offer guidance on academic and social support, offer fun and educational trainings and connect tutors and families with resources. While Grecia and Elsa share a passion for serving children and families, they have traveled unique paths. Grecia was born and raised in the Valley and loves helping others, especially the Hispanic community. Grecia’s inspiration stems from her parents who have inspired her by continuously giving back to family, friends, and colleagues. Grecia also keeps her community and opportunities in perspective. “I have seen kids at the border in Mexico, asking for money for education and basic needs. It gives me strength to be able to help with my community so that local families can have free education and social-emotional supports,” Grecia explains. A hard worker with a heart for giving back, it is no surprise that Grecia is interested in pursuing nursing. Grecia is a constant beacon of positivity and believes that one smile can change someone’s day. Her advice for others is to get out of your comfort zone, surround yourself by positive influences, and remember that other people’s behaviors, how they act towards you, or view you, most likely has nothing to do with you. Elsa learned about Mountain Youth through a school counselor while she was interning at Berry Creek Middle School diving into a possible educator pathway. Tu Guia offered Elsa a chance to help students learn outside of the classroom and has encouraged her to shift gears and work towards becoming a school-based therapist. “Middle school was incredibly hard for me socially and I didn’t feel like I had anyone I could talk to, until a few teachers I trusted helped me improve my mindset,” Elsa explains. “There are not many Latina therapists and therapy is so stigmatized in our culture. We are urged to have a tough mindset, to deal with challenges on our own, and to “get over it”, and I don’t want other children to feel like I did,” she shares. Battle Mountain High School teacher Alex Peltier shares that "Elsa is a student that makes every learning environment better. Her sense of humor and thoughtful perspective bring such positive energy to the classroom that you can't help but have a better day. On top of that, her resilience and honesty have helped establish her as someone that others look up to and respect." Elsa has worked hard to get involved and her resume is impressive with participation in Student Council, National Honors Society, Link Crew, AVID, Hispanic Mentors, and she is also on track to earn her Seal of Biliteracy. Her grit and perseverance are incredible, and she holds a special place for her Tu Guia work. A highlight was being matched with her first students, two siblings and their family members. They made connections through basketball, social drama, goal setting, and academic progress. As Kipp sums up, “Grecia and Elsa are a gift to the community and to Tu Guia, and we feel very fortunate to work beside them.” Who said that a devil and a huskie cannot play nice in the sandbox!? Written by Michelle Stecher, Executive Director of Mountain Youth, mstecher@mountainyouth.org

Where do we often meet people who are top influencers of our community? A professional development training? Local board meetings? Color Coffee? When I realized how impactful James Dilzell is, I was his punching dummy in a Kickboxing class. The guy has a great jab and the flexibility makes for a limber opponent… but the new Executive Director of Eagle River Watershed Council has a stoke for water that goes beyond a striking first impression. James’ home state of Ohio is neighboring one of the Great Lakes (Erie) making it the land of 'much water’ and easy access to recreational water… but not always drinkable. A member the kayaking club in Alabama, James remembers a course in one location where they were told “if you flip, don’t open your mouth”. The local chicken processing plant was upstream and drained directly into the river filling it with thriving toxic bacteria. Additionally, his field ecology class in high school included a 2-week summer program to explore Lake Erie and the ecology, ecosystems, and environment inside of this body of water. Dissecting fish, learning more about the bugs, seeing the ecosystem up close and evaluating were some fond memories. He attributed these experiences and memories to his love of water and passion to care for (and inherently restore) the environment, but most specifically freshwater ecosystems. James found his college home at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!). The University was recruiting for engineering degrees, and James found himself in the mechanical engineering program. Junior year came around, and James felt like there was more in the world than mechanical engineering. After some deep searching, he discovered the newly-established environmental engineering degree in the university’s programs. While not the ‘claim-to-fame’ major at U of A, James’ passion and interest in this field propelled him into the environmental workforce. Starting his career by exploring in one of the most beautiful places in the world, James found a job with the Montana Conservation Corps (MCC) and traveled up to Northwest Montana. Finding this job was a quick process, as he got a call, interviewed, and traveled to Kalispell in just over a week. Overall development of youth was his focus with MCC as James led groups of youth (sophomore-senior in High School) to do trail work, campsite maintenance, etc. as well as leadership development. This position allowed James to highlight different careers and opportunities for growth in the environmental field, and the smile on his face showed his excitement to spread awareness about the area he’s so passionate about. That being said, this job wasn’t his career high-point (obviously), but certainly a launching point. Walking Mountains brought James to the Eagle Valley, and he’s been here in the land of ‘limited water’ for 5 years. James has been with the Eagle River Watershed Council for just over 3 years. Serving as the Education and Outreach Coordinator from 2019 until Spring of 2022 allowed a space for him to build skill paths overlapping educational and technical aspects. Blasting into the Executive Director position this spring (at the age of 27), James admits this is a dream job of his. It’s not ever what he would have envisioned at this point in his life, but this is the field, capacity, and location where he belongs. How did this 27-year-old land an ED position? “Put your hat in the ring”, Dilzell encourages others to not limit their potential. Now stepping into huge roles surrounding technical aspects, policy work, community representation, and advocacy for local water, James' career is right where he wants it to be. James encourages all to “just try something!! You might hate it, but it’ll get you somewhere nonetheless.” The state of water in Eagle County and the West is ‘unpredictable’. Our local water supply relies so much on changing snowpack , that our use and management of water is essential. Eagle County is responsible for about 3% of the total flow of the Colorado River. “Collaboration is key” claims Dilzell, encouraging ideas, learning, and discussion. Conversations with the county, town(s), partners, neighbors, and friends are how awareness gets raised and how the watershed reaches its greatest potential. Water connects all of our lives and we should all be connected to water. James is happy to chat with anyone, in order to better serve the watershed, and he can be reached at dilzell@erwc.org. Written by Cameron Dole, Youth Engagement Manager at Mountain Youth, cdole@mountainyouth.org

Rylee Sharkey has a sure way of energizing you with her call for action! “Once you enter the world of sustainability, you see it applies to everything, it factors into every aspect of life and impacts everyone. Get involved! See the behind the scenes of the process!” Rylee speaks passionately about how we cannot ignore the environmental aspect and how humans aren’t separate but very much part of it. It reminded me of this quote by Lady Bird Johnson: “The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.” Rylee was a key organizer and promoter of the Sustainable Splash, an event culminating her efforts on an environmental awareness project with Valley's Voice (VV). Rylee saw the biggest goals of the event being about accessible outdoor recreation and sustainability, fun and safe river activities for all levels, and collaboration with local partners like Vail Health, Timberline Tours, and The Watershed Council. Sustainable Splash and Rylee are showing us that being environmentally conscious is first of all lots of fun! Learning about it is fun, participating is great fun, connecting with others who are interested is super fun! Rylee appreciates the opportunities of Valley’s Voice where young people focus on their passion projects. She values the fact that VV opens up resources to her and to the community as a whole. Rylee enjoys VV because everyone is eager to be involved and so enthusiastic and it feels good to be a part of an animated team. It is also a great atmosphere for learning and taking on leadership roles. Rylee is currently a Junior at EVHS and last year she got involved in an initiative by Walking Mountains called the Youth Environmental Leadership Council. The participants hosted clean ups around the valley and a clothing swap outside of the Youth Closet. These are such simple and powerful ways to help protect the Earth: reduce, reuse and recycle, shop wisely and dedicate efforts to community clean ups. Have you seen the green tents with the Recycle, Compost and Trash compartments at local events like the Block Party, Youthapalooza, and the Rodeo? They are there thanks to the Zero Waste Team with Walking Mountains and Rylee works on sorting throughout the events and after. Yet another way she role models that taking action is necessary and very doable. The Eagle Valley High School Green Team is fortunate to have Rylee as its president. The team advocated for and obtained larger size recycling bins thus expanding the school capacity to hold more recycling. They have goals to train teachers, custodians and students about recycling as well as make it easy for everyone. Rylee and the team track differences and educate about commercial versus residential recycling, and make the single stream and dual stream recycling requirements understandable. Rylee and the team share a vision of expanding the Green Team with more volunteer opportunities, recognition at graduation for the members, and starting a tree planting project. She also thinks about the big picture collaboration of the Green Team, the Zero Waste Team and the Valley’s Voice Passion Project about the Environment, because combining efforts means larger impact inside of school and outside of school. Rylee is committed to obtaining an Associates Degree in Science with emphasis on Environmental Studies by the time she finishes High School. She also has an Internship with Eagle River Watershed Council where she learns about water quality, restorations, and general education about river health. We all need this reminder from her, “Water is complicated, there are intricate laws about it and everyone needs it and should care deeply about it!” If up to now you missed the part that Rylee is fierce and extremely versatile, let me tell you she has been dancing for the last 5 years and now has chosen rugby as her fall sport! If you are curious to know how she got to advocate so successfully and accomplish so much it is due to simple truths. It doesn’t feel like work to her, all she does is so true to who she is. She focuses on what she enjoys (sustainability), meeting new people, having meaningful experiences, building things, trying a variety of new things! Her message for her peers of all ages is: “When in doubt, just try something different! A focus group, a project, a new sport. You might surprise yourself!” Written by: Tsveti Fuentes, Community Mobilizer at Mountain Youth, tfuentes@mountainyouth.org

We recommend getting to know Mando if you haven’t already, since he wants to get to know you! Mando’s outgoing, approachable, and generous nature make him a great addition to our team at Mountain Youth. Although he doesn't have an official title, we know he can be relied upon to help and contribute creative ideas and positive energy to any task he undertakes. His responsibilities include serving on the High School Valley's Voice Board and the Communities that Care Media and Data Teams. Mando helps brainstorm the areas or risk factors that we could improve upon. He also helps determine how we go about making positive changes and promoting protective factors for our local youth. When there are other opportunities to jump in and help, he is on it and comes in with his dimpled smile, contagious laugh, and excellent attitude. Being a true "day one" Vail Valley native, Mando appreciates the people in his community, as well as, the beautiful surroundings. Although he loves his home, he embraces the opportunity to learn about the world through travel. Both of his parents are immigrants to the United States and have an appreciation for learning about other peoples’ cultures and experiences. They have encouraged Mando through out his travels. His passion for traveling stems from the fact that he has been able to learn more from his explorations and adventures in the nine countries he has visited, than he could have learned in a classroom. During his travels and explorations, he finds value in serving the communities he visits. His favorite activity has been volunteering as an educator. His passion for education is evident in his work with organizations in Eagle County and in his own life. He looks forward to continuing his world-travels, but is working to save up to buy a car. Having his own vehicle would make it easier for him to get around and explore the rest of Colorado and other states as well. Mando's attitude towards life is admirable, and many of us could learn from him. "Be here now" is one of the many mottos he lives by. While he sees his peers spending their time scrolling on their phones, he would rather be outside, being creative, or meeting new people. He enjoys many of the same activities as others do in our Valley. A few of the things you can find him doing include, snowboarding, mountain biking, trail running, and creating art in the art room at his high school. In addition to working for Mountain Youth, he is also a volunteer for the Children's Global Alliance, SOS, and the Community Market in his spare time. He shares that he believes in the importance of giving and helping others. Regardless of how fortunate you are, there is something that we can all learn from each other. There are a few things that he thinks you should do or be to embrace life: Be selfless; Be humble; Be yourself. And, don’t be afraid to take risks. These are the demands he tries to live by, but also, have fun! Cameron Dole, the Youth Engagement Coordinator for Mountain Youth, works closely with Mando and shares, “Armando Fuentes is an outstanding young man who uses an array of experiences to communicate, challenge, and conversate with peers, younger youth, and 'adults'. His charismatic presence provides an essential vibe for every situation. His willingness to hop on board is always present, and his bonds built with those he interacts with are impressive. I am so lucky to work with Mando, and his smile, stoke, and service for the community are unmatched!” Mando is going into his Junior year at Eagle Valley High School. He is still figuring out what he would like to do after high school, but we know that whatever he gets into, he will thrive and be a confident and influential individual that you would be lucky to know. We look forward to continuing to have the privilege of working with him. Written By: Grace Meinberg, Mountain Youth Manager of Safe Driving Efforts

Talk to the Uniform! You know the feeling: a police officer nears you and your stomach jumps into your throat? Why is that? It’s Amber Barrett’s dream to change that reaction. She currently serves as the Public Information Officer for the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and her mission is to have our community view those in uniform differently. By the way, she is also the person who works to keep us all informed, 24/7, and up to date on all emergencies, big and small, that affect our beautiful piece of the world. Glenwood Canyon fire? Amber. Sylvan Lake fire? Amber. Poor, young, soul consumed by the river? Amber. Today, she is recognized as the Mountain Youth Difference Maker because of the other work she does. Amber grew up with a cop, her dad. He was an officer in the Town of Vail for more than 30 years. For her, talking to the uniform was a regular occurrence. Think of all the times when you were young and talked to your dad while he was on the job. Now imagine him in a uniform. It never made a difference to Amber. Her dad, in the uniform and out, was someone she could trust, who she could ask questions, and who she could count on for help. In the six and a half years that Amber has served us, she has worked to change the image that the uniform connotes. She started as the Evidence Officer and people around her soon realized she had a knack for speaking up. Not long after, she was asked to facilitate community events involving law enforcement and community partners. She jumped at that chance and was soon working on her dream: dissolving the myth that law enforcement is unapproachable, always official, and always out to get someone. Next thing we know, events start popping up with cops in attendance all around the county. Events like Coffee with a Cop, Camp 911, the annual National Night Out, and so many others. Amber credits the team she works with and the deputies who participate and support the development and expansion of these types of events, but really, it boils down to Amber. She can remember specific successes like the time a community member at a Coffee with a Cop event said, “Thank you! Thank you to our local law enforcement who are regularly responding to calls involving 10% of the community while the other 90% of the community respects and appreciates their service!”. And, when a School Resource Officer recalled how particular high school students approach him to ask specific questions about illegal substances. She also remembers the days when deputies, in spite of earlier coaching, would still cluster together at events rather than mingle. Yes, she shooed them into place and they, too, discovered that community members have really nice things to say about their law enforcement personnel. Amber’s dream is coming true. People are talking to the uniform much more now and it feels good. She has made a difference in our community, busting down a long-held barrier. Thanks, Amber, thanks to Amber’s dad, and thanks to our officers in uniform. Written by Sandy Schroeder, Director of Community Engagement at Mountain Youth, sschroeder@mountainyouth.org

Charlie Callis is a young adult anyone would be impressed to meet! I have had the honor and privilege of working with many young people in my career as a teacher for 16 years, and now as the Director of Education with Mountain Youth. Charlie Callis stands out amongst so many of these young people because of their magnetic personality and ability to connect with just about anyone. When they interact with people they really know how to ‘listen to respond’, and they are truly present in the conversation. Not many people possess this combination of skills. Charlie was born in Florida, but grew up in Gypsum, Colorado. Having recently graduated from Eagle Valley High School- go Devils! During their time at EVHS, Charlie embraced various leadership roles such as Mountain Youth Advisor, EVHS Track and Field Team Captain, and Mountain Pride Committee Member. Charlie continues to seek out new challenges to grow their skills and support their peers with each new opportunity. Charlie’s primary piece of advice for youth in our community – they want youth to know that they can help people, that they do have a voice that matters, and most importantly to focus on what they are most passionate about. Charlie recently learned about the increase of young people dying from fentanyl in our country and it really surprised them. Charlie decided it was necessary to grow awareness locally about this issue as many young people and community members are simply not aware that this problem even exists. They are leading a ‘Passion Project’ with a few others and Charlie has begun planning an awareness campaign. Charlie’s outgoing and involved personality has helped them secure footholds throughout the community. They are working towards becoming a Certified Nurse’s Assistant. Charlie took the necessary steps through Colorado Mountain College, completed the assessments necessary, and was hired at Castle Peak Senior Center, which provides them with real life experience before going off to college. Charlie feels that it is important to take the initiative and if you know where your interests lie, to start pursuing your career early on in life. They plan to attend Colorado Mesa University and hope to obtain their degree in Nursing. Charlie believes that the biggest need for the youth in our community is mental health support. They feel that growing up in this somewhat isolated and secluded valley often means that kids need more mental health support and resources. Charlie’s main piece of advice would be: “Don’t be afraid of who you are, express yourself freely, and don’t worry too much about what others think of you”. One of Charlie’s biggest supporters has been his mom, and she is the reason that Charlie became interested in the medical field after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Eagle County is a better place thanks to Charlie; their leadership and contributions help to make this community great. Written by: Denise Kipp, Director of Education at Mountain Youth, dkipp@mountainyouth.org

Let me introduce you to one special lady…. Danielle Burke. She has the composure of an adult as a result of making the choice at an early age to leave her family in Boulder and follow her passion of ski racing. She moved to Vail to live with a host family at the young age of 14 to attend Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy (VSSA). Her ski career has led her all over the world and her commitment to the sport has resulted in top performances. Danielle has developed her internal drive and dedication in all areas of her life with strong support of her family, her host family and her teammates. She attributes her self -motivation and work ethic to her parents who showed their trust in her at a young age and her Ski and Snowboard Club Vail coach Johnny. When she is not training or competing, Danielle excels at school. She expresses her creative side through writing short stories and has a love of reading (72 books a year!). Danielle has been a member of both Valley’s Voice and Communities that Care Research & Data team and is a member of the Mountain Youth Board of Directors. Danielle has an interest in Suicide Prevention with focusing attention toward the positive among her peers. She has initiated a passion project through Valley’s Voice to reduce internet restrictions in schools district wide. Danielle recognizes an enormous benefit to students being able to access needed resources. She acknowledges there is a dark side to the internet yet she sees it being more advantageous to teach responsible use rather than simply forbidding access. Danielle will be senior this fall with the hopes of continuing her competitive skiing through college. She dreams of pursing a career in the medical field starting with becoming EMT certified. Danielle has a moto of “Go For It” and from what I can tell she is living it! -Michele Zoller

Supporting the growth of hundreds of middle and high school students through academics, athletics, and the awkwardness that is pubescent social development may not be an invigorating lifestyle to everyone. Jason Spannagel reflects on his time with the Eagle County School District (ECSD) and his multitude of roles with genuine love and gratitude. Jason began his career drawn to coaching baseball and girls basketball before finding his passion in the classroom where he embraced the energy of working with young people academically. Many leaders are quick to cite their influencers and sources of inspiration, and former Battle Mountain High School (BMHS) Principal Brian Hester provided that for Jason. “Brian always encouraged me to take on leadership roles and bigger tasks than I thought I was capable of,” he recalls. Jason began as a social studies teacher at BMHS before moving up the ranks to a Dean position while pursuing his administration certificate. More recently, Jason shifted from the high school setting to become the Assistant Principal at Eagle Valley Middle School (EVMS). Principal Eric Mandeville says, “Jason Spannagel is an excellent educator who has led by example, with compassion and commitment to Eagle Valley Middle School and Eagle County Schools. Jason has an innate ability to build genuine relationships with students, staff and community members. The move to become an EVMS “Pirate” enabled Jason to be closer to his own three daughters, opening up more opportunities to support them with sports and activities.” Jason adds, “I cannot imagine doing anything other than working with youth. Their energy and enthusiasm is contagious, and I feed off of that.” Jason has accomplished a tremendous amount during his tenure with ECSD, and currently connects strongly with the equitable and standards-based grading work that the District is pursuing. He truly believes that ‘Grading for Equity’ and standards-based grading is the right work to be doing. Jason is quick to acknowledge that it is hard work, can be difficult to gain traction and that the District will learn and adapt along the way. In the meantime, ECSD looks to other districts and a few local schools as examples and maintains focus on the longer-term benefit of tracking much clearer progress paths for students. Policy work aside, a primary motivator in his professional path has been the people. “I have loved working with the people of Eagle County—teachers, administrators, district leaders and partners. There is a phenomenal professional community which makes it easy to remain in this career path for so long. I feel blessed to have amazing colleagues and friends,” Jason shares. When asked what he thinks others should know about his work, Jason giggles as he thinks of the middle school years. He recounts the culture shock of entering the middle school campus as an administrator. The stark differences in the innocence coupled with eagerness to learn and be in school that sixth graders frequently display, compared to eighth graders preparing for high school, finding themselves, and occasionally testing their teenage rebellion keeps him on his toes. This mix offers a wide range in the types of conversations that come through his door. While adolescence may seem like ancient history to some, Jason urges a commitment to compassion. He describes, “As adults, the pandemic has affected us deeply, and we were more prepared for coping and handling than our young people. The impact of the past few years during a major developmental change phase is enormous behaviorally, social-emotionally and academically. We are going to see a long-lasting impact.” Jason continues to push for accountability, and offers a wise reminder that the pandemic or other traumas may be, “An explanation for a behavior, not an excuse”. As Jason wraps up the school year, he considers the assets available to young people growing up here, both in and out of school—a multitude of opportunities that don’t exist for kids in many other areas. This community produces Olympic athletes, extremely successful entrepreneurs, offers multilingual educational pathways, career readiness programming and countless other prospects. We may take these for granted, yet we should be proud of what we are building in Eagle County. "Mr. Spannagel goes to every big event at our school and takes pictures of everything. He is also really funny. I am so thankful that he is the new vice principal of EVMS," says Brooklyn McConnell. While schools are a foundational system for youth in Eagle County, numerous organizations collaborate to enhance supports. Mountain Youth’s vision is for all youth to thrive. In order for this to happen, Jason urges continued education and creating spaces of belonging. “Not every child will get certain messages at the same time. It is an ongoing process to ensure that every individual feels valued,” Jason says. He believes as long as putting kids first is your primary motivator then the tough decisions become more clear. Jason and his family are sad to say goodbye to the community they have called home for many years as they relocate to the Midwest to be closer to family. The Spannagels will be missed tremendously. Jason has so generously dedicated sixteen years to putting kids first in every possible decision and we are deeply grateful. -Michelle Stecher, Executive Director of Mountain Youth and Eagle County School District Board President

This month’s Difference Maker is not only impacting our youth in the classroom as a sixth-grade math teacher at Eagle Valley Middle School, but she also coaches sixth-grade boys and girls basketball and high school softball at Eagle Valley High School. Patience and encouragement encompass Shelby Partridge’s dedication to young people. She advocates for our youth to be themselves and to follow their passions. Shelby grew up just outside of Omaha, Nebraska. Lucky enough to grow up vacationing in Beaver Creek as a teenager, she knew very quickly that the mountains would be her home someday. After teaching for a year in Omaha, Shelby decided to move to Avon, not knowing a single soul here. It was one of the best decisions she ever made! Shelby wasn’t sure she would call this place home for very long, but here she is five years later. Shelby and her wife have rooted themselves in this community, and both have been welcomed with open arms, making connections with a lasting impression. Shelby knew from an early age that she wanted to be a teacher. She would make her siblings sit at their makeshift desks in their playroom and “teach” them how to read and write. She acknowledges this significant love of learning and a zest for helping others. Sports were some of the few places where Shelby felt a sense of belonging. For many reasons, she had low self-worth and self-esteem. Athletics were her outlet, and she is forever grateful for that. “My teachers and coaches were such an influential part of my life; they truly shaped me into the person I am today. Because of this, I strive to be the best version of myself in front of the kids I teach and coach. I think they make me a better person,” Shelby declares. The primary motivators for serving youth today, for Shelby, are the kids who inspire her to do better and to be better. She describes, “They truly are incredible, and I love being around them and learning from them. They remind me to enjoy life’s moments, embrace my weirdness, and never stop learning.” Middle school was the most challenging part of Shelby’s life, and because of this, teaching and coaching middle schoolers bring her great motivation. “If I can have an impact on just one kid who is going through the tough times that middle school can bring, then it’s all worth it,” Shelby says admirably. Shelby believes that mental health and social-emotional wellness are such a huge part of the conversation in our community, and she is grateful that these complex dialogues are emerging. “There are still large disparities among minorities and diverse populations, but I think the plethora of resource organizations in Eagle County are working toward narrowing that gap,” Shelby says. Supporting the LGBTQ+ community is one of Shelby’s biggest passions. “I strive to build an inclusive, safe, and welcoming classroom where all kids feel important and accepted.” She is the founder and co-sponsor of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) at Eagle Valley Middle School. Being new to the valley, it was a scary thing to start as there were very few GSAs. She appreciates the support of the administration at Eagle Valley Middle for making this group successful. At first, Shelby was grateful for a handful of students that showed up to the meetings, and now she has over twenty active youth serving in the alliance. “This may be the only safe space for our youth to feel like they belong. Whether they show up for donuts, socialization, advocacy, or anywhere in between, they are accepted and loved,” Shelby shares. The most important advice Shelby has for today’s youth is to “Be Yourself.” She shares a great piece of wisdom, “I spent a lot of years pretending, hiding, feeling unworthy, uncomfortable in my own skin. It was a waste of time and energy. Don’t waste a single moment in this life not being authentic. There is a reason you are you… no one else can be you!” Professionally, Shelby feels blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from incredible people. One of her high school teachers, Dr. Kelly Gomez-Johnson, inspired her to love math, coaching, and teaching. She is also where she is today because of Dr. Katie Jarnot’s mentorship. She taught Shelby a lot about building respect, trust, and leadership. Katie encouraged her to be authentic and create inclusive spaces in classrooms. There are countless others, too many to write about, in Shelby’s life that have shaped the authenticity of who Shelby is today. Our youth have faced challenging yet innovative times in learning, and development-and teachers have been at the heart of it all! Teachers and coaches like Shelby are doing the hard work and making a difference. Through some adversity and the challenges of her own middle school experiences, Shelby has developed an ability to inspire hope, influence individuality, and create safe spaces for young people to thrive.

Christina San Diego is a wise and resilient junior at Eagle Valley High School. Energy evokes her destiny to make a difference in a world of adversity. As Christi describes, “I want to inspire people and reach their hearts. I want others to look up to me and hear what I have to say.” It is Christi’s mission to advocate for young people to be assertive, celebrate diversity and develop personal passions and creative expression. Christi moved to Eagle County from Tennessee when she was in fourth grade with her dad and four siblings, ranging in age from fourteen to twenty-one. It hasn’t been easy growing up with a single dad, working many jobs to care for five children and her family has suffered from adversity. “I want to motivate others to work hard and overcome their obstacles,” she says. Christi’s two older sisters- both away at college- are her biggest inspiration. They have worked hard to get where they are and through hard work and tenacity, her dad and sisters have influenced Christi to keep moving to persevere through hardships. In the future, Christi aspires to travel the world and explore her roots as a Filipino woman. She desires to have new experiences and to explore beyond her roots; she years for better understanding of different cultures and individuals. School and learning are very important to Christi, and she stays incredibly engaged. As a junior at Eagle Valley High School (EVHS), she is in the National Honors Society, Link Crew, Youth Equity Stewardship, serves as the Equity Youth Lead and plays year-round club volleyball. Being outdoors and trying new sports keeps this busy young lady quite active. Christi recently also accepted the role of the Behavioral Education Partners Youth Advisor. She is working with five organizations and schools to better understand and adjust education programs so that they are reaching all youth from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and supporting their social emotional development. “Christi is truly an inspiration in this role. She is excited to dive into programs, explore new opportunities, and to make sure the student voice in driving updates and changes that will improve their learning experience,” shares her BE Partners supervisor, “she is a gift to the community and the programs, and we feel very fortunate to work with her.” This year has been a year of personal growth for Christi. She is most proud of her commitment to understand herself, present herself exceptionally to the world and to hone in on her personal passions. In the past, Christi has neglected her own mental health and is committed to taking better care of her personal needs and slowing down. She has taken many demanding college level classes and recently realized that she needs to enjoy the present moment, sleep more and enjoy healthier nourishment. The stresses of schoolwork can be overwhelming and impede a healthy lifestyle. Equity work lies at the forefront of Christi’s drive to make a difference. Christi wants to inspire her peers to explore their personal passions and interests, know that it’s okay to be different and stop trying to fit into others’ expectations. She is in the process of developing and launching a club for youth, titled Youth Equity Alliance. It will be a space for students to feel safe talking about issues they see at school and utilizing resources in the community. The alliance will be a supportive environment where students feel strong enough to stand up for themselves and their beliefs and passions. Christi already has an impressive outlook on life and desires to help people. She is a hardworking and resilient young lady who is making a significant difference in a world of adversity.