Principal Amy Chinn presented the awards to Madison Shults and Jake Smith.
Newton was the mayor of Denver from 1947 to 1954, and retired in 1962 as the president of the University of Colorado. He is described as having been energetic, innovative and progressive in the reforms he accomplished in Denver and at CU.
The Newton Award isn’t Smith’s lone reward. He is also The Unsung Hero chosen by MHS staff, given to the senior who is most helpful behind the scenes but not always getting the acknowledgement due. Smith hasn’t stopped there either, also being the Faculty Dependability Awardee based on good attendance, punctuality, honesty, cooperation, sincerity, willingness, initiative and taking responsibility.
Chinn commented that MHS has been committed to improving attendance for everyone this year and said, “Our students have done an excellent job overall being in school and learning. We have three students who have perfect attendance this spring semester and six who have perfect attendance all year.”
Those with year-long perfect attendance are Shelbi Blazon, Austin Bradford, Logan Hughes, Trapper Merrifield, Faith Patterson and Nishiko Thelen. Those with perfect attendance this spring are Caleb Bradford, Maggie Phelan and Christopher Strate. These attendance champions were given Meeker Chamber of Commerce Bucks donated by McGuire Auto Parts, Victor Parker, Mountain Valley Bank and Michele Morgan.
Other awards given included:
Margie Joy presented the Pioneers Healthcare Foundation $1,500 Scholarship to senior Faith Patterson, who is headed to medical school.
Trina Zagar-Brown of White River Electric Association awarded essay-based scholarships for the Co-op Youth Leadership Camp in July to Taylor Dodds and Logan Hughes; Rural Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., to Faith Goedert and Sheridan Harvey; Cowboy Shoot-out Awards: to Jenna Walsh and Kash Atwood; and 2016 scholarships to Caitlyn Shepherd, Matt Devore, Ty Dunham, Madison Shults, Faith Patterson, T.J. Shelton, Jake Smith, Amanda Begaye and Nick Burri.
Wes Eubanks for VFW Post 5843 and the Women’s Auxiliary presented the Voice of Democracy Award to Faith Patterson.
Richard Brooks presented the Masonic Arts and Sciences Award to the junior displaying strong service, citizenship and leadership: Meghan Smith.
Gary and Laurie Zellers and Bob Amick, representing the International Thespian Society presented the Honor Thespian Awards to Braden Woodward, lighting; Charlie Day, lighting; Sierra Williams, backstage; Senna Zellers and Savana May.
Cassie McGuire presented the Meeker Sportsmen’s Club $800 scholarship to Faith Patterson.
Jeff Hemingson, MHS music instructor, presented the U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fidelis band member award to Matt Devore; honor choir to Corey Hood, Leah Pool, Savana May and Shelby Steele; and the Meeker Cowboy Musician of the Year Award to Leah Pool.
Ben Quinn, MHS visual arts instructor presented the Scholastic Arts Awards, State and National Champion to Madison Russell and the Denver Art Museum Top 10 to Amanda Begaye.
Cheri Robinson, MHS creative writing instructor presented awards for extended plot development to Clay Anderson; characterization to Eli Newman; and honorable mention awards to Gavin Garr, Trevor Austin, Angel Hall, Tearna North, Matthew Beck, Brook Ford and Cory Rowles.
Brenda Mullins, MHS family and consumer sciences instructor presented the curriculum accomplishment award to Linda Lombardi and Caitlyn Shepherd.
Kirk Daehling of Natural Soda presented the $5,000 Bill Gunn Scholarship to an outstanding science student, given to one student from Meeker, Rangely or Rifle, to T.J. Shelton.
Iris Franklin, Meeker Center coordinator for Colorado Northwestern Community College for most concurrent enrollment credits earned: 65 by Faith Patterson; CNCC Associate’s Degree: T.J. Shelton; and Concurrent Enrollment Scholarship toward being a CNCC student: Jacob Nielsen.
Franklin also presented the Meeker PEO Chapter BA Vocational $500 Scholarship to Caitlyn Shepherd, who will be attending Johnson and Wales University in Denver.
Trina Smith, MHS counselor, presented the $5,000 Caddo Scholarship awarded to Western Slope seniors who will be attending Colorado School of Mines: T.J. Shelton; the CU Boulder Outstanding Junior Award given to a junior who best reflects academic excellence, leadership, school and community service and good citizenship: Madeline Amack; the Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Participation Awards to two sophomores selected by MHS staff for their leadership talents in order to hone them to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, workplace and community: Sierra Williams and Trapper Merrifield. The two will attend three- or four-day HOBY seminars, participate in hands-on leadership activities, meet state leaders and explore their own personal skills while learning how to make a positive impact.
Trina Smith also presented the U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award to the senior who has shown exemplary academic achievement along with leadership being both a scholar and a role model for younger students: T.J. Shelton.
Meeker athletic director Klark Kindler presented several athletics-related awards: the U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Awards: Maggie Phelan and Casey Turner; the Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award: T.J. Shelton; the Touching Hearts Through Athletics Award: T.J. Shelton; the Colorado High School Activities Association Three Sports for Four Years Award: T.J. Shelton; and the MHS Highest Team GPA Award: Girls Varsity Basketball (3.75 average GPS). Kindler also recognized more than 50 students who are CHSSA Three Sports for the Year Athletes.
In his recognition of students going on to be collegiate athletes—T.J. Shelton (wrestling, Colorado School of Mines) and Nick Burri (golf, Missouri Valley College)— Kindler stated that only about 1 percent of high school athletes earn a scholarship to play at the collegiate level. He honored Shelton and Burri for their hard work and dedication.
Kindler also introduced the Academic Athlete Award winners: a total of 86 students: 32 honor athletes (GPA 3.0 to 3.49), 15 high honor athletes (GPA 3.5 to 3.79), and 39 highest honor athletes (GPA 3.8 to 4.0).
Finally, Principal Chinn read the names of winners of school-wide academic letters. There were a total of 104: 41 honors (GPA 3.0 to 3.49), 21 high honors (GPA 3.5 to 3.79) and 42 highest honor (GPA 3.8+) students.
In closing, Chinn remarked that, “As the 2015-2016 school year draws to an end, it is good to reflect on our students’ accomplishments and to celebrate what great kids we have at MHS.”
