Recognitions

Rifle High School graduate selected for Greenhouse Scholars program

Kieryn Wurts-Hammond one in 12 selected for scholarship program



To say that Rifle High School graduate Kieryn Wurts-Hammond is committed to her community would be an understatement.

Wurts-Hammond is a dynamic, natural leader, who is intellectually curious, well-read, thoughtful, passionate, and a self-described “nerd”. However, it's all of those traits that received her a place among 12 Greenhouse Scholars.

Greenhouse Scholars announced 12 new Scholars, including Wurts-Hammond, in the Class of 2015. These high-performing Colorado seniors embody the values of leadership, accountability, community, and relentlessness. This year, only 8 percent of the students who applied for this honor were accepted into the program, according to an announcement released by Greenhouse Scholars.

In Wurts-Hammond's young career, she has already been a tremendous community builder. That is why she was selected to attend the University of Denver through the scholars program.

A release from Greenhouse Scholars stated that Wurts-Hammond was chosen because of her outstanding performance and inspiring dedication to making her community a better place.

“It is rare to hear the same person described as both graceful and fierce by her teacher, and a ‘class clown' and ‘master at philosophical debate' by her best friend, but it is the combination of these traits that led her peers to elect her Student Body President, and to her roles as a Youth Zone peer mentor, Yearbook Copy Editor, Varsity Golf Captain (and CHSAA Girls Golf Academic All-State First Team) and morning announcer at Rifle High School,” the statement read.

Wurts-Hammond was also recognized as an “Outstanding Junior” by the University of Colorado at Boulder.

This year's class of Greenhouse Scholars has among them six Valedictorians, four class or student body Presidents, eight Captains of sports teams, and a Junior Olympian. Together, these scholars have combined to average in the 91 percentile on the ACT college entrance exam, and have served over 6,000 community service hours in high school.

As a Greenhouse Scholar Wurts-Hammond will receive comprehensive personal and financial support, as well as mentorship and professional guidance to ensure that she graduates from college prepared to make her dreams a reality.

She plans on attending the University of Denver and wishes to apply her love of philosophy to a career in law.

“To take unapologetic action takes conviction, it requires a person to overcome their fears, to give their absolute best, to act in real time and to forgo excuses,” Wurts-Hammond said

Two local students receive Encana scholarships

Two local students received scholarships from Encana Oil and Gas (USA) Inc. as part of the company's committed investment in western Colorado's local youth and building a sustainable, future workforce.

Christopher Chartier of Grand Valley High School and Jonathan Angelo of Coal Ridge High School, were two local students to receive the scholarships.

Chartier and Angelo have demonstrated potential for leadership, solid community service and outstanding academic achievement, in addition to a commitment to work toward a career in the oil and gas industry.

Encana's four-year scholarship is given annually to one graduating student in each school district where Encana operates. The full value of each scholarship is $10,000 over four years. Students must pursue a degree in engineering, geology or geophysics, or a technical or trade program associated with the oil and gas industry such as surface land administration or production technology.

Out of all of his community service activities, Chartier feels that his involvement in a mentoring program has made the biggest difference in his community. Chartier was also the senior class president at Grand Valley High School, maintained a place on the National Honor Roll, and held memberships in MESA Club and Key Club.

Chartier plans to study mechanical engineering at The Colorado School of Mines and possibly double major in petroleum engineering. He feels that his participation in the internship program at Shale Tech International has prepared him for his future and his career.

Angelo will be attending Purdue University and studying chemical engineering in the fall. An active member of the National Honor Society, Angelo has received many honors throughout high school including academic letters and placement on the honor roll every semester.

Angelo joined the Glenwood Springs youth hockey team in 2006 and has played every since. He feels that practice in the morning, early and often, taught him commitment and dedication. His commitment to his community is shown through his volunteering positions at the local library, pancake breakfasts and for a clothing drive.

This year, Encana awarded 11 scholarships across Colorado. The scholarship is awarded directly to the student and can be used for any college-related financial need, including tuition and fees, textbooks and rent.

Local graduates of Mesa State College

GRAND JUNCTION — The following local students were among 1,200 students who graduated from Mesa State College on Sunday, May 15.

Rifle

Becky Antonelli graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Adrianne Bostic graduated with a Master of Arts in Education.

Sarah DeForest graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts.

Sarah Golden graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Douglas Laho graduated with a Certificate.

Ni lle McCown graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

Renee McKee graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Sandra Mollman graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

Morgan Moss graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

Tanner Russell graduated with a Certificate.

Shay Salaz graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Michael Salazar-Schuckman graduated with an Associate of Applied Science.

Kathryn Salazar-Schuckman graduated with an Associate of Arts.

John Savage graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science.

Laura Shafer graduated with a Master of Arts in Education.

Candace Stilson graduated with an Associate of Applied Science.

Katherine Zulian graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

Silt

Sarah Wilson graduated with a Certificate.

Parachute

Mitchell Belden graduated with a Certificate.

Luke Braby graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Ja b Brubacher graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

Lauren Christensen graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Mackenzie Gibson graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science.

Deborah Meader graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Sara Rush graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science.

Shelly Schuckers graduated with a Master of Arts in Education.

Pamela Zollars graduated with a Master of Arts in Education.

• Students who received associate degrees with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 to 3.74 graduated with distinction. Those with a GPA of 3.75 to 4.00 graduated with high distinction.

• Students who received a bachelor degree with a GPA of 3.50 to 3.74 graduated cum laude. Those with a GPA of 3.75 to 3.89 graduated magna cum laude. Those with a GPA of 3.90 to 4.00 graduated summa cum laude.