November 21, 2024 Edition
A Moment for Our Teachers
Special Edition: Ashton DeVillier
Eva Casey
Staff Writer
Ashton DeVillier’s goal as a teacher is to make a difference in students' lives.
“My biggest accomplishment from teaching is the kids,” said DeVillier, who has been the high school science teacher at Mancos for two years, but will be leaving for a different job in December.
Before becoming a teacher DeVillier worked as a probation officer and a veterinary technician - but something about being a probation officer made her want to do more to make a difference.
“There were so many kids that needed somebody to look at them and say, 'Hey you’re messing up,' because a lot of the kids didn't have that guidance at home," she said. "So I figured I could make a difference and help right from the source."
Ashton believes that there are a lot of people who think that to be a teacher you have to be “sugary and super sweet” but that is not the case.
“You can be sweet but the real connection and from my experience being real with the kids gets you farther than sugarcoating it,” she told The Mancos Notebook.
Her biggest accomplishment from the past two years she has been here was seeing all the kids move up.
“Whether that was in chemistry or physical science all of my kids had moved up and had gotten better," she said. "For me, that was the biggest thing I could have hoped for as a teacher.”
According to DeVillier her most impactful moment as a teacher was watching the kids who thought they couldn't make it out of high school walk the stage to graduate and seeing them achieve all their dreams.
"I love that I see everybody all day every day in Mancos. I can't go to P&D or Walmart without seeing one of my kids that I love.”
DeVillier describes Mancos as a very close-knit community where everybody knows everyone and watch out for each other.
“Knowing I have someone to lean on truly the kids make Mancos Mancos” she laughed. "I mean the kids are why I'm here they are the reason and there is always something new every day these kids are the reason why it is so hard to leave.”
DeVillier's favorite thing about teaching is the relationships she builds with kids.
“If I didn't build relationships with my kids then I would be the worst teacher ever,” she laughed. "I use this every in behavior and helping guide them to where the students need to be and create levity in their day.”
DeVillier said hardest thing about leaving is the kids.
"They are all so special in their own way and they have come so far," she said.
“My biggest wisdom I can give the kids here before I leave is the right thing is almost never easy and it's always harder of the two options. It's always scary to the harder way and it's going to be challenging - but it's going to make you grow the most even if there is discomfort in the growth.
Mancos is going to miss such an inspiring and amazing teacher and she can never be replaced.
Generational Trauma in Teens and Youth
Third in a Series
Tegan Shinn
Staff Writer
Generational trauma is very common but not well-known. Generational trauma is mental damage caused by a traumatic event or series of events, such as 9/11, Native American boarding schools, the Holocaust, war, genocide, famine, natural disasters and even within families. The trauma can transfer through generations and be felt by children, grandchildren and beyond. The feelings of anxiety, sadness, or lost hope are only some of the emotions that can be felt.
The environment that a person was raised in, for example, can determine how they view the world. How someone was treated and what they experienced growing up can affect many aspects of their adult lives. The biggest developmental time in a person's life is from ages one to five. During these years, if a child is not emotionally supported, they may have difficulty making friends and having healthy relationships.
The way that someone grows up can change the way that they raise and treat their own children. Depending on the person and the way their mind works will change the way that trauma affects them. Some will want to be nothing like the person who hurt them, and some won’t understand how they were hurt and become exactly like the person by whom they were hurt. Many parents won’t realize that they are doing more damage than they are good—though some parents will work to better themselves for the well-being of their child.
Trauma has many forms and people handle it in different ways. Someone who has gone through a traumatic event can have feelings of anxiety, depression, sadness and anger. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), during a traumatic event a person’s fight or flight reaction is activated. This causes feelings of intense fear which can impact the way your mind works if the fear is strong enough. This is what can cause trauma and even post traumatic stress disorder (known as PTSD).
Many parts of day-to-day life can be affected by trauma. It has many mental effects on people including feeling worried, troubles with sleep, and self-isolation. There are also physical effects surrounding trauma, including frequent headaches, stomach and digestive issues, and becoming jumpy and easily scared.
The brain can be severely damaged if trauma is constant in a person's life. The prefrontal cortex can begin to work less efficiently due to fear being a common feeling. According to (WHO?) from the University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) trauma is not a matter of choice, it is the brain going into survival mode. When the brain is in this state it will do anything it has too to keep you safe.
If you have experienced trauma and are having trouble dealing with it there is help. Talking to a trusted adult or person and trying to find help is always worth it. Many resources are available to reach out and get help if you need it.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues, there is help. You can call Colorado Crisis Services at 844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255.
You can also call Safe2Tell Colorado at 877-542-7233 or visit safe2tell.org.
SCEC Provides Dissection Tables to Mancos Anatomy Classes
Levi Priestley
Staff Writer
The Mancos School District has received two Anatomy Dissection Tables (ADT) courtesy of the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative (SCEC). These virtual dissection tables will allow students to see the one-to-one scale of human anatomy to begin their deep dive into the medical profession while expanding Pueblo Community College (PCC) credit classes for MHS students.
The two anatomy tables represent a huge technological advancement for modern medical facilities worldwide. Having been adopted by more than 4,000 healthcare and education institutions throughout the country, Mancos High School is the only school district in Southwest Colorado to have this technology.
“This will be the closest thing to a hands-on approach to human cadavers and give them interactive experiences similar to the medical field,” said Travis White, who has been teaching at Mancos for two years. “I've had to experiment with these machines every day to see the wide variety of things available. It is a self-contained computer with every detail of information about anatomy.”
Designed for hospitals to recreate medical emergencies, the ADT was developed in 2012 by Dr. Jack Choi to allow medical professionals to study the correct and effective way to save patients' lives without having to perform surgery. Since the release of this $72,000 machine 12 years ago, it has helped medical students increase test surgery success by up to 27 percent. Moreover, training doctors with these dissection tables is much less expensive than using animals or real cadavers. It is just as effective and more effective for medical students as they navigate the complex field of medicine.
“When I was going through high school, all things went through textbooks and it was very limited on what interactive lessons you could do on the internal human body,” said Mr. White. “One of my favorite things in college was working with human cadavers, and I'm very excited because it is the same experience for my students without the added gross factor of working on a deceased figure.”
The SCEC has been proud to supply Mancos and surrounding schools with $250,000 in technology equipment to prepare students for medical careers. PCC credits play a strategic role for local students in getting accepted into colleges for concurrently enrolled high schoolers. By supplying Mancos with the state-of-the-art technology, SCEC is providing 21st-century education and training to set students apart from other applicants in the medical field.
Travis White is the anatomy teacher for MHS.
Photo Credit: Levi Priestley
Businesses Giving Back: P&D's Grocery & Pizza
Jessica Halladay
Staff Writer
Serving for over 49 years is one of Historic Mancos’s staple businesses: The P&D. This establishment has been open and operating for over 40 years, providing the Mancos Valley with fresh produce, fresh meat, dairies and a wide variety of household items and fresh food. In addition to groceries the P&D also offers a large variety of pizzas that's been served for over 25 years.
Located at 280 Highway 160 East Frontage Road, Unit 5; the store operates daily from seven AM to eight PM.
Pete Loyd and Rob Kirk, the current owners of the family owned business were honored as citizen of the year by the Mancos Valley Lions Club in 2015, as well as 1999. Loyd had and Kirk had provided firefighters in the Mancos fire dept. With food and water during the Weber fire.
P&D is a cornerstone to Mancos, being one of the few locally owned grocery stores. Customers say that the service is always friendly and kind.
“We stopped buy for five days straight to get supplies for the day when we were vacationing in the area, we had the same lady check us out each morning and she was one of the most friendliest and helpful people we have ever come across,” One customer stated on their review
The P&D is also very supportive of the Mancos School DIstrict, as well as hosting a Thanksgiving dinner every year.
The store’s poster board is a community gathering point where all businesses can advertise and also sign ups for baseball, the giving tree and many more.
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Newsroom Picks
Dacota Jones
Neil Perry
Staff Writers
A round-up of what's happening in entertainment!
How to Train Your Dragon
Live-Action Trailer: Hiccup and Toothless finally get their first live-action movie! Comes out on June 13.
https://variety.com/2024/film/news/how-to-train-your-dragon-trailer-live-action-1236208562/
Stray Kids
Stray Kids new album “Giant” will headline the first announced show at wrigley field of the 2025 season with a big hit with their new song “Slash” that was also include in Deadpool and Wolverine
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/wrigley-field-to-host-first-k-pop-concert-in-2025/3604050/
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
The new Sonic the Hedgehog movie tickets will be on sale on November 25 and the movie will hit theaters on December 20 with Keanu Reeves will be voicing Shadow the Hedgehog.
https://www.joblo.com/sonic-the-hedgehog-3-new-poster-tickets/
Tim Allen
Tim Allen returns for his new sitcom titled ‘Shifting Gears’ after retirement
Popeye Horror Movie
Popeye becomes a bloodthirsty maniac in his new horror movie titled ‘Shiver Me Timbers’
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Stray Kids
November 14, 2024 Edition
SCEC Ddonates $250,000 in Machines and Technology to Mancos School District
Levi Priestley
Staff Writer
The Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative (SCEC) has supplied the Mancos School District with $250,000 in equipment for its welding classes. Mancos partnered with the organization three years ago to help find better resources for learning and get more materials for the school's developing programs. Since then, SCEC has been a major donor to regional schools to advance their learning through trade skills.
One of the machines purchased includes a Tormach 24R CNC router, which has the ability to cut wood, aluminum, plastics and more. This two-by-five-foot computer numerical control system (CNC) has the ability to manufacture car parts and medical devices through the use of computer software. This cutting-edge technology will give Mancos students the ability to learn about manufacturing and metalworking.
“This machine would be driven by a Fusion 360 program that we have acquired from Southwest Education and have the ability to cut in X, Y and Z accesses. Although you may still have to be an apprentice in some metalworking shops, having this knowledge sets students forward and gives many young men and women entry-level knowledge of this equipment,” said Monte Van Keuren, the shop teacher at the Mancos School District. “Having this expertise in complex machinery will open up many career paths for students and prove them as highly capable individuals ready for any job they come across.”
Mancos has expanded its learning pathways in the past several years through partnerships and collaborations like SCEC. Working with these organizations gives school districts the technology they need to advance their student's understanding of career paths and employment opportunities. Southwest Education has also partnered with Cortez, Dolores and Dovecreek. Each of these schools has received different equipment that will be rotated between the school districts each year.
The welding shop also received a Tormach Plasma Torch capable of cutting metal up to a full inch in thickness. The four-by-four foot plasma torch table will be a very helpful resource in the welding shop because it can cut intricate details for projects like tig welding. The Southwest Education Collaborative also provided new helmets, gloves and jackets have been accrued to ensure student safety in the welding room.
“Four new welders were also provided to Mancos, which have given us the opportunity to weld a lot of in-depth projects due to the new machinery giving us easier ways around our assignments,” said Van Keuren, “These four new welders will allow students to learn tig/mig welding as well as stick welding which will maximize their chances of being accepted into trade schools and jobs all around the world.”
All of these tools are being installed on the Mancos campus to further educate the young men and women of our society and give them an advantage in the workforce and a head start in college as the modernization of our world continues to grow. Cortez, Dolores, Dove Creek and Mancos have all received different pieces of equipment this year and each school year they will be exchanged. Mancos is grateful for this opportunity to industrialize their learning processes and Southwest Education Collaborative is to thank for this possibility.
To learn more about SCEC, please visit: https://www.swcoedcollaborative.org/
A Tormach 24R computer numerical control (CNC) router was purchased by the SCEC for the region's school districts. (Photo Credit: Eva Casey)
Supporting Mental Health for Kids and Teens in Today's World
Second in a Series
Tegan Shinn
Staff Writer
Your emotions are a big part of life and learning how to manage them is really important. Ignoring or not acknowledging the way you feel won't help you feel any better. Instead, understand and accept the way you feel—because no matter what you are feeling it's okay. Everyone has emotions whether they choose to show it or not. Expressing how you feel can help you through what you are feeling.
There are many strategies for managing emotions in a healthy way that can support you or someone you know in achieving better mental health.
The first step is to acknowledge how you feel and talk with somebody whom you can trust.
An alternative way of talking to someone is to journal. Journaling is a very healthy and safe way to express how you feel. If you feel uncomfortable talking to people about your feelings, writing it down is a great way to help you process your life and emotions.
Exercise is another strategy that is not only good for your body, but is also good for your mind. Exercise helps to get rid of the negative energy you may have stored in your body. It also helps to distract your mind from thinking about things that are upsetting.
Improving your sleep schedule and making sure you get the recommended amount of sleep is crucial to being able to manage your emotions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep every night.
Self-care can also help you cope with your emotions. Something as simple as taking a shower or making time to just relax without distractions can make you feel better. Eating well is also a part of self care. The National Institutes for Health (NIH) states that your daily diet should include vegetables, fruit, a grain, dairy, and a food high in protein. Eating healthy foods can increase your energy and overall health.
Unregulated emotions can affect your day-to-day life more than you think. If your mind is cluttered with bad thoughts, it can be distracting and tiring. However, if you have a clear mind it can be easier to be productive and have healthy relationships. Understanding your emotions and learning to accept them will help you to excel in every aspect of life.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues, there is help. You can call Colorado Crisis Services at 844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255.
You can also call Safe2Tell Colorado at 877-542-7233 or visit safe2tell.org.
A Moment for Our Teachers: Chelsea Shourds
Eva Casey
Staff Writer
As a teacher, Chelsea Shourds wants to help students build real-world connections.
“Teaching is like a puzzle, and every day I feel like I'm fitting the pieces together to make it a whole,” said Shourds, who has worked at Mancos School District for three years.
Shourds worked as a paraprofessional for two years in Mancos before becoming a high school Spanish and government teacher this year.
“Being a teacher was not something I thought I would see myself doing, but when I was younger I had a lot of summer camp jobs where I worked with younger kids and I always loved it and I think from those experiences that drove my love for teaching,” Shourds told The Mancos Notebook.
Growing up in New Jersey, Shourds spent a lot of time on the East Coast and almost ended up moving to New York City. Instead, she moved to Colorado for its slower pace.
For Shourds, hearing the students laugh and succeed motivates her to be the best teacher for her students.
“I think having flexibility, having a sense of humor, and being able to find balance is the key to surviving in a high school classroom,” said Shourds, for whom teaching is very important.
She believes because there is a lot of turnover in the teaching profession that it's important to be an active and steady presence in students' lives.
Shourds’s goal in the classroom is to make sure that when there is a problem, students always reflect with her and take the time to look back and see what she can do differently. “I always say it's about making the lesson fit the person rather than the person fit the lesson,” she said.
“I don't have any kids of my own and I like that I can come into school and it's like all of my students are my kids,” said Shourds. “They drive me to get up and do this job. Each kid brings their own twist and piece of their world to the classroom, and it makes teaching just so much more enjoyable, there is always something new that happens every day.”
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Baby Kangaroo in Speed Chase Through Streets of Durango
Jessie Halladay
Staff writer
Police officers in Durango were called to a scene recently after receiving a call claiming there was a baby red kangaroo found wearing a diaper while wandering the streets of downtown.
The man who called the police was leaving work when he saw a red kangaroo hopping down Main Street.
“I know this is going to sound completely insane,” said the caller, “but I was downtown just walking home from work. There is like a baby kangaroo with a diaper wandering around Main Street.” When officers arrived, the bodycam video showed a small kangaroo running down the road. “How do I get him?” an officer asked, laughing. After a brief chase, the owner of the baby kangaroo arrived to help officers capture the escapee. Eventually the officers were able to capture the kangaroo and return it safely to its owners.
“Who knew wrangling was a part of the job?” joked the Durango Police on their Facebook profile.
What in the world is a kangaroo doing in Colorado? Surprisingly, it’s legal to own a kangaroo in Colorado “so long as it’s imported properly,” said John Livingston, spokesman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, according to the Durango Herald. In fact, it’s not only legal to own a red kangaroo, but also a variety of wallabies, emus, reindeer, and even camels.
However, most people are not equipped to be an owner of exotic animals. They require a tremendous amount of care, time, money, dedication and knowledge. They can be a danger to humans or the native wildlife in the Four Corners region. Exotic animals overall aren’t behaviorally bred or equipped to be a captive pet, this can actually harm them. So it's best left to the professionals.
Mancos Schools Offers Plenty of After School Programs for All Students
Lexi Chaffin
Staff Writer
The Mancos School District offers many after school options to all kids! Some are available only to elementary students and some are only offered to secondary students, however some of the programs are available to both elementary and secondary students.
Some of the programs the elementary school offers are girls on the run, and garden explorers.
Program details:
Girls on The Run is a running club for girls to go on runs, learn valuable life skills and help build their confidence. To participate contact: azufelt@mancosre6.edu This club runs Tuesdays and Thursdays (in the Fall only) from 4:15 - 4:45 pm.
Garden Explorers includes fun gardening and agricultural lessons, at the Mancos elementary school garden.
To participate contact: sredford@mstfp.org or call (970-966-3992)
Think Tank allows students to do creative activities like building, creating, using imagination, and playing strategy games. This runs at the Mancos elementary school library on Thursdays from 4:30 - 5:30pm!
To participate contact: cbay@mancosre6.org
Secondary programs include art honors society, esports, homework help, and rock band.
Program details:
Art honors society is where students get to volunteer in the community and paint murals around the school. This activity runs Thursday from 4:30 - 5:30pm in the art room. To participate contact: ahansen@mancosre6.org
Esports is where a group of students come together and play fun video games with friends and classmates. This activity runs Mondays from 4:30 - 5:30pm in the art room. To participate contact: ahansen@mancosre6.org
Homework Help is where any secondary students can come in and complete work in any subject and have a quiet and calm place to do so. This activity runs Wednesdays from 4:30 - 5:30pm in the art room.
Rock Band Club is where any secondary students can come in and learn to play drums, bass, piano, or guitar. One of the good things is there is no experience required and you can borrow an instrument from the school. This activity runs Tuesdays from 4:30 - 5:30pm in the band room. To participate contact: asaletta@mancosre6.org
Both elementary and secondary programs include Running Club and Friday Field Trips.
Program details:
The Running Club offers advanced runs or beginner type runs around town to try and help the kids stay healthy. Healthy snacks are provided and you can attend any days possible! To participate in the running club contact medres@mancosre6.edu or call (970-769-9979). This activity runs Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4:30 - 5:30 pm.
Friday Field trips are where a group of students go on fun and educational trips to many different local places. To participate: sign up on the BAND app, which will also give you updates and help stay connected.
Test Monkeys Escape in South Carolina
Dacota jones
Staff writer
In news oddities and oddballs, this month 43 monkeys escaped from a testing lab in South Carolina and are now roaming around the state. Twenty-five of them have been caught and placed back where they belong while the rest are still at large. The residents of South Carolina have been told to lock their doors and windows to not let the monkeys in and call the police if they see a monkey so the police can take care of them.
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November 7, 2024 Edition
Supporting Mental Health for Kids and Teens in Today's World
Tegan Shinn
Staff Writer
Mental health is something we all deal with, therefore it’s important to talk about it without stigma or shame. Making mental health a topic of discussion is very important and it shouldn’t be scary. There are countless types of mental illness and many ways to deal with it. Your mental health is very important and it can affect many aspects in your life.
If you are depressed or anxious, you can feel drained and unhappy, and that can cause someone to become unmotivated, sleep too much or not sleep enough. Those who struggle with mental health can also have a hard time getting work done and focusing.
Taking care of your mental health, however, can help improve your overall mindset, as well as your general health.
There are various ways you can take care of your mental health, and not all of them are difficult or take a lot of work. Going on a walk just to clear your mind is one of the easiest ways to improve the way you think. Practicing regulating your emotions and finding healthy ways to cope with the way you feel is also very helpful.
You should never have to feel like you can't or shouldn't be able to talk about how you are feeling. Finding a safe and trustworthy person to talk to is always important. Talking to someone about how you are feeling is one of the best ways to cope with the feelings you have.
Conversely, you can also help others by being a good listener to people you care about and can help them, as well. You never know what someone is going through until they tell you and no one will be able to help you unless you are willing to talk to them. Many things can be easier if you have a good support system and people you can trust. It may seem scary to express your feelings but once you do it can feel so much better.
More than 20 percent of teens and children struggle with their mental health, according to the National Institutes for Health (NIH). There are more than 200 different types of mental illnesses, two of the most common are depression and anxiety. Anxiety is not only a feeling that everyone struggles with, but it can also worsen and become a more serious mental illness.
No matter how alone you may feel there are endless resources and people willing to help. Do not be afraid to reach out and get the help you need and deserve.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues, there is help. You can call Colorado Crisis Services at 844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255.
You can also call Safe2Tell Colorado at 877-542-7233 or visit safe2tell.org.
La Plata County Humane Society Gets a Boost from Mancos Elementary Students
Lexi Chaffin
Staff Writer
The La Plata County Humane Society provides a safe place for animals who have been neglected, abused, or abandoned and Maris Simbeck and Althea Gostlin want to put that message out there. These two 5th grade girls have been working very hard to try and spread the word about helping the animal shelter.
The students did a passion project on animal abuse in class that inspired them to start a donation box for the shelter. Maris and Althea collect a variety of pet supplies, including unopened bags of food, toys, treats, and are now taking donations to support the shelter. Althea said that financial donations are helpful because the shelter is seeking to buy new equipment, including an ultrasound machine.
In the future, they said they would be making posters to hang up with tear-off tags that have the website to La Plata County Humane Society and a wish list with items the animal shelter needs. “I think this meant a lot to them to get the word out for their project,” said their teacher Liza Eschallier.
The donation box will be located in the front office of the Mancos Elementary School, and Maris and Althea said that anyone is welcome to donate to help the shelter.
Mancos 5th Graders Althea Gostlin (L) and Maris Simbeck (R) launched a donation drive to help neglected and abused animals in support of the La Plata County Humane Society.
Calendar by Graphics Editor Tegan Shinn
The Mancos Food Share Helps Those in Need
Jessica Halladay
Staff Writer
In 2013, the Mancos Food Share was created to help those struggling with food insecurity in the Mancos Valley so that residents don’t have to drive to Cortez to pick up food. Before the Mount Lookout Grange built a home for the food pantry in 2016, it originated in the Methodist Church, Located at 680 Grand Ave., the food pantry is open every Monday from 3-5 p.m.
The first Monday of the month provides pet food; the second Monday is a regular pantry day for the general public; the third Monday is bulk buy day for those who pay $20 for the bulk buy bags. Bulk buy is also available to the general public who pay $60 for three 3 months in advance, though the pantry does allow patrons the ability to pay on the same day one time only.
Finally, the fourth Monday of every month is open to those who qualify under government household income guidelines for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
For those wondering where the food comes from, the pantry purchases basic staples and gets donations from the USDA, fundraisers, donation jars all around Mancos and grants. The pantry also has partner donors that donate food, including Zuma’s Natural Foods and others in the area
Each week, the Mancos Food Pantry feeds 40-70 households and helps provide snacks for the Mancos School District.
“We’re always looking for funding and extra support because food runs low and households are increasing,” said co-director Nicole Halladay who’s been working for the pantry for almost seven years.
A Moment for Our Teachers: Alice Miller
By Eva Casey
Staff Writer
Alice Miller believes Mancos is special because of the kids. Born in Ingham, Australia, in North Queensland, Miller went to Ingham State High School.
“It was a small school—a bit bigger than Mancos, but it's similar to Mancos where you’re friends with everyone.”
“It's a very tropical place so it's much of the complete opposite of Colorado,” she continued. “I lived in a very small town, with a country vibe where you know everyone. I felt it helped me just keep that small-town mentality throughout my life’’
Miller has been the secretary at Mancos School District for six years and is a caring presence and a hard-working member of the Mancos school district family.
“I love Mancos and I love that we have the mountains to the east, desert to the west, and everything in between. It is such a variety of things and my favorite part is the landscape—it is so beautiful and the community is very welcoming and heartwarming,” said Miller. “ Mancos was an immediate embrace and felt like family, even though we hadn't been here for very long and we barely knew anyone. The community immediately made us feel like we've been here forever.”
Alice said one of her favorite moments here at Mancos was when one of the teachers who interviewed her said she could call anyone on staff and they would be right there if she needed help.
“I love that feeling of family and one of my favorite parts of Mancos is the kids,” she said. “I have one daughter—but I have 500 because all the kids here are like my own kids and I just love that.”
Being a secretary involves more than students realize. She supports Mr. Hughes and helps Mr. Gardner keep track of attendance reports and much more.
“I also have other jobs as well, I organize coverage for teachers, who are out or have meetings. I work on getting newsletters out every week with upcoming events and make sure they go out on time,” she said. “But I also support parents when needed and keep up grades in PowerSchool, so there’s a lot of work behind the scenes..”
Miller quoted British author and life coach Jay Shetty, “The biggest advice I can give a student to have success in graduating is doors will open, doors will close, go through every door that's open because you never know where they will lead you.”
The Boathouse on Grand Brings Spanish Cuisine to Mancos
Levi Priestley
Staff Writer
Spain’s cuisine has deep cultural roots stretching back to the beginning of civilization. Many of these delectables can be found at The Boathouse on Grand, which specializes in homemade Spanish food. Located in the former Olio Restaurant, the Boathouse has been open since October 2023. The Boathouse has gained in popularity throughout the region as a fine dining experience featuring delicacies found in the southern Andalucia region of Spain.
“I grew up in Poughkeepsie, in New York's Hudson Valley. My first cooking job was making burgers and hotdogs at the snack bar at our local swimming pool, age 14. There was a jukebox, pinball machine, and video games and we gave away a lot of free ice cream to the girls we knew,” said co-owner and Chef David Stewart, who moved to the Mancos area from Boulder in 1995. “At the time I had no idea that it would become a career for me. I started working in restaurants full-time after college in the early 1990s.”
The Boathouse on Grand has created an ever-changing array of Spanish dishes to please carnivores, omnivores, pescatarians, vegetarians and vegans alike. Chef Stewart takes great pride in cooking delicate, extravagant meals in a comfortable and friendly setting.
“Spanish cuisine is one of the most vibrant and dynamic food cultures in the world,” he said. “From the traditional, casual tapas bars and restaurants to some of the most avant-garde chefs, Spain has a wealth of amazing food products, including seafood and Iberico hams, and all the regional cheeses and cured meats. We are excited to be able to share our experience and love of Spanish foods and wine culture with Mancos and southwest Colorado.”
According to the Durango Telegraph, Stewart has been an experienced chef for over the past 30 years. He and his wife Jenn both became influenced by the culture of southern Spain and have returned there many times after their honeymoon eight years ago.
The Stewarts have been touched by the lifestyle of southern Spain and they are grateful to be able to bring their love of Spanish cuisine to Mancos. The Boathouse on Grand has given locals another restaurant to seek out as Mancos continues to diversify its culinary offerings.
