Submitted by Amanda Westenberg
Rangeview High School 

Recently, more than 200 female students from Rangeview High School took advantage of an opportunity to see the film "Girl Rising."  The movie tells the stories of nine girls from different parts of the world who face arranged marriages, rape, child slavery and other heartbreaking injustices. Despite these obstacles, the brave girls offer hope and inspiration. By getting an education, they're able to break barriers and create change. Each girl's story was written by a renowned writer from her native country.  

The purpose of watching the film was to empower Rangeview students to improve their education.  Rangeview seniors, administrators, counselors and teachers led students in various activities to help enhance their learning experience and understanding of the movie’s sensitive content.  

For more information on the film and to preview the trailer, visit http://girlrising.com/.  

Student reactions to the film - 

 A counselor's perspective -

Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan talks to a class at Rangeview High School during the school's Career Day. Hogan outlined what it means to serve as mayor, the political process and how someone interested in politics can get involved.

Students at Rangeview High School are always encouraged to think about the future, but members of the working Aurora community recently stopped by to offer additional encouragement during the schools Career Day.

Among the guests included Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, who spoke to students about his other employment experience, his educational background and what ultimately led him to run for mayor. He gave students a snapshot of what his day typically looks like and some of the challenges that he's faced during his first term.

"It's always good to talk to kids because their questions are different than questions you get from the community at-large," Hogan said. "They're actually broader or sometimes more poignant, and that's fabulous."

Other invited guests included Parker Mayor Mike Waid as well as members of the Aurora Police Department.

The city of Aurora honored a host of Aurora Public Schools students recently through the Aurora Scholars program and awards ceremony. The program, now in its fifth year, honors one student from each grade in every Aurora-area public and private school in a city-wide ceremony with the mayor, city council, superintendents and other community stakeholders. The program is designed to identify those students in Aurora who strongly contribute to the life and community of their schools.

Congratulations to all of the 2013 winners!

Altura Elementary 
Josue Torres Madera
Jorge Herrera-Puente
Itzel Trujillo Melendez
Joselyn Rico-Sullivan
Fernando Melendez

Arkansas Elementary
Yahir Estrada Bonilla
Morgan Garst
Ariana Gomez
Ingrid Romero 
Cassidy Stiles

Aurora Academy K-8
Samuel Kingsbury
Issac Sprong
Lawrence Gonzales
Faheem Sharif
Ivan Tochimani Hernandez
Kaitlyn Thompson
Christian Wells
Ricardo Angel-Lucero

Aurora Central High School
Jasmine Carr
Brenda Sanchez
Dillon Elliott
Cesar Castaneda Hernandez

Aurora Frontier K-8
Thomas Hurtya 
James Kinney
Natasha Thornton

Aurora West College Preparatory Academy 
Meleah Bennett
Raul Vazquez Hernandez
Gabriella Casillas
Daimeon McGary
Sherlock Crockett
Andrea Gomez

AXL Learning Academy
Jordan Martinez
Evan Eimer
Avery Martinez
Kameren Kelly
Barron DeVille
Andrea Reyna
Jessica Pau
Ruby Skinner

Aurora Hills Middle School 
Kendra Leslie 
Hendrick Lopez-Beltran
EryKah Williams

Aurora Quest K-8
Kaylynn Stewart
Mimi Rai
Hannah Bonansinga
Zakary Nfaoui
Madeline Torrez
Anusha Vajrala
Trinity Stevenson
Shelby Kleinhans 

Boston K-8 
Miria Coronel
Sergio Ramirez
Juan Quintanar
Francisco Toledo
Liea Daniels
Verna Valenzuela
Stacey Zepeda
Diana Olivas Cordoba

Century Elementary
Litzy Venalonzo
Ashley Williams
Nelise Jacquart
Josie Warner
Genesis Pineda 

Columbia Middle School 
Katharina Wiegand
Jewel Brown
Sydney Comet

Clyde Miller Elementary P-8 
Brianna Arias
Carlos Lopez
Ashly Castaneda
Bryan Herrera
Ashley Madera
Indiana Cloud
Haylee Ortiz
Dylan Clayborn

Crawford Elementary
Jocelyne Lopez Pinedo
Hung Thang
Isaac Gutierrez
Nancy Hechavarias
Yadira Espinoza Ortega

Dalton Elementary 
Madalynn Dossey
Rachel Labit
Jordan Kimpson
Chloe Johnson
Danielle Arellano

Dartmouth Elementary 
Carol Escoto Llanos
Nesseem Ould-Khaled
Katerin Urias Zamora
Jose Soto Echeveste
Ashley De La Hoya Esparza

East Middle School
Brayan Macias Solis
Kimberly Nerio
Micaela Tomkins

Elkhart Elementary
Camila Cardenas
Jack Tran
Wynter Rains
Bonsitu Kebeto
Ashley Uribe

Fletcher Intermediate
Victoria Castaneda
David Lopez
Mariana Leon
Hector Galindo
Esperanza Torres

Fletcher Primary
Isaac Lopez
Yulissa Farrera
Marswella Doucett

Fulton Academy of Excellence
Antonio Guzman Colon
Ruby Rodriguez
Alexsis Angulo Duran
Stephanie Pickens
Daniel Hernandez

Gateway High School
Isidro Vargas Hernandez
Cindy Rodriquez
Zephaniah Baca
T'Aunsanae Quarles

Global Village Academy
Eve Baker
Sarah Capule
Gavin Geiger
Ashley Kidwell
Anthony Curtis Hicks II
Ariana Carmody
Jorge Flores Martinez
Ebelyn Tapia Garcia, 8th grade

Hinkley High School
Meshalay Cherry
Jacob Duke
Salamasina Fifita
Adrian Nava

Iowa Elementary 
Jayda Arbor
Presley Gordon
David Cisneros
Jonathan Seyoum
Damon Nash

Jewell Elementary 
Eman Adam,
Andrea Ursua-Garcia
Jocelyn Villanueva Loredo
Eugenie Budnik
Kristal Picazo

Kenton Elementary 
Rodrigo Quintero
Patience Graves
Erica Torres
Nickolas DeLeon
Miguel Gomez

Lansing Elementary
Margarita Dominguez Flores
Angel Aguilera
Gissele Bueno Castaneda
Jaylene Cruz

Laredo Elementary
Victoria Mancinas
Giovanni Escobar
Thomas Miller
Meja Trammell
Emily Hernandez

Lotus School for Excellence 
Samantha Crossland
Irwin Pascual
Abdullah Haji Ewaz
Sofia Carrera
Kihra Martinez
Khalillaulah Haji Ewaz
Alexandria Campbell
Samantha Shapard
Leah Galvez Valencia
Mehmet Karaoglu
Abenezer Beyene
Haneen Ziyadeh

Lyn Knoll Elementary
Guadalupe Chavez
Iris Serrano
Carlos Jimenez
Karla Agustin
Liya Seleshi

Montview Elementary 
Giezi De Leon Morales
Anahi Cruz Hernandez
Cristal Dominguez
Galilea Landa Posas
Josue Hernandez Serna

Mrachek Middle School
Tristan Workman
Laurian Quezada
Brandy Holmes

Murphy Creek P-8
Christopher Hopp
Madison Jones
Tabitha Passeretti
Chantel Williams
Kylie Severin
Avery Budny
Angelina Rivera
McKale Williams

North Middle School 
Abemelk Tadesse
Ezmarae Cardona
Hannah Dinkel

Paris Elementary 
Abner Mendez
Zulue Jimenez-Lopez
Alexander Salazar
Valerie Morales
Hebelin Alcaraz Ortiz

Park Lane Elementary 
Alison Remigio
Eduardo Soto Garduno
Alexis Romero
Eh Way Paw
Sofia Marquez Mendez

Peoria Elementary
Elizabeth Bedolla
Abigail Rios Olivan
Angel Rodriguez
Dihana Araujo
Rosaly Cosme Garcia

Rangeview High School
Lam Nguyen
Michael Lozoya
Idannya "Iraly" Salazar
Lisa Napper

Sable Elementary
Moo Ku Paw
DJ Wilcher
David Oh Win
Mara Regina Bencomo
Viviana Mercedes Segovia

Side Creek Elementary 
Lilia Juarez
Ayush Khadka
Samantha Carmona
Blessed Asare
Sheldon Lucas-McHenry

Sixth Avenue Elementary 
Dulces Montes Araujo
Maximiliano Martinez Ozuna
Takari Draper
Bianca Marquez Cortez
Ossiel Arciba Rodriguez

South Middle School 
Mykhia Johnson
Joanna Mendy
Dahlia Enriquez

Tollgate Elementary 
Adrian Pinedo Gutierrez
Adrian Solano
Diego Navarro
Karen Ramos
Kawena Johnson

Vassar Elementary 
D'Hani Fleming
Joseph Nguyen
Ruben Porras
Anthony Detweiler
Nicholas Olquin

Vaughn Elementary
Kevin Melgar
Joseph Reyes
Gustabo Fuentes
Alliyah Reynosa
Kaylee Gonzalez

Virginia Court Elementary
Abigail Estrada
Derek Acuna Garcia
Christina Becerra
Brian Sanchez
Giselle DeHaro

Vista PEAK Exploratory P-8
Ally Bohn
Joseph Farrell
Harley Zubia
Jena Crawford
Sydney Allen
Julian Robinson
Cesar Saenz

Vista PEAK Preparatory 9-12
Adriana Robinson
Hunter Vidal
Andrea Parra Banales
Miguel Lobatos

Wheeling Elementary
Aurora Sterret
Jorge Melendrez, Jr.
McKenzie Z'Dorne
Jorja Whyte
Jate'via Bailey

William Smith High School
Yonathan Fisseha
Kyle Bundy
Jai Hemmelgarn
Savana Patchen

Yale Elementary
Nataly Leon
Eli Uribe
Giovanni Flores
Elizabeth Ortega
Liseth Vargas

The class of 2013 is a little more than a month away from graduating from Aurora Public Schools. This year's top graduates were recently honored during a ceremony at the Professional Learning Conference Center. District administrators, principals and members of the community got a chance to wish the outstanding seniors well as they prepare to enter adulthood.

Congratulations to the following students:

Erna Lukac

Aurora Central

1. Erna Lukac - V
2. Alexsis Rafael Alvarado Jacquez
3. Briant Alan Pedroza Morales
4. Melyzjah Verdell Smith
5. Beatriz Bermudez
6. Diego Aguilar Lupian
7. Amos Gwa
8. Meredith Marie Cahill
     Vadessa Nashae Camack
9. Ahmawn Rashawn Sadae Romby
10. Oyuki Gamboa

Clinton Parapat

Gateway

1. Clinton Parapat – V 
2. Sergio Ivan Berdeja Cisneros
3. Rahul Miglani
4. Miguel Mendoza Castaneda 
5. Judith Acevedo Ramos
6. Hunter Valdo
7. Alexandra Jackson
8. Heather Turner-Holmes
9. Ryan Collins
      Tyler Fitzgerald
10. Molly Blancaflor

Michael Brungardt

Hinkley

1. Michael Anthony Brungardt – V
2. Han Ngoc Tran
3. Daniel Shane Wall
4. Emily Rebekah Sutton
5. Scarlett A. Jimenez
6. America Fernanda Elias Martinez
7. Isis Aylin Rivera Lopez
8. Leonella Lopez
9. Charissa Alexandra Samaniego
10. Brianna Nicole Maldonado

Aimee Lam

Rangeview

1. Aimee Lam - V
2. Ellis Cray Arnold
3. Owen Kendall Proctor
4. Feyone Elena La
5. Christiana Beba Dedi
6. Catherine O McGowan
7. Jasmine Marie Koch
8. Hannah Noelle Terzic
9. Raina Lauren Hunt
10. Matthew Richard Feria

Scarlett Jimenez

Aurora Public Schools high school seniors are raking in many scholarships and other financial awards to assist with paying for college. Here are some of the highlights of the class of 2013 scholarship recipients:

• Hinkley High School senior Scarlett Jimenez  earned a 2013 Boettcher Foundation Scholarship, a "full-ride” merit-based financial award to attend any college or university in Colorado. More than 1,300 students apply each year. She is one of 40 statewide to receive the scholarship. Jimenez, who attended Elkhart Elementary School and East Middle School, is currently Hinkley's Student Council and National Honor Society President. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in political science at the University of Denver. 

• Eleven APS students earned the Daniels Fund and Gates Millennium scholarships. The Daniels Fund selects high school seniors who have demonstrated strong character and a determination to succeed in life. The scholarship covers all required tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies and a variety of other miscellaneous expenses. The Gates Millennium Scholarship recognizes students with outstanding academic performance. It covers unmet financial need to attend any college or university. To see a list of the winners, click here.

• Thong Phong, third from l

  Four Aurora Public Schools students are recipients of the Comcast Foundation’s 2013-14 Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship Program. Congratulations to Michael Brungardt of Hinkley High School, Jonathan Delgado of Aurora Central High School, T'Hani Holt of William Smith High School, and Jasmine Koch of Rangeview High School. These students will receive their scholarship awards this summer as they prepare to begin college in the fall. The Comcast Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship Program provides $1,000 scholarships to students who strive to achieve their potential, are catalysts for positive change in their communities, are involved in their schools, and who serve as models for their fellow students.

• The Better Business Bureau recognized Hinkley High School senior Thong Phung for his outstanding character and high ethical standards, awarding him a $10,000 Student of Integrity Scholarship. The annual scholarship program recognizes and promotes ethics and integrity among young people. The BBB awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors who personify all of the best aspects of high character in their personal choices and actions.
   

• Diego Aguilar Lupan, left, and Erna Lukac

  The Aurora Public Schools Education Foundation awards five $4,000 scholarships to one student at each APS high school. The scholarship is funded by the “Paving the Way to Success” campaign. The APS community members purchase engraved bricks and glass wall panels at the Professional 
  Learning and Conference Center to raise funds for the scholarships. Congratulations to Jacqueline Navarez, Hinkley; Taylor Botte, William Smith; Trevor Hancock, Rangeview; Michelle McCandlish, Gateway; Erna Lukac, Aurora Central.

• The Greenhouse Scholarship program provides comprehensive personal and financial support to high-performing, under-resourced college students. Using their unique Whole Person© approach, which offers intellectual, academic, professional, and financial support, the program cultivates the next generation of community leaders. Congratulations to Aurora Central High School's Diego Aguilar Lupan and Erna Lukac

• Pickens Technical College students Joy Davidson and Roger Gresens each earned a $2,500 scholarship through the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, which partnered with Scholarship America to offer financial awards to students who are enrolled in a skilled trade program at a two-year college, vocational school or approved training institute. In addition, Davidson and Gresens were invited to appear alongside Mike Rowe
  

  Pickens Tech students Roger Grenses, left, and Joy Davidson, far right

  on the Katie Couric Show to discuss their experience with career and technical education.

**Additional college scholarships will be announced over the next few months, so please stay tuned.

Rangeview High School Athletic Department & Booster Club
Eleventh Annual
Golf Tournament

May 30, 2013
7:00 Check-in
7:30 Shotgun Start
Aurora Hills Golf Course
50 Peoria Street
Aurora, Colorado

Download (PDF, 221KB)

Dr. Jim Wingert, center, owner of Broadview Animal Clinic, and Deanna Kline, left, Hinkley High School counselor, present a $250 scholarship to Rangeview High School student Brittany Hudson.

Submitted by Kim Wisneski
Pickens Technical College

The Aurora Public Schools and Pickens Technical College Executive Internship Program recently hosted its end of semester Sponsor Appreciation Ceremony.  More than 100 guests,  including APS Deputy Superintendent William Stuart, Board of Education President JulieMarie A. Shepard and representatives from APS high schools, attended and praised students on their progress.  Proud parents supported their sons and daughters who spoke to the audience about their internship experiences and what it meant for their future. 

Hosting the ceremony were students Ileana Flores (Gateway High School), Sara Russell (Rangeview High School) and David Lee Hernandez (Gateway). 

Twenty-three students earned the Presidential Service Award and were presented with certificates and pins.  Fourteen students earned the Bronze Award for completing 100 hours of community service, four students earne the silver award for completing 175-249 hours of community service and five students earned the gold award for 250 hours of community service.

The EIP Advisory Committee also presented $250 scholarships to Rangeview's Brittany Hudson and Aurora Central High School's Joel Eshun. The scholarships were donated on behalf of the Broadview Animal Clinic.

Wingert and Kline present a $250 scholarship to Aurora Central High School student Joel Eshun.

The Aurora Public Schools Education Foundation awards five $4,000 scholarships to one student at each APS high school. The scholarship is funded by the “Paving the Way to Success” campaign.

The APS community members purchase engraved bricks and glass wall panels at the Professional Learning and Conference Center to raise funds for the scholarships.

Congratulations to Jacqueline Navarez of Hinkley, Taylor Botte of William Smith, Trevor Hancock of Rangeview, Michelle McCandlish of Gateway, and Erna Lukac of Aurora Central!

Kushmakar Baral

Twelve Aurora Public Schools students are on cloud nine after finding out that they had earned a Boettcher, Daniel’s Fund or Gates Millennium scholarship.

The Daniels Fund selects high school seniors who have demonstrated strong character and a determination to succeed in life. The scholarship covers all required tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies and a variety of other miscellaneous expenses.

The Gates Millennium Scholarship recognizes students with outstanding academic performance. It covers unmet financial need to attend any college or university. Aurora Central‘s Diego Aguilar Lupian and Rangeview’s Feyone La earned this award.

Aurora Central senior Kushmakar Baral is a Daniels Fund and Gates scholar, a feat not often accomplished. He plans to study biomedical engineering at University of Colorado at Boulder.

Hinkley student Scarlett Jimenez earned the Boettcher Scholarship, a "full-ride” merit-based financial award to attend any college or university in Colorado. More than 1,300 students apply each year. She is one of 40 statewide to receive the scholarship.

Congratulations to the following 2012-13 Daniels Fund Scholars:

Aurora Central 
Kusmakar Baral
Amos Gwa
Javier Lopez

Hinkley
Raul Amaya Barrios
Thong Phung

Lydia Sanchez

Rangeview
Marina Santiago

William Smith
JacRuelyn Howard

For more APS scholarship news, click here.

Congratulations to the more than 2,700 students who recently graduated from Aurora Central, Gateway, Hinkley, Rangeview, William Smith and APS Online high schools, as well as Pickens Technical College and the Rebound Ombudsman program. The graduating class of 2013 earned nearly $6 million in scholarships!

Our preschoolers from Kids Tech, the class of 2026, also celebrated their graduation as they prepare to head to kindergarten. View the slideshow below for a look at some of this year's graduates.

The Aurora Public Schools Crossroads Transitional Center honored nine students who successfully completed the program and will officially graduate from their home high schools in May 2013. 

Family members, friends, fellow classmates and other well-wishers celebrated the students' success at a recent ceremony at the Professional Learning and Conference Center. APS Deputy Superintendent William Stuart and Board of Education member Mary Lewis each gave remarks and praised students on their ability to overcome challenges and obstacles to reach this milestone.

Through the APS Department of Exceptional Student Services, the Crossroads Transition Center program provides critical services to students who need help in gaining independence in the community and work settings as they transition into the adult world.  The nine students honored during this spring's exit ceremony show that they achieved their goals and are ready to succeed as independent adults.

 Congratulations, graduates!

Aurora Central - Pickens

Stephanie Wellard

Hinkley-Crossroads

Jennifer Bertlesen
Craig Gallegos
Wayne Rains

Gateway - Crossroads

Nicole Lyons

Rangeview - Crossroads

Kamilah Kariem
Alyson Newton
Derrick Yussuf

Gateway High School student Karla
Garcia interns at the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

APS students are graduating from high school more prepared than ever for college and careers, thanks in part to the Executive Internship Program.

Offered through a partnership with Pickens Technical College, the program gives high school students the opportunity to spend one or two semesters working in business organizations, government and community agencies, educational institutions or other areas. Although intern responsibilities differ greatly from site to site, students generally serve as special assistants to team members, attending meetings and conferences, preparing reports and participating in organizational activities.

All interns attend weekly seminars on communication skills, human relations, leadership development and career exploration. Students refine their social and intellectual skills and initiate their own learning experiences.

Interns may also earn awards for completing 100 or more hours of community service.

Click here to see how this semester's interns celebrated their success.

Gateway's Samuel Feldman interns in the Media Relations department at the University of Denver.

William Smith student Gerardo Sanchez helps a veterinarian administer a shot at Broadview Animal Clinic.

Rangeview's Rachel Bates earned a $250 scholarship for college.

Story by Leslie Fajardo
APS Communication Team Intern

On December 4, 2013, the Executive Internship Program held its end of the semester Sponsor Appreciation Ceremony at the Professional Learning & Conference Center.  Students from the program at Pickens Technical College gave thanks to their sponsors for the opportunity to intern at different facilities. Students Brett Burmania (Rangeview), Amanda DiMarino (Gateway), Savannah Lester (Gateway) and Kashon Young (Rangeview) emceed the event. More than 200 guests attended the ceremony, including APS Deputy Superintendent William Stuart, APS Board of Education President JulieMarie Shepherd and representatives from every APS high school.  Proud parents supported their sons and daughters who spoke to the audience about their internship experiences and what it meant for their future. 

Several students received the President’s Volunteer Service Award at the Bronze level for completing 100 hours of community service.  Samuel Feldman (Gateway), Wyatt Fisher (Vista Peak), Arlene Pizarro (Aurora Central) and Kelsi Richardson (Rangeview) received the Silver award for completing 175-249 hours of community service. Giovani Hau-Fernandez (Aurora West) and Gerardo Sanchez (William Smith) were honored with the gold award for the completion of 250 hours or more of community service. In addition, the EIP Advisory Committee presented students Rachel Bates and Tamara Marshall with $250 scholarships. 

For more general information about the Executive Internship Program, click here.

Tamara Marshall, also of Rangeview, recipient of a $250 scholarship.

Gateway High School Principal Bill Hedges and four Gateway graduates gather following the ceremony.

Congratulations to the more than 70 students who recently graduated from Aurora Public Schools Online, Aurora Central, Hinkley, Gateway and Rangeview high schools and the Rebound Ombudsman program.

We salute you, Class of 2013!

Front row, from left, LeeAnn Wilson and Savannah Clemente. Back row, from left, Randy Mills (coach), Jacob Johnson, Do Park, Nathan Teeter, Lucas Nicodemus and Luke Robinson. Not pictured: Andrew Card.

The Rangeview High School CyberPatriot team is getting used to success, and that feeling might rise to another level in a matter of a few days when the team competes in the national semifinals Jan. 17-19.

CyberPatriot is the premier national high school cyber defense competition designed to give students hands on exposure to the foundations of cyber security.

The semi-finalists are made up of the top 86 teams out of more than 1,500 teams across the world. To reach the semifinals, teams must score in the top three to five percent in the previous rounds.

Rangeview’s team has made the national semifinal round — a six-hour competition online — for the second time in four years.

"This is a group that shows commitment to hard work and protecting our companies and country,” coach Randy Mills said. “I am proud to be their coach.”  

Congratulations and good luck to:

• Andrew Card
• Savannah Clemente
• Jacob Johnson
• Lucas Nicodemus
• Do Park
• Luke Robinson
• Nathan Teeter
• LeeAnn Wilson

Teachers/Coaches

• Analyn Alquitran 
• Randy Mills

Gateway High School student athletes proudly show off their college choices. Students from Hinkley and Rangeview high schools also participated in the National Signing Day events.

Signing your name to a sheet of paper has never meant so much. 

A host of student-athletes from various APS high schools took part in the highly-anticipated National Signing Day on Feb. 5. The athletic event is the first day that a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent for college athletics with a school that is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Families, coaches and other school staff members were on hand at Gateway, Hinkley and Rangeview high schools to support students as they took one step closer to college. Ashour Peera, head football coach at Gateway, was proud to have the state's biggest signing class. 

National Signing Day gave several Gateway players  a chance to reflect on their high school careers and what they're looking forward to in the coming years.

"I suffered a knee injury," said Markese Briggs. "I thought it was going to stop me from going to the next level, but it didn't."

Calvin Weber recalled a game in which we scored in quite the memorable fashion.

"In the Smoky Hill game, I ran over a guy for a touchdown," Weber said.

 Players like Nyerre Williams are excited about the chance to prove themselves as a young adult.

"I look forward to becoming a better student-athlete and person, as well," Williams said.

Hinkley High School

• Max Carbajal -- Hastings College
• Chance Drake -- Colorado Mesa University

Gateway High School

• Markese Briggs -- Dordt College
• Isaac Fuqua -- Western State Colorado University
• Jonah Hill -- Western State Colorado University
• Devin Johnson -- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
• Jon Oquendo -- University of Saint Mary
• Daniel Saye -- Independence Community College
• Lance Savage -- Payne College
• Calvin Weber -- Mayville State University
• Nyerre Williams -- Independence Community College

Rangeview High School

• Kietrich Griffin -- Colorado State University-Pueblo
• Dillon Joye -- Brown Mackie College
• Darien Odegard -- Colorado State University-Pueblo

Story by Leslie Fajardo
APS Communication Team Intern

Aurora Public Schools and Comcast continue to be partners in education, and Comcast’s support of APS students and programs is monumental.

In 2012, Comcast awarded $75,000 in scholarships to 57 Colorado students ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. One of those students was 2012 Rangeview High School graduate Nina De La Rosa, who earned a $10,000 Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship.

Comcast recently featured De La Rosa in a 30 second commercial about her future goals and how the scholarship she earned would help her achieve. As a student at the University of Colorado at Boulder, De La Rosa is enrolled in the Speech Language and Hearing Sciences Program, where she is earning straight A’s and is on track to graduate a year early.

Take a look at how the Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship is helping De La Rosa achieve her goals.

Photo courtesy Air Force Association

Rangeview High School and the words "CyberPatriot" are almost synonymous in the Aurora Public Schools community. The team has shown that they belong among the nation's elite, and they proved themselves once again recently during the national finals in Washington, D.C.

After strong performances in each of the four finals events, Team "Any Key" earned the National Championship in the Digital Crime Scene Challenge, all while capturing the only perfect score ever recorded by an open division team in the event's history.

Team "Any Key" excelled through the national semifinals to set up a finals showdown against the nation's other top 11 teams. Schools competed in the last round of the season to defend virtual networks from a professional aggressor team made up of cyber security experts from the Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security at the University of Texas at San Antonio. 

Congratulations, Rangeview and Team "Any Key" on a job well done!

Team "Any Key" waits to speak with former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell.

Team "Any Key" member Savannah Clemente. Photo courtesy Air Force Association

Photo courtesy Aurora Police Explorer Post 2024 Facebook page

School Resource Officer Danno Singleton does a  great job keeping students and staff at Rangeview High School safe. His exemplary skills at Rangeview and in the community recently earned him the 2013 city of Aurora Employee of the Year Award.

Aurora gives the Employee of the Year Award as a way to recognize and reward employees who best demonstrate a commitment to the Core 4 Values -- Integrity, Respect, Professionalism and Customer Service -- and have a record of accomplishment and documented achievement.

"Officer Singleton is an incredible asset to Rangeview High School, not only by keeping our school safe each day, but also through the relationships he builds with our students," said Rangeview Assistant Principal Ian Mulligan.

The following is text from the Aurora Police Explorer Post 2024’s Facebook page: 

Officer Danno Singleton is currently assigned as a School Resource Officer at Rangeview High School. He is a true leader as an officer and has been highly involved with the youth in our community. He is not only beloved by the students at Rangeview for his role as an SRO, but he also takes on extra duties there, including sponsoring the Rangeview H.S.  Student Leadership Program, participating in school activities on and off campus and chaperoning various school excursions. His supervisor said this about Officer Singleton, “In observing him at the school every student knows his name and knows his stance as a school staff member and law enforcement officer. This bodes well for him and is a testimony to the hard work he has put in with the students and staff at Rangeview High School. Danno is a prime example of an effective SRO.”

His commitment to Aurora’s youth does not stop at the doors of the high school. He has been involved with the Aurora Police Explorer Post 2024 as an advisor and mentor for the last several years and has twice been selected by the Explorers as the Advisor of the Year. Officer Singleton also dedicates his time as a mentor through the Aurora Youth Options program. He is a positive role model for both youth and adults within the local school districts and within our community and police department. He exemplifies all aspects of Core4, integrity, respect, professionalism and customer service – always going the extra mile and excelling every step of the way.

Congratulations, Officer Singleton. Thank you for your service to Rangeview and APS!