School News: Two of Brighton’s youths appointed national representatives for the YEF Council

Students at Landmark academy at reunion celebrate first annual latin culture week

Landmark Academy at Reunion , a tuition-free public charter school, recently hosted their First Annual Latin Culture Week, a week focused on educating students on the various aspects of Latin culture, from music and art to sports and celebrities, through unique activities. During the week-long celebration, students were able to step into the lives of the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans with Latin culture lessons through piñata making, cultural crafts, songs, traditional foods and more. Students made maracas and learned a traditional Mexican Hat Dance; created Aztec suns working with metal tooling; and studied different countries in Mexico , Central America and South America . Aztec dancers from the Colorado Folk Arts Council also visited with students and educated them on the spiritual and traditional aspects of Aztec culture through dance. “We reside in a community with strong Latin and Hispanic roots,” said Matt Carlton, principal of Landmark Academy at Reunion . “Our community culture is important to us at Landmark. By providing unique ways for our students to learn the various backgrounds of our diverse community they are able to understand and appreciate different cultures.” For more information about Landmark Academy at Reunion , please visit www.landmarkacademy.org.

August 09, 2011

Two of Brighton’s youths appointed national representatives for the YEF Council

The City of Brighton congratulates Brighton Youth Commissioners Manuel Ornelas and Hannah Armentrout on their recent appointment to the National League of Cities’ 2011 Council on Youth, Education, and Families (YEF Council). The YEF Council works to assist municipal leaders in identifying and developing effective strategies for strengthening families and improving outcomes for the children and youth in their communities. The Council also guides the work of NLC’s Institute for Youth, Education, and Families.

Manuel and Hannah are two of the four youth representatives appointed to the national Council. Also serving on the council are Stephanie Killam of Texas and Carl Amritt of Florida.

“We are very much honored to have two of our youth commissioners representing us on the national level,” said Youth Services Manager Tawnya Russell. “This speaks great volume of what wonderful ambassadors they are to Brighton and the dedication they have shown.”

In June, Manuel and Hannah attended meetings in Boise, Idaho as part of the YEF Council. In November, the two plan to attend the youth track for the Congress of Cities conference in Phoenix. To help fund the trip, Manuel and Hannah are planning fundraising events.

Hannah was born in Missouri and moved to Brighton in the first grade. She currently attends Brighton High School and will be entering her senior year. She plans to go to college after graduating and eventually attending law school. She has served on the Brighton Youth Commission for four years and is the current chair of the commission.

Manuel is a Colorado native. He currently attends Brighton High School and will be entering his senior year. He has been on the youth commission for one year.

The NLC launched the Institute for Youth, Education, and Families in 2000, recognizing the unique and influential role that mayors, city council members and other leaders can play in taking action on behalf of the children, youth and families in the communities.

For more information on the Brighton Youth Commission or to donate to Manuel and Hannah’s trip to Phoenix, call Youth Services Manager Tawnya Russell at 303-655-2123.