School News: Eight ACHS Students Named Semifinalists for Daniels Scholarship

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.

February 28, 2012

Eight ACHS Students Named Semifinalists for Daniels Scholarship

Adams City High School announced today that eight students have been named semifinalists for the Daniels Scholarship.

Ashley Nolasco, Justin Wheeler, Katrina Rice, Marcus Silliman, Maria Jimenez, Thalia Valenzuela, Gabriel Bustos and Genesis Galdean were nominated for the scholarship. These students are among the approximately 700 semifinalists in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming entering the final selection phase for the Daniels Scholarship. In early April, 250 Daniels Scholarships will be awarded to finalists.

In establishing the Daniels Fund, cable pioneer Bill Daniels directed the program to seek out promising students who demonstrate strength of character, a well-rounded personality, potential to give back to the community, and other characteristics.

The Daniels Scholarship has grown from a small pilot program with 32 students launched in the year 2000, to awarding some 250 scholarships each year in the spring. To date, 2,262 Daniels Scholarships have been awarded, allowing students to attend colleges and universities across the United States.

The Daniels Scholarship is not “full ride,” but is supplemental to all other financial aid resources available to the student. By requiring students to apply for other readily available financial resources such as Pell Grants, the Daniels Fund is able to provide even more scholarships to deserving young people seeking to attend college.

Bill Daniels, a cable pioneer known for his kindness and generosity to those in need, established the Daniels Fund to provide grants and scholarships in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. When he died in the year 2000, his estate transferred to the Fund, making it the largest foundation in the Rocky Mountain West.

About Adams 14:
Adams 14, a nationally recognized leader in education innovation, is Colorado’s 25th largest school district and serves approximately 7,500 students annually. Nestled in the historic community of Commerce City, Adams 14 strives to ensure academic success for every student by providing highly effective classroom instruction, supplemental enrichment opportunities and parent/family collaboration opportunities. Under Superintendent Dr. Susan Chandler’s leadership, the District is implementing a strategic plan to improve student achievement so that 80 percent of students assessed will be on grade level by 2014, by ensuring that each classroom has a dynamic, standards-based teacher who provides powerful 21st century learning experiences.