Katrina Ferguson named to dean’s list
Katrina H. Ferguson of Bayfield has been named to the 2014 spring semester dean’s list at Colorado State University-Pueblo.
The list recognizes undergraduate degree-seeking students who have completed 12 or more credit hours with a minimum grade-point average of 3.5.
Erika Rader awarded doctorate
Erika Rader, daughter of Sharon Rader and Thom Rader of Durango, has successfully defended her doctoral dissertation in geology. Her research focused on the chemistry of volcanic rock during cooling phases.
Rader is an alumna of The Excel School and Fort Lewis College. She a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and a master’s degree from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. The University of Idaho, Moscow conferred her doctorate May 16.
Education foundation honors educators
The Durango Education Foundation honored eight educators May 15 at its annual 9-R Employee Appreciation Celebration. More than 300 Durango School District 9-R teachers and staff attended.
The Pride in Excellence Award, given only five times in the foundation’s 30-year history, was awarded to the late Mary Kay O’Neil, whose family accepted the honor. Foundation board member Gretchen Wilson had previously presented the award in person to O’Neil.
Honored as Outstanding Teachers of the Year were Nora Stafford, Evelyn Black, Destiny Schipman and Kirsten Love.
Three school administrative assistants received awards as Outstanding 9-R Staff Members of the Year: Sue Ullom, Lynd Jeter and Vicki Wood.
John Francis from Wells Fargo Bank and Bill Cook from The Jewelry Works sponsored and presented cash prizes as well as commemorative plaques to each winner.
Childhood council distributes grant funds
The Early Childhood Council of La Plata County in collaboration with the La Plata County Department of Human Services congratulates the following programs for increasing the capacity and quality of care by participation in the Colorado Infant and Toddler Quality and Availability Grant: First United Methodist Christian School, Mercy Employee Child Care, Riverhouse Children’s Center, Brittney Kreeger’s Little Gems Day Care, Campbell Child and Family Center, Roberta Shirley Early Head Start and Robin Goldman’s Beansprouts Child Care.
As a recipient of this grant, the Early Childhood Council of La Plata County distributed more than $40,000 for Quality Assessments and Incentives for Capacity and Quality Improvement in early childhood education programs through out the community.
For more information, visit www.ecclaplata.org or call 247-0760.
Grace congratulates graduating class
Grace Preparatory Academy of Durango congratulates its graduating class of 2014: Rachael Moore, Austin Moore, Bernadette Bianchi, Maggie Harmon and Paul Cross.
LPEA announces scholarship winners
La Plata Electric Association announces these scholarship recipients:
The La Plata Electric Association College Scholarships, two four-year scholarships, have been awarded to Bella Bussian, a recent Durango High School graduate, and Effie Nistler, a recent graduate of Bayfield High School. Bussian plans to major in environmental studies at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Nistler is heading to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, to study chemical engineering.
Sean McLaughlin, a recent DHS graduate, and Dylan Pearson, a recent Ignacio High School graduate, have been awarded John Voelker Memorial Scholarships, $10,000 for two years, for vocational, technical school or junior college. McLaughlin will enroll in the San Juan College School of Energy in Farmington to pursue a career in oil and gas and welding, while Pearson will attend Eastern New Mexico University – Roswell to study for a range of professions – auto mechanic, HVAC technician and grounds maintenance.
Shane Bisogno, who recently graduated from DHS, received the $1,000 Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship. With plans to attend Arizona State University at Tempe, Bisogno will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
Jared Engelken, a recent DHS graduate, and Bryant Mitchell, a recent graduate of BHS, each received $500 scholarships from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. Engelken intends to study engineering at University of Colorado, Boulder. Mitchell will pursue a career in the health-care industry and attend the University of Arizona in Tucson.
For more information, call Jeannie Bennett at 382-3505 or email jbennett@lpea.coop.
Corinne Ryser-Reed receives doctorate
Corinne S. Ryser-Reed, daughter of Hansueli Ryser and Esther Ryser-Haring, graduated May 17 with a doctorate in osteopathic medicine from Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Parker.
Ryser-Reed is a 2002 Durango High School graduate. She earned a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Fort Lewis College in 2007.
For the next three years she will be completing her residency in Family Medicine at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins.
Brandon Luter earns dental surgery degree
Brandon Luter, a 2005 Bayfield High School graduate, graduated with honors with a degree in Doctor of Dental Surgery on May 23 from the University of Colorado on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver.
Luter also was winner of the Academy of General Dentistry award.
Lorianne Stevens receives scholarships
Lorianne Stevens, daughter of Glenn and Cheryl Stevens of Hesperus, has been awarded four scholarships for her work with La Plata County 4-H and the Durango High School FFA chapter.
Stevens has received a $1,000 scholarship from Built Ford Tough/FFA, a $1,000 scholarship from La Plata County Cowbelles, a $1,000 Dekald Award scholarship from Monsanto and a $500 scholarship from La Plata County 4-H.
Stevens is a 10-year 4-H member and a four-year member of the Durango High School chapter of FFA. She will attend Northeastern Junior College in Sterling with plans to pursue a degree in veterinary sciences at Kansas State University.
Herald Staff
