Dylan Schwantes helps in New Orleans
Dylan Schwantes, from Durango, studying history at Marquette University, traveled to New Orleans over spring break with the Marquette MARDI GRAS program.
MARDI GRAS, which stands for Making A Real Difference in the Gulf Region and Areas Surrounding, is a student-run organization at Marquette, created in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf region. MARDI GRAS aims to form meaningful relationships within the community of New Orleans, rebuild homes and neighborhoods and raise awareness about the needs of the post-Katrina gulf region.
For the week of spring break, Schwantes travelled to New Orleans and worked with nine different nonprofit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Youth Rebuilding New Orleans, St. Bernard Project, lowernine, Arc of Greater New Orleans, Gro Dat Youth Farm, Rebuilding Together New Orleans, Sankofa and Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development. Working with these organizations, the students were able to work directly with disaster relief and rebuilding efforts. Their tasks ranged from painting, mold remediation and clearing lots to working with homeowners throughout the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans. Additionally, MARDI GRAS students had the opportunity to attend a Tulane basketball game and visited with Marquette alumni.
Crawford chosen as pageant finalist
Kimberly Crawford,17, has been chosen as a state finalist in the National American Miss Colorado Pageant to be held June 6, 7 and 8 in Denver.
The pageants are held for girls ages 4 to 18, and have five different age divisions. Crawford will participate in the 16 to 18 age division.
The winner of the pageant will receive a $1,000 cash award, a crown and banner, a bouquet of roses and air transportation to compete in the National Pageant in California, where she will receive a complimentary Tour of Hollywood and two VIP tickets to Disneyland.
Crawford’s activities include Durango High School Honors member, DHS classical violinist, San Juan Youth Symphony member and is a 4-H member. She also plays varsity lacrosse and volunteers at the Mana Soup Kitchen.
She is the daughter of Mike and Diana Crawford.
She is seeking sponsors at this time. To sponsor Kimberly, email sweethorse2@live.com or visit the “Hesperus Girl Denver Bound” Fundme account.
For more information about the pageant, visit www.namiss.com.
Laura Kuniansky receives scholarship
Laura Kuniansky, a reading tutor at The Liberty School and Colorado licensed Reading, Special Education, and Elementary Education teacher, has received The Catherine Nutterville Scholarship for $10,000 from Delta Kappa Gamma Society International to use toward completion of her Ph.D. in psychology with emphasis on cognition and instruction from Grand Canyon University.
Kuniansky is a certified Dyslexia Intervention Specialist, seeking diagnostician status.
Herald Staff
