BULLDOGS OF 2023 CLOSE OUT A CHAPTER IN 139TH COMMENCEMENT

Closing out the chapter on their high school journeys, as well as the current Centennial building, the Bulldog Class of 2023, more than 180 in number, joined the ranks of the Big Red alumni Friday evening at the Southwest Motors Events Center.

DISTRICT’S TOP SCHOLARS, EAST HIGH SCHOOL, LAUDED FOR ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

A 15-year District 60 tradition, the Academic Excellence Awards ceremony was created to recognize graduating seniors who have distinguished themselves through rigor of courses and a grade point average of at least 3.4. The honored scholars embody the values of Academic Achievement, Leadership, Character, and Service: the pillars of the coveted Lamp of Knowledge, which serves as a centerpiece of the ceremony.

SALUTE TO SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS, MICHELLE BUTTRAM, CENTENNIAL

Michelle earned the Kane Family Foundation Scholarship ($50,000) which she will use to attend Colorado State University Pueblo to major in Business Administration with a minor in Leadership Studies.

PREPARING FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

The highest-achieving scholars from our high schools are spending the morning preparing for this evening's Academic Excellence Ceremony, which will salute those who will graduate with top honors. Additionally, the traditional Lamp of Knowledge will be awarded to that school that has earned it. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, at the Southwest Motors Events Center.

D60 SCHOLARS COMPLETE GATEWAY TO COLLEGE PROGRAM

Pueblo Community College’s Gateway to College program is open to students between the ages of 17 and 20. It affords participants the opportunity to receive a traditional high school diploma from their school district while earning college credits toward an associate degree or certificate.

BULLDOG COUSINS REMAINS UNITED IN RED

When it comes to supporting Centennial, it can be said that these ladies “bleed red.” For at least the past 15 years, cousins Pat Craig (Class of 1957), Shirley Hiler (Class of 1958) and Linda Burton (Class of 1967) have supported their alma mater by proudly selling Bulldog-themed T-shirts and other wares during special events, such as Bell Game Week and Hall of Fame dinners.

A TRADITION DATING BACK TO 1876 CONTINUES

The fourth incarnation of a high school whose history dates back to 1876 was officially welcomed into the community Monday with the cutting of the ribbon. Reflecting a community investment of $74 million, the new Centennial High School campus sits just north of the current building, which has served Bulldogs since 1974.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES SET TO GET UNDERWAY

The District and the community will send the Class of 2023 into the future as commencement week is set to get underway. In preparation for the awarding of diplomas, seniors have already been celebrating this life milestone.

D60 COLORADO TEACHERS OF THE YEAR, SUPPORT STAFF HONORED

In a long-standing tradition, three D60 peer-nominated educators and three Classified Support Staff were honored Thursday for their commitment, dedication and professionalism. Each year, the Pueblo County Chapter of the Colorado Teacher of the Year Program honors dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled K-12 classroom educators with a Colorado Teacher of the Year Award.

15 BULLDOGS GRADUATE FROM HEALTH ACADEMY

The 2023 commencement season was officially ushered in Tuesday as 15 healthcare-minded Bulldogs received certificates for fulfilling the requirements of the Health Academy, a Career and Technical Education program that prepares scholars for the next step in their careers through courses such as Medical Terminology, Medical Law and Professional Ethics, Anatomy and Physiology.

D60 HIGH SCHOOL ART SHOW WINNERS

CENTENNIAL JUNIOR HONORED FOR CYBER-SECURITY PROWESS

Evan Woodka-Kelly, a junior at Centennial, has been ranked as a National Cyber Scholar by the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation, based on his performance in a challenging online cybersecurity training program. The National Cyber Scholarship Foundation recognizes high school students who have demonstrated exceptional cybersecurity prowess and who wish to pursue a career in a growing field in critical need of their talent. For earning this distinction, Evan has been invited to participate in the Cyber Foundations Academy – a multi-week online program that is based on the nationally-recognized SANS Foundations training course and certification. This invitation is valued at more than $3,000.cent

DISTRICT LEADERS RECOGNIZED BY GREATER PUEBLO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

During Thursday's Business During Lunch hosted by the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, Superintendent Charlotte Macaluso, Board of Education President Tommy Farrell and Board Member Barb Clementi, and the D60 Communications Team were recognized by Chamber President Duane Nava before those gathered in the Pueblo Convention Center.

CENTENNIAL ARTISTS WIN THREE OF FOUR AWARDS

The Colorado Kids Create art contest is sponsored Colorado Kids Create Inc.: a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Colorado Education Association. Each year, the organization creates and publishes youth-oriented books about Colorado and The West, with students' artwork used to illustrate the tomes.

SALUTE TO SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Wildcats Marianna Martinez Jaramillo and Luke Johnson, Bulldog Pedro Arrieta and Colt Jada Montoya received the scholarships at the Dante Alighieri Society of Pueblo’s 41st Annual Italian Language Scholarship Awards Celebration at the Pueblo Country Club.

SUPERINTENDENT'S CROSS-CURRICULUM WRITING AWARD WINNERS

For more than three decades, scholars in elementary, middle and high school have been encouraged to demonstrate their literary talents in this showcase, started by the late Edmund Vallejo, a D60 educator and Superintendent, who valued the importance of writing.

CENTENNIAL MUSICIANS EARN MUSICAL FESTIVAL AWARDS

Congratulations to the Bulldog Marching Band, which placed 3rd in Class AA division of the annual Canon City Music & Blossom Festival parade competition, and the Concert Band, which placed fifth.

IN A GALAXY NOT SO FAR AWAY...

With the halls and space of Centennial decked out in a Star Wars-influenced "May the Fourth Be With You: To Explore, Play and Create" theme, participants took advantage of 24 activity stations hosted by volunteers from Google, Collins Aerospace, CSU Pueblo, PCC, the Air Force Academy, Sphero Robotics, Kinazium, Holograms from D11 Palmer HS, and many more.

D60 COMMUNICATIONS TEAM AWARDED FOR CASB COVERAGE

For its efforts in documenting -- through video, photos and stories -- the annual three-day convention of the Colorado Association of School Boards, the D60 Communications Team received a Communication Excellence Golden Achievement Award from the Colorado School Public Relations Association.

THE DISTRICT SALUTES THIS YEAR’S RETIREES, LONG-TIME EMPLOYEES

Centuries of service to the scholars and families of District 60, in the form of hard-working and loyal teachers, administrators and support staff, were celebrated Thursday by Superintendent Charlotte Macaluso and Human Resources administrators.