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RAY AGUILERA’S LEGACY LIVES ON THROUGH VOCABULARY CHALLENGE
To the children of Columbian, Carlile and Minnequa elementary schools, Ray Aguilera was the benevolent benefactor who continually stressed literacy and a robust vocabulary.
He also rewarded it.
For years, Mr. Aguilera and his Pueblo Poverty Foundation sponsored an end-of-year “Vocabulary Challenge” that rewarded those students who learned the most new words with a chartered bus trip to Denver, to take in a Colorado Rockies game and enjoy the attractions at Elitch Gardens.
Last year, due to pandemic-related concerns, he treated Vocabulary Challenge champions to a swimming pool party at Bessemer Park.
“I think a strong vocabulary prepares a student for the future and opportunities,” Mr. Aguilera once said.
Tragically, Mr. Aguilera passed away before the results of this year’s Challenge could be revealed. Prior to his passing, however, he prepared a host of “Fun in the Sun” gift bags earmarked for those scholars who best padded their vocabularies throughout the year.
The tabulation of words learned was again coordinated by Literacy Specialist Abbie Spillman, who worked hand-in-hand with Mr. Aguilera on the Challenge for nearly a decade.
“First graders really represented their grade level well at all three schools,” Mrs. Spillman noted.
In all, scholars at the trio of schools learned a breathtaking 36,396 new words.
With a total of 15,429 words learned, the scholars at Columbian led the way, followed by Minnequa (10,562) and Carlile (10,405.)
Individually, Carlile’s Joanna Gallegos was credited with mastering 328 new words: the best showing in this year’s Challenge.
Here are the standouts from each school:
CARLILE: Mallory Martin, 250 words; Trinity Vigil, 231; Jeziah Rickwalt, 224; Autumn Miller, 212.
COLUMBIAN: Liam Madrid, 216; Samuel Resendez, 209; Darlene SheHon 201.
MINNEQUA: Zander Valdez, 296; Nickolai Heckman, 210; Lorelani Sanchez, 152; Mauricio Espinoza, 133.
In Mr. Aguilera’s absence, the gift bags were awarded at the three schools by a team that included his only child, daughter Andrea; Mayor Nick Gradisar; Dennis Flores, who served alongside Mr. Aguilera on City Council; and former City Councilman Steve Nawrocki and Angela Giron, Executive Director/CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Pueblo County.
In all, 200 gift bags – which included passes to local attractions and summer-related gear -- were welcomed by the vocabulary stars from the three schools.