YOUR AD HERE »

The Class of 2016: Profiles of graduating students

Marc Williams

Hannah Keller

Battle Mountain High School

Favorite school moment from any year: This year one of our senior pranks that was us bringing in tents, sleeping bags, blankets etc. and camping out in the lobby of the school with the speakers playing music.



Give a shout out: First, to my mom and dad for always being there all through school. Then, to my brother Billie for always pushing me to try my hardest. And also, my friends who are always there for me no matter what the situation or what is going on around us and pushing me to my greatest ability.

Summer plans: To work and spend as much time as I can with my friends that I’ll be leaving next year.

Support Local Journalism



Where are you headed this fall: To the University of Maine to study Sports medicine and International Studies.

If you’re leaving Eagle County, what will you miss most: The mountains and my friends

In 10 years you’ll be: Happy, traveling, and making more memories.

Favorite class you took: Botany with Mr. Frankel or AP Environmental Science with Mr. Von.

Class you wish had been offered: German

Jack Skidmore

Battle Mountain High School

Favorite school moment from any year: Beating the No. 1 seed Evergreen 3-0 in soccer

Give a shout out: My mom & dad

Summer plans: Work and have fun

Where are you headed this fall: University of Michigan

If you’re leaving Eagle County, what will you miss most: The beautiful views

Favorite class you took: Lunch

Jose Velasco

Red Canyon High School

Favorite school moment from any year: Going paintballing with the whole school.

Give a shout out: to my whole family for supporting me and to all the teachers at Red

Canyon for supporting me throughout my time here at Red Canyon.

Summer plans: Work and spend a lot of time with my family

Where are you headed this fall: Enrolling in CMC

If you’re staying, what are you happiest about keeping: The activities provided in the area

In 10 years you’ll be: Living life

Favorite class you took: Thriller with Mrs. Qualman

Class you wish had been offered: I was happy with the ones I got.

Juan Toscano

Eagle Valley High School

Favorite moment from any school year: Football win against Delta, my junior year.

Give a shout out to: All my friends & family

Summer plans: Training camp & All state game

Where I’m headed this fall: Santa Barbara City College

What I will miss the most: The mountains and all the sweet camping spots.

In 10 years: I’ll be a businessman

Favorite Class: Sports psychology

A class you wish you were offered: Wilderness survival

Leilani Astrid Duran

Red Canyon High School

Favorite school moments from any year: My favorite moment from the school year was the fundraising for “Voice for Equality” women around the world.

Give a shout out: Shout out to my family for supporting me, my teachers for pushing me to the top, and my friends for sticking by my side.

Summer plans: My summer plans are to go on a trip to California with some friends. Another plan is to move to Denver for the summer with my mother to save money and spend me with her.

Where are you headed this fall: I’m planning to come back to Gypsum for fall so I can go to CMC and start my career path.

If you’re leaving Eagle County, what will you miss most: I would miss cruising around the same streets over and over again. I’m also going to miss the Red Canyon Cafe because they have the most delicious iced nikki latte.

If you’re staying, what are you happiest about keeping: I’d mostly be happy about our beautiful mountains we have here in Eagle County, the hikes, views and especially the weird climate change we have. I enjoy having to go back and forth on summer and winter clothing.

In 10 years you’ll be: In 10 years I’ll be exactly 28 years old, I’m hoping I would be successful in a professional career that I’m passionate about, I am hoping to have a husband by my side supporting each other with beautiful children. And if that’s not the case I hope I would be traveling around the world with a best friend.

Favorite class you took: My favorite class would have to be Senior Seminar, the mixed emotions I had every Friday made it so real, that this day was finally coming.

Class you wish had been offered: I wish I could have been offered a class that teaches me “ Life After High School,” because it seems like a very exciting but scary moment in my life to be on my own for once.

Magda Alderete

Eagle Valley High School

Favorite moment from any school year: Attending the Cadaver Lab my senior year (shout out to Mrs. Kienzle for making it possible!)

Give a shout out: A huge thank you to all my teachers, coaches, teammates, friends, family, and everyone else that has helped me along the way. I appreciate each and every one of you, you’ve all made a huge impact in my life.

Summer plans: Work, work, work, work, work!

Where are you headed this fall: I’ll be finishing my associates at CMC Spring Valley, then transfer to CMU by next year.

If you’re leaving Eagle County, what will you miss most: The Ekahi Grill (I love their food), my cats, dog, and of course my family and friends.

In 10 years you’ll be: Somewhere in the medical field, and hopefully still furthering my education in forensic pathology.

Favorite class you took: Honors Anatomy & Physiology with Mrs. Kienzle

Class you wish had been offered: Different language classes other than Spanish

Picture: Gabriela Mata Photography

Marc Williams

Eagle Valley High School

Favorite high school memory: Senior night fall football, we were down 21-0 and came back to defeat Grand Junction Central and clinch a playoff spot.

Give a shout out to: My family, friends, coaches, teammates, teachers & girlfriend for all their support and encouragement along the way.

Summer plans: I plan to work, race my dirt bike & have as much fun as possible at Lake Powell, camping, and Country Jam.

Where I’m headed this fall: Colorado Mountain College

If you’re staying, what will you like the most: I will like staying close to the beautiful mountains and close to my girlfriend and friends who are also staying.

In 10 years you’ll be: Living the dream.

Favorite class: Weights, for sure.

Class you wish you were offered: Outdoor survival

Julia Vlaar

Vail Christian High School

Favorite school moment from any year: Retreat

Give a shout out: Shout out for sidewalks, for keeping me off the streets

Summer plans: Work, prepare for my future.

Where are you headed this fall: New Zealand and Macau

If you’re leaving Eagle County, what will you miss most: Participating in competitive sports.

If you’re staying, what are you happiest about keeping: The relationships and friends I have.

In 10 years you’ll be: Hopefully married, a college graduate, and a small business owner.

Favorite class you took: Lunch

Class you wish had been offered: Real life classes such as: How to file taxes, How to lease/buy an apartment, Information about mortgages, Best ways to save money/Best places to put money/Best things to invest in.

Sean Weller

Vail Mountain School

Favorite moment or memory from any school year: Going to NYC for our senior class trip

Summer Plans: Playing baseball in Denver and working in Vail

Where are you headed this fall: California Lutheran University

What will you miss most about Eagle County: The ability to ski one day and golf the next

In 10 years, you’ll be: A sports journalist or a pilot

Favorite class you took: Cultural Spanish

Katerina MacDougald

Battle Mountain High School

Favorite class: Photography. It helped me decide the path for my future and the direction I would like to take. I also loved being in choir.

Where are you headed this fall: Fort Lewis, Durango, Colo., to study journalism.

Summer plans: Kayak a lot!

Give a shout out: My parents and Luis Juarez

If you’re leaving Eagle County, what will you miss most: The amazing summers.

In 10 years you’ll be: Traveling the globe; chronicling my journeys with my writing and photographs.


Support Local Journalism