School Views: Celebrating another great year
As we round the corner and near the end of May, we approach the end of another successful school year. Throughout my career, each year brings its own unique challenges and celebrations, and this year was no different.
Our year began with an incredible test of our community’s strength for both staff and families alike as our schools received multiple threats in the same week. I commend and appreciate everyone who helped us navigate those choppy waters. Whether in conversations at home or school, our resilience and perseverance shone through, and I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you. Tough times are made easier when we work together.
Our year ends with graduations and continuations as our students and their families think about what’s next. Whether preparing for college, looking for work, or simply enjoying summer break, the end of the school year is an exciting time for all. As such, I would be remiss not to look back on some of the many achievements our students have made this semester.
Our schools charged forward through the obstacles, and we continued to see amazing accomplishments from many of them. Speech and debate teams from both Battle Mountain and Eagle Valley high schools made a strong showing at state competitions, with students qualifying to compete at the national tournament next month. One thing that is not up for debate is how impressive their skills are across the board.
We also saw several athletic teams excel. Wrapping up the winter season, this past spring both the Eagle Valley girls and boys basketball teams made it to the state tournament and the Lady Devils won their first ever league title. Sure is great to be a Devil, and it’s exciting for these young athletes to leave a powerful legacy. Eagle Valley and Battle Mountain high schools also had strong representation at the state wrestling tournament from both their boys and girls teams.
Support Local Journalism
Spring sports also saw both the Devils and the Huskies girls soccer teams reach the state tournament. The Battle Mountain girls lacrosse team also made history in making it to the state semifinals for the first time. After a record-setting season, athletes from both our traditional high schools represented Eagle County School District at the state track and field championships, earning several podium finishes. Two Devils are heading to the Nike Outdoor Nationals next week, so be on the lookout for those results.
We are watching our community’s golf prowess grow, and after another impressive season we had two female golfers represent the Huskies and Devils in the state golf tournament with one golfer narrowly missing the top three finishing in fourth position.
Out on the diamond, boys baseball teams up and down the valley put up respectable showings throughout the season, with the Huskies narrowly missing this year’s state playoffs.
Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy student athletes were busy all winter long competing nationally and internationally with numerous podium finishes on the snow. These efforts culminated with one current VSSA student being named to the Olympic snowboarding team, so be sure to watch in 2026.
From the mountains to the stage, our student thespians stayed busy this spring. We got to see Battle Mountain perform “The Addams Family,” and Eagle Valley thrilled us with “Mamma Mia!” If you’ve yet to take in one of our school’s musicals, I highly recommend it. We have some very talented performers among our students. And as always, the Battle Mountain Drumline was out keeping the beat throughout our community at various events all year long.
While I could talk about student accomplishments for hours, I also want to be sure to mention the progress our organization has made as related to the various construction projects we’ve undertaken. These efforts were made possible thanks to voter support of the 2023 bond initiative. We’ve put those dollars to work and expect to see our new technology and nutrition building opening soon.
Most notable for our community is the construction at our IK Bar property in Gypsum, which will be home to the Gypsum Early Learning Center and two 20-unit apartment buildings. A little further down the project pipeline is another Habitat for Humanity project in Gypsum that will offer 10 townhomes for purchase. We’re also eyeing the continued development of Maloit Park to provide additional affordable housing opportunities for our staff members and their families. These community efforts are great examples of what makes our valley so special, and we thank you for your continued support.
Eagle County is a special place to live, and Eagle County School District is a uniquely special place to work. With the end of the school year comes the end of some of our team members as they celebrate their retirements. From teachers, to principals, to support staff and district leadership, retirement is an achievement to celebrate, even when we are sad to see them go.
I thank all of our departing staff members for their commitment to our district and wish them nothing but the best as they embark on new adventures. Whether you’re student-facing or behind the scenes, your commitment to our students is equally important and valued. Thank you for everything you’ve done to help our students and our organization thrive.
Philip Qualman is the superintendent of Eagle County School District. Email him at philip.qualman@eagleschools.net.
