Ride for the Brand

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Dear Cowboy Community,

On Wednesday of this week, Mrs. Wilkinson and Mr. Betts shared communication to Gunnison Community School parents regarding a tragic loss of a student. Leelan Lokie, 2nd grade student at Gunnison Elementary School, passed away on February 4th. Our schools have a Crisis Intervention Team made up of professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents, and school personnel at difficult times such as this. Counselors are available for any student who may need or want assistance in processing this loss. We encourage families to speak with their children about this loss in a way that feels appropriate. We are saddened by the loss to our community and will make every effort to help support students, families, and staff. Please keep the Lokie family in your thoughts as students in all of our schools transition into school next week.

As our community continues to process this loss, we also want to keep families informed about upcoming school responsibilities and events. All GHS Sophomores will be taking the ASVAB assessment on Tuesday. This is an incredibly important test, as it can be used to meet Colorado Graduate Guidelines for graduation. We ask that 10th graders come prepared, with Chromebooks fully charged and power cords ready. Good luck!

GHS Band members are back on the road this week, playing in the Fort Lewis College Honor Band. Congratulations to Juniors Riego Koepsel and Gavin Vasquez, and to Freshman Adan Lincer, all of who will be playing with the Honor Band.

Congratulations to our Senior wrestlers, Cody Casebolt and Romie Uhrig, who were celebrated at Senior night at Thursday's dual against Salida. While neither had opponents to wrestle in the dual, it was a great night for Cowboy Wrestling. Our Girls Varsity wrestlers are competing in Walsenburg, while the boys grapplers get a weekend off before Regionals. Good luck to our JV wrestlers, who will compete at home on Saturday at the Western Slope JV League Championships.

Swim and Dive left earlier today for Colorado Mesa University, where they will compete at the Regional Championships in a tune up for the State meet next week. Climbing heads to Ridgway before Regional competition on February 21st. Basketball hits the road for an overnight trip, which includes games in Meeker on Friday and Roaring Fork on Saturday. You can catch JV and Varsity basketball in Crested Butte on Wednesday, with games starting up-Valley at 4pm.

Have a great weekend and GO COWBOYS!

Join Blossom next Tuesday, February 10th in Mrs. McDonald’s room from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM to help spread some Valentine’s cheer! We’ll be making cards to deliver with chocolates to our local hospital and senior care center. It’s a great resume builder and a community service opportunity. We hope to see you there!

Scholarship opportunities are coming into the counseling office fast and furious.

Please visit the scholarship board in the counseling office and go to our GHS Scholarship Page and click on Local Scholarships for more information and scholarship application access.

Junior Parent/Student Night

Thursday, February 12th at 6pm in the Auditorium

Topics Covered:

1. Junior/Senior Timeline for Class of 2027

2. College/Career Planning

3. College/Vocational school application timelines and process

4. Financial Aid

*Spanish translator will be available

Jan-Feb - Regular Decision deadlines for college applications

Dec-April 15th - Apply for local Scholarships, visit the counseling office for more information.

May 13th - Senior Check out

May 17th - GRADUATION DAY!!!!!

2026 Project Graduation Planning has Begun! If you are a parent or guardian of a graduating senior this year, please sign up to join the Project Grad Planning committee or email gunnisonprojectgrad@gmail.com for more information. There are several different ways you can volunteer your time and talents. Many hands make light work, and we would love to have you. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 18th at 6:00pm in the GHS Library. We hope to see you there!

Donations and Sponsors are being sought for 2026 Project Graduation. Please visit www.gunnisonprojectgrad.org to learn more about this parent-led initiative and how to contribute. Project Grad donations may be mailed or can be provided online. To make a donation, email Gunnisonprojectgrad@gmail.com and a Project Grad planning member will reach out to you.

Are you proficient in two languages? Juniors and Seniors are eligible to earn the Seal of Biliteracy for Gunnison Watershed School District. It is a special honor which recognizes the sustained effort it takes to become bilingual, which is widely recognized and valued by employers and universities. Find out more here!

GWSD offers all families access to ParentGuidance.org. Click the photo below for the January newsletter.

Mr. Phipps and Mr. Finney have teamed up with students to create a collectible copper coin for students, community members, and alumni. The GHS Legion Club will be making preorder forms available as a fundraiser. More information will be forthcoming and these coins can make a great graduation gift!

Sponsors Mrs. Cammack and Mrs. McDonald accompanied representatives from LULAC and Safe Space to the Youth Diversity Conference at Cherry Creek High School last week.

Students in Mrs. Benson's 12th Grade English class investigated connections between color and symbolism in literature, art, and music. Students chose a color, researched its use in real life, and connected it to symbolism in artistic works.

Good luck to our Cowboy Swimmers, who will be competing at the Regional Championships on Friday and Saturday. Good luck to Ray, Caris, Kinley, Jade, Elora, Audrey, Kelsey, and Gracen

The CHSAA Spring Sports season begins Monday, February 23rd. GHS offers Baseball, Girls Golf, and Track and Field, while GHS students are eligible to compete with CBHS in Boys Lacrosse and Girls Soccer. Student athletes who have not yet participated in a GWSD sport must have a physical form submitted with a physician's signature and paperwork filled out on BigTeams.

Intermediate skiers and snowboarders who have completed an avalanche safety course can join the Pathways Outdoors program on a multi-day backcountry hut trip to Miner's Delight Hut in Washington Gulch near Crested Butte.

When: March 2nd-4th

Where: Washington Gulch

Cost: $100

For eligibility and registration click here.

Junior Mountaineers Camp (JMC) is back on the Western Colorado University campus this summer, AND we’re adding overnight adventure camps for middle and high schoolers, featuring backcountry hut trips, expedition trips, and more! JMC is a state-licensed summer day and overnight adventure camp that blends athletics, outdoor recreation, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) learning. Led by experienced staff and Western students, JMC provides a safe, active, and inclusive experience for campers. Families can register by the week, with each week offering a unique theme and outdoor recreation activities. For more details on JMC Summer 2026 offerings, please visit us online.