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LDS seniors celebrate teachers
Contributed by: Rebecca Zimmerman/YourHub.com on 5/8/2007

Tears of joy and hugs of appreciation filled the room during the eighth annual Teacher Appreciation Night at the Columbine Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 4. Graduating seniors who belong to the church invited a teacher to be recognized who made a difference in their life and education.

Each student stood up in front of the crowd and gave a speech on why the particular teacher meant so much to them and their education. The teachers each received a small gift.

Teacher Appreciation Night has become a big tradition at the church - so big in fact, that Teacher Appreciation Night takes place two nights in a row in order to accommodate all the seniors at the church wanting to recognize a teacher.

The first appreciation night started in 1999, just a little less than a week after the shootings at Columbine High School. The night was planned before the shootings, and the church made the decision to still proceed.

"We decided it was a nice thing to do and we thought it would help with the healing process," said Matt Ballard, High Counselor of The Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ballard said the seniors at the church take the event very seriously. "Teachers fall in the category of the unsung hero. They don't get the recognition they really deserve. This night is not about our church, it's to recognize the good in people."

Students from Columbine High School, Dakota Ridge High School and Warren Tech High School all attended. The seniors opened the night by singing Count Your Blessings. Students, families and teachers also dined together with a three-course meal, served by the juniors in the church. Frank DeAngelis, principal of Columbine High School also attended the evening and was recognized for his commitment to the community and his students.

Marcia Anker, Jeffco community superintent spoke to the crowd of about 100. "The student's words to the teachers tonight are so meaningful," Anker said. "Teachers really make a difference and we appreciate working with all the families and your children."

Columbine High School Teachers Recognized

~Lee Andres recognized by Jeremy Marsh
~Ann Domroese
recognized by Michael Bezzant
~Kent Friesen
recognized by Brandon Pooley
~Thane Hill
recognized by Sean Cowgill
~Kiki Leyba
recognized by Theresa Gillmore
~Robin Ortiz
recognized by Ben Andrews
~Matt Pruett
recognized by Brian Baumgarten
~Tracy Schwartz
recognized by Kendra Urban
~Amanda Ravsten
recognized by Kelly Wright
~Debbie LeDuc
recognized by Hannah Harris


Dakota Ridge High School Teachers Recognized

Susan Arnston recognized by Brian Pritchett
Justen Byler
recognized by Brian Despain
Kim Keller
recognized by Lindsay Ballantyne
Michelle Buchanan-Lind
recognized by Holly Brison
Jeff Parriott
recognized by Mark Redd and Tiffany Runyon


Warren Tech High School Teachers Recognized

Laura and Terry Angell recognized by Roger Clements
Rosemary Smith
recognized by Gabby Smith






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