Lake County Youth: On The Move!

Sign-Up for CMC Youth Leadership Program

The First Ascent Youth Leadership program is now accepting applications for its free, weeklong course at Colorado Mountain College’s campus in Leadville. The deadline is April 19. This outdoor experiential course is now in its 24th year and is for current eighth- and ninth-graders. The course takes place Sunday, June 23, through Friday, June 28.

First Ascent teaches leadership, problem-solving, consensus building, conflict resolution, and communication. During the weeklong program, students live at Colorado Mountain College’s residential hall in Leadville and build self-esteem through challenges such as rock climbing, summiting Mount Elbert and rafting the Arkansas River.

During last summer’s First Ascent Youth Leadership, from left, Lorena Bernal of Carbondale waited her turn while Matt LaBaugh of Avon climbed near Camp Hale, and guide Nick Swerdlin watched from below. In the weeklong program students also hike Mount Elbert, raft the Arkansas River and participate in group leadership exercises.

This year, the program will accept 35 students who show potential to be leaders. Counselors and staff are graduates of the program; students completing First Ascent can return to work as staff during future summers.

The program is available to students living in the six counties of the Colorado Mountain College district: Eagle, Garfield, Lake, Pitkin, Summit, and part of Routt. To be considered for this summer’s program, applicants must complete the application on the CMC website’s First Ascent page by April 19.

For more information and to apply: CONNECT, or contact outreach@coloradomtn.edu or 800-621-8559.

LCHS Chamber Choir Hits NYC

While most of Lake County spent spring break digging out from Snowzilla 2019 and hitting the ski slopes, the Lake County High School (LCHS) Chamber Choir took a bite out of The Big Apple with a special trip to New York City.

“Each and every student represented Lake County witch such poise, respect, and dignity,” said Chris Carroll, Artistic Director for the LCHS Performing Arts Department, who chaperoned the trip along with LCHS teacher Roxie Aldaz.

“I am humbled to teach such a genuine group of students,” concluded Carroll. And theater lovers will also get to see the fruits of Carroll’s and Leadville students labor as they bring “Into The Woods” to the local community.

High School Choir: On the Road and In Town

The Lake County High School Chamber has some upcoming performances both in Leadville and on-the-road. Music lovers had a chance to hear the high school choir students sing at several shows during the Christmas season. Not only did the musical troupe showcase their talents at the annual school performance, but they also entertained the crowds around town at Chamber events and popping in and out of stores around town. The students seem to excel under the leadership of Scott Carroll, the Director of Choral and Theatre Activities and their professionalism shows with each note. The choir will be headed to Carnegie Hall this spring as part of a trip to New York City. Please support their efforts.

• NEW YORK CITY TOUR (CHAMBER CHOIR) – Lifetime memories were made over Spring Break!
• INTO THE WOODS – April 26, 27, 28, 2019 in Leadville, Lake County High School Performing ArtsDepartment
• ROSE AWARDS CONCERT – May 8, 2019; 7 p.m. in Leadville.
• ELITCH GARDENS MUSIC FESTIVAL – May 16, 2019; All Day in Denver, CO.
• GRADUATION – May 25, 2019 at Lake County High School, Leadville.

From The Director of Choral and Theatre Activities, Scott Carroll:

The stage is set for the next Lake County High School musical production, “Into The Woods” to be presented April 26-28 under Artistic Director Scott Carroll, pictured here. Photo: Leadville Today/Brennan Ruegg.

The Lake County High School Performing Arts Department has grown immensely over the past five years with student participation and community engagement. Program participation varies from 80-120 students per season. The program has multiple components that services students would not be able to find these opportunities in the community of Leadville and Lake County. From a robust choral and theater program, students have the opportunity to learn skills such as work ethic, communication, presentation, community engagement, and commitment. Students have the opportunity to work with outside professionals who have made a career in the performing arts, and in turn, can explore the possibility of having a career themselves.

Some of these professionals have sung and/or worked backstage of the Metropolitan Opera, Broadway and major opera companies throughout the United States and Europe.

Over the past four years, the Performing Arts Department has produced reductions of Seussical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, Annie, and this season Into The Woods. These productions have been made possible from generous local sponsors, ticket sales, grants, and donations.

The Lake County High School Performing Arts Department strives to give its students and community the highest quality entertainment that Leadville and Lake County deserve. Sponsors of the 2018 -2019 Choral Program are the Legacy Foundation, Lions Club and Carol Glenn. Students continue to implement community engagement because we as a program value the support our community has given the program.

FREE Things to Do in Colorado

Just because spring break is winding down, doesn’t mean there’s still not plenty of fun to be had in Leadville Today and across Colorado. So as students in Leadville return to the classroom on Monday, March 25 and teachers and parents buckle down for the home stretch of learning before summer, check out this list of Free Things to Do in Colorado. There are lots to choose from, so why not fit one in during your next trip to the Front Range with the kiddos.