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June 3, 2021
JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | CALENDAR: PAGE 15 | SPORTS: PAGE 16
VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 50
Arvada community action groups hold ‘5/25 Day of Remembrance’ Event Graduates at Faith Christian Academy await the conferring of diplomas.
Faith Christian Academy celebrates 2021 graduation
While contracting COVID-19 has generally been considered far less risky for those in younger age groups than it is for their grandparents or even parents, JCPH Executive Director Dawn Comstock said it is still important for kids to be vaccinated because they can spread the virus to friends and family. There is also still some risk of serious complications from the virus, including hospitalization and possibly death, for people in that age group. At one such vaccine distribution SEE CLINICS, P5
SEE PROTEST, P11
Graduating seniors at Faith Christian Academy were able to have a traditional graduation celebration on May 27 at the school’s Family Worship Center. The graduation was mask-optional and welcomed families and friends of the graduates. Class valedictorian Greer Porter gave the first address of the evening, followed by Student Body President Madison Cassell and English teacher Courtney Waters, who read from the children’s book ‘You Are Special’ by Max Lucado. FCA Student Body President Madison Cassell gives her speech.
Shots in before schools out JCPH rushed vax clinics at 34 schools BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO PALBANIBURGIO@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When the Pfizer vaccine was approved for use in kids ages 12-15 just three weeks before the end of the school year in Jeffco, Jefferson County Public Health was faced with its latest challenge in a year full of them. “We were asked to hit all of our schools in the next two weeks,” said Marius Nielsen, who has been
helping coordinate vaccination efforts for JCPH. Hitting as many schools as possible was important, Nielsen said, because JCPH knew that they presented the best place to reach as many 12-15 year olds as possible. In total, the district was able to hold events at 34 schools out of the 155 in the district. The urgency had also increased in recent weeks as COVID-19 cases spiked significantly among those ages 10-19 and 20-29 around the end of April, although they have since declined sharply following the same trajectory as overall cases in the county.
BY RYAN DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
One year after George Floyd was murdered by police during an arrest in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, people around the world gathered to celebrate his life and call attention to the institutional systems that contributed to his death. About 20 Arvadans recognized ‘5/25 Day of Remembrance’ by gathering outside of City Hall with signs and a large USA flag. Many of the attendees belong to local social justice groups Arvadans for Social Justice and Arvadans for Progressive Action, two organizations that organized the event. Participants in the event assembled along the turning lane of Ralston Road outside of City Hall, receiving honks, peace signs, waves and raised fists from people in passing cars. The event was held in coordination with the George Floyd Memorial Center’s `5/25 Day of Enlightenment’ program, according to ASJ Co-Founder Amy Travin. ASJ shared information about a pledge urging members to “recommit their time, energy, and attention to fighting systems of oppression, specifically right here in Arvada.” “Other than the memory of George Floyd and showing solidarity,” said PJ Travin, also a cofounder of ASJ, “one of the things we’re doing as ASJ is asking people to take a recommitment pledge for anti-racist work. What we’re finding is that people need an easy way to
PHOTOS BY RYAN DUNN
MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 14
About 20 convene near city hall to call for continued fight against racism