STANDARD BLADE B R I G H T O N
SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1903
75cI
VOLUME 118
Issue 42
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021
Saying goodbye to a teacher, a friend, a colleague, a family man PVHS community pays respects to Nate Howard BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The crowd in attendance at Prairie View High School’s football field Oct. 8 remembered a man who had an infectious smile, a wicked sense of humor and one who was a father to the fatherless. And a brother to his two sisters. “He tried karate on anyone who was willing to stand up to the challenge,” said Traci Latson. “He did the things only big brothers can do .. like throwing his sisters’ Barbies on the roof.” The object of the testimonials was Nate Howard, a former Prairie View coach and teacher, who died last month just short of his 59th birthday. “Dr. Howard had a gift to be able to talk to anybody,” said PVHS softball and baseball coach Mark Gonzales. The two shared an office at the school. “If you were thinking about leaving somebody, about to do something, he had the perfect words to say. Not many can do that and be so genuine.” Several of Howard’s former students, both during a stint as a coach, teacher and administrator at Manual High School and during his time at PVHS, were in attendance. “He was a mentor to me,” Gonzales said. “He had an impact on everyone he met in the hall and with that characteristic smile.” Latson recapped some of Howard’s accomplishments before he arrived at Prairie View. She said
Prairie View High School softball and baseball coach Mark Gonzales remembers his friend and mentor, Nate Thomas, during a celebration of life at PVHS Oct. 8. Howard died late last month.
SCHOLARSHIP FUND The Dr. Nathaniel Howard III Scholarship Fund, through Evaluation Athletic Performance Foundation Inc., a Colorado nonprofit, is accepting donations through Citywide Banks, 12075 E. 45th Ave., Suite B, Denver 80239. The account niumber is 007513. Nate Howard’s children, Natalie Crump, left, and Nicole Jones speak about their father PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH during a celebration of life service Oct. 8 at Prairie View High School.
the on-field accomplishments were one thing .. but not the only thing that mattered. “His focus was on the successful young men he coached,” she said. “He joined Lincoln Hills Cares Foundation to provide opportunities for diversity and inclusion for environmental occupations.” Howard earned a master’s degree in plant ecology and botany from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1996.
Latson also talked about his brother’s ability to form relationships. “It wouldn’t be Dr. Howard unless he was talking to somebody about something, and he did it with love,” Latson said. “He created unique relationships with people, and he always expected their best. He never said ‘no’ to making people around him better. “He brought his love of the outdoors to inner-city youth,”
Latson added. “His legacy is one of education mentorship and love. Everything he did was with the intent of planting a seed that will continue to grow for generations to come.” Gonzales and Howard coached the ThunderHawks girls basketball team. But, Gonzales noted, Howard’s sense of humor ruled. If you wanted to join, Gonzales added, your humor had to be on Howard’s equal. “His impact on me, his family, SEE HOWARD, P3
Small fire cancels classes at BHS STAFF REPORT
School reopened at Brighton High School Oct. 7, one day after a fire canceled classes. The responsible student is in custody and is facing charges.
The fire was in a bathroom on the south side of the campus, according to a social media post. “I am disappointed that a student made a poor choice that impacted the safety of our students and the community,” Principal Shelley Ge-
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OBITUARIES LOCAL CALENDAR SPORTS LEGALS CLASSIFIEDS
nereux posted to social media. “But I’m extremely proud of how our students responded to this emergency situation.” The post reported that some students’ backpacks in two classrooms sustained water damage.
LOCAL
2 • Glimpsing history 3 among the graves 7 8 • Page 5 20 22
SPORTS • Team champion, fourth place finisher, at state golf tournaments
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Last weekend, a threat to the school forced a postponement of the BHS homecoming dance. There’s been no word on a make-up date. “We will not let this incident define who we are as Brighton Bulldogs,” Genereux’s post said.
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