Douglas County News-Press 0929

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September 29, 2016

SENIOR SOLUTIONS

VOLUME 114 | ISSUE 48 | 75¢

Find tips on how seniors can navigate life choices. PAGE 19

DouglasCountyNewsPress.net A publication of

D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O

‘Kyra lived — and she had a blast’

Q&A WITH DOUGLAS COUNTY INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

Kane eyes change in culture By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Erin Kane took over as the interim superintendent of the Douglas County School District on Sept. 1. Kane, a Colorado native with an engineering degree in applied mathematics and computer science from the University of Colorado, helped found American Academy, a charter school with campuses in Castle Pines and Parker. Executive director since 2013, she pointed to her leadership of the school’s community in her bid to win the job. In July, Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen left the district to take the same position in the Humble Independent School District near Houston. While Kane has signed on for a year-term in the interim, a search Kane for a permament replacement is ongoing. Colorado Community Media sat down with Kane last week for a question-andanswer session.

From left, Cameron Morris, Tia Medina, Isa Quintanilla, Laney Dick and Aubrey Church, kneeling, visit the memorial set up in honor of Castle View High School schoolmate Kyra Connolly, who was killed in a three-vehicle crash on Sept. 20. Photo by Jessica Gibbs

Tell us about your background I grew up here in Colorado. I went to Arapahoe High School and then I went on to the University of Colorado in Boulder. I went to the engineering college, where I got a degree in applied mathematics and computer science. I spent about 10 years in the high-tech industry. I lived through the bubble and the burst, which was a very interesting experience, as you can imagine. When our kids were born, the wheels came off at home. My husband is also a full-time engineer, so we made the decision that I would stay at home, which I did for a very brief period of time. Then, I decided to start a charter school.

Community remembers Castle View senior killed in crash By Jessica Gibbs jgibbs@coloradocommunitymedia.com Learn to live as Kyra did. That was the message as Kyra Connolly’s loved ones commemorated her life. Connolly was killed in a three-vehicle accident on Sept. 20 just blocks from Castle View High School in Castle Rock. The 17-year-old senior was described by family and friends as someone who cared for all she knew — and she knew many.

Hundreds gathered at the Sept. 25 memorial service at The Rock Church in Castle Rock. With a strong presence from her father’s colleagues at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and from peers at Castle View High School, nearly every seat was filled. Even more stood at the Connolly rear of the sanctuary. Most wore tie-dye to honor the free-spirited Connolly. Fam-

ily friend Tim Sayer said the town had been picked clean of tie-dye: He went to four stores before finding a shirt. Color brightened the church sanctuary in a way it very likely hadn’t before, commented Kyra’s father, Mike, a sergeant with the sheriff’s office. “She put everybody before herself,” he said. Boxes of tissues circulated throughout the room as several speakers told stories, shared memories, and laughed and cried with mourners. Crash continues on Page 3

DOUGLAS COUNTY NEWS-PRESS (ISSN 1067-425X) (USPS 567-060) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Douglas County, Colorado, the News-Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 5 p.m. | Classifieds: Tue. 8 a.m. | Obits: Mon. 4 p.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.

Q&A continues on Page 11

PITCH PERFECT Douglas County High School squares off with Legend. PAGE 33


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