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April 20, 2017
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ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
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4-H members learn lessons in expression 12 youths attend retreat with storytellers, workshops
Bissonette testifies before Senate Finance Committee at Colorado Capitol
BY JODI HORNER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
“Color Your Story” was the theme for the weekend when Elbert County 4-H sent 12 of its members to attend the South Central District Retreat March 17-19 in Divide. “We are so proud of our Elbert County youth getting involved at the district, regional and state levels. It broadens their leadership skills and networking abilities,” said Sheila Kelley, Elbert County Extension director. Two professional storytellers entertained the group on the night of March 17 and then ran workshops the next day to help the campers understand the importance of honing their public speaking skills. The “Color Your Story” theme guided the youth into expressing themselves and telling their personal stories. True Colors workshops are based on a personality index that sorts individuals into one of four colors: red, blue, gold, or green. Its objective is to guide individuals into a deeper understanding about various personality traits and provide in-
Elizabeth educator makes pitch for teacher funding
BY JODI HORNER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
standing, and it emphasized that no color was better than another. All just have different gifts and struggles.” A key part of the retreat included the election of new district and regional officers. Three Elbert County youths were chosen by their peers to serve in 4-H district and regional offices for the coming year.
Continuing his commitment to increasing funding for education in rural areas, Elizabeth School District Superintendent Douglas Bissonette testified before the Colorado Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on April 11. The bill, which has bipartisan sponsorship from state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling; Senate Minority Leader Lucía Guzmán, D-Denver; Rep. Jon Becker, R-Fort Morgan; and House Majority Leader KC Becker, D-Boulder, was Bissonette passed by the committee with a vote of 4-1. Sen. Tim Neville, RJefferson County, voted against it. Bissonette spoke in favor of bill SB 17-267, Rural Sustainability, which would
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Members of Elbert County 4-H clubs attended a retreat for the South Central District the weekend of March 17 in Divide. COURTESY PHOTO sight into their leadership styles. By participating the program, the youth learned how to engage in more successful interaction. “The True Colors workshop was one of my favorite parts of the camp,” said Youth Council President Abby Rollyson. “I felt like it gave us a way to see ourselves — both our strengths and weaknesses — and to see others as well,” she said. “It aided in communication and under-
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‘I have purchased, adopted, rescued, fed, housed and named chameleons, gerbils, turtles, fish, a cockatiel, a conure (parrot), a pigeon (bad idea) and two dachshunds.’ Craig Marshall Smith, columnist | Page 8 INSIDE
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ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 122 | ISSUE 12