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May 20, 2021
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 126 | ISSUE 14
Elbert County News welcomes new lead writer I look forward to bringing a local perspective to the paper BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Kiowa Schools have gone remote until May 17.
senior nights got canceled due to COVID,” said senior student athlete Dustin Wenz. “It is kind of sad to say that our last weeks of high school are online and we won’t be able to be around our friends.” In Mader’s letter, the district anticipates that in-person learning will resume on May 17 along with all school activities and athletics. Their goal is to finish the school with near normal activities and
I would like to introduce myself as the newest lead writer for the Elbert County News and express my goals for contributions moving forward. I am 33 years old and I live in the Spring Valley Ranch area with my husband and two orange cats. In addition to my work with the Elbert County News, I serve as a college anthropology instructor for Washington State University’s Global Campus, which is the university’s onGatlinAnderson line program. I am also a Ph.D. candidate in anthropology researching contemporary Japanese culture and behavior. Throughout my career as a community researcher, I have devoted my time to studying culture and working to bring positive change to communities all over the world. Originally from Georgia, I have experience working with students with special needs, with underprivileged Black youth groups, Atlanta’s Asian refugee community, and various Asian religious communities around the state. I also have experience working with the Maya
SEE KIOWA, P5
SEE WRITER, P5
PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON
COVID closes Kiowa Schools Seniors dismayed by closure during waning weeks of academic year BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
On May 5, Superintendent Scott Mader announced that as of May 10, all of Elbert County School District C-2 (Kiowa Schools) and
their associated activities would be closed for in-person learning due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. Three students tested positive for the virus spanning all three schools in the district. The decision to close was made in conjunction with Elbert County Health officials for the safety of all students. The sudden closure, however, has left many seniors feeling upset about the impact of the closing on their final weeks of k-12 schooling. “Both football and basketball
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 15
FAMILY TIME
A look at COVID risks during summer months
P21