March 24, 2016
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VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 32
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LakewoodSentinel.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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BY THE BOOK Book clubs give readers a chance to connect with like-minded individuals on PAGE 12.
Security measure limits threats Mourners at the funeral for Lakewood High School student MacKenzie Forrest receive Communion during Mass. Photo by Clarke Reader
Lakewood student remembered More than 1,000 gather to honor MacKenzie Forrest, who died in car crash By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Christ on the Mountain Church seats about 600 people in the nave and can provide another 600 seats
between its basement and an outside tent area. And yet, on March 17, a gray afternoon that barely rose above freezing, it was standing room-only to honor MacKenzie Anne Forrest, who died after injuries sustained in a March 13 car crash. The Lakewood High School senior and basketball player was a month away from her 18th birthday and had
planned to attend Regis University in the fall. “MacKenzie was generous with the ball — she wasn’t a ball hog,” said Father David Allen in his sermon. “She was generous, on the court and off. Our faith tells us she won’t stop loving us in death, and I believe she won’t stop being generous — she’ll still be Forrest continues on Page 22
Poetry contest slams into Lakewood Literary event host 25 high-schoolers attempting to win national title
By Crystal Anderson Canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com On Dec. 15, an Evergreen High School student made threatening comments that sparked concern among students and staff. In February, a Northglenn High School student took pictures of Arvada K-8 and threatened over text and social media to enter the school with a gun. On March 1, a student brought a BB gun to North Arvada Middle School in a backpack, scaring students who reported it to school staff. In all three incidents, the schools were immediately locked down — a security measure that prevents anyone from entering or leaving the building. No one was injured in any of the incidents. Although three lockdowns in a few months may seem like a high number, according to the Jefferson County School District it actually is on par with the amount seen over the past five years. Safety continues on Page 5
WHERE TO GO FOR HELP Safe 2 Tell program: A hotline students can call if they see and/or hear of something that could threaten the safety of a student or the school. Once a call is received, the district, principal and the area’s law enforcement teams are notified so they can work together to triage the report.
By Clarke Reader creader@colorado communitymedia.com There is more to a good poetry recitation than knowing the words. It’s about conveying the writers’ emotions and seeing the world through his or her eyes. Luckily, that’s Long View High School student Brittney Hall’s favorite part. “You read a poem multiple times, and you start to view things from the poet’s perspective,” Hall said. “There are so many different aspects to poetry.” Hall, whose school is in Lakewood, joined 25 other poets from Colorado for the state championship of Poetry Out Loud on March 15 at the Lakewood Cultural Center.
Jeffco school district’s three recent lockdowns reflect necessary response to safety
Annually Jeffco schools is the program’s No. 1 user. This year, the hotline has fielded more than 500 calls from students. Hotline: 1-877-542-7233 www.safe2tell.org
Poetry Out Loud emcee Jovan Mays recites some of his poems during the open mic portion of the event on March 15. Photo by Clarke Reader The competition was sponsored by Colorado Creative Industries, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Lighthouse Writers
Workshop and the Poetry Foundation and featured students reciting two poems each. Each poet was judged on physical presence, voice
and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, evidence of understanding, overall Poetry continues on Page 26
ON THE BALL Bear Creek takes on Coronado in girls soccer action on PAGE 27.