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September 24, 2014 VOLU M E 49 | I S S UE 36 | 7 5 ¢
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Beauprez tours Monument Academy Gubernatorial candidate was at the charter school on Sept. 15 By Danny Summers
dsummers @coloradocommunitymedia.com Republican Bob Beauprez is among six candidates running for Governor of Colorado this fall. The 66-year-old Beauprez took time on Sept. 15 to stop by Monument Academy to see how the charter school does things and spend time with its students and faculty. “This is a perfect example of what I think is the appropriate model for education,” Beauprez said. “Parents making the choice first of all, parents in charge of the charter school, dedicated faculty and staff that are guiding the curriculum, and the outstanding results.” According to Monument Academy spokesman Jim Cunningham, the school also invited Gov. John Hickenlooper to visit the school, but his office did not respond to the invitation. While at Monument Academy, Beauprez read to first-grade students, toured the school to see how charter schools perform differently than other schools, and discussed the importance of parental choice and involvement in the lives of students. “You can’t walk through a place like Monument Academy and become inspired and say this is the kind of model that we really ought to be replicating for all of the children around
LEFT: Republican Gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez reads to first grade students during his visit to Monument Academy on Sept, 15. Beauprez toured the school to see how charter schools perform differently than other schools. ABOVE: Lis Richard, Monument Academy Principal, discusses what charter schools offer students with Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez during his visit to the school Sept. 15. Photos by Jim Cunningham the state,” Beauprez said. Beauprez also met with Lis Richard, Monument Academy principal. They discussed what charter schools offer students, among other topics. “When you see children and what they’re learning at a place like Monument Academy, we ought to be replicating that model and giving parents the choice of where and how their children are being educated,” Beauprez said. “This is a lovely model and I think the evi-
dence is overwhelming that it’s working, so why wouldn’t we try to expand it.” Beauprez is a native Coloradan and graduate of the University of Colorado. He is running an aggressive campaign and outlines his strong backing of second amendment rights as being essential for Coloradans. In March, Beauprez announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for Governor to challenge Hickenlooper. Beauprez did not contest the Republican state as-
sembly on April 12, instead petitioning his way onto the ballot. The primary election was held on June 24 and Beauprez triumphed with a plurality, taking 116,333 votes (30.24 percent) to Tom Tancredo’s 102,830 (26.73 percent), Scott Gessler’s 89,213 (23.19 percent) and Mike Kopp’s 76,373 (19.85 percent). Beauprez continues on Page 5
Monument’s Dakota comes up short on ‘America’s Got Talent’ POSTAL ADDRESS
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P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
Lewis-Palmer High School alum appears to still have a bright musical future By Danny Summers
dsummers @coloradocommunitymedia.com Lewis-Palmer High School alumnus and Monument resident Miguel Dakota may not have won Season 9 of America’s Got Talent, but there seems to be little doubt that he made a huge splash in the entertainment industry and even better days are to come. Dakota, 22, performed with four-time Grammy winner Lenny Kravitz at Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 17. The duo sang Kravitz’s “American Woman” as the thousands in attendance went wild. About 2,000 miles away at Pikes Peak Brewing Co. in Monument, a crowd of about 100 fans gathered and cheered their friend on. “I first met Miguel when he was in high school,” said Chris Wright, owner of Pikes Peak Brewing, which opened in 2011. “He’s played here a lot over the years. “I remember when he sat in the corner playing his base. Now he’s playing his guitar on national television and he’s a big star.” Dakota’s mother, Toni Nadal, has been a server at Pikes Peak Brewing since it opened. But she has absent from the bar-restaurant the last few weeks while accompanying her son in New York. She was in the audience at Radio City on Sept. 16 when her son performed two songs, and there again on Sept. 17 when he performed with Kravitz, only to learn a while later that Miguel was the first of the six finalists to be eliminated from consideration for the grand prize of $1 million. “It was such an honor to be here,” said Dakota, who attended Tulane University a short while but quit so that he could help support his three brothers and sisters and mother. “All five of these acts are incredible. It was such an honor to share the stage with them. “This has truly changed my life.” Dakota clearly has become one of America’s new music heartthrobs. For Wright, Dakota is still the same humble person who has performed many times in his establishment for tips and refreshments. “It was absolutely surreal to see him on televi-
Lewis-Palmer High School alumnus Miguel Dakota finished sixth among the Final 6 performers in the America’s Got Talent finale on Sept. 24. But with his good looks and impressive musical ability America might get to know him very well over in the coming years. Courtesy photos sion, but he’s still the same humble person I’ve seen growing up. He has not changed.” Rhode Island magician Mat Franco was the big winner of “America’s Got Talent.” Dakota might have lost out on the $1 million first-place prize, but he will perform in Las Vegas with the other five finalists in the coming weeks, according to Wright. “After that I’m not sure what will happen with Miguel,” Wright said. “I know he’ll get some sort of a record deal and go from there. “At least he won’t be under the control of America’s Got Talent anymore.” Dakota had two chances to wow the four judges – Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, Mel B and Heidi Klum – and voters on Sept. 16. Wearing a black leather jacket with his curly hair free- flowing without his trademark beanie, he reprised a previous performance of “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes. The judges thought it was good, but they were not overwhelmed. Later in the show, Dakota appeared for a second song; a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”
“I think you’re strongest with your guitar and singing alone on stage,” Stern said. “And I think this was your best performance.” Before Stern spoke, Mandel gave Dakota props. Dakota continues on Page 6