May 7, 2015 VO LU M E 51 | I S SUE 38 | 5 0 ¢
Northglenn-ThorntonSentinel.com
A D A M S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O A publication of
Batz appointed as Adams 12 director Thornton resident plans active role on board By Ashley Reimers
areimers@colorado communitymedia.com Brian Batz is prepared to make a difference on the Adams 12 Five Star School Board in a real way. The Thornton resident already has ideas and programs he wants to implement in the district. “I want to go to every school in the district, introduce myself to principals and teachers, and really listen and try to understand what they are doing,” he said. “I also want to propose a program that truly rewards the hard work and dedication teachers and staff are putting in every day.” Batz is the newly appointed Adams 12
INSIDE THE SENTINEL
board member. He was unanimously appointed on April 29 and was sworn in on May 6. He fills the vacancy left by Rico Figueroa in the District 4 position. On March 2, the Colorado Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Broomfield District Court to declare a vacancy in the Director 4 position. On July 11, 2014, the Broomfield District Court ruled that Figueroa was not legally elected because he didn’t receive the most votes in the November Batz 2013 election against Amy Speers, who was also not elected because she didn’t live in the District 4 boundaries. Now Batz is stepping up to the plate to finish out Figueroa’s term through the November 2015 election.
“It’s very humbling to be appointed,” Batz said. “I have a lot of respect for those who take on this position. I have specific aspirations to assist. That’s my mindset for anything. So I hope to move obstacles so people can be successful. If they are successful, it makes me a happier person.” Batz is the manager of the United States project management office for Ricoh, a company that specializes in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT service. He manages a staff of 11 that covers Colorado to the west. He has three children, one who attends Century Middle School, one at Thornton High School and the third attending college at Colorado State University. As a board member, Batz hopes to provide insight and guidance in the challenges the school district faces from a parent’s point of view. He said he hopes to use his
communication skills to help break down barriers and find the missing link to solve problems. Batz’s love of life will also come into play as a director. “I look at everything in life as a gift. For me, it’s all about enjoying life and having fun,” he said. “There are unique challenges each and every day. And everybody has challenges — it’s just a matter of how you overcome them and what you do. That’s the attitude I will bring to the board.” During his spare time, Batz enjoys the outdoors, whether it’s hiking and camping in the summer, or skiing in the winter. He also does photography, zooming in on nature shots and scenic landscapes. To learn more about Batz, check out his LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/in/ brianbatz/en.
CHEERING FOR THE DERBY
STEM summer camp offered to middle and high school students. Page 3 New store opens in Westminster. Page 6 Your Week and More. Page 12 Mud run bigger and better. Page 13
POSTAL ADDRESS
Northglenn senior citizens cheer for their “horse” during the Northglenn Senior Center’s version of the “run for the roses” on May 1. The celebration was part of the center’s Festive Fridays program, which features a fun activity every Friday. The next Festive Friday program is a Mexican Fiesta on May 15. For $9, seniors can enjoy a catered lunch, including dessert, and also take a whack at a pinata. Photo by Ashley Reimers
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P LE A S E RECYC L E T HI S C O PY
Engineering event fosters STEM education in NHS students By Ashley Reimers
areimers@colorado communitymedia.com In an effort to encourage and stimulate the minds of female students, Northglenn High School hosted a Go Engineering event to introduce girls to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) career options. The April 28 event offered a variety of workshops led by volunteers, including women in STEM professional roles and from the University of Colorado and the Colorado School of Mines studying STEM careers. Students participated in handson STEM activities such as energy modeling where they built an energy model using eQuest software and a structural engineering activity building bridges out of gumdrops and toothpicks. In one workshop called “Clearing a Path to the Heart,” students used a balloon, two pipe cleaners, two straws and a rubber band to clear clay out of a tube. The workshop mimicked what a doctor might do to clear a clogged artery. Sophomores Selena Faire and
Deanna Baron worked together to clear the tube. Both girls were excited at the chance to learn about STEM careers. Faire said the Go Engineering event is encouraging to her because she now has more confidence to pursue a career in a STEM field. “People think engineering is more of a guys’ thing and they don’t think girls can do it,” Faire said. “But if there are girls involved, then everybody can interact together. So I think being here helps me with my confidence in going for a career in a field of engineering.” Angela Dang, a graduate student at the Colorado School of Mines, was one of 60 volunteers at the all-girls engineering event. She is studying petroleum engineering. Dang said she understands the value of finding a mentor early because it was her high school chemistry teacher who was the foundation of her inspiration to pursue the sciences. She hopes her time with the Northglenn students was encouraging and helped open their eyes to the many engineering opportunities out there. “I think by engaging young
From left, Northglenn High School sophomores Selena Faire and Deanna Baron participate in the Clearing a Path to the Heart workshop during an all-girls Go Engineering event on April 28 at NHS. The event introduced students to science, technology, engineering and math career path options. Photo by Ashley Reimers women early really increases their chances of staying in STEM,” Dang said. “I hope I was able to tell them something they didn’t already know, because engineers do everything. From the roads we drive on to the cell phones we use, engineers designed those things and made them happen.” Baron’s experience with Go En-
gineering was one she won’t forget. Her interest in STEM education continues to grow every day. “Last year I went to a STEM assembly here in the STEM wing at Northglenn, I was one of two girls in the room,” she said. “But that doesn’t matter. I want to keep learning new things.”