October 29, 2015
ENTER TO WIN
VOLUM E 70 | IS S UE 51 | 50 ¢
LIFT TICKETS! See ad inside for details A DA M S C OU N T Y & J E F F E R S ON COU N T Y, COLOR A D O
WestminsterWindow.com
Undefeated team brings school together Students support the team — and each other: ‘They just love each other’
‘This is my last homecoming. It means the world to me to be spending it with family. Because that is what Westminster is. It’s special to us Wolves.’
By Corrie Sahling csahling@coloradocommunitymedia.com School spirit could be felt, heard and seen all around Westminster High School last week — for the first time in more than 15 years, the football team was heading into its homecoming game with a 7-0 record. “We shoot for things one game at a time,” head football coach Kerry Denison said. “That’s been our main focus.” When Denison took over the struggling team six years ago, it had been 20 years since the Wolves had made it to playoffs. But since Denison’s tenure, Westminster has made it every year. “The stands were empty during a game before,” Denison said. “But now they are packed.” The football team wasn’t the only part of Westminster High School that was struggling. Every teacher in the gym during the homecoming assembly last week noted how far students have come as a whole. “The last five years we have worked really hard to have a collaborative, positive nature,” said economics teacher Fran
—Senior Tommy Phung
Westminster football coach Kerry Denison talks with Dillon Pace, who was experiencing what appeared to be knee pain following a touchdown run. Westminster played its homecoming game against Northglenn High School, winning 50-12. Photos by Corrie Sahling Groff-Gonzales, also the student council coordinator. In 2010, the new Westminster high school opened its doors to students, the first new high school in 40 years in Adams School District 50. The transition to the building stirred positivity in the student
body. “There is no tolerance at all for cruelty — they don’t tolerate bullying. It’s the students themselves, they just love each other,” Groff-Gonzales said. “The socioeconomics are so low here — many students live in poverty. Coming to school
is something they love.” And there wasn’t a moment during the homecoming assembly or the football game that showed otherwise. Students cheered just as loud for the orchestra and band as they did for the man poms. Students gave a standing ovation to a senior receiving a scholarship. And the stadium was packed Friday night with teens in back and teal cheering on their football team to a 50-12 victory over longtime rival, Northglenn High School. “This is my last homecoming,” said senior Tommy Phung, who was often seen leading students in chants and cheers. “It Team continues on Page 19
POSTAL ADDRESS
NORTH METRO AREA FAMILIES FLOCK TO HALLOWEEN EVENTS People gathered around all the decorated vehicles at Thornton’s Trunk or Treat last week; this old fashioned car with fire and ghoulish pumpkins was a crowd-pleaser with ghosts and hot dogs alike. For more costumes and candy fun from last week’s many Halloween-themed events, turn to PAGE 5. Photo by Corrie Sahling
WESTMINSTER WINDOW
(ISSN 1072-1576) (USPS 455-250) OFFICE: 8753 Yates Dr., Ste. 200 Westminster, CO 80031 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Adams County and Jefferson County, Colorado, the Westminster Window is published weekly on Thursday by MetroNorth Newspapers, 8753 Yates Dr., Ste. 200, Westminster, CO 80031. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WESTMINSTER, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 Ridgeline Blvd., Ste. 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legals: Fri. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 5 p.m.
PL E ASE RECYCLE
Lifesavers honored for taking action Staff Report North Metro Fire and Rescue gave three local residents Lifesaver Awards in recognition for stopping to render aid and administering CPR to Broomfield resident Michael Engle. North Metro firefighters credit the three — Crystal Mikkelson of Northglenn, Jennifer Goldman of Lafayette and Arturo GuzmanPerez of Englewood — for playing an important role in saving Engle’s life. On Aug. 25, Goldman, Mikkelson and Guzman-Perez were all stopped in their vehicles at the light on the northbound exit ramp of Interstate 25 at Highway
7 beside the 74-year-old Engle, who was on his motorcycle when they saw him collapse. They all jumped out of their cars and sprang into action. Goldman called 911 as Mikkelson held the motorcycle up, allowing Guzman-Perez and another citizen to pull Engle over the guardrail and lay him down. Guzman-Perez had previously learned CPR from a class and started compressions. Shortly after, North Metro Fire crews arrived and took over caring for Engle. Engle’s story of survival and Action continues on Page 2
From left, Crystal Mikkelson of Northglenn, Jennifer Goldman of Lafayette and Arturo Guzman-Perez of Englewood hold their Lifesaving Awards after being presented with them by the North Metro Fire Rescue District on Oct. 20. Photo courtesy North Metro Fire
MOUNTAIN RANGE WINS STATE TITLE
ELECTION NIGHT RESULTS
Mountain Range softball scored 12 runs in two innings to seize the 5A softball state title last weekend. For the full story, pictures, and information on the rest of the north metro’s student athletes, turn to PAGE 20.
Go to the Westminster Window website http://westminsterwindow.com/ for election results the night of Nov. 3.