We’ve had a lot of issues with Aspen High School: no cutting in the lunch line, the lingering stench of sewage in the math wing, and the frigid trek from the parking lot, through the arctic circle, and up to the school. However, our biggest issue is seemingly persistent, and it may continue to nag at the corner of our minds long after graduation. The biggest issue we face is the one that will linger quietly, long after we walk across the stage: we might actually miss this place.
Nevertheless, our first issue is how the constant buzz and chatter of people and questions in the commons leaves no room for peace and quiet, and instead forces you to spend time with unfamiliar people. We have never experienced a more inviting and hectic atmosphere, aside from night three of JAS Aspen 2022. The commons have been home to promposals, music Fridays, and bell ringings, but unfortunately, never food fights. Yet, while the circular tables and broken chairs have come and gone, the place where we all congregate, celebrate, and make memories has been there no matter the occasion, and we are grateful for its constant comfort and home away from homeespecially for Caden Contreras, who stays there rent-free. The lease is up, Caden. Time to move out.
Our next issue is with the AHS
faculty and staff. For starters, the janitorial staff never take a day off (or night apparentlywhoops). It’s like, do you work here or something? Come on people, stop making everything so damn clean, how else are we supposed to build up our immune system?
Don’t even get us started on the teachers at AHS. The lack of formality feels too comfortable to us students. Mr. Parker… I mean Cory, has made himself a triple threat: Friend, coach, and an occasional teacher. In reality, these teachers are doing too much to prepare us for the real world, giving us advice and constantly checking in on us. I guess you could say we will carry their kindness and generosity with us, although our backs have already been hurting from carrying the 20-pound chromebooks all year.
Another major issue at Aspen High? The alluring pull of the foosball table. We told ourselves it would just be one quick game - five minutes and your absent, after all - and somehow that always turned into the entire class period. It was never about winning the trophy that didn’t exist, it was about pride, staying on the bracket, and the deep belief that ruthlessly spinning the rods is a legitimate strategy for victory.
I’B lying if we said we love IB. We love IB. This curriculum, though it claims to prepare you for the ‘real world’, has done nothing but mentally confuse
us, as we still haven’t met Mr. Mark Scheme. Although many students feel that the past two years in IB have been a waste of time, they might actually find themselves using their critical thinking skills as they approach the opportunity to graduate early, thanks to IB - as long as they dont sleep through exams, shoutout to Mateo during the IB History Exam... sorry to both Eileen and Ms. Mo. Anyways, long story short, we’d be lying if we said we loved IB - we love IB. And to continue our complaining, whatever happened to alone time? I mean, the school is way too social to get anything done. We swear we make a new friendship every day, and it’s starting to get old… or are we? The relationships with the grades below us have gotten out of hand, as people continue to claim they are going to ‘miss us’ next year. (Your false accusations won’t get you our parking spots, nice try).
That being said, Juniors: remember you are the JV to our varsity class, but we know you will have no difficulty filling our shoes, as they’re already pointed in the right direction. Sophomores: this is a reminder that you are not a senior next year; although some of you have been confused on where you stand, there is no cutting in the lunch line. Finally, to the freshmen: your respect and knowledge will be honored as we knight thee, class of 2028, as the most prom-
made with love by our journalism seniors
ising class to have entered the school, since the freshman class of 2021, obviously. Good luck, we know thou shall not disappoint. Our final, and most pressing issue with Aspen High School, is how much of a problem it is that we might just miss this place. The laughter, friendships, outdoor activities, and new skills we got from this school will last us a lifetime, and we are eternally grateful for everyone who helped us get to this point. Being alumni from AHS will serve us well, and has been one of the greatest gifts of our life.
We want to especially thank Sarah Ward, our fearless journalism leader who continues to build relationships with every student she meets - you keep the magic and creativity of writing alive, and you truly inspire us all. Lastly, thank you to the class of 2025. We have been through so much together: a pandemic, state championships, and surviving the seven absence rule. We already miss being on the top of the world with you all (haha, get it?), and we know these friendships will last a lifetime. Good luck in wherever this journey takes you, and whatever your post graduate plans are, remember that our reunion will take place at the Brown University Homecoming football game, as we support Henry Hurd during his 3 minutes of play time. Just kidding Henry! 5 minutes. We love you all.
Gage Anderson
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” -Wayne Gretzky
“Hay que empezar a preocuparnos menos y a disfrutar más porque la vida va rápido, demasiado rápido, como este año que me lo llevo en el corazón.” - Bad Bunny
“America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed.” —
Isaac Andrade
“Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more” -Judges 16:28
“It is very hard for them to attack me on looks, because I am so good looking.” - Donald
Sydney Andrulaitis
“I should go to CU & have the best life ever with Tessa.”
“You tell em Babie.” - Thumper
“There is always more to discover.” -
“We came here to live life like nobody was watching.” -
Luke Balko
Winnie The Pooh
Yarithsa Benitez
Fiona Benvenuto
Trump
Teal Bishop “TGIF.” - Katy Perry
Eden Bohart “Busty.”
William Bryant
Will Ferrell
Victoria Burns
Folbe Butler
Riley Byford
Macklemore
Henry/Luci Carlin
done.” - Arsi “Hakita” Patala
Aidan Chaffey “Fear has killed more dreams than failure ever has.”- Suzy Kassem
Marybeth Clapper
“Find someone who grows flowers in the darkest parts of you.” - Zach Bryan
Caden Contreras
Charlie Cox
“We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.” - Seneca
“They laugh at me because I’m different. I laugh at them because they’re all the same.” - Kurt
Trevor Curley
“Nothing in this life is promised except death. If you have the opportunity to play this game of life you need to appreciate every moment.”- Kanye West
miss my wife Tails :(“
“Stupid things have good outcomes all the time.” - JJ Maybank
“You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” - Annie
“Everything negative--pressure, challenges--is all an opportunity for me to rise.” -
“Goobsmooch is the true voice of our generation”
“Find God and you will find the meaning of your life.” -
the
Anna Dangler
Lucia DeBacker
Blessed Carlo Acutis
Calvin Delaney
Cobain
Kassandra Delgado Olave “I
Tucker Devlin
Kobe
Julia Diaz “Keep your head up, my love.” - The Lumineers
Jeremiah Dobbins
Chelsea Doolan
Lincoln Drake
Roman Dupps
“Once in awhile, you get shown the light in
strangest of places if you look at it right.” - “Scarlet Begonias.” - Robert Hunter
Evie Dziedzic-Szostak
“If you could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” - Edward Hopper
Kirilee Eklund
“Reality is an illusion, the universe is a hologram, buy gold byeee!!”- Bill Cipher
Oliva Faccio Barcelo
“It all happenis for a reason, what’s meant to be will always find a way into your life.”-Anonymous
Olivia Ferrara “What good is living the life you’ve been given if all you do is stand in one place.” - Lord Huron
Joshua Ford
“Do what you love, and do it often.” -Michael Goerne
Grace Gallagher
“Love the life you live, live the life you love.” - Bob Marley
Edgar Garcia
“When it comes to motion I know every law like Isaac Newton”-BabyTron
Tomas Franceschi
“Dream as if you´ll live forever, live as if you´ll die today.” - Chris Woodring
Linda Greene
“Don’t wait for the tide just to dip both your feet in.” - beabadoobee
Quintessa Frisch
“We accept the love we think we deserve.” - Stephen Chbosky
“There’s a lot of things we go through and we don’t even know why…At the end of the day, God has a purpose and a plan for you, and
Griffin Hartley
“Any landing you can walk away from is a good one.”- Chuck Yeager
“My senior quote was almost a missing assignment, too.”
Robert Helsing
“You have to go to failure to grow.”Anonymous
Gia Galindo Bartley “Pleasure Over Matter” - Frank Ocean
Areysi Galvan
Siena Garaffa
that’s kind of how I take that.” - Morgan Wallen
Eduardo Garcia Cerritos
Cerys Hembury
“It’s ordinary to love the beautiful, but it’s beautiful to love the ordinary.” - Abhysheq Shukla
Delilah Hemstreet
“People will forget what you said, people will for- get what you did, but people will never forget the way you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
Katherine Hicks “Nothing lasts forever, at least we got these memories.” - J. Cole
Leilani Hill “The world keeps spinning.”
Daniel Hilleke
“It always seems impossible until it is done.”- Nelson Mandela
Henry Hurd
“I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”
- Thomas Jefferson
William Jones
“Mario likely starved to death in late 1985.”- Randall Munroe
Luke Holloway
“Your future self is depending on your current self to keep the promises you made yesterday.”- Anonymous
“ Only missed 767 classes.”
Parker Kendrick
“Everybody wants the view but no one wants the climb.”- Jimmy Carr
Marguerite Holton
“We did it!” -Elle Woods
Darienne Kenny “Ski fast.” - Strafe
“You have to laugh at yourself, because you’d cry your eyes out if you didn’t.” -
“This was the very first page, not where the storyline ends.”-Taylor
Kennedy Hopson
Emily Sailers
Emily Jacobson
Luka Jaramaz “I’m the chosen one, flowers never pick themselves” - Drake
Blake Johnson
“Oh yes, the past can hurt. But, you can either run from it or learn from it.” - Rafiki, The Lion King
Sara Kershow
Swift
Sharif Khan “No such thing as a life that’s better than yours.”- J Cole
Zahra Khan “LIKE. A. BAWSS.” - Murr
Kurtis Kowar “If you look for light, you will often find it. If you look for darkness, it is all you will ever see.” - Uncle Iroh, Avatar
Camron LaPointe “Without hats there is no civilization.” - Christian Dior
Lucius Lavy
“Some people say they want to live forever, but that’s way to long, i’ll just get through today without any complications.” - Mac Miller
“Some people gonna hate you for no reason , and you gonna shine regardless.” -
JP McMenimen
“Protect Trans Kids.”
Kellar Leach
“Outside is getting colder Why does it feel like I’m older than I asked to be?”Clairo
Jaden Martell
“Every great program starts with ‘Hello, World!’”
Philippa Millstone
“Lord, what fools these mortals be!” - Puck, A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
Zelda Loeb
“But I have to believe we can put that behind us. I have to believe we’re capable of this.” -Madeline (Celeste)
Jack McDade “If nothing changes, nothing changes.”- Courtney Stevens
Dominik Montalbano
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”- Theodore Roosevelt
“Life is just a word until you live it.” -Anonymous
“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J. R. R. Tolkien
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” - Walt Disney
Collin Luu
Genesis Machuca-Funes
SZA
Oscar McHugh
Manuel Morales-Molina
Viggo Morgan
“A winner is just a loser who tried One more time!”- George M Moore Jr.
Matilynn Mulberry
“If you stumble, make it apart of the dance.”
Alexandra Munro
“You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” - Robin Williams
Luna Murray “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” - John Lennon
Madison Nelson
“He tried not to laugh, but he wasn’t good at controlling all the laughter that lived inside of him.” -Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Lenna Persson
“Do the right things and the good stuff happens.” - Mido Morimoto
Niamh Nelson
“If you see the wonder of a fairytale, you can take the future even if you fail.” -ABBA
Sophia Pevny
“Dear beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life.” - Prince
Elizabeth Nicholas “Smile and the world smiles with you.”- Stanely Gordon West
Morgan Phillips
“If you don’t do it this year, you will be one year older when you do.” -Warren Miller
“You know what’s weird? Day by day, nothing seems to change, but pretty soon... everything’s different.” -
“Just finished my 12 year sentence.”
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” -
James Nottingham
Calvin and Hobbes
Denzel Ortiz
Sergey Pak
Andrew Palmaz
“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward”- Leonardo da Vinci
Laila Pergande
Alexander Powell
Nelson Mandela
Ailani Quintanilla-Salido
“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua1:9
Ian Reddel
Ryan Rigney
“You cant be super without looking super.” - Edna Mode
Charlotte Rooney
Mykenzie Roy
“Where I live if someone gives you a hug it’s from the heart.” - Steve Irwin
Haley Schmela “Tyler, Focus! Your Dad’s here.” -Eric André
Searle-Feinberg
“Keep your heart as wide open as your eyes.” - Dad
Edward Sanders
“The best teacher in life is your own experience.” -Nipsey Hussle
Tyler Schmela “One of Wun, never again.” - Gunna
Christopher Seeman
“Don’t take life too seriously; you’ll never make it out alive.” - Elbert Hubbard
“High
“A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” -
“Stand firm when others falter.”
Damien Saul
Jaden Schille
school: A great chapter to leave behind.”
Kate Scott
Steve Martin
Savannah Scott “As long as I live I will have control over my being.” - Artemisia Gentileschi
Gracie
Alesh Seidl
Maeve Sheehan
“The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.” - Dr. Maya Angel
Maxwell Sherman “You can catch flys with honey, but you can catch more honeys by being fly.”
Amelia Sirull “They say good things take time... that’s why I’m always late.”
Alec Slesinger-Hall
“You shouldn’t worry about criticism from someone you would never ask advice from.”-Aaron Rodgers
Chile Smart “I don’t know what my future holds, but I do know who holds my future.” - Tim Tebow
Vida Smith
“This is me without cat ears.”
Theodore Stiller
“Judge a man not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
Landen Thurber
Silvia Soza Ortega
“Si soy sincera nunca va ser fácil, nunca, pero quien se conforma con lo fácil? Debes ser valiente y dejarlo todo para ir por lo que quieres.” - Isi Vives
Mateo Taffarelli
“See more plaques than toothbrushes, till I see them pearly white gates I gotta move somethin’ “- Drake
Hayden Troxel
“We live for the nights, we’ll never remember, with the people we’ll never forget.”- Anonymous
Jaelyn Spraker
“Redbull gives you wiiings.”
Deena Tehrani
“All you need is a little bit of magic.” - Mickey Mouse
Natalie Tullar
“Just a small town girl.” - Journey
“Sing
Ela Stevenson “It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine.” - Eeyore
Araya Thompson
“The race isn’t over when you lose, it’s over when you quit.”- Anonymous
Colby Vanderaa
“Boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that life is so short.” - Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Stela VerHey
“If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff.” - Remy from Ratatouille
Graceann Viola
“Don’t you know that only fools are satisfied?” - Billy Joel
Mila VonderHaar
in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories.” - Kurt Vonnegut
Lindsay Waldeck “I don’t want to survive. I want to live.” WALL-E
Kai Walterscheid
“It’s a magical world Hobbes ol’ buddy… let’s go exploring!”- Bill Watterson
“I
allowed
“Cause
William Ward
“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;” PSALM 144:1
“I
Bow Williams
“VLADIMIR: Well? Shall we go? ESTRAGON: Yes, let’s go. They do not move.” - Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot
“It’s
and
Clare Williams
our time, breathe it in. Worlds to change
worlds to win.” -Merrily We Roll Along
Ronan Wood
never
school to interfere with my education.” - Mark Twain
Audrey Woodrow
never look back, darling! It distracts from the now.” - Edna Mode,
Edward Zane III
“60 percent of the time, it works every time.” - Brian Fantana
Blake Zilberman
“Work hard, have fun, make history.” - Jeff Bezos
Barukh Zuniga
you cant help the world until you help yourself.”- Kendrick Lamar
SENIOR ART
EVIE DZIEDZIC
MATEO TAFFERELLI
GIA GALINDO BARTLEY
ALEXANDER POWELL
SENIOR ART
DELILAH HEMSTREET
EMILY JACOBSON
SIRULL VIDA SMITH
AMELIA
ROMAN DUPPS
SENIOR ART MILA VONDERHAAR
MURRAY
LUNA
SENIOR ART KELLAR LEACH
SAVANNAH SCOTT
RONAN WOOD
STAFF APPRECIATION
Jamie Evans is the kind of teacher who makes an impression that lasts long after you leave her class. She guides her students with grace and expertise as they navigate through the Vietnam War in The Things They Carried, Medieval Scottish tragedies in Macbeth, suspenseful and dystopian tales of Black Mirror, and dozens more stories. Jamie leads her students with candor, excitement, wisdom, and freedom, allowing them to explore different styles of writing and empowering them to become better writers and students. Jamie is not only an excellent teacher, but also a fantastic and reliable friend, answering any dumb questions and reassuring your doubts with comfort and encouragement. The senior class is eternally grateful for Jamie’s constant support, spirit, and brutally honest critiques. We will miss sharing obscure questions of the day and learning about literary devices that we immediately forget. Thank you, Jamie!
Alonso Rodriguez
Barton may lack hair, but he certainly does not lack the ability to make an impact on each individual student, whether it’s in a STEM class or as your Track & Field Coach. Barton is nothing short of amiable, brilliant, and compassionate. His efforts to get to know each student to better cater to their success in and out of the classroom do not go unnoticed, and Aspen High School is lucky to have him. While Barton will eagerly lend a hand to help you in a time of need, do not go to him if you are looking for an extra pair of socks… he likes to show off his toes, rain or shine. This year, Barton took some time off for paternity leave, yet he continued to come in every other day, showing an unrivaled dedication to his work. Barton - thank you for everything you have done for us, we will miss your teaching, welcoming attitude, and seeing your sunglass tan line around the hallways each day.
Jamie Evans
Hola, I mean Adios to my favorite teacher at Aspen High School! Jesse Rodrigez or J-Rod, if you’re on a nickname basis, is un hombre muy fantástico! He brings energy and enthusiasm to every class, making the language come alive in a way that’s both engaging and easy to understand. His passion for teaching, and patience with us students has left a lasting impact on all of us. J-Rod continues to make his classroom environment welcoming and engaging, and that kind of positivity is rare. Thank you for all you have taught us about culture, language and the world. In teaching us Spanish we have learned more about ourselves and global issues. His influence will stay with us far beyond the classroom. Thank you, Jeisson.
Barton Tofany
STAFF APPRECIATION
Cameron Daniel
Annie Thompson is akin to a varsity athlete in the teaching world. First teaching in Oregon, then switching to various schools within the valley, she finally ended at AHS teaching classes like Strength and Conditioning, Yoga, and Freshman Connections. Annie is the kind of teacher to go out of her way to make you feel like you belong. Moreover, her ability to connect with students has made students tune in to her classes in a real way — beyond just achieving a good grade. Annie is a teacher that exemplifies the importance of physical exercise, and elective classes. When she teaches it becomes apparent that Strength and Conditioning is just as important as biology or English. Daily she inspires students to become better, to get stronger and to be kinder. Thank you, Annie for all that you do.
Lindy Morton
Beneath a facade that might initially seem imposing, Officer Cam, in his official uniform, possesses a remarkably approachable demeanor. He genuinely enjoys engaging with students, whether it’s a quick chat in the bustling hallways or a more extended conversation in the quiet of his office. Cam isn’t just the school’s officer; he unofficially serves as a parttime therapist and a genuine “gossip buddy” for the student body. Most of the time, his office door is wide open, and you’ll almost always find at least one student sprawled out on his couch, spilling the tea about anything and everything – as long as it’s nothing too wild that Cam would have to shut down. Cam spends everyday making sure AHS is a safe and positive enviroment. From providing road updates on snowy morning to just being there, he is integral to the AHS community.
Annie Thompson
Most know her as the cafe lady, the smiling face that greets you as you make your daily pilgrimage to buy a cookie and a Gatorade. She is the bright light at the gates to the commons, always positive. Lindy greets you by your name and knows your cookie preferences (always the chocolate cookie), and lunch number somehow. She is one of the many kind souls at AHS whose presence and work go underappreciated. Many may not know her name but know her as the lunch lady with the cat sweater - yes, they are actually her cats. She does so much for the community, like getting to school so early you probably just finally fell asleep. Next time you see her, thank her for getting your favorite snack or drink in the cafe and for kindly checking students out of the cafe each lunch, and even when it’s not open. She is a pillar to the AHS community. Thank you for serving us, Lindy (and for the chocolate cookies).
STAFF APPRECIATION
Tameira Wilson
Bernadette the math teacher who loves her students just as much as she loves solving a math problem. If you have taken her class, you know that she cares deeply about all of her students, she is one of the most organized teachers in the school, and she genuinely wants her students to do well. Bernadette has a unique ability to create deep connections with her students. If you have her sophomore year, she will still smile at you in the hallways at the end of senior year. Not only does she give out packets like she has her own forest, but she also spends her mornings hiking and connecting with nature. Many students have a complicated relationship with math, but not with Bernadette. Thank you for teaching us and being a bright light in the otherwise dimly lit hallways.
Whitney Zordan
Ms. Wilson has taught history here at AHS for nearly 20 years. Throughout the years students have come to know Ms. Wilson’s civics class as a rite of passage. While her teaching style reads stern, there isn’t another teacher who devotes more time and energy into the learning of their students. Ms. Wilson is the class of 2025’s sponsor and helped bring life to the Aspen Ambassador Program, which fosters a welcoming mentor relationship between upper classmen and freshman students. While her approach to teaching may be a rude awakening on your first day of freshman year, her lessons have a way of sticking with you, and those strict efforts push you to become a better student and person. Thank you for lessons you’ve taught us about how to walk through the world and how to be a student.
Bernadette Pelinski
Whitney has been an impactful art teacher at Aspen High School for the past three years. She was also a student at Aspen and graduated in 2000. Whitney has been an inspiration to her students as well as her colleagues. The impact that she has had on her students pushes them to create amazing art and has inspired many of her students to follow their dreams of pursuing art after high school. Her classroom is known as a safe space for students to be themselves and be comfortable even if their not even in her class and they wander in. If you were a magical animal, what would you be? After every class, Whitney would always ask a random question of the day that really made you thing of the important things, like what magical animal you would be, for some students this was the only moment of the day that they use their imagination and creative thinking skills. Thank you, Zordan for being a guiding ligh for your students.
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS & SENIOR AWARDS
Aspen High School is incredibly grateful to the local community for its support of our graduates.
CAPITOL SPEAKER: Luna Murray
Selected by Aspen High School Faculty and Staff
PYRAMID SPEAKER: Christopher “Giovanni” Seeman
Selected by the Students of the Class of 2025
PRINCIPAL’S AWARD
Awarded to: Siena Garaffa
One student is honored by the Principal in recognition of their contributions to Aspen High School.
ACADEMIC HONORS & AWARDS
C. Welton Anderson PACESETTER FIELD OF STUDY AWARDS
A student is recognized for academic excellence in each of the following departments.
English Cerys Hembury
Fine Arts :
Performance Zelda Loeb
Visual Evie Dziedzic-Szostak
Linguistic Diversity Silvia Soza Ortega
Mathematics Henry Hurd
Physical Education & Wellness Folbe Butler
Science Audrey Woodrow
Social Studies JP McMenimen
World Languages:
French Stela VerHey
Spanish Eden Bohart
Career & Technical Education:
Aviation Mykenzie Roy
Broadcast Journalism Deena Tehrani
Business & Management Blake Zilberman
Culinary Aidan Chaffey
Journalism Sara Kershow
Outdoor Leadership Luna Murray
Woodworking Luke Holloway
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA CANDIDATES
Fiona Benvenuto, Julia Diaz, Robert Helsing, Cerys Hembury, Delilah Hemstreet, Katherine Hicks, Marguerite Holton, Emily Jacobson, Luka Jaramaz, Sharif Khan, Zahra Khan, Collin Luu, Oscar McHugh, Philippa Millstone, Alexandra Munro, Mykenzie Roy, Christopher “Giovanni” Seeman, Vida Smith, Stela VerHey, Audrey Woodrow, Tomas Franceschi*
SERVICE LETTERS
A service letter is awarded to Aspen High School seniors who volunteer 100+ community service hours. Luke Balko, Fiona Benvenuto, Eden Bohart, Anna Dangler, Lucia DeBacker, Julia Diaz, Tomas Franceschi, Quintessa Frisch, Robert Helsing, Cerys Hembury, Delilah Hemstreet, Katherine Hicks, Luke Holloway, Marguerite Holton, Henry Hurd, Luka Jaramaz, William Jones, Zahra Khan, Sharif Khan, Camron LaPointe, Collin Luu, Oscar McHugh, Pippa Millstone, Lexi Munro, Luna Murray, Niamh Nelson, Lenna Persson, Sophia Pevny, Morgan Phillips, Mykenzie Roy, Edward Sanders, Haley Schmela, Grace Searle-Feinberg, Christopher “Giovanni” Seeman, Maeve Sheehan, Max Sherman, Silvia Soza Ortega, Ela Stevenson, Deena Tehrani, Colby Vanderaa, Stela VerHey, Mila VonderHaar, Lindsay Waldeck, Clare Williams, Audrey Woodrow, Edward Zane III, Blake Zilberman
ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
One male and one female Aspen High School athlete is recognized for their athletic accomplishments. Awarded to: Henry Hurd and Darienne Kenny *Completed
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATION
William “Treven” Ward
PROFESSIONAL SKI/SNOWBOARD
INSTRUCTORS OF AMERICA, LEVEL 1
William Bryant, Trevor Curley, Lucia DeBacker, Lincoln Drake, Olivia Ferrara, Leilani Hill, Blake Johnson, Kurtis Koward, Jaden Martell, Oscar McHugh, Luna Murray, Andrew Palmaz, Charlotte Rooney, Jaden Schille, Haley Schmela, Alec Slesinger-Hall, Mateo Taffarelli, Araya Thompson, Hayden Troxel, Lindsay Waldeck
STATE RECOGNITIONS
COLORADO ALL-STATE ORCHESTRA
Kurtis Kowar (cello)
COLORADO FBLA
Blake Zilberman (banking and finance)
COLORADO SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING GOLD KEY AWARDS
Gia Galindo Bartley (photography), Graceann Viola (ceramics & glass), Evie Dziedzic-Szostak (mixed media), Mila VonderHaar (painting)
COLORADO STUDENT MEDIA ASSOCIATION
Gia Galindo Bartley, 1st place Columnist
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS
ALEX TERRAL MEMORIAL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Sara Kershow
The Alex Terral Memorial Writing Scholarship is awarded to a senior writer who, like Alex, sought the serious challenge and satisfaction of thoughtful writing in prose fiction, prose non-fiction, and creative writing.
ALPINE BANK FIRST GENERATION SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Silvia Soza Ortega
Guided by the philanthropic vision of J. Robert Young, Alpine Bank’s Chairman of the Board, this scholarship opens doors to qualified first-generation high school graduates to obtain a college education. Recognizing that these students are important contributors to the workforce and our communities, this multi-year scholarship will support the cost of tuition, books, and fees for an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree at Colorado Mountain College.
Aspen Community Theater’s mission is to create opportunities to participate in, learn from, and experience live theater. Aspen Community Theatre is proud to support local students through scholarships for high school seniors who are interested in pursuing the performing arts in college.
ASPEN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Mary Beth Clapper
Aspen Education Association was chartered in 1960 and represents educators and support professionals in the Aspen School District at the local, state, and national levels. This award recognizes students who wish to pursue a career in the field of education.
ASPEN ELKS LODGE 224 SCHOLARSHIP
ASPEN BOARD OF REALTORS BILL HELDMAN/STARK KING MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Aspen Board of Realtors, Bill Heldman/Stark King scholarship committee began awarding scholarships to students in 1985. Academic promise and involvement in extracurricular activities and volunteer work are strongly considered in awarding this scholarship. Scholarship awards have increased in recent years due to the untimely death of one of the founders and an ardent supporter of the scholarship fund, Rick Griffin, and the memorial contributions made in his loving memory.
ASPEN CANCER CONFERENCE
SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Olivia Ferrara, Zahra Khan
The Aspen Cancer Conference brings a group of leading scientists with expertise in a variety of disciplines, representing academia, government, and industry, to Aspen annually to explore the cause, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. The conference collaborates with Aspen High School to bring world-class scientists to meet with AHS science students and faculty to discuss advances in science and career choices in science and medicine. Aspen Cancer Conference scholarships are awarded to students who plan to pursue a path in science and/or medicine.
ASPEN CHAPEL SPIRIT AWARD
Awarded to: Anna Dangler, Quintessa Frisch, Delilah Hemstreet, Luka Jaramaz, Collin Luu, Deena Tehrani
The Aspen Chapel began awarding scholarships to deserving Aspen High School seniors in 2007. The scholarships provide recognition to graduating seniors for their efforts in contributing a positive spirit to the community through good citizenship and a willingness to help others.
ASPEN COMMUNITY
THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Charlie Cox, Cerys Hembury
Awarded to: Mary Beth Clapper, Charlie Cox, Anna Dangler, Tucker Devlin, Julia Diaz, Jeremiah Dobbins, Evie Dziedzic, Kirilee Eklund, Olivia Ferrara, Joshua Ford, Quintessa Frisch, Cerys Hembury, Luke Holloway, Kennedy Hopson, Blake Johnson, Darienne Kenny, Sara Kershow, Matilynn Mulberry, Luna Murray, Madison Nelson, Niamh Nelson, Lenna Persson, Morgan Phillips, Ailani Quintanilla-Salido, Mykenzie Roy, Gracie Searle-Feinberg, Christopher “Giovanni” Seeman, Alec Slesinger-Hall, Chile Smart, Vida Smith, Silvia Soza Ortega, Ela Stevenson, Mateo Taffarelli, Deena Tehrani, Araya Thompson, Landon Thurber, Stela VerHey, Graceann Viola, Kai Walterscheid, William “Treven” Ward
The Aspen Elks Lodge has been providing scholarships to students throughout the valley for over 20 years. Leadership, work experience, participation in extracurricular activities, and community service, along with a strong academic performance, are valued by the Elks.
ASPEN FIND YOUR FUTURE SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Joshua Ford, MacKellar Leach
The Aspen Find Your Future Scholarship was established in 2025 to support Aspen High School students who actively engage in exploring their educational pathways after high school through school and community-based opportunities, including the Colorado Western Slope College Fair. Selected by Aspen High School, recipients reflect a commitment to initiative and growth. This scholarship is an investment in their next chapter and journey ahead.
ASPEN FOOTBALL GRIDIRON CLASSIC SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Calvin Delaney, Blake Johnson, Alec Slesinger-Hall, Chile Smart
Funded by generous community sponsors of the Gridiron Classic annual golf tournament, this scholarship recognizes the dedication and commitment it takes to play high
school football. The recipient of this scholarship is a senior football player from Aspen High School who displays remarkable character strengths on and off the field, not necessarily a student who intends to pursue football in college. The recipient will have attended AHS during both their junior and senior years and played AHS football both of these years, with plans to attend an accredited 2 or 4-year institution or vocational program.
ASPEN PROMISE - an endowed scholarship fund at the Aspen Education Foundation
Awarded to: Mary Beth Clapper, Kassandra Delgado Olave, Luke Holloway, Luca Jaramaz, Collin Luu, Matilynn Mulberry, Ailani Quintanilla-Salido, Haley Schmela, Vida Smith, Silvia Soza-Ortega, Stela VerHey, Graceann Viola, Mila VonderHaar
The Aspen Promise was founded by the Lichtenwalter Family in honor of their sons Joel, Eric, Craig and Trent and strengthened by the Styslinger Family. This scholarship helps promising and principled students access a college education. In addition to the 13 scholarship recipients in the Class of 2025, the Aspen Promise provided renewal scholarships to ten past recipients. Other educationallyminded donors are invited to join the Aspen Promise.
ASPEN ROTARY CLUB SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Gracie Searle-Feinberg, Luka Jaramz, Sara Kershow, Christopher “Giovanni” Seeman, Colby Vanderaa, Mila VonderHaar
The Aspen Rotary Club has been awarding scholarships to Aspen’s seniors since 1987. The scholarship is awarded to students based on school and community involvement, academic potential, and the Rotary’s motto, “Others Above Self”.
ASPEN SCHOLARS AWARDS
Awarded to: Eden Bohart, Julia Diaz, Henry Hurd, Camron LaPointe, Zelda Loeb, Joseph “JP” McMenimen, Philippa Millstone, Colby Vanderaa, Audrey Woodrow, Blake Zilberman
The Aspen Scholar Award recognizes students’ academic accomplishments. This award is given to the top ten Aspen High School scholars based solely on academic merit. All Aspen High School seniors are considered. Determination is based on cumulative grade point average and ACT/SAT test scores. The following are pleased to sponsor the Aspen Scholar Award: Aspen Technology Labs.
ASPEN THRIFT SHOP SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Roman Dupps, Luke Holloway, Colin Luu, Luna Murray, Ailani QuintanillaSalido, Silvia Soza Ortega
Founded in 1949, the Aspen Thrift Shop is one of the community’s largest funders, making significant grants to hundreds of nonprofit organizations and schools every year. The Thrift Shop also awards scholarships to graduating seniors in Aspen, Basalt, and Carbondale who demonstrate academic promise, have had extracurricular involvement, and represent the Thrift Shop’s spirit of participation, community service, and volunteerism.
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS
ASPEN
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: WILLARD CLAPPER SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Mary Beth Clapper
Willard Clapper was the former Aspen Volunteer Fire Department Chief and a volunteer firefighter for 35 years. Willard was a native Aspenite and a very beloved teacher in the Aspen Elementary and Middle Schools for decades. He firmly believed in the value of their Outdoor Education Program. He had a brilliant sense of humor and was a powerful positive influence in our community.
DOUGLAS PUMPELLY SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Jeremiah Dobbins, Genesis Machuca-Funes
Doug Pumpelly was an elected Chief of the Aspen Volunteer Fire Department. He was a generous man with a huge heart who grew up in Aspen and worked as a skilled auto mechanic. This scholarship, originally created in 1995, is awarded to a student who is interested primarily in a two-year college degree in order to pursue a career in a vocational/technical field or in the fire service.
BAILEY SHAW MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Zelda Loeb
The Bailey Shaw Scholarship for Theater Arts is given by the Catto/Shaw family in honor of Bailey, AHS Class of 2024, to a student who wishes to pursue and study theater in college. Bailey was a passionate and gifted stage manager and tech expert who never got to realize her dream of a life in the theater. It is the Catto/Shaw family’s hope that this scholarship enables others to do so — and to keep the theater alive and thriving.
BOOSTER CLUB “CHARACTER COUNTS” SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Awarded to: Lindsay Waldeck, Ryan Rigney
Presented annually by the Booster Club, this award recognizes one male and one female athlete who exhibit extraordinary sportsmanship, integrity, attitude, and team focus and who are seen as positive role models for teammates.
CARSON CLETTENBERG INCLUSIVITY AWARD
Awarded to: Haley Schmela, Luke Lavy
Established by an Aspen High School parent, this award honors the memory of Carson Clettenberg. Two students, nominated by the Class of 2025, are recognized for living by Carson’s example and consistently going out of their way to make a positive change in the lives of people around them. The award is generously funded by the DPL Fund.
FUTURES FUND SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Julia Diaz
The Futures Fund, established in 2018, is a scholarship program founded by a diverse group of Aspen High School alumni who love and value the community that raised them. The Futures Fund founders attribute their successes to the sacrifices made by parents, teachers, coaches, and community members who made it their mission to ensure a great education, safe neighborhoods, and countless
opportunities to participate in sports. The only way the founders know to repay their debt of gratitude is to continue down the path laid before them. The Futures Fund, therefore, is about honoring those who came before by helping those who will come after. The Futures Fund is now welcoming other AHS alumni and members of the Aspen community to join their cause and donate to the 2025 scholarship. To donate and learn more about the Futures Fund and past scholarship recipients, visit https://futures.fund.
GLAH FAMILY OPPORTUNITY AWARD
Awarded to: Gia Galindo Bartley, MacKellar Leach, Silvia Soza Ortega, Mateo Taffarelli, Araya Thompson, Clare Williams
This scholarship helps deserving students continue their education and pursue their passion in the college setting. The Glah scholarship is granted to students who have a vision and hope for the future and a planned path to achieve further education.
HARLEY BALDWIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
- at Aspen Community Foundation
Awarded to: Edgar Garcia
In remembrance of the late Harley Baldwin, former Board member of Aspen Community Foundation, the Harley Baldwin Memorial Scholarship Fund was created to support promising first-generation college students by allowing them to enjoy the many academic, extracurricular, and personal growth opportunities offered through the college experience.
JAKE’S FILM & MUSIC ARTS FUND SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Tomas Franceschi, Gracie Searle-Feinberg, Bow Williams
The mission of this scholarship is to provide assistance to senior graduates throughout the Roaring Fork Valley who show exceptional promise in the mediums of sound or film. The scholarship recognizes individuals who are dedicated to their talents, committed to continuing their education, and share some of the personal traits of Jake: a passion for the creation of music or film, an appetite for adventure, and an unending love for his friends, family, and community.
JOHN HAINES OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Genesis Machuca-Funes
The John Haines Opportunity Scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates a strong work ethic, good citizenship, and who will attend college in the state of Colorado.
LES DAMES D’ASPEN SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Sara Kershow, Deena Tehrani
Founded in 1983, Les Dames d’Aspen contributes to local arts organizations and to a college scholarship for an Aspen High School graduating senior. The scholarship is awarded to a student who displays great character and a commitment to further study of the arts, particularly the performing arts.
LIVE LIKE CARSON CLETTENBERG AWARD (LLCC)
Awarded to: Andrew “Biggie” Palmaz
This award is in memory of Carson Clettenberg who was an avid lacrosse player and a member of the AHS Class of 2023. It is awarded to a senior lacrosse player who has embodied the Live Like Carson Clettenberg Spirit.
MICHAEL E. McGOLDRICK “MEM” SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Collin Luu
The MEM Scholarship program was created from the estate of Michael E. McGoldrick to honor his incredible life as a teacher, lifelong learner, and philanthropist. The MEM Scholarship provides generous financial support for students with a sincere passion for their higher education pursuits. The MEM Scholarship recognizes students with strong character and high ethics, demonstrable concern for their environment and community, and an intellectual curiosity about the world around them
NORTH of NELL SCHOLARSHIP
in honor of Joe Raczak
Awarded to: Lucia DeBacker
Funded by the residential and commercial owners of the North of Nell, this scholarship honors its longtime General Manager, Joe Raczak. This scholarship recognizes a student who will enroll in a business management or hospitality curriculum at a college or university of their choice. Applicants must also have experience in the hotel, condo, or food service field.
PATRICIA H. HODGSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Madison Nelson
Pat Hodgson was a long-time librarian at Aspen High School. She died in 2002, and her family established the Patricia H. Hodgson Scholarship in her memory. Pat was a passionate reader and writer, and each year this award is given to a student who shares her love of the written word in all forms.
PEO: LOCAL ASPEN CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Fiona Benvenuto, Mary Beth Clapper
PEO is a philanthropic organization where women celebrate the advancement of women. PEO seeks to educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, and loans. Motivating women to achieve their highest aspirations, PEO is proud to support local young women in their pursuit of a college education.
PITKIN COUNTY HEALTHY RIVERS
Awarded to: Henry Hurd
This scholarship is awarded each year to students who demonstrate an interest in furthering the mission of the Pitkin County Healthy Rivers Board to protect, defend, and enhance the rivers of the Roaring Fork Watershed.
POPPYCOCK’S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Cerys Hembury, MacKellar Leach
Bee Wong and Paul Poh, Aspen parents and owners of Poppycock’s Café, award scholarships to support students who have earned the respect of the faculty and their peers and who are a credit to themselves, their families, the school, and the community.
This scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who shows respect for and an awareness of our natural world, including an awareness of current environmental issues and concerns. This student lives out an environmental ethic, works to improve and sustain the natural world, and shows potential for applying his or her environmental sensitivities in the future.
ROBERT SKORR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
presented by the Aspen Women’s Golf Association
Awarded to: Lucia DeBacker, Madison Nelson, Lenna Persson
The Aspen Women’s Golf Association wishes to recognize a graduating senior who has participated in and, in turn, helped to grow the game of golf for women. Robert Skorr was a member of the community and the Aspen Golf Course assistant golf professional who helped run the Aspen Women’s Golf Association. This scholarship honors his name, and the funds are raised at an annual closing tournament in September. This scholarship is for a female golfer who played on the Aspen High School girls’ golf team for at least two seasons, at any level.
STUDENT
LEADERSHIP/ DAN
VANDOMELEN SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Tomas Franceschi, Lenna Persson
Each year, two Aspen High School seniors are honored in memory of Dan VanDomelen. The recipients exhibit the traits that Dan embodied: determination and perseverance in pursuing personal goals, consistently striving for excellence, a commitment to meeting one’s responsibilities to others, strength of character, maturity, and stability. Recipients also demonstrate proper perspective and balance in displaying individual initiative and freedom, a love of life, and a sense of humor in all situations.
TOM PEIRCE & MELANIE PEIRCE BROWN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
- at Aspen Community Foundation
Awarded to: Niamh Nelson
The Tom Peirce & Melanie Peirce Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund was created by the friends and family of the late Tom Peirce to help young people of exceptional promise develop their intellectual talents, sense of ethics, and powers of exploration.
TOWN OF SNOWMASS VILLAGE
VISUAL ARTS FUND SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Evie Dziedzic-Szostak
The Town of Snowmass Village Visual Arts Scholarship has been created to strengthen and encourage a future in visual arts for local youth. Visual Arts should be a focus in the recipient’s present and future goals. Upon graduating from high school, recipients should be planning to continue their education by attending a 2 year or longer college art program in a visual arts field.
TRASHMASTERS SCHOLARSHIPS
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER/ LAW ENFORCEMENT SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Anna Dangler, Julia Diaz, Christopher “Giovanni” Seeman
The School Resource Officers of the Aspen School District created this scholarship to honor a student who has demonstrated a strong sense of ethics, solid character, and a high sense of integrity.
SNOWMASS VILLAGE ROTARY CLUB
Awarded to: Kirilee Eklund, Luna Murray, Stela VerHey
The Snowmass Village Rotary Club is dedicated to supporting the education and future aspirations of students in the Aspen, Basalt, and Roaring Fork High School communities. Recipients are recognized for their dedication and commitment to education.
SNOWMASS VILLAGE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARD
Awarded to: Darienne Kenny
Formed by the Snowmass Village Resort Association, this Foundation serves the charitable needs of Snowmass Village and surrounding communities.
Awarded to: Ela Stevenson, Mykenzie Roy Trashmasters International is one of the world’s most unique golf tournaments and is dedicated to presenting young men and women with the opportunity to realize their educational goals and dreams. Since 1993, 100% of the profits from the Trashmasters Golf Tournament have gone to scholarships throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. Recipients of the four-year Trashmaster’s Scholarship demonstrate superior academic achievement while participating in extracurricular activities and volunteer work.
WILLIAM SANDERSEN VETERAN
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP - an endowed scholarship fund at the Aspen Education Foundation Awarded to: Kurtis Kowar, Ronan Wood
The award is a memorial to the life of Aspen High School graduate William L. Sandersen, who died in combat in the service of the United States in the Vietnam War in August 1968. He was 24 years old. This scholarship, created in honor of veterans who have served and continue to serve our country, is awarded each year to deserving graduating seniors.
ZANIN FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to: Ela Stevenson
Honoring Joe and Judy Zanin, public servants, community volunteers, philanthropists, and Aspen Hall of Fame inductees, the Zanin Family Foundation helps meet the financial needs of confident and responsible Aspen High School students who aspire to achieve their full potential by seeking a post-secondary education.
C. WELTON ANDERSON FACULTY AWARDS
C. Welton Anderson, a long-time Aspen resident, was an architect, Chairman of the Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission, and an Aspen Historical Society Trustee. He died at the age of 41 on December 11, 1991. The C. Welton Anderson Awards are selected by the Aspen High School faculty and staff.
AMBASSADOR AWARD
Awarded to: Tomas Franceschi, Lexi Munro, Lenna Persson, Christopher “Giovanni” Seeman, Colby Vanderaa
Students who exhibit exceptional leadership and integrity and who represent the values of Aspen High School inside and outside the classroom.
HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Awarded to: Anna Dangler, Julia Diaz, Henry Hurd, Luna Murray
Students who care about the world and, more importantly, the well-being of the people in it, who build and foster relationships, and who treat others with empathy and respect.
LIFE-LONG LEARNER AWARD
Awarded to: Eden Bohart, Roman Dupps, William Jones, Sara Kershow, Gracie Searle-Feinberg, Audrey Woodrow
Students who possess an authentic love of learning, both traditional and experiential, and who exemplify the school’s mission of educating the whole person.
LEADING LIGHT AWARD
Awarded to: Gage Anderson, Folbe Bulter, Jeremiah Dobbins, Darienne Kenny, Haley Schmela, Graceann Viola, Bow Williams
Students who have a zest for life, an infectious personality, a sense of humor, and a big heart. In short, students who make us smile.
INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD
Awarded to: Gia Galindo Bartley, Cerys Hembury, Mila VonderHaar, Clare Williams, Ronan Wood
Students who display courage, dignity, freedom, individuality, self-determination, and open-mindedness, and who speak out on what they care about.
RISING STAR AWARD
Awarded to: Charlie Cox, Evie DziedzicSzostak, Joshua Ford, Edward Sanders, Silvia Soza Ortega
Students who have exhibited tremendous academic and personal growth over their four years at Aspen High School, who have the courage to try new things and the determination to tackle life’s challenges.
atulations
2025 GRADUATES Congra
Wherever life takes you next, your local community bank is here to help you succeed.
CONG R AT U L ATIONSGRADS
YOU DID IT, CLASS OF 2025!
We see your hard work, your heart and your hustle — and we couldn’t be prouder of everything you’ve accomplished.
As you turn the page to your next chapter, know that your community is cheering you on, every step of the way. Keep asking questions, keep telling stories and keep being unapologetically you. And remember, if you don't want it printed, don't let it happen.
