Hitting the Books: Swallows principal spends night on roof to celebrate reading challenge
Swallows Charter Academy K-12 Principal Matthew Hawken celebrated his students' completion of a reading challenge by spending a night on the roof of the school.
On April 24, Pueblo West Fire Department trucks lifted Hawken to the Swallows Charter Academy K-12 roof during a 2 p.m. assembly to celebrate students earning 10,000 Accelerated Reader points. At 7 p.m., Hawken read bedtime stories to students on a livestream posted to the school's YouTube channel.
Despite cool overnight temperatures, Hawken managed to get a good night's sleep in a tent nestled by a "Swallows Charter Academy" sign atop the roof, according to the Swallows Charter Academy K-12 Facebook page.
A video of Hawken reading students bedtime stories from the roof can be viewed on the Swallows Charter Academy YouTube channel.
"I want all of you students to know how incredible you are for meeting 10,000 points," Hawken told students in the video. "For me to sleep up here is a small thing compared to all of the reading and the work that all of you put forth in attaining that goal. I am just so proud of all of you."
'Noche de Mariachi' to explore state of mariachi education, feature free performances
Pueblo's own Mariachi Aguila and Mariachi Diamente will headline a statewide event exploring mariachi music programs and their future in Colorado's education landscape.
The free performances and discussion are part of the "Noche de Mariachi" at El Pueblo History Museum on May 8. Mariachi Aguila, a group of advanced musicians from the Chavez Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy, will open the evening with a 5 p.m. performance.
Discussions will feature a panel of mariachi education experts, including David Benavidez of Mariachi Diamente, Jorge Melo of Chavez Huerta, Isahar Mendez of the Colorado Youth Mariachi Program, Lorenzo Trujillo of Metropolitan State University, Frank Vigila of Mariachi San Luis, and Marlene Vigila of Mariachi San Luis.
Mariachi Diamente will close the evening with a 6:30 p.m. performance.
Chavez Huerta receives Folk and Traditional Arts Project grant from Colorado Creative Industries
Chavez Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy has received a $2,000 Folk and Traditional Arts Project grant from Colorado Creative Industries — a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
Chavez Huerta was the only entity in Pueblo County to be awarded one of the 21 Folk and Traditional Arts Project grants. Funds will support the school's Ballet Folklorico project, "Bailes de Aztlan (Dances from the Chicano Ancestral Homeland)."
“The recipients announced today will help carry on the diversity, culture and heritage of Colorado communities, offering all of us the opportunity to realize the rich history our state holds,” said Eve Lieberman, director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, in an April 10 news release.
Nine Pueblo students awarded 'Damon Days' scholarships
Nine college students were recognized by the Damon Days Committee and awarded $1,000 scholarships on April 25 at Pueblo's Rosemount Carriage House.
Students who received Damon Days scholarships included Ryna Bailey of Pueblo Community College, Julie Fellion of Colorado State University Pueblo, Theoren Gernazio of CSU Pueblo, Marika Guthrie of PCC, Sarah Iskra of PCC, Kyle Jackson of CSU Pueblo, Alex Moore of CSU Pueblo, Dara Shepherd of CSU Pueblo and Heather Ward of CSU Pueblo.
The Damon Days Committee raises funds through an annual "Guys and Dolls for Scholars" banquet and Damon Runyon Days festivities. More information can be found at damonrunyondays.com.
Student of the Week: The Pueblo Chieftain Student of the Week poll is back. Vote here for an outstanding student
Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Swallows principal sleeps on roof and other Pueblo education news
