Craig Daily Press / M2: Moffat Monthly

Sunset Elementary uses international games to bring home math, physical education

Aaron Colby set his face in a resolute grimace Monday as he trotted through the Sunset Elementary School gym, a torch clutched in his determined hands. The Sunset Elementary kindergartener wasn’t carrying the real icon of the Olympic games. A paper cone with red and orange construction paper flames took the place of the torch that will signal the beginning of the international sporting event this summer. Aaron didn’t waver as he carried the torch dutifully to Moffat County High School track athletes, who would run it around the gym before the finale.

CNCC nursing student lands 2 scholarships for continuing education

Until recently, Colorado Northwestern Community College scholarships were barely out of Audria Herrera’s reach. “I have been applying to pretty much all scholarships that have been available, and including ones that I’ve been able to come across over the Internet,” said Herrera, who is earning her associate's degree in nursing at CNCC’s Craig campus. But when it came to landing scholarships offered through the college, she always came in as the runner-up, she said. This semester, however, the tables turned for the 34-year-old Yampa resident.

Former school official seeking to improve community

In 2005, Joel Sheridan noticed a problem. “I had come in contact with a couple situations where some students were missing a lot of school, spending time in the nurse's office because of dental issues,” said Sheridan, then assistant superintendent of the Moffat County School District. To find a solution to the dental problems he saw, Sheridan, now 63, contacted the Northwest Colorado Dental Coalition, a nonprofit group that offers comprehensive dental care to area residents in need. “I started talking to the executive director at that time, trying to learn more about what was going on,” Sheridan said. “Through those conversations I ended up being on the board (of directors).”

Craig musician lends his voice to residents at Sandrock Ridge

Every other Saturday, local musician Bob LaFord performs for devoted fans. He begins each show with a rendition of Roger Miller’s “Walking in the Sunshine.” He always ends with “Show Me the Way to Go Home,” a popular tune from the 1920s, which he sings as he strums his guitar. In between, he plays a motley assortment of pieces —“Home on the Range” and “Give My Regards to Broadway,” sometimes with a few tunes by Buddy Holly or Elvis Presley thrown in.

Craig resident using people skills to help community

Myrtle Stagner is a people person. “I like to interact with people,” the 70-year-old Craig resident said. “It’s very rewarding.” This desire for interaction helped guide Stagner through various professional ventures. Since settling in Craig with her husband, Claude, about 27 years ago, the Pagoda native spent 10 years working at Kmart, operated a Curves For Women health center for four years and spent about a year working at Walmart.

TMH Auxiliary Volunteers president dedicated to making organization ‘shine’

Although patients at The Memorial Hospital in Craig may not know Anna Rippy personally, they’re likely to recognize the organization she’s volunteered with for about a decade. Members of The Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Volunteers, informally known as “Pink Ladies,” are familiar faces at the hospital. They greet patients and their families at the concierge desk, staff the gift shop and offer refreshments from a traveling cart that makes rounds twice a day at the hospital. Behind it all stands Rippy, a Craig native and Auxiliary Volunteers president. Rippy, who is a retired office manager for a Grand Junction insurance agency, has offered her time at the hospital for about 10 years, and she’s served as the group’s president for nearly six of them, she said.

'Service Above Self': Colleagues: Renee Campbell a credit to organizations she serves

Renee Campbell, a Hillsdale, Mich., native, said she hadn't spent a minute of her life volunteering to nonprofit agencies before 2006. Then she moved to Craig. Geography made all the difference, she said. "Before I moved to Craig, I had never been involved with the community (I lived in)," said Campbell, director of sales and marketing at the Holiday Inn of Craig. "Now I really enjoy it. I like getting to know people, getting involved in the community. It's just been something I've grown to love."

‘For the community’: Stephanie Jeffcoat returns for second stint on Hamilton Community Center Board

Volunteering has always been an important part of life for Hamilton resident Stephanie Jeffcoat. “I don’t really know why I do it,” Jeffcoat said. “I just like to be involved, I like to interact with people, and I like to serve my community.” In January, Jeffcoat, 38, was appointed by the Moffat County Commission to the four-member Hamilton Community Center Board.