During the Town of Buena Vista Board of Trustees regular meeting on January 11, 2022, Mayor Duff Lacy proclaimed January 31 – February 4, 2022 as Youth Appreciation Week.

As a part of Youth Appreciation Week, The Buena Vista Optimist Club, as it has for the past 44 years, joins the school district in expressing appreciation and support of the positive contributions that our youth have made to their school and community since the start of the school year.

The event recognized 38 students, grades 3-12 from the Buena Vista School District (R31) and Darren Patterson Christian Academy:

• Avery Parsons Elementary School
• Kayleigh Clarno
• Annabel Courtright
• Brendan Galle
• Michael Jacquat
• Jaimin Slavish
• Mabel Willis
• Clarence Bellingar
• Aly Collier
• Ben Drexler
• Camdyn Feurerstein
• Emerson Fritsch
• Ella Nelsen
• Nico Parkin
• Maddyn Barnaby
• Reese Crites
• Kiley Eggleston
• Hailey Hampa
• Oliver Kelly
• Clayton LaGree
• Zach Leon
• Darren Patterson Christian Academy
• Mae Blazer
• Daniel Dewalt
• Buena Vista Middle School
• Jayci Bobst
• Paul Gallardo
• Mia Rizzi
• Matthew Torrens
• Michaiah Mayton
• Isaac Saucedo
• Buena Vista High School
• Caleb Collier
• Payton Crites
• Emilia Brooker
• Andre Cunnigham
• Ella Coates
• Elijah Evans
• Elena Dunn
• Calvin Tattershall
• Chaffee County High School
• Grace Schoger
• Jake Fisher

The awards presentation was held on February 3, 2022 at the Congregational United Church of Christ at 7:30 am. The students honored were selected by their school’s teachers. Each student was awarded a plaque that recognized their contributions and received a copy of the Youth Appreciation Week Proclamation from the Town. The annual recognition event would not be possible without the cooperation of our local schools. The Optimist Club does not select the recipients of these awards.

Optimist Club member and three-time past president, Don Caskey chaired the event for 2022.

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Dan R

Danny “Dan R” Ridenour has been in radio and television broadcasting for over 40 years, starting as a senior in high school in Rogers, Arkansas. His radio career has had stops in Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma, and eventually, Colorado. Dan enjoys being involved in the community, having been a member of the Upper Arkansas Service Club and is currently on the board of directors for the Salida Community Center and is a member of the Chaffee County Fair Committee. He and his wife Carrie spend their days doing everything the mountains have to offer: hiking, camping, fishing and skiing. They've raised 3 children and have 2 grandchildren.

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