Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bodhi McBean for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Bodhi has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Bodhi, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Bodhi's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Oberon Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Bodhi McBean on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Angelina Thurber for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Angelina has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Angelina, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Angelina's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Angelina Thurber on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Saul Zapata for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Saul has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Saul, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Saul's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Saul Zapata on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Noah Trask for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Noah has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Noah, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Noah's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Noah Trask on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Connor Delo for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Connor has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Connor, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Connor's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Mandalay Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Connor Delo on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gabriel Tzintzun for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Gabriel has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Gabriel, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Gabriel's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Gabriel Tzintzun on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Vincent Taylor for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Vincent has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Vincent, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Vincent's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Mandalay Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Vincent Taylor on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Grey Valdez for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Grey has overcome many challenges along their journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Grey, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Grey's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Grey Valdez on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kyrii Petralia for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Kyrii has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Kyrii, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Kyrii's hard work, determination, and perseverance at The Manning School of Academics and Arts and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Kyrii Petralia on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize William West for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

William has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like William, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to William's hard work, determination, and perseverance at The Manning School of Academics and Arts and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate William West on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John Vigil for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

John has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like John, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to John's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate John Vigil on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Karen Miller for earning this year's Woman of the Year Award from the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Karen is a longtime volunteer throughout Jefferson County, especially in Olde Town Arvada. She served on the Historic Olde Town Arvada (HOTA) Board for many years and was instrumental in the creation of the Business Improvement District for Olde Town in 2014. Karen is a passionate and dedicated leader and a tremendous asset to the Arvada community. She dedicated countless hours to local events including the Harvest Festival, St. Patrick's Day, Festival of Scarecrows, A Chocolate Affair, and Flicks in the Square. Karen currently sits on the Arvada Historical Society Board and manages the Arvada Flour Mill.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Karen Miller on receiving the 2023 Arvada Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joel Folk of Arvada, Colorado for winning the Arvada Chamber of Commerce's Image Award.

Joel is a retired veterinarian and a nearly 30-year member of the Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis. He is also an active volunteer for the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth. Over many years and through his countless volunteer hours, Joel has improved the lives of the youth and elderly across Jefferson County. Arvada Chamber Image Award winners are selected for the positive image of Arvada they portray within the community, and Joel has done just that.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Joel Folk for winning this award and thank him for his commitment to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Terenn Tracy of Arvada, Colorado, for winning the Arvada Chamber of Commerce's Rising Star Award.

The Rising Star Award recognizes High School students who have exemplified extraordinary skills in entrepreneurship, innovation, community impact, and leadership.

Terenn's teachers and peers alike have recognized her as kind, honest, committed, aware, respectful, and empathetic. She has served the Arvada community through an internship with Outdoor Lab, offering to adapt the curriculum around Native Americans at Windy Peak, and through numerous clubs and organizations. Her commitment to the environment and public service demonstrate her bright future as an advocate for Colorado.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Terenn Tracy for winning the Arvada Chamber's Rising Star Award and thank her for her contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stephanie Paul for earning this year's Young Professional Leadership Award from the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

For years, Stephanie has shown a commitment to improving Olde Town Arvada. As the Director of Marketing and Events for the Arvada Business Improvement District, she has helped transform Olde Town into a vibrant area that residents and visitors alike can enjoy.

Stephanie was an instrumental part of bolstering the Olde Town Second Saturday summer concert series, doubling attendance since the beginning of her tenure. She actively engages with local business leaders and community members to ensure projects have input from everyone involved.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Stephanie Paul on receiving the 2023 Arvada Chamber of Commerce's Young Professional Leadership Award.