Aspen High School Athletics is proud to announce the launch of an exciting new initiative: a Digital Wall of Fame. Using state-of-the-art software from Rocket Alumni Solutions, Inc., this platform will celebrate the accomplishments of our past and present athletes. Located in the Aspen High School Gym Lobby, the interactive Wall of Fame will also be accessible online, making our athletic history available to everyone.
Over the years, Aspen High School has unfortunately lost valuable records, photos, and other documentation of our athletic achievements. This project aims to recover and preserve these pieces of history. We are reaching out to alumni, parents, and the Aspen community for help. If you have team photos, broken records that were not documented, or other memorabilia, please share them with us to contribute to this lasting tribute.
This project is about more than preserving history; it’s an opportunity to engage and empower our students. Sarah Ward and her journalism classes are gathering photos, yearbooks, and any related documentation, while Anita Moose and her Skier TV classes are filming, conducting interviews, and designing the visual elements of the Wall of Fame. Together, they are researching archives to uncover forgotten milestones and achievements. Through this collaboration, students are gaining invaluable real-world skills in journalism, digital organization, and historical research while contributing to a meaningful initiative that celebrates Aspen High School’s athletic excellence.
The Digital Wall of Fame will feature a searchable database where users can explore athletic achievements by year, sport, athlete, or team. The platform will include dynamic content such as photos, videos, social media integration, and opportunities for sponsorship. Regular updates by students, faculty, and community members will ensure the Wall of Fame remains a living document of Aspen’s athletic excellence.
The Wall of Fame is not just for Aspen High School; it’s for the entire Aspen community. By sharing stories and achievements, we aim to strengthen the bond between the school and the community. This initiative will inspire current and future athletes while preserving the legacy of those who came before them.
We invite everyone to participate in this exciting project. Whether by contributing memorabilia, sharing stories, or supporting the initiative in other ways, your involvement is vital. Together, we can celebrate the accomplishments of Aspen High School athletes, preserve our athletic history for generations to come, and inspire pride and engagement within the Aspen community.

We want to take this special opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for the Aspen Booster Club unwavering support in making this incredible project a reality. Their dedication and generosity have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life, and it simply would not have been possible without them.

For those interested in learning more about the Aspen Booster Club or enrolling as a member, we are excited to share that this information is now readily accessible via our new interactive TV as well! Their support continues to make a meaningful impact in our community.

For more information or to contribute, please contact Aspen High School Athletics. Let’s come together to honor our past and build a bright future for Aspen High School Athletics!

CLICK TO SEE AHS WINNING ART

Six Aspen High School Students recently brought home eight awards - including four Gold Key awards - for their artwork presented in the regional contest of the prestigious national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program.

The regional contest, the Colorado Art Region of Scholastic Art and Writing, draws more than 5,000 pieces of artwork into the contest, which is open to students in grades 7-12. It is the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12, ages 13+ and has been a program in Colorado since 1947.

“I think it’s incredible to get recognition as an artist within the community, and I am very appreciative of that!” said Evie Dziedzic Szostak, AHS student who won two awards last year and two this year. “I have had amazing experiences working on art at the high school and have been consistently encouraged to try new things, expanding my skill set and enjoyment of creating.”

Judges, who are industry leaders in the visual arts, look for work that exemplifies originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. The awards are: Gold Key, Silver Key, Honorable Mentions, and American Visions & Voices. The Gold Key winners’ work will advance to the national competition. National awards are expected to be announced in March.

“I’m so incredibly proud of all of my students but right now I’m especially proud of the students who entered their work to Scholastics and received recognition,” said AHS Art Teacher Julie Trahon.

Aspen High School Student winners are:

• Elizabeth Foster, junior, won a Gold Key award in the Painting category for work titled “Piscis Forum.”

• Gia Galindo-Bartley, senior, won a Gold Key in the Photography category  for work titled “LOCK IN!” She also won an Honorable Mention in the Mixed Media category titled “The Pool.”
• Aurelia Tunte-Stuck, junior, won a Gold Key award in the Mixed Media category for work titled “Channel:Life.”
• Graceann Viola, senior, won a Gold Key in the Ceramics & Glass category for work titled “Doofus the Clown.”
• Evie Dziedzic-Szostak, senior, won two Honorable Mentions in the Painting category and the Printmaking category for works titled “An Observer's Echo” and “Polarities.”
• Kirilee Eklund, senior, won an Honorable Mention in the Painting category for work titled “Magpies.”

"Don't feed the plants!" Aspen High School and Theatre Aspen present the Spring musical, Little Shop of Horrors.

Don't miss this human-eating plant and all the shenanigans.
Flyer design by AHS student Mateo Tafferelli.

Supporting Every Child: SEAC Empowers Families in Special Education

Navigating the maze of special education policies and programs can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone. Parents of children with disabilities have come together to create the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), a passionate team dedicated to guiding families through the complexities of special education.

The Vision: SEAC envisions a world where every learner is respected, challenged with high expectations, and empowered to achieve their dreams.

The Mission: With parents, educators, and community members at its core, SEAC is committed to representing children and youth with disabilities, influencing educational decisions, and enhancing the quality of special education services.

How SEAC Makes a Difference:

• Monthly meetings to discuss challenges, share resources, and brainstorm solutions.

• Recommendations on programs and curricula for the Aspen School District Board of Education, the Superintendent, and other key administrators.
• When needed, sharing insights with the Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee.**Resources to Empower Families:*To make navigating this journey easier, SEAC has created a “Welcome” booklet packed with resources and practical tools, including: A list of 50 must-know acronyms to decode special education lingo.
• Guidance on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
• Tips for fostering positive relationships with your child’s Special Education Team and holding impactful parent-teacher conferences.
• Links to local, state, and national resources, including essential information about Parents’ Rights in Special Education.
• The welcome letter warmly states:

“We know IEPs and 504 Plans can be overwhelming. Navigating special education laws, policies, and procedures can create anxiety. We are here with you every step of the way.”

SEAC is also accepting applications for new committee members. If you’re passionate about making a difference, consider joining this incredible team.

Ready to learn more

Explore the Welcome Packet and become part of the movement shaping a brighter future for all students.

Read about SEAC in the Aspen Daily News.

Email the SEAC team at: aspenseac@gmail.com

Summer Opportunities Virtual Seminar - 7 p.m. Jan. 22

Students and their families, school counselors and educators are invited to participate in College Outreach's first virtual event this year – the Summer Opportunities Seminar (Part I) – Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 7 to  8:30 p.m. 

Habrá interpretación en español en vivo disponible.

• Learn about the many exciting summer opportunities available: part-time jobs, summer programs on college campuses, service work, and more.
• FACTS to enhance the high school summer experience:

• Fun 
• Academics & Activities 
• Career 
• Travel  
• Service 

• For 7th – 12th grade students, their families, and counselors
• Live Spanish Interpretation will be available
• A 30 minute Q&A session at the end
• For the virtual event link and more information, please visit the College Outreach website.

If you go:

• The opening reception is from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11.

• The exhibition will run from Jan. 11 to Feb. 9. Chapel Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

• Donations can be made to the AHS Visual Art Department by “adopting” one or more pieces of AHS art from the show (75% of each $25 adoption goes to the art department).

Aspen High School art students will showcase 17 pieces of art in the Roaring Fork Valley Art Show, “5 x 17,” hosted by the Aspen Chapel Gallery.

The exhibition features artwork from students at five area high schools, with each school contributing 17 pieces. The AHS students study art under the guidance of art teachers Julie Trahon and Whitney Zordan.

Students submitted their artwork for initial review by Trahon and Zordan. Then, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Visual Art seniors narrowed it down to the final 17 pieces. This is part of their curation practice in preparation for their upcoming IB art show. “An aspect of this show that makes it a double learning experience for our students is that our IB Visual Art seniors served as curators,” Trahon said.

“These seniors will be curating their own body of work and writing a curatorial rationale for their IB art show in April. This experience as well as their curation field trip last year at the Powers Art Center will help them to prepare. I was so proud of how thoughtful and deliberate they were in choosing a variety of pieces that complemented one another while also showcasing students’ individual talents and voices.”

The selected 17 pieces include drawing, painting, ceramics, graphic design, fashion illustration, cut paper, and ink.

“Our ceramics students have been working to develop technical skills, creativity, and an appreciation for three-dimensional artwork,” Zordan said. “They are also building on their knowledge of art elements and design principles. I believe viewers will see their exceptional skills and hopefully be moved by their work.”

The five participating high schools are Aspen High School, Basalt High School, Colorado Rocky Mountain School, Glenwood Springs High School, and Roaring Fork High School.

The following AHS students were selected to display their artwork in this year’s show: Jack Berro, Wyatt Calliham, Caroline "Coco" Clettenberg, Aife DeStefano, Kirilee Eklund, Grace Gallagher, Linda "Lin" Green, Zariah Green, Lucy Halferty, Suki Manuel, Hudson Miedema, Camilla Mendoza, Tarel Ramos, Zoe Riboud, Emma Scherer, Farah Stevenson, and Graceann Viola.

“This art show gives our non-IB students a chance to exhibit their amazing work. We hope our school and community members will support our student artists by showing up for the opening,” Trahon said. 

Donations can be made to the AHS Visual Art Department by “adopting” one or more pieces of AHS art from the show (75% of each $25 adoption goes to the art department).