Herald Highlands Ranch 8-22-2013
Highlands Ranch
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 26, Issue 40
August 22, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourhighlandsranchnews.com
Former Olympian inspires youngsters Swimmer Misty Hyman makes quite a splash in Highlands Ranch By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com Before there was “Missy the Missile,” there was Misty Hyman, the 20-year-old swimmer from Arizona who stunned the world when she upset Susie O’Neill in the 2000 Sydney Games, capturing gold in the 200 butterfly and handing O’Neill her first loss in six years. About 150 people gave Hyman an Olympic-sized welcome Aug. 16 at Southridge Recreation Center in Highlands Ranch as the former champion took center stage yet again, delivering an inspirational speech to all those in attendance. Hyman, who spent the rest of the weekend putting on a trio of clinics for youth
and adult swimmers, shared her story, which began as a 5-year-old asthmatic that couldn’t even finish her first race, to a girl who missed qualifying for the 1996 Atlanta Games by .003 seconds, to an underdog that shocked the world in 2000. “Sports are one of the best illustrations of human potential,” she told the crowd. “When you see Michael Phelps record his 22nd medal or a gymnast perform a perfect dismount you are reminded of what we, as humans, have the potential to do. “The reason we have races and the reason we live our lives is because on any given day, anyone who has done the work and has the courage to try their best has a chance to win. There are no guarantees ... it’s all a big risk. But as long you do your best along the way there are so many things that are going to help you with the rest of your life.” Hyman spent a lot of time talking with kids in the audience about the importance of education and stated that no matter how Hyman continues on Page 9
Jennae Kahler, 8, of Littleton, tries on Misty Hyman’s 2000 Olympic Gold Medal on Aug. 16 at Southridge Recreation Center in Highlands Ranch. Hyman was in town for the weekend to give a talk and teach multiple swim clinics to area youth and adults. Photo by Ryan Boldrey
Denver mayor to visit
Hancock spreads idea of working together Staff report
A total of 71 bikes and 92 riders took off from the Robert A. Christensen Justice Center Aug. 18 in Castle Rock to begin the 14th annual Blue Thunder Ride Benefit and Poker Run, ridden in honor of fallen Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Ron King. Photos by Ryan Boldrey
Blue Thunder rolls again 14th annual Ron King ride takes to streets By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com A total of 71 bikes revved their engines in unison at the Robert A. Christensen Justice Center in Castle Rock, bringing Julie Widmer to tears. The 14th annual Blue Thunder Ride Benefit and Poker Run, ridden in honor of Widmer’s stepfather, Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Ron King, is part celebration of life/part fundraiser for Douglas County children. “It took me a long time before I was able to participate in a ride,” said Widmer. “I would see a motorcycle and think of him, think of how he died. But once I got on the back of (a bike) and was surrounded by family and by people all here for the same reason I am, it really calmed me down a lot. This year’s ride was Aug. 18 and it wound from Castle Rock to Monument, east into Black Forest and north to Kiowa.
The event raised $2,600 for the Ron King Organization’s scholarship fund as well as financial aid money to help select area high school students pay for things like school supplies, athletic fees and instruments. King, 14 years ago, was killed in the line of duty after being struck by a drunk driver. Finishing up his shift, King was riding his motorcycle south on US 85 to the station when a van pulled out of The Matchbox Bar - which has since been leveled - and plowed into him and his partner, Chris Washburn, who was riding with him. Washburn, now a sergeant with the department, wound up in the ICU requiring reconstructive surgery. King was pronounced dead at the scene. One of the first D.A.R.E. officers with the department, King had dedicated his life to helping people make the right choices when it came to using drugs and alcohol and getting behind the wheel, something that made his death that much harder for many. “Someone like Ron that gave so much to the community, trying to take care of Thunder continues on Page 9
Tom Vondra spoke Aug. 18 at the Robert A. Christensen Justice Center in Castle Rock before the start of the 14th annual Blue Thunder Ride Benefit and Poker Run, ridden in honor of fallen Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Ron King.
The city will meet suburbia when Denver Mayor Michael Hancock delivers a message of partnership and hope to visitors and members of God’s Grace Community Church. The service, scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 25 at Rock Canyon High School, 5810 McArthur Ranch Road in Highlands Ranch, will revolve around how the city and the suburbs can work together to benefit all. God’s Grace Community Church is active in Denver through its participation with The Gathering Place, Open Door Hancock Youth Gang Alternatives, Confluence Ministries and Extreme Community Makeovers. David Jensen, pastor of God’s Grace Community Church, met Hancock through the Rev. Leon Kelly, founder and head of the anti-gang organization Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives. Jensen developed his passion for connecting suburban churches to ministries in the city when he served in Detroit during his seminary training in the 1980s. Soon after God’s Grace started in 2004, Jensen met Kelly and the church became an active partner with Open Door’s afterschool program and Christmas and yearend parties. Hancock’s agreement to come to Highlands Ranch to preach is an outcome of the desire to build bridges between the city and suburbs. The mayor is a deacon of Denver’s New Hope Baptist Church, and has preached in numerous churches. For more information, visit www.gods gracecc.com or call 303-790-1084. All are welcome to attend the service.
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