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Week of April 13, 2023
JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | CALENDAR: PAGE 15 | SPORTS: PAGE 17
VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 43
The rising sun and risen Son
Arvada West students walk out to protest gun violence BY MACI LESH AND CHLOE RIOS ARVADA WEST HIGH SCHOOL
Blood Brothers began forming in 2015 when Swearengin, vocalist and guitarist, and his friend Josh Harwood, also a guitarist, began playing together. Drummer Taylor Mead joined next, and then Troy Steinbach on keyboards, Jay Genender on the fiddle and Bob Brown on bass guitar. Then vocalists Suzy Nelson and Sarah Bauer, who also has her own band, the Sarah Bauer Band, joined in. Performing on the Red Rocks
Students at Arvada West High School took a stance against gun violence in schools by leaving their classes and carrying neon signs to all four corners of 64th Avenue and Simms Street. The April 5 walkout was national, organized by the group Students Demand Action. Made up of young activists in the wake of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting in 2018, Students Demand Action is, according to their website, committed to ending gun violence in our communities. “Would you rather have us students dead or would you rather keep your guns?” said sophomore Samuel Bierbrauer, who, along with junior Izzy Sprenger, was a leader of the Wednesday event. “There is always something to be done, and it starts on this street corner, protesting, and not being apathetic. Politicians have the control to do this, and make change. It is possible!” Sprenger said. Throughout the day, the two marched across the streets to amplify their demands. The Columbine High School massacre in 1999 marked a notable place in history for growing gun violence in schools. After a drop
SEE SERVICE, P6
SEE WALK OUT, P2
The sun came up up over a packed Red Rocks Amphitheatre during the 76th annual Easter Sunrise Service on April 9.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre the perfect backdrop for Easter Sunrise Service BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
It’s not often that a band provides a soundtrack for a spectacular Colorado sunrise. But that’s what the Conifer-based band Blood Brothers did on April 9 when they performed at Red Rocks Amphitheatre for Easter Sunrise Service. It was standing-room-only as thousands of people packed into
the amphitheater for the 76thannual nondenominational service. This is the second year that Blood Brothers, led by Lance Swearengin, pastor at Conifer Community Church, provided music for the service. They played traditional hymns like “Amazing Grace” and “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” along with some original material. Hosted by the Colorado Council of Churches, the Christian Sunrise Service draws people from across the state and metro area to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Gates opened at 4:30 a.m., and worshippers arrived early to nab seats with a view of the eastern horizon. As it got closer to 6:32 a.m., some moved out
T BEFSTHE O T S E B
PHOTO BY SARA HERTWIG
to the stairway to grab selfies and photos of the sunrise. The band
2023
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