WEEK OF JUNE 15, 2023
VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 52
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The incomparable Hazel Miller, in her own words Forge Christian High School hopes to create new culture despite lingering controversy BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
all of a sudden, everyone knew my name. I told my mother I was going to be a singer. She said ‘OK, as long as you go to school.’” That she did. Things were lean in the Miller household, but the
Leaders at Grace Church of Arvada have begun detailing their plans for Forge Christian High School. Plans for the school, purchased for $12 million, come a few months after the announcement that Faith Christian Academy would close its doors due to mounting financial woes. Grace Church Pastor Rick Long promises a new vision for Forge, despite lingering financial issues and a history of controversy over racial discrimination allegations at Faith Christian Academy, as well as the fact that most of Faith’s staff members will remain at Forge. While some things will certainly be different at Forge this fall, other hallmarks of Faith — also known as FCA (Faith Christian Academy) — will remain. For one, 95% of Faith’s student body has reenrolled in Forge, according to Long. Most of the Faith faculty will also return — including former Superintendent Andrew Hasz, whose father Martin founded FCA in Denver in 1971. Hasz will serve as Forge’s head of school, according to Long, who coached football with Hasz at FCA and whose children are
SEE HAZEL, P4
SEE FORGE, P2
A family photo of the Miller’s at Hazel’s son’s First Communion, 1979. Front row, from left: Bobby Smith (Hazel’s nephew), Kim Baylor (Hazel’s niece), Bobby Young (Hazel’s son), Kenneth Miller (center-front; Hazel’s son), Eric Daniels (Hazel’s nephew), Kelli (Hazel’s niece). Second row, left to right: Carol Smith (Hazel’s sister), Cathy Baylor (Hazel’s siter-in-law), Lissie Miller (Hazel’s COURTESY OF HAZEL MILLER mom), Hazel Miller. Back row, left to right: Don Harold (Hazel’s ex), Willie Baylor (Hazel’s brother).
into the state’s Music Hall of had never been done. Even at an Looking back on the Hall of inducted Fame on June 10, capping an excepearly age, Miller’s talent was undenitional career that has taken Miller able. Fame career of Colorado’s around the world and earned her a “After that, I knew,” Miller said. place in the hearts of thousands. “When you’re the fifth of seven chilthe fifth of seven children, dren, you’re Joanne’s sister, you’re high priestess of singing wasMiller, born in Louisville, Kentucky. Her Carol’s sister, you’re Eddie’s sister — BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Since she was in third grade, Hazel Miller — and more than likely, those around her — knew that she would be a singer. The legendary Colorado vocalist and resident of Arvada was
mother and father were guardedyet-exceptional singers in their own rights. When Miller was in third grade, a priest at her school named Samuel Viani asked her to join the eighth graders for a Christmas song — a prospect that, to Miller’s knowledge,
Landmark 20th
Evergreen Jazz Festival July 28, 29 & 30
Dancers Welcome!
Free Parking!
EvergreenJazz.org
303-697-5467
Big Talent! Small Venues! Great Setting! VOICES: 12 | LIFE: 14 | CALENDAR: 17 | SPORTS: 24
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