WEEK OF JUNE 22, 2023
VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 1
FREE
Arvada Library helps youth celebrate pride Business and
education meet at Arvada State of Education
BY LILLIAN FUGLEI LFUGLEI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A little rain didn’t stop rainbows from bursting out at the Arvada Library. The rainbows were for the library’s Teen Pride Party. The July 16 evening event put a pride-themed twist on the library’s usual Teen After Hours program, which gives teens a space to hang out after the library closes. “It’s important for people to know that the library is a place where all voices have a space,” said Paola Vilaxa, manager of the library and diversity, equity and inclusion. “And that’s why we provide that platform for everyone who needs it. So, in that sense, pride at the Arvada Library is no different than any other programs that we do for Hispanic Heritage Month or the Dia De Los Muertos, or Christmas. You know, everybody has a chance to celebrate who they are.” For pride, this celebration looked like many colorful crafts, free pride flags and stickers, snacks and even nail painting. Teens were able to hang out and celebrate in a safe space. “I went to the [Arvada Library] pride last year and it was really fun. I met really nice people, so I wanted to do it again,” said Hayden, one teen who was attending. She added that it was nice because she was “finally around people who look queer and I know are like me.” For Amy Truter, teen librarian, the library is “really committed to wanting to be welcoming and inclusive of everybody and making sure all of our teens know that this is a safe place for them to come and hang out and express themselves in whatever way feels good to them.” Vilaxa believed the event was
BY LILLIAN FUGLEI LFUGLEI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Even though school is out for the summer, Arvada community members and educators met up bright and early to talk about some of the successes — and areas for improvement — within education this year. The State of Education was hosted by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce at Revive Church at The Bridge on June 16. The presentation and panel covered some of the achievements and issues impacting both K-12 education and higher education in Arvada. The event began with a presentation from Tracy Dorland, superintendent of Jeffco Public Schools. Dorland spoke about changes made throughout the district during the 2022-2023 academic year. Dorland discussed recent school consolidation, saying, “This is the most difficult work I’ve ever done. Schools are like our second homes. When we decide a school will no SEE EDUCATION, P3
Arvada teen librarian Amy Truter helps teens make crafts on June 16, 2023.
SEE PRIDE, P2
PHOTO BY LILLIAN FUGLEI
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Landmark 20th
Evergreen Jazz Festival July 28, 29 & 30
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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