WEEK OF MAY 8, 2025
VOLUME 80 | ISSUE 29
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Evans gets midterms endorsement from Trump BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
8th grade students Henry Kovacs, from Thunder Ridge, Blake Chyou, home-schooled, Ben Santos, Eagle Crest High School, and Teagan Bura, Colorado Skies Academy watch to see how the tower they constructed fares against a stiff wind during the Go For Launch program at the Colorado Air and Space Port. They claimed second place for the stability of their tower. BELEN WARD
Go for Launch program aims to inspire students Space travel experts and astronauts offered STEM at Air and Space Port BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Michelle Lucas, founder of Higher Orbits Go for Launch, has worked at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and made her reputation preparing people for space flight. She traveled the world teaching people how to live on board the International Space Station. But the satisfaction she received from that job is nothing compared to thrill of seeing a new generation get interested in space flight. “Don’t get me wrong, training astronauts for space was fulfilling, but being able to prepare the next generation is a next level of fulfillment,” Lucas said. That’s what she and her team
were aiming for April 26 and 27 at the Colorado Space Port near Watkins. The space port hosted the Go for Launch Higher Orbits event, a special STEM program, for 35 Denver-area middle and high school students. Lucas said it’s incredibly fulfilling to inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts, especially for kids that don’t have access to these kinds of opportunities. She said she can relate. “I’m a kid who is in love with space, from the south side of Chicago with no access to spaceinspired STEM programming,” she said. Post-its, tape and teamwork
The students learned about teamwork, communication, technology, leadership, science,
VOICES: PAGE 8 | CULTURE: PAGE 10 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17
engineering and brainstorming during the two day program. Their tasks include working as teams to create a tower made of paper stable enough to support the miniature NASA Orion Capsule placed on top. Each tower was tested with a small fan to assess its strength. Global Village Academy’s Colton Burke, Prospect Ridge Academy’s Eshaan Valles and Colorado Skies Academy students Yiri Yerikanis, and Zach Schultz worked as a team. The group of 8th grade students brainstormed how to best build their tower, each participating with structural engineering concepts and feeding off each other for inspiration. Their final tower was made of Post-its, paper and some tape
with room for the Orion Capsule on top. Their project was tested for strength, and they won first place. Not only that, but they had fun doing it. That’s the goal, Lucas said. Being able to create something that she can bring to the backyards of students across the country is so meaningful to her. Dreams of space
The impact is huge, according to Robert Ferguson from Westminster Public Schools’ Random Innovation Center. He teaches the aviation engineering pathway, including drone classes, pilot training, engineering design, aviation electronics, and aerospace. SEE PROGRAM, P7
President Donald Trump on Monday endorsed first-term Republican Congressman Gabe Evans, calling Evans “an America First Patriot who is doing a fantastic job representing Colorado’s 8th Congressional District!” Trump endorsed Evans on a post on the Truth Social site. Trump added: “…A decorated Army Helicopter Pilot and former Police Officer, Gabe has served our Nation with Great Honor and Distinction. In Congress, he is fighting to Secure the Border, Champion American Energy, Defend the Second Amendment, and Support our Brave Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement.” Added Trump: “Gabe Evans has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!” Trump’s endorsement comes as both parties have targeted the 8th Congressional District as one that could go either way to realign the House of Representatives. It’s been rated a tossup before next year’s midterm elections. Evans in November narrowly defeated Democrat Yadira Caraveo to win the 8th District seat. Evans has already drawn two potential Democratic challengers, including Caraveo who launched a bid to retake the seat. State Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City, kicked off his campaign in January to win the Democratic primary to earn the right to challenge Evans, has raised more than $1.1 million in the year’s first quarter, according to Colorado Politics. Evans thanked Trump for the endorsement, saying on X “I am dialed in on making sure our community is free of criminal illegal immigrant gangs and making Colorado a safer place to live, work, and raise a family. Proud to be fighting for #CO08 in Congress,” according to Colorado Politics.
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