Tell us a little about yourself and your connection to Golden. 

I have the privilege of serving in the Golden community as the Principal of Welchester Elementary. This is my 12th year at Welchester. Our articulation area of Golden Schools and community has a close bond and serves as a great support for one another. As the only Title 1 School in Golden, the other communities have supported our school by donating food and clothing resources, creating Valentine’s bags for all students, monetary donations, participating in the Golden Gallop, and attending the Welchester SOAR 5K. In addition to the schools' partnerships, we also work with Miners Alley and Colorado Railroad Museum to provide experiences for our students in the arts and history. Golden Schools Foundation supports all Golden Schools financially and through partnerships in resources, school connections, and sharing ideas. Golden Civic Foundation also has been a great support for buildings by supporting projects to improve the school environment and enhanced learning opportunities. The Calvary Church supports our families with Thanksgiving boxes, Christmas Store, and back-to-school Target shopping. BGolden is an additional food resource for families and provides snacks for Welchester students.  Kiwanas of Golden supports Welchester by donating school supplies and hosting our end of year family BBQ providing food and cooking. Scott Bristol at State Farm in Golden continues to partner with our school supplying students with water bottles. He also supports Welchester’s SOAR 5K. We also receive quarterly store credits from Office Depot Max in Golden, which is funded by donations by the shoppers and sponsored by the store.

What makes Golden feel like Golden to you? 

Golden is incredible at creating a sense of community. It is an inclusive community with hearts that love to serve. Even though Welchester is on the edge of Golden and Lakewood, you wouldn’t know due to the outpour of partnerships and support. 

How would you like Golden to look in 10-20 years? What do you hope grows, changes, or stays the same? 

I love the uniqueness of Golden. It offers many one-of-a-kind businesses and organizations that come together to support one another. I hope that all parts of Golden remain this way and do not become commercialized. I would love to see continued community partnerships to support local businesses and schools as a sustained practice for years to come.  

What first drew you to GCF, or what keeps you connected to this work? 

Golden Civic has been a continued partner in supporting Welchester and other Golden schools with resources to enhance and improve building structures and tools for enriching learning. It is easy to partner with this foundation because they have a heart to serve and seek to learn how they can support needs. They are passionate about taking care of their community and giving back.  

If GCF supported your business through a loan or partnership, what did that make possible?

We had an extremely outdated sound system in our gym/auditorium. We did not have microphones that worked consistently, and speakers were the size of a boom box. Now we will have a sound system that provides clear sound, Bluetooth accessibility for playing different modes of media and music, security system that is now accessible to be heard in loud environments (cafeteria and gym) and a projector and screen that will be used to enhance assemblies and performances.