A Message from the Principal: - Grand Junction High School

June/July 2011
Jon Bilbo
Principal
A Message from the Principal:
Dear Members of the GJHS Professional Learning
Community:
Carol Coburn
Asst. Principal
The month of June officially brings the 2010-2011 school
year to a close, and tis is the last newsletter of the school
year. As we look back on the year, we can be proud of
our many accomplishments.
In May, 365 members of the Class of 2011 and several
early completers from the Class of 2012 received diplomas
in a wet, brisk commencement ceremony held at
Stocker Stadium. On behalf of the entire staff and faculty
and administrative team of GJHS, I want to personally
thank all of the parents/guardians and significant others
for the love, encouragement and support they provided
their student over the past twelve years, and more specifically
for the time their student spent at Grand Junction
High School. It is our hope that we lived up to the expectations
you had for us and that you feel that the value of a
Junction education and the preparation given to our graduates
is priceless.
Graduates, you have enriched our lives here at school and
taken advantage of all the opportunities presented to you.
You leave a legacy of excellence in the classroom, on the
sports fields, the stage, and every where you represented
the Tigers that will be hard to exceed. As you leave Junction
and take that next step forward in life, remember you
are being sent out with a purpose to make a difference in
the world. As you move on, know that people here love
you, and that we will always be your home away from
home and that you are always welcome here. We will
miss you, and wish you the best in all of your future endeavors.
Jason Eidinger
Asst. Principal
http://gjhs.mesa.k12.co.us
Jami Moore
Asst. Principal
Ned Pollert
Activities Director
2010-11 No. 6
As we say good bye to the Class of 2011, here is just a
part of the legacy of excellence they leave behind:
Over 38, 285 service learning hours
126 students recognized as Millennium Club honorees
who completed over 111 service learning hours,
22 Superintendent Scholars with a 4.0 of higher grade
point average (GPA) in all four years of high school
107 students earned a 3.5 GPA or higher
75 students were members of one or more of our
four honor societies
15 graduates plan to serve our Country in the military
66 graduates received one or more scholarships
See our website for a complete list of our accomplishments
for the 1st and 2nd Semester as well as a list of the
accomplishments of the Class of 2011. We have also included
lists of the students graduating with the Class of
2011, students who were recognized at the All School
Awards Ceremony, and students who earned Honor Roll
recognition for the 4th Marking Period.
As we say good bye to 2010-2011, our master schedule is
almost complete, with several fine tune adjustments to be
made this month. Before we know it, August and student
check-in will be here. Please check the calendar at the
back of the newsletter for some important dates in August,
September and October.
In closing, I would like to thank all of you for a great
school year. It has been a pleasure working with our great
students and watching them grow.
“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hope.” Andrew Carnegie

I wish you and your family a wonder summer, and we
are looking forward to seeing you in August.
Go Tigers! Go Orange and Black!
Jon F. Bilbo
Principal
Counseling Department Moves Toward
National Model and Certification
Have you ever wondered, "What do school counselors
do?" The more important question is, "How are students
different as a result of what school counselors
do?" To help answer this question, the American
School Counselor Association (ASCA) created the AS-
CA National Model, which is a framework for a comprehensive,
data-driven school counseling program.
GJHS is currently beginning the process of becoming
a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP).
In order to drive our counseling department and our
school to this high level of excellence, we need to assemble
an advisory council that includes representation
of all the school’s stakeholders. This advisory council
will meet to discuss goals, objectives, activities and results
of the work of the school’s counseling department.
Please join us as we pioneer this process in our district.
If you are a student, parent or community member interested
in becoming involved in GJHS’s school counseling
advisory council, please contact Mr. Bilbo at 254-
6927 or via email at Jon.Bilbo@d51schools.org.
Volunteers Help Make it Happen at
GJHS
This year 1,692 parents and friends of Grand Junction
High School volunteered and provided 10,497 hours of
support to many of clubs, organizations, and sports teams.
This year at the All School Awards Ceremony, we recognize
some of these outstanding volunteers. Lynn
Thompson, from the GJHS Tiger Booster Club, was recognized
as our Volunteer of the Year. Becky Nees, also
from the GJHS Tiger Booster Club, was recognized as our
Distinguished Volunteer of the Year. Kevin Eden
(Music), Sterling and Deb Bock (Music), Dr. Tim Casey,
(School Advisory Council), Gary and Debbie Harmon
(School Advisory Council) and Yvette Arietta (Wrestling)
were presented Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards.
This year was a very successful year at GJHS, and we could
not have been as successful as we were without the selfless
commitment of all of our volunteers. From all of the
Tigers, staff and faculty, and Administrative Team, we
thank you for all that you did to support our school!
Tigers Roar!
Congratulations to the following members of the GJHS
Professional Learning Community for their contributions
both in and out of the classroom:
Tiger and Tigress
The Alpine Bank Students of the Month for April were
Stephanie Ryken and Michael Calacino. Stephanie is
the daughter of Stephen and Karen Ryken. Michael is
the son of John and Carol Calacino
Kiwanis Student of the Month
The Kiwanis Student of the Month for April was Jessica
Quackenbush. Jessica is the daughter of James and Rochelle
Quackensbush.
Daily Sentinel Student of the Week
The Daily Sentinel Student of the Month for April from
GJHS was Katherine Kamas. Katherine is the daughter
of Alex and Beverly Kamas.
The Daily Sentinel Student of the Month for May from
GJHS was Kim Horwitz. Kim is the daughter of
Michael and Debra Horwitz.
Academic Team
Congratulations to Lorena Thompson, Lynn Thompson,
Lyndsay Thompson and the members of the
Academic Team for winning the Knowledge Bowl State
Championship for the 15th time in the last 16 years.
Members of the Championship Team included: Noah
Bradford, Jake Bradshaw, Jessica Don, Parker Hegstrom,
Jacob Meyer, Ben Peterson, Emma Rieves,
and Patrick Thornton.
Speech and Debate
Congratulations to Tony Myers and Anna Exby, Ellie
Gossage and Tsinni Russell for qualifying for the National
Forensic League National Tournament, which
was held in Dallas, Texas, from June 13-18, 2011.
HOSA Nationals
Twenty secondary and post secondary students from
WCCC participated in the HOSA National Conference
in Anaheim, California during the week of June 20-26.
There were 4,791 competitors from across the country
in 55 events. These were the top students from over
130, 000 HOSA members nationwide.
Victoria Davis, a member of the Class of 2011, was
called to the stage during the Awards Ceremony and
was presented the Presidential Award for Community
Service. Victoria will attend Colorado Mesa University
next year and participate in the post secondary chapter
of HOSA. Junior Elisa Murillo placed 3rd in the Nation
in the Extemporaneous Health Poster Category.

Two recent graduates of Junction, Ethan Minnick, Class
of 2010) and Shari Yurick (Class of 2010) placed 2nd in
the Nation in First Aid/CPR.
Baseball
Congratulations to the Baseball Team. The Tigers were
the 2011 Southwestern League Champions and finished
the season with a 17-3 overall record, which included a
first round game in the State Championship Tournament.
The following players were selected to the 1st Team All-
Conference: Outfield- Andy Willett, and Cory DeRush;
Infield- Hutten Veach, and Sean Rubalcaba; and Pitcher-
Chandon Rose. Also, named to the 2nd Team Honor
-able Mention were: Casey Burns, Michael McGovern,
and Charlie Willett. Junior Sean Rubalcaba was also
selected to the Denver Post All State Honorable Mention
team. Coach Kyle Rush was named the Southwestern
League Coach of the Year.
Golf
Congratulations to Lady Senior Golfer Jordan Tufly for
qualifying to play in the State Championship Golf Tournament
on May 23 rd, and 24 th.
Lacrosse
Congratulations to the Boys Lacrosse Team for finishing
its third season in the District and the 2nd year as a GJHS
team. The Team finished 3rd in the Mountain League
with a 6 and 3 record and an overall record of 9 and 6.
The following members of the Team are commended for
being selected to the All-Conference teams. Ryan Arnold
and Luke Olson were selected to the 1st Team and
Kolton Flick, and Kris States were selected to the 2nd
Team Honorable Mention.
Congratulations to the Girls Lacrosse Team for being the
2011 Mountain League Champions, with a 7 and 0 record
in league games, and a 14 and 2 overall record, which included
a first round game in the State Championship
Tournament. Congratulations also go to the following
girls who were selected to the 1st Team All-Conference:
Megan Gromke, Kacie Jay, and Santana Martinez.
Also, named to the 2nd Team Honorable Mention were:
Morgan Emmons, Holly Meer, and Maddie Spor.
Coach Kathaleen Recker was named the Mountain
League Coach of the Year.
Girls Soccer
Congratulations to the Lady Tigers Soccer Team for winning
the 2011 Southwestern League Championship and
finishing the season with a 9-1 league record and a 11-4-1
overall record which included a first round game in the
5A State Soccer Championship Tournament.
Congratulations go to the following Lady Tigers who
were selected to the Southwestern League All-Conference
Team: First Team: Whitney Ravan, Danielle Erickson,
and Ashley Wallace. Second Team Honorable
Mention: Stephanie Drake, Allison Maryanski, and
Kyleigh Larson. Whitney Ravan was also named Player
of the Year, and Adrea Tilford was named Coach of
Year. A special congratulations goes to Whitney for being
named to the Second Team All State, and to Danielle
and Ashley for being named to the Honorable Mention
All State Team.
Swimming and Diving
Congratulations to the Boys Swim and Diving Team for
winning the Western Slope Championships and finishing
the season with a 11-0 dual meet record. Congratulations
to the following All-Conference Champions: Cyrus
Pearo and Tyler Walton. Cyrus, Tyler, Nate Sellers,
and Kimani Robinson are also commended for qualifying
to swim in the State Championships in the 200 Medley
Relay, 200 Free-Style Relay, and the 400 Free-Style
Relay. Cyrus also qualified to swim in the: 100 Meter Fly,
200 Individual Medley, and the 100 Back-Stroke. Tyler
also qualified to swim in the 50 Free-Style, the 100 Free-
Style, and the 200 Free-Style. At the State Championships
in Fort Collins, the 200 Meter Medley Relay Team placed
15th, the 200 Meter Free-Style Relay placed 14th, and Tyler
finished 15th in the 50 Meter Free-Style. Cyrus Pearo
was also selected as the Western Slope Swimmer of the
Year.
Tennis
Congratulations to the Lady Tiger Tennis Team for winning
the 2011 Southwestern League Championships with
an 8-0 league record, and finishing the season with a 9
and 1 dual match record. The Team won the Regional
Championship and took 3rd place at the Western Slope
Open and 1st Place at the Phil Krous Tournament. The
Team finished 7th at the 5A State Championship Tournament.
Congratulations to the following girls who qualified for
the State Championship Tournament: Alexandra Proietti
- #2 Singles; Anna McGinnis - #3 Singles; Kylie Pond
and Madison Gurley - #1 Doubles, and 3 rd Place at the
State Tournament; Stephanie Skinner and Nicky Arja -
#2 Doubles, and 4 th Place at the State Tournament;
Jillian Arja and Emma Holt - #3 Doubles; and Anne
Hughes and Stephanie Wahlers - #4 Doubles. Kylie
and Madison were also selected to the Denver Post 5A All
State Honorable Mention Team.
Carl J. A. Swanson Family Scholarship
Congratulations to Anna McGinnis, Kamron Medina
and Jessica Quackenbush for being selected as the first

Mesa County Valley School District 51
Grand Junction High School
2115 Grand Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
recipients of the Carl J.A. Swanson Family Scholarship.
Anna will attend Regis University where she will pursue a
career in Nursing. Kamron will attend the University of
Colorado to pursue a career in aerospace engineering,
and Jessica will attend Colorado Mesa University.
Non-Profit Organization
US POSTAGE
PAID
Grand Junction, CO
Permit No. 207
National Youth Leadership Forum
Congratulations to Sophomore Clayton Nelson for being nominated
to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine
to be held at the University of California, Berkley, from
July 9-19, 2011.
Important Dates Important Dates
August 1-6 Band Camp at Cedaredge Sep 8 Back to School Night
August 8 New Student Registration in Counseling Sep 13 Tiger Booster Club Meeting, 6:00 p.m., Room
115
August 9 Senior Check-in from 8-Noon, Cafeteria
Junior Check-in from Noon-4, Cafeteria
Sep 14 School Advisory Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.,
Library
August 10 New Student Registration in Counseling Sep 22 Parent Teacher Conferences, 3:30—7:30 p.m.
August 11 Sophomore Check-in from 8-Noon, Cafeteria
Freshman Check-in from Noon-4, Cafeteria
August 15 Freshman Orientation, 9-2, GJHS Campus
Make-up Check-In, 8-Noon, Cafeteria
Oct 12 PSAT
Oct 20 End of 1st Marking Period
August 24 First Day of School for Students Oct 21 Teacher Workday—No Students
August 31 Fall Sports Parent Information meeting, 6:30
p.m., Auditorium
Oct 27 Teacher In Service—No Students
Sep 5 Holiday—No School Oct 28 No Contact Day—No Students

Farewell to Some Awesome Lady Tiger Soccer Players
This year we say a fond good bye to the following group of very special Lady Tigers who are four year
letter winners. In their four years at Junction, these Lady Tigers won 41 games, secured 29 shutouts, and
helped score 184 goals.
#1 Ashley Wallace-Ashley started for four years and scored 39 goals and created 18 assists. She has
received All Conference 2nd Team and 1st Team awards, and was selected to the 1stb Team in
2011.years.
#3 Victoria Rentie-During her four years, Victoria scored 8 goals and created 7 assists. She will be
remembered for being a great support player for her teammates.
#4 Danielle Erickson-Danielle started for four years and the past two years she has shown her
versatility by changing positions each of those years. Danielle began as an attacking midfielder, but most
recently helped create a solid defense as a center back. In her years at Junction, Danielle has scored 14
goals and created 15 assists. She has earned All-Conference recognition each of her four years and was
named to the All-Conference 1st Team and All State Honorable Mention Team this year.
#6 Kyleigh Larson-Kyleigh has played position for the Tigers, finishing her senior year as a defensive
midfielder. She was a senior captain and earned All-Conference 2nd Team honors in 2010 and 2011.
Kyleigh scored 6 goals in her career.
#10 Stephanie Drake – Steph started as a midfielder her freshmen year, but moved to starting as a
striker her sophomore through senior years. She scored 29 goals, earning All-Conference 1st Team
recognition in 2009 and 2010, and 2 nd Team All-Conference this year.
#13 Whitney Ravan – Whitney started as a forward for four years. Although she missed several games
her junior year due to injury – she attended each practice and game even while injured. She has scored
30 goals and created 27 assists. She received All-Conference 1st Team, Player of the Year, and 2nd
Team All State this year.
#14 Allison Maryanski – Alli moved her way into a starting position her freshmen year and hasn’t
slowed down since. She finished her high school career leading the defense as a center back. Through
the years, she helped secure 29 shutouts and scored 2 goals, and was named 2 nd Team All-Conference this
year.
# 17 Jennah Swander – Jennah has also played a variety of positions for the Tigers, but in her last two
years has really owned the outside back position. The dangerous plays she created and the solid defense
she provided often helped lead her team to victory. In her four years, she scored 3 goals and created 9
assists.
Track and Field
Boys’ Track and Field
Congratulations to the Boys Track and Field Team for their First Place finish at the Southwestern
League Championships. Also, congratulations to the following men for qualifying to the State
Championships: Nelson Rock – High Jump, Ian Chaffee – Long Jump, Colten Deters – Shot Put.

Track and Field
Girls’ Track and Field
Congratulations to the Girls Track and Field Team for their Second Place finish at the Southwestern
League Championships. Also, congratulations to the following ladies for qualifying to the State
Championships: Stephanie Ryken – 100 m dash, 200 m dash, 4X100 m relay, and 4X200 m relay;
Jamie Derrieux – 100 m hurdles, 4X100 m relay, and 4X200 m relay; Sabrina Trujillo –
4X100 m relay, and 4X200 m relay; Sarah Versluis – 4X100 m relay, 4X200 m relay, and Long Jump;
and Whitney Jackson – Long Jump. Also, a special congratulation to the 4X200 Meter Relay Team of:
Stephanie Ryken, Jamie Derrieux, Sabrina Trujillo, and Sarah Versluis. These girls set a new
school record with a time of 1:44.79 in this event; breaking the 34 year old record that was set in 1977.
At the State Championships in Denver: Long Jumper Sarah Versluis placed 7th, Long Jumper Ian
Chaffee placed 11th, the 4 by 200 Relay of Sabrina Trujillo, Stephanie Ryken, Jamie Derrieux. and
Sarah Versluis placed 7th, Shot Putter Colton Deters placed 11th, the 4 X 100 Relay of Sabrina
Trujillo, Stephanie Ryken, Jamie Derrieux, and Sarah Versluis also finished in 7 th Place.
Coach Simonton Hands-Off the Baton
Grand Junction High School would like to recognize and thank Boys and Girls Head Track and Field
Coach Darrell Simonton for serving as the Tiger Head Track and Field Coach for the past nine seasons.
Coach Simonton has decided to step down as the Head Coach, but will remain on the Tiger Track and
Field Coaching staff as an assistant coach in charge of sprinters, and sprint relays.
During the past nine seasons under Coach Simonton, Tiger Teams won 2 Regional Championships, and
1 Southwestern League Championship. Also, Tiger Teams won 33 1st place team titles at various Track
and Field Invitational meets under Darrell’s leadership. Darrell has coached 4 individual state
champions, 51 state place finishers, and his athletes have set 7 school records.
We are also pleased to announce that Sean Henry, Assistant Boys and Girls Track and Field Coach, will
become the next Head Coach for the Tiger Track and Field program. We congratulate Coach Henry,
who has been in charge of the throw team, for his acceptance of head coaching position, and look
forward to the continued successes of the Tiger Track and Field program.
Football
Congratulations to the Tiger Football Team for a very successful camp at Boise State University where
the Tigers competed against teams from California, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. The
team followed this successful outing by competing in the Red Bull Game Breakers 7 on 7 Denver
qualifying tournament. The Tigers defeated Pine Creek, Chaparral, Legacy, and Rampart to place first in
the tournament and qualify for the national tournament which will be played at Southern Methodist
University in Dallas on July 15, 2011. Junior Chandon Rose was selected as the Tournament Most
Valuable Player.

Tigers Visit Germany
On June 22 , 2011, 16 students and two chaperones from GJHS departed Grand Junction for Markt
Indersdorf, a village near Munich, for a 3 week stay at our partner school Gymnasium Markt Indersdorf.
Our partner school’s students will be hosting our students. These are the same students, whom we
hosted this past fall at GJHS. During their stay in Markt Indersdorf, our Tigers will be attending school,
visiting local sites, studying the history and culture of Southern Germany and Austria, as well as
immersing themselves in the language and culture. In addition, a two-day excursion to Salzburg will be
part of the itinerary. The following Tigers participated in this trip to Markt Indersdorf.
Jacob Bradshaw, Daniel Burns, Luke Dohm, Paul Dohm, Greta Gebhard, Chris Kadel,
John Maier, Jordan McEndree, Emma McNulty, Adam Pacheco, Bailey Reiners, Natalie Sufka,
Nicole Travis, Stephanie Wahlers, Jasmine Waples, Allie Zirger
CHSAA All State Academic Recipients
We are proud to recognize and congratulate the following 75 Spring Sports Student Athletes who were
selected as CHSAA All-State Academic or All-State Honorable Mention Student/Athletes.
Girls Golf: Kori Kerkman, Kaylene Chessani
Girls Lacrosse: Morgan Emmons, Maria LeFebre, Mallory Pilcher, Morgan Armbruster, Kiana
Atencio, Emma LeFebre, Mariah Miller
Girls Soccer: Kaitlin Adleman, Danielle Erickson, Kyleigh Larson, Victoria Rentie, Jordan
Ritter, Ashleigh Avila, Courtney Brady, Stephanie Drake, Gracie Raaum, Whitney Ravan,
Jennah Swander, Ashley Wallace, Aubri Wiley
Girls Tennis: Jillian Arja , Nicole Arja, Madison Gurley, Anna Hansen, Bailey Hilty, Anna
McGinnis, Kylie Pond, Alexandra Proietti, Alice Sabbadini, Stephanie Skinner, Gabrielle Ziola,
Ruby Gutierrez, Rachel Peguillet
Girls Track and Field: Rachel Chamberlain, Eva Delichau, Jamie Derrieux, Jeslyn Hamer, Emily
Robbins, Stephanie Ryken, Katharine Smith, Sarah Versluis, Bridget Barnes, Sabrina Trujillo
Baseball: Cory DeRush, Andrew Duff, Jeffrey Hansen, Brett Labonte, Garrick Lemley, Michael
McGovern, Sean Rubalcaba, Andrew Willett, Charles Willett, Chandon Beasley-Rose, Micah
Forney, Tyler Gastinaeu
Boys Lacrosse: Talon Bates, Luke Olson, Keith Rockwood, John Wieseler, Ryan Arnold, Logan
Bell, Harrison Boardwine, Jordan Jones, Zachary Romero.
Boys Swimming and Diving: Cyrus Pearo, Nathan Sellers, Joshua Shettler
Boys Track and Field: Evan Duff, Brandon Malloy, Kevin Martin, Tyler Winder, Payton Glasoe, Levi
Hamer
Also, congratulations to the Girls Golf, Girls Lacrosse, Girls Tennis, and Girls Track and Field
Teams for being recognized by the CHSAA as All-State Academic Teams.

2011 Siemens “We Change the World” Challenge Colorado Finalist
Congratulations to Team GJHS consisting of Daniel Lionberger and Rebecca Roskowski, with
Advisor Jane McAuley, for completing in and winning the Siemens We Can Change the World
Challenge for high schools in the state of Colorado. This competition encourages student teams to
identify an energy-related issue that has local, national and global implications and provide a viable
solution.
When Daniel and Rebecca discovered that one of their favorite hiking spots was located in an area being
considered for leasing for oil shale exploration, they decided to investigate the possibility of reclamation
and revegetation of spent oil shale. Formed millions of years ago, oil shale contains kerogen, a source
of crude oil. The team conducted an experiment to investigate whether it would be possible to
revegetate spent oil shale by mixing the spent oil shale with native top soil and plating native wild
grasses in the mixtures. Daniel and Rebecca recommended capping the shale with top soil and mixing
with top soil in an efficient ratio. They have been in contact with an environmental organization to
explore expanding the solution after determining the feasibility of other areas and countries taking
measures to properly dispose of spent oil shale.
Hugh O’Brian (HOBY) Leadership Youth Conference
Congratulations to Sophomores Ellen Atkinson and Katherine Gibson for being selected to represent
Grand Junction High School at the State HOBY Conference held from June 3 -5 at the Colorado School
of Mines in Boulder. Subsequently, Ellen was selected to attend the HOBY World Leadership Summit
which will be held at Loyola University in Chicago, the last week in July. While participating in a
number of leadership activities, Ellen and Katherine had the opportunity to hear motivational speaker
Jamie Utt, a graduate of GJHS = the Class of 2003, who provided the attendees with specific insights
and strategies on how they can be positive forces of change in their school and their community. We
look forward to the possibility Jamie visiting Junction this year to help us continue to implement
Rachel’s Challenge on campus.