El Paso County Colorado School District 49 honors staff and volunteers at October ‘Fantastic 49’ presentation

El Paso County Colorado School District 49 recognized staff and volunteers at its October "Fantastic 49" presentation, honoring contributions to arts education, student engagement and staff wellness.

Kayla Maldonado, the district’s internal communications manager, opened the presentation and named sponsors, saying the event was supported by Dion's, Air Academy Credit Union and Raising Cane's. She called the evening a chance to "recognize staff and volunteers who are exceptional examples of how D49 is the best place to learn, work, and lead."

The district honored George Bluhin, a volunteer at Vista Ridge High School, for eight years of service supporting the marching band and winter guard. Andrew King, who nominated Bluhin, described the honoree’s hands-on contributions: "I couldn't do half of the things I do with the marching band and the winter guard program without this man standing next to me," King said, citing Bluhin’s work designing props, building 3-D printed mechanisms and organizing equipment and storage.

The board also honored Lauren Waldorf, an art teacher at Stetson Elementary. Delaney Martin, who nominated Waldorf, said students regularly name art as their favorite special and described how Waldorf's lessons have lasting impact: "one parent got one of the art pieces that a student made tattooed on them," Martin said. Waldorf, who said she began with the district during the pandemic and is now seeing her first cohort reach fifth grade, thanked colleagues and the nominator.

Brenda Waldron and Don Takis, wellness co-leaders at Falcon Elementary School of Technology, were recognized for expanding staff and student wellness programs. Charlene Stegman, the district’s health and wellness specialist, joined by video to outline Falcon’s initiatives—walking Wednesdays, staff breakfasts, a staff "Zen Den," student Healthy Hawks programming and anti-vaping education—and announced that Falcon Elementary received the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s America’s Healthiest School Award. Stegman said Falcon was the only school from District 49 to apply and "the only school in Colorado Springs to be awarded."

Accepting the recognition, the Falcon co-leaders described practical supports in the Zen Den: "We have neck massagers. We have heating pads. We have snacks," they said, and invited colleagues to use the space for brief breaks. They also said the paperwork for award categories is substantial but that they plan to pursue additional recognition next year.

Laurie Thompson, president of the Board of Education, closed the segment by connecting the honorees’ work to long-term student outcomes and staff wellbeing, and announced the regular board meeting would begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

The presentation focused on recognition rather than board action; no motions or votes were taken during the ceremony.