Investigation Results in Superintendent’s Dismissal, Teacher Evaluations Complete, School Board Continues with Policy Updates, Board Position Opening
by Laura Vass
Custer County School District C-1 Regular School Board Meeting on May 13th, began at 4:30 p.m.
All School Board members were present except Brad Davis who is moving out of the county and turned in his resignation. After a few changes to the agenda, to include removal of the Executive Session, the public was given their opportunity to speak.
Lea Grundy encouraged people to stay for a full meeting as she has been doing, noting that she has found that Facebook is not the best place to get information. She said she had requested the criminal background records so she could understand the issue with the administration. As such, she thanked the Board for doing their due diligence in this matter.
A student and parent expressed disappointment that the football Coach resigned.
School Counselor Troy Bomgardner expressed concern about the turnover in recent years and asked that the Board give some grace to the Superintendent and Principal (who were on paid leave pending investigation) and questioned if the Board broke policy in not doing reviews of the Superintendent in September and December. (Superintendent Peck was given his review in January, in agreement with his contract.) Continue reading May 2025 School Board Meeting: Investigation Results in Superintendent’s Dismissal→
Agi Thomas #15 Photo via Custer County Schools, Leah Grundy
by Leah Grundy
It is the start of a new era for the Custer County High School Football program. Coach Clayton Stallones is the 3rd head coach for this team in the last four years and he has accepted the challenge of “starting over” yet again. He comes to Custer County from Pueblo with his wife, Jade, and their five young children.
EARN THE RIGHT – That is the motto for this season as the program has been redefined around leadership, commitment, work ethic, and community involvement. The past is the past and the focus is on the future creating a program that the school, athletes, and community can be proud of and support. It will take time and Coach Stallones is determined to reach that goal sooner rather than later.
The first “8-man football” game of the season was played on a neutral field in Limon, CO, where our Custer County Bobcats (team of 16 players and one coach) faced Sedgwick County, ranked #7th in the state (who arrived in a custom motor coach with 6 coaches and a 45-man roster. It was awesome and I will admit, intimidating and honestly, I was a little jealous!!).
Thank you to the die-hard parents, and new AD, Aundrea McCormick, that drove 3 hours one way to support these kids as the sun set behind the “Crow’s Nest” and the mosquitos came out in force!
The first half was all about these kids learning to trust their coach by putting into action the new plays and positions that they have been practicing all summer. Yes, there were nerves, “mistakes” that led to learning opportunities, and the lopsided score would have discouraged anyone but, with a new era, came new perseverance!
The second half was led by heart, and determination as Agi Thomas, #15 had a 70+ yard kick return for a touchdown that put the Bobcats on the scoreboard! Sophomore, Masson Simmons – QB completed a pass to Agi for a second touchdown and the defense, led by Sophomore Taylor Bradford #55 scored a safety! Wyatt Grundy #10 had a fumble recovery in the second half.
The Starters (Seniors Austin Scholl #50, Wyatt Grundy #10, Juniors Ty Stoltzfus #65, Taylor Bradford #55, Drake Knopick #49, Sophomores Agi Thomas #15, Masson Simmons #12 and Freshman Eli Flynn #2) definitely “Earned The Right” and played offense, defense and special teams all night.
When needed, they were supported by teammates Seniors Tryston
Evans #64, Jordan Craig #88, Sophomores Wade Pierce #22, and Freshman Bode Bridges #25, Ethan Fore #17, Brayden Baker #11, Jacob Tomassoni #6, and Lucas Bradford #3. Everyone was called to step up and play their position and they did!
There were many great tackles, running plays, and the passing game shows great promise for Simmons and his
receivers.
Come watch their first home game, this Friday, September 6th at 7 p.m. in the shadows of the great Sangre De Cristo Mountains and see if you can feel a change not only in the season but in the football
program as well.
This week’s Players of the Week
photo via Custer County Schools, Leah Grundy
Offensive Player of the Week: Agi Thomas #15
Defensive Player of the Week: Taylor Bradford #55
Special Teams Player of the Week: Agi Thomas #15
Congratulations Agi Thomas #15,
Tony’s Mountain Pizza Player of the Game!!
Big Send Off for Exchange Student
Lucas ArnanzSacristan
Host family Vogelsongs with Lucas Courtesy of Vogelsongs
by Fred Hernandez
It all started with Mrs. Donna Vogelsong some-time last year. As an empty nester she started feeling the pangs of being alone at home and started toying with the idea of foster parenting. In conversation with her husband Paul, it was agreed that more information should be gathered before making a final decision. During her research, she came upon a posting on Facebook seeking volunteers as hosts for the International Student Exchange (ISE). At first, she let the thought slide. But a week or so later there it was again. With agreement from Paul she sent for an application, filled it out and mailed it back. Continue reading Custer’s CASTILIAN CONNECTION→
L to R: These Custer County students were inducted into National Honor Society on April 25, 2022. Kylee Morrell, Haley Nemeth, Emma Rusk, Autumn Craig, Tanner Hall and Benjamin Stafford. Courtesy photo
Custer County Booster Club and Community:
Making a Big Difference
Press Release
The Custer County Bobcat Booster Club (CCBBC) just finished a happy and successful weekend selling concessions to the Westcliffe Stampede PRCA Rodeo. They grossed over $8,000 in sales over the two-day event, helping them support the many good extracurricular activities at Custer County School.
After subtracting the expenses, the net will be about half that amount. Westcliffe Meats donated all the hamburger free of charge, and Elevation Meats donated brats and hot dogs at wholesale price.
CCBBC has supported the school beginning in 2013 with everything from choir uniforms and band supplies to camp scholarships and the Knowledge Bowl. Unlike most booster clubs, which typically just support football, CCBBC was started to help make the full school experience in all activities accessible for all students. Whether it is uniforms, band instruments, transportation or camp scholarships, the booster club is dedicated to ensuring every student in the county has a chance to take part in extra-curricular activities, and to have a chance at a generous scholarship. Continue reading Booster Club and Community: Making a Big Difference→
by Fred Hernandez
It is an old sport to be sure but in Custer County it is the latest for youngsters between the ages of 12 and 18. Recently formed by Todd Byerly and a group of local “aficionados” this new team called the Custer County Clay Busters is starting out with about fifteen members. The coaches are Todd Byerly, Jerry Tracewell and Kirk Meir. Their booster club, which will oversee fundraising and other club activities, has Reggie Foster, Mike Foster and Jillian Dinsmore. Continue reading Clay Busters Gaining Members→
2021 Custer County Fair
All events on this schedule are OPEN to the PUBLIC Spectators!
Monday, July 12, 2021
7:00 am – 8:00 am: OPEN class check in
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm: 4-H Firearms Competition-
Custer County Sheriff’s Office Shooting Range Tuesday, July 13, 2021
9:00 am – 4-H Horse Shows & Gymkhana–Saddle Club Arena
3:00 pm – 4-H Cat Show and Costume Class – Lamb Barn
5:30 pm – Speech Competition Wednesday, July 14, 2021
9:00 am – Archery Shooting Sports Competition – Cowboy Church
9:00 am – 5:00 pm: Exhibit Building Open Thursday-Saturday
Thursday, July 15, 2021
8:30 am – Dog Show (4-H) – Show Ring
9:00 am – Silent auction begins for 4-H Indoor Projects, Open Projects, & 4-H Small Animal
10:30 am -12:30 pm: Rabbit and Poultry Classes 4-H, FFA
1:00 pm – Llama Show (4-H) public participation
after show – Saddle Club Arena
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm : Pork Dinner Sponsored by
Custer County 4-H Council
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Swine Classes
(4-H and FFA) Friday, July 16, 2021
9:00 am – 10:30 am: 4-H and FFA
Beef Classes
10:30 am – 1:00 pm: 4-H and FFA
Sheep Classes
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm 4-H and FFA
Goat Classes
2:30 pm: Master Showmanship
(after goat show) Saturday, July 17,2021
10:00 am: Rodeo Parade – Downtown
11:00 am – Steak Dinner Sponsored by Cowboy Church
and Fair Board
11:00 am – Awards Ceremony- Livestock Buckles
and Shooting Sports
12:00 pm – Livestock Auction (4-H and FFA)
4:00 pm – Silent Auction Ends for all Indoor, Open &
4-H Small Animal Projects
by George Gramlich
Wow! The Bobcats came to the 2021 Colorado State Track and Field Championship well prepared and with a winning attitude as our four state qualifiers all did simply outstanding jobs in their respective events. The event, was held from Thursday, June 24th – Saturday, June 26th, at JeffCo Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado.
Coach Hal Walter said that “the state meet followed a nine-meet regular season that extended past graduation due to Covid-19 measures, and culminated with three meets in an eight-day stretch. They had only four days recovery/prep before heading to the state meet.”.
Leading the Bobcat effort was our middle and long-distance star, Micah Zeller. Ending a tremendous career at Custer County Central School District, Micah turned up the heat at the three-day meet and produced some outstanding results. Micah competed in three events: the 800 meter race, the 1600 meter race and the 3200 meter race. Running that many middle/long distance events in just a few days is, in itself, quite an achievement.
The highlight of Micah’s efforts was his definitive win in the 3200 meter race with an excellent time of 9 minutes and 47 seconds (9:47). It was a solid victory as 2nd place was 10:04 which yields a very nice victory margin. Micah came close to a second victory in the 800 meter race coming in a close second with a very good time of 1:57:61 missing 1st place by a slim margin. Astonishingly, Micah grabbed another 2nd place in the 1600 meter race with a great time of 4:23: 20, again just missing first place. His silver finishes, in the 800 and 1600, were personal best times for him. Good job, sir.
Jonah Carichner, our 400 meter star, also turned in a super performance placing 14th in the 400 meter finals in a very competitive race. Jonah’s time of 54.87 was not far off a top five finish. Great work.
Kaydin Moore also did a tremendous job in her hurdles and triple jump events. Kaydin grabbed an impressive 9th place in the 300 meter hurdles race with a super time of 50:92. She did well in the 100 meter hurdles preliminary race placing 10th with a time of 17:69 but just failed to qualify for the finals. Kaydin did some great jumping in the girls triple jump placing 14th with a
real good leap of 32-04 meters.
Harrison Walter, the fourth Custer Bobcat to go to State, ran the 200 meter Dash in the Special Olympic division. He did very well, placing 9th, which is a podium finish!
A super effort by our Bobcat track team, dedicated Head Track and Field Coach Joy Parrish, Distance Running Coach Hal Walter, and Throwing Coach Caden Parker. Thanks from all of us.
Photos courtesy of Custer County Schools and Coach Hal Walter.
