The MiLL was honored to accept the 1st Student Achievement Award, presented by the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB). The presentation of the award was during the CASB’s 74th annual convention held at The Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs. The MiLL was one of only two programs in the state of Colorado to receive this award.  

This award recognized The MiLL’s innovation in creating opportunities for students to excel in CTE pathways, as well as highlighting the collaboration between Peyton and Widefield school districts to make The MiLL possible.

This was a great opportunity to share with school boards across the state how the partnership developed and how it is working successfully.

Lead instructor John Stearns said, “Historically school boards work independently, our situation is unique and people are curious about how The Mill works. I believe that founder Dean Mattson has created a good model for CTE programs across the country. We are excited to be the first recipient of this award, being one of the two schools selected in the state of Colorado is an honor.”

Four upper-level students from the MiLL were invited to accept the award and run a booth at the convention. This gave the students an opportunity to showcase projects, as well as network with local schools and businesses.

“We had four students from The MiLL attend the event and I was really impressed with all of them,” Stearns said. “Tatiana Latorre, a second-year cabinet manufacturing student, shows a great deal of leadership for women in this field. She took the lead in making connections with people on the convention floor; distributing flyers and business cards to everyone she came in contact with. I look for her to be a great leader in our program and I am confident she will be successful in the woods manufacturing industry.”

Latorre said, “I would go from booth to booth so excited to share information about a place that I love being a part of. During the presentation, I was amazed by all of the people there, and I felt so proud being a part of The MiLL and accepting the award.”

See https://themillco.org/