Every year, prospective 8th graders and their parents can come to DHS and tour the school, talk to students and teachers, and get signed up for clubs and activities. This year, it was held on Monday, January 27, 2025. However, the format was a bit different from previous years.
As always, it started out with a speech from Principal Dr. Jon Hoerl in the gym followed by student speeches about many of the programs we have here at DHS, such as sports teams and the Elevation and AP programs. After citing the high graduation rate of 95%, Dr. Hoerl said “We also have the opportunity for kids to take advantage of a lot of different things.”
One of the programs that was highlighted was the Navajo/Dine language class, which is one of the few in Colorado. After a short video showcasing photos, videos, and parts of news broadcasts, they had students from the class talk about it, speaking in a mix of English and Dine. In addition, students from sports teams, AP and Elevation students, and more took to the microphone to tell the class of 2029 about their high school experience.
Afterwards, students and their families had a chance to explore the school through breakout sessions of different classes and also had the opportunity to talk to clubs they may be interested in. St. Columba 8th grader Molly Hays said she was excited for the theater program here at DHS.
In the cafeteria and commons, there was an array of tables showcasing everything from Student Council, sports teams, and clubs. In his speech, Dr. Hoerl said, “Almost 80% of our students are involved in some type of club activity, sport or both.” Escalante 8th grader Lydia Orlowski will be one of those students, and said she is planning on playing soccer, track, and volleyball.
In addition to getting 8th graders to sign up for clubs, it’s also a great way to publicize. As students browsed the selections, clubs encouraged them with candy, catchy signs, and more. “We know that if you participate, you’ll graduate, “ Dr. Hoerl said.
For parents and students interested in specific pathways or classes, breakout sessions were held. Honors Language Arts, Graphic Design, Engineering, and Woodworking were some of the rooms 8th graders could visit. These rooms were designed to answer questions and showcase the classes. Mountain 8th grader Morgan Stapleton was excited for HLA after visiting the breakout room.
Over the next week, the various middle schools will be visiting the Impact Center to explore career pathways and register for classes. And then in the fall, DHS will welcome the class of 2029.
