Colorado University Athletics
2010-11 Winning Attitude Grand Prize Awarded
As the grand prize winner, Cheyenne Mountain Junior High will host a school-wide pep rally Friday, April 15 at 1:30 p.m. MST, featuring CU Athletic Director Mike Bohn, CU student-athletes and performances by the CU cheerleaders and band. Abel Chavez, State and Local Government Affairs Director for Qwest, as well as ROOT SPORTS Senior VP/General Manager Tim Griggs, and Marketing Director Amy Turner, will also be in attendance to honor Shonkwiler. The rally will be emceed by ROOT SPORTS college basketball analyst, Ceal Barry. Cheyenne Mountain Junior High will receive a $2,500 contribution from Qwest, in addition to the $1,000 Qwest presented to the school when Shonkwiler became a finalist.
Shonkwiler showed her Winning Attitude by spearheading and implementing an anti-bullying program at CMJH called "Band Around Sevies", which intended to reduce bullying aimed at seventh graders. Shonkwiler presented the campaign to her fellow eighth grade classmates. All but four eighth graders signed an anti-bullying pledge and agreed to wear an anti-bullying wristband. The school's principal, Dr. Lori Smith, estimates incidents of bullying are down more than 60% from last year and commented, "One should never underestimate the power of kids to create solutions to problems in our schools and communities. One student can make a difference. I feel proud knowing "Band Around Sevies" will continue to make our school a safe haven of understanding, acceptance and learning."
This is the fifth year Qwest, ROOT SPORTS and CU Athletics have come together to honor middle school students around Colorado for the differences they make in their communities by providing outstanding efforts in sportsmanship, community involvement and teamwork. Ten winning entrants and their classmates earned a trip to either a CU football or basketball game, along with a $1,000 contribution for their school from Qwest.
The 2010-11 Winning Attitude finalists were Shonkwiler, Shaye Evans (Evergreen Middle School; Evergreen), Joseph Krafsur (Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School; Fort Collins), Jaden Peacock (Mancos Middle School; Mancos), Cora Enterline (Casey Middle School; Boulder), Josh Bulawa (Sierra Middle School; Parker), Laura Garcia (Centennial K-8; Denver), Kylie Bunker (Windsor Middle School; Windsor), Lucy Lawrence (Powell Middle School; Littleton) and Brenna Costello (Louisville Middle School; Louisville).