2022 Ark Valley Pride Award Announcements on May 23rd
2021 Award Recipients
BECK CERON
Grand Marshal
“Hello to everyone in the Ark Valley! My name’s Beck Cerón and I am honored to be the Grand Marshall of this years Ark Valley Pride. I’m thankful to be a part of a town that’s full of art, integrity, kindness and ultimately progression.. Here’s to staying true to yourself and standing for your rights!”
Youth Awards
AllIES Of The Year
Just Adventure Art
The Youth Ally of the Year Award recognizes and honors contributions made by an individual or group who shows a consistent commitment to helping the LGBTQ+ community by using their resources and centers of influence to provide opportunities for and empower LGBTQ+ individuals, employees, organizations, or the community-at-large.
Leadership Award
Vander Ritchie
The Leadership Award is intended to recognize a student that has distinguished themselves as leaders and outstanding advocates through their involvement beyond the campus and into the community.
Rising Star Award
Quinn Weirdsma
The Rising Star Award recognizes emerging leaders who show ongoing and exceptional growth for their contribution to our community.
Youth of the Year
Casper Jackson
The Youth of the Year Award is intended to recognize and celebrate youth who have overcome adversity and demonstrated exceptional character and accomplishments in school and community.
Community Awards
ALLY of the Year
Natalie Moore
The Ally of the Year Award recognizes and honors contributions made by an individual or organization who shows a consistent commitment to helping the LGBTQ+ community by using their resources and centers of influence to provide opportunities for and empower LGBTQ+ individuals, employees, organizations, or the community-at-large.
I am honored to receive this award. It is with an open heart that I accept this title and ask others to join me in becoming allies for LGBTQ+ friends, families, and community members. My journey started with myself, with finding the courage to live my authentic life. I learned that not all people have been encouraged to do the same; my friends and students identifying as LGBTQ+ have not always been supported in being their true selves. I knew I wanted to create safe spaces for others to be authentic.
I ventured down the path to becoming an ally by learning, looking at my own biases, and asking questions. Soon I found myself supporting a student-led Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) and becoming a Safe Zones trainer. I have continued to expand my learning and recently completed an online Queer(ing) Practice in Education class at CU Boulder.
Leading an LGBTQ+ support group this past year has reminded me of the power a community has to become an agent of change for inclusivity and equality. I continue to grow and learn as we challenge and shift cultural norms. Please join me in building communities that are safer and more affirming of LGBTQ+ youth.
Cornerstone award
Megan Strauss and the Alpine Achievers Initiative
The Cornerstone Award is intended to recognize individuals or organizations that show a consistent commitment to race, gender, and age equality by creating opportunities through employment, funding, and community outreach.
Alpine Achievers Initiative (AAI) is a youth-work based non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire, connect and nurture youth, families and communities. AAI is also deeply committed to equity work and is developing an equity strategic plan. If you would like to learn more about AAI, their website is a great place to start: https://www.alpineachievers.org. They’re also actively recruiting new board members so if you’d like to contribute to this awesome organization you should let them know!
Elevation award
Mel Roberts
The Elevation Award is intended to recognize and honor individual(s) or organizations that through mindfulness and faith lifts not only the members of our LGBTQ+ community but the community as a whole.
“I’m Rev. Melinda (Mel) Roberts and I am the pastor at Salida United Methodist Church. My son, Kasey, and I moved to Salida 3 years ago. I have committed myself to serve not only my congregation at the church but the entire community. When I say entire, I MEAN entire. It is my belief that the heart of God beats for the underdog, the oppressed, the abused, the underprivileged and the overlooked in our society. Thus, I am committed to fighting for the rights and the humanity of these groups no matter their sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic identity, citizenship status, or living situation. This past year, the Covid pandemic has pressed my church into new forms of service to the community. We were happy to fulfill a request from the Chaffee County Health Dept to provide free showers to the “home free” in our community and provide space at the church to house the Women’s Emergency Shelter managed by Chaffee County Hospitality. A more personal passion of mine, as the white mother of an African American son, is serving as the vice-chair and Rev. of CCSURJ (Central Colorado Showing Up for Racial Justice).”