Power Lunches
Throughout the school year, we invite community members to visit AHS to present to and chat with interested students about their work and life experiences. Power Lunches are a great way to connect our students with the ideas, tools, resources and information that inspire them to pursue their interests and passions.
Power Lunches run from 11:30--12:00, and include a talk and a question and answer session. Bring your lunch and join the conversation!
Interested in Being a Power Lunch Presenter? Contact LINK program coordinator Zoë Nelsen at (970) 247-2474 ext. 2336 or [email protected].
Power Lunches, 2013-14:
Thursday, February 20th, 11:30-12:00: Britt Gordon is a local painter who's work is dynamic, clever and beautiful. She shared advice with aspiring visual artists about how to effectively connect with your audience and market your work.
Thursday, January 23rd, 11:30-12:00: Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center presented career options in the health care field, helping students learn more about what options exist, the costs and benefits of different careers and more.
Thursday, January 9th, 11:30-12:00: Desert Sun Coffee Roasters is a local company with an eye toward social justice and sustainability. They joined us for a coffee tasting in preparation for our annual Desert Sun coffee fundraiser.
Friday, December 6th, 11:30-12:00: Paul Romere worked for NASA at the Johnson Space Center from 1962 to 1997 and was a key player in the original design of the Space Shuttle. He shared what it took to achieve his career success in the field of aerospace design, as well as his take on the changes in the Space Program over the past five decades.
Thursday, November 21st, 11:30-12:00: Laurie Dickson from the local organization Deer Hill Expeditions which has been offering summer wilderness adventure and service programs for teens both regionally and internationally for nearly 30 years. 9th grader Andrew Middleton and 11th grader Avra Saslow will share their experiences as Deer Hill program participants in the Southwest and Costa Rica, and Spanish Teacher Dave Haffeman will share his perspective as program leader this past summer. Come learn about opportunities to become an intern at Deer Hill's Basecamp, a Program Leader on an expedition, a participant, or a scholarship recipient.
Thursday, November 7th, 11:30-12:00: AHS Senior Molly Black traveled to an orphanage and school in the Spring Valley slum of Nairobi, Kenya this summer. She fell in love with the Kenyan people as she heard their stories and experienced life nine thousand miles away. Molly will explain what she learned about the value of diversity and gaining cultural understanding, and the significance of this in a task-oriented world.
Thursday, October 17th, 11:30-12:00: Jesse Ogle and Ashley Edwards from Independent Artist Management (iAM) and the local band Hello Dollface performed live music and talked with students about following their passion for music in a way that is rooted in activism, social equality and community. iAM was founded on the belief that talented, hard-working independent artists deserve a a quality platform to perform live music regardless of the size of their community. iAM provides professional organization, booking and management to musicians who are passionate and motivated about spreading their music to a wider audience. They also offer music education that nurtures young musicians' desire to improver their skills and craft original songs. Come learn how to follow your passion and bring more music into your life!
Past Power Lunch Presentations:
2012-13
Throughout the school year, we invite community members to visit AHS to present to and chat with interested students about their work and life experiences. Power Lunches are a great way to connect our students with the ideas, tools, resources and information that inspire them to pursue their interests and passions.
Power Lunches run from 11:30--12:00, and include a talk and a question and answer session. Bring your lunch and join the conversation!
Interested in Being a Power Lunch Presenter? Contact LINK program coordinator Zoë Nelsen at (970) 247-2474 ext. 2336 or [email protected].
Power Lunches, 2013-14:
Thursday, February 20th, 11:30-12:00: Britt Gordon is a local painter who's work is dynamic, clever and beautiful. She shared advice with aspiring visual artists about how to effectively connect with your audience and market your work.
Thursday, January 23rd, 11:30-12:00: Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center presented career options in the health care field, helping students learn more about what options exist, the costs and benefits of different careers and more.
Thursday, January 9th, 11:30-12:00: Desert Sun Coffee Roasters is a local company with an eye toward social justice and sustainability. They joined us for a coffee tasting in preparation for our annual Desert Sun coffee fundraiser.
Friday, December 6th, 11:30-12:00: Paul Romere worked for NASA at the Johnson Space Center from 1962 to 1997 and was a key player in the original design of the Space Shuttle. He shared what it took to achieve his career success in the field of aerospace design, as well as his take on the changes in the Space Program over the past five decades.
Thursday, November 21st, 11:30-12:00: Laurie Dickson from the local organization Deer Hill Expeditions which has been offering summer wilderness adventure and service programs for teens both regionally and internationally for nearly 30 years. 9th grader Andrew Middleton and 11th grader Avra Saslow will share their experiences as Deer Hill program participants in the Southwest and Costa Rica, and Spanish Teacher Dave Haffeman will share his perspective as program leader this past summer. Come learn about opportunities to become an intern at Deer Hill's Basecamp, a Program Leader on an expedition, a participant, or a scholarship recipient.
Thursday, November 7th, 11:30-12:00: AHS Senior Molly Black traveled to an orphanage and school in the Spring Valley slum of Nairobi, Kenya this summer. She fell in love with the Kenyan people as she heard their stories and experienced life nine thousand miles away. Molly will explain what she learned about the value of diversity and gaining cultural understanding, and the significance of this in a task-oriented world.
Thursday, October 17th, 11:30-12:00: Jesse Ogle and Ashley Edwards from Independent Artist Management (iAM) and the local band Hello Dollface performed live music and talked with students about following their passion for music in a way that is rooted in activism, social equality and community. iAM was founded on the belief that talented, hard-working independent artists deserve a a quality platform to perform live music regardless of the size of their community. iAM provides professional organization, booking and management to musicians who are passionate and motivated about spreading their music to a wider audience. They also offer music education that nurtures young musicians' desire to improver their skills and craft original songs. Come learn how to follow your passion and bring more music into your life!
Past Power Lunch Presentations:
2012-13
- Diane Howes of Magpie Software presented "Software Programming" outlining a typical day of a software programmer and the skills needed to become one. Diane discussed how projects like the Mars Rover and Twitter use software programming. Flier here.
- Durango Rotary presented how students can create an INTERACT Club at AHS and participate in the Youth Exchange program. Flier here.
- Travis Price presented his latest work "The Mythic Modern: Architectural Expeditions into the Spirit of Place." Travis, FAIA, is a multiple award-winning architect, philosopher, and innovator in environmentally sound architecture. He lives, teaches, and practices in Washington, D.C. when not somewhere exploring the emerging world. Flier here.
- Elke Duerr, filmaker and wolf activist for the Web of Life Foundation discussed her latest documentary "Stories of Wolves" which chronicles the Mexican Gray Wolf recovery project. Flier here.
- Marci Cary and Lisa Adams of Blue Heron Canoe and Kayaking presented "River Safety and Slalom Boating." Flier here.
- Kyla Husted, AHS Senior and YES Abroad Ambassador, shared her experience in Ghana where she focused on improving American-Muslim relations. Flier here.
- Dr. Bill Plested is more than a cardiovascular surgeon-- he is a passionate advocate for both patients and physicians. He presented a power lunch entitled "What in the World Shall I Do?" Flier here.
- Mark Reddy presented an interactive introduction to the psychological interpretation of handwriting. Mark has studied handwriting since the mid-1980s, has three handwriting analysis certifications, a BA in social science and an MA in Handwriting Psychology. He has done primary research in handwriting of suicides, worked as a forensic handwriting specialist, taught college courses in handwriting psychology, and presented at national and international handwriting conferences. Flier here .
- Desert Sun Coffee Roasters lead a presentation about the primary tastes of coffee, its origin, and fair trade coffee. Flier here.
- Interactive theater workshop with instructors from Durago Arts Center. Flier here.
- African Drum Performance by author, singer-songwriter, and Djembe player, Gustaff Besungu. Flier here.
- Southwest Conservation Corps presented the history of conservation corps and national service and gave an overview of SCC programs, highlighting High School crews for underclassmen and Adult Crews for graduating seniors. Flier here.
- AHS junior Nickie Dinovo shared her LINK internship experience with Loop Abroad and her work with an elephant sanctuary in Cambodia. Flier here.
- AHS junior John Rhoades discussed his LINK internship in a dive shop in Hawaii through a presentation entitled "The World Through Bubbles." Have you ever looked at the ocean and wondered what lurked beneath the waves? Flier here.
- Heidi Williams, an AHS sophomore, presented her experience in Costa Rica working with Leatherback sea turtles and other ocean life. Flier here.
- Linda Barnes, Certified Nurse Midwife, shared her 25 years of medical experience in New York City, East Africa, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.
- Mark Williams is a Fellow at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research and Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Colorado, Boulder. In his talk entitled, "Skier to Snow Scientist," he discussed how he turned a passion for skiing into a passion for snow science. Flier here
- Martie Woodford, Mapping/GIS Specialist, presented "Mapping in an Information Society" with Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing technology. Flier here.
- Nancy Cummings, United Blood Services, demonstrated how blood is drawn in preparation for the AHS Blood Drive on December 8th. Flier here.
- Andy Gleason, Fort Lewis College Professor and avalanche research scientist, talked about avalanche awareness and local snow science and avalanche research. Flier here.
- Lori Moore Walsh and Kelly Fearney of Russell Planning and Engineering presented a slideshow about their experiences with FLC's Engineers Without Borders in Laos and Ecuador. Flier here.
- Michael Thunder of the TeaRoom presented a tea tasting of Japanese and Chinese tea as well as the ancient art of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Flier here.
- Desert Sun Coffee Roasters presented a coffee tasting and talk about organic and fair trade coffee. Flier here.
- Riki Ott, PhD, is a marine biologist, activist, and author who presented "Rethinking Democracy & Protecting What We Love." Flier here.
- Caitlyn McCullough, Director of Resources for Medical Education and Collaboration, presents "So You Want a Career in Medicine..." Flier here.
- AHS junior Ian Bowers presented his LINK internship experience with Street Poets in "Reconciliation and Writing in Los Angeles." Flier here.