Welcome to the Multicultural Committee Webpage

Mission Statement: United in Culture, One Community Standing Together Vision Statement: The Multicultural Committee will build and celebrate partnerships between diverse entities of the Ignacio Community.

The Multi-Cultural Committee meets every month on the fourth Monday at 11:50 a.m. in the District Administration Office. Lunch is provided.

Interested in joining the committee? Contact Cori Stevens at 970-563-0518

Mission Statement: United in Culture, One Community Standing Together

Vision Statement: The Multicultural Committee will build and celebrate partnerships between diverse entities of the Ignacio Community.

  1. To achieve our mission, we have adopted the following plan:
  • The committee will encourage mutual collaboration between our schools and our multi-ethnic community which shows support for every entity.
  • The Committee will supervise and encourage implementation of Character Counts by all community entities.
  • Work to implement multi-ethnic cultural activities both inside and outside of school time and encourage students, staff, and community members to participate.
  • Create and update a contact list of community contacts to enhance education either through visitors coming to school for class activities or school wide presentations. The list would also be used to set up class or school educational trips to local organizations.

2. The committee will supervise the following Character Counts initiatives to encourage participation and implementation in our multi-ethnic community:

  • Create awards and recognition for those who display acts of great character.
  • Continue to grow our participating business list for Bobcat Coins.
  • Conduct a monthly review and sharing of Character Counts activities and events.
  • Commit to the success of Character Counts as a committee and as a community by: Collaborating and planning community wide Character Counts events. Encouraging community wide participation through word of mouth, advertising, and participation in our community reading program. Plan fundraising events and opportunities for donations to support activities, events, and rewards.

What is culture: Culture is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups.

CHARACTER COUNTS PERSON OF THE MONTH

Each month the Multi Cultural Committee honors someone exhibiting the Character Counts Pillars of Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.

Miguel Perez - May CC of the Month

Miguel Perez is a Safety Resource Officer for the district, working for the Town of Ignacio as a police officer, and during his off hours, policing the streets of Ignacio. He is friendly with all the students and is well-respected. Miguel visits all the schools, walking around the halls to ensure everyone is safe while he interacts with the students. At the elementary school, the students can use their Character Counts coins to be a "cop for an hour." Miguel provides them with a vest and handcuffs, allowing the student to walk around the school as a cop. Miguel also coaches football, wrestling, and soccer, and is very involved with students. He serves as a positive influence in the community, and his kindness encourages students to consider joining the police force after they graduate.

Christine Baker - April CC of the Month

Christine Baker-Sage has been a strong advocate for youth. You can always find her at sporting events supporting all students. She has worked her whole life in some sort of service to others. As Chairwoman, she led with dignity. She continues to be an advocate for MMIW. She is kind, caring, and compassionate. I believe she is well deserving of receiving the Character Counts award because she represents all pillars and has high expectations for herself. Christine has been helping sponsor the girl's high school basketball team for a few years now by donating MMIW hoodies. She is very caring to all kids.

Molly Turner- March CC of the Month

Molly Turner is a prime example of every pillar of Character Counts. Molly is an amazing and artistic woodshop teacher sharing her skills with students from 8th-12th grade. If you haven’t seen her remarkable chainsaw creations, there is a Bobcat by the office that she carved. She teaches important skills from Intro to Woods, the use of basic tools, and building trades to the most advanced machines. Besides teaching, Molly sponsors the Skills USA team, taking students to competitions and bringing home student awards. She graciously creates the Character Counts awards each month, athletic and academic awards, the board's nameplates, and other items too numerous to mention. She is kind, generous, respected by students and staff and an outstanding addition to the Ignacio School District and community.

Amy Vezeau
Amy Vezeau - February CC of the Month

Amy Vezeau is new to our Elementary staff this year working as a Paraprofessional in the Special Education Department. She works closely with our highest needs students and always shows them love and support no matter the situation. Her patience and desire to improve the program are beyond admirable. Amy is also a valuable teammate to all Elementary staff in need of a helping hand. She exemplifies the pillar of Caring!

January Character Counts Person of the Month

Cindy Phillips represents every pillar. She worked at Ignacio School District in the elementary and high school.  As a secretary she always made everyone feel welcome.  She left due to health reasons but has since returned to help out in the elementary cafeteria. Her passion for kids and love for the district have never wavered. She has such a bubbly personality and turns even the worst of situations into something position to help others. She is an outstanding person inside and out and is a blessing to every person she comes in contact with.  Cindy is one of those rare diamonds that is hard to find.

December Character Counts Person of the Month

Samantha Walker composed and wrote the music to the Character Counts Anthem.  She taught the anthem to all the students at the school.  They regularly perform the song at assemblies and concerts.  Recently she submitted the anthem to the National Character Counts Organization.  They have accepted the anthem and have added it to the website for all to listen.  The site gives credit to Samantha Walker and the students in the Choir.  Her promotion of the Character Counts has been amazing and worth recognition.  Samantha has provided the words, chords, and samples of the Beginning Choir singing the song.  Link to the Character site with the song, words, chords, and recognition: https://charactercounts.org/character-counts-anthem

November Character Counts Person of the Month

Bird Red greatly exhibits all of the character counts pillars. He is an amazing role model that many youth in our community look up to. He always brightens up their day and puts a smile on their face. Bird is a model and an artist, he teaches the kids to chase their dreams no matter how big, showing that you can be so much more than this small town. Mr. Red takes pride in representing his culture and sharing it with others. Thank you, Bird for being an amazing member of our community

October Character Counts Person of the Month

Annette Gallegos has been a long time supporter of the Ignacio Community.  She attends, participates, and volunteers for both school activities and community events. She has done these things for over 50 years.  She is always positive in her demeanor (with a smile) and in her actions (which are so supportive).  Annette works for TBK bank in Durango and ensures that Ignacio gets its fair share of attention and funding from the bank.  It is clear that she cares deeply about this community, the schools, and the youth.  She bleeds Bobcat Red.  Thank you Annette for all the great many things you do to make Ignacio a great place to work and live.

September Character Counts Person of the Month

TRAVIS WHIPPLE – AD AT FLC

Travis is the Athletic Director at Fort Lewis College. He is such a big supporter of our community, and he goes out of his way to help reach out youth and give them opportunities that they normally wouldn't have. From bringing FLC basketball to SunUte, to giving away camp spots at no cost, there isn't anything Travis isn't willing to collaborate on

August Character Counts Person of the Month

Stoney WhiteThunder is a model of responsibility and respectfulness in our community and school district.  He has often performed both drumming and singing with others and by himself at many events in the community.  He is an excellent representative of his family, culture, and his people.  He also treats others with kindness and respect both inside and outside of school.  We are proud that Stoney is in our district and in our community.

June Character Counts Person of the Month

Trish Caroline Wytas (Rise & Shine)

Trish is the kind of person that once you meet her, you don't forget her! She is welcoming, kind, and caring to everyone that enters her shop. Every Tuesday she donates 10% of her proceeds to Ignacio non-profits. Trish speaks so fondly of Ignacio and all those that helped her start her coffee shop. She is open and caring and always willing to give a helping hand or a big hug!