DECA state practice night

    Brighton High School DECA members are off to another state conference, and they need help. Community members and past DECA members are invited to the third annual DECA practice night Feb. 17 and 18 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. in the marketing/DECA classrooms at Brighton High School. There are a total of 56 students going to the state conference that will need to practice during those times. Volunteers are needed to watch presentations and provide feedback, help judge role plays, watch state officer speeches, enjoy the speed of quiz bowl, and/or just get an experience of what DECA is really about. For more information, call Debra James at 303-655-4255 or e-mail djames@sd27j.org.  

Jazz and spaghetti at Stuart

    Otho E Stuart Middle School presents jazz night and a free spaghetti dinner Thursday, Feb. 18, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the school cafetorium with performances by PVHS Jazz Band and PVHS Jazz Choir, with a special presentation by the Joshua Trinidad Jazz Trio.

Financial aid help Feb. 20 at Aims

    GREELEY – Aims Community College is hosting an event that provides students and potential students assistance in completing the free application for federal student aid. The event, College Goal Sunday, will actually be Saturday this year in Greeley. Come to the Mildred S. Hansen building on the Greeley campus from 2 to 4 p.m. This event is for anyone intending to attend higher education anywhere in the United States and provides free assistance in completing the FAFSA, which is the first step and a federal requirement for all college students who plan to pay for college with the help of federal grants, scholarships, work-study funds and student loans.

    Students and parents should bring their 2009 federal tax return, or the information needed to complete it. Parents or legal guardians should attend with their dependent children. Students can enter into a drawing for $1,000 from CollegeInvest. Spanish translators will be available.

Chili cook-off

    Brighton Lion Clubs fourth annual chili cook-off benefit to raise money for the Lions Club 27J eyeglass program will be Feb. 27 at Mojo’s, 174 S Main St. in Brighton.

27J parent night March 1

    The second in a series of School District 27J Parents Nights will be March 1 at Prairie View Middle School, 12915 E. 120th Ave. in Henderson. The evening includes a free spaghetti dinner at 6 p.m. Dinner will be followed at 6:45 p.m. with a presentation by Ricardo LeBlanc-Esparza on student success. LeBlanc-Esparza spoke at the first Family Night at Brighton High School. For more information, contact Nena DelVillar at 303-655-2547 or Valerie Espinosa at 303-359-1055.

Celebrate the future

    The 27J Education Foundation’s third annual Celebrate the Future Luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. March 2 at Heritage Todd Creek Golf Club, 8455 Heritage Drive in Thornton. The luncheon benefits educational programs in School District 27J. A donation of $50 a seat is suggested. Tax deductible event and corporate sponsorships are available.

    Early reservations by Feb. 19 are encouraged. For more information, contact Foundation Director Micki Gunning at 303-328-7930 or mgunning@sd27j.org.

Financial aid presentation

    Pennock Elementary, in collaboration with CollegeInvest, will offer a presentation for parents/guardians on the truths about the financial aid process and how to pay for college, information about saving for college, various college savings methods, and what parents/guardians can do now to start preparing for their children’s future educational needs.  Attend either Wednesday, March 3 at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., or Thursday, March 4 at 6 p.m. in the Pennock gym. Call school counselor, Emily Tweten, at 720-685-7541 for information.

Brighton Heritage Academy news

    BHA’s Pan Dragons will perform their third quarter steel-band concert on Tuesday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the BHA auditorium. BHA’s third quarter graduation will be held Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 1 p.m. in the BHA auditorium.

UP scholarship apps due March 1

    Fifteen students in the United Power service territory will be awarded scholarships from the member-owned electric cooperative. The annual United Power scholarships total $9,500 and are given to students who are either served by the cooperative, or dependents of members. Winners are chosen based on overall academic performance taking into account grade point average, ACT and SAT scores, extra-curricular activities, and a brief essay. Only one application is needed to apply for all available scholarships. Applications and more information are available at www.unitedpower.com and are due March 1.

Essay contest for seventh graders

    The Colorado Municipal League is launching the third annual “If I Were Mayor…” essay contest, sponsored by COLOTRUST. This year’s honorary contest chairman is Bernie Buescher, Colorado Secretary of State. The contest is open to seventh graders statewide including home-schooled students. This year’s topic is “If you were Mayor, how would you explain the importance of municipal government to kids in your community?” Winners will be recognized at the 2010 CML Annual Conference June 22-25 in Breckenridge. Entry forms are available at CML’s Web site, www.cml.org by clicking on the “New Content” link or by calling CML at 303-831-6411. Entries are due to CML by April 13.