22-06-2025
Hitting the Books: Central '59 class awards scholarships, lunch programs underway and more
From one class of Wildcats to another, Central's Class of 1959 awarded three Central High School graduates from the Class of 2025 with a combined $15,000 in scholarships.
Andrew DeYoung, Madison Gonzales and Charlie Walsh each received $5,000 from the Central Class of 59— a nonprofit comprised of 1959 Central High School graduates and other supporters of the Orman Army. Scholarship recipients were chosen by a committee through an in-depth selection process.
While in high school, DeYoung served as a DECA vice president of career development, a DECA store management director, and a Technology Students Association Sergeant of Arms. He was a two-sport athlete in track and tennis, while also working jobs at Chipotle Mexican Grill and Little Caesars. DeYoung will continue his education as a Colorado State University Pueblo business and marketing student.
With the goal of being a psychiatrist, Gonzales will study neuroscience at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. At Central, she golfed, cheered, served as senior class president, was the vice president of the Central High School HOSA, worked for the Pueblo Parks and Recreation Department, and worked for a janitorial business.
Walsh will also study at Fort Collins. She looks to study biomedical science and become a veterinarian. A talented violinist who competed in the National Junior Festival Competition, Walsh also golfed for the Wildcats, served on the school's student council, worked in childcare advocacy, and worked concessions for Pueblo Parks and Recreation.
Colorado State University Pueblo's Thomas V. Healy Center for Business and Economic Research hosted 20 recent graduates of Pueblo County School District 70 middle schools for the 2025 Summer Business Academy between June 6 and June 13.
Participants got a glimpse of college experience with campus tours, cafeteria lunches, recreation facilities and other experiences while learning entrepreneurship and business fundamentals. On the final day, students presented business ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win up to $30. Additionally, the university plans to offer participants a college credit hour through the Division of Extended Studies.
Business Professor Mike Wakefield and Associate Dean Yaneth Correra hope to expand the program in future years to include school districts throughout Southern Colorado, according to a CSU Pueblo news release.
Pueblo D70 is offering free meals to children under 18 at five locations through its Summer Lunch Program. Four of the locations — Avondale Elementary School, Liberty Point International, Prairie Winds Elementary and Vineland Middle School — are serving food Monday through Thursday. Craver Middle School is serving food on Tuesday and Thursday. Here are the times each school is serving lunch.
Avondale Elementary: 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Craver Middle School: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Liberty Point International: 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Prairie Winds Elementary: Noon to 12:45 p.m.
Vineland Middle School: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Summer Lunch Program is open to the public and meals are $5 for adults. Menu information is available at
Over 560 Pueblo County students graduated from online high schools in 2025. This includes several from the statewide Colorado Connections Academy.
Melanie Hammond of Beulah, Dakota Harvey of Pueblo, Morgan Jahn of Pueblo, and Dustin Karabensh of Pueblo were among 360 Colorado Connections Academy graduates, according to a school news release.
Pueblo D60 Lunch Program: Free food for kids? Pueblo D60 unveils sites and dates for summer lunch program
Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@ Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Central scholarships, lunch programs among summer education headlines
