Caps off: Snowmass Village seniors to graduate Aspen High School on Saturday
Snowmass Sun
It’s that time of year.
Twenty-one Aspen High School seniors who call Snowmass Village home will graduate Saturday.
In honor of this special occasion, the Snowmas Sun is continuing its tradition of highlighting our local graduates.
Below are the Snowmass Village seniors who responded to the Sun’s questionnaire by press time.
Lelia Arthur
Senior Lelia Arthur is a member of both Aspen High School’s womens swim team and the Speedos swim club. She also is involved with the National Honor Society and Beta Club.
Outside school, Arthur enjoys Soo Bahk Do martial art and working as a dog therapy handler at Whitcomb Terrace, Assisted Living.
In the fall, Arthur will matriculate at Pacific University where she intends to major in biology and minor in photography.
DAMIEN BEECROFT
An avid thespian, Damien Beecroft has held lead roles at Aspen High School, including in the plays “Pippin” and “Legally Blonde.”
Off the stage, Beecroft is involved with the climbing club, Pathfinders and the Aspen Institute. As a sophomore, Beecroft spent his year abroad in Alicante, Spain through the Aspen High School and the Rotary Club exchange.
Beecroft, who placed third at the Future Business Leaders of America competition, is a recipient of the Aspen Rotary college scholarship, among others.
He will attend the college of Engineering and Global Engineering Residential at the University of Colorado Boulder.
ANDREW DETRICK
Throughout high school, Andrew Detrick participated in the Buddy Program and the National Honor Society as well as Aspen’s basketball team.
This past season, Detrick’s coaches and teammates voted him as the Most Valuable Player.
The Snowmass graduate also was academic all-state for two years and selected first team all-conference in basketball.
Off the courts, Detrick is a recipient of the C. Welton Anderson Scholarship for Leadership and Perseverance as well as a distinguished service letter and award for service hours to the community and school.
Like many of his peers, Detrick recalls ex-ed as a favorite high school memory — specifically, “sailing in Santa Barbara” with his friends.
In the fall, Detrick plans to attend the University of Colorado Boulder to pursue a degree in sports medicine.
NICHOLAS GORALKA
A two-time winner of Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club’s Sick Bird award, Nicholas Goralka is a prominent member of the club’s Big Mountain Team.
He also is involved with the Future Business Leaders of America organization.
Goralka is a recipient of the Ute Mountaineer’s Robbie Wade Environmental Scholarship and the Flyin Ryan Hawks Adventure Scholarship, among others.
His favorite high school memory is “waking up to the sun rising in the desert” on his last ex-ed trip.
Post-high school, Goralka plans to study computer engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder.
DARYL GROB
Daryl Grob is a dedicated ballerina who’s trained with The School of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet for 13 years. Grob also was a member of the Aspen High School Dance Team for three years. Altogether, she’s earned four varsity club letters in ballet and three for dance.
This year, Grob received an honorable mention from the Scholastic Art Awards. Consequently, her artwork was on display at the History Colorado Center in Denver.
Grob’s favorite high school memory was watching the Broadway tour of “Pippin” during an ex-ed trip her sophomore year.
After Aspen High, Grob will take her talents to Butler University, where she plans to major in dance-performance with a focus in classical ballet.
JACLYN HARRIS
Jaclyn Harris is another art-loving student with extracurricular involvement in Theatre Aspen, Aspen High School productions, piano and voice lessons and the high school’s comic book club.
Harris is a recipient of the Snowmass Village Community scholarship.
Her favorite Aspen High School memory is “pie-ing the teachers.”
Come fall, Harris will attend the Minneapolis School of Art and Design to study animation.
KEEGAN MEHALL
Senior Keegan Mehall’s interests are diverse, from varsity tennis and track to the Robotics and Engineering club.
Mehall, who’s earned several regional and state awards in the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics competition, is also a National Merit Scholar finalist.
Like many Aspen seniors, Mehall’s favorite high school memory was during ex-ed — specifically, “exploring the tetons.”
Mehall will matriculate at Stanford University, where he intends to major “in something related to mathematics, computer science or engineering.”
KENNIDY QUIST
A decorated swimmer, Kennidy Quist helped lead Aspen High School to the 3A state championship in February. Quist also is a two-time individual state champion in the 50 and 100 free races, a four-time NISCA All-American swimmer and a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American winner.
Outside the pool, Quist is a member of the student senate, the National Honors Society club and the Beta Club, among others.
Quist’s favorite Aspen memory was outdoor education.
Upon graduating from Aspen High School, Quist will attend Harvard University, where she plans to study engineering and business.
