DHS Aerospace Team takes 2nd
The world’s attention may be on the recent Mars landing, but DHS students have already set their sights on Venus. The school’s Aerospace Design Team took home second place honors recently at the World Finals of the International Space Settlement Design Competition held at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The team gained an invitation to Worlds, held July 27-30, after winning the Nationals competition earlier in the year.  The DHS team, which competed against 11 other teams from throughout the world, was tasked with showcasing how they would create a “floating” settlement in the atmosphere of Venus. To illustrate their plan, the team was required to create a slide show in less than 42 hours and also was subject to a rigorous question-and-answer session afterward.

The Durango team was also made up of students from three other schools: Lahore Grammar School, Pakistan; St. Lawrence College, Australia; and Princess Margaret School, British Colombia.

“Throughout the competition, the Durango Aerospace Design Team worked beautifully with their teammates, eliciting comments from the other coaches about their respectfulness, clear-mindedness and constant attention to detail,” said Daniel Garner, English teacher at DHS and coach for the Aerospace Team. “We, as a school, a district, a city and a state can be incredibly proud of being superbly represented by DADT. Because of our tremendous track record, Durango has become synonymous with not only an excellent program, but as a place that engenders our students with great character.”

In addition to the second place finish, DHS student Katy Schneider (’12) won the Dick Edwards Leadership award for her role as team vice president and Katie Dudley (’13) won the Jingle Lutz award for best female presenter.

The 2012 Durango Aerospace Design Team also is comprised of Chris Walton, Mariah Dorsey, Emma Greenberg, Izzy Riley, Jacob Skeath, James Triola, Jesse Rubenstein, River Weiss, Will Counley, Haakon Sigurslid and Jared Engelken.

New faces at helm of local nonprofits
Two local nonprofits are having a changing of the guards.

Earlier this month, the Durango Discovery Museum announced the hiring of Chris Cable as the museum’s new executive director.

Cable comes to Durango by way of Spokane, Wash., where he was CEO of the Mobius Science Center. Before that, he was executive director of The Imaginarium in Anchorage, Alaska, for 15 years.

Cable replaces interim executive director Ashley Hein, who took the helm in January 2012 when then-director Claire Bradshaw shifted her focus to fund-raising.

During his time with The Imaginarium, Cable led the development and implementation of a 500,000-square-mile science outreach program that was nationally recognized by the Association of Science Technology Centers. He is a biologist by education and an avid outdoorsman.

“We’re excited to introduce him to Durango and to benefit from his expertise and leadership as we grow,” said Museum Marketing and Communication Director Haz Saïd.

Meanwhile, environmental group Rocky Mountain Wild (formerly Colorado Wild), with offices in Denver and Durango, has hired Tehri Parker to take the executive director reins in October.

Parker will be replacing outgoing director Josh Pollock in the Denver office.

A Colorado native, Parker is returning to the state from Milwaukee, where she spent 15 years with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, which she founded. Under her direction, the organization implemented several large federal contracts.

In addition, Parker is a lecturer and speaker on renewable energy policy and technology issues and is said to be passionate about wildlife and wild places in her native Rocky Mountains.

She and her husband live near Golden.

‘Run Like a Girl’ for ovarian cancer
There is a new color in the fight against cancer. September has been named Ovarian Cancer Month, and to raise awareness, the signature color of teal will be used to promote events across the country as well as right here in Durango.

On Sat., Sept. 8,  “Run Like a Girl” race takes off from the Durango Rec Center. The women’s only 4.5 mile run/walk will take participants along the River Trial to downtown before heading back to the Rec Center.

The event is among several taking place throughout September sponsored by the HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation, a Denver nonprofit that works nationally to stop the loss of women from ovarian cancer. The foundation’s acronym stands for “Health, Empowerment, Research and Awareness.” There will also be a Wear Teal Day on Fri., Sept. 7, for survivors and anyone else supportive of the cause.

According to HERA, one in 71 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in her lifetime and the fatality rate for those diagnosed is higher than 80 percent. A significant factor in the deadly prognosis is the lack of early detection or misdiagnosis of symptoms. However, with early detection and increased awareness, it is estimated that about 94 percent of those diagnosed will survive longer than five years. HERA seeks to educate women on the early symptoms of ovarian cancer: abdominal pressure, bloating or discomfort; nausea, indigestion or gas; urinary frequency, constipation, or diarrhea; abnormal bleeding; unusual fatigue; unexplained weight loss or gain; and shortness of breath. If symptoms persist for more than two to three weeks, women are urged to see a doctor.

“People around the state and country are finding some unique ways to urge awareness of the disease as well as its signs and symptoms, including rock climbing, running 200 miles around the clock and wearing the signature color of ovarian cancer awareness – teal,” said HERA spokeswoman Stacey Sepp.

This is the first year Run Like a Girl has come to Durango. Registration takes place Fri., Sept. 8, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. or Sat., Sept. 9, 7:30 - 8:45 a.m. at the Rec Center. The race starts at 9 a.m., with a post-race party, food and prizes. Entrants can run as individuals or teams, and proceeds from the $30 registration fee ($40 day of) goes to HERA. For more information, go to www.runikeagirl8k.com.

– Missy Votel