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“Rock the Cradle” Poster design and layout by Ursala Hudson – painting by Ursala and her dad, Bill Hudson

Last year in 2014, my daughter Ursala Hudson decided a charter school in Pagosa Springs, Colorado was a necessary addition to the community, especially now that she had two little girls of her own and was thinking into the future about their educational experience.

 

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During concert practice, Clarissa’s granddaughter Simone Haas takes her first shot at the microphone with the support of singer Jen Toggle

Ursala was home-schooled until she was 9 years old; by 8th grade she was President of her class; before she graduated she already started her own web design business.  It was only befitting she formed a Board of Directors, drafted up her outline, and submitted their application to the Colorado Department of Education with the hopes that they had met all their requirements and the DOE was inspired to assist her and a small group of other interested parents to begin their path towards the creation of this endeavor.  A few months later, they received affirmation of a three-year grant for research to visit other Charter schools in Colorado, and to help get their own act together to open Pagosa’s own charter school in the Fall of 2017!

This past spring, Ursala had mentioned to me that she and her dad were thinking of doing an awareness concert sometime this Fall for the charter school.  She asked if I wanted to re-write a cover tune and would I be willing to perform it.  I asked her what kind of re-write to what kind of song and before she could answer, I gave her an example and began to sing other words to the famous Beatle song “Hey Jude”….It began like this: “Hey Blue, don’t make it red, take a sad song and make it yellow…remember, the world was meant to be green, so we could be, completely mellow…”

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A lemonade stand provided refreshments for concert-goers

The “Rock the Cradle” concert was held Saturday, November 14th at the Pagosa Center for the Arts; it was a benefit for the Pagosa Charter School to bring awareness to the community of Pagosa Springs that this school is in the formation process!

Big thanks to the Pagosa Center for the Arts for generously donating their space for this concert!

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Pagosa Springs Charter School Board of Directors at the admissions table:  Ursala Hudson, Megan Riddle and Laura Hamilton

The benefit concert was produced and directed by Ursala and her father, Bill Hudson.  They gathered together a group of volunteers and put together a band of local musicians to play for free:  guitarists included Steve Sarkis, Steve Summers, Greg Millioto, and Bill Hudson; drummer D.C. Duncan, key board Venita Burch, and bass player Jarrett Hebert.  Lead and back up singers included Lisa Saunders, Jen Toggle, Chris Haas, Greg Millioto, Bill Hudson, D.C. Duncan, Geoffrey Andrews, Ursala Hudson, Jen Sarkis and Clarissa Rizal.

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In the audience, Jen Sarkis and Drie Young with their baby boys Shaydon and Wyatt

The concert was a huge success, standing room only, unfortunately, people were turned away at the door!   On behalf of my daughter, Ursala Hudson and the Pagosa Springs Charter School Board of Directors, thank you to all who came to the concert!  Truly, the support is appreciated!

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Chris Haas, Ursala Hudson, Jen Toggle, Geoffrey Andrews and Lisa Saunders

About the Pagosa Charter School:

“The Pagosa Charter Initiative is a non-profit group dedicated to providing a public elementary school option to families in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Our vision is to form a school that will foster creative, self-sufficient children with inquisitive minds. We are committed to providing an alternative learning environment that nurtures and engages our community’s children through outdoor education, hands-on projects, and community involvement, while continuing to align with state educational standards.

We believe that exploring subjects through participation in natural environments not only strengthens student achievement, but also inevitably supports community vitality and healthy environments. The opportunity to observe, solve problems, and participate in real-life scenarios fosters life-long learners who are socially responsible, and have a strong sense of purpose. Click here to read our core values.

The group was formed in December of 2014 by several dedicated individuals wanting to invest in our community and children through education. Please contact us if you are interested in helping out, and/or join our mailing list to keep up-to-date with our progress.”

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4 Guitarists and the drummer, L to R: Bill Hudson, Steven Summers, Greg Millioto, Steve Sarkis and D.C. Duncan

For more information on the Pagosa Charter School, check out their website at:  http://pagosacharterschool.com/

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Check out the stature of these guitarists…LOL…!

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The familiar audience of little people!!!

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Bill Hudson, Jarrett Heber, Jen Toggle, Ursala Hudson and Jen Sarkis

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Greg Millioto on lead guitar, D.C. on drums — doesn’t get any better than that in this town of Pagosa Springs

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Professional singers Lisa Saunders and Geoffrey Andrews sing a most recent Disney duet “A Whole New World”

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Chris, Jenn, Ursala, Jeff

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Big sister Amelie Haas hugs her Simone during a break between songs

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Check out this passion and fun of singing and performing…!

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Brothers Ross and D.C. Duncan perform a poetry skit

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Clarissa’s youngest daughter, Ursala Hudson, President of the Pagosa Charter School