Stuart Mazanec Bio Information

Stuart Mazanec was the son of Leon and Pam Mazanec, who moved to the Larkspur area in the spring of 1988. Stuart was born July 21, 1988. His sister Meredith was born in April 1990. Stuart and his sister attended Larkspur Elementary School from Kindergarten through sixth grade. Stuart’s mother, Pam, was LES PTO president for two years and chaired the first five LES PTO Boot Scootin’ Boogies.

Stuart attended a rodeo clinic in April 2006, because he wanted to try out rodeo. He successfully rode his first bucking bronc for 10 seconds, but got caught in the rigging when trying to dismount. The horse fell on him and then rolled over him. His heart was squeezed between his sternum and his spine, causing serious damage. Despite efforts to repair his heart, Stuart died from complications of his injury on April 26, 2006, one day after his sister’s 16 th birthday. He was 17 years old, and would have graduated from Douglas County High School on May 25, 2006, his father’s birthday. Let us tell you a little about Stuart:

Stuart was a good but not outstanding student, though he was certainly very intelligent. Stuart preferred outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and riding horses to any indoor activity, with the exception of reading. He was a voracious reader, beginning in late elementary school. Stuart’s favorite author at the time of his death was Louis L’Amour, who wrote novels about the old west, as well as just historical novels about early settlers to America. Stuart said he wished he could have lived 100 years earlier.

Stuart was a very good child, but not a perfect adolescent; he once pierced his own ear, started a fire in our front yard, and drove into a guard rail after sneaking out of the house. His grades were good, but he didn’t put as much effort into his schoolwork as he should have. He argued with his sister, and of course, with his parents.

On the other hand, Stuart never rebelled against our family tradition of kissing, hugging, and saying I love you whenever we left each other. This included us as well as extended family members. I don’t ever recall any hesitation in front of his friends.

Stuart always attended church with us, went to religious education and was confirmed his Junior year. At one point early in his confirmation classes, Stuart considered the priesthood.

Stuart worked for his dad beginning around age 13, and the summer before his death, he worked at a building supply warehouse. Both jobs were manual labor.

Stuart didn’t complain much about driving his sister to and from school, volleyball practice or to the movies, even though he had to ride the bus to and from school through his sophomore year, since he didn’t turn 16 until July after that year. He went to almost all her volleyball tournaments (he always had a paperback in his pocket for down time) and was popular with her teammates and other parents.

Stuart wrestled in middle school and high school and played soccer in high school after not playing for years. He was never an
outstanding wrestler or soccer player, but preferred being physical to sitting on the couch, and we were proud he was willing to try
even if he was never in the spotlight. Stuart was more successful in 4H Shooting Sports, where he competed in air rifle, shotgun and archery. He qualified for the National Team a couple years before his death.

Stuart had been accepted to Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he planned to study wildlife biology; he hoped to have a career as a wildlife biologist or game warden—something “outside”.

In closing, Stuart was in so many ways a normal kid. In other ways, he stood out; both before and since his death, we heard from
so many that he was a good friend, a good acquaintance, and a kid who was both respectful of adults and comfortable conversing
with them. There are many scholarships available to outstanding students. We would like to award this scholarship to students
who, like Stuart, may not stand out academically, but still stand out.

Good luck on your application and thank you for applying.

The Mazanec Family

Stuart Mazanec Scholarship Application Questions

In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).