Mason Sechler

Landon Church

Vincent Schoell

Benjamin Bushey

Molly Brennan

Katelyn Brennan

Elise Vincent

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Leo Simpson-Molochnick

Leo Simpson-Molochnick has attended Gilpin County Schools for 14 years. She says her favorite memories from elementary school are going to Young Ameritown and 100 Elks with her class, “especially when climbing the giant ladder, playing groundies, or running around in the forest to play camouflage.”

In middle school, she remembers going out to the field for mask breaks during COVID-19 and chatting with friends. Her favorite times were when students would take turns “climbing into the large tractor tires on the field and rolling each other around to see who could last the longest before tapping out or getting sick.”

In the ninth and 10th grades, Simpson-Molochnick was a Youth Leadership Tomorrow member for the EAGLE, now Eagles, program, where she gained more friends and developed work, education, and travel experience.

She was in the Gifted and Talented program during her four years in high school, including Varsity Cheerleading. She joined Competitive Cheerleading in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. 

“I enjoyed being on the cheer team because it gave me time to hang out with friends, work as a team, and meet new people. 

She was an active theater participant in the ninth, 10th, and 11th grades, acting in The Diary of Anne Frank, Tales of a Jedi Kid, and Bridge to Terabithia. 

She loved the feeling of “acting on stage and working together with peers to memorize lines and create an enjoyable show that would come to fruition at the end of the year.” Her favorite show was The Diary of Anne Frank. 

Her activities didn’t stop there. In the 11th grade she was in the American Legion Auxiliary Colorado Girls State, where she collaborated with girls she met to “form a mock government and better understand the inner workings of our country.”

Other organizations Simpson-Molochnick joined include the Student Council in the 11th and 12th grades. In the 12th grade, she was an active member of the National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, and Yearbook. 

Additionally, she played soccer in the 12th grade. But Simpson-Molochnick’s participation didn’t end there. Also in the 12th grade, she joined the Big Future Ambassador club. 

She says, “I have loved a lot of things about high school, including learning from Mrs. Newman’s science class or Mrs. Blake. Mr. Rouse’s off-topic discussions that led to learning about history beyond the books. Mr. Schuseller's challenging work, paired with his open communication.”

Her biggest supporters have been Liz, Lilly, and Ty. Aside from working with EAGLES and other various side jobs, Simpson-Molochnick worked with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) during her freshman and sophomore years. 

Through her passion for learning, Simpson-Molochnick has received scholarships from Coe College, where she plans to attend. She wants to major in criminal justice with minors in psychology and forensics. Her goal is to pursue law school. 

When asked what advice she leaves students entering Gilpin County Schools, she replied, “Don’t take yourself too seriously, and take chances to try new things. If you limit yourself through labels, fear, or a lack of confidence, it will be much harder to find enjoyment in life, but if you constantly ask yourself, ‘Why not?’ and jump into new opportunities, it becomes much easier to grow. Also, when you get to high school, definitely aim for good grades, as they help a lot with getting money for future endeavors.”

Simpson-Molochnick appreciates everyone who has helped her become the person she is today. She is proud of all her accomplishments. 

Congratulations, Leo Simpson-Molochnick!

Mason Sechler

Mason Sechler

High school senior Mason Sechler has been attending Gilpin County Schools since pre-school. His fondest memories include Cub Scouts with Scott Murphy and building catapults to launch pumpkins. He also favors Saturday soccer games against Clear Creek and Nederland. 

He played baseball and participated in the wrestling team in the ninth grade. In the ninth and 12th grades, he ran track and played basketball. He added theater to his activities in the 10th and 12th grades. All four years of high school, Sechler played football. 

His favorite parts about high school have been playing sports and the friendships he’s made. Sechler credits his close friend, Justin Johnson, for helping make high school life better. The two have been close friends since the third grade.

While in high school, Sechler worked at Dostal Alley and interned at Sechler Architecture. One of his greatest accomplishments is getting stronger than his dad, bench pressing 300 pounds. 

When asked what advice he has for younger kids going to his school, Sechler replied, “Two dogs are chained up. One in darkness and one in light. Who survives? The one you don't feed negativity.”

Sechler received a scholarship from Black Hawk, but plans to take a gap year to work locally after graduation. Sechler says he’s passionate about the future of our country. 

Congratulations, Mason Sechler!

Landon Church

Landon Church

Landon Church first started attending Gilpin County schools in the eighth grade and returned in the 10th grade. During his four years of high school, he played football and participated in track. 

In 11th grade, he joined the student council and continued through his senior year. In the 12th grade, basketball and Fellowship of Christian Athletes became part of his schedule.

He says the thing he loved most about high school was “being around all of my friends in the classroom and on the football field.”

He’s most passionate about football and “becoming a better man.” While in high school, Church worked at Beau Jo’s in Idaho Springs.

He credits his brothers, JJ and Logan Church, for helping make high school life easier. He wishes to thank the Gilpin community for supporting his dreams of playing football. “I am beyond blessed and honored to represent the entire Gilpin County community in my next steps,” shares Church.

He also shares that he is most proud of “being the first Gilpin football player to play college football and holding 15 school records across football, basketball, and track.

When asked what advice he offers students entering Gilpin County schools, he shares, “Trust the process.”

After graduation, Church will be attending Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, to study Business Management and play football for the Threshers. 

Congratulations, Landon Church!

Vincent Schoell

Vincent Schoell

Vincent Schoell started attending Gilpin County High School in the 10th grade. He played baseball all four years of high school and football in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. Additionally, he played basketball in his senior year. 

During junior and senior years, Schoell was a member of the National Honor Society, and in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades, he was in the school’s student council. “I loved most the feeling of playing the games I loved with teammates who became brothers and putting on a show for the hometown crowd,” says Schoell. 

While in school, he worked at JKQ BBQ for two years as a dishwasher and line cook, where he learned great life skills. Schoell is most passionate about God, Catholicism, baseball, his family, and his dog, Happi.

What he loved most about high school was the teachers. He said, “They are great people and teach really well.” He also enjoyed eight-man football, but baseball was his overall favorite sport. 

Finding it challenging to choose another student who made high school better, he credits all of his classmates and students for making a difference in his life.  

Schoell is proud that he and other members of the Student Council succeeded in getting the Pledge of Allegiance recited every day during senior year, which did not happen in years past. He wishes to thank The Mountain-Ear for publishing the high school senior profiles, confessing, “It is really cool to get a section of the newspaper written about myself and others.”

Schoell has received scholarships from the Army ROTC, Colorado School of Mines Achievement in Math & Science, and Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot. After graduation, Schoell plans to attend Colorado School of Mines to study Civil Engineering. 

When asked what advice he wants to leave students entering Gilpin County schools, he says, “Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” (Advice he received from the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”)

Congratulations, Vincent Schoell!

Benjamin Bushey

Benjamin Bushey

Benjamin Bushey has been attending Gilpin County Schools since he was three. One of his fondest memories was participating in the Pinewood Derby in Boy Scouts and winning first place his first year. “My dad always helped me come up with new designs to try building each year.”

During his four years in high school, Bushey played basketball and was a co-captain during his junior and senior years. Additionally, he played football in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. He ran Track in the 10th grade and joined the Student Council in the 12th grade. 

He has enjoyed playing football the most. His coaches, “especially Coach Ball,” helped him become the best football player he could be. His proudest accomplishments have come from playing sports, noting, “I am proud of being named to the 2A Football All State team this year as a senior.”

Bushey comments that he is passionate about playing sports, mountain biking, and skiing. While in school, Bushey worked part-time as a lifeguard at the Gilpin Community Center.

Having made many close friends throughout Gilpin County Schools, he can’t credit just one student who made high school better. He believes “it is great to be graduating with so many friends.

Bushey has received a merit scholarship from Western Colorado University and the Black Hawk Scholarship. After graduation, he will attend Western Colorado University and major in Aerospace Engineering, with hopes of working for SpaceX one day.

When asked what advice Bushey has to offer younger kids going to his school, he says, “I don’t have any advice, except to stay focused on your academics because it can help you when you go to college. For example, getting a merit scholarship at Western was because I maintained a good GPA in high school.”

Congratulations, Benjamin Bushey!

Molly Brennan

Molly Brennan

Molly Brennan has been attending Gilpin County School since sixth grade, after having attended Flatirons Elementary in Boulder. 

One of her favorite memories was the first time it took 15 minutes to drive to Gilpin County Schools instead of the usual 45 minutes. 

During her four years in high school, Brennan played soccer and participated in the 4H program. She played volleyball in the ninth, 10th, and 11th grades. In the 11th and 12th grades, she was a rodeo contestant. 

What she loved most about high school, aside from working with horses, was playing sports with her friends, which she is very passionate about. She credits her sister, Katie Brennan, for making life better in high school. 

While in school, she worked with people and horses at A&A Historic Trail Rides, where she received career preparation.

Brennan is most proud of how well she did throughout high school and the things she learned. After graduation, Brennan plans to attend college to pursue a career with horses.

When asked what advice she leaves students entering Gilpin County Schools, she says, “My advice would be, do not procrastinate doing your work.”

Congratulations, Molly Brennan!

Katelyn Brennan

Katelyn Brennan

Katelyn Brennan has been attending Gilpin County Schools since the sixth grade. Like her sister Molly she attended Flatirons Elementary School before transferring to Gilpin County. 

One of her favorite memories from middle school is being a part of Gilpin's first soccer team. Brennan played soccer all four years of high school and was also in the 4H program. She played volleyball in the ninth, 10th, and 11th grades. During her junior and senior years, she was a rodeo contestant. 

She has loved sports the most. She says she loves being with friends and the companionship she has built with her teammates. She credits her twin sister and best friend for making high school life better. 

While in high school, Brennan worked at A&A Historic Trail Rides above Central City. “I plan to work with horses in the future,” Brennan announced.

After graduation, Brennan plans to work while attending online college to earn a business degree. Additionally, she wants to continue her passion for rodeo.

Congratulations, Katelyn Brennan!

Elise Vincent

Elise Vincent

Elise Vincent has been attending Gilpin County Schools since Preschool. One of her fondest memories was going on all the field trips, “especially going to 100 Elk and Young Ameritown.”

All four years of high school, Vincent played basketball, volleyball, and soccer. During her high school career, she served as class president on the student council. In the ninth and 10th grades, she joined the National Honor Society.

What Vincent has loved most about high school includes the support system that allowed her to grow. The opportunity to play sports, especially in 2025, is another experience she cherishes. 

She says her favorite employee is Katura, sharing, “She has been my coach and athletic trainer, and a huge inspiration in my life!” Mrs. Vanhoose is her favorite teacher because of her support and caring. 

When asked who else helped make high school better, Vincent confesses, “I have been so lucky to have met so many incredible people.” Some students who have made the most lasting impact include Kenzie Marr, Joei Sutton, Avery Ramsey, Jiselle Osteboe, Faith Ramsey, Jennifer Rodrigues-Jimenez, and Adele Fisher.

“These are the girls who have been my teammates in every sport and have been my biggest support group. They have truly made every day more memorable.”

While in school, Vincent earned money pet sitting and babysitting and helped “a lovely lady in the community with yard work and household chores.”

She is most passionate about the human body, recovery, and injuries. She enjoys playing pickleball and paddleboarding. She also loves being around family.

Vincent wants people to know that she loves to joke around and make life fun. “I love Jesus, and I love going to church. Do what you enjoy and try new things, or maybe old things–you never know what the day might hold, what memories will be made, so just go out and have fun. 

“Try to look on the bright side in every situation and give whatever is on your heart to God,” she states.

She is most proud of making the second team all-conference her sophomore year in basketball, volleyball, and soccer. Making first-team all-conference in basketball, volleyball, and soccer her junior year, and being selected first team this year for basketball and volleyball were also proud moments for Vincent.

Other proud moments include being a State honorable mention in her junior year in soccer, and senior year in basketball and volleyball. She was also invited to participate in the CHSAA All-State games for basketball and volleyball in 2026. 

Vincent received the Black Hawk Scholarship and the Fair Ambassador Scholarship. Additionally, she received the Presidential Merit Scholarship from Colorado Mesa University. After graduation, Vincent plans to attend Colorado Mesa University to study Exercise Science. She wants to become an athletic trainer.

Her advice for new students: “The time you have in high school seems like forever, but it all goes by so fast. Gilpin offers you awesome opportunities; take advantage of them. Go out for all the sports and give them a try; you have four years to decide whether you love something–and the people who play. If you’re lucky enough to love the people, then you have friendships that will make it all worth it.”

Congratulations, Elise Vincent!