The Manni Awards ceremony will take place Friday, March 15, in City Hall/Memorial Hall, 606 Manitou Ave.
The evening kicks off with a potluck and music from Michael Galvin starting about 5:15 p.m.; the ceremony will begin at 6:30. If you can’t attend, the event will be streamed live at youtube.com/@manniawards.
The March 8 Bulletin will feature the remaining 10 finalists.
Manuel Pulido grew up in Texas, but felt drawn northward by his Apache roots and love of nature. About 12 years ago, that brought Manny and his wife, Natalia, to Colorado at the foot of the sacred mountain, Tava. His artistic talents and embrace of Native American traditions have led him to create murals and other art pieces, with more in the works. He also shares rituals and history at schools and community events such as Indigenous People’s Day.
Julie Lavigne joined the preschool staff at Manitou Springs in 2014 with her love of music, art and storytelling. She arrived at the preschool after time with E11 Creative Workshop, where she discovered her love for nurturing young people through creative processes in a safe and loving environment. She truly loves being a native of this beautiful place and embraces every grateful moment with her husband and two boys.
Eric Karlson supervises the Streets and Stormwater departments and has raised the level of expectations for both. He has also coordinated the very successful Creek Week and local Great American Cleanup, removing truckloads of trash from our creek areas. Eric finds it rewarding to work in such a beautiful place and hopes that residents and visitors notice the hard work of his team.
Kate Johnson has attended School District 14 since kindergarten. She is the president of the MSHS student body and of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a member of Key Club and the National Honor Society. She has been a three-sport athlete since sixth grade, but soccer has always been her favorite. Kate has taken eight AP courses and is ranked in the top 10 percent of the senior class. She also is one of 15 students selected to be a CHSAA state representative.
Keith Buckmiller has been an indispensable part of the Manitou Springs Fire Department since 1991, including 13 years as fire chief. He has been a paramedic for 32 years and has long been an advocate of fire department-based ambulance services. Keith is credited with bringing Advanced Life Support (Paramedic Services) to the MSFD, which is critical because it allows the MSFD to start patient care and begin stabilizing patients quickly in their time of greatest need.
John “JT” Todd, one of the city’s longest-tenured employees, helps keep Manitou Springs running! He maintains our parks, keeps the sidewalks clear of snow and ice, and ensures that our facilities keep standing. He services and repairs our snowplows and heavy machinery to keep them running smoothly. JT loves fabricating and working with metal, and in December 2005, JT volunteered his skills to fabricate and replace the missing bayonet on Eber Duclo’s statue in Memorial Park.
Lisa Quintana, the owner of the Ten Spot, has been an integral part of Manitou Springs for almost 20 years. As a woman-owned business, the Ten Spot has become a beloved fixture in our community, serving locals and visitors alike. Lisa’s leadership extends beyond her establishment; she’s a dedicated Chamber of Commerce board member and a local resident, and her husband has deep roots here as well. He’s a teacher and soccer coach, and they’ve raised their two daughters as proud Manitou Mustang graduates.
Alison Gerbig has advocated for affordable housing in Manitou Springs and our area for years both as the president of the Manitou Housing Authority Board and servicing veterans in our region. She is a strong believer in neighborhood connection. For more than 10 years, she has sponsored neighborhood parties to develop a sense of community inclusiveness. She is especially attached to Manitou because, as a child, she would visit her grandmother here, playing at the arcade and, as a teen, enjoying social activities.
Steven Miller co-founded the Manitou Music Foundation in 2018 to support live music in Manitou. When COVID-19 hit and social gatherings were difficult, he was central in supporting musicians and the venues where live music is played. He helps with arranging gigs for nonprofits such as the Manitou Art Center, the Heritage Center and the Chamber of Commerce. The music scene in Manitou Springs is particularly strong and interconnected, and Steven has played a major role in that.
Joan Stang is a founding member of PaC-Man [ Pedestrian and Cycle] group of Manitou. She is strong advocate and teacher of roadway safety and non-motorized transportation. She worked with Bicycle Colorado and Bike Friendly Driver program, training both drivers and cyclists on safe road use and sharing. Joan is generous volunteer, who is passionate about protecting our green spaces here and around the world. She has helped out with the Pollinator Project and taking care of public gardens.