Each year in March, Manitou Springs City Hall fills with folks bearing potluck dishes and goodwill who gather to watch the presen tat ion of the Manni Awards. The awards honor citizens and organizations who volunteer their time and energy to support the community and make Manitou Springs such a vibrant and unique place.
This year there were 168 nominees, from which the Manni sponsors chose 30 as finalists. While nominations may be made for specific categories, nominees may be eligible in several and so finalists are not limited to one category only.
The 2025 award categories are Rockey Artistic Endeavors (named for renowned Manitou artist Charles Rockey), Environmental Stewardship, Business & Economic Vitality, Community Wellbeing, Community Champion, Visionary Leadership, Public Service, Education and Learning, and Student Visionary Leadership – plus a new one, Beacon of Generosity, which was affirmed by Manitou Springs City Council proclamation to “Support the Infectious Generosity Movement” as part of a city-wide initiative on Jan. 21.
Lori Adams-Miller is a force of nature in Manitou Springs. Co-owner of the Iron Springs Chateau, she is also a director, long-time actor and true entertainer. In many respects, she is the heart of our local theater community. Opening the doors of the Chateau to all of us, many of you have partied at CarniBall or celebrated friendships at the Visit Manitou Springs annual holiday party. Lori adds to the richness of our creative economy and brings to life everything that differentiates us from our neighboring cities.
Steve Bethke is a career and technical education teacher and teaches Careers in Construction (CIC) at Manitou Springs Middle School. His class is focused on construction, innovation and STEAM. He is also the coach of the middle school track and field team, leadership sponsor and has coached the robotics team. In his nine years of teaching, he has taught middle school science and engineering design along with CIC. While attending the University of California at Santa Barbara, he was a plumber and electrician. Upon graduating he served 25 years as a naval officer flying various aircraft around the globe. Furthering his education, he has a Master’s of Art in National Security Affairs and an MBA from UCCS. When not at school, he spends his free time hiking, snowboarding and spending time with his family.
Dustin Cady grew up in Boulder, Colorado. Dustin has a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Oregon, a Master’s degree in culturally and linguistically diverse education (CLDE) from CSU-Pueblo, and his principal licensure through Western State University. He began his education career teaching English internationally to middle and high school students in Seville, Spain. Since 2010, Dustin has been an educator in the Pikes Peak Region. Some of his past roles include 5th grade teacher, CLDE teacher, middle school boys and girls basketball coach, and elementary school assistant principal. When he is not at school, Dustin enjoys spending time with his family, reading, trail running and fly fishing.
Marion Ceruzzi’s love for Manitou blooms every spring in Mansions Park. Vice president of the Manitou Springs Garden Club, Marion coordinates the volunteers who grow such gorgeous flowers and delicious vegetables in the small park behind city hall. “It brings me such joy,” said the New Jersey transplant, who has taken root in Manitou. “I’ve always loved plants.” When she doesn’t have her hands in the dirt, Ceruzzi consults for a small biotech firm in Germany.
Sofia Hernandez Crade grew up in the rural town of Divide, CO, a place teeming with wild beauty. She graduated from Beloit College in Wisconsin with a degree in Fine Art. Sofia works in oil, watercolor and sculpture, exploring the beauty and fragility of life. She has recently been devoted to large-scale public artworks, aiming to cultivate community and inspire others. In 2024, she created the massive Rockey puppet that took everyone’s collective breath away at the Carnivale Parade.
Every thriving cultural scene has a beating heart, and for this city, that heart is the Manitou Art Center. Now in its 38th year, the MAC hosts about 200 events, exhibits and classes every month. As if that weren’t enough, the MAC just wrapped up a remarkable 4 1/2-year run serving as temporary home for the Manitou Library, all while Natalie Johnson and her staff stayed on course with their own multifaceted mission. During that same time, the MAC has grown from 18 to 30 studio artists and, incredibly, from 65 member artists to 2,500 members.
This year, Evan Fugate is graduating from Manitou Springs High School. A Westside native, Evan started attending Manitou in ninth grade where he’s engaged in a plethora of activities. He’s participated in NHS, ran Track and captained both Knowledge Bowl and Cross Country. Academically, he’s taken six AP classes this year, acquired a historic 5.0 GPA last semester, culminating in a total 4.42 GPA. Outside of school, Evan quite enjoys volunteering at the Flying Pig Farm each summer.
Manitou Springs would be so much less without Jenna Gallas. She is the Chamber of Commerce Event Coordinator creating community events for residents, visitors and local business. But more, she volunteers huge amounts of extra time, energy, creativity and passion to produce or help out every big event for which Manitou is known. She is visionary and dynamic in manifesting what Manitou cultural events can be. Her enthusiasm inspires others to be involved in making Manitou Springs better and support the caring, playful community we love.
For over a decade, Rick Good has been a cornerstone of Manitou Springs, exemplifying community spirit. He provides fair wages and benefits to over 100 local employees, significantly impacting the area’s economy. Rick’s generosity shines through his sponsorship of numerous community events, including feeding seniors at Manitou Springs High School. He champions local businesses by sourcing Colorado beers and products, fostering a thriving regional economy. Rick’s dedication to his employees and community makes his unwavering support and positive impact on Manitou apparent.
Audrey Gray has been influencing the area arts scene for years, but more now as executive director of Creative Alliance Manitou Springs. Her own artwork has been widely acclaimed, and she also rose to leadership in the Manitou Springs Arts Council, then helped merge MSAC with the Creative District to form CRANE in 2021. Now she oversees CRANE’s Art on the Avenue and Creekwalk public art programs, and she’s helped build Manitou’s reputation as one of the top 10 small-town art scenes in America.
Edie Greene is a longtime champion of the arts in Manitou Springs, having served on boards of the Manitou Springs Arts Academy, the Business of Art Center, and the Manitou Springs Arts Council. Since 2022 she has been secretary of the Creative Alliance Manitou Springs (CRANE). She and her husband support local musicians by regularly hosting concerts in their home. Edie is Professor Emerita of Psychology at UCCS, where she served on the faculty for 35 years.
If you don’t see Doug Howell on the pickleball court, chances are you’ll see him and his faithful lab-pit bull mix Malia along the side of the road picking up trash. Recently retired from Colorado Springs Utilities, Doug started picking up trash with the Kiwanis Club on the last Friday of each month. “I thought, ‘You know what, maybe we need to extend that,’” he said. So every time he takes Malia for a walk, he fills a bucket with trash.
Michael Howell is a retired educator and museum professional with a passion for the arts and education. Having first come to Manitou in 1973, he returned 15 years ago because “it always felt like home.” Since his return, he has been volunteering across the art spectrum: MAC board member, coordinator for seven Wunderkind Exhibitions, City MACH board, Blue Hands Collective, and PPCC senior art exhibition juror. He was a recipient of the Pikes Peak Arts Council Arts Opportunity Award for Wunderkind Exhibitions.
Galvanize Recycling, Energy Resource Center, Mountain Equipment Recyclers, Ted Lasso, and Thich Nhat Hanh–these businesses, people, and beliefs all connect to one person: Mike Mazzola. The person behind our annual Recycling Day in Manitou Springs and the lead behind the Manitou Art Center’s Manitou Cares hard-to-recycle program, he makes doing the right thing easy. A second-time Manni Award nominee, he continues to build upon his work to make the world a better place, one plastic bag at a time.
Amanda Kerrigan graduated from La Cueva High School in Albuquerque in 1998. She followed in her father’s footsteps and attended college at the University of Kansas, where she earned a BA in English, a BS in Secondary Education, and her MA in Education. She has served in public education as a teacher since 2003, teaching in inner city Kansas City, Kansas, working with kids impacted by poverty and gang violence; Mesa Ridge High School in southern Colorado Springs, teaching everything from remedial reading courses to AP English Literature & Composition and serving as department chair, PLC leader; La Veta Jr./Sr. High, a rural school with 50 students; and finally Manitou Springs High School since 2016, where she plans to teach until she retires. Amanda teaches a variety of English courses and advises The Prospector, the online student media of MSHS. She is also the National Honor Society adviser and a member of the Building Leadership Team. Manitou has become her forever home. Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband Brian and two sons, reading, swimming, traveling and enjoying the Colorado outdoors as much as possible.
Ron Ilgen was the driving force behind the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent for over 20 years. He recently stepped down as the Race Director and Board President after having worked his way up from a trail volunteer to helping create one of the most successful international marathons in the world. In 2022 Ron was named the MarathonFoto/Road Race Management Race Director of the Year. Ron is a third generation Colorado native and continues to be active through his love of skiing, biking and being outdoors in Colorado.
Kiwanis Club of Manitou Springs was chartered in 1921. Members work together to raise money and help with community events focusing on the needs of children in pediatric trauma, safety, child care, early development, infant health, nutrition, and parenting skills. Manitou Springs Kiwanis Club local projects consist of Boy and Girl Scout support, Middle School Builders club, high school college scholarships, Care & Share pantry, Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Carnival, Breakfast with Santa, Connect14 after school programs, High School Key Clubs, Annual Diaper Drive and the Annual Health Fair.
Katie and Justin Snyder have owned the Loft for four years, and recently expanded into a larger space to accommodate the community. They work to provide an all from scratch menu, including the bagels they make fresh every day. Providing a space for the community to gather and serving quality, affordable meals is their top priority. Being in Manitou means a lot to them. They would like to shout out their amazing staff who works together and shares their vision.
Gustav Moen or “the tennis ball guy” is and has been such a blessing to our community. He is a psychotherapist that specializes in trauma and has a healer’s heart. He and his wife Jessica are actively teaching and healing trauma through many sorts of practices. He is happiest being a behind-the-scenes guy. His role at the Beehive is such an asset to our community and has been involved in many things such as the school board.
With almost 20 years of service working full time for the Manitou Springs Fire Department, Mike Willie runs the Wildland Program, Health and Wellness Program, Peer Support Program, and oversees all the personal protection equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus. He managed the mitigation at the Manitou Springs Reservoir which took place over the course of three years. Mike’s big main focus now is wildfire mitigation and he helped write the new Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
David Valier has been helping out in Manitou Springs for around 50 years. As a Kiwanian, he helps grilling burgers, supporting Christmas Breakfast with Santa and is just a workhorse doing whatever needs to be done. He’s volunteered as a girls soccer coach and even moved the football chains for over 10 years. He’s given over 100 hours a year to the Friends of Red Rock Canyon. He’s a great trail builder, responsible for major improvements on the Intemann Trail.
Erin Ringsred is a Planner and Landscape Architect for the City of Manitou Springs. Erin is most proud of her contributions as the Project Manager of the Manitou Springs Library Addition and Remodel from 2024 through completion. She considers it a privilege to serve as the Project Manager of a project shaped by the community’s dedication and stewardship. Erin believes that libraries are for everyone and is honored to have played her part in making the library accessible to all.
Gillian Rossi is the Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Manitou Springs. She began her career with Manitou in June 2023 and has had the privilege to take part in several exciting projects, including the ADA renovation of the Fields Park and Schryver Park restrooms, the Pool & Fitness Center ADA Locker Room renovation, and the Soda Springs Park Playground Improvement project. Gillian serves as the staff liaison for the Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC) and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PARAB).
MaKenzi VerVaecke is a current senior at MSHS. MaKenzi was a football manager for the Mustangs for 3 years and was this year’s boys basketball manager. She has also held the role of editor-in-chief for two years for the high school newspaper, The Prospector, and was on its staff as a reporter for one year. Following graduation MaKenzi will attend the University of Wyoming to study Elementary Education.
The Pikes Peak Bulletin is essential to maintaining connection, wellbeing and stewardship of our community and natural environment. The number of volunteer and underpaid staff who work so hard is impressive. They do it because they love Manitou Springs and are committed to helping us understand what is happening around us by giving real facts and a forum on community dialogue. The Bulletin is a mirror of the spirit of Manitou.
Logan Moore grew up playing on the playground at Manitou Springs Elementary school, and soon he will walk across the stage to receive his diploma. His accomplishments include: 2X Team Captain of the Football/Baseball team, National Honors Society Member, Key Club Member, and an All-state football player. He serves his community by assisting in youth sports and helping the homeless. Ambitious, friendly, joyful, and confident are some of the words that many would use to describe Logan Moore.
Annie Rodgers is a large part of our music and arts community. She is one of the original board members of the BAC/MAC and has helped in making the MAC what it is now. Annie has found support from our community in so many ways it’s hard to put into words. She is one who is a much better giver than receiver. Her heart is enormous and the love she has for all of Manitou is hard to match. She says, “All you can do is be right here.” Great words of wisdom.
Known for her work in the technology department at MSSD14, Gabrielle Waters is a third generation Colorado Springs native. She studied art, graphic design, and early education at UCCS. She supports environmental efforts at the school. Waters is also known for her smile, laugh, and amazing costumes. A regular at all funky Manitou events, she truly embodies our quirky and welcoming community.
Shirley Wade is a 1951 Manitou High School graduate who developed her love of Manitou history while working at the Cliff House Hotel in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1995, she became a founding member of the Heritage Hall exhibit, which is currently housed at the Manitou Springs Heritage Museum. Shirley has served as a volunteer board member of the Museum since 2015. While serving as the museum’s archives supervisor, she has overseen the input of over 6,000 items into the museum’s archives.
Considering his greatest contribution to Manitou can be a real head-scratcher for George Whitt. The 76-year-old Manitoid served as president of the Kiwanis Club and was given the Lusche Award, their highest honor, coached little league, served as a Boy Scout troop leader, committee chairman and Eagle coordinator, and volunteers at the Manitou Springs Visitor’s Center. But he counts his construction project house at the high school as the one that sticks with him, especially when he tracks the career trajectories of all the future builders and architects he’s nurtured.
