Twenty-six Collbran Job Corps students were sworn in as Election Judges, serving November 2^nd and 6^th.

    Heather Bennett, Supervisory Guidance Counselor, reported that when students arrived for duty in Clifton, Colorado, a town of approximately 21,000 residents, local volunteers from previous years said, “I’m so glad it’s the Collbran Job Corps students.” Pam Hawkins said, “This was hands down the best group of workers we have ever had. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without them. Thank you!”

    Andrew Lugar, CISCO Networking student, quickly stepped in when an internet technology issue occurred, earning praise from volunteers. Referring to how quickly Lugar solved the glitch, Gove Aker, Center Director, said, “It just goes to show our students are ‘digital natives’.”

    Collbran Job Corps student Samantha McClure assisted in reloading and returning functionality to a voting receipt machine. Following her work as an Election Judge, student Kelsey Wall said, “A lot of people were energetic; they wanted to vote. It was exciting. We were there getting the job done.”

    Sue Tuffin, Regional Director, Mesa County Workforce Center, volunteered in Fruita, Colorado, where another group of Collbran Job Corps students served as Election Judges. Tuffin said, “The Collbran Job Corps students were awesome. They arrived before the doors opened at 7 a.m. and didn’t leave until after the doors closed at 7 p.m. They didn’t take breaks…instead they grabbed a snack and kept working.”

    Tuffin said when computers went offline Collbran Job Corps students restored the connections without delay. “We were short of people (volunteers); the Collbran students were invaluable to the process…the whole process ran very smoothly.” Tuffin continued, “Collbran Job Corps students were professional and cheerful, greeting people and thanking them for voting.”

    The students were accompanied by Aker; Bennett; Rachel Nelson, Grand Mesa High School/Collbran Job Corps Social Studies instructor; Ron Collins, Work Programs Officer; Doug Satterfield, Center Standards Officer; and Ed Satterfield, Residential Living Officer.