Grand openings for the Pikes Peak Community College Falcon campus and Patriot Learning Center were held Aug. 9 at the old Falcon Middle School.The institutions share the building and are working in partnership to provide strong education for area students. “Our high school kids might be on the streets and are at high risk for dropping out. We want to provide a sense of community and a sense of family for them,” said PLC Principal Jay Hahn.After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Hahn introduced his staff who worked during the summer to get PLC, an alternative school, ready. He praised their dedication to the students. He also welcomed the community to visit the school and even teach a class. “We are teacher-guided and student-centered,” he said. “Even after the first week, I can see the spark. Our students will be successful.”The Color Guards from both Sand Creek and Falcon High schools presented arms, and Amy Smith of SCHS sang the national anthem. After a prayer led by Mark Shook, director of Falcon School District 49 Board of Education, Kent Clawson, secretary of the board, spoke. Clawson said, “The Patriot Center is the epitome of what D 49 is becoming. These are gifted and talented students who need to be challenged to accomplish their best work.”Falcon School District 49 Superintendent Grant Schmidt presented awards to board members and D 49 employees for their work in getting PLC up and running.”There will be bumps and bruises along the way,” Hahn said. “Kids will always be considered first in everything we do; making sure they get an education.”Tony Kinkel, PPCC president, also spoke. “What a wonderful step forward for Falcon to have a college here,” Kinkel said. He said that PPCC trains 80 percent of all nurses in this area, and he looked forward to having a strong partnership with PLC and the Falcon community.”Come see the students at PLC and see them walk across the hall to start college,” he said. If you want to see it done right, this is where you come. Just see what we could do for the students of Falcon.”After the ceremonies, open houses were held so community residents could talk with educators, see the classrooms and register at PPCC. Outside in the parking lot were games, contests and food.
