Blue Lake Preschool

I came to Glenwood in 1987 to study photography at CMC and fell in love… with the valley. With all its beauty, opportunity, and outdoor activities, who wouldn’t want to live here? I love to go off-roading, camping, and of course, photography. In 1990 I was looking for a summer job and applied at Alpine Bank. 18 years later I’m still with them and love every minute. I started at the Snowmass Branch and I’ve worked my way to be Vice President at the Willits location. In 2002 I was blessed with a beautiful daughter, Mayzee. When I went back to work I put her in Little Buddies because Blue Lake did not take infants at the time. When they closed I was ecstatic to know that Blue Lake could take her. Since I arrived I have found Blue Lake to be a great little family in which I, and most importantly Mayzee, were welcomed to with open arms. What I love most about the school is the teachers take so much interest in each child’s life, regardless of what may be happening in their own life. Michelle and all of the teachers have made the preschool a wonderful place for kids to learn and grow. I have been on the board since 2003 and have loved every minute.

I moved to the Roaring Fork Valley in 1991 from New Jersey. I thought I was just moving here to be a ski bum for a few years. 17 years later I’m still here! I met my husband, Brian in 2001 and bought my first home in 2002. We are here to stay! The mountains, the skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, and the people… who could leave such an amazing place? We have a daughter, Talia, who has been attending Blue Lake since she was three months old. It was so hard to leave her anywhere but all of her teachers at Blue Lake have made me feel like they love her as their own. She looks forward to coming to school everyday to see her friends and teachers. She is so happy here… learning, discovering, and growing everyday through the guidance of incredible women who can be with her when I have to work. I made the decision to join the board in the fall of 2007. I wanted to be involved with the school because it seemed as if my daughter was spending so much of her time there. I wanted the opportunity to give back to a school that is giving so much to my child.

Hello, I am Angela Meraz and I have been on the BLPS board since 2006. My husband, Leo, and I have 3 children, Shalynn, Isabella, and Leo, and two dogs (rotweiller and cockapoo). Our family enjoys just spending time together, whatever it is that we are doing. I graduated from Glenwood High School and am currently living in New Castle. After school I went to work for Alpine Bank and have just continued to work my way up to become a Sr. Vice President at our Basalt location. I am a member of the Childcare Coalition Committee and of Kiwanis. I have been around the childcare system for 14 years now and I feel that BLPS does provide a high level of care for our kids. From just really getting to know the children individually to teaching them numbers, letters, songs, etc. not to mention trying to build relationships with parents. Michelle is an excellent director and the teachers here take a lot of pride in their work as evidenced by our Qualistar rating.

I was fortunate enough to grow up in the beautiful Roaring Fork Valley and continue to enjoy everything it offers. After graduating from Cornell College and marrying my college sweetheart Erik in 1994, we decided to make the valley our permanent home. I currently work part-time as the manager of student services for the Aspen Music Festival and School, where I have worked since 1995. Erik and I are blessed with two beautiful children, Ellie and Maximilian. From the very beginning we have been very impressed with the amazing sense of community and appreciate the safe and nurturing environment that the extraordinarily dedicated staff and teachers at BLPS provide. I am truly excited and honored to sit on the board and look forward to contributing to the continued growth of Blue Lake and all of our children.

I was born and raised in Denver, a native of Colorado. I love the area and couldn’t think of a better place to work and raise a family. I moved to Aspen eleven years ago while working as a sales manager for Southern Wine & Spirits, a wine and liquor distributor. Since then I met my husband who has his own property management and landscape/irrigation company. We married and had a beautiful daughter joining my husband’s son for a perfect family. I needed to have Sophie in a quality childcare program where she would be happy and I would feel good about leaving her while working. Fortunately, we found Blue Lake and we both couldn’t be happier! Since joining the board I have a better understanding of what it takes to make Blue Lake so successful and enjoy contributing to their program. When we are not working we like to spend time as a family enjoying the many activities this valley has to offer including snowmobiling, skiing, boating, and camping.

I moved from Louisiana to the Roaring Fork Valley in 1996 with my husband Chad. I work as an Administrative Assistant for Aspen Sante Fe Ballet. Our daughter, Millie, has attended Blue Lake since she was three months old. Zoe, our newest addition to the family, attends Blue Lake as well. I have been on the Board of Directors since 2006 and have thoroughly enjoyed being involved with Blue Lake Preschool’s growth.