- Westminster Public Schools
- December 18 - WHS Grad Injured in Iraq War Named U.S. Disabled Soccer Athlete of Year
D50 Insider 2014 - 15 Archives
- D50 Insider Archives Home
- May 21st Edition
- Governor Signs ‘Pay for Success’ Childhood Education Bill in District 50
- WHS Class of 2015 Graduates
- Sister Gives Grad a Surprise Gift
- WHS Seniors Honored
- Scott Carpenter Students ‘Rise Above’ in ASTRO-nomical Way
- ‘Fred’ Award Winners Recognized
- ‘Fred Award’ Winners Eat Lunch with Fred
- D50 Says ‘Thank You’ to Retirees
- D50 Television Schedule
- Calendar
- May 7th Edition
- Lawmakers Compromise on Money, Tests
- Alice Collins: Former Pro Golfer Recognized for English Language Program earners
- Zoë Driver, Elks Teacher of Year
- Next Generation Learning Takes Major Step Forward
- ‘RENT’ Nominated as Outstanding Overall Production
- Scott Carpenter Kids Shine at ‘Yess Breakfast’
- Class of 2015 Ready to Graduate
- Gillian Muniz Signs to Play College Basketball
- National Honor Society Inducts New Members
- Sunset Ridge Artist Celebrated at Rockies Game
- Fairview Celebrates Mexican Culture
- ‘Fred’ Award Winners Recognized
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- April 23rd Edition
- Lawmakers Still Debating School Finance, Testing
- District 50 Receives Innovative Grant to Improve Early Childhood Education
- Students Send Anti-Drug Message on 4-20
- Alice Collins Named English Language Development Director of Year
- Brian Kosena Named New Principal at Tennyson Knolls Elementary
- Meet Karina Costas, Elks Teacher of the Year
- District Art Show Highlights Student Talents and Diverse Cultures
- Bob Landgraf Honored with Opportunity Fund in his Name
- WHS Plant Sale Starts Saturday
- Ed Foundation Golf Tournament is June 3rd
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- April 9th Edition
- Bob Landgraf Remembered as a Man Who Made a Difference
- Teachers of Year Named
- ‘Fred’ Award Winners Recognized
- ‘Talking Topics’ Examines STEM Education at WHS
- “Riva Day” at Hodgkins, Money Raised
- Celebrate Art and Culture April 17
- Date Set for Retirement Celebration
- 2015-16 School Year to Begin August 19th
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar of Events
- March 12th Edition
- Girls’ B-Ball Team Honored at State Capitol
- 72nd Avenue Closed Next Week
- Sunset Ridge Receives ‘Foundations for Great Schools’ Award
- Retiring Principal of Tennyson Knolls Elementary Honored
- 2014-15 Celebrating Academic Excellence Winners
- Crown Pointe, STEM Academy Shine in Destination Imagination Competition
- Hodgkins Collects ‘Pennies for Patients’
- ‘RENT’ hits Westminster High Stage this Month
- ‘Westy Without Hate Week’ Begins Monday
- Artistic Achievements on Display at WHS
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- February 26th Edition
- Girls’ B-Ball Team Wins Conference, Host Playoff Game Friday
- Board Supports Funding Resolution
- Contract Negotiations in Public
- State Tests Begin in March
- ‘Fred’ Award Winners Bring out Fans
- Student’s Help Build Sculpture for St. Anthony North Hospital
- Leggett Family Receives ‘Thanks of a Grateful Nation’
- Westy El Principal Loses Bet, Gets New Look
- A Tradition of Giving to D50 Families in Need
- ‘Celebrating Academic Excellence’ Moved to March 7
- Tickets for D50 Nuggets Night Available
- District 50 Television Schedule
- Calendar
- February 12th Edition
- Spring Testing To Go Forward
- Superintendents Unite on Increased Funding
- Contract Negotiations Go Public
- Teacher Leadership Cabinet Meets for First Time
- English Learning Students Receive Grant
- Record Turnout for Tuition and Scholarship Fair
- HLHS Educator Breaks Ground in Teaching Holocaust
- Pedal Power Keeps Students Healthy
- Westy Celebrates Success
- Tickets for D50 Nuggets Night Available
- District 50 Television Schedule
- Calendar
- January 29th Edition
- State of the District Speech Looks to Future
- Two ‘Fred’ Award Winners Named
- Metz Elementary Receives Book Donations
- District to Sell Roush Property
- Special Education Students Inspire Recycling Program
- Students Build ‘Retro’ Arcade Games at WHS
- WHS Students Sign Letters of Intent
- College Tuition and Scholarship Fair is Saturday
- Nuggets Night Set for Tuesday, March 3rd
- D50 Television Schedule
- Calendar
- January 15th Edition
- State Leaders Meet with BOE to Learn About Needs and Priorities
- District 50 Awarded College Grant
- 72nd and Raleigh Bridge Replacement Project
- Shaw Heights Fights Cancer
- College Tuition and Scholarship Fair is January 31
- CSA Science Fair Highlights Students Work
- WHS Hosts Robotics Championship Saturday
- District Closed to Celebrate Life of Martin Luther King Jr.
- District 50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- December 18th Edition
- District 50 Named to AP Honor Roll
- Skyline Students Visit Westy, Experience STEM
- BOE Recognizes Sunset Ridge
- WHS Grad Injured in Iraq War Named U.S. Disabled Soccer Athlete of Year
- Holiday Video Postcard Captures Joy of Season
- Santa Teams up with Superintendent to Deliver Xmas Message
- Meet ‘Fred’ Award Winner Laura Johnson
- Baker Demolition Underway
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- December 4th Edition
- Video Explains School Closure Process
- District 50 Continues to Grow
- Sunset Ridge Honored with Governor’s Award
- College Tour Opens a World of Possibilities to Families
- WHS has High Rate of Disadvantaged Students Going to Elite Colleges
- Drug Free Conference Celebrates a Quarter Century
- Ranum Guitar Students Learn From Veteran Player
- Teacher Hosts 10th Annual ELD Thanksgiving Feast
- Metz Students Revisit the Disco Age
- Have A Heart - Holiday Schedule
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- November 13th Edition
- Voters Reject District 50 Ballot Measures
- Westy Grad Killed in Afghanistan Honored
- Flynn, Shaw Heights Commemorate Veterans Day
- Conference Athlete of the Month - Gillian Muniz
- LASA Recognized as ‘Rising Stars’
- CASB Honors Bob Landgraf
- Adventure Golf Lights up the Holidays
- Avenue Q on Stage at Westminster High School
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- October 30th Edition
- Showcase Highlights D50 Opportunities
- ESP Cabinet Focused on the Future
- Former Board Member Bob Landgraf Honored
- Season to Remember for WHS Softball, Soccer and Football
- Behind the Scenes Video Previews WHS Production of ‘Avenue Q’
- Clear Lake Middle School Demolition Underway
- “Haunted High” at Hidden Lake High School
- Voting Underway on District 50 Ballot Measures
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- October 16th Edition
- District 50 Showcase is October 27
- Hand Sanitizers Added to District 50 Buildings
- Metz Elementary, Neighbors get New Playground
- Helicopters, Proclamation Celebrates Red Ribbon Week
- ‘Brain Gym’ Program Connects D50 to Kaiser Permanente and Good Health
- Hyland Hills Board of Directors Vote to Support District 50 Ballot Measures
- Avenue Q to Hit Westy High Stage in November
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- October 2nd Edition
- Unique Partnership Allows Teachers and Students to Learn at the Same Time
- Lt. Governor Encourages WHS Students to Pursue College Dreams
- ESP Staff Focuses on Customer Service, Work Place Competency
- Westminster City Council Supports D50 Mill Levy and Bond Election
- Yellow Ribbon Program Honored
- BOE Member Survives Hurricane, Reflects on What Really Matters
- D50 Spreads Peace to the World
- Homecoming Parade Emphasizes Community Pride
- New D50 Tradition Unites Community and Raises Money
- Constitution Quiz Answers, Winners Revealed
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- September 18th Edition
- September 4th Edition
- District 50 Board Places Bond, Mill Levy on November Ballot
- District 50 to Honor WHS Grad Killed in Afghanistan
- CBS Symposium Focuses on District 50 Mission
- A ‘Cool’ Message of Thanks
- Ice Bucket Challenge Freezes D50
- New Leaders at D50 Schools
- ‘News You Can Use’ in Mailbox
- Alumni Golf Tournament Just Around the Corner
- ‘Under a Neon Moon’ is the WHS Homecoming Theme
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- August 21st Edition
- District 50 Continues Strong, Steady Academic Growth
- Students, Teachers Return to Classroom
- ‘Welcome Back Rally’ Motivates, Inspires D50 Staff
- New Teachers on the Job in D50
- Summer Work Improves, Cools District 50 Schools
- ‘Have A Heart’ Back for Another Year; Still Guided by Founders
- Community Fair Brings Assistance to Westminster Families
- Young Football Players Learn from Westminster’s Elite
- Your Tweet Can Raise Money, Support District 50 Tennis
- Alumni Golf Tournament Part of Homecoming Weekend
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
-
WHS Grad Injured in Iraq War Named U.S. Disabled Soccer Athlete of Year
When a terror attack brought down the World Trade Center towers in New York City, Gavin Sibayan felt like it was time to stand up for his country.
When his war injuries left him partially paralyzed, he knew it was time to stand up for his children.
It’s been a long journey back, and while he is not fully recovered, Sibayan was recently named the U.S. Disabled Soccer Athlete of the Year. A 1999 graduate of Westminster High School, he has made his community and his country proud.
“Athletic completion was always important to me,” Sibayan said recently from his home in Colorado Springs. “After my injuries, I was just trying to get back in the game.”
Sibayan grew up in Westminster, attending Flynn Elementary, Shaw Heights Middle School and then Westminster High School. As a senior, he captained the boys’ soccer team after having transitioned from goal keeper to sweeper. He was the model of good health and an Army career was not part of his plans.
Then came 9/11.
“My country is at war,” he recalled thinking, “It’s time for me to do something and try and keep people safe.”
He joined the Army and in 2008, within a matter of one month, he was involved in the IED explosions. The most serious happened outside of Tajid, Iraq. In an instant, his life changed forever. The explosion dislocated his hip, buried shrapnel in his body and, worst of all, left him with a diagnosis of TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Forced out of active duty by his injuries, Sibayan began looking for ways to literally get back on his feet.
Because athletics was always an important part of his life, he decided to compete in the Warrior Games which allows injured veterans to represent their branch of service in competitive sports. His accomplishments were great, winning four gold medals in swimming.
He was such a strong athlete, the U.S. Paralympic National Soccer Team asked him to try out for their team.
The elite program recruits athletes from across the country to compete in international competition. To be eligible, athletes have to have suffered from one of three neurological conditions: a stroke, Cerebral Palsy or a traumatic brain injury.Sibayan jumped at the chance and after tryouts in California he made the team. As he was preparing to represent his country in the World Cup, his war injuries came back to shatter his new reality. He suffered two strokes that doctors say were tied to his TMI. The second stroke left him paralyzed on his right side.
His challenge now was not to compete at a high athletic level, but to live a productive life for his two children. “There was a point where I was really down,” he admits. “But I said to myself, ‘I have two kids to take care of.”
With the support of his wife Stephanie, Gavin entered a rehabilitation program that has shown amazing results. The only lingering signs of his stroke are that he can’t open his right hand, and he can’t put his right heel down.
He can run.
He can play soccer.
He can score goals.
He played so well in 2014 that he was named Athlete of the Year. “I received an email saying I had been nominated and it was kind of a shocker,” Sibayan said. “I’m honored. I have a lot of pride for the U.S. and it’s a big honor to just play on the team.”Sibayan plans to compete with the team again next year and odds are you will find him on the soccer field with his two boys, seven-year-old Gavin Junior and four-year-old Telen.
Ask him if he sees himself as an inspiration to other injured vets and he’s very modest.
“There are guys that have been through a lot worse,” he said. “My message is that it’s important for all injured vets to try and get back what they lost.”
Posted December 18, 2014