{"id":1318563,"date":"2020-03-04T17:52:51","date_gmt":"2020-03-05T00:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/?p=994261"},"modified":"2020-03-04T17:52:51","modified_gmt":"2020-03-05T00:52:51","slug":"student-organized-empowerfest-at-riverview-school-on-friday-shines-light-on-women-and-organizations-making-a-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/local-news\/student-organized-empowerfest-at-riverview-school-on-friday-shines-light-on-women-and-organizations-making-a-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Student-organized Empowerfest at Riverview School on Friday shines light on women and organizations making a difference"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Empowerfest organizers, from left, Riverview eighth-grade students Kate Hardaker, Taia Nykerk, Sage Kaufman and Lily Stelzriede.<\/strong>
Provided<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

A group of Riverview School students have turned their studies of women\u2019s rights and equality into a full-blown event this Friday after school focusing on the broader topic of equality and inclusion around the world.<\/p>\n

Eighth-grade students Kate Hardaker, Sage Kaufman, Taia Nykerk and Lily Stelzriede are the organizers of Empowerfest<\/a>, taking place from 4:30-7 p.m. Friday at the school south of Glenwood Springs.<\/p>\n

The event aims to raise awareness about equality for all, including women, minorities and people with various disabilities.<\/p>\n

Hardaker, whose little sister has Down syndrome, said she was inspired to provide a forum to share how her family has benefitted from services provided by Mountain Valley Developmental Services.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll throughout my life we\u2019ve done stuff with (Mountain Valley), and I wanted to give back to them, because they\u2019ve done so much for my family,\u201d Hardaker said.<\/p>\n

Mountain Valley Developmental Services is one of five organizations that will have information booths at Empowerfest \u2014 all of which work to empower people in some way.<\/p>\n

The others are Ascendigo, which provide services for children on the autism spectrum; For the Good, which partners with communities around the world to keep girls in school; the Kirstie Ennis Foundation, which works to inspire people with physical disabilities to meet their potential; and Sustainable Settings, which promotes sustainable agricultural practices and prosperity through growing food.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt started with an idea we had last year after researching women\u2019s rights,\u201d Kaufman explained. \u201cEmpowerfest is a way to focus not only on gender equality, but equality for all people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not only that, it helped the students develop organizational skills in terms of planning the event logistics and lining up the presenters, Nykerk said.<\/p>\n

Several female speakers have also been invited to share inspirational messages about their work and activities aimed at human empowerment. Among the speakers are:<\/p>\n