Honorary Awards
CHEC is grateful for the many who have given sacrificially, fought battles, and worked tirelessly to contribute to the Colorado homeschool community. We recognize and express our gratitude for some of these leaders through these annual awards.
Spark Plug Award
CHEC is dependent on our team of volunteers, and each year, over 300 families and individuals join CHEC to promote homeschooling, share their love for the Lord, and enjoy fellowship with others. Volunteers are tasked with anything from stuffing envelopes in an afternoon to working regular hours on large special events like the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference. (Learn more about volunteering.)
As a way to honor our volunteers, CHEC presents the Spark Plug award annually at the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference to a volunteer whose efforts set them apart by an unusual amount of energy, inspiration, dedication and self sacrifice.
Spark Plug Award Recipients
2003: Jody Smith
2004: Ida Mae Custer
2005: Julie DeKruif
2006: Marci Walter
2007: Amy Menges
2008: Rebecca Austin
2009: Nancy Casterline
2010: Ian Serff
2011: The Dan Einarsen Family
2012: Chad Roach
2013: Steve & Jennifer Vaughan
2014: Aureli Drake
2015: The Louie & Cassandra Colorado Family
2016: Tammy Sechrist
2017: Bob & Lisa Coruzzi
2019: David & Jennifer Moody
2021: Linda Kidder
2022: Karen Lipman
2023: Lindsay Vargas
2024: Dalton & Lisa Lockman
2025: Shari McMinn
Homeschool Leadership Award
Homeschool Groups offer fellowship, inspiration, tools, and hands-on support to homeschool families under the guidance of group leaders. The sacrificial service of these leaders goes largely unseen. But CHEC offers members the opportunity to nominate their leader for the Homeschool Leadership award. Award recipients are recognized at the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference.
Homeschool Leadership Award Recipients
- 2003: Gail Urbina, SPICE (Support for Parents Involved in Christian Education)
- 2004: Clare Dawson, Bear Valley Homeschool Group
- 2005: Steve & Yvonne Dodge, House on the Rock Christian Homeschool Support
- 2006: Ronnie McKay, Parker Christian Home Educators (Parker)
- 2007: Brian & Pam Newburg, High Country Home Educators (Colorado Springs)
- 2008: Mike & Paula Anderson, HOME (Colorado Springs)
- 2009: Margaret Cranor, Gunnison Valley Home Educators (Gunnison)
- 2010: Steve & Jennifer Vaughan, Christian Faith Homeschool Group (Aurora)
- 2011: Glenn & Jamie Ogg, R-HOM (Arvada)
- 2012: Mike & Roxie Cheney, CHEC Conference Committee
- 2013: Cheryl Lindberg, Parker Christian Home Educators (Parker)
- 2014: Pam Newburg, High Country Home Educators (Colorado Springs)
- 2015: Sharon Ford, HOME (Colorado Springs)
- 2016: Sarah Forney, Hearts at Home (Highlands Ranch)
- 2017: Kimberly Traum, Homeschool Etc. (Arvada)
- 2018: Vicki Johnson-Calzadilla, Teller/Park County Christian Co-op
- 2021: Kristen Schaffner, HEART (Home Education and Righteousness Training)
- 2022: Courtney Raecker, True North Homeschool
- 2023: Sharon Wichael, Eliora Homeschool Academy
- 2024: Tara Roehl, Wild Child Co-op
- 2025: Linda Kidder, Homeschool E.T.C.
Statesman of the Year Award
We praise God for legislators who stand for Christian homeschool freedom. Each spring at the Day at the Capitol rally, CHEC recognizes one Representative or Senator in appreciation for their selfless leadership in the arena of public policy.
Stateman of the Year Award Recipients
- 2003: Representative Don Lee
- 2004: Senator John Andrews
- 2005: Representative Dave Schultheis
- 2006: Representative Kevin Lundberg
- 2007: Senator Greg Brophy
- 2008: Senator Ted Harvey
- 2009: Representative Kent Lambert
- 2010: Former US Senator Bill Armstrong
- 2011: Senator Scott Renfroe
- 2012: Senator Kevin Lundberg
- 2013: Homeschool Liaison Treon Goossen
- 2014: Senator Mark Scheffel
- 2015: Senator Owen Hill
- 2016: Former US Senator Tom Tancredo
- 2017: Chief Justice Roy Moore
- 2018: Representative Kim Ransom
- 2019: Bill Jack
- 2020: Canceled
- 2021: Lori Saine
- 2022: Dave Williams
- 2023: Michael Donnelly, JD (former HSLDA attorney for Colorado)
- 2024: Senator Mark Baisley
- 2025: Carolyn Martin
Ruth Beechick Award
In 1986, after a distinguishing career in the education field, Dr. Ruth Beechick channeled her talented writing skills to promote home-based discipleship. A true pioneer in every sense, Dr. Beechick gave credibility to a spawning movement that welcomed her expertise. Standing against a wave of conventional worldly wisdom that condemned home education, Dr.Beechick soon became a beloved writer and counselor to many new homeschooling families. Her compassionate timely wisdom came to a pinnacle with the publishing of her book, A Biblical Home Education, where she boldly proclaimed that, “Since the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, anti-God teaching can only lead to foolishness.” Dr. Ruth Beechick lived in Golden, Colorado, until she passed away in 2013.
CHEC is pleased to honor this legacy by presenting the Ruth Beechick Award to past and present homeschool leaders who have distinguished themselves in Colorado. In the spirit of Dr. Beechick, we seek out those who have given of themselves sacrificially, who stand on the principles of God’s Word, and who understand the truth that wisdom can only be taught in the fear of God. We recognize the Ruth Beechick Award recipient at the annual Day at the Capitol rally.
May God in His mercy grant us many more leaders who typify this courageous woman of God!
Ruth Beechick Award Recipients
- 2000: Ruth Beechick
- 2001: Kevin & Sandy Lundberg
- 2002: Treon Goossen
- 2003: Mike & Teri Spray
- 2004: Steve Ong
- 2005: Kevin Swanson
- 2006: Brenda Kelly
- 2007: Pete Olson
- 2008: Mike Cheney
- 2009: Marcia Washburn
- 2010: The Bill Roach Family
- 2011: The late Chris Klicka, Esquire
- 2012: The George Sechrist Family
- 2013: Vicki Lewis
- 2014: Brian & Pam Newburg
- 2015: Mike Chapa
- 2016: Chris & Jenny Galanek
- 2017: Michael Farris