Visitors from CU see GJHS

University of Colorado President Todd Saliman and others visited Grand Junction High School

Lincoln McQuade, Managing Editor • August 25, 2025

GJHS Principal Jory Sorensen and CU President Todd Saliman shake hands at the Front Entrance. The event began shortly afterwards as the participants went to the library to eat lunch.

University of Colorado (CU) visitors attended a Grand Junction High School-hosted tour of the new building on August 20.

The tour began at 11:45 a.m. when GJHS Principal Jory Sorensen greeted the CU participants in the commons. Among the 12 participating CU representatives was CU President Todd Saliman, who said he was very happy to tour the new GJHS building. Five School District 51 officials, like Chief Academic Officer Jennifer Marsh, also attended the tour.

GJHS and CU administration in front of the new GJHS campus. Student Council Co-Presidents Abbey Johnson and Jack Welling helped with the tour. (Lincoln McQuade)

“They are visiting select locations around the Western Slope to find out more about our communities, and they first thought of Grand Junction High School because of our new facility and all of the great things happening here,” said Sorensen.

The participants went to the GJHS library to enjoy a catered lunch of sandwiches and salads from Berna B’s, a local restaurant. During lunch, the participants discussed the GJHS and CU campuses. Lunch ended at 12:35 p.m., and the guided tour of the $144.5 million new GJHS building began.

“They’re trying to get information about how to design their programming and even their marketing to meet the needs of their students. They’re visiting campuses to learn that and see what aspiring college students are looking for in a campus,” said Sorensen.

GJHS senior Student Council Co-Presidents Abbey Johnson and Jack Welling helped lead the tour of the building. The two explained areas of the building, such as Tiger Town and the weights room, to the CU participants.

“It was a great opportunity to demonstrate our knowledge of our school and what we have here,” said Johnson.

The tour of the new GJHS building ended at 1:30 p.m. as the visiting participants from CU departed. Before the CU participants left, they received orange gift bags arranged by GJHS secretary Karen Provenza.

The new GJHS building has attracted many visitors. Last year, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Colorado Representative Matt Soper and District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher visited the building.

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About the Contributor

Lincoln McQuade, Managing Editor

Lincoln McQuade is a GJHS senior and this year’s Managing Editor. This is his second year on the staff and his first as an editor. Lincoln enjoys playing the guitar and bass, and he is very excited to be a prominent editor this year.