Chatfield and Columbine are rivals, true, but we are also close schools with the ability to come together. Impactful examples of this include our welcoming of Columbine students into the Chatfield halls after tragedy struck their school in 1999, as well as Chatfield’s participation in Columbine’s annual Day of Service. This unity will be seen again on Friday, November 1st, at our varsity football game. The theme for the game is teal out for both teams. Why? We’ve decided to unite our stands in support of Janet Lowry. If you are unfamiliar with this name, she was a FACS teacher at our school for 7 years, and her husband, Andy Lowry, is the head football coach at Columbine and the 2023 5A Football Coach Of Year. Teal is the color for Metastatic Breast cancer, which Mrs. Lowry has fought for many years. Her cancer journey began in 2017 with a diagnosis of breast cancer. It then became metastatic, meaning the cancer had spread into other parts of her body, and in her case to her bones. But even through countless rounds of chemotherapy and her recent courageous decision to stop treatment, cancer does not define her.
Her 7 years here are just the start of it. Both her mother, Marie Osse, and her uncle, Gary Osse, left a mark on our school as well. Her mother taught English here, and Coach Osse was nearly our gym’s namesake in addition to his career teaching Chargers math. Mrs. Allen spent 5 years as her teammate and had nothing but amazing things to say about Mrs. Lowry. She described her as “the heart of Chatfield”, she had unwavering school spirit seen with her creating the ongoing tradition of Halloween costumes seen with teachers in E-hall. Her legacy at Chatfield consisted of wanting the FACS department to be a home for students. If anyone needed a person to talk to, a place to eat, or really anything at all, they knew that Mrs. Lowry was there. Some fond memories include all she did for the school during COVID. She and Miss Allen made a big sign to let kids know that they were missed, which was set up in front of the school during lockdown. They made fun night-time dance videos to send to their students as a pick-me-up in hard times, and even took snack packs to kids at their homes during finals. She was described as the most “considerate, kind-hearted, and genuine” person around. Mrs. Gunkel will never forget them dancing in E Hall for whomever was watching the security camera to have something to laugh about. She also believes that Janet is one of the strongest individuals who exudes Charger Pride through all her interactions with her students and her colleagues. Meeting students where they were and helping them through difficult times just comes natural to Mrs. Lowry.
It is important that we show up to the game this Friday night and spread the word. Whether you enjoy football or not, that is not what this game is about. This is to honor Mrs. Lowry and all she’s done for both communities. If you or someone you love has been affected by cancer, then you know the hardships that many of her close friends and family are experiencing right now. Wear your teal, show up before 6:40pm so that you can witness the ceremony before the game, and show support for a beloved Chatfield teacher. Mrs. Gunkel has teal bandanas for sale in E111 for a dollar each. There are also great, cheap options at places like Hobby Lobby or Michaels if you do not own any teal.
