Jeannie Miller’s impact on the Glenwood Springs community as a choir teacher and music director is far-reaching.

Even after her heartbreaking 2006 death.

Upon the mention of her name, former students and colleagues dote on Miller’s 20-year career at Glenwood Springs High School. They even choose her as Locals Choice Best Teacher.

Miller was well known for her hands-on approach to music education. She routinely worked with students after school to provide voice lessons and coaching to help tune their talents.

One such student was Jackie Collier, now a music major at Biola University in Los Angeles. To Collier, Miller was a mentor, teacher and friend.

“She gave me a musical foundation,” Collier said. “She had such big dreams for me.”

Miller died Aug. 20, 2006, at the age of 58, after a short battle with ovarian cancer. Her legacy is carried on through the Jeannie Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund, established at US Bank. A recent fundraising concert to provide scholarships for high school graduates pursuing the arts took place June 15 in Glenwood Springs. The concert featured Miller’s favorite music — sacred, patriotic and musical theater songs — and raised more than $3,700 for the fund.

Visit any of the valley’s branch offices to make a donation, or send contributions to: Jeannie Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o 2 Rivers Community Foundation, PO Box 1539, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.

Other Finalists: Judy Milne, Laurie Courier

Garfield County Commissioner John Martin has a look most locals in Glenwood Springs recognize. Blue jeans and a cowboy shirt and hat are standard issue for this urban cowboy whose Colorado family ties date back to the 1860s. It must the genes.

Other Finalists: Twirp Anderson, Bud Smith

Marian Smith, former Glenwood Springs mayor and Garfield County Commissioner, was born and raised in Glenwood. She and her husband, Bud Smith, a finalist for Best Cowboy, still reside in their Blake Avenue home where they raised their children, one of the last of the city’s horse pastures and open spaces.

Other Finalists: Holly McLain, Jan Kaufman

Don and Diana Kaufman started out as friends during their teenage years at Glenwood Springs High School. The happy couple has been together for 20 years now, marrying on Aug. 24, 1996, in Breckenridge. The Kaufman’s have two kids, William, 7, and Eleanor, 5, and reside in downtown Glenwood Springs.

Other Finalists: Steve and Vivian Holmgren, Greg and Michelle Orton, Bleu and Linda L’estrange

YouthZone’s mission is to help youth become responsible, contributing members of society. The nonprofit offers youth and family assessments, counseling, mediation services, home-based support, parent education and its successful Pal’s Mentoring Program.

Other Finalists: Colorado Animal Rescue, Roaring Fork Hospice

Colorado is home to between 8,000 and 12,000 black bears, and many of them weren’t afraid to show their presence in the Roaring Fork Valley in 2006. The Colorado Division of Wildlife responded to numerous calls of bruins raiding trash bins and hanging around homes in search of snacks.

Other Finalists: State trooper shooting, illegal immigration

A Colorado native, Garfield County Commissioner Trési Houpt focuses her political career on such important topics as oil and gas issues, affordable housing concerns and transportation’s environmental impact. Houpt and her family moved to Garfield County more than a decade ago, and she remains dedicated to improving the community she calls home.

Other Finalists: Bruce Christensen, John Martin