Meet Your Neighbors

Emma Gacnik

Age: 19
Lives in: Glenwood Springs (born and raised)
Occupation: Sales associate at GameStop in Glenwood
What’s been your favorite movie of the summer so far? “‘The Dark Knight.’ Just saw it Thursday (at a midnight showing). It was cool.”
What’s the best thing that’s happened to you all summer? “I got accepted to an art school (DigiPen Institute of Technology in Redmond, Wash.).
What will you be doing there? “Animation. I’m super excited for that.”
If you could spend your summer anywhere in the world, where would it be? “Japan. I love Japan.”

Shawna Miller

Age: 41
Lives in: New Castle (grew up in Baggs, Wyo.)
Occupation: Head cashier at Sports Authority in Glenwood
What’s been your favorite movie of the summer so far? “‘Fool’s Gold.’ I love it.”
What’s the best thing that’s happened to you all summer? “Just seeing my family. Being with my family.”
If you could spend your summer anywhere in the world, where would it be? “Catalina Island. We went there on vacation one time, and I just so could live there on that island. It’s so peaceful and beautiful.”

Nikolai Lyssogor

Age: 9
Lives in: Basalt (and has his whole life)
Occupation: Soon to be a fourth-grader at Basalt Elementary School
What’s been your favorite movie of the summer so far? “‘Kung Fu Panda.’ It’s pretty much the only movie I’ve seen all summer.”
What’s the best thing that’s happened to you all summer? “Dang, that’s a hard one. Going to Mexico, seeing cockatoos, parrots, macaws, parakeets.”
If you could spend your summer anywhere in the world, where would it be? “Hawaii. I like the waves.”

Alonso Ruiz

(with translation help from his mom, Mabely Castillo)
Age: 13
Lives in: Carbondale (originally from Tijuana, Mexico)
Occupation: Going to be a student in Glenwood Springs
What’s been your favorite movie of the summer so far? “‘Spiderman.’”
What’s the best thing that’s happened to you all summer? “To come to Colorado (he’s been here one month).”
If you could spend your summer anywhere in the world, where would it be? “I would want to be on vacation all the time.”
compiled by Stina Sieg