On the evening of March 7, 2026, members of the Denver Astronomical Society gathered at the beautiful Deer Creek Stables at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms in Littleton for the annual DAS Spring Banquet. The event brought together members, volunteers, and leaders to celebrate another year of accomplishments and recognize the people who make the organization thrive.
The banquet began with guests arriving and enjoying conversation before sitting down for a buffet dinner, giving everyone a chance to catch up with fellow members and share stories from star parties, outreach events, and observing sessions throughout the past year.
While DAS is known for its telescopes and dark skies, the true strength of the organization has always been its members. Some volunteers are the friendly faces at public outreach events, helping visitors see Saturn’s rings or the craters of the Moon for the first time. Others work behind the scenes organizing programs, maintaining equipment, coordinating events, or keeping our operations running smoothly.
The Spring Banquet is an opportunity to celebrate all of those contributions.
Inducting the 2026 Leadership
A key moment of the evening was the formal induction of the newly elected DAS Officers and Trustees, who will guide the organization in the coming year.
Officers
President: Katherine Bond
Vice President: July Candia
Treasurer: Hunter Cobb
Past President: Doug Triggs
Trustees
Dr. John Bickel
Mark Christman
Joe Gafford
Chris Hamlin
Ron Hranac
Pavlina Karafilis
Mia Kuchner
Maria Schanhals
These leaders will help shape the direction of the Denver Astronomical Society as it continues to grow its programs, outreach, and observing opportunities.
Recognizing Outgoing Board Members
The evening also included recognition for several outgoing officers and trustees who have dedicated significant time and leadership to the society:
Joe Pineda – Outgoing Vice President
Chris Hamlin – Outgoing Secretary
Steve Barr – Outgoing Trustee
Jack Eastman – Outgoing Trustee
Bill Kast – Outgoing Trustee
Their contributions have helped guide DAS through another successful year of programs and events.
Honoring Exceptional Service
A highlight of the banquet each year is the presentation of service awards recognizing members whose efforts have made a meaningful impact on the organization.
This year’s Rising Star Award was presented to Maria Schanhals for her exceptional service supporting the DAS Outreach Program.
The Award for Exceptional Service was presented to the following members for their dedication and contributions across many areas of the society:
Eileen Barela, presented by Dr. Ken Sturrock
Dr. John Bickel, presented by Joe Pineda
July Candia, presented by Katherine Bond
Hugh Davidson, presented by July Candia
Dr. John Everett, presented by Bill Kast
Joe Gafford, presented by Joe Pineda
Joe Godwin-Austen, presented by Katherine Bond
Ron Hranac, presented by Katherine Bond
Digby Kirby, presented by Ron Hranac
Dena McClung, presented by Katherine Bond
Pam Morrow, presented by Dena McClung
Zachary Singer, presented by Katherine Bond
Greg Wimpey, presented by Digby Kirby
Dan Wray, presented by Dr. Jennifer Hoffman
Hunter Cobb was recognized for Dedicated Service as Treasurer
Bill Ormsby Memorial Volunteer Award
One of the evening’s most meaningful recognitions was the presentation of the Bill Ormsby Memorial Volunteer Award, given this year to Dr. Ken Sturrock and presented by Ron Hranac. Introduced in 2014, the award honors a DAS member who has dedicated significant time and effort to supporting the Society and its mission. It is named for Bill Ormsby, a longtime volunteer at Chamberlin Observatory who was known for his tireless service and dedication to ensuring that public observing nights ran smoothly. In that same spirit of commitment, Dr. Sturrock has played a central role in supporting DAS public programs at Chamberlin Observatory. He oversees staffing for Public Nights and Open House events, organizes volunteer teams, assigns trainees to experienced members, and works closely with the DAS president and the observatory director to ensure that operations run smoothly and that any issues are addressed quickly. His leadership helps ensure that the thousands of visitors who come to Chamberlin each year have a welcoming and memorable introduction to astronomy.
The Trustee Emeritus Award
Another special recognition of the evening was the presentation of the Trustee Emeritus Award to Jack Eastman, honoring his decades of service on the DAS Executive Board. Eastman’s passion for astronomy began as a child growing up in Denver when his father first showed him the Moon through a pair of binoculars. A later view of Jupiter and its four bright Galilean moons cemented a lifelong fascination with the night sky. His early career in astronomy included serving on the guide staff and as a planetarium lecturer at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, where he spent a decade sharing astronomy with the public while also working in the optics industry. After moving back to Colorado, Eastman spent more than 37 years as an Optical Sciences Specialist at Martin Marietta before retiring. He joined the Denver Astronomical Society in 1969 and has served the organization in numerous leadership roles, including Vice President and President, along with many years on the Executive Board. The Trustee Emeritus Award recognizes not only his long tenure of leadership but also his enduring commitment to the Society and to sharing astronomy with others.
Celebrating the Programs that Power DAS
Throughout the evening, several DAS programs were highlighted, recognizing the volunteers who make them possible.
Newsletter Program
Outstanding Newsletter Editor – Jim Fouch
Equipment & Support
Outstanding Quartermaster – Kevin Woolbright
Outstanding Support of the Telescope Loan Program – Mark Christman
Astrophotography Special Interest Group (ASIG)
Outstanding Support of ASIG – Tommy Lease
Outstanding Support of ASIG – Charlie Hagen
In-Reach Program
Outstanding Support of the In-Reach Program – Pavlina Karafillis
Outstanding Service as Tech Guru, Social Media Manager, and All-around Person on whom DAS Depends
One special recognition also went to Toby Sheets for his Outstanding Service as Tech Guru, Social Media Manager, and all-around person the society depends on.
A Celebration of Community
The Spring Banquet serves as a reminder that the Denver Astronomical Society is much more than telescopes and dark skies. It is a community of passionate volunteers who share their time, knowledge, and enthusiasm to help others explore the universe.
Whether hosting public star parties, supporting educational programs, maintaining our dark-sky observing site, or helping members learn the night sky, the people recognized at the banquet represent the spirit that keeps DAS thriving.
Keep Looking Up
The Denver Astronomical Society exists because dedicated members continue to give their time and energy to the mission of sharing astronomy with the community. By recognizing the volunteers who sustain the society today, we also inspire the next generation of leaders who will guide DAS into the future.
Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients and newly inducted leaders—and thank you to everyone who makes the Denver Astronomical Society such a remarkable community.
Clear skies and happy stargazing!
