A Brief History of the Byron Syring DELTA Center
by Craig Kelso, Retired DELTA Center Instructor
The Byron Syring DELTA Center began in 1973 when, after retiring as Principal of Monte Vista High School, Byron Syring and his secretary Francis Fullerton made a request to Monte Vista School’s Superintendent, John Holcomb, to use empty space in a bookroom in the junior high school building as a place to tutor students who had dropped out of high school in order to help them complete their high school requirements and earn a high school diploma
.
Mr. Syring believed that, when students dropped out of high school and did not return, it was a “waste of people.” In a “missionary spirit,” he went to schools throughout the San Luis Valley to acquire old textbooks that were not being used or were going to be thrown away so that his students could have textbooks. He also visited service groups, church communities, and schools – any groups that had contact with young people – in order to find students who needed help completing their high school work. He started the first year with four students.
The school that Byron Syring and his secretary founded was originally called the Monte Vista Community School. The school soon moved from the bookroom to an empty administration building on the Monte Vista Elementary School campus. At that time, a room in the building was provided for young mothers and their children so that the young women could continue their educations as well as take care of their babies. Finally, the Community School ended up at its present location in the old Rio Grande County High School building (formerly Monte Vista High School). The building is shared by the Monte Vista Schools administration staff, the Byron Syring DELTA Center, and the Monte Vista On Line Academy.
The amazing fact is that, for approximately the first 15 years, Mr. Syring and some other staff members volunteered their time to enable young people in need to complete their high school studies and earn diplomas. Adams State College recognized the value of the Monte Vista Community School and awarded a Kellogg grant to the School so that staff members could receive salaries with the caveat that all of the other schools in the San Luis Valley be made aware of the programs offered at the Monte Vista Community School. Mr. Syring and other staff members complied and traveled to every school district in the S.L.V. with information about the M.V.C.S. Mr. Syring was also a big part of convincing the State of Colorado to allow funding for alternative high schools. Other schools districts in the S.L.V. responded by creating their own alternative high schools.
Mr. Syring retired a second time-this time from his volunteer job in 1993. The Monte Vista Community School was renamed the Byron Syring DELTA Center in 1995 to honor its founder. The word DELTA is an acronym for Diploma, Education, Life Long Learning, Teens, and Adults.
Another very significant event occurred in 1995. As a result of the innovative and creative thinking, cooperative efforts, and hard work on the part of several people (Byron Syring, Don Wilkinson, Alan McFadden, Tim Snyder, and others) the Monte Vista On Line Academy was created. It may have been the first secondary education program of its kind in the nation at that time.
Byron Syring was born in Kansas, grew up in Nebraska, and went to college at Colorado University. He taught for ten years in Swink, Colorado before coming to Monte Vista. His original plan was to teach in Monte Vista for one year. Plans obviously changed as Byron was the Director of the Monte Vista High School band program for twelve years and Principal of Monte Vista High School for 16 years. As was mentioned above, Mr. Syring and a secretary started the Byron Syring DELTA Center in 1973. Mr. Syring was actively involved with the DELTA Center for more than 20 years after retiring. His “missionary spirit” has touched the lives of many students who would not have finished high school without the Byron Syring DELTA Center.
Byron Syring passed away on Sunday, September 2, 2007 as a result of complications that arose from a knee-replacement surgery. At almost 94 years old, Mr. Syring was looking forward to life ahead. He was having his left knee joint replaced so that he could continue to enjoy the rest of his days. This is a reflection of how he viewed life; he wanted to be of service and enjoy life for as long as he lived.
The Byron Syring DELTA Center began in 1973 when, after retiring as Principal of Monte Vista High School, Byron Syring and his secretary Francis Fullerton made a request to Monte Vista School’s Superintendent, John Holcomb, to use empty space in a bookroom in the junior high school building as a place to tutor students who had dropped out of high school in order to help them complete their high school requirements and earn a high school diploma
.
Mr. Syring believed that, when students dropped out of high school and did not return, it was a “waste of people.” In a “missionary spirit,” he went to schools throughout the San Luis Valley to acquire old textbooks that were not being used or were going to be thrown away so that his students could have textbooks. He also visited service groups, church communities, and schools – any groups that had contact with young people – in order to find students who needed help completing their high school work. He started the first year with four students.
The school that Byron Syring and his secretary founded was originally called the Monte Vista Community School. The school soon moved from the bookroom to an empty administration building on the Monte Vista Elementary School campus. At that time, a room in the building was provided for young mothers and their children so that the young women could continue their educations as well as take care of their babies. Finally, the Community School ended up at its present location in the old Rio Grande County High School building (formerly Monte Vista High School). The building is shared by the Monte Vista Schools administration staff, the Byron Syring DELTA Center, and the Monte Vista On Line Academy.
The amazing fact is that, for approximately the first 15 years, Mr. Syring and some other staff members volunteered their time to enable young people in need to complete their high school studies and earn diplomas. Adams State College recognized the value of the Monte Vista Community School and awarded a Kellogg grant to the School so that staff members could receive salaries with the caveat that all of the other schools in the San Luis Valley be made aware of the programs offered at the Monte Vista Community School. Mr. Syring and other staff members complied and traveled to every school district in the S.L.V. with information about the M.V.C.S. Mr. Syring was also a big part of convincing the State of Colorado to allow funding for alternative high schools. Other schools districts in the S.L.V. responded by creating their own alternative high schools.
Mr. Syring retired a second time-this time from his volunteer job in 1993. The Monte Vista Community School was renamed the Byron Syring DELTA Center in 1995 to honor its founder. The word DELTA is an acronym for Diploma, Education, Life Long Learning, Teens, and Adults.
Another very significant event occurred in 1995. As a result of the innovative and creative thinking, cooperative efforts, and hard work on the part of several people (Byron Syring, Don Wilkinson, Alan McFadden, Tim Snyder, and others) the Monte Vista On Line Academy was created. It may have been the first secondary education program of its kind in the nation at that time.
Byron Syring was born in Kansas, grew up in Nebraska, and went to college at Colorado University. He taught for ten years in Swink, Colorado before coming to Monte Vista. His original plan was to teach in Monte Vista for one year. Plans obviously changed as Byron was the Director of the Monte Vista High School band program for twelve years and Principal of Monte Vista High School for 16 years. As was mentioned above, Mr. Syring and a secretary started the Byron Syring DELTA Center in 1973. Mr. Syring was actively involved with the DELTA Center for more than 20 years after retiring. His “missionary spirit” has touched the lives of many students who would not have finished high school without the Byron Syring DELTA Center.
Byron Syring passed away on Sunday, September 2, 2007 as a result of complications that arose from a knee-replacement surgery. At almost 94 years old, Mr. Syring was looking forward to life ahead. He was having his left knee joint replaced so that he could continue to enjoy the rest of his days. This is a reflection of how he viewed life; he wanted to be of service and enjoy life for as long as he lived.
