Students at the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC), alongside Eaglecrest High School Career & Technical Education (CTE) students, used their welding, engineering, and advanced manufacturing skills to build the infrastructure for the Denver Broncos’ new “Fight Like a Bronco” Bell— a powerful symbol of victory and resilience that was unveiled at the Broncos Monday Night Football game on September 29. In addition to the bell being featured annually at the Broncos’ “Fight Like a Bronco” game, the bell will travel to various CommonSpirit Health and Children’s Hospital Colorado locations throughout the state to be rung by patients completing milestones in their cancer treatments.
“We were thrilled to partner with the Broncos, and this bell is the exemplar of an industry sponsored project,” said CTE Administrator Lawson Miller. “It was the perfect opportunity for students to apply what they’re learning in the CTE classroom to a meaningful, Work-based Learning experience—without ever having to leave the classroom.”
In total, 25 students contributed their expertise. The Eaglecrest students designed the commemorative plaque that will accompany the bell. For the students, the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful, high-profile project was unforgettable.
“It gives me a sense of pride knowing that I’m a little factor into them succeeding in a bigger victory than me just welding a project for them,” said Sam Johnson, Eaglecrest senior. “I helped a slight bit with the bell, but it is a bell with a meaning.”
The bell project highlights the impact of CTE across Cherry Creek Schools. In the 2024–25 school year, more than half of all high school students enrolled in at least one CTE class, with many taking multiple courses. At the middle school level, nearly 3,000 students are participating in CTE programs, bringing total enrollments districtwide to more than 15,000. Of those, 664 enrollments are tied to industry-sponsored projects — real-world opportunities like the Broncos bell that allow students to apply their skills while making an impact on the community.
Ten students were able to attend the Monday Night Football game and a special reception before the game to reveal the bell that they had created.
Cherry Creek Innovation Campus is a CAPS Network affiliate in the state of Colorado.
The original article can be found at Cherry Creek School District here.
Photo credit: The Denver Broncos.
