One day, when the 3- to 5-year-olds enrolled in Escuela Tlatelolco’s Montessori preschool classes are all grown up, they could easily find themselves front and center at the Flor y Canto Festival, receiving one of the Champions of Change awards given to community members who have distinguished themselves in a number of fields.
Grooming effective leaders is what this not-for-profit school in north Denver is all about. Raising money to help keep Escuela Tlatelolco running and expanding is what makes Flor y Canto such a popular event. The 2006 edition, chaired by Steve Hillard of Council Tree Communications and Pat Cortez of Wells Fargo Bank, recently filled the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom.
Founded by the late Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales, Escuela Tlatelolco’s mission is to get young people to see education not only as the intellectual development of the individual for his or her individual benefit but as a social orientation and development process responsible for social change that will ultimately benefit the entire community. Gonzales’ daughter, Nita, is the school’s president and chief executive officer.
Thirty-five years after its founding, Escuela operates on a year-round schedule with additional activities for children and families. In addition to a dual-language Montessori preschool, in which 55 are enrolled, there is also a Montessori elementary school with 12 first- and second-graders and plans to add 42 more students in two more classrooms; El Centro Cuepopon, a continuing education program that has educational programs and support services for 50 youths and 60 adults; and an “upper school” that emphasizes critical and creative thinking, problem-solving and spiritual growth and discovery.
The community leaders honored as 2006 Champions of Change were: former Denver Mayor Federico Peña, Politics & Social Action; Jose Cuellar of Dr. Loco and the Rockin’ Jalapeño Band, Arts & Culture; Anthony Ibarra, chief executive officer of Digatron, Business & Community Development; Pierre Jimenez, Education; Anthony Garcia, artistic director of Su Teatro, Human Rights & Social Justice; and Anna Jo Haynes, chief executive officer of Mile High Montessori, Humanitarian.
An event that’s right on key
Breckenridge is a town of many treasures, particularly for those who enjoy the outdoors. It boasts great skiing in the winter, scenic trails for hiking in the summer, golf courses as beautiful as they are challenging, and bicycle paths that are welcoming for both Tour de France wannabes and families out for a leisurely ride.
And for eight weeks every summer, Breckenridge is a jewel of the music world as 85 young musicians – hand-picked from auditions conducted nationwide – complete an intense course of learning and performing as part of the National Repertory Orchestra. Music Director Carl Topilow and others help the students hone their skills in daily classes, coaching sessions and the 20 performances offered at Breckenridge’s Riverwalk Center and other venues in Colorado.
The NRO is a nonprofit organization and does not charge tuition; its mission is to keep symphonic music alive by helping talented young people establish themselves as professional musicians and conductors in the world’s finest orchestras. The musicians also receive free room and board and a modest travel allowance.
Individual and corporate donations keep the NRO afloat, as do ticket sales, grants, sponsorships and proceeds from an annual Summer Gala held in Denver. NRO treasurer Suzy Witzler chaired the 2006 edition, an auction, dinner, concert and dance held at the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom. Her committee included David Alexander, Sharon Magness Blake, Ann Brewster, Ron Bristol, JulieAnn Cobb, Connie Gruber, Lee Henry, Bonnie Kirschenbaum, Sandy Mortensen and Kate Taucher.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
