If roll had been called at Achieve 2009, it would have revealed perfect attendance for the Denver Public Schools Foundation’s annual gala.
Perfect in that it’s going to take more than a full-blown recession to stop people from showing their support for the DPS.
Between the 1,200 who bought tickets for this dinner chaired by Rob Cohen and some amazing corporate support, the evening ended with $900,000 being raised for the foundation to spend on stuff designed to improve student achievement. Things like a districtwide mentoring program for new teachers; after- school enrichment programs; and the A to Z Fund, which provides money for classroom activities and materials.
Gov. Bill Ritter; Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien; Mayor John Hickenlooper and Superintendent Tom Boasberg didn’t cut class either. They were on hand to mix and mingle with such community and corporate leaders as House Speaker Terrance Carroll; state Treasurer Cary Kennedy; state Sens. Rollie Heath and Chris Romer; Don Mares, executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment; and University of Colorado President Bruce Benson.
Nor did truancy officers have to go off in search of Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce chief Joe Blake; school board president Theresa Peña; Denver Preschool Program CEO James Mejia; Piton Foundation chief Mary Gittings Cronin; the Denver Art Museum’s interim president, Cathey Finlon; or Museum of Nature and Science chief George Sparks.
They were there, too, sitting down to a beef filet dinner with John Robinson, president of presenting sponsor UMB Bank; 96-year-old Marie Greenwood, who in 1938 became the district’s first African-American teacher to achieve tenure; Colorado Health Foundation VP Shepard Nevel; and such DPS benefactors as Carrie and John Morgridge; Martha Reynolds and Rich Rainaldi; Lola Salazar; Elaine and Dr. Steve Berman; Margot and Marc Pinto; and Blair and Kristin Richardson.
The foundation’s president and CEO, Kristin Colon, also welcomed such supporters as Melanie Grant; Bill Mosher and Molly Broeren; Zee Ferrufino; Susan and Howard Noble; Joy Johnson; Mary Lee and Don Beauregard; Barbara Grogan; Mary and John Osborn; David McReynolds; and Mary and Don Elliman.
Entertainment was by the Citywide Marching Band, Traylor Academy’s Roar of the Tiger Choir, Denver School of the Arts Sinfonia and the Green Valley Elementary Grizzlies Step Team, whose coaches Michele James, Lisa Young, David Bennett and Elizabeth Lopez later told foundation staffers how excited their students were to have been a part of the evening. “One of them told us, ‘I saw all of those people and just couldn’t stop smiling.’ This will be an experience they will never forget,” the coaches wrote.
Coming right up
The next generation of leaders will be celebrated Wednesday when the Anti-Defamation League stages its annual Passing the Torch Dinner. Register by calling 303-830-7177. . . . Mile High United Way CEO Christine Benero delivers the keynote address Thursday when Centus Counseling, Consulting and Education hosts a fundraising luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the PPA Event Center, 2105 Decatur St.; call 303-639-5240.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also,
