Ralston mesmerizes Foundation Luncheon crowd with story of survival, gratitude

Nearly everyone who attended the 2012 Cherry Creek Schools Foundation Luncheon on March 15 had heard the story of Aron Ralston, a 1993 graduate of Cherry Creek High School who amputated his right arm after a canyoneering accident in 2003. But hearing his story first-hand mesmerized the sell-out crowd of 800 people.

“I stepped out of my grave and into my life again,” Ralston said of the moment when he was finally free of the 800-pound boulder that had crushed his right arm and trapped him in a deep canyon crevasse for more than five days.

“Our boulders are our blessings,” added Ralston. “They show us what’s important, what we are capable of, what’s extraordinary within us.”

Ralston thanked his parents, who were in the audience, for giving him the strength to survive his ordeal and for instilling in him a deep love of nature and the outdoors. He also thanked them for moving from the midwest to the Cherry Creek School District, where he attended West Middle School and Cherry Creek High School.

“This is one of the best, if not THE best school district in the country,” said Ralston, who wrote a best-selling book about his experience, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place”, which was adapted for the 2010 Oscar nominated film “127 Hours” directed by Danny Boyle and starring James Franco.

“If my book was successful, it was because my English and history teachers didn’t let me get away with anything!” laughed Ralston, who was introduced by his former AP European History teacher Fred Engle.

Ralston encouraged everyone in the crowd to give back to the district by supporting the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation, which has given more than $7 million to support students, teachers and excellence in education.

At the luncheon, the Foundation presented the 2012 AVID Giving Generation Scholarship to Christian Convington, a senior at Overland High School, and Mackenzie Cunningham, a senior at Smoky Hill High School. Molly Bibeau, a senior at Eaglecrest High School, received the 2012 Monte C. Moses Future Educator Scholarship.

Youth and education advocate Julie Mork received the 2012 Champions of Education Award, and teacher Mark Overmeyer received the 2012 Catherine Canny Educator Award.

Aron Ralston Headlines Cherry Creek Schools Foundation Luncheon

Thursday March 15, 2012, 11:30am-1:30pm

Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center

7800 East Tufts Avenue

Tickets for the event are $100 and may be purchased at:

http://www.blacktie-colorado.com/rsvp    Enter event code:  CCSF315

Sponsored by:

Dedicated educators recognized through Walmart Teacher Rewards Program

Teachers throughout the Cherry Creek School District spend much of their own time before and after school, and often their own money, to support the academic achievement of their students.

That’s certainly the case at Horizon Community Middle School, where ten dedicated teachers were recently recognized by the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation and the Walmart Foundation, through the Walmart Teacher Rewards Program.

Each teacher received a $100 Walmart Teacher Rewards Card, which they can use to purchase supplies or snacks for their students.  Walmart estimates that across the U.S., educators spend an average of $500 out of their own pockets each year, to support their students.

The Horizon teachers who were honored are: Whitney Anderson, Velma Chavis, Judy Elder, Lyn Howley, Linda Kelly, Chandra Leeper, Mim Malkoski, Kent Payne, Dixie Peterson and

Kathy Scott.

Dr. Jeanette Patterson, Horizon principal, said these teachers were selected because they are involved in special programs that take place before, during or after the school day to support academic achievement, including:

• Extended Day Academic Programming – held after school on Tuesday and Thursdays, September through May, to serve students through homework help and additional tutoring in reading, writing and math and technology support.
• Parent Engagement Program – an evening program designed to support parents and students with homework assistance and parenting support.
• Student Leadership Groups – held during the school day for Black and Hispanic students who work together in a group to boost esteem, increase academic achievement and to allow for cultural bonding. This is an initiative to close the achievement gap.

“Our horizon teachers are committed the success of students even after the school day’s end,” said Patterson.  “My sincere thanks to the Walmart Foundation for these Teacher Rewards Cards.  They will be put to good use.”

The mission of the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation is to expand excellence in education by funding initiatives that impact student achievement. Since 1994, the foundation has raised and distributed more than $7 million dollars to fund programs benefiting students and teachers throughout the district.

This is the third year Walmart has supported educators through the Teacher Rewards Program.  This year the company will present 45,000 Teacher Rewards Cards, worth $4.5 million.

Cherry Creek students participating in the Reading Together Program will benefit from Target’s generous support.  Read more about the grant.

 The Foundation is happy to announce another opportunity of 24 hours to Give Where You Live.  Remember the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation on Colorado Gives Day, Tuesday, December 4, 2012. The value of your donation will be increased when you donate any time on December 4th.

The Foundation sponsors the annual employee contribution campaign to fund Educator Initiative Grants. It is called We Can Thrive on $5 and encourages faculty and staff to pledge $5 per month to fund these mini-grants of $1,000 or less.   Educator Initiative Grants are awarded twice a year to educators throughout the district.

By enrolling in Thrive on $5, you are directly impacting student achievement.  To enroll, download the Charitable Giving Campaign Information and Enrollment Form.  As a way to give back to the Denver Metro Community and beyond, The Cherry Creeks Schools Foundation is pleased to partner with Mile High United Way and Partnership for Colorado.  To designate funds to one of the many local charities, please include the corresponding organization code on your enrollment form. You may fax your completed form to (720)554-4297 or email a scanned copy to broberts14@cherrycreekschools.org.   Return your completed form by October 21, 2011.

Proceeds from the license plate sales will go directly to our program. The total cost of the plate is $70; $20 will be donated. If you would like to purchase your special SUPPORT EDUCATION license plate and donate the proceeds to CCSF, you can learn more here »