March 23, 2011

Cherry Creek Schools Foundation honors spirit of partnership at Leadership for Tomorrow Luncheon

School and community leaders came together to celebrate the accomplishments of many, including Cherry Creek High School graduate and Princeton University physics professor Dr. Steve Gubser, at the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation Leadership for Tomorrow Luncheon on March 17.

While in high school, Dr. Gubser was the first American to win the International Physics

Olympian. He is currently a professor of physics at Princeton University. His research focuses on theoretical particle physics, especially string theory.

Dr. Gubser told the crowd that as a child he lived in Aspen, Colorado, and as he approached high school, his parents were advised to seek a more rigorous high school curriculum. After researching Denver-area high schools, the family decided that Cherry Creek High School was their best option. “I’m proud to have graduated from Cherry Creek,” Dr. Gubser said.

Nearly 700 people attended the event. The money raised at the luncheon supports public education in the Cherry Creek School District. It will be invested in innovative resources to prepare students for tomorrow’s more technologically-advanced workplace, said the Foundation’s Executive Director, Carolynn Erickson.

The Leadership for Tomorrow Luncheon recognizes 17 outstanding high school graduates for their distinguished contributions. They also recognize teachers who have received small Foundation grants to implement instructional innovation within their classrooms. Corporate and community members who support excellence in education for 50,000 Cherry Creek Schools students, through their contributions to the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation are also acknowledged.

Champions of Education

Barry and Polly Gleichenhaus were honored as Champions of Education for their support of the Cherry Creek School District. “I’m proud and humbled to be honored by the Foundation,” Polly said. It’s such an amazing organization that works to support not just one school, but the entire district.” Barry and Polly have a passion for children and public education. Barry served on the Foundation board for six years and served as the board chairman. He is also on the steering committee for the district’s Science Technology Engineering and Math program (STEM), designed to improve the technical education of school children. “We should all leave something behind that is better than it was when we started,” Barry said. Polly is a tireless community advocate. She has chaired the Foundation Luncheon, and served as president of the West Middle School and Cherry Creek High School PTCOs. Last year Polly was recognized as the volunteer of the year for her service at Cherry Creek High School. Polly is also the co-founder of the Listen to Learn Guild which funds resources to facilitate learning for children with dyslexia.  “I would advise all young parents to get involved,” Polly said. “It’s our future and their future.”

Catherine Canny Educator Advocate Award

After serving as a leader in the Cherry Creek School District for 33 years, from 1975 to 2008, Mary Terch has left a lasting legacy. She served as a teacher, an assistant principal, a principal, executive director of Elementary Education and as an assistant superintendent during her tenure. In each position Terch modeled exemplary leadership and epitomized how to encourage the heart. She cared deeply about providing the very best for all children while also empowering teachers and her administrator colleagues.

Her impact on the district is far reaching. She influenced every aspect of the district’s operations. The children in the Cherry Creek School District still benefit from Terch’s contributions; from the implementation of Extended Child Care Services, effective instructional practices or improved facilities.  But it was her caring leadership style that colleagues talk about. “Often one will hear Mary’s colleagues, who were fortunate enough to work with her, talk about the positive impact she made in both their professional and personal lives,” said Diane Bernero, Executive Director for Elementary Education.

The Catherine Canny award honors the work and dedication of a district staff member on behalf of students, other educators, and the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation.

AVID Giving Generation Scholarship

Two students received the AVID Giving Generation Scholarship, which recognizes exceptional AVID students. AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a program that prepares students, especially those in the academic middle, for college eligibility and success.

The 2011 AVID Giving Generation Scholarship recipients are: Latisha Alvarado, a senior at Eaglecrest High School, and Abraham Teshdale, a senior at Overland High School.

Monte Moses Scholarship

Julian Flores, a senior at Overland High School, was selected as the Monte Moses Scholarship recipient. “I am honored to be representing Dr. Moses and receive a scholarship in his name,” he said.  Julian said he plans to “pay it forward” and give back to the community by becoming an English Language Acquisition teacher or special education teacher.  Having managed many personal challenges, Julian became aware of the importance of getting a good education during his sophomore year of high school. That is when he joined AVID and made education his priority. In one semester, he raised his grade point average to 3.8.  Julian has served as a peer counselor for Spanish-speaking families during school nights. In addition, he has worked throughout high school to save money for college. Knowing the stress of a single parent income, Julian never wanted to burden his mother with school expenses.

When asked how he chose his profession, he said “I need to give to my community what others have given to me, a chance.”

Leadership for Tomorrow Student Honorees

Two outstanding high school seniors were selected from each district high school to be honored by the Foundation.

Cherokee Trail High School: Cimone Brown and Bryant Brown

Cherry Creek High School: Carly Shira and Matthew Iritani

Eaglecrest High School: Ashley Lewis and Connor Bohl

Grandview High School: Mackenzie Sedlak and Abhinav Gupta

Overland High School: Mayra Mendez and Solomon Chapman

Smoky Hill High School: Suzanna Champion and Jason Williams

Special Programs Center – PREP: Kelsey Armstrong and Devon Naulls