At an annual school event that is frequently a quiet favorite of parents, the Colorado Academy Parent Association hosted its annual Parent Appreciation Breakfast, thanked its many volunteers, and paid tribute to families whose last child is graduating from CA.
More than 50 families will see their last child graduate on June 6, including some families who have been involved at CA for decades and have put multiple children through the school from Pre-K on up.
Outgoing PA President Denise Kay read comments provided by each of the parents about their favorite memories of their family’s time at CA—ranging from the community of CA parents built around individual bus stops to CA’s traditional Halloween Parade. Kay also highlighted the work of parent volunteers who ran dozens of events, raised thousands of dollars, and worked throughout the year to continue to build CA’s parent community. “I have great admiration for each of you who make up this amazing community,” Kay said. “Your heart and souls go into making our school an inviting, fun and generous environment, and it has been humbling to work alongside your talent and dedication this year.”
That, too, was the focus of remarks by Assistant Head of School Renée Rockford. “Some of the most important efforts come in your small kindnesses, picking up children when a friend is sick, making a phone call or sending an email to say ‘thanks,’ or supporting one another’s work in the community,” Rockford said. “Those individual strands of relationships create the fabric of CA.”
The sole piece of Parent Association business conducted at the morning’s event was to officially hand the organization’s gavel to incoming President Jill Rakowski ’92.
Even as the Parent Association geared up for next year, Rockford spoke of the departure of many long-time families who will now refocus their energies as their children graduate. “I am no stranger to your kindness, and we hope you won’t be strangers to CA,” she said. Those families include: Vance & Phyllis Allen, Mel & Maria Anderson, Steve & Nicole Annest, Steve & Lisa Bain, Dorian Bennett, Buffie Berger, Chris Bittman & Kenda Noble, Makisha Boothe, Sanford & Jenny Brook, William & Carole Buyers, Alex & Jen Cmil, Brendan & Tracy Curran, Dee & Karima Davis, Jim & Cari Dawson, Deante Dennis, Gary Dorsheimer & Lynne Urbina, Evan & Kim Ela, John & Mona Ferrugia, Kelley Fox, John & Alison Gallagher, David & Stephanie Gaw, Pete & Kathy Gillespie, Richard & Annie Groves, Jeff & Carmen Hall, Kyle & Ming Hall, Tyler & Sarah Harvey, Phil & Karen Holbert, Hank & Susan Jenkins, John & Marissa Keplinger, Larry Kim & Nhung Van, Andy Liu, Chuck Lukkes & Christine Iozza-Lukkes, Mike & Stacey McKee, Nalin & Nidhi Mehta, Seth & Carol Miller, Terri Morrison, Matt & Monica Murphy, Tom & Jeanine Murphy, Jesse & Amy Myers, Jeff Oberg & Susan Johanning, Greg & Erin Parham, Chris Schneck & Patty Braun, Michael Schwartz & Kristie Brice, Jeff & Sandy Selby, Claudia Shiring, Mary & John Sileo, James Smith, Martha Smith, Pete Smith & Pauline Mason, Ramon & Amalia Teran, Daisha Walton, Johnnie & Renda Williams, Bill & Elyssa Wolf-Tinsman, Seth & Michelle Wolins, Tom Wootten & Louise Fouracre, Melissa Zantop & Carol Zimlinghaus.
