We are all (rightfully) focused on Colorado Academy’s graduating Seniors this spring. While we are celebrating their rite of passage, however, we also want to take a moment to recognize our families who are “graduating” from our community, as their last child graduates from CA. You and your students became integral members of the Class of 2021 and of our school community, whether you joined us in Lower School, or more recently in Middle or Upper School. Each family contributed to who we are as a community; and we want to honor the time we shared together, your memories of CA, and the countless ways you’ve given of yourselves over these years.
Here are some of the favorite memories shared by our “graduating” parents:
- The boys playing basketball and making the playoffs two years in a row
- Seeing my daughter’s final art project
- All of their music performances that have been amazing
- Coming to the Arts events, whether it was the string recitals, the choir performances, Arts-Around, or dance
- Many fond memories of the Lower School after-school soccer program that created such an inclusive, loving environment for both the “real players” and others (like my daughter) who were just doing cartwheels and socializing. The games were equally fun for the parents, with everyone coming with their Starbucks in hand, ready to socialize.
- Giving school tours for prospective parents, which allowed me to meet so many great people
- Always remembering how lucky we have been being able to send our kids to CA
- Thinking about so many wonderful times
- The Pre-K students singing “Tony Chestnut”
- The pumpkin patch that was planted the spring before
- Freezing buckets of water for the Pre-K ice castle
- Volunteering every Tuesday for small reading groups in the halls of the Lower School for 1st and 2nd grade
- Amazing music performances from the Honors Recital to the Rock/Jazz Combo
- Watching my daughter, starting with a 5th grade volleyball camp and playing throughout her school years
- Watching my son enjoy multiple sports, including starting to play ice hockey as a Senior
- All the friendships that began on those Pre-K and Lower School playgrounds and that have only gotten stronger through the years
- The Boy’s Tennis Team winning the State Championship—the boys were so supportive of one another—and the bursting joy on their faces when they ran out on the court when they knew they had won State is an image I will always remember.
- Watching our child mature and develop
- The gathering of our child’s friend group before the dance their Sophomore year, when the boys were all dressed up, ready for dinner and the dance; so good-spirited and excited. It was very sweet.
- Hiking with a parent group off of Guanella Pass on a beautiful day—I loved speaking with so many new friends
- The first home game of the CA Hockey team’s inaugural year: The student turnout was tremendous, and the metal walls and ceiling at the Old Foothills ice rink amplified their cheers many decibels. There was also singing at one point, and the students even cheered on the Zamboni driver, which was hilarious. I’ll never forget the CA spirit that night; it was so much fun!
- Parent Association Executive Committee meetings in the old Welborn living room—it had a cozy feel, even though you never knew what might pop out from behind the couch!
- Way back when the kids were little: Giant Relay Day was so special; it felt like a celebration of the kids’ hard work, and at the same time, it united the community. Parents, siblings, teachers, and staff all happily interacting with each other, kids running everywhere, excited about the summer and looking forward to the next year. It felt both like a culmination and a start at the same time.
- Co-chairing the multicultural night at CA, when we brought in a hip-hop dance group that danced to the song “Gangnam Style.” The song got everybody on the dance floor; all the teachers, kids, and parents were just dancing, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. It was wonderful to see the CA community in this spirit!
- Giant Relay Day and all the special celebrations from K-12
- How grown up my daughter felt when she was able to sign her little sister in and out of Kindergarten on her own, and then fast-forward to her Senior year, welcoming her sister as a Freshman on her first day in the Upper School! I am so happy my girls were able to experience CA together.
- So many special memories of CA, from potlucks to recitals, to plays and homecoming parades; Crow Canyon send-offs, exchange students, parent conferences
- The respect and nurturing of my family when the burden was greatest: I’ve sat many times in the counselors’ and principals’ offices. Each meeting with administration and faculty was met with new solutions proposed and plans implemented and followed through on; always listening to my ideas and concerns, and caring enough to take LOTS of time out of their days. We never felt judged, but embraced. We invested in CA, but CA invested much more in my children through time, energy, respect, and love.
- Decorating cookies in the classroom, when more frosting ended up on kids’ shirts than on the cookies
- Getting to know all the Lower School children through their art—their personalities come through loud and clear even at a young age.
- Being an Arts-Around volunteer and bringing a new artist or genre to the children, or a new way to look at an artist that they were already familiar with
- Being a Lower School intern to get my teaching certificate
- Cutting hair for CA’s Locks of Love donations
- Being a substitute teacher at CA
- After an undefeated season on the Tennis team in the 3 Doubles position, my son and his partner found themselves in the finals of the State Championship in Colorado Springs. Having split the first two sets, they lost the first 3 games of the third set, and my son was serving, down Love-40. As he prepared to serve, Bill Hall, who was sitting in the bleachers right behind the court, said, “They’re not going to give it to you; you’re going to have to go and take it.” This was just the right comment at the right time to light a fire and enable them to pull out a win. I will always fondly remember all the great sporting events, how well CA competes against much larger schools, and the cheering support the student body provides to all sports, including the ones they do not play.
- Working on the Multicultural Celebration—we created a new look for the event and made it into an all-school celebration.
- Joining my son’s class for a field trip to the zoo, and our little group becoming “Team Water Bottle.” It was so great to see how close the group was and how quickly they rallied around the idea of being a cohesive (and well-hydrated) unit, screaming, “Team Water Bottle!” at every stop on the tour. So many of them are still at CA and graduating this year; we might have to do another Team Water Bottle photo at graduation.
- Teaching Lower School students about Veterans Day and our military with Dr. Fitzgerald
- Founding and working on the Mustangs Sports Club with several other CA parents
- “Yankee Doodle Dandy” with the class of 2021 in Schotters with Ms. Golden
- Countless music recitals with Ms. Burchfield—the highlight was “Clocks” by Coldplay.
- Launching dolls with the catapults that Middle Schoolers built to determine trajectory
- “Images of Greatness” presentations
- China trip with Ms. Wei
- W-T’s unwavering patience and caring for our adolescents
- The professionalism and dedication that our kids received from all the faculty and the staff at CA
- I loved all the Field Days!
- Many fond memories at the Baseball field watching the boys play
- Intense high school Field Hockey competitions & tournaments
- The Ultimate Team seasons, games, and vibe
- Art nights, Theater performances, and Senior Portfolio shows, and being amazed at the talent
- Back-to-School Nights and Conferences, and feeling so dang lucky to be at this well-run school with inspiring teachers
- Tennis matches, Field Hockey games, Swim meets and Soccer games
- Our girls loved playing sports at CA and winning a few state championships with their teammates!
- Having all three of our kids together at CA for a few years, meeting each other’s friends, attending their games, and sharing the sense of community
- All of my kids having some of the same teachers
- Seeing that my kids are grateful for the education they received and the friends they made
- Watching my son in his first Combo performance in Middle School (when I didn’t even know he could sing, and he got up to the microphone and belted out a terrific rendition of a song by The Fray).
- Watching our son find joy in singing and spending time with choir teachers—this was always a happy place for him and some of his closest friends.
- Working with a great group of committed folks on the Board of Trustees who bring different perspectives and experiences to the many issues we discuss
- Being the Treasurer of the Parent Association with people who are committed and engaged
- Meeting all of the new families coming to the school and watching our kids enjoy each other
- Attending a musical concert in the Maloy Courtyard this May, where we fondly remembered that the choir sang to welcome visiting families outside the Campus Center on our first tour of CA.
Thank you for sharing these treasured memories. As one of the parents noted: “There are so many memories!!!”
Thank you for volunteering!
Our community also benefitted from all of the volunteer efforts of this dedicated group of parents, which have included:
- Lower School Class Leads (Room Parents)
- Reading volunteers
- Field trip chaperones
- Annual Campaign volunteers
- Admission tours, including Parent Preview Tour Guides
- Parent Association (“PA”) Committee Chairs
- Faculty Appreciation Committee volunteers
- PA Divisional Vice President – Lower School
- Think and Drive Chair
- Used Book Sale volunteers
- Lower School parent volunteers for classroom parties
- Parent volunteer for Soccer team
- AP Proctors
- Wreath and Garland Sale volunteers
- Homecoming Carnival volunteers (including walking the pony for the kids!)
- Homecoming Farmer’s Market Chair
- Hockey Team Parent
- Parent Ambassadors for Admission Office
- Multicultural Night Committee, including Committee Chairs
- Arts Festival volunteers
- Campus decorators for the holidays
- PA Executive Committee Officers, including Treasurers and Volunteer Coordinator
- Lower School Art Show Chair
- Arts-Around volunteers
- Library volunteer
- Book Fair Chair
- PA Family Support
- Middle School Class Leads
- “After Prom” Chair
- Director of Inclusivity Search Committee Member
- Board of Trustees
- Board Committee Members, including Committee Chairs
- Horizons Wine and Dine volunteers
- Upper School Class Leads
We are deeply grateful for the ways you have shared your time, your talent, and yourselves with us. You have helped us grow and flourish; and with love and gratitude in our hearts, we wish you and your families all the best!