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Annual Celebration of Denver Public Schools Raises

$800,000 to Support Students and Schools

DENVER, April 27, 2010 – The Denver Public Schools Foundation’s eighth annual “Achieve” Gala attracted more than 1,150 guests on Tuesday, April 20 and raised $800,000 to support a wide range of programs within Denver Public Schools to improve student achievement, including:

after-school tutoring and enrichment programs
leadership development and mentoring for principals
middle school sports
funding for individual schools to fund field trips, classroom activities and enrichment materials

Molly Broeren and Bill Mosher served as co-chairs of this year’s event, with Governor Bill Ritter and Mayor John Hickenlooper serving as honorary co-chairs. The evening featured remarks from the governor and lieutenant governor, the mayor, DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg and Martin Luther King Junior Early College senior Diana Johnson, who described her journey from an abusive home to a nurturing foster family where she learned the value of education in achieving her dreams. Johnson is graduating in May with a $40,000, four-year scholarship to Regis University.

Student volunteers from the DPS Student Board of Education, Smith Renaissance School of the Arts, Trevista at Horace Mann, and Slavens School greeted guests as they entered the Hyatt. Guests enjoyed student entertainment by the Montbello High School Drum Line, the George Washington High School cheerleaders, El Mariachi Juvenil de Bryant Webster, and the East High School Angelaires choir.

“Consistently, this is one of the largest charity events in Denver – demonstrating the tremendous amount of support and understanding that a strong public school system is the cornerstone of a strong community,” said Kristin Colon, president and CEO of the DPS Foundation. “With over 70 percent of DPS kids coming from low-income homes, we are grateful to our sponsors and guests for helping us ensure Denver’s students have every opportunity to succeed.”

Key supporters of this year’s gala included presenting sponsor UMB and event sponsors Comcast, 5280 magazine, Tiffany & Co., and the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, where the event was held. Valedictorian-level sponsors included The Anschutz Foundation, Marcy & Bruce Benson, MDC/Richmond American Homes Foundation, Martha Records & Rich Rainaldi, Kristin & Blair Richardson, Cille & Ron Williams and The Piton Foundation, and United Launch Alliance

About the Denver Public Schools Foundation
The DPS Foundation raises and manages funds in support of various programs that drive student achievement, including principal leadership development, resources for teachers and classrooms, and after-school tutoring and enrichment programs. Through strategic program investments and community leadership, we support Denver Public Schools in creating a district where outstanding educational achievements are the norm and all children have hope of a great future. For more information or to support the Denver Public Schools Foundation, visit www.dpsfoundation.org.

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Click here for a list of sponsors.

Click here to view photos on Blacktie Colorado.

Click here to view the DPS Foundation video.

Contact:

Denver Public Schools Foundation

Alison M. Kolwaite

Senior Development Director

akolwaite@dpsfoundation.org

720-423-3897