5 minute read
Why We Give to Horizons
Mary Henning and Elizabeth Boland
Mary Henning has a confession to make. She has a very hard time asking people to donate to a cause, even if it’s something she believes in with all her heart—like Horizons at CA.
“When I was a little girl, I couldn’t even ask people to buy Girl Scout Cookies,” she says, laughing. “The only reason I sold any is because I cried!”
But for the past four years, thanks to Henning’s willingness to overcome her reluctance to ask, students in Horizons have enjoyed a variety of activities supported by the Henning Health and Wellness Program, which was created by Henning’s sister, Elizabeth Boland. “Mary has been passionate about Horizons for so many years,” Boland says. “I am not a child care expert, but I am aware of the benefits of both early education and the importance of caregivers in the lives of children, so I wanted to support what is already a terrific program.”
Henning’s connection to Horizons goes back to the very beginning, when the first class of Kindergartners arrived on the CA campus from Knapp Elementary. As the school nurse at Knapp with a strong background in social work, she worked with teachers to choose the children who could most benefit from Horizons and the families that would commit to sending their children across town on a school bus for eight Summers. “It was hard in those early years, because you wanted to help everyone,” Henning remembers. “Like Willy Wonka, this was their golden ticket. You could see how Horizons changed not just individual lives, but also uplifted families and the entire community.”
Mary Henning (L) and Elizabeth Boland
Henning joined the Board of Horizons almost from the first day of its inception and continues to serve. Through her years at Knapp, she became increasingly involved in developing activities that promoted health and wellness.
“I am a firm believer that besides being literate, you must have physical, social, and emotional health,” she says. “If you don’t, you will not live a fulfilling life.”
In 2015, Henning faced her own health challenges. In conversations with her sister, the idea of a multi-year gift to Horizons, honoring Mary, was born. Boland had listened to her sister talk about Horizons for many years, and knew that Horizons was not a one-time day or activity, but a program that could fundamentally foster the progress of children from Kindergarten through high school. “Mary has always wanted to help children, and Horizons does that with a committed staff, a wonderful facility, and a clear view of the mission,” Boland says. “Some gifts feel abstract. This feels tangible because the children will take something from it. I have respect for Mary’s articulated advocacy for what works.” Thanks to the Henning Health and Wellness Program, Horizons students have been able to try a variety of enrichment activities, including kickball, cooking, paddle boarding, kayaking, tae kwon do, biking, bowling, lacrosse, yoga, and racquetball— all of which makes Mary Henning so joyful.
“The gift didn’t need my name,” she says. “It’s for my beloved Horizons program. You don’t often get a chance in your lifetime to see the long-term impact of your intervention. But every year, I see Horizons children who are now adults—and in some ways big, in some ways smaller—each of them represents their own unique miracle.”
Leslie and Gary Howard
It was Leslie Howard’s experience on the Colorado Academy Board of Trustees that first brought Horizons to her attention.
“I could see that the Board really supports Horizons, that Horizons is important to CA,” she says. “That gives me confidence that Horizons will be around a long time and fully supported.” Leslie and her husband Gary have gone above and beyond, doing their part to support Horizons, because it speaks to their shared philosophy that “education is the way to break the cycle of poverty.” “We wanted to reduce barriers to advancement through education,” Gary says. “You can change the trajectory of a family or even a community through education.” “If we can make the difference in one child’s life, we have done our job.” Leslie adds.
The same opportunity
Leslie is the researcher in the family. She remembers reading about the origins of Horizons, which started at a single East Coast independent school in 1964. Today, Horizons serves 6,000 students in 62 programs in 19 states. “This is such a great use of the CA campus in the Summer,” Leslie says. “I love the connection between CA and this nonprofit, and I’m so impressed that CA students get involved by volunteering with Horizons. It’s just a really great relationship.” The Howards’ twin daughters, Lexi and
From Left: Gary and Leslie Howard with daughters Alexia ’20 and Genevieve ’20
Genevieve, graduated with the Class of 2020. They are justifiably proud. “We have sent our children to an independent school, and we want to spread the value of CA,” she says. “Our children are so fortunate to be going here and receiving a well-rounded education with an emphasis on character. Horizons gives other children the same opportunity.”
Global Business Academy
The Howards are involved in philanthropy supporting education in a variety of ways, but what Gary likes about Horizons is the age at which students start the program. “Horizons is a well-run program that targets children at a very young age, and they are supported as they move along,” he says. “We believe in the importance of early intervention.” He also believes in early education in a field near and dear to his heart—business. He has founded the Global Business Academy, an international Summer program at Colorado State University, where high school Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors can learn basic principles of business that will serve them in whatever career they pursue. In its third year, the program had 130 applications from around the world, from which 50 were chosen, with one-third of that group coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. “Recognizing how well Horizons is run, it is a great place to seek the kind of students who will benefit from this program,” Gary says. Two Horizons students, both enrolled at CA, have attended the Global Business Academy. Afterwards, Junior Pedro OlivasHolguin wrote, “I would like to thank you for this amazing experience. I learned lifelong skills. This is unforgettable, and words cannot express how much this means.” Junior Ulisses Rico also thanked Horizons for the opportunity. “I learned a lot about the importance of global business. I hope to further my education in business and entrepreneurship to help our generation and the ones that follow.”
For Gary Howard, this is where he sees the return on his investment in Horizons. “Having these students achieve success is the perfect reward for me,” he says. “It’s peace of mind, a feeling in your heart.” “You feel you are making a difference,” Leslie adds. “These young adults will go on and do great things. And they will continue the cycle of giving.” n
