Gratitude Report

Letter from the Head of School

In 2022, Denver Academy celebrated its fifty-year anniversary! Thank you for helping us reach this important milestone and allowing us to envision the next 50 years!

Please accept my sincerest gratitude for your contributions to DA. Thank you donors for providing the means for a transformative educational experience and the security of long-term sustainability. Thank you volunteers, faculty, and staff for actively building vibrant learning communities. Thank you families for trusting us with your children and supporting their educational journeys. Thank you students and alumni for bravely engaging and showing the world your great achievements.
We are grateful to donors like you as we are close to completing our $25,000,000 Building on Excellence Campaign. Your support has allowed us to build the James E. Loan Athletic Center, renovate the Elementary Building, grow our endowment, and break ground on our Performing Arts Center. The future for our students is bright!
As you read through our 50th anniversary gratitude report, I hope you see the many positive outcomes of your involvement. None of it would be possible without the support of people like you. Gratefully,
Mark T. Twarogowski Head of SchoolAmazing Learning in Every Division
Generous donors helped support students pursue academic and extra-curricular excellence.
Elementary and 6th Grade
• Students promoted inclusivity on “Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.”
• Young thespians entertained audiences with class plays.

• Students read their poetry to their families at “Poetry and Pastries.”
• 5th graders enjoyed their trip to the capital, especially the Q and A session with Speaker of the House Representative Alec Garnett.

• Authors K. Ibura, Brian Yanish, and Jolene Gutiérrez (our own librarian!) inspired young writers.
• Spelling bee contestants impressed everyone with their spelling capabilities.


Middle School
• Students released fish into the pond housed in our Geodesic Dome Greenhouse.

• Mrs. Wheat’s drawing class drew their own eyes using charcoal.
• Video production students reported on DA events and community interest stories.
• Students watched chicks hatch after caring for the eggs in their classrooms.

• Contestants in The Middle School Knowledge Bowl tournament battled for first place.
• The mountain biking team experimented with trail design and building.
High School
• College representatives taught 10th and 11th grade students college application strategies.
• Students wrote and performed their own Beowulf-inspired scripts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

• Athletes competed in soccer, volleyball, mountain biking, and more!
• The DECA club raised funds for the World Health Organization’s efforts in Ukraine.
• Artists displayed their work at the Denver Academy Juried Art Exhibition hosted by the National Art Honor Society.
• Welding students in the Saipe Metal Arts Studio made tools, manipulated soft metal through scrollwork, and practiced forging.

Graduates
Congratulations to the Class of 2022


John Alexander, Nicholas Allen, Seth Anderson, Hayes Bissette, Palmer Bond, Trinity Bueche, John Dunn, Ethan Dwyer, Sam Frisina, Tyler Fry, Luke Gentry, Patrick Gilman, Luke Griffith, Sailor Harris, Chase Hartman, Seth Honnigford, Quinn Johnson, Owen Karshmer, Flynn Largan, Gavin Less, Brandt Lieb, Stevie Lockton, Maya Luttenegger, MayaLuna McCrum, Alex Mohr, Evelyn Murphy, Owen Nehler, Duke Parsons, Carl Pellegrino, Zoe Petrie, William Rinehart, Alexander Rizzo, Alexa Romero, Nicolas Roy, Aiden Serratoni, Dylan Thompson, Michael Triolo, Benjamin Turner, Nico Verrengia, Alexander Wales, Logan Webb, Noah Wilger, Luke Wogsland
Plans for graduates include: Arapahoe Community College, Arizona State University, Chapman University, Colorado School of Mines, Community College of Denver, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Endicott College, Fort Lewis College, Gannon University, Gap Year, Grand Canyon University, High Point University, Montana State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Red Rocks Community College, Siena College, Southern Methodist University, University of Arizona, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver, University of Denver, University of Glasgow, University of Puget Sound, University of Redlands, University of San Francisco, University of Wyoming, Vancouver Film School, Western Colorado University, Whitman College, Workforce
• Experiential Education program began



• 1st Student Council was formed
Dr. Paul Knott started a tutoring service for the diagnosis and remediation of children with learning disabilities called Denver Educational Clinic. It later changed to a school with the name Denver Academy.




1972



DA purchased the Race Street campus.


DA received accreditation from the Association of Colorado Independent Schools, National Association of Independent Schools and The Colorado Department of Education.

DA added 40 computers and 20 printers and entered the computer age.

Students



• “Multiple Intelligences” Program began
• The Alumni Association formed


DA sold the Race Street campus and purchased the historic Bethesda Hospital property on Iliff Avenue.


• Richardson Hall completed, first high school built in the US specifically for teaching children with learning differences.

• The Legacy Society started, an opportunity for donors to make arrangements to remember Denver Academy in their estate planning.







2004 2002 2001 1998 1994 1996 1992
The counseling and mental health program began.
• Celebrated 25th Anniversary
• The endowment was created
• Sandy Righter was awarded 1st Wings of the Future.
received the first tuition assistance awards. The Colorado Rockies Mike Hampton Baseball field was installed.• Clasen Courtyard was established, the patio on the west side of the theater

• Senior Hall renovated
• Every classroom was equipped with SMART Board technology thanks to the Morgridge Family Foundation




• The Saipe Family Metal Arts studio opened on campus







• Grand Opening of the Campos EPC Elementary SmartLab
• The Library Chapel was renovated thanks to a grant from the History Colorado State Historical Fund.

• In response to the COVID pandemic, DA pivoted to distance learning.
• The Campos EPC Middle School Smart Lab opened.



• 50th reunion and other celebrations of Denver Academy’s 50th Anniversary









• Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Performing Arts Center
• 1,724 graduates now call DA their alma mater.
Grand opening of the Elementary Building after a complete interior renovation

• Grand Opening of the James E. Loan Athletic Center
• Kristy Taddonio Mullins, 1994, became the first alum to serve as the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Award Recipients
These outstanding seniors exemplified Denver Academy values.
Co-Valedictorian and Alumni Senior of the Year
Luke Wogsland graduated with a 4.0 GPA. He was president of the National Honor Society and served as a DA student ambassador.
Phil Johnson & Lou Raders Community Service Award
Evelyn Murphy embodied the DA value of community with her volunteering at Adam’s Camp, a family camp for families with children with special needs.
Co-Valedictorian
Patrick Gilman graduated with a 4.0 GPA. He was vice president of the National Honor Society and president of the International Thespian Honor Society. Patrick was a cast member in 11 DA theater productions.




Salutatorian
Logan Webb graduated with a 3.97. She was the publicity officer in the National Honor Society. She also held leadership positions in the National Arts Honor Society.

Denver Academy’s dedicated faculty and staff members are instrumental in transforming students’ lives. They encourage, nurture and inspire, guiding students along their path to academic success and personal well-being. The commitment and capabilities of faculty and staff are recognized and celebrated within our walls and beyond.
Wings of the Future Jennifer Perry
Jennifer developed and implemented engaging and creative programs for the elementary division. Students are having fun while learning, and it shows! She has taught at DA for 15 years.

Staff Person of the Year
Jacob Theis
Departmental leaders at Denver Academy recognized Jacob for his willingness to help everywhere and his positive energy. Jacob is a DA alum.
Teacher of the Year Kacie Wulf
Students nominated Kacie because she is a kind, gentle, caring, organized, and an all-around awesome human being. This was her fourth year at DA.

2021-2022 Board of Trustees
Voting Members
Kristy Taddonio Mullins ‘94 –Chair, Board of Trustees
Lisa Patterson – Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
Kent Berke
Polly Breit
Carrie Burns
Dylan Geller ‘92
Adam Goldsmith
Aliya Hasan
Bryan Hassler
Tim Healy ‘06
Vanecia Kerr
Deb Knobelman
Mary Lester Karen McNeil-Miller
Amy Messenger
Kim Pankratz ‘89
Sheryl Stefaniak
Reed Stilwell
Barney Wilson
Ex-Officio Trustees
Mark Twarogowski –
Head of School
Amy Stettner –
Alumni Association President
Barrie Bodden –
Faculty Representative
Rachel Petrie –
Parent Association President

Emeritus Trustees
Dr. Ed Callahan
Jim Dierker
Dr. Nancy Gary Phil Johnson
Steve Mooney
Tim O’Connor*
*deceased
Our mission is to inspire and empower diverse learners through student-centered, differentiated and transformative education. At our core, we value individual differences, respect & responsibility, community & nurturing relationships and the transformative power of education. OUR

MISSION
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