Article, Photos & Video by Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media (see photo gallery below)
Who would have thought that the Children’s Museum could be so much fun for adults. Hundreds gathered on a beautiful Saturday evening September 29th in Denver for a great fundraising party to support Family Star Montessori School’s “An Evening With The Stars Gala-Bration.
The evening featured a red carpet reception, a array of delicious food and drinks at various stations set up throughout the venue, a brass band along with a DJ and a huge silent auction with dozens of items to choose from. The live auction featured many fantastic items from a fully stocked wine fridge to several trips to ranging from Colorado to Mexico to Spain. A $2,000 bike was auctioned off for $25 for those who bought in on a heads or tails coin flip. Attendees were allowed to play with the various interactive exhibits at the museum which brought out the kid in many of them.
The outdoor after party continued the fun with dancing, more great food, drinks and deserts featuring some to die for homemade ice creams treats and out of this world pastries from vendors Catering by Design, Crooked Stave, Great Divide, 10Barrel Brewing, Breakthru Beverage Group, Bonacquisti Little Machine, Ratio Beerworks.
All in all it was great time as more than 200 supporters raised thousands of dollars to support Denver’s two Family Star Montessori School’s. Family Star prepares students to succeed in school and in life, giving the community thriving young children and linking families to the rich resources of the community.
“We are committed to the principle that race, ethnicity or income shouldn’t predetermine a child’s or a family’s future” said Amy Downs, Executive Director of Family Star told the audience adding “even though we know that 85 percent of brain development occurs by age 3, only 4 percent of public educational resources are spent by this age.” (see video)
James Wason, Board Chair of Family Star Montessori School told the audience about how the acquisition of a crack house 28 years ago was the catalyst for the beginnings of Family Star School in Denver. (see video)
Sponsors included BigCreek Roofing & Restoration, MarkWest Energy, Trinity Construction, Children’s Museum, GHP Investment Advisors, Delta Dental, Crooked Stave, ONE Realty, Gyan-I, Bay Equity Home Loans, Davis Graham & Stubbs, The Colorado Trust, redT, The Colorado Health Institute, Automated Business Products, and USI.
Family Star Montessori is a nationally recognized program that provides the highest level of Montessori education for children ages two months to six years, along with comprehensive support services. The schools serve children and families across the economic spectrum in a respectful and empowering community.
Family Star Montessori is thriving and growing and currently has schools in Northwest and Northeast Denver. They pride themselves on having a positive student and staff culture, passionate commitment to authentic Montessori education, and a warm, supportive parent community. More than half of it’s student are Hispanic. It’s stated mission is “TO DISCOVER THE CHILD IN INCLUSIVE MONTESSORI ENVIRONMENTS AND INSPIRE A MOVEMENT FOR EDUCATING THE HUMAN POTENTIAL.”
The Montessori Method of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. Dr. Montessori’s Method has been time tested, with over 100 years of success in diverse cultures throughout the world.
It is a view of the child as one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment. It is an approach that values the human spirit and the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, cognitive.
Photo By Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media Event Photography 720-855-8410
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