By Glory Weisberg
Glory Weisberg, Society Editor
Arrupe Jesuit High School can be proud of their class of 2010, for each of the 54 students has been accepted into colleges of choice, including Boston College, Georgetown University and Creighton University. They earned close to $4 million in merit-based scholarships as well. This class is making its parents proud for another reason, as 91 percent being the first generation college bound for their families.
Group shot of the Arrupe Class of 2010. Photos courtesy of Arrupe HS.
Some details: Five of these grads are Daniels Scholars and two are Arrupe Role Model Scholarship winners.
Arrupe is well known locally for its Corporate Work-Study Program. One day a week students work in entry-level jobs at about 90 corporations and local non-profits, earning the money they need to pay for about 66 percent of their school tuition.
Yellow Rose Ball changing it up
The Central City Opera House Association is changing its Yellow Rose Ball Flower Girl presentation roster. These young women come from locally prominent families and is the oldest debutante presentation in Colorado. Until now the honorees were presented at the end of their senior year of high school. That remains true for this year but for 2011 the Association will be inviting both girls completing their senior year and those completing their junior year.
Arrupe Valedictorian José Madrid
This is what Nancy Parker explains is a transition year and that “going forward, girls will be presented at the end of their junior year. We think this will be a very positive change in the program and give families a chance to experience this beautiful tradition at a less busy time in their lives,” she said.
We learned of this development from Parker at lunch recently and believe it’s a change mandated by today’s extremely busy high school students, many off to summer internships and programs prior to becoming members of their college classes and orientation. Then add in summer sports camps, internships, foreign trips and volunteer jobs and there you have it.
The Opening Night Yellow Rose Ball is June 26 in Central City, where this year’s Flower Girls will be presented.
Metro State turns 45
Metro State College celebrates its 45th anniversary at the Plain & Fancy Ball, Sept. 25. The MSC Denver Alumni Association has the event at INVESCO Field at Mile High Stadium.
: Metro State’s mascot, Rowdy and Plain and Fancy Ball honoree, Terrance Carroll
At the benefit the Plain & Fancy People of the Year will be introduced. Terrance Carroll, Colorado State Legislature Speaker of the House, is getting the honor, along with Wells Fargo Bank Senior Vice President Pat Cortez, MillerCoors CEO Leo Kiely, who’s also emeritus board member and past chair of the Metro State Foundation; Adele Phelan, a past president of the Clayton Foundation and board chair; and Ray Sutton, Jr., managing partner of Baker Hostetler and is a past MSC Foundation board chair.
The Plain & Fancy Ball is held every five years to commemorate milestones in the college’s history, raising funds for scholarships and academic programs. The dress code is pretty wide ranging, with anything from plain old jeans and cowboy boots to fancy ball gowns and spike heels. No matter what they wear on their backs, each guest will wear a bow tie given them when they enter the ball. MSC alum Malcolm Farley designed this year’s bow tie.
For information on the Plain & Fancy Ball, visit mscd.edu/plainandfancy or call 303-556-8320.
Arts Street
Arts Street has a benefit, June 17, to help high-risk youth get real world employment experience for their creative arts abilities. These students work in simulated job situations and in 2008 the program reached over 1,000 students. Arts Street is a Tier III funded nonprofit in the SCFD as an after school arts program. Check www.arts-street.org.
JSG welcomes new members
The Junior Symphony Guild had its annual Membership Luncheon at the California Café in the Park Meadows shopping center last week, giving guests about five specially prepared menu options. JSG has for the time being at least, refocused on its fundraising aims, away from an annual Showhouse and toward funding from grants, perhaps until the economy makes it viable to again do a showhouse in an historic home needing only redecorating. So with this emphasis on grants giving them most of their Inside the Orchestra and Tiny tot Concerts funds, outgoing president Jane Wilson was ecstatic to announce a grant from the Fine Arts Foundation. The FAFs past president, Kitty Gregg, was equally thrilled to get the grant application, Wilson said. A marriage made in heaven, perhaps?
Wilson ended her fourth term as JSG president, vowing not to reprise it again, happy to stay on board as 2011 treasurer. Also on the new board is President Carole Kramer, Marlene Johancen, Julie Weinstein, Linda Bryant, Susan Troyan, Barbara Uhrich, Sana Wood, Evelyn Wright and Chris Thomas.
Orchestra conductor Tom Jensen and Wilson both noted their 25 years with the JSG.
Inside the Conductor’s Head is a new program dependent on additional funding. We have to wonder how much the lives of 24,000 young children were changed after seeing one of the JSG’s performances.
Among members consuming salads, pizza, chicken, cream of asparagus soup and other elegantly presented entrees were Lisa Kipp, Linda Bryant, Pam Wiegand, Evelyn Wright, Denise Foat, Lisa Merritt, Heather Brycl, Pat Frazier, Jane Carleston and Carol James.
On Aug. 8 Arlene and Don Johnson host Get Wicket with the JSG, a Great Gatsby theme afternoon of croquet, cocktails and poolside jazz. For information contact Heather Brecl at 303-683-5429 or e-mail heather@insidetheorchestra.com.
Feed Your Face set for June 21
Hope Communities has its Feed Your Face, Find a Place 30th Anniversary Celebration, June 21 at the Exdo Event Center. Chefs from a contingent of barbecue restaurants offer samplings and there’s music and a silent auction as well. Hope Communities provide safe, affordable housing for Denver’s working families, with resident programs, such as Adult and Youth Education, Economic Development, Health & Wellness, and Community-Building, all further detailed on their web site,www.hopecommunities.org. Hope Communities founder Ray Stranske is honorary co-chair, along with Colorado’s First lady, Jeannie Ritter. Jack Finlaw, Dana Crawford, Holly Kylberg, Ellen Robinson Swartz, Dr. Dean Prina, and Patricia Barela Rivera are among Leadership Committee members. I plan to pack a lot of Wet Wipes for this gig!
For other information, call Brian Heider at 303-850-7747, ext. 132.
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gloryweisberg@comcast.net
