Captured Event

September, 06 2008 - Colorado Springs School Extends Special Thank You to Donors

What: Donor appreciation reception

Where: Colorado Springs School Trianon

When: Saturday, September 6, 2008

Time: 6 p.m.

Co-Chair(s): Rich and Kate Murphy, Scott Berry

Executive Director: Head of School: Kevin Reel

Welcome: Barron Collier II

Catering: Cravings Catering

Music: Piano by Jeff Cleveland

Quote of the evening: "These schools don't run on perpetual motion." --Board Chair Barron Collier II

Menu: Stations: maple glazed turkey roast; steakhouse with steak au poivre, carmelized onions, sauteed mushrooms and white cheddar mashers; "Euro-Rail Pass:" fresh Italian meats and cheeses, grilled artichokes, olives, mini-ravioli, sausages, pepper shooters, mozzarella pesto torte; baked brie wrapped in buttery brioche, garnished with fresh fruit and served with crackers, raspberry and almonds; Chipolte hummus garbanzo paste with smoked chilis, garlic and cumin; hot artichoke parmesan dip with fresh vegetables, gourmet crackers and tri-color chips; "Shaken not Stirred" martini salad station; bowtie pasta in creamy pesto alfredo served with tender sliced chicken breasts; fancy pastry tray with lemon tarts, eclairs, tiramisu cups, key lime tarts, fruit tartlets, chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate Kahlua mousse cups; pecan crusted scallops with mango salsa

Attire: Cocktail

Hors D'Oeuvres:: Thai spring roll with sweet and sour dip; crab cakes with chili lime aioli dipping sauce; Spanikopita triangles with spinach, feta cheese and herbs, wrapped in phylo; jumbo beer-steeped shrimp cordials served in votive cups

Florist: Skyway Creations

Board of Directors: Mr. Barron Collier II, Chairman, President; Mrs. Michele B. Fagin, Secretary; Mr. Flint Seaton, Treasurer; Mr. Don Addy; Mr. Scott Berry; Mr. David Donner; Carol Gardiner; Mrs. Loren George; Ms. Tami Goodlette; Mrs. Karla Grazier; Mrs. Betsy Long Jones; Mr. Jack Mason; Mrs. Phyllis Osterchrist; Mr. Jon Stepleton; Mr. Mark Thatcher; Dr. Dan Tynan; Mrs. Laura Whiteside. Ex Officio: Ms. Nori Madrigal, Faculty Representative; Mr. Kevin Reel, Head of School.

Blacktie Photos by: Pamela Cress

Colorado Springs School Head of School Kevin Reel, left, Melanie Reel, Claremont Society chairs Kate and Rich Murphy and Scott Berry
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"We have a style of learning that goes beyond test scores," a proud Kevin Reel, Head of School, told the audience at the gathering in the Trianon at Colorado Springs School Saturday evening.

He'd be preaching to the choir, however, since most of the gathering were also ultra proud parents of enrollees, alums and supporters of the School, whose reputation for excellence and high standards is unsurpassed. In appreciation of the "Claremont Society," the group of highest level donors and supporters of school programs, a wonderful reception was hosted at the gorgeous building, with portraits of original owner Virginia Baldwin looking down approvingly from the walls.

Cravings Catering outdid themselves with creative and scrumptious dishes such as steak au poivre, an antipasto station, shrimp Thai rolls, baked brie wrapped in buttery brioche and hot artichoke parmesan dip, just to name a sampling.

Wine aficionados were in seventh heaven with a flight tasting of several pinot noirs and blends, including Etude, Opus One, ZD, Shafer and the ever-illusive Grace Family. A sampling of Roederer champagne started the taste buds tingling.

Board chair Barron Collier II said a few words of thanks and welcome, followed by the appreciative Kevin Reel and the new campaign chairs, Rich and Kate Murphy and alumnus Scott Berry. All had one thing in common: the love for the school and the exemplary education it provides the children and young adults who are enrolled there. One graduate wrote home to her parents from her first year in college: "Colorado Springs School was much more difficult than college!"

When a farsighted group of parents founded The Colorado Springs School for Girls in 1962, they envisioned a school where their daughters would receive excellent preparation for the nation's top colleges and universities. In September 1962, the school began with 23 students in the former home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Drake on Pourtales Road with Margaret Campbell as its first Headmistress. By the spring of 1967, enrollment had nearly quadrupled and the Board of Trustees voted to purchase both the Trianon property at 21 Broadmoor Avenue and nearly 12 acres known today as Boddington Field. Now recognized as one of the most outstanding independent schools in America, The Colorado Springs School (CSS) is a co-ed college-preparatory school that includes grades preschool through 12 and now has 402 students.

The School has recently completed some remodeling and expansion, and now is ready for a continued bright future, as are the graduates of this fine institution of learning. And so now, almost 50 years since the first glimmer of excellence was formed on Pourtales Road, the students, faculty, parents and supporters are extremely proud of their gem, the Colorado Springs School. For more information about CSS, log on to www.css.org.