High Altitude Society

Carolyn Pope, VailCarolyn@comcast.net
May 14, 2008

The Stone Creek Charter School raced into its second year fundraiser on May 3 with a grand “Run for the Roses” Kentucky Derby Party held at the Park Hyatt in Beaver Creek.

Stone Creek Charter School is in its second year of operation, providing a kindergarten through eighth-grade education to about 210 students. Its emphasis is on a unique curriculum that offers “core knowledge.”

The fundraiser was held in Ford Hall and featured silent and live auctions, with full Derby treatment, from elegant hats to a mint julep station. Unique auction items included an Andy Warhol-style painting from the children coordinated by art teacher Lynne Perry and parents Mary Miller and Tina Sommers, a handmade quilt and intricate jewelry from the students.

The live auction included trips to Northstar-Lake Tahoe, Punta Mita, Mexico, and Scottsdale, Ariz. The evening capped off with dancing to the high-energy Jonny Mogambo. Jon Lindner (also known as Jonny Mogambo) is a parent at the school. Raylene Duman and Christine Heidemann headed the auction.

“The Derby features young horses that train hard and run boldly to the finish line,” said Kathy Fort Card, who chaired the event. “We feel this is a perfect analogy of the spirit of our Stone Creek Charter School. We have overcome so much in our first two years, and our staff, board of directors, parents and kids have continued to forge ahead with energy and passion to achieve fantastic results.”

Stone Creek Charter School is the newest public school in the valley. It was formed under the Colorado Charter Act and reports to the Charter School Institute. It is not part of the Eagle County School District and therefore doesn’t receive any funds from the district. Since there is no tuition charged to attend the school, fundraising is an integral part of the school’s survival and success.

“We have received incredible support from the community because everyone loves and pulls for the ‘long shot’ to beat the odds,” Fort Card said. “This event allows Stone Creek to offset operational deficits and it has enabled us to create a technology focus in the school with our live auction, Fund a Need. We have raised nearly $50,000 in two years that has been dedicated to computer labs, teaching tools and enhanced technology in the school.”

For more information on Stone Creek Charter School (which is accepting applications for 2008-2009 school year), you can visit its Web site at www.stonecreekschool.org or call 748-4535.

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Click on photo galleries at www.vailtrail.com to see more photos from this event.