2026 ELEVATE Gala raises almost $425,000 for Cherry Creek Schools Foundation

Smiles and cheers filled the Hyatt Regency DTC on February 26 – along with more than 600 supporters at Cherry Creek Schools Foundation’s annual ELEVATE Gala. The event raised almost $425,000 to invest in the students and staff of Cherry Creek Schools.

The gala was inspired by the golden age of travel and invited guests to imagine the possibilities for our students during their academic journey. The event featured student emcees and performers from every feeder in the district. The event opened with performances by the Eaglecrest High School and Smoky Hill High School mariachi bands as well as exhibits from the CTE program, including drone soccer teams at Smoky Hill High School, Sky Vista Middle School, and Village East Elementary and the district’s mobile StarLab.

Attendees were treated to performances by the Prairie Middle School step team and Grandview High School jazz choir, as well as inspirational words from aspiring educator Shae Brock and Interim Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Perry. The gala also showcased a video made by the OTV at Overland High School production team, highlighting the upcoming career pathways at the Overland/Prairie shared campus and the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus.

Jen Feingold, CCSF chairperson, and her son Ben Feingold reflected on how the district has shaped their journey. Jen Millet, president of Denver Summit FC and CCSD alum, participated in a student Q&A panel. Amir Manza, a senior at Smoky Hill High School, also shared how the district has supported him in developing an app called "1Step," a digital platform designed to make the college application process easier and more accessible for students.

The event also included a live auction and paddle raise hosted by Rylie Behr, culminating in an incredible showing of generosity by our community.

Thanks to our student emcees Amir Manza, Abby Shimelis, and Norris Sun for guiding us throughout the evening on a journey of celebration and hope for the future of what’s possible in Cherry Creek Schools!

Thank you to our community champions who helped make this night a reality!

JHL Constructors • United Healthcare • DLR Group • GH Phipps Construction

ANB Bank • Boots Construction • Community College of Aurora Foundation • Convergint • Feingold Horton, PLLC • HCA HealthONE • Johnson Controls • Kiewit • Meritrust Credit Union

hord | coplan | macht  • AON • Adolfson & Peterson Construction • Butler Snow • 1st Bank • GTC Construction Huckabee • MOA Architecture • Plante Moran • Ratio • RTA Architects • Stifel • University of Colorado Denver • Turner & Townsend • Alpine Bank  • BC Interiors • CCS Facility Services • Credit Union of Colorado • Cuningham Group • Fransen-Pittman General Contractors • GH2 Architects • Hilltop Securities • Holland & Knight • Howell Construction • Meteor Education • Os Schools • RBC Capital Markets • Trautman & Shreve • BCER Engineering

Special thanks to Denver Summit FC, OTV at Overland High School, and The Knoll Team!