It was a packed house at The Falls Event Center on May 1st as parents, students, staff and families gathered to celebrate the announcement of the Sixth Annual CURO Awards, sponsored by the LPS Special Services Advisory Committee and Special Education Department. The CURO Award recognizes the dedication and commitment of individuals who make a difference in the life of an LPS student with a disability. The word “CURO” is Latin and means “to care for or to pay attention to.”

Charlotte Hugo gets a hug from Griffin Doyna after she won a CURO award for “her kindness, patience and acceptance of all students at Franklin Elementary.”

Following opening remarks from Melissa Cooper, director of Special Education/Student Support Services and LPS Superintendent Brian Ewert, a rousing rendition of Kool and the Gang’s Celebration energized the audience as the presentation of 19 CURO awards to a field of 90 nominees began.

As each winner came forward to accept their CURO award, a brief summation of their honored work was shared with the audience. Since parents, students and colleagues chose the nominees, the nominators shared their heartfelt gratitude through written comments, such as: “She shows gentle encouragement, loving support, and is great with my child with disabilities”  and “She worked with my child every day and my child is starting to talk to me and can even call me mom.” Another parent wrote: “Katie is the consummate professional who puts students first...always ensuring the student’s needs are at the center of all decisions.”

Jake Russell gets a hug from CURO winners Wendy Ware (paraprofessional) and Brock Taylor (bus driver). Jake rides to school on their bus, and his mother Libby Russell nominated Ware and Taylor for “their constant kindness, compassion and care that goes above and beyond on the school bus. We love them!”

Any LPS community member, staff member or student is eligible to receive the award. Recipients of the award are nominated because their devotion to a student with a disability has made that student's life better.

Congratulations to the 19 CURO award winners and 90 nominees:

JR. CURO RECIPIENTS

• Noah Bress
• Nailani Brogan
• Lucy Danos
• Charlotte Hugo
• Sadie Iken
• Ian Laderer
• Elle Marlow
• Brody Mize
• Miura Nix

STUDENT CURO RECIPIENTS

• Courtney Daniel
• Bailey Roberts
• Natasha Sandalcidi
• Allie Wennerstrom

CURO RECIPIENTS

• Barb D’ lnnocenzo
• Brad Leitner
• Barb Ritchie
• Sandy Stewart
• Brock Taylor
• Wendy Ware

Brody Mize receives a CURO award for his work with his friend Matthew Walling at Runyon Elementary. Brody was recognized for his “empathy and compassion to all students."

LPS Superintendent Brian Ewert addresses a full house at the 2018 CURO Awards, held at the Falls Event Center on May 1.

Featured Image: (L-R) Eileen Hernley and Megan Souther welcome CURO award winner Courtney Daniel to the stage as she is welcomed by Elliot Hunter from Arapahoe High School and Allison Rooney.