2024
Community Partner
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 1
2 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
MEET OUR TEAM Amy L. Foreman Publisher EDITORIAL
The Heart of Our Community Welcome to the inaugural issue of Faces and Places, a publication that I am incredibly proud to present to our cherished readers. Earlier this year, our team brought you the Faces of Denver, a celebration of the remarkable individuals who make our community vibrant and dynamic. We decided to embark on a new journey, expanding our focus to not only highlight the exceptional faces of our community but also the amazing places that define our local landscape. Faces and Places is a high-value, stand-alone publication crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail. From the beginning, my vision for this magazine was clear: it had to be a keepsake. We’ve spared no effort in ensuring it is printed on the finest quality paper, adorned with stunning design and artwork, making it a piece worthy of gracing your coffee table all year round. Our goal is to create a book that our community eagerly anticipates every year, one that readers will treasure and share with pride. As you delve into this book, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did creating it for you. The dedication and passion of our team are reflected on every page, and we look forward to continuing this tradition annually. Take the time to explore the stories of the wonderful people and places featured within. These individuals and businesses are not just participants in our publication; they are the backbone of our community, the driving force behind our local economy, and the heart of our shared experiences. Faces and Places is more than a magazine; it is a testament to the spirit of Denver. It celebrates the people who inspire us, the places that shape us, and the community that unites us. As you read through these pages, I hope you feel a sense of pride in our community and the incredible stories that make it unique. Please read it, keep it, and pass it along. But most importantly, enjoy it as much as we did. This is your book, a reflection of our shared journey, and a celebration of what makes Denver extraordinary.
Amanda Miller Managing Editor Amanda Ciani Austria Cohn Carol Evans Victoria Mikota
Madison Voorhies Associate Editors ART/PRODUCTION Alex Herring Senior Graphic Designer Tom Gonzales
Madison Graham Mckinna Sproles Graphic Designers ADVERTISING Crystal Barrett
Kayla Fricks Gomez Martine Melancon Ryn Whiteside Senior Account Executives Camille Cavin Jade Gray Jennifer Hoffmann Amy Phillips Shannon Vicari Account Executives COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Teri Hodges Director of Community Partnerships Roxane Voorhies Community Outreach ADMINISTRATION Brandon Foreman Chief Executive Officer Laurie Acosta Director of Operations Alexis Alexander Senior Executive Administrator Sarah Miller Client Success Manager Elisabeth Barrett Kayleigh Montana Client Success Specialists Emmy Logan Accounting Coordinator CONTACT US editorial@familyresourcegroupinc.com
OFFICE (225) 292-0032 11831 Wentling Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70816-6055
Brandon Foreman Chief Executive Officer Family Resource Group Inc.
Faces & Places of Denver is published by GEUX PUBLISH and dis- tributed free of charge. Subscriptions accepted. Only authorized distributors may deliver and pick up the magazine. Paid adver- tisements appear in GEAUX PUBLISH publications, including print and other digital formats. FRG does not endorse or evaluate the product, service, or company, nor any claims made by the adver- tisement. We reserve the right to edit, reject, or comment editori- ally on all materials contributed. We cannot be held responsible for the return of any unsolicited material. Faces & Places of Denver Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission prohibited.
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 3
4 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 5
6 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 7
8 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 9
™ laces OF DENVER
Places of Denver Town of Frisco Year Founded: 1873 Founder: Henry Recen
Frisco’s history began with the Ute people, Colorado’s first and longest remaining inhabitants of the region now known as Summit County. The first white men to come through this area were known as “mountain men” who trapped beaver for their fur in the high mountain lakes from 1810 into the 1840s. Founded in 1873 by Henry Recen, Frisco thrived with its mines and was home to 250 people by 1882. The mining boom lasted until 1918 but was quickly followed by the Great Depression, which reduced the town’s population to 18 people. Rancher Bill Thomas revitalized the town by offering free land, boosting the population to 50 by 1946. Everything changed when the 1960s ski industry boom transformed Summit County. Today, the town is home to 3,000 people. Its rich history and welcoming atmosphere make it a perfect destination for families. Services Provided Winter : Frisco Adventure Park — Ski & Snowboard Hills and Affordable Lessons ■ Nordic Center — Cross- Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides, and Free Sledding Hill ■ Six Lane Tubing Hill Summer: ■ Frisco Bay Marina — Free Kid’s Sandcastle Competition ■ Frisco Peninsula — Free Skate Park, Free Bike Park, 27 Hole Disc Golf Course, Free Boulder Play Area, Chuck Wagon Rides, and Two National Forest Campgrounds
■ Concert in the Park Series ■ Historic Park Events ■ 4th of July Celebrations How do you make it a point to put families first with the businesses and events offered? Vanessa Agee, Communications Director: Frisco strives to put all residents and visitors first by offering a variety of events and experiences that provide for different skill levels, interests, and types of families. What makes Frisco so unique? Agee: Its location between a lake and protected public land, including the new Continental Divide National Monument, which means that Frisco will remain a small mountain town with a charming vibe and many big opportunities for outdoor adventure. What can we expect to see in Frisco in years to come? Agee: Frisco continues to work with the National Forest Service to build more trails around Frisco for winter and summer use. And, Frisco’s focus on arts and culture means that we will see more new arts and culture offerings, including a tunnel mural on the recreational path this summer and a newly-minted, free, family-friendly outdoor movie night on the shores of Dillon Reservoir in late August.
10 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 11
12 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
™ aces OF DENVER
The Face of PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY Children’s Dentistry of Cherry Creek PHOTO CREDIT: MICHELE LEE PHOTOGRAPHY
Are your kids anxious about going to the dentist? Fear not, because the wonderful team at Children’s Dentistry of CherryCreek is here to change the way your children experience dental care! Patients are excited to return to their office, all thanks to the loving and family- first environment they provide. “We’ve been serving the families here since 1972. It’s a legacy practice, from generation to generation,” says Dr. Lisa Carlson-Marks, pediatric dentist at Children’s Dentistry of Cherry Creek. “A lot of the children that come into our practice, their parents, or their grandparents have been patients and are familiar with our practice and our philosophy.” The entire team at Children’s Dentistry is focused, compassionate, and fully equipped to make every visit a positive experience for families and their children. “We’re not just looking at teeth here; we’re really focused on an individual approach for every patient, every child, every family,” shares Dr. Lacey Bowen, pediatric dentist at Children’s Dentistry of Cherry Creek. “They all get an
individualized experience, catered to the needs of the family. We believe in two key principles for lifelong oral health: education and prevention. Our goal is to help your child maintain a healthy smile throughout their life. By teaching them the importance of good oral care and providing the tools to achieve it, we set them on the path to a lifetime of great smiles.” Children’s Dentistry is not just your regular dental office. They collaborate with Children’s Hospital Colorado for special cases that require extensive dental treatment. This unique approach ensures specialized care for all patients, including those with special needs. Children’s Dentistry of Cherry Creek is deeply involved in the community and run several outreach programs. Healthy teeth and gums are essential, so it’s key to have a team that provides exceptional service. Children’s Dentistry of Cherry Creek offers kind, compassionate, and high-quality care. So, if you’re looking for a dental experience that’s more like a family visit and less like a dental appointment, Children’s Dentistry of Cherry Creek is the place to be. They’re not just keeping those smiles bright; they’re keeping hearts happy and worry-free.
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 13
14 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 15
16 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 17
18 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
™ aces OF DENVER
The Face of PRIVATE SCHOOL EDUCATION Midtown Montessori Academy PHOTO CREDIT: ROESE RAMP PHOTOGRAPHY
When Rebecca Barrilleaux’s children were born, she wanted them to receive an individualized Montessori education. As she began searching for a Montessori school, Barrilleaux was disappointed with the schools she found “A lot of schools would have some principles, or they claim to be play-based or child-led, but there wasn’t really the structure and the emphasis on the academic curriculum within Montessori,” says Barrilleaux. “The schools that we did find that met our standards had waitlists that were two to three years long.” Seeing the need in the community, Barrilleaux and her husband set out to start a Montessori school that met their and other children’s needs. In 2018, Barrilleaux became the Head of School for Midtown Montessori Academy, which provides an authentic Montessori education for children ages eight weeks to sixth grade. “Montessori is great for children who both struggle and are incredibly gifted because the instruction is so individualized to meet their needs,” Barrilleaux says.
In addition to Midtown Montessori’s unique learning experience, which includes flexible seating, a child-led curriculum, self-paced learning, and a smaller student-to-teacher ratio, the academy also focuses on the personalized aspect for families so they are more involved. “I love thinking collaboratively about the needs of families and students. I love balancing those needs and ensuring the academic rigor is still there. Understanding parents’ thoughts around their child’s education and giving them a voice is so important,” Barrilleaux says. To create a community and give every parent a voice, Midtown Montessori meets with families to discuss their goals and their child’s needs. Throughout the school year, each teacher has office hours, which lets families schedule a meeting to discuss progress, concerns, and ideas to help the students be successful. “Education can be more than just memorization and standardized testing. It can be a partnership to help a child develop into the well-rounded adult we want them to be,” Barrilleaux says.
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 19
aces OF DENVER
20 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
The Face of PUBLIC EDUCATION Mapleton Public Schools PHOTO CREDIT: ROESE RAMP PHOTOGRAPHY
Where is Mapleton Public Schools? “It’s a common question,” says Charlotte Ciancio, Superintendent of Schools in Mapleton. “And I like to say we’re pretty much the ‘heart’ of the Denver-metro area.” Located in the southwest corner of Adams County, one of the fastest-growing counties in Colorado, Mapleton Public Schools is where major arteries, including Interstates 25, 76, 270, and Highway 36, intersect. Truck farms put the district on the map more than a century ago. Today, an innovative, responsive, and resourceful approach to education keeps Mapleton in the local, national, and even international spotlight. Mapleton has supported a full-choice, small-by-design approach to education for more than two decades. This means instead of offering larger, comprehensive schools, Mapleton offers a variety of smaller schools with strategically capped enrollments and carefully curated learning models to match the interests, passions, and learning styles of the district’s more than 7,000 preschool through twelfth-grade students. For the 2024-25 school year, Mapleton will offer families a menu of 20 schools, with specific focuses including Gifted and Talented, Dual Language, Online, EL (Expeditionary Learning), Performing and Visual Arts, STEM, Leadership, University Partnership, and Young Adult. As a leader in school choice, Mapleton does not have “neighborhood schools.” To make it all work, transportation serves as the great equalizer, busing students living within district boundaries to their school of choice, whether one mile or ten miles away.
Mapleton’s philosophy is simple – if students are actively engaged in their learning, and families are committed to the school, then students will have the skills and attributes to achieve their dreams. Supporting small schools and encouraging school choice is the catalyst for student engagement and ownership in education, and the key to Mapleton’s academic growth and achievement. In 2022, Mapleton received an international accreditation rating from Cognia, a nonprofit serving 36,000 public and private institutions in more than 90 countries. Cognia’s accreditation process focuses on instruction and the structures essential for improvement. Mapleton earned one of the highest initial accreditation scores in Cognia history. Year after year, when surveyed, parents and students agree that learning and academic growth are prioritized at their schools, and generally view the quality of their education as favorable. To bolster Mapleton’s college and career-going culture, six new Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways were launched this school year. These pathways, including Health Sciences, Business Management, Education and Teaching, Digital Media, Engineering, and Technical Theater Design, will help students develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to be successful and workforce-ready when they finally pick up their diplomas. Want to learn more about Colorado’s school district at the ‘heart’ of it all? Visit us, www. mapleton.us, or contact us, communications@ mapleton.us. Enrollment from the 2024-25 school year begins January 1!
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 21
22 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
™ aces OF DENVER
The Face of CHARTER SCHOOL EDUCATION Rocky Mountain Prep PHOTO CREDIT: ROESE RAMP PHOTOGRAPHY
If you’re looking for an Early Childhood Education (ECE) program for your little one, Rocky Mountain Prep (RMP) is one of the only Denver programs that runs a unique charter school model. The curriculum supports the whole child through social, emotional, and academic learning, which is key during the early developmental years. Especially in preschool, when young students transition to a new classroom with a different caregiver, they experience regression in social and academic learning. To combat this, RMP students stay with their teacher for two years, allowing them to form strong attachments with their peers and caregivers. This model has children in mixed-age classrooms during the years three and four. “This approach shows stronger learning results where the students who have been with us are about six to eight months ahead of the four year olds who are entering the program for the first time,” says Callan Quiram, the Senior Director of ECE. “Additionally, having older children model social skills for younger children helps them to grow and advance socially in a way they wouldn’t have access to if they were the same- age peers.”
The curriculum includes play-based, exploratory, and social-emotional learning that coincides with RMP’s four peak values: perseverance, excellence, adventure, and kindness. “At RMP Berkeley, it’s a really beautiful blend of play and rigorous academics,” says Jamison Williams, a Preschool Teacher at RMP Berkeley. “Our kids grow, and the things they’re able to accomplish are really incredible.” The program focuses on building a foundation for its students so they can be successful. Mary Ann Mahoney, a Preschool Teacher at RMP Berkeley, describes RMP’s ECE program as a community that comes together to love and support the students so they have the tools, resources, and guidance to be successful. “When kids are surrounded by a community of adults who believe in them, who care and want the best for them, it sets them up for success academically, socially, and emotionally,” Mahoney says. For a tailored, inclusive, and loving environment that will push every student to their full potential, RMP preschools have dedicated and innovative teachers for every child’s needs, academically, socially, and emotionally,” Mahoney says.
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 23
™ aces OF DENVER
The Face of PHOTOGRAPHY Roese Ramp Photography PHOTO CREDIT: ROESE RAMP PHOTOGRAPHY
The saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” might be overused, but it is true. Through photography, Roese Ramp is able to capture moments in time, connect with viewers, and tell a story. The documentary photographer and owner of Roese Ramp Photography is not only the Face of Photography but also the Face of Storytelling. “My passion is to tell stories of emotion and connection. Photography provides the tool that allows me to convey that storytelling into visual images.” Roese knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue art and design. Growing up, she was influenced and supported by her parents, one an artist and the other a contractor. After graduating with a Fine Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame, Roese ran an interior design company for 10 years before returning to her roots in photography. “Creating with the intent to capture the beauty in this world is what I strive for every day,” Roese says. “I value human connection and understand how to document what is happening in front of me in a way that helps my clients communicate their impact and intent.” Roese uses creativity and problem- solving to help people and ideas thrive. She uses storytelling through imagery to build connections. Roese Ramp Photography will bring authenticity and capture incredible moments. To see more of Roese’s work, jump on her website at roesephoto.com.
24 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 25
26 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
thefacesandplaces.com
Faces & Places of Denver | 2024 27
28 2024 | Faces & Places of Denver
thefacesandplaces.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting