Reinventing Life Through Learning at CMC
When 42-year-old Denver native Jennifer Penn found herself emerging from a difficult divorce and living in a transitional home, she knew it was time for a fresh start. After 17 years in a challenging marriage and years working as a bartender, Penn took a chance—calling the Subway in Leadville to ask about job openings. Owner Dixie Mullaly not only offered her a position but also mentioned Colorado Mountain College (CMC) and its student housing.
“I thought, ‘Dorms at a community college? That’s exactly what I need,’” Penn recalls. Moving to Leadville, she enrolled in CMC’s Associate of Arts social work program, determined to transform her own struggles into tools for helping others.
Now working part-time at CMC’s front desk, Penn credits “incredible instructors” and Christine Londos of the TRIO Success Center for guiding her academic journey. This May, she’ll graduate with her AA in social work and will continue at Metropolitan State University—aiming for a bachelor’s in social work plus a BS focused on addiction and human-trafficking prevention. “I want to pay forward everything I’ve learned,” she says.
Lake County Schools Shine in State Health Awards
On February 17, the Colorado Education Initiative announced that Lake County Intermediate School (LCIS) had earned the 2016 Platinum Governor’s Healthy School Champion Award—a $7,500 prize recognizing its comprehensive approach to student well-being. LCIS revamped its school culture in just one year, implementing programs that promote nutrition, physical activity, and mental health supports.
Lake County School District’s Health & Wellness Coordinator, Kerri Quinlan, praised the entire staff: “Their coordinated, school-wide effort truly stands out.”
Other schools in the district also received honors:
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Lake County High School: Bronze Award ($1,000) for bolstered health and behavioral services.
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West Park Elementary: Excellence Award ($500) for Healthy Celebrations initiatives and a new playground project.
Now in its sixth year, the Healthy School Champions program—backed by The Colorado Health Foundation—has distributed over $250,000 in awards to Colorado schools. LCIS and its sister schools will be celebrated at the 2016 Colorado Healthy Schools Summit: The Power of Collective Impact on March 4 in Denver.
