Peak Education

🦃 This Thanksgiving, We’re Grateful for YOU! 💙

We’re giving thanks for our incredible Peak Ed family — the scholars who inspire us, the families who support them, and the partners and donors who make it all possible. 💙

Every mentoring session, every scholarship, every “I did it!” moment — that’s what we’re thankful for today.

✨ From all of us at Peak Education:
Have a warm, joy-filled Thanksgiving surrounded by community, laughter, and love.

Business and Education Leaders Unite to Launch Innovate Pikes Peak - Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC COLORADO SPRINGS – A first-of-its-kind regional multi-district collaborative is launching to seamlessly connect education to career pathways for all learners across El Paso County districts and education systems to support the industries in our region. The Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC and Peak E...

Thanks to the generosity of the William Stanley Foundation, Peak Education is able to help close the financial gap or reduce the cost of attendance for two students each year.

During the 2024–25 school year, one such recipient was Cameron Champagnie, a sophomore at Valley City State University. Cameron is pursuing a major in Health Science with a minor in Business while also excelling as a track and field athlete.

In his note of gratitude, Cameron shared: “This significantly decreased the amount of financial burden I would have if it were not for this foundation. I can focus on track and field as well as academics without the stress of finding the money needed to pay for my expenses.”

Thank you to the William Stanley Foundation for helping make this possible and for supporting the continued success of Peak Ed students like Cameron.

🎓 From First-Gen Scholar to Doctoral Student — Meet RaeAnn! 💙
We’re so excited to welcome RaeAnn Gutierrez as our new Associate Director of the D2 Promise Program! 👏

RaeAnn connects Harrison District 2 and Pikes Peak State College, helping make the D2 Promise even stronger for students in our community.

But here’s the best part — RaeAnn was once just like many D2 Promise scholars! 🙌
She was a first-generation college student who started her journey at a community college before transferring to a four-year university. Now? She’s working on her Doctorate in Leadership for Educational Equity! 🎓🔥

RaeAnn knows firsthand how powerful community college can be as a launchpad for big dreams — and she’s here to help the next generation do the same.

💙 Welcome to the Peak Ed family, RaeAnn!

🌟 Thank You to Our Scholarship Partners 🌟
The Dr. Cassie Gannett Scholarship supports Peak Ed students who demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in education. Established in 2025, this scholarship honors Dr. Cassie Gannett, current principal of Wildflower Elementary School. Dr. Gannett served on our board from 2017 to 2025, holding several leadership roles, including treasurer, and concluding her tenure as board president. She remains an active and valued member of our community whom we are proud to recognize.

In May 2025, we awarded the inaugural Dr. Cassie Gannett Scholarship to Ava Huffman, who aspires to become a teacher and began her college journey at UCCS in August 2025. Together, we hope to continue building a legacy of empowering future educators who will inspire and shape the next generation.

👏 Thank you to the Cassie Gannet Scholarship for honoring student potential and helping our scholars rise.

👉 Learn more about Peak Education scholarships: www.peakedu.org

🎖️ This Veterans Day, we honor courage in all its forms.
For Semajae Parker, a Peak Education alumna, courage meant choosing a different kind of classroom — the U.S. Navy.
Now serving as a Hospital Corpsman, she provides care and medical support aboard ship.

“I would not have joined the Navy without Peak Education,” Semajae said. “But I’m glad I talked myself into it—it's okay to be afraid of the unknown. Think about all the possibilities that can come from here instead of if I had stayed that single-minded self I had before I joined Peak Ed.”

From mentors who believed in her potential to the confidence she built through Peak Ed programs, Semajae turned uncertainty into opportunity.

Today, she serves her country—and reminds us that not every path leads to college, but every path can lead to purpose.

💙 Real Futures. Real Impact.
Your future depends on who you invest in today.
👉 Donate: peakedu.org/donates

🎓 Tomorrow’s the day—celebrating first-gen pride and powering clear next steps!
TOMORROW • First-Gen Celebration
Join Peak Education as we celebrate First-Generation Day and equip scholars with real-world tools for college & career success. Expect encouragement, resources, and community.

Enjoy refreshments and drinks while you:

🎤 Hear from inspiring first-gen leaders, including the renowned Dr. Regina Lewis
📚 Learn about college access & affordability resources
🎓 Explore pathways like FAFSA, Concurrent Enrollment, Direct Admission & scholarships
🎁 Win prizes!

🗓️ Tomorrow, November 8
🕙 10:00 AM-12:00PM
📍 Downtown Colorado Springs @ Peak Education’s College & Career Readiness Center
117 S. Wahsatch Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80903

PS: If you can’t RSVP in time, walk-ins welcome 💙

👉 Reserve Your Spot Now (Free): https://www.peakedu.org/event-details/first-gen-day-celebration

💬 Are you (or were you) first-gen? Tell us what you wish you’d known before college.

🌟 Thank You to Our Scholarship Partners 🌟

Because of the Conner & Mullens Scholarship, provided through the Pikes Peak Educational Foundation, more Peak Ed scholars are turning their goals into reality. Established in 2021 in honor of our founders, Dr. H. Dalton Conner and Steven U. Mullens, this scholarship has helped reduce the cost of college for our students and opened doors to transformative academic experiences. In addition to supporting college tuition, it has made it possible for high school students to attend prestigious college-based summer programs, such as Zariea Patrick, who participated in the Yale Young Global Scholars Program, and Delilah Epps, who completed the Carleton College Summer Liberal Arts Institute.

This scholarship honors a legacy of leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to education in our community — the same values that shaped the founding of Peak Education nearly 30 years ago.

👏 To the families, donors, and partners who continue this legacy: thank you for believing in our scholars and investing in the next generation of changemakers.
Your support doesn’t just fund education — it fuels confidence, courage, and a brighter future for the Pikes Peak region.
👉 Learn more about how scholarships open doors for Peak Ed scholars: www.peakedu.org