Destination 2011 Fundraising Breakfast a Huge Success!

Alumni, educators, community members, current students and parents all came together in force on Friday, May 8. In an unprecedented show of support for the revitalization of Manual High School, nearly 400 people filled the Manual Thunderdome with true Thunderbolt Spirit!

Keynote speaker Scott Horsley (Manual, ’84), White House correspondent for National Public Radio, shared with the audience a theme of hopefulness and determination that pervaded his experience as a student at Manual some 20 years ago, and which now dominates our public sphere. In his coverage of the President and Michelle Obama, Scott is reminded of what was so special about the belief in the unlimited potential of students at Manual, and expressed his optimism for the future of the school.

City Councilman Michael Hancock (Manual, ’87) rallied the crowed with emotional cheers and a call to action – to volunteer, to mentor and to make a financial commitment to ensure Manual can do “whatever it takes” to provide a meaningful, quality education to the current generation of Thunderbolts.

Manual alumni attended from every generation as far back as the 1940s, and many traveled from out of state to be a part of this special event. To get involved in next year’s breakfast, contact us at friends_of_manual@msn.com or to make a donation, click on Donate.

Friends of Manual Creates an Impact with Faculty Grant Program

During the 2008-2009 school year, Friends of Manual has made available $12,000 to faculty through its very own Faculty Grant Program. This program is designed to give faculty opportunities to augment classroom resources and academic experiences for students, and to offer a diverse array of extracurricular classes or sports. Friends of Manual is proud to support several programs including sponsoring a team of students training to run the Bolder Boulder race, a ski trip to Winter Park for 40 students and adult chaperones, female and male fitness programs, and support for the JROTC program. We have also been able to revive the drama program and through a generous gift from the McHugh family (Burke and Chris are 1980s alumni), the proud tradition of vocal music is being restored to the school.

Make a donation to support this vital support for faculty! To make a contribution to this important service for Manual faculty, please click here.

Manual Alumni in the News

Mighty Thunderbolt, Elbra Wedgeworth, graduated from Manual in 1974.  Elbra served as President of the Denver City Council from 2003-2005 and served as the President/Chair of the Board of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.  Elbra is currently serving in the governmental affairs division at Denver Health.

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