CLAYTON EARLY LEARNING

Denver

News: When Cindy Schulz completed her nine-years of service on Clayton Early Learning’s board of trustees – a tenure that included two terms as board chair – her colleagues, along with Clayton’s president and chief executive officer William Browning, wanted to thank her in a meaningful and long-lasting way.

So they named a classroom in her honor. And didn’t tell her about it until she walked out of her final board meeting on May 12 to find a couple dozen friends and some members of the Clayton staff lining the hallway leading to the newly named room, waving pompons and shouting “Congratulations!”

Upon which she burst into tears.

“We don’t take naming rooms lightly,” Browning said as Schulz wiped away tears. “But Cindy has been a real force for Clayton, and we wanted to honor her in a very special way.”

The 4 p.m. gathering was coordinated by Susan Hagar, communications consultant for Clayton Early Learning and a longtime friend of Schulz’s.

“The fact that she was truly surprised – that we were able to keep this a secret – is the highlight of my career,” Hagar said, noting that she had feared word of the honor might slip out prior to the reception.

But it didn’t, and Schulz was completely surprised to see so many friends and family members there to salute her.

Attendees included her husband, Steve; their son, Drennen; her brother, Gary Crowell, who had flown in from Houston; and such friends as Cydney Marsico, Patty Mack, Cindy Halaby, Jan Cortez, Susan Blake Smith and Nanette Fishman.

“Cindy has been an absolutely stellar leader and steward of Clayton’s mission for children and families,” Hagar said, noting that Schulz has also served the community through her membership in such organizations as the Junior League of Denver, Families First and the former Girls, Inc. Alliance.

About the organization: The nonprofit Clayton Early Learning, 3801 Martin Luther King Blvd., Denver, uses a multi-generational, place-based approach to give all children an exceptional start while empowering families toward long-term success.

Website: claytonearlylearning.org

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