El Semanario
Posted on 05-18-2012

Miles for Moms garners notable support

By Toni Frésquez

The cycle of giving back is monumental at Denver’s Florence
Crittenton High School. Last weekend, the school hosted their 8th annual Miles for Moms fundraiser, at Sloan’s Lake in northwest Denver. Crittenton alumni Nickie Burney, now a manager at Little Caesar’s Pizza connected her employer with the event serving free pizza as a Miles for Mom sponsor.
“The girls may not know it now, but what they are learning is so valuable for their future,” said Burney, who along with her 12-year-old son, Jordan Barnaby served pizza to the hungry participants.
The school has attracted notable support such as Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, who spoke and offered encouragement and support to the teen moms. The Mayor and First Lady Mary Louise Lee visit the school often, said Mikayla Houser, Special Events and Volunteer Coordinator at Crittenton.
Notable support has also come from Marybel Gonzalez, Ms. Colorado USA 2012 and Jacqueline Zuccherino, Ms. Colorado Teen USA, 2012 who offered tremendous support for this year’s prom. Gonzalez and Zuccherino collected gowns from their beauty pageant friends and donated them to the girls attending this year’s prom. “It has been such a fulfilling experience,” said Gonzalez, who along with Zuccherino participated in the Miles for Moms 5K run/walk.
“I hope they [students] are grateful for the amazing support from the community,” noted Houser, in acknowledging the well-rounded support for the school and its events. “Miles for Moms gives them a chance to get outdoors with their friends and families and really have a great time together.”
Crittenton student Justina Rodríguez is a two-time race participant, who this year pushed her 2 year-old daughter Alize Martínez in her stroller along the course at Sloans Lake.
“I think last year was really fun; also it is nice to participate in fundraisers to know how we get resources that support the organization and our families. I think it is really nice to know who supports us so we can give them a big thank you,” exclaimed Rodríguez.
Seventeen-year-old Rodríguez, shared her experience at the school and what she has achieved while attending Crittenton High School. “Florence Crittenton has helped me to know that I can get my diploma, and go to college to make my future and my daughters’ future a better one,” praised Rodríguez.
She also noted the school’s advocacy in parenting and the positive experiences for her daughter. “The ELC here has also helped my daughter by teaching her the ABC’s and helping me potty train her, because I know with me at school she would have not been potty trained as fast.”
Rodríguez’ has set remarkable goals for her future. “My aspirations after high school are to become and RN, then go to school to get my MBA to open my own children’s hospital,” she added.
Students are admitted throughout the school year. The school is operated by Florence Crittenton Services of Colorado (formerly Parent Pathways), a nonprofit agency assisting teen parents with a variety of resources. The school accepts students from 9th-12th grade, up to 21 years of age.
For further info on Florence Crittenton High School, 303/733-7686 or flocritco.org.