2024 EVENT PROGRAM
Thank you for joining us.
We cannot wait to share this special night with you!
WELCOME
Dear Community,
10 years of Access Opportunity means 10 years of seeing our students achieve more than they and their families dared to dream.
10 years of counseling each and every one of our first-generation students to graduate from high school and enroll in bachelor degree programs. Supporting one-third of these students towards graduate school and two-thirds into professional careers. Celebrating with them as our young professionals earn a median starting salary of $56,000 compared to their families' median income of almost $36,000.
It's been 10 years of invaluable support - financial, professional, and personal - from you, our community.
Thank you for 10 years of impact - helping the students, their families, the Access Opportunity team, as well as Susie and me, realize our vision and our hopes. We are more grateful than you could know.
With deepest gratitude,
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Yuri Shane
Executive Director/Co-Founder
SCHEDULE
SILENT AUCTION
DINNER & DRINKS
FEATURING:
Ash'Kara
Aviano
Blackbelly
Clayton
Fruition & Mercantile
River and Woods
Tap & Burger Westminster
Uncle
Music by: Rachel Alena Music
PRESENTATION PORTION OF THE EVENING
OPENING REMARKS
LIVE AUCTION
STUDENT SPEAKERS
SPECIAL APPEAL
RAFFLE
CLOSING REMARKS
AUCTION CHECK-OUT
LIVE AUCTION
BLACK CANYON ANGLERS
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Wilderness fly fishing float trip through the Black Canyon Gunnison Gorge
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2-night stay in the comfortable cabins at Black Canyon Anglers
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Delicious dinner service for 4
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1 day fish float
Restrictions: For use during the 2024 season from June through October. Reservations must be made in advance.
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Donated by: Black Canyon Anglers and the Herrick Family
CELEBRITY CHEF DINNER WITH
TROY GUARD
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Private dinner in your home catered by Troy Guard
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Four course dinner for six people
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Paired with the perfect cocktail or wine
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Work with the chef to design the menu
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Restrictions: Expires March 7, 2025. Mutually agreed upon date- must book 4-6 weeks in advance of dinner date. Based on availability. Must present physical certificate for redemption. Gratuity not included.
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Donated by: Troy Guard
A NEW YORK MOMENT
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Wilderness fly fishing float trip through the Black Canyon Gunnison Gorge
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2-night stay in the comfortable cabins at Black Canyon Anglers
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Delicious dinner service for 4
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1 day fish float
Restrictions: For use during the 2024 season from June through October. Reservations must be made in advance.
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Donated by: Black Canyon Anglers and the Herrick Family
PRIVATE SUITE for
NUGGETS & AVALANCHE GAMES
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Suite will include 20 tickets and 5 parking passes
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Food and beverages included with a value up to $1,000 each game
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Nuggets suite is valid for a mutually agreed upon game (Oct.-Dec. 2024)
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Avalanche suite is valid for the April 7 game vs. Dallas Stars
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Restrictions: Nuggets suite does not include opening game. Avalanche only available April 7th, 2024.
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Donated by: Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
ASPEN FOOD &
WINE CLASSIC
(JUNE 14-16, 2023)
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2 passes to attend the annual Aspen Food & Wine Classic
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Access to the Grand Tasting Pavilion to sample food, wine, and spirits from over 150 brands
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40+ cooking demonstrations and beverage seminars to register for
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4-night stay at the historic Hotel Jerome
Restrictions: The Hotel Jerome is only valid June 13-17, 2024 for the Aspen Food & Wine Classic. Seminar registration will be available from March 1, 2024 to May 1, 2024.
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Donated by: Aspen Food & Wine Classic and Hotel Jerome
WELCOME HOME
TO BRECKENRIDGE
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7 night stay
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Home located 1 mile from town, and is a 3 minute drive to the gondola
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4 bedrooms - sleeps 10
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Great retreat year-round
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Restrictions: Subject to availability.
Must be consecutive nights
Expires March 7, 2025.
KOHLER GOLF
WEEKEND for 4 at THE AMERICAN CLUB
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2 deluxe double rooms for 2 nights at five-star American Club resort in Kohler, Wisconsin
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Includes foursome of golf on two of the top-100 golf resorts in the world:
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Whistling Straits Course (with caddie)​
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Blackwolf Run, Meadow Valley Course
Restrictions: Valid through the 2025 golf season and based on availability. Caddie gratuity excluded.
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Donated by: Destination Kohler
ROMANTIC NAPA VALLEY RAIL & SKY
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3-night stay at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley
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Wine tasting at Jessup Cellars in Yountville, Napa Valley
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3-hour gourmet lunch on the Napa Valley Wine Train
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Hot air balloon ride for two over Napa Valley
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Winspire booking and concierge service
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Restrictions: Travel must be booked by March 7, 2025 and occur by March 7, 2026. Reservations subject to availability. Book at least 60 days in advance of travel. Blackout dates: Easter weekend, Memorial Day weekend, week of July 4th, Labor Day weekend, Thanksgiving week, Christmas-New Year, weekends in September and October.
MISSION
Our mission is to create opportunities for high-potential students from low-income households to define their individual path through high school, college and career, ultimately benefiting the lives of others.
We do this by supporting talented students who have power to make great impact, focusing on their individual needs and career dreams.
IMPACT
Since 2014, Access Opportunity has supported a total of
717
STUDENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS
$197
Our latest high school graduates paid an average of just
out of pocket for their first year of college
The median starting salary for AO alums is
$56,000
which is 64% higher than the median income for AO families ($34,069)
COMMITTEE
Alli and Zach Stassen
Amy and Andrew Larson
Andrew and Ben Hill
Becky and Andrew Morley
Bo and Dave Fleck
Caryn and Brian Deevy
Cheryl and John Brady
Christy and Tom Holman
Claire Dossier and Brent Anderson
Debbie and Brent LaBier
Debbie and Chip Coppola
Deepti Sharma and Matt Leach
Dianne and Dan Rabbitt
Elizabeth and Cory Ross
Gail and Kim Koehn
Georgia Montoya and Zeyen Wu
Heather and Jamie Sabatier
Jane Michaels and Marne Obernauer
Janie Bracken and Joe Sucharda
Juan Padro
Julia and Peter Kalan
Julie Weaver
Kathryn and Mark Haber
Kathy Schultz and David Paul
Kim Layne and Ranulfo Gonzalez
Kristen and Kevin Kelly
Kristi and Leroy Williams
Lynn Puana and Charlie Langston
Mallory and Dan Decker
Mary and Tom Bagley
Mary Scharoff and Doug Bradford
Melissa and Ryan Lee
Nicki McTague and Ben Krugman
Pam and Lee Reichert
Pam and Steve Jeffords
Pat and Tom Metz
Patti and Dave Williams
Rachel Alena and Jason Leach
Sandra and Steve Smith
Shawn Barker
Susan and Tom Stahl
Susannah Thulson and Bob Webster
Susie and John Hayes
Tonya and Brian Gabbard
Trista and Dan Fisher
Wendy and David Lee
Whitney and Kevin Zimmerman
Yuri Shane and Rob Martin
RESTAURANTS & DRINK PARTNERS
FOOD
DRINK
IN-KIND DONORS
Thank you to everyone who donated this year.
Your contributions help make this event possible.
SPECIAL THANKS
ALLEGRA PRINTING
JOHN SNELSON
RACHEL ALENA MUSIC
MARC PISCOTTY
MIHI ENTERTAINMENT
BOLDER EVENTS
PRODUCT AV
ROCKY MOUNTAIN VALET INC.
EVENT RENTS
COCKTAIL CO-OP
HALIE BEHR
CARRIE ALLEMAN