Press Day scheduled for April 11 as Palmer prepares for community-wide open house on April 25

Colorado Springs, Colo.

Palmer High School, the city’s original high school and one of Colorado Springs’ most historic institutions, will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a community open house on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Palmer High School, 301 N. Nevada Ave.

Ahead of the celebration, local media are invited to attend a Press Day on Saturday, April 11 at 9:30 a.m., during the Palmer High School Alumni Association’s volunteer work day preparing the building and exhibits for the event.

Reporters and photographers are asked to meet organizers at the Nevada & Platte entrance (the “Front Nine”).

Available for interviews will be:

• Krista Burke, Principal of Palmer High School
• Susan Fletcher, Palmer High School teacher and President of the Palmer High School Alumni Association
• Darnell Robinson, Senior Class President and student lead for the Palmer 150 Committee

Media will also have the opportunity to capture behind-the-scenes preparation, historical artifacts, and footage inside the school as alumni volunteers prepare exhibits and displays ahead of the anniversary celebration.

A Community Open House Celebrating 150 Years of Palmer

The Palmer High School 150th Celebration & Community Open House will invite alumni, students, and the broader Colorado Springs community to explore the school’s long history through a series of exhibit “pods” highlighting different eras, activities, and traditions from across Palmer’s legacy.

Guests can expect:

• Alumni Museum tours showcasing historic Palmer artifacts and archives
• A guestbook photo station where alumni and community members can document their connection to Palmer

• Displays created by alumni, student groups, and school organizations
• Yearbooks available for purchase for those looking to replace a lost copy
• Link Crew students stationed throughout the building to guide visitors and answer questions about the current student experience

Event organizers have also invited the architects involved in Palmer’s ongoing renovation project to attend and speak with community members about the future of the historic campus.

Visitors should plan to enter through the foyer on the Nevada Avenue side of the school, with accessible parking and entry available on the Weber Street side.

Community Participation Still Needed

Organizers say the event is designed to be built by the Palmer community itself and are encouraging alumni, teachers, and organizations to get involved.

The Palmer Alumni Association is currently seeking:

Volunteers to assist with event setup, logistics, and welcoming guests.

Clubs, teams, and activities — past and present — to host exhibit pods representing their part of Palmer’s history.

Community members interested in volunteering or hosting an exhibit can learn more and sign up online.

Event Details

Palmer High School 150th Celebration & Community Open House
Saturday, April 25
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Palmer High School
301 N. Nevada Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO

Entrance: Foyer (Nevada Avenue side)
Accessible entry and parking are available on Weber Street.

Media Contact

Kaleigh O'Donnell, Class of 2010
 CSHS–PHS Alumni Association Board Member
 Event Coordinator

 Direct: 719-271-4620
 Office: 719-635-8803 ext. 4

STANDARD PRESS RELEASE

Contact Information:

The Colorado Springs School

Marie Newbrough

Director of Communications & Marketing

Office: (719) 434-3514

mnewbrough@css.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 8, 2026

Young People’s Art Exhibition 2026 Opens on

The Colorado Springs School Campus

Regional Juried Exhibition Celebrates Youth Artistic Achievement Across the Pikes Peak Region

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Colorado Springs School is proud to host the 63^rd annual 2026 Young People’s Art Exhibition (YPAE), a celebrated regional showcase of exceptional artwork created by talented youth across the Pikes Peak Region. The High School Opening Reception will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the galleries of the Louisa Performing Arts Center at The Colorado Springs School, 21 Broadmoor Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80906. The event is free and open to the public.

The Young People’s Art Exhibition provides young artists with an opportunity to share their creative vision with the broader community in a professional gallery setting. Works in a variety of media and include drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, and more! They will be displayed in the lobby galleries, reflecting the depth and diversity of artistic talent flourishing in our region.

The Colorado Springs School Students Featured in Exhibition

The Colorado Springs School is especially proud to recognize its own students among this year’s exhibiting artists. The following CSS students have works selected for the 2026 YPAE High School level:

● Melinda H., Grade 11 — Ceramics and Metalsmithing – 1^st Place

● Coltin B., Grade 12 – Ceramics

● Eloise K., Grade 11 – Photography and Printmaking

● Sophia B., Grade 12 – Sculpture – Honorable Mention

● Meia A., Grade 12 – Drawing and Oil Painting

● Sophia P., Grade 11 – Sculpture – 2^nd Place

● Xaia Z., Grade 12 – Wood Carving – 2^nd Place

● Naomi W., Grade 11 – Sculpture

“We are incredibly proud of our students who have had their artwork selected for this regional exhibition,” said Hans Wolfe, Upper Schopl Art Teacher and Arts Department Chair.  “The Young People’s Art Exhibition is a tremendous platform for young artists, and having CSS students represented is a testament to the creativity and hard work thriving in our school community.”

Exhibition Dates & Details

High School Opening Reception:  Friday, April 10, 2026 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Middle School & Elementary Opening Reception:  Friday, May 1, 2026 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Location:  The Colorado Springs School – Louisa Performing Arts Center

 21 Broadmoor Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Both opening receptions are free and open to the public. Families, community members, and art enthusiasts of all ages are welcome to attend and celebrate the creative accomplishments of young artists from across the Pikes Peak Region.

About The Colorado Springs School (CSS)

The Colorado Springs School is an independent PreK–12 school dedicated to academic excellence, creative inquiry, and the development of the whole child. Located at 21 Broadmoor Ave. in Colorado Springs, CSS fosters a vibrant arts program that encourages students to explore and express their unique perspectives. The school is honored to serve as host campus for the 2026 Young People’s Art Exhibition.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Silver Key Opens New Tri-Lakes Thrift Store Location, Keeping Donations Local

MONUMENT, Colorado — Silver Key Senior Services will celebrate the opening of its relocated Tri-Lakes Thrift Store with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, April 17 from 9am – 10:30am, welcoming the community to its new location at 586 W. Hwy 105, Monument, CO 80132.

Community members are invited to stop by for the celebration, which will include coffee and light snacks, an opportunity to explore the new space, shop for treasures, and a chance to learn how thrift store donations help support older adults in the Tri-Lakes area.

The Tri-Lakes Thrift Store has long served as both a shopping destination and a way for residents to give back locally. All donations and purchases made at the store directly support programs serving older adults in the Tri-Lakes community, ensuring that generosity from local residents stays within the community.

Proceeds from the store help fund services provided by Silver Key, including transportation, food access, and opportunities for social connection that help older adults remain independent and engaged.

“The Tri-Lakes Thrift Store is truly powered by the community,” said Brieana Weaver, Retail Sales Director for Silver Key. “When someone donates, shops, or volunteers here, they are directly supporting older adults in the Tri-Lakes area and helping ensure these vital services remain available for our neighbors.”

The new Monument location offers expanded space for donated goods and a welcoming environment for shoppers and volunteers alike. Community members interested in giving back are encouraged to volunteer at the store, helping sort donations, assist shoppers, and support the day-to-day operations that make the thrift store possible.

Silver Key encourages residents to attend the ribbon cutting, explore the new store, and discover how their everyday donations, purchases, and volunteer time make a meaningful local impact.

Event Details
Tri-Lakes Thrift Store Ribbon Cutting
Friday, April 17^th - 9am - 10:30am
586 W. Hwy 105
Monument, CO 80132
Join us for coffee and light snacks

About Silver Key Senior Services
Silver Key Senior Services has served the Pikes Peak region since 1970, helping older adults age safely and independently through programs that provide transportation, food access, and connection to community resources.