2025 ESU Denver Branch at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival
A group of ESU Denver Branch members met on Sunday, August 3, 2025, for a picnic lunch on the Norlin Quadrangle at the University of Colorado campus in Boulder. The group then attended a riveting performance of Richard II in the Roe Green Theater at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival.
2025 ESU Denver Branch Annual Meeting and Brunch
The ESU Denver Branch held its Annual Meeting July 12, 2025, at the Denver Country Club. 2025 Branch Shakespeare winner Nora Khalilian amazed us with her monologue and sonnet, and Cindy Poinsett eloquently spoke, ending her three-year term as President while handing the gavel over to our new President, Millicent Ambroggio. Four new Directors were elected to the Branch Board: Marcia Goldstein, Trevor Johnson, Shelly Russell and Sarah Schneider. Two Directors were elected to new terms on the Board: Polly Cox and Bruce Haefner. Congratulations and welcome to all!
2025 King’s Birthday Tea
The ESU Denver Branch returned to Babe’s Tea Room on Saturday, June 7, 2025, to celebrate the King’s Birthday with Afternoon Tea. The festive occasion included 10 Branch members and a TLab scholar soon to be in the UK!
2025 Friday Afternoon Club
The ESU Denver Branch met for a Friday Afternoon Club happy hour at Darcy’s Pub on Friday, April 4, 2025. Cheers!
2025 Founder’s Award Gala
Denver Branch President Cindy Poinsett and Treasurer Bruce Haefner attended the Founder’s Award Gala held in Winter Park FL in March, to honor ESUUS Chair Dr. E. Quinn Peeper and his commitment to the English-Speaking Union. Thanks to Susan Ferris, Portland Branch, for sharing her table with us! Left to right, Mark Poinsett, Cindy Poinsett, Bruce Haefner and Susan Ferris.
2025 TLab Scholarships Awarded
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 TLab Scholarships awarded by the ESU Denver Branch! Katie Cunningham teaches English, Literature and AP Language and Composition at Smoky Hill High School. Ben Butler teaches English, Literature and Drama and Theatre Arts at Manual High School. Both will attend Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance at the Globe Theatre in London.
2025 Denver Branch Shakespeare Competition
Nine students competed in the 2025 ESU Denver Branch Shakespeare Competition, held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Randy Weeks Conservatory Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Logan Ambroggio, left, from Denver School of the Arts was runner-up. Winner Nora Khalilian from Grandview High School, right, will represent the Denver Branch at the National Shakespeare Competition on April 28, 2025, to be held at the Lincoln Center in New York City.
2025 Denver Branch Lunch & Denver Art Museum Tour
The ESU Denver Branch held a social gathering after its Board meeting on Saturday, January 11, 2025. We had lunch at Pint’s Pub and then enjoyed a docent-led tour of British works from the Berger Collection at the Denver Art Museum.
2024 Holiday Party & Writing Competition Awards
Congratulations to the winners of the 15th Annual Dr. Howard F. Beckley Writing Competition! From left to right, 1st Place, Owen Bebarta, Cherry Creek High School; 2nd Place, Allen Kang, Cherry Creek High School; 3rd Place, Robbie Garn, Standley Lake High School; and Honorable Mention, Emersen Fischer, Grandview High School. The ESU Denver Branch met at the Denver Woman’s Press Club on Saturday, December 14, 2024, to hear their amazing essays on Generative AI and to celebrate the holiday season.
2024 TLab Dinner
The Denver Branch met at the University Club on November 7, 2024, to celebrate its two TLab scholars. ThunderRidge teacher Sarah Schneider, left, attended Oxford University, and Cherokee Trail teacher Trevor Johnson, right, attended the University of Edinburgh. Shown here with Denver Branch President Cindy Poinsett, both shared how their experiences have already changed their teaching and impacted their students.
2024 Wrench Speaker Sally Bedell Smith
On Thursday, October 3, 2024, the ESU Denver Branch met at the Denver Woman’s Press Club to welcome Wrench Speaker Sally Bedell Smith. Sally spoke about her recent book, George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy.
2024 ESU Denver Branch Annual Meeting and Brunch
The ESU Denver Branch met at the Denver Country Club on Saturday, July 27, 2024, to hold its Annual Meeting and Brunch. In the photo, Membership Chair Polly Cox and Phil Cox joined our host, Cynthia Nagel, alongside President Cindy Poinsett and Mark Poinsett. The following slate of candidates was elected: returning Board Members Ingerid Kelley and Julia Patterson; new Board members Ace Eggleston and Meredith Fulford; and President Elect Millicent Ambroggio.
