At The Colorado Springs School, Parent Ambassadors are an important part of the Kodiak community. They help families feel welcomed, connected, and engaged. They serve as friendly resources for new and current families, sharing their experiences and helping others get involved in school life. Through their enthusiasm, support, and connection to the community, Parent Ambassadors help make CSS a welcoming place for every family.
Bridget and Chris Lester are proud parents to Jacob (6th grade) and enjoy spending time together cheering him on at baseball games, golfing, visiting museums and parks, playing board games, and making memories at the pool, beach, or arcade. One of their favorite family adventures was shark cage diving in Hawaii—a once-in-a-lifetime experience that perfectly matched their shared love of sharks and the ocean! The Lesters especially enjoyed X-Scream Day at CSS and encourage prospective families to ask questions, get connected, and embrace the welcoming community that makes the school such a special place.
Adri Loughmiller is a proud parent to Bailey (10th grade). They love making memories together by traveling, attending concerts, theater performances, and spending each summer in Hungary, where they stay connected to their family and heritage. Bailey is bilingual, speaking both Hungarian and English, and the family especially enjoys supporting the school's musicals and theater productions. They would encourage new families to embrace the close-knit CSS community, attend school events, and be open to building meaningful connections that make the school experience so rewarding.
Stephanie and Derek Purcell are proud parents to Sophia (12th grade) and Sawyer (9th grade) and enjoy spending quality family time together through reading, traveling, and exploring new adventures. One of their most memorable experiences was hiking through a lava tunnel in Iceland, reflecting their love of curiosity and discovery! The Purcells especially enjoy school traditions like Walkabout and encourage new families to get involved, build relationships with fellow parents and staff, and embrace the community that makes the school experience so meaningful.
Mary and Aaron Teller are proud parents to Kenley (11th grade) and Scarlett (9th grade) and have embraced a lifetime of adventure through their military journey, which has included 14 moves and the opportunity to call many places across the United States home. As a family, they enjoy exploring new destinations through travel, relaxing at the beach, hiking, and skiing or snowboarding together. The Tellers especially love community traditions like the CSS Carnival and encourage new families to build connections, participate in school events, and enjoy the many opportunities to become part of the CSS community.
Pio and Melissa Hocate are the proud parents of Melinda (12th grade) and grandparents of Mazie (PreK). They enjoy playing tennis, traveling, and discovering new foods wherever their adventures take them. Their favorite school traditions and events include cheering on school sports, Carnival, and Commencement Ceremonies. They encourage prospective families to communicate early when questions or concerns arise, get involved in school events, and take the time to get to know other families. They believe that building connections and becoming an active part of the community makes the school experience even more meaningful and enjoyable.
Alyssa and Ryan Kavanaugh are proud parents to Noah (9th grade) and Elijah (4th grade) and enjoy making the most of their time together through hiking, family vacations, movie nights, and exploring new places. The Kavanaughs love being part of the CSS Kodiak community and especially enjoy traditions like the annual Book Fair! When they aren’t cheering on their children or participating in school events, you can find them antiquing and searching for unique treasures. As Parent Ambassadors, the Kavanaughs encourage new families to get involved in any way they can—because even small moments of connection can lead to meaningful friendships and lasting memories!
Liza and Faith Dougherty are proud parents of Clark (7th grade) and Lyle (4th grade). Their family loves baseball, games, travel, music, cooking, Chopped, and Renaissance Festivals. One of their favorite traditions is listening to “525,600 Minutes” from Rent on the drive to school each year—a reminder to cherish the years and keep love at the center. Coming from a public school background, they initially found the transition to CSS overwhelming, but quickly discovered that CSS is more than a school—it’s a community. Their advice to prospective families? “So worth it!”
Kimberly and Benjamin are proud parents to Michael (3rd grade) and Joshua (PreK grade). They enjoy staying active together by attending local sporting events, riding their horses, ice skating, traveling to new places, and going to the movies. One unique fact about their family is that they have two horses that live at the Air Force Academy, where cadets ride and care for them. Their favorite CSS tradition is the school-wide Carnival. They encourage prospective families to volunteer for field experiences such as Colorado Expedition and Fall Adventure, whenever possible to fully appreciate the school's one-of-a-kind experiential education!
Elizabeth Peters is the proud mom of Charlie (2nd grade) and Natalie (1st grade). Her family loves traveling, staying active, exploring Colorado, and spending time outdoors together. Elizabeth’s favorite CSS traditions include Carnival & the Valentine’s Day book exchange! This past summer, her family spent a month traveling and living in the UK and Ireland, giving their children the opportunity to explore their Irish heritage. Elizabeth says one of the best parts of CSS is its incredible community. She looks forward to helping prospective families find meaningful ways to connect, get involved, and discover all that CSS has to offer.
©2026 The Colorado Springs School. All rights reserved. .
Type on the line above then press the Enter/Return key to submit a new search query