In a lot of ways, the construction of a new school seems pretty simple. Pick the plot. Dig the dirt. Lay the bricks. Boom–new school, right? But there’s an opportunity along the way. One that can honor a legacy, rally a community and inspire generations to come. If you visit 55 N. Salida Way in Aurora, you’ll find a place that capitalized on that opportunity. It’s all in the name.
Edna and John W. Mosley P-8 opened 10 years ago this year. It’s a milestone worth celebrating; not because 10 is a nice, round number, but because the Mosleys’ impact will always be worth cheering.
“This is a time for reflection, celebration and a deep sense of gratitude,” said Kelly Lopata, first-year principal of Mosley P-8. “We’re not just marking the passage of a decade, but recognizing the impact that Edna and John W. Mosley's vision and commitment to education have had on our community.”
That impact is creating real results. This year, Mosley P-8 achieved performance status, the highest rating awarded by the Colorado Department of Education. When Lopata considers the hard work of the past, present and future, she’s grateful.
“This accomplishment speaks volumes about the resilience, teamwork and excellence that we defined at our school,” said Lopata. “To every educator who has poured their heart into shaping our young minds, to the students who bring the energy and enthusiasm every day, and to the families who support us in countless ways: thank you. This celebration is as much yours as it is Edna and John W. Mosley’s.”
Ask Edna and John’s grandson, though, and he’ll tell a tale of humility. JC Futrell is a community advocate, promoting equity and innovation through the arts. He says that his grandparents might not have loved the idea of their names on a building, preferring the spotlight to shine on the work and the dedicated people involved. The goal was never about recognition. It was about making the world better than the way they found it.
“They thought their work was not for their own celebration,” said Futrell. “They'd be very happy with the work being done here, and I think humbled by it being done, in part, in their name. But really, the celebration would be around the staff, families, students and volunteers that make this particular community so special.”
If there’s one thing this community loves, it’s overcoming and breaking down barriers. Edna and John did that in countless roles, from civil rights specialist to city council member, from football star to Tuskegee Airman. Gabrielle Martin knows their legacy well. She’s the president of the Hubert L. “Hooks” Jones chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, located in Denver. Martin says that the Mosleys’ story can energize anyone to make a difference.
“It will mean everything to a little kid, a young person, even adults,” said Martin. “Because for many of them, they otherwise would not have that role model.”
A decade in, those bricks piled on that plot in Aurora have become much more than a simple building. A community grows there, motivated by the love and dedication of Edna and John. So as the blueprints promised a school, the Mosleys promised a better tomorrow.
“They believed that beyond a school, beyond a classroom, that young people deserve opportunity,” said Futrell. “We’re making sure that Mosley P-8 continues to be a place where students are nurtured, challenged and uplifted–just as John and Edna envisioned.”