ARON
Graduated: Denver North High School
College: University of Denver
Career Goal: Philanthropist and Entrepreneur
Ever since Aron expelled his abusive stepfather from his family’s home at the age of 16, he has been a rock for his mother and baby sister. In addition to excelling in school, he has worked numerous jobs to help provide for his family and also serves as role model for his sister. Aron has benefited greatly from mentors in his life and gives back by mentoring younger students. College has inspired Aron to re-evaluate his values, standards, and goals—he aims to excel in business and then make a profound impact on his community through philanthropy.
Graduated: Denver North High School
College: University of Denver
Career Goal: Philanthropist and Entrepreneur
Ever since Aron expelled his abusive stepfather from his family’s home at the age of 16, he has been a rock for his mother and baby sister. In addition to excelling in school, he has worked numerous jobs to help provide for his family and also serves as role model for his sister. Aron has benefited greatly from mentors in his life and gives back by mentoring younger students. College has inspired Aron to re-evaluate his values, standards, and goals—he aims to excel in business and then make a profound impact on his community through philanthropy.
CAITLIN
Graduated: Stratton High School
College: Drake University
Career Goal: Journalist
A meticulous and passionate writer, Caitlin helped revitalize her small hometown’s newspaper by adding new ideas and topics to generate interest and understanding among the community members of Stratton, Colorado. She is pursuing a career goal of becoming a magazine journalist or editor and holds the position of Editor-in-Chief for the Drake University’s Honors Magazine and is a contributing writer. Recently she held two internships in Los Angeles working for Billboard Magazine, a weekly music industry publication, and Angeleno Magazine, a monthly variety magazine produced by Modern Luxury about current events in L.A.
Graduated: Stratton High School
College: Drake University
Career Goal: Journalist
A meticulous and passionate writer, Caitlin helped revitalize her small hometown’s newspaper by adding new ideas and topics to generate interest and understanding among the community members of Stratton, Colorado. She is pursuing a career goal of becoming a magazine journalist or editor and holds the position of Editor-in-Chief for the Drake University’s Honors Magazine and is a contributing writer. Recently she held two internships in Los Angeles working for Billboard Magazine, a weekly music industry publication, and Angeleno Magazine, a monthly variety magazine produced by Modern Luxury about current events in L.A.
HUONG
Graduated: Abraham Lincoln High School
College: Stanford University
Career Goal: Computer Science and Engineering
Huong recognizes the problems that racism and intolerance cause in this country. To combat these problems, Huong's goal is to start a mentoring program where college graduates will mentor high school students of a different ethnic and economic background to help people understand and embrace diversity. He is an excellent and ambitious student who plans to pursue a career path in engineering.
Graduated: Abraham Lincoln High School
College: Stanford University
Career Goal: Computer Science and Engineering
Huong recognizes the problems that racism and intolerance cause in this country. To combat these problems, Huong's goal is to start a mentoring program where college graduates will mentor high school students of a different ethnic and economic background to help people understand and embrace diversity. He is an excellent and ambitious student who plans to pursue a career path in engineering.
ISRA
Graduated: South High School
College: University of Colorado at Boulder
Career Goal: Dentistry
Isra’s life has changed dramatically in her young lifetime. She grew up the daughter of a wealthy businessman in Sudan, but her family suffered brutally from government forces and fled to the U.S. as refugees five years ago. She has faced such challenges with incredible strength, courage, and poise. Isra is a leader among her peers, graduating 7th of 397 from high school and tutoring math through the McNeill Program at CU Boulder. She is currently a research assistant to a professor conducting dental research and has a long-term vision to give back to her community through dentistry.
Graduated: South High School
College: University of Colorado at Boulder
Career Goal: Dentistry
Isra’s life has changed dramatically in her young lifetime. She grew up the daughter of a wealthy businessman in Sudan, but her family suffered brutally from government forces and fled to the U.S. as refugees five years ago. She has faced such challenges with incredible strength, courage, and poise. Isra is a leader among her peers, graduating 7th of 397 from high school and tutoring math through the McNeill Program at CU Boulder. She is currently a research assistant to a professor conducting dental research and has a long-term vision to give back to her community through dentistry.
KIBREWOSEN
Graduated: Aurora Central High School
College: Colorado School of Mines
Career Goal: Doctor
Kibrewosen came to the U.S. from poverty-torn Ethiopia two years ago knowing little English. Instead of taking English-as-a-second-language classes, Kibrewosen took the most challenging courses he could, even convincing his counselor to enroll him in his high school’s A.P. classes, and then becoming one of the most accomplished students at his school. Kibrewosen continues to receive A grades in English courses at the School of Mines and has become a member of the National Society of Black Engineers.
Graduated: Aurora Central High School
College: Colorado School of Mines
Career Goal: Doctor
Kibrewosen came to the U.S. from poverty-torn Ethiopia two years ago knowing little English. Instead of taking English-as-a-second-language classes, Kibrewosen took the most challenging courses he could, even convincing his counselor to enroll him in his high school’s A.P. classes, and then becoming one of the most accomplished students at his school. Kibrewosen continues to receive A grades in English courses at the School of Mines and has become a member of the National Society of Black Engineers.
MARIA
Graduated: Skyline High School
College: University of Colorado at Boulder
Career Goal: Engineering
As immigrants, Maria's family has stressed the importance of taking advantage of the opportunities available in the United States. At CU Boulder, Maria is an outstanding student of engineering and is active in many organizations, including the Multicultural Engineering Program and Women in Engineering. She is also the President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at CU. Maria has already gained significant insight into her field having earned internships with both Marathon Oil and Shell. Maria holds herself accountable to being a leader among students underrepresented in engineering—including women and Hispanics—and aims to have a significant impact on her community through her work.
Graduated: Skyline High School
College: University of Colorado at Boulder
Career Goal: Engineering
As immigrants, Maria's family has stressed the importance of taking advantage of the opportunities available in the United States. At CU Boulder, Maria is an outstanding student of engineering and is active in many organizations, including the Multicultural Engineering Program and Women in Engineering. She is also the President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at CU. Maria has already gained significant insight into her field having earned internships with both Marathon Oil and Shell. Maria holds herself accountable to being a leader among students underrepresented in engineering—including women and Hispanics—and aims to have a significant impact on her community through her work.
MESERET
Graduated: Overland High School
College: University of Denver
Career Goal: Pediatrician
Meseret's teachers describe her as honest, compassionate, proactive, and committed. Her outstanding academic achievements at Overland High School in addition to her dedication to serving her community attest to this. Meseret was identified as one of Overland's Overall Outstanding Students and was introduced to both the state House and Senate. At the University of Denver, Meseret has been involved with Campus Crusade for Christ and Community Leadership Corps and volunteers with the University of Colorado Hospital and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. In addition to her outstanding extracurricular involvement, Meseret has trained to be an EMT as well as attended a prestigious summer institute geared towards undergraduates on the medical track. During the fall of 2009, not only did she study abroad in Sevilla, Spain, but prepared for the rigorous MCAT exam and application process to medical school.
Graduated: Overland High School
College: University of Denver
Career Goal: Pediatrician
Meseret's teachers describe her as honest, compassionate, proactive, and committed. Her outstanding academic achievements at Overland High School in addition to her dedication to serving her community attest to this. Meseret was identified as one of Overland's Overall Outstanding Students and was introduced to both the state House and Senate. At the University of Denver, Meseret has been involved with Campus Crusade for Christ and Community Leadership Corps and volunteers with the University of Colorado Hospital and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. In addition to her outstanding extracurricular involvement, Meseret has trained to be an EMT as well as attended a prestigious summer institute geared towards undergraduates on the medical track. During the fall of 2009, not only did she study abroad in Sevilla, Spain, but prepared for the rigorous MCAT exam and application process to medical school.
MIMI
Graduated: Ranum High School
College: Stanford University
Career Goal: Pediatrician
Mimi understands that the best way to learn is by stepping into a new environment and allowing yourself to adapt to meet the new challenges that you face. She does not fear change, she welcomes it and tackles difficulties head on. She is an outstanding student and has conducted her own original research, including on-the-ground fieldwork, in Vietnam. Currently studying anthropology, Mimi plans to attend medical school with a focus on pediatrics. She is also actively involved with numerous organizations on campus, including Students Taking on Poverty.
Graduated: Ranum High School
College: Stanford University
Career Goal: Pediatrician
Mimi understands that the best way to learn is by stepping into a new environment and allowing yourself to adapt to meet the new challenges that you face. She does not fear change, she welcomes it and tackles difficulties head on. She is an outstanding student and has conducted her own original research, including on-the-ground fieldwork, in Vietnam. Currently studying anthropology, Mimi plans to attend medical school with a focus on pediatrics. She is also actively involved with numerous organizations on campus, including Students Taking on Poverty.
RAKHI
Graduated: Lakewood High School
College: Colorado College
Career Goal: International Business
Rakhi’s dedication to making the world a better place is inspiring. In recognition of her work to promote unity through the R.A.K.H.I peace foundation, Denver Mayor Hickenlooper officially declared January 28th "Rakhi Day.” The first celebration of this day was attended by Arun Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson. Rakhi won the Head of State position in her school government committee and became a
co-chair of the Economics and Business Student Advisory Board. Among her many accomplishments, Rakhi worked as a student journalist at the Democratic National Convention in 2008 as well as taught for a prestigious program at Wellesley College.
Graduated: Lakewood High School
College: Colorado College
Career Goal: International Business
Rakhi’s dedication to making the world a better place is inspiring. In recognition of her work to promote unity through the R.A.K.H.I peace foundation, Denver Mayor Hickenlooper officially declared January 28th "Rakhi Day.” The first celebration of this day was attended by Arun Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson. Rakhi won the Head of State position in her school government committee and became a
co-chair of the Economics and Business Student Advisory Board. Among her many accomplishments, Rakhi worked as a student journalist at the Democratic National Convention in 2008 as well as taught for a prestigious program at Wellesley College.
SAUL
Graduated: Denver Center for International Studies and Denver West High School
College: University of Denver
Career Goal: Accounting
Saul was headed down the path his family had taken—dropping out of high school to work in construction—until his father showed him just how hard a life he would live. Inspired by the experience and his father’s encouragement, Saul turned it around and became an academic and community leader at his high school. Saul is proud to be a role model for his younger siblings to go to college and succeed. With the help of his mentor, Jay Behringer, Saul completed an internship at Deloitte. Saul is also an active member of Sigma Lambda Beta, the largest Latino fraternity in the nation.
Graduated: Denver Center for International Studies and Denver West High School
College: University of Denver
Career Goal: Accounting
Saul was headed down the path his family had taken—dropping out of high school to work in construction—until his father showed him just how hard a life he would live. Inspired by the experience and his father’s encouragement, Saul turned it around and became an academic and community leader at his high school. Saul is proud to be a role model for his younger siblings to go to college and succeed. With the help of his mentor, Jay Behringer, Saul completed an internship at Deloitte. Saul is also an active member of Sigma Lambda Beta, the largest Latino fraternity in the nation.
TIFFANY
Graduated: Hinkley High School
College: Arizona State University
Career Goal: Public Relations
Tiffany grew up in a difficult household in which both parents struggled with serious drug addiction—but you’d never know what she’s been through just by meeting her. She’s a natural leader with an outgoing personality and genuine optimism. Captain of the volleyball and basketball teams at her high school, Tiffany also pushed herself academically and graduated in the top 10% of her class. She’s also a leader within her family, and a role model for her mother, younger sister and brother, and other youth in her community. At ASU, Tiffany has joined the volleyball team and is pursuing a degree in Journalism Mass Communication with a minor in Spanish.
Graduated: Hinkley High School
College: Arizona State University
Career Goal: Public Relations
Tiffany grew up in a difficult household in which both parents struggled with serious drug addiction—but you’d never know what she’s been through just by meeting her. She’s a natural leader with an outgoing personality and genuine optimism. Captain of the volleyball and basketball teams at her high school, Tiffany also pushed herself academically and graduated in the top 10% of her class. She’s also a leader within her family, and a role model for her mother, younger sister and brother, and other youth in her community. At ASU, Tiffany has joined the volleyball team and is pursuing a degree in Journalism Mass Communication with a minor in Spanish.