Ajok
Graduated: Gateway High School
College: Lake Erie College
Career Goal: Pre-Med/Biochemistry
Ajok spent 14 years living as a refugee in Kenya. Though he faced incredible hardship, he still took the initiative to change the world around him by leading an environmental club initiative to plant trees around the school and working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to start a child's rights club. Though he has only been in the United States since July of 2007, he made a tremendous impact on Gateway High School as a star athlete and student. He is now attending Lake Erie College in Ohio and plays forward for their varsity soccer team.
Graduated: Gateway High School
College: Lake Erie College
Career Goal: Pre-Med/Biochemistry
Ajok spent 14 years living as a refugee in Kenya. Though he faced incredible hardship, he still took the initiative to change the world around him by leading an environmental club initiative to plant trees around the school and working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to start a child's rights club. Though he has only been in the United States since July of 2007, he made a tremendous impact on Gateway High School as a star athlete and student. He is now attending Lake Erie College in Ohio and plays forward for their varsity soccer team.
Corey
Graduated: Denver South High School
College: Pomona College
Career Goal: Undecided
Corey is a standout student athlete from South High School who is deeply committed to building and bridging communities. His struggle with his own identity as both Hispanic and African American has shaped his perspective and led him to realize the importance of bringing together individuals of all different backgrounds. As the President of the Black Student Alliance, Corey observed the sharp division between the African students and the African-American students. By seeking out the influential members of both groups, Corey successfully brought everyone together and reinvigorated the Black Student Alliance at South. Corey has faced stark obstacles in his life, including the death of his mother, but he is determined not to let anything get in the way of fulfilling his full potential. Corey strives to exceed expectations, break down stereotypes, and serve as a role model in his community. A natural leader, Corey was recently elected President of his freshman class at Pomona.
Graduated: Denver South High School
College: Pomona College
Career Goal: Undecided
Corey is a standout student athlete from South High School who is deeply committed to building and bridging communities. His struggle with his own identity as both Hispanic and African American has shaped his perspective and led him to realize the importance of bringing together individuals of all different backgrounds. As the President of the Black Student Alliance, Corey observed the sharp division between the African students and the African-American students. By seeking out the influential members of both groups, Corey successfully brought everyone together and reinvigorated the Black Student Alliance at South. Corey has faced stark obstacles in his life, including the death of his mother, but he is determined not to let anything get in the way of fulfilling his full potential. Corey strives to exceed expectations, break down stereotypes, and serve as a role model in his community. A natural leader, Corey was recently elected President of his freshman class at Pomona.
Destiny
Graduated: Adams City High School
College: Spelman College
Career Goal: Physician or Physician Assistant
When her school’s band teacher left the school, Destiny stepped up to gain the trust of her peers and lead them through practices and a successful end-of-year show. The strengths that have made Destiny successful in this and other leadership roles include confidence, a positive attitude, a passion for her work, a great ability to connect with others, and accountability. Destiny graduated first in her class of 317 students and is excited for the new challenges of college. A friend of Destiny’s says, “Destiny’s volunteer work is the leading cause of why she wants to go into a career in medicine. Wherever her path may take her I am sure she will use her strengths to better the weaknesses of others."
Graduated: Adams City High School
College: Spelman College
Career Goal: Physician or Physician Assistant
When her school’s band teacher left the school, Destiny stepped up to gain the trust of her peers and lead them through practices and a successful end-of-year show. The strengths that have made Destiny successful in this and other leadership roles include confidence, a positive attitude, a passion for her work, a great ability to connect with others, and accountability. Destiny graduated first in her class of 317 students and is excited for the new challenges of college. A friend of Destiny’s says, “Destiny’s volunteer work is the leading cause of why she wants to go into a career in medicine. Wherever her path may take her I am sure she will use her strengths to better the weaknesses of others."
Isaac
Graduated: Denver North High School
College: University of Wisconsin - Madison
Career Goal: Politics
Isaac has an ambitious plan for creating positive changes in his community: he first wants to mentor kids in elementary school, then develop new fundraising processes for Denver Public Schools and finally, in time, become Mayor of Denver. Isaac believes that, through politics, he will have the greatest ability to create more opportunities for people from his community. Isaac is well on his way to achieving this plan: he was in the 98th percentile of his class at North High School, had meaningful experiences as the captain of his swim team, and has won several awards for youth leadership. Isaac will bring his strengths of collaboration, persistence, and enthusiasm—as well as his interest in people of all different backgrounds—to Greenhouse Scholars.
Graduated: Denver North High School
College: University of Wisconsin - Madison
Career Goal: Politics
Isaac has an ambitious plan for creating positive changes in his community: he first wants to mentor kids in elementary school, then develop new fundraising processes for Denver Public Schools and finally, in time, become Mayor of Denver. Isaac believes that, through politics, he will have the greatest ability to create more opportunities for people from his community. Isaac is well on his way to achieving this plan: he was in the 98th percentile of his class at North High School, had meaningful experiences as the captain of his swim team, and has won several awards for youth leadership. Isaac will bring his strengths of collaboration, persistence, and enthusiasm—as well as his interest in people of all different backgrounds—to Greenhouse Scholars.
phu
Graduated: Legacy High School
College: University of Colorado at Boulder
Career Goal: Computer Science
Phu moved to the United States from Vietnam with his family during the 11th grade. After a few months of learning his way around and practicing English, Phu jumped head first into leadership and new challenges. He signed up for three AP classes his senior year and, after learning about student government, ran for and was elected Treasurer. Phu also works 20 hours per week in a job to support himself. Phu’s counselor describes him as the “top, most promising student” who has the “greatest work ethic [she has] ever encountered.” Phu is an ambitious visionary, aspiring to start a successful IT business to create jobs for people in the United States and in Vietnam. He also wants to start a scholarship program to help students like him fulfill their dreams of college.
Graduated: Legacy High School
College: University of Colorado at Boulder
Career Goal: Computer Science
Phu moved to the United States from Vietnam with his family during the 11th grade. After a few months of learning his way around and practicing English, Phu jumped head first into leadership and new challenges. He signed up for three AP classes his senior year and, after learning about student government, ran for and was elected Treasurer. Phu also works 20 hours per week in a job to support himself. Phu’s counselor describes him as the “top, most promising student” who has the “greatest work ethic [she has] ever encountered.” Phu is an ambitious visionary, aspiring to start a successful IT business to create jobs for people in the United States and in Vietnam. He also wants to start a scholarship program to help students like him fulfill their dreams of college.
qua
Graduated: Abraham Lincoln High School
College: Undecided
Career Goal: Pharmacy
Qua was #1 is her class of 359 at Abraham Lincoln High School and yet her academic success is only the beginning. Qua is very involved in her community, including a program called Smart-Girl, in which she mentors 7th and 8th grade girls and guides them to make good decisions, healthy choices, and to feel empowered. Qua is also profoundly aware of the challenges faced by her classmates at Lincoln—90% of those who go on to college will not graduate—and she is determined to change this by supporting and encouraging her peers. Qua’s success has not been without challenges. When Qua’s brother died, she took on the responsibility of helping her sister-in-law transition to her new life in America and care for her children. Qua says that she’s been able to accomplish what she has by setting goals and focusing on the moment. When she works on something, whether it’s serving the community, taking care of her nephews, or studying for her classes at Colorado College, she dedicates 110% of herself.
Graduated: Abraham Lincoln High School
College: Undecided
Career Goal: Pharmacy
Qua was #1 is her class of 359 at Abraham Lincoln High School and yet her academic success is only the beginning. Qua is very involved in her community, including a program called Smart-Girl, in which she mentors 7th and 8th grade girls and guides them to make good decisions, healthy choices, and to feel empowered. Qua is also profoundly aware of the challenges faced by her classmates at Lincoln—90% of those who go on to college will not graduate—and she is determined to change this by supporting and encouraging her peers. Qua’s success has not been without challenges. When Qua’s brother died, she took on the responsibility of helping her sister-in-law transition to her new life in America and care for her children. Qua says that she’s been able to accomplish what she has by setting goals and focusing on the moment. When she works on something, whether it’s serving the community, taking care of her nephews, or studying for her classes at Colorado College, she dedicates 110% of herself.
ruby
Graduated: Abraham Lincoln High School
College: University of Denver
Career Goal: Education
Ruby brings a profound commitment and positive outlook to everything she does. As the captain of her basketball team, she came to realize the critical importance of teamwork, discipline, and communication. Ruby’s remarkable drive was only magnified when she became pregnant. Ruby refused to give up on her dreams—her experience as a new mom has only enhanced her aspirations for college and her career. She is extremely focused on working towards not only bettering her own life, but also her son. With newfound confidence and maturity, Ruby is determined to succeed at the University of Denver where she will study English and education.
Graduated: Abraham Lincoln High School
College: University of Denver
Career Goal: Education
Ruby brings a profound commitment and positive outlook to everything she does. As the captain of her basketball team, she came to realize the critical importance of teamwork, discipline, and communication. Ruby’s remarkable drive was only magnified when she became pregnant. Ruby refused to give up on her dreams—her experience as a new mom has only enhanced her aspirations for college and her career. She is extremely focused on working towards not only bettering her own life, but also her son. With newfound confidence and maturity, Ruby is determined to succeed at the University of Denver where she will study English and education.
sarah
Graduated: Thornton High School
College: University of Colorado at Boulder
Career Goal: Biochemistry and Business
Sarah was a leader in her high school in academics (she’s first in her class of 363 students), athletics (as Varsity Softball captain) and extracurricular activities (NHS, Key Club, Tutoring, Landmines Survivor Network, and student government). In addition to these impressive achievements, Sarah has a true passion for helping others. As an example, Sarah regularly stood up for Hispanic students who were being hazed, even though Sarah herself is not Hispanic. With an upbeat personality and strong communication skills, Sarah is a community leader who is certain to achieve amazing things throughout college.
Graduated: Thornton High School
College: University of Colorado at Boulder
Career Goal: Biochemistry and Business
Sarah was a leader in her high school in academics (she’s first in her class of 363 students), athletics (as Varsity Softball captain) and extracurricular activities (NHS, Key Club, Tutoring, Landmines Survivor Network, and student government). In addition to these impressive achievements, Sarah has a true passion for helping others. As an example, Sarah regularly stood up for Hispanic students who were being hazed, even though Sarah herself is not Hispanic. With an upbeat personality and strong communication skills, Sarah is a community leader who is certain to achieve amazing things throughout college.
vera
Graduated: Overland High School
College: Colorado State University
Career Goal: Health profession
Vera has high hopes of entering the medical field and working in developing countries around the world. Her passion is driven by the lack of medical resources she experienced as a child in Ghana. Facing an extreme lack of resources and deep poverty, Vera took care of her family when her mother worked, and worked when her mother no longer could. Vera came to the U.S. in 2006, and since then has engaged in a wide variety of activities, including caring for the elderly at a nursing home every week and actively volunteering in her church, school, and community.
Graduated: Overland High School
College: Colorado State University
Career Goal: Health profession
Vera has high hopes of entering the medical field and working in developing countries around the world. Her passion is driven by the lack of medical resources she experienced as a child in Ghana. Facing an extreme lack of resources and deep poverty, Vera took care of her family when her mother worked, and worked when her mother no longer could. Vera came to the U.S. in 2006, and since then has engaged in a wide variety of activities, including caring for the elderly at a nursing home every week and actively volunteering in her church, school, and community.
wendy
Graduated: Broomfield High School
College: University of Colorado at Boulder
Career Goal: International Relations
Wendy herself says it best: “I’ve held a steady job for three years and have played a big role in my siblings’ education. I have not let the low expectations of others deter me from my goals. Everyone falls, but only those strong enough will choose to stand back up again. Ultimately, I am the one who holds my life choices and no one else’s perception will dictate who I can be.” Wendy was born in the U.S. but raised in Mexico. Through her focus on education, strong self-respect, and a willingness to take risks, Wendy has already overcome significant obstacles. She hopes to work for an international non-governmental organization to help people around the world with educational and health issues.
Graduated: Broomfield High School
College: University of Colorado at Boulder
Career Goal: International Relations
Wendy herself says it best: “I’ve held a steady job for three years and have played a big role in my siblings’ education. I have not let the low expectations of others deter me from my goals. Everyone falls, but only those strong enough will choose to stand back up again. Ultimately, I am the one who holds my life choices and no one else’s perception will dictate who I can be.” Wendy was born in the U.S. but raised in Mexico. Through her focus on education, strong self-respect, and a willingness to take risks, Wendy has already overcome significant obstacles. She hopes to work for an international non-governmental organization to help people around the world with educational and health issues.
Zeke
Graduated: Denver School of Science and Technology
College: University of Denver
Career Goal: Construction Management and/or Public Policy
Zeke's father used to walk him through Denver and point up to buildings, explaining that he helped build them. Based on his father's background in construction, Zeke is pursuing construction management at the University of Denver and hopes to create the future landscape of his hometown. His love for Denver is undeniable; he has even considered running for Mayor some day. A recent class at DU led by former Governor of Colorado Richard Lamm further spurred this interest and Zeke is considering a second major in public policy. Zeke has been successful in a wide variety of fields, including working for ABC during the Democratic National Convention and attending a hands-on summer research program at the University of Wyoming. Among many other activities, he is an avid runner and enjoys participating in DU’s grilling society prior to hockey games.
Graduated: Denver School of Science and Technology
College: University of Denver
Career Goal: Construction Management and/or Public Policy
Zeke's father used to walk him through Denver and point up to buildings, explaining that he helped build them. Based on his father's background in construction, Zeke is pursuing construction management at the University of Denver and hopes to create the future landscape of his hometown. His love for Denver is undeniable; he has even considered running for Mayor some day. A recent class at DU led by former Governor of Colorado Richard Lamm further spurred this interest and Zeke is considering a second major in public policy. Zeke has been successful in a wide variety of fields, including working for ABC during the Democratic National Convention and attending a hands-on summer research program at the University of Wyoming. Among many other activities, he is an avid runner and enjoys participating in DU’s grilling society prior to hockey games.