Our annual Summer Symposium Reception featured an inspiring and inspirational keynote address by
Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch
Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch is a renowned speaker who carries her powerful message of what it takes to be an effective leader in today's global marketplace to hundreds of schools, colleges/universities, corporations, and government institutions, both in the U.S. and abroad. For the last ten years Consuelo has dedicated her life to empowering a new generation of Hispanic leaders and has worked with over one million children and their parents across the United States through Educational Achievement Services, Inc. (EAS), a company she founded in 1994. Consuelo’s dedication to the youth of America has garnered her numerous awards and citations from educational institutions, government agencies, professional organizations, as well as the national media. Consuelo will share with us her personal stories of relentlessness. More information on Consuelo Kickbusch »
Other highlights of the three-day event included:
Outward Bound: Scholars engaged in a full day of outdoor teambuilding and leadership exercises at the Outward Bound facility in the Genesee, including a high ropes course and climbing wall.
Getting in the Zone: Tools to Reduce Stress and Maximize Performance – Deborah Knox led a workshop for Scholars on how stress effects the body and the positive benefits of breathing, meditation,
and mindfulness.
Personal Vision Statements: Scholars considered what's most important in their lives and created a personal vision statement that embodied a life-long objective that one strives to achieve, but may never quite fulfill. This vision statement will help drive their decision-making, define short and medium-term goals, and guide their unique path through life.
Andre Pettigrew: Director of Economic Development for the City of Denver, led a presentation entitled “The Status Quo has Too Many Friends” and discussed issues of race and class as they relate to high-achievement, leadership, and community.
John Funk: Partner and Chief Product Scout of Evergreen Innovation Partners, led a presentation entitled “Entrepreneurship and Relentlessness” about continuing to pursue your ideas and passion even in the face of tremendous obstacles and failure.
College 101: This panel discussion featured Aswad Allen, Director of the Office of Diversity Affairs at the Leeds School of Business; Lisa Lovett, Internship Program Coordinator at CU Boulder; Wesley Paxton, Principal of Adams City High School; and Angela Vichick, recent graduate of CU Boulder. The discussion centered on how freshman and sophomore Scholars can create a foundation for success in college.
Real World 101: This panel discussion featured Mary Banks, Executive Director of Career Connections at the Leeds School of Business; Matt Greenwald, District Marketing Manager for Federated Insurance; Lynne Isles, Manager of Global Workforce and Succession Planning at MWH Global, Inc.; and Deborah Knox, Leadership and MBA Admissions Consultant. The discussion centered on how junior and senior Scholars can think and plan ahead for the next step after college.
Tricia Downing: pioneer in the sport of women’s wheelchair triathlon and Director of Camp Discovery - a life-fitness program for women with disabilities - told the Scholars her story of perseverance after a life-threatening car accident that left her paralyzed
More Than a Diploma: A panel discussion featuring current Scholars Mimi Chau, Macy Hintzman, Saul Huerta, and Elli Legerski provided an opportunity for Scholars to share their amazing experiences outside the classroom and inspire others to seek out adventure and the road less traveled.
Jim Collins: Author of Built to Last, Good to Great, and How the Mighty Fall: presentation “From Good
to Great."
Alice Swanson: Founder of Learn to Earn, presented her key tips on how to nail an interview.
Mock Interviews: Scholars practiced making the most of an interview, whether informational or professional
Personal Financial Planning: Sharon Harper, Coordinator of Scholarship Services at CU Boulder and Diane Sankey, Independent Financial Consultant - DKS Consulting, taught Scholars how to decipher their financial aid package and create and utilize a personal budget
Aspen Institute Seminar: “Learn to Lead”
Peer Mentorship: Scholars shared their completed vision statements with their Peer Advisory Groups and discussed how they can support one another as peer mentors in striving to fulfill their vision.
Highlights from Past Summer Symposiums
Hank Brown, Former U.S. Senator and former President of the University of Colorado, spoke to a crowd of Scholars, donors, and volunteers about the relationship between personal accountability and success during his 2008 keynote address 
NBA Star Manute Bol Inspired Scholars with stories of his selfless struggle for the people of Sudan.
Boulder Magistrate T.J. Cole taught Scholars how to work through the judicial and educational systems to take ownership and accountability for their communities.