2025 Scholars

This cohort is already causing ripples of impact through their schools and communities.

From launching inclusive sports leagues and youth-led podcasts to advancing health care access and the arts, this cohort is one of our most talented ever. Each Scholar receives financial support and access to a statewide leadership network that helps them give back meaningfully over time.

Smith Barrionuevo
Pine Creek High School

Treyton Benfield
D’Evelyn Jr./Sr. High School

Elijah Blanton
Conifer High School

Celine Bono
Rampart High School

Olivia Brewer
Rock Canyon High School

Courtlyn Brock
TCA College Pathways

Aaliyah Castillo
Meeker High School

Josiah Chavez
Manzanola High School

Ripples Begin at Home

For first-generation Scholars, their college journey is lifting entire families and reshaping Colorado communities. 

"There’s no better joy than being able to say that I’ve made my family proud. It’s a community of people who have gone through struggles to get here, but that’s what’s special."

Illyana Collins
Mountain View High School

Jaci Collins-Falcón
Manual High School

Flor Pineda Cruz
Montbello High School

Vanessa Garcia
Prairie View High School

Dikshya Gauli
Peak to Peak Charter School

Mary Hager
Cherry Creek High School

Kieran Harris
Cheraw High School

Ty Hesse
Glenwood Springs High School

Maizy Hoffman
Lakewood High School

Emily Hume
Walsh High School

Bryce Hunter
Cherry Creek Elevation

Kenna Ingram
Custer County High School

Jack Jobanputra
Arapahoe High School

Ramah Khammash
Air Academy High School

Hyojae Lee
Smoky Hill High School

Gage Levin
Stratton High School

Alexus Lopez
Aurora Central High School

Amanda Madden
Glenwood Springs High School

Quade Marks
Denver East High School

Zoey Montoya
La Junta Jr./Sr. High School

Ashly Landaverde Morales
Aurora Central High School

Christian Moro
Coronado High School

Noah Orcutt
Littleton High School

River Paranto
Legacy High School

Anjalie Pasrich
Arvada West High School

Rodney Peacock
Arvada High School

Lizbeth Hernandez Pineda
Mapleton Expeditionary School of Arts

Luca Rodriguez
Littleton High School

Ysabelle Rosales
Pueblo East High School

Garrett Rymer
Cherry Creek Elevation

Natalie Chairez Salazar
Greeley Central High School

Emily Sauley
St. Mary’s High School – Colorado Springs

Thomas Schaal
Burlington High School

Anna Grace Schroer
Centaurus High School

John Sheehan
George Washington High School

Suyash Shrestha
Stargate Charter School

Sutasanie Suwannakorn
Chatfield Senior High School

Colin Swanson
Springfield High School

Rodas Tewelde
Alexander Dawson School

Anya Wieder
Longmont High School

Madelyn Willeke
Otis High School

Dana Ramirez Zamora
Mapleton Early Career Preparatory High School

Scholar Grants

40

Educational Enrichment Grants

These grants created a ripple effect by empowering Scholars to explore their interests, ranging from preparing for graduate programs, presenting research, exploring videography, and other creative, technical, and service-based experiences across the world.

12

International Educational Grants

Scholars studied abroad in countries including China, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Scotland, the United Kingdom, and Chile, as well as participated in Semester at Sea. Together, these experiences broadened perspectives, strengthened academic and professional pathways, and equipped Scholars to re-invest their learning abroad into their local communities.

Scholar Highlights

Q&A on Global Growth

2022 Scholar Frankie Stroud turned a year abroad in Tanzania and Spain into a ripple that now extends across continents. She is now using new language skills and her experiences abroad to connect with communities at home and around the world. Pull quote idea: “You will not always feel ready to take a big leap… Fear does not always go away, but you can decide to do scary things anyway.” Studying abroad was made possible for Frankie with the Critical Language Scholarship and Boettcher’s International Education Grant. 

Leading & Learning

Discover how 2022 Scholar Ashley Agyepong is making an impact with Young Aspiring Americans for Social & Political Activism. From advocating for marginalized voices to creating spaces for joy and healing, Ashley’s work embodies community-driven change. Learn about her challenges, mentorship, and the powerful lessons she’s learned along the way. 

Digging Deeper

Join Jevon “JJ” McKinney, a 2021 Boettcher Scholar, as he shares his experiences as a journalist and storyteller. Raised in Colorado Springs, JJ talks about how his passion for the media industry took shape — and why ethical reporting matters more than ever. From his time as an undergraduate at Colorado State University to his vision for a future in local news, JJ explores journalism’s power to shape, serve, and strengthen community narratives. 

Being a first-generation student allows me to pave the way for younger generations who aspire to become change makers and future leaders. Advice I would give is to take advantage of the free education we receive in America, because knowledge is power and having the opportunity to learn is a privilege.

50 Scholars from 46 unique high schools

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