Top Colorado Students Awarded Boettcher Foundation Scholarships

Largest Scholar Cohort Ever Commemorates the Program’s 70^th year 

DENVER, May 5, 2022 — Fifty of Colorado’s most talented graduating seniors have been named Boettcher Foundation Scholars, marking the largest cohort ever to earn the prestigious scholarship recognizing the next generation of doers and difference makers.

“These 50 young leaders are talented, passionate, intellectually curious, have outstanding character, and possess resilience beyond measure,” said Katie Kramer, president and CEO of the Foundation. “The sense of responsibility and commitment to community-building among this class impressed us in profound ways. We are honored to call them Boettcher Scholars.”

The year 2022 marks the 70^th anniversary of the Boettcher Scholarship Program, which annually awards merit scholarships to Colorado’s top high school seniors with the goal to keep Colorado’s brightest minds and most talented young leaders in-state for their postsecondary years.

In addition to being a comprehensive scholarship, the award also includes programming and support to ensure that Scholars reach their full leadership and academic potential. Scholars are selected based on academics, service, leadership, and character. The Boettcher Scholar network includes more than 2,700 leaders who have gone on to make their marks in the sectors of business, government, nonprofits, and academia in a myriad of industries.

This year’s cohort includes the following:

• A certified EMT who volunteers for 35 hours a week at a local fire protection district
• Owner of a digital art, design, and advertising business
• The state president of DECA who has led the state officer team in planning and executing events for Colorado’s 1,700 members
• A published author and illustrator of a children’s book
• An activist who worked with her county health department to pass ordinances expanding smoking/vaping free areas, requiring businesses to have a license to sell tobacco products, and raising the legal age for tobacco products
• A community champion who, in partnership with a local university, initiated a project to create make-at-home cooking kits distributed through a local food bank
• The owner of a student’s pilot license
• An environmentalist who has worked with regional community groups and institutions to evaluate the effects of motorized recreation and how to save the bees in southwest Colorado
• A researcher who has been studying the effects of concussions on youth soccer players for five years alongside university experts and national concussion specialists

“This cohort of Scholars remained steadfast in their leadership through a pandemic that hit during their sophomore year,” said Tiffany Anderson, director of programs at the Foundation. “Their leadership and service shined with so many of them dedicating themselves to supporting their families, schools, neighborhoods, and communities. We like to describe this group as a collection of community champions who view leadership as an everyday activity.”

Nearly 1,700 students applied for the Boettcher Scholarship this year, a record number. This year marks the first year the number of Boettcher Scholars has increased from 42 to 50.

Scholar names, high schools, and photos follow. High-resolution images available upon request.

About the Boettcher Foundation

At the Boettcher Foundation, we believe in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. Every day we champion excellence across our state by investing in our most talented citizens and high-potential organizations, because supporting their hard work and leadership will enable them to give back for years to come.