Scholar / Project
High School: Rangeview
Major: Molecular Biology
Project: I plan to work with Public schools in Aurora and Denver to evaluate special education systems. In addition I will be researching legislations and laws regarding special education within the public education system.
Looking Forward to in Puksta: I am excited to see my aspirations flourish and bear fruit. I also look forward to being a part of others’ journeys in making their changes in our society.
High School: DSST: Cedar High school
Major: Human Biology
Project: I’m thinking about creating a project where I can help people gain better access to healthcare not only locally but also for those living in other countries. I am looking forward to gathering people who may be interested in the same thing and raising money for those in need of better medical care.
Looking Forward to in Puksta: I’m most excited to have a community where I can feel supported throughout college.
High School: DSST Cedar High School
Major: Biology
Project: My Puksta pathway/project will focus on finding a unique solution to food insecurity in my community. By viewing the problem through a quality rather than quantity focused lens, I hope to not only provide fresher food, but hopeful perspectives to families.
Looking Forward to in Puksta: Working with people who care for change in whatever they want, but want to better themselves and their environment.
High School: Fort Lupton High School
Major: Pre med
Project: For my Puksta Pathway/Project this year, I’m aiming to improve healthcare accessibility for underserved communities, with a specific focus on immigrants. My project will address the unique barriers they face, such as language, cultural differences, and limited access to resources. I plan to expand my social network and provide targeted support and services for this community.
Looking Forward to in Puksta: What excites me most about being a Puksta Scholar is the potential to create a lasting legacy of positive change. By working collaboratively, leveraging the program’s resources, and dedicating ourselves to making a difference, we can create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our individual efforts. It’s an honor to be part of a community of change makers, and I’m eager to contribute my skills and passion to the Puksta Scholars Program.
High School: Northeast Early College
Major: Political Science
Project: I plan to focus on immigration advocacy, with an emphasis on how immigration intersects with access to healthcare, discrimination and disabilities. As a first-generation Mexican American, I aim to create programs and resources that amplify immigrant voices and promote equity in my community.
Looking Forward to in Puksta: I’m most excited about the opportunities this program will open for my future, especially the chance to connect with other students who share similar interests and passions. One of the things that excites me the most is working on my Puksta project, which I see as a meaningful way to grow and learn.
High School: DSST: Cedar High School
Major: Finance & Accounting
Project: For my Puksta Pathway, I plan to create a financial literacy initiative aimed at empowering underrepresented youth in low-income communities. Too often, students graduate high school without basic financial knowledge, which can lead to long-term cycles of debt and limited opportunity. My project will provide workshops, mentorship, and digital resources focused on essential topics like budgeting, saving, credit, investing, and understanding student loans. By making financial education more accessible and relatable, I hope to equip young people with the tools to build generational wealth and make confident, informed decisions about their future.
Looking Forward to in Puksta:What excites me most about being a Puksta Scholar is the opportunity to be part of a supportive community of changemakers who are just as passionate about social impact as I am. I’m looking forward to growing alongside other scholars, gaining mentorship, and turning my ideas into action with the guidance and resources the program provides.
High School: DSST: Conservatory Green High School
Major: Zoology
Project: My project will encapsulate the idea of Animal Rights Awareness. I want to spread education about the current status of animal rights in states nationwide in order to tackle misinformation and increase the availability of such knowledge by encouraging more people to care.
Looking forward to in Puksta: I am most excited to get to learn from other Puksta Scholars and their interests when it comes to forming a project as well as getting to know possible mentors who can guide me through my career path!
High School: John F. Kennedy High School
Major: Merchandising, Botany Minor
Project: I would like to raise awareness of technology and how it is leading us to a hyper-individualistic, anti-socialistic, world. I hope to raise awareness of how our growing dependence on technology is likely leading our planet to an ultimate divide in more ways than one and how by coming together, we as a community can resolve this issue.
Looking Forward to in Puksta: What made me most excited about becoming a Puksta Scholar is being able to better my community with original, creative ideas and the support of others.
High School: D’Evelyn Jr/Sr High School
Major: Environmental Engineering
Project: As an Environmental Engineering major, I’m passionate about public outreach on the vital roles bats and pollinators play in sustainable agriculture. I envision a project that combines habitat restoration at sites like the Orient Mine with community workshops on natural pest control and zero-waste farming. By connecting people with conservation efforts, we can reduce chemical inputs, protect biodiversity, and build resilient food systems.
Looking Forward to in Puksta: I’m most excited about joining the Puksta Scholars Program because of the strong sense of community it really seems to create. The opportunity to connect with like-minded, passionate people and learn from their experiences inspires me, and I look forward to supporting and uplifting others in return. To me, being a Puksta Scholar means building lasting relationships while working together toward positive change.
High School: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College High School
Major: Computer Science
Project: My community engagement and social impact work will focus on securing a grant to support under-resourced schools in communities of color. By collaborating directly with a specific school in Southern Colorado, I will develop a targeted proposal aimed at providing students with equitable access to technology and digital literacy resources. Ultimately, I hope to create a sustainable model that helps bridge the digital divide and ensures future generations have the tools and opportunities for success.
Looking Forward to in Puksta: I’m so excited to make a lot of great memories here and make an impact that leaves my footprint on the communities I hope to help foster. This will not only help the next generation but also allow me to have a blast with everyone and see where this incredible journey goes. Ultimately, I’m thrilled to be part of something bigger than myself, to learn and grow alongside a community of like-minded people, and to contribute to a cause I truly believe in.
