Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Biology/Pre-nursing
Project: I want to create an art exhibition of art that has been made from people who struggle with all sorts of addictions.
Inspiration: Growing up in a household grappling with the challenges of drug issues has fueled my determination to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Inspired by the lessons learned while supporting my family, I am driven to contribute meaningfully, particularly in light of the ongoing homeless crisis affecting communities across America.
Future Plans: I aspire to enlighten individuals on more effective approaches to address drug addiction, while also shedding light on systemic flaws within the American system. Through education and awareness, I aim to contribute to a broader understanding of these issues and advocate for positive change in our societal structures.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Entrepreneurship
Minor: Finance
Project: What I would like to pursue for my Puksta Project is equal educational opportunity for minorities. From elementary and forward, motivating and providing resources to students of color to attend higher education and advanced classes such as honors, AP and IB in order to promote and have more diversity in advanced education.
Inspiration: What inspired me to choose this project was my experience in the education system. I grew up taking honors, AP, and IB classes which were predominately white. I always felt out of place and my peers and teachers never helped me feel included or smart enough. I would like to encourage and motivate students of color to take these advanced classes because we are all worthy of a higher education.
Future Plans: What I hope to accomplish is making advanced classes more diverse. By making these classes more diverse more and more students of color will feel comfortable and worthy enough to take advanced classes which in the long run benefit their academic career.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Public Policy, English, Socio-Legal studies
Project: Political representation is one of the most important protections that we are granted as Americans. However, our most vulnerable populations will oftentimes go underrepresented in political polls, rallies, voting and other activities such as protests and city council meetings. As conversations of equity and equality continue to prevail within society, so must the tangible tools that we utilize to materialize these very ideals. It is imperative that our institutions promote the importance of civic engagement through education and access. I hope to help contribute to this growth by working with a varied of organizations that advocate for the systemic time and resources equal civic engagement.
Inspiration: Growing up I went to school to a densely populated public elementary school and then obtained a scholarship to attend a private school. This experience allowed me to see the differences between these two institutions of education, and how some children, given their economic background, are granted a much greater opportunity within their education. This difference had much to do with funding but was also influenced by culture, pedagogies, and expectations, all of which seemed influenced by race, class, and socioeconomic status. My hope is that all kids, regardless of background, have the opportunity to a quality education.
Future Plans: My hope is to learn more information about how the educational system affects younger children and in what ways it could be improved so that every child reach their highest potential. Through Public Policy, I’d like to learn how we can create sustained change for K-12 public schools in Denver and also across the US.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Psychology
Project: Currently I’m working in CCESL’s youth organizing program to help high school student produce change in their communities. In the future, I want to work more with students on tutoring/mentoring to push more students to make it to college.
Inspiration: I grew up in more underfunded areas of Denver where opportunities were not readily available. I wanted to change the way I grew up for those younger than me as the few opportunities I was given changed my life. I want to be that change that I received.
Future Plans: I want to push low-income students to pursue their education. I want to give them the tools to be able to get scholarships and get accepted.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Entrepreneurship
Project: Advocating for Mental Health Awareness and providing outlets for self-expression.
Inspiration: I want to emphasize the importance of self-expression and individuality. The more one accepts and appreciates oneself and is aligned with how one wants to express oneself, the better one’s mental health and well-being are. The more we think and act this way, the more we prosper as a society and individuals. A healthy outlet to do so is through art. The core sense of self and art are closely related. Art helps us all. It is very beneficial for us as it is a form of expression that fosters our natural need for self-expression and fulfillment to communicate feelings and sentiments towards anything. The world becomes a better and happier place to live in via the power of art. Art is all around us and open for interpretation, leaving a big void to fill, and allowing us all to get involved.
Future Plans: Looking ahead, I aspire to be a guiding light for upcoming artists in Denver, championing individuality. I have a wealth of creativity to share with the world, but more importantly, along the way, I want to empower others to express themselves, particularly in my community.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Accounting
Project: Spreading student loans and debt awareness in DPS High School.
Inspiration: The raising of student loans and debt in society inspired me to work with high school students regarding student loans. Student loans should not be normalized because it harms students after graduation.
Future Plans: With my project, I wish to get more students to apply for scholarships and find alternate ways to finance for college instead of getting loans. I want to make sure the students that I help graduate with high school knowing they don’t have student loans to worry about later.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Business
Project: Working with a partner and taking the task of getting the youth in some communities out of gangs, violence, and drugs. Focus on the areas where we used to live and help with those communities.
Inspiration: I come from an area where I’ve seen a lot of youth violence and was close to being a part of it and I want to end the cycle of young kids dying. I have family members on the same path and I hope to get them out of that life.
Future Plans: I hope to get kids off the streets and give them a chance in this life without death or prison. I really want to make a difference in these kids life to know there is another way out.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Political Science, Education. Minors in Leadership and Spanish.
Project: This year in Puksta, I have been deeply involved in initiatives focused on immigrant rights, particularly through my work with Public Achievement. I discovered that I have a strong passion for community organizing and empowering youth to become advocates for social justice. Working closely with young people, I built meaningful relationships not only with them but also with their families, which strengthened my understanding of the community’s diverse needs and perspectives. Problem-solving often involved navigating cultural sensitivities and finding ways to effectively communicate complex legal information in an accessible manner. I developed new skills in facilitation, public speaking, and community engagement, which were crucial in driving our initiatives forward. One of the challenges I faced was balancing the emotional weight of the issues we were tackling with the need to remain positive and hopeful. Despite these challenges, I’m celebrating the progress we made in raising awareness and empowering youth to take action in their communities.
Inspiration: I chose this project because, in my personal experience, I had to commute 45 minutes every day from my community to access a quality education. Leaving my community was a daily challenge for me because I never had the opportunity to connect with fellow youth from my own community.
Future Plans: With my community engagement and social impact work, I hope to create opportunities for local youth, ensuring they don’t face the challenges I did in accessing education. My goal is to foster a supportive environment and empower them to thrive within their community.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Engineering
Project: Helping kids get out of gangs and better their lives.
Inspiration: Because I was once in their shoes, I used to be like that but I changed… so they can too.
Future Plans: To show kids that it is not the only option, we can break the cycle.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Mathematics
Project: I am looking for ways to support non-traditional immigrant students in pursuing a higher education and developing their expertise in the United States.
Inspiration: As an immigrant, I have seen so many barriers or it being impossible for immigrants to pursue a higher education whether it is economically or for not having a legal status here in the United States, and also to even have the chance to develop their expertise.
Future Plans: I want to develop a method by which non-traditional immigrant students can pursue higher education and at the same time, gain a work permit to develop their expertise and eventually get legal status in the U.S.
