Posted on November 28, 2022
Major: Finance
Project: My goal is to ensure that youth from all backgrounds have equal access to physical and outdoor education. Inspired by the principles instilled in me at the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning (RMSEL), which places a strong emphasis on outdoor education, I aim to partner with organizations to expand access to such programs. By collaborating with institutions like RMSEL and advocating for resources, including scholarships and inclusive programming, I strive to make outdoor education more accessible to underserved communities.
Inspiration: Growing up attending RMSEL, I developed a profound appreciation for the transformative power of outdoor education. From hiking to environmental stewardship, these experiences not only shaped my worldview but also fostered invaluable skills and connections to nature. I am motivated to extend these opportunities to all youth, regardless of their background, ensuring that every child can benefit from the joys and lessons of outdoor education.
Future Goals: My vision involves working closely with organizations and schools, leveraging my financial background to secure funding and support for initiatives that promote equitable access to physical and outdoor education. By advocating for policies and partnerships that prioritize inclusivity and affordability, I aspire to pave the way for a future where every young person has the chance to explore, learn, and grow in the great outdoors.
Posted on November 28, 2022
Major: Psychology & Gender and Sexuality Studies
Project: I am currently working with a few different organizations in Colorado to create safe spaces for LGBT and BIPOC youth and allies to learn and gain access to resources. I’ve also started my own art business where I donate proceeds to local organizations that amplify QTBIPOC voices and share resources like transition funds and clothing swaps that are helpful for those in need. Here is my website for my art business that supports local orgs! artloveshard.square.site
Inspiration: I grew up with my grandparents who immigrated to the US during the Vietnam War. Because of this, I didn’t have access to the education and support that I needed as a queer transgender man and it made growing up really hard for me. Through an online community of Trans and queer individuals, I was able to get the support I needed to be able to be the most authentic version of myself and knew I wanted to do the same for others.
Future Plans: I hope to create safe places for youth to gain the knowledge and support they need to be the best versions of themselves. Finding ways to make healthcare (both mental and physical) more accessible, connecting with the community, and sharing resources that are helpful, but hidden, are my big goals
Posted on December 31, 2021
Major: Social Work, Spanish
Project: Spreading awareness of various issues and resources in the Denver area through social media while sparking conversations of critical reflection.
Inspiration: Volunteering at food banks has allowed me to see the different kinds of people that are struggling, even within the small town where I come from where I thought everybody was financially stable. It makes me want to help these people live comfortably and safely.
Future Goals: I want to get more funding put towards homeless shelters in Denver or other major resources that they could use day-to-day.
Posted on December 31, 2021
Major: Social Work
Project: I would like to maintain and expand my non-profit, JWB Recovery, which provides free support, treatment, and field trips for anyone struggling with addiction as well as their friends and family.
Inspiration: I have lost two uncles to addiction and have several other family members who have struggled.
Future Goals: I hope to educate the community and work to de-stigmatize addiction while providing accessible, successful treatment options.
Please visit jwbrecovery.com for more information
Posted on December 31, 2021
Major: Computer Science and Minors in Math and Marketing
Project: Currently, I am an IT-Coordinator at a non profit organization- College Track. As the co-facilitator of Apple Bites, I work with high-school freshman in planning, designing, coding, prototyping, and marketing their mobile apps. I am also involved in the STEM Mentorship program that partners with WHS to provide highschool seniors resources, support, and mentorship in their desired career goals, throughout the year.
Inspiration: What inspired me was seeing how different someone else’s life is because of circumstances they cannot change. I would like to see everyone given the chance to succeed in a way where people aren’t already set up to fail.
Future Goals: With my community engagement work, I hope to see more students of color or students who want to be given a chance, in higher education. Also, I hope to see more students venturing out into career fields they never thought existed.
Posted on December 31, 2021
Major: Sociology and Minors in Biology and Chemistry
Project: I am working with DAWN clinic as a liaison to better support my community in getting accessibility to health care for insured and the undocumented community.
Inspiration: My inspiration is I want to be a physician that helps underfed communities with health care.
Future Goals: I hope to bring awareness on ways to assist the unhoused community in different ways that people usually assist the unhoused community. I hope to build trust between those that choose to assist and the unhoused community.
Posted on December 31, 2021
Major: Accounting and Real Estate with a Minor in Sociology
Project: Mariajose is developing a workshop on financial literacy for marginalized students who may not have the financial knowledge around paying for college and knowledge around the college application process. She and her project partner presented this workshop to a group of Latinx youth and their parents in Montbello in 2023 and are working on presenting again to another group in 2024.
Inspiration: My family has inspired me and continues to inspire me to choose this Puksta Project
Future Goals: I would like colleges and universities to understand how important this issue is.
Posted on December 31, 2021
Major: Finance and Marketing
Project: Sharing essential financial knowledge to underrepresented communities. My goal is to spark an interest in people so that they want to expand their financial knowledge and invest in their future when it comes to finances, as it is such an important part of life that is often overlooked.
Inspiration: Family, friends, mentors, and books. I have always had an interest in being financial literate and have done my best to be and give that I have this amazing opportunity to help guide others in that direction, it is an opportunity I will make the most of.
Future Goals: I hope to reach more communities that may benefit from my work and be a mentor for those who seek guidance.
Posted on December 31, 2021
Major: Political Science, International Affairs
Project: I am working to expand the opportunities for underrepresented members of the community to participate in community engagement.
Inspiration: I began working with an organization that focuses on resource allocation in the Latino community. This was originally what I planned on doing. I wanted to provide a resource for undocumented immigrants who couldn’t rely on government welfare programs. However, I fell in love with their model for bringing about change in their community. They focused on giving women in their community (that are passionate about change) the resources, education, and training to spearhead change initiatives. These women are women that don’t have a formal education and wouldn’t be able to bring about change if this opportunity wasn’t presented to them.
Future Goals: I think that academia is gatekeeping social change. Underrepresented members of the community without the knowledge and resources to initiate change often can’t. We are taught how to do this in college. What about people who don’t have that luxury? I want to create a permanent impact on the community. Providing a temporary service is great but change cannot be sustained that way. I want to create local leadership opportunities for those who don’t have them, creating a sustained model for social change,
Posted on December 31, 2021
Major: Biology
Project: My current plan for the upcoming school year is to expand the mentorship program I have. I want to create a website with information that can benefit high school students coming from low-socioeconomic schools. This website will have resources like internships, pre-collegiate programs, Q&A, and information about college (applying, resume, cover letter, etc.
Inspiration: I decide to choose my Puksta Project based on my personal experience with Denver Public School. I felt that coming from a low-income school and as a first-generation student I didn’t have the resources that other students from wealthier schools had. This made applying to college harder since I wasn’t as competitive as the other students that had more resources. I spend hours at a time looking for opportunities outside of my school that would help me gain more experience and make me a better candidate. In this project, I want to be able to build connections with students in my community and offer them the support that I wish I had.
Future Goals: I hope to be able to build connections with these high school students and offer them my support and knowledge. Also, I hope that I am about to encourage and educate more students to attend college and the process so that it doesn’t seem so scary.
