COSLI December Newsletter
The COSLI newsletter is written and edited by students on the COSLI Student Advisory Board.
Enjoy student updates, perspectives, events, and opportunities.
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Letter from the Student Advisory Board President
Dear Friends of COSLI,
In the past few weeks, gun violence has ravaged the nation, leaving communities divided on how to tackle such a pervasive issue. This polarizing issue has seeped across this country, and has undoubtedly damaged our own Centennial State. From Aurora Theater to Columbine and, most recently, Aurora Central and Hinkley High Schools, it can easily be determined that this pressing danger has no end in the near future. Each day in school and each trip to the grocery store brings subtle fears of devastating events that could take place in a matter of seconds. It makes me wonder how some can continue to polarize this country and split it into left and right, or subjective right and wrong. How can we expect to resolve one of the most pressing issues in our nation without a compromise across the aisle? Seeing victims being killed for decades with little decisive action toward a solution makes me question just what our country’s political parties are fighting for.
If we wish to truly mitigate this damage to our country, we must begin by having perspective and seeking common ground. I, as a leader potentially seeking a career in public service, have found nothing more valuable than simply sitting and listening to what my counterpart has to say. Fostering conversations with respect for human dignity and our differences will create new pathways to long-lasting change in our communities. We can then begin to reform our systems and outdated policies to help combat tomorrow’s challenges.
Thank you and all the best,
Mohamed Ibrahim
Wiggins High School
Class of 2019
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Letter from the Founding Executive Director
Friends of COSLI is proud to be a Project of the Rose Community Foundation
Peace. That is the word that is supposed to define this season in all of our lives. But it sure doesn’t feel that way right now. There are shootings, there are random acts of violence; just a few nights ago images of random dumpster fires across Denver were being widely posted. Road rage is high, kindness feels low. Anger, frustration, depression, anxiety are all at high levels. Our alumni who are now RAs at universities report crazy times and students in need. Restaurants post photos of everything from soups being thrown in faces of cashiers to waitresses being punched. And so much more. How do we combat this? How do we find simple ways to turn this tide. Maybe it's as simple as daily acts of random kindness. Alumni Veniece Miller, Lindsay Anderson, Izzy Brophy and Hagan Archer started organizations focused on creating kindness in their communities--one was as simple as asking people to do three nice things a day. The premise for them all, if you are focused on being kind, you won't have time to be anything else.
So, let us get you started--here are 25 days of random holiday kindnesses:
- Compliment a stranger
- Treat someone to coffee (tea or Diet Coke)
- Donate clothing (Clothes to Kids in Denver is a good recipient)
- Hold a door for someone (or everyone)
- Leave coins in a vending machine
- Call a friend (not email, call)
- Visit with an elderly person (older people in homes are desparate for friends)
- Feed the birds (Black oil sunflowers are a favorite of songbirds!)
- Leave a treat for the mail carrier
- Say "thank you" to someone who made a difference
- Do a favor for someone
- Take a neighbor a meal
- Let someone know you appreciate them
- Donate to Toys for Tots
- Adopt a family or child to help them with a visit from Santa
- Clean up someone else's mess
- Call/text a random compliment
- Be a good listener
- Volunteer!
- Allow someone to help you
- Pick up a street's worth of litter
- Say hello to strangers all the way down one block
- Shop small businesses
- Leave a more than usually generous tip
- Let someone else go first
Being a leader isn't just about holding office or official recognition. First, it is about being a good human.
Happy holidays, in whatever way you celebrate.
Celeste
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Consider COSLI in Your End-of-Year Giving
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Lessons Learned: School Shootings
Recently, with multiple shootings over the course of a two-week period, COSLI students engaged in an on-line discussion. This is what they had to say:
"It's scary, it's not a good feeling to know that the place you spend most of your days won't always be safe. But the best thing we can do is just to make sure to support anyone who needs help, and we have to stay strong for those who aren't able to."
"The worst part is I feel as if schools are doing so little to help the kids and that's what's leading to so many of these tragedies. I just wish that I could at least feel as if my school is trying to help, but it's almost as if the only prevention is the hope it doesn't happen, there's almost nothing real to protect us."
"I think there are rules that need to be set. Polis keeps saying he wants to stop gun violence within the youth, but I feel like no one listens when we see social media school threats. Today we had more security than I've ever had at my school, and it made me feel safe. But it's something that should already have been in place. It's sad to even have it but that's how this world is and this whole week I've heard about five youth shootings and a boy I knew died from gun violence from another teenager."
"I think more in-school mental health outreach would not only help the stress that these events cause but also it could prevent more of this from happening in the future. A lot of the 'outreach' that is being done in my school is much too broad and feels very performative with very little actual help."
"The truth is, we don't listen. These are all good ideas, but when they're implemented, they're also abused by other students."
"That is true. Kids are reckless and sensitive nowadays more than ever. They have been shown this environment instead of just talking and solving problems. They seem to think they have the right to take another person's life."
"I believe this problem is deeply rooted in poor mental health of students. While immediate action can partially help, I believe we will need to see major structural changes to completely prevent these incidents in the future."
What do you think? Feel free to write back with your thoughts. Send your ideas and thoughts to Bryce Li at bhli01@bvsd.org.
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Student Features
by Ava Warren
Kaya Crawford (2020) placed 3rd in the VFW Voices of Democracy Speech. Congratulations!
Naomi Lyle (2016) received the 2021 Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry from The American Chemical Society and the journal Analytical Chemistry. Naomi is a student at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Mo Dominguez (2020) was accepted to Loyola University and received their presidential merit scholarship! She was also accepted to Colorado State University.
Hagan Archer (2018, 2021 RA) qualified for the South Dakota School of Mines Concert Choir, having participated in two community concerts.
Grace Schulte (2020) received a full ride merit scholarship to Utah State University! Way to go!
Know Leonard (2020) enjoyed a visit with Friends of COSLI Board Chair, George Sparks. Mr. Sparks is President and CEO of Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
Itzal Gonzalez-Reyes (2014, 2016 RA) married in October--congratulations!
Ava Warren (2020) was selected to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum: Advanced Medicine and Health Care.
Breanne Barrett (2016, 2017 RA) married Thanksgiving weekend--congratulations to the newlyweds!
We are so proud of our COSLI alumni! Contact Ava Warren (warrenav@s.dcsdk12.org) with college acceptances as they start rolling in and any other cool projects or successes!
Colorado History
What else happened in October?
by Riley Cooper
December 1st, 1902: The City and County of Denver begins operation.
December 10th, 1958: Edward Lawrie Tatum is awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his research on metabolism, becoming the first Coloradan recipient.
December 21st, 1974: The first Telluride Film Festival begins.
December 4th, 2020: 15 year-old Gitanjali Rao of Lone Tree is named Time Magazine’s first ever “Kid of the Year.”
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COSLI Birthdays!
by Riley Cooper
Happy Birthday to our COSLI Alumni! May your day be full of smiles!
Love, your COSLI Family.
Hagan Archer - 12/3
Mohammed Ibrahim - 12/3
Isabella McCarty - 12/3
Anoushka Sama - 12/6
Ifeoma Ugeh - 12/6
Nicole Guzman - 12/7
Jakson Prager - 12/11
Ashley Solis - 12/11
Jacee Lawrence - 12/12
Sunny Lamsal - 12/13
Callie Shannanan - 12/14
Victoria DeLeon - 12/17
Daniel Pena - 12/17
Mandy Lieng - 12/19
Dianellis Perez-Hernandez - 12/19
Betsy Pruznick - 12/20
Emma Warren - 12/20
Elena Wheeler - 12/20
Cinthia Rodriguez - 12/21
Elizabeth Valdez - 12/24
Jordan Appel - 12/25
Chantelle Lewis - 12/30
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COSLI Newsletter Contributors
Tobin Wheeler, Editor (Salida, CO)
Riley Cooper (Broomfield, CO)
Kaya Crawford (Crawford, CO)
Mo Dominguez (Denver, CO)
Mohamed Ibrahim (Wiggins, CO)
Knox Leonard (Denver, CO)
Bryce Li (Broomfield, CO)
Joe MacDougall (Golden, CO)
Skyla Rogers (Westminster, CO)
Ava Warren (Highlands Ranch, CO)
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COSLI 2022 APPLICATION NOW OPEN!
The 2022 COSLI application is now open!
Apply here!
Application open: October 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022
Admissions Decisions: Early March 2022
2022 Program: July 10-August 6, 2022 |
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Alumni Feature: Veronica Barajas
By Kaya Crawford
 Veronica Barajas is a member of the COSLI class of 2017 and was nominated by another COSLI alumni, Itzel, who told her about COSLI and the impact it can have. Veronica, who is passionate about leadership and how it allows her to give her community a voice, was not going to miss such an amazing opportunity. Veronica’s favorite memory of COSLI was going to Sam's 3 Dining weekly with her friends and otherwise exploring the city. She explains it was a treat after a day of hard work. COSLI had a large influence on Veronica by allowing her to form lasting friendships and connections that have helped her navigate college. She also discovered her passion for business while in COSLI. Veronica’s advice for future COSLI students is to not let anything or anyone hold you back from your goals, because if you have the right mindset and attitude, anything is possible.
Currently, Veronica is a junior at CU Denver majoring in information systems with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Ethnic Studies. Her college experience has allowed her to grow in many ways, such as in giving her the opportunity to build connections with various business executives. She also worked with the dean to choose the leader of The Generation Program at the CU Denver Business School. As she continues in her college journey, Veronica hopes to become an officer for the Latinx Student Alliance. On top of being a student, Veronica is also a new mom. She is passionate about women’s rights and teaching youth about gender violence; she wants her son to grow up as someone who understands masculinity and doesn’t feel pressure from society to express toxic masculinity. She has already hosted discussions and presented on gender violence in Latinx communities and hopes to continue this work. In the future, Veronica hopes to manage data for a publisher and plans on attending law school, for which she has already begun preparation.
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Opportunities & Events November 2021
By Mo Dominguez & Knox Leonard
Women in the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame student-written biographies: This opportunity is for any student doing an NHDC project. There are 172 women who are inductees into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame. NHDC has agreed to provide written write-ups for each of the portraits that honors these women. Students can sign up here to write a 350-500 word essay and will receive $25 for each biography completed. Once one signs up, a NHDC student board member will review your information and email you back to confirm your signup.
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Denver Failure Fair Scholarships are opportunities for high school seniors planning to attend four year undergraduate schooling who submit a risk-taking, innovative project. Applicants are asked to present a drawing, painting, sculpture, dance, theatrical production, or musical composition with a 500-word essay description of their fantastical idea. Proposals are received from February 17th through March 20th. Finalists will receive $500 to $10,000 scholarships. More information here.
The 350 Colorado Youth Action Committee is a committee for the 350 Colorado climate organization dedicated to promoting youth activism and interest in climate action. The committee is run by youth for youth. The youth action committee is for any youth living in or outside of Colorado who has interest in having a say in the future of climate action or wants to be involved in climate action and climate strikes. More information on the Youth Action Committee and 350 Colorado here. Join the committee here.
The Coolidge Scholarship is an annually awarded full-ride presidential scholarship for four years of undergraduate study at any accredited college or university in the United States. Coolidge Scholars are academically driven students with background interests in service and public policy. The application is open to all high school juniors and closes on January 15th, 2022. More information here, and apply here.
The Cottonwood Institute is a non-profit educational institution based in Denver, Colorado. It has many opportunities and classes for students interested in the outdoors and sustainability. Classes and programs connect students to the outdoors and inspire them to take action to improve their schools, their community, and the environment. More information here.
Denver Mayor’s Youth Council provides Denver youth with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and advise the director of the Office of Children's Affairs on issues impacting youth in Denver. Youth commissioners work together with adult commissioners to make adjustments to goals, citywide programs, and procedures, as well as to ensure equal rights are maintained in legislative action. Applications are open, and interviews will be held in April 2022. More information here.
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program is a hands-on learning experience for high school students across the country and globe at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Students will have the opportunity to dive deep into a field of study with access to world-class faculty, researchers, and industry professionals. More information and application here.
The Colorado Young Leaders Program is for high school students wanting to be involved with their community. The program provides the framework to help students get involved and find what they want to do. CYL students want to learn more about the world around them, discover their own gifts, and make a real impact. More information here, and register here.
Rampart Search and Rescue Cadet Program is for those between the ages of 10 and 20 interested in the field of search and rescue or emergency medical services. Rampart Search and Rescue is a volunteer organization for people in the Adams County area who are interested in the outdoors and emergency medical assistance. Applications for the program are open year-round. More information and application here.
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COSLI Reads & Listens
Need book recommendations? Here’s a list of what the COSLI alumni are reading — take a look, you might find one you like!
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (psychology)
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver (memoir)
The Poppy War by Rebecca Kuang (fantasy)
One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus (fiction/mystery)
Finna by Nate Marshall (poetry)
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (fiction)
The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea by Yukio Mishima (fiction)
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh (fiction)
Need podcast and music recommendations? Our COSLI alumni have lots of music and podcast recommendations that they enjoy. See what your COSLI alumni have been listening to!
Don’t Get it Twisted - podcast
Invisibilia - podcast
Science Friday - podcast
Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe - podcast
Teenager Therapy - podcast
30 - album by Adele
BE - album by BTS
Duke Ellington & John Coltrane - album by Duke Ellington and John Coltrane
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 by Edvard Grieg
MONTERO - album by Lil Nas X
Red (Taylor’s Version) - album by Taylor Swift
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