Warm Summer Wishes!
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,
As we begin to return to early stages of “normalcy,” COSLI and all those involved have been hard at work. Since COSLI is state-legislated, we have experienced the fear of budget cuts, considering the pandemic relief needs that are in place for Colorado. However, we are happy to announce that our state budget has not been cut by the JBC, after returning a large amount of our funds to the State and outreach by our alumni, parents, supporters and boards. Our plan for a two-session summer next year is underway, and we couldn’t be happier considering the adversities with which we’ve been presented.
Our alumni have been doing extraordinary work within their communities, schools, and virtual transitions. Despite the current circumstances, our students have helped to expand the boundaries of quarantine lifestyle by providing free tutoring services, coordinating outreach events to assist hundreds of people, and serving as leaders during these trying times. The amount of work my COSLI friends and alumni have done astounds me everyday. With that, I ask you all to serve, if you haven’t already, as the stewards of proactivity for those around you.
Thank you and all the best,
Mohamed Ibrahim
Wiggins High School
COSLI Student Advisory Board President
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Letter from the Founding Executive Director
Friends of COSLI is proud to be a Project of the Rose Community Foundation
Dear Friends of COSLI,
This is a time when our thoughts should be focused on graduations and new beginnings. You will see amazing evidence of how our students are finding creative ways to make this happen throughout this newsletter.
But, sadly, our attention has been forced to focus on events so tragic for our country. This year, so far, has been one that will be listed as infamous and difficult in our history books. Scholars have been drawing parallels with another year in history, 1968, when sleepless nights were also endured due to the same sorts of national trauma and unrest. There was a global pandemic with 1 million deaths and the Tet Offensive was launched. In the same year, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., America's iconic civil rights warrier, was assassinated. As we struggle with how to respond to all that 2020 has brought, too similar to history, while also trying to find joy in these celebrations, it seems most appropriate to let the words of Dr. King be those heard and considered. Here is his speech, "What is Your Life's Blueprint?," given to a class of Philadelphia junior high school students in 1967.
What an amazing commencement address for our COSLI graduates, from both high school and from college. We couldn't be more proud of all of you. The comfort for us all is knowing that you are shepherding in prospects of better years, with greater thinking and deeper understanding. Congratulations to them all.
Celeste and Kayla
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Lesson Learned: The COSLI "Originals"
Authors: Timi Kola-Abiola and Bryce Li
COSLI would not be the program it is today without the incredible passion of "the Originals," a group of students who came together and began to write the legislation for COSLI in 2014. For this month's newsletter, Bryce and Timi wanted to hear the perspectives of "the Originals" on the creation of the bill, COSLI's transformation, COSLI's impact, and what they are up to now.
When asked about the creation of the bill, many of the Originals described a scary, daunting, yet exciting opportunity, as it was a way to not only learn about the bill-writing process, but to also make the world better for the upcoming generations. Sam Willett (Longmont) describes this: "Being able to be on the floor and see the process that we were going to have to make it through taught me a lot about how the process works. COSLI was the first time in my life I was able to actually make change in my community in a way that would continue to impact students and the state for future generations and I am very grateful for the ability to take part in something that was so meaningful."
Sara Taketatsu
Moreover, the bill-writing process also provided some meaningful lessons and skills to the Originals. For example, Sara Taketatsu (Antonito) explains how creating the first COSLI website, ideating a curriculum, discussing the inclusion of NHD, and providing the perspective of rural Colorado helped everyone learn a lot about collaboration and how to build something tangible from an idea. Austin Chavez (Sanford) describes how collaboration was key in being super careful in the wording of the bill and its interpretation. Austin carried this useful lesson into his current life as well: "As someone going into the healthcare field, legislation really runs the game based on what care patients receive and the ethics behind them so I was able to see it from the other side. Healthcare is also big on collaboration, and this experience opened the door for me to work with people I had nothing in common with, which is often the case in healthcare."
Austin Chavez
Another useful lesson that came from the bill-writing process was moving past failure. Sam explains that the Originals were voted against the first time they testified. They were very shocked and didn’t know what to do, thinking that everything was over; however, in the end, Celeste and the COSLI sponsors found a way to propose the bill a second time and make it happen. To Sara, the idea that a seemingly-impossible idea could pull through one small step at a time was a very powerful lesson. This idea soon became enshrined in the COSLI curriculum through the implementation of the entrepreneurship program.
The Originals put in a lot of time and effort into initiating the COSLI bill because they were very passionate about it. Many described COSLI as a means to brighten Colorado's future by opening the door of "real life" to bright, young people and providing a “taste of adulthood” to better prepare students for college. It helps students across Colorado learn a variety of new skills, meet incredibly diverse people, and develop useful connections. Austin furthers that COSLI combats the Colorado Paradox, which is vital to keeping the smartest here to enter our job market. Austin also explains how COSLI allows students to step outside of their community's "bubble" to learn about the state's diversity: geographically, socio-economically, etcetera.
COSLI has grown and transformed a lot throughout the years. Many of the Originals believed that COSLI would turn out well, but some did not know exactly to what extent. However, after the transformation, many of the Originals are very proud of what it has become, comparing it to "how a parent may feel as they watch their small baby grow into a college-educated being." They love seeing the kids' lives being positively impacted because of what this program has grown into. As they see each COSLI class pass through each year, the Originals describe the "COSLI Kid" as one who is curious about all sorts of things, eager to make the world better, and always seeking the "next level."
COSLI's originals initiated the bill in 2014; years later, many are now pursuing wonderful things in the real world. Sara Taketatsu graduated cum laude from the program in Environmental Design at CU Boulder, and is now moving out to Washington D.C. to serve as the Vice President of the American Institute of Architecture Students, an independent, nonprofit, student-run organization dedicated to advancing leadership, design, and service among architecture students. Another Original, Sam Willett, attended Claremont McKenna College in Southern California where he got a degree in Environment, Economics, and Politics with a minor in Finance. He is currently working for a litigation consulting firm in Boston and will be living with a fellow COSLI founding member Tyler Lis (Longmont). Lastly, Austin Chavez attended CU Denver on a Daniels Fund Scholarship, where he served as a mentor on the campus, helped teach organic chemistry, and served as an ambassador for the Daniels Fund scholarship. He also got a research position at Children’s Hospital, where he studied a drug that could possibly prevent future cases of HIV. Now, Austin is applying to medical school and studying for the MCAT in hopes of becoming a rural physician.
Sam Willett and Tyler Lis
COSLI greatly appreciates the impact that the Originals have and will continue to have into the future. Without them, COSLI would not be the program that it is today. Thank you to the Originals!
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Student Features
Note that all students who successfully complete COSLI are given automatic acceptance to the University of Colorado Denver.
ATTENTION COSLI SENIORS: We want to feature your accomplishments during this time! Please send your college/post-secondary plan choice, along with accomplishments and any scholarships you may have received to imccarty2021@esdk12.org to be featured in the coming months!
Izzy McCarty (2018) won eighth place at the Colorado FBLA State Leadership Conference for her business plan. Congrats Izzy!
Drew Smith (2018) graduated as Salutatorian of her class on May 15 in Sargent, Colorado. Go Drew!
Mohamed Ibrahim (2019) and his brother Laith Ibrahim (2020) worked in collaboration with Muslim Youth for Positive Impact with a group of volunteers to package and distribute 80 food care bags to 80 immigrant refugee families in their community. Great work guys!
Happy Birthday to our COSLI Alumni! May your day be full of smiles!
Love, your COSLI Family.
Cole Swartz - 6/1
Sofia Casini - 6/4
Atya Lucero - 6/5
Daniel Gonzalez-Beltran - 6/5
Dulce Gonzalez-Beltran - 6/5
Valerie Sepulveda-Gonzalez - 6/10
Purevdorij Amarsanaa - 6/12
Thanhbinh Nguyen - 6/14
Blen Abamecha - 6/15
Caleb Smith - 6/18
Bryce Hartness - 6/20
Madison Cosgrove - 6/21
Iris Courtney - 6/26
Samuel Goertzen - 6/30
Colorado History
What else happened in June?
Did you know these historical events occurred in June?
June 3, 1960 - U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower creates an order to preserve Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site.
June 21, 1973- Denver Public Schools is officially desegregated in ordinance of Keyes v. School District No. 1. By the US Supreme Court.
June 11, 1995- Stapleton International Airport changes its name to what is now known as Denver International Airport.
June 9, 2000 - President Bill Clinton signs an order creating the Canyons of Ancient National Monument.
We are so proud of our COSLI alumni! Contact Izzy McCarty (imccarty2021@esdk12.org) or Sheila Ta (sheilata93@gmail.com) with college acceptances as they start rolling in and any other cool projects or successes!
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Senior Letters
With graduations this year looking more like Drew Smith's (Sargent) this year, enjoy a photo gallery of some of our seniors - one more chance to give them just a bit of pomp and circumstance.
Drew Smith, Sargent, Gap Year (Class of 2018)
Rebekah Jensen, Glenwood Springs, Regis University (Class of 2018)
Prash Satish, Thornton, Colorado School of Mines (Class of 2018)
Isaiah Calderon, Pueblo, CU Denver (Class of 2018)
Heaven Chacon, Denver, CU Boulder (Class of 2018)
Winta Gonye, Denver, University of Denver (Class of 2018)
Katya Schwieterman (Class of 2019):
Dear Friends of COSLI,
My name is Kat Schwieterman and I’m from the hamlet of Paonia, about an hour and a half from Grand Junction. I’m headed to Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR, next year to study something STEM and run cross country. I was a little late to the COSLI party--I didn’t apply until the end of my junior year--but the whole experience broadened my small-town horizons in the areas of large public organizations, art history, urban life in general, state politics, advocacy and human rights, and interpersonal relations. Through the month of COSLI, I loved learning about the struggles and successes that young people are working through across Colorado. With a new knowledge of personal agency, COSLI has prepared me to step up and make change wherever I go!
Kat
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Opportunities and Events: June 2020
With most summer programs cancelled this summer, many are coming up with alternative opportunities for students to take part in this year. Here are just a few of those.
The Daniels Fund is looking for students to be nominated for Colorado National Philanthropy Day
Awards, specifically “a student or student group who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the promotion of philanthropy and volunteerism through his/her work in the community,” and will be giving out $3,000 to the Outstanding Youth and Youth Group. Help recognize these students’ hard work!
COVID-19: Colorado and Beyond is a free lecture series provided by CU Denver, with an optional paid credit component. It will take place from June 8-August 3, every Monday and some Wednesdays. Each lecture is from an expert in their field, discussing the effects of COVID on the future of our state and world. Lectures will be from scientists, historians, anthropologists, economists, and many others. Students can get a college credit for participating and writing an essay at the end. COSLI will pay for the first 5 COSLI alumni who sign up to receive credit. To enroll or get more info, visit here.
Closing the Gap: Building Bridges Between Youth and the Capitol is an event being held by COYAC in which state senators and representatives will have a discussion with students from across the state, allowing them to connect with their state representatives. From 12-2 pm on June 27. Register here.
Windows on Williams (WOW) is an all-expenses-paid fly-in program from Williams College offering high-achieving students who otherwise would not be able to a chance to visit Williams. Students get to attend classes, stay in the dorms, and learn about Williams College. The fall 2020 WOW dates are Thursday, September 24 - Saturday, September 26 and Thursday, October 15 - Saturday, October 17. Applications are due either July 1 or August 15. More info here.
The Stronger Than Hate Challenge invites students ages 13-18 to create a video, write a poem, song, or blog, or produce a painting or piece of artwork that demonstrates the chosen medium’s potential to create a community that is stronger than hate. Winning entries are eligible to win up to $10,000 in prizes and a trip to the USC Shoah Foundation. Entries due June 2. More info here. This deadline is tomorrow!!
The Colorado Gifted and Talented Student Board is looking for new members this year! Students work with other Gifted and Talented youth, and get to gain leadership skills and work in real-life areas. Applications are due July 18. More info here.
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COSLI Reads
Need book recommendations?Well here’s a list of what the COSLI alumni are reading- take a look, you might find one you like! Enjoy!
Enabling Creative Chaos: The Organization Behind the Burning Man Event by Katherine Chen
The Prophet by Khalil Gibran
King Lear by Shakespeare
She Factor by Heidi Ganahl
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Dear Evan Hanson by Val Emmich with Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul
Need a Summer List?
Here are Bill Gates’ Suggestions: https://www.gatesnotes.com/About-Bill-Gates/Summer-Books-2020
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Comic of the Month
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