Senior Class of 2026
Angeli Montellano
Talk about hitting the ground running! Angeli is celebrating an incredible milestone this season: not only is she graduating from high school, but she has also already earned her Associate Degree from the Community College of Denver! 📚✨
Balancing high school alongside college-level coursework takes immense dedication, focus, and drive—qualities that Angeli has demonstrated throughout her time with the Colorado LiftED Foundation.
The Next Chapter: Angeli is heading to Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) this fall! 🦅 She plans to major in Business Administration, building on the strong academic foundation she has already established.
Brian Vu
"There’s gonna be another day." That is the mantra Brian carries with him as he graduates. Through Colorado LiftED, Brian learned to embrace rejection as fuel for growth, building the self-assurance to show up as his best self in every space he enters.
The Next Chapter: Brian is heading to Stanford University to study Public Policy! He’s looking forward to joining gardening clubs and building a lifelong community of friends to share the journey with.
Claudia Puga
"At the end of the day, the day has to end." To Claudia, this philosophy is a reminder that no matter how tough a day is, tomorrow is a fresh start—and a reminder to stay present and enjoy the moment.
Through Colorado LiftED, Claudia transformed from being "closed off and shy" to a confident communicator who loves meeting new people. She credits our community building and networking events with giving her the jumpstart on the life skills she needs for her future.
The Next Chapter: Claudia is heading to Colorado State University to study Political Science/Public Policy! Her ultimate goal is to attend law school and become an attorney for the underrepresented.
Elizabeth Tran
"You get in life what you have the courage to ask for." This philosophy has guided Elizabeth throughout her time with Colorado LiftED. While she joined us with a strong sense of purpose, her experience with our service projects helped her realize how deeply she values community and serving others.
One of her most impactful moments was seeing peers of color share their stories at our gala—an empowering experience that reinforced the importance of representation and solidified Elizabeth’s desire to make a lasting impact in her own community.
The Next Chapter: Elizabeth is heading to Barnard College! She plans to major in the sciences with the ultimate goal of pursuing an MD‑PhD program to become a clinical and anatomical pathologist.
Izzy Yanda
"It is always easier and much more enjoyable to decide from the start to be cheerful whenever you can." Pulling from the scouting handbook, this philosophy of intentional cheerfulness and positivity is exactly what Izzy carries forward into graduation. Izzy is ready to face the stories, challenges, and experiences ahead as a building block to becoming a "proper adult," viewing every new step as an opportunity to learn and grow.
The Next Chapter: Izzy is jumping straight into a career and starting an Electrician Pre-Apprenticeship Program this month with the Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain Chapter (IECRM)! Izzy’s goal for next year is to work as a 1st/2nd year electrical apprentice in construction—building a steady foundation for the future while providing for family.
Jimena Jimenez
"We don't get to choose where we came from, but we can choose where we go." This perspective has guided Jimena throughout high school, helping her realize she is capable of much more than she once gave herself credit for.
Through Colorado LiftED, Jimena pushed past her comfort zone, learning to trust her ideas and believe that her voice truly matters. By challenging herself to interact with new people and lead in new spaces, she discovered a level of resilience and confidence she didn't know she had.
The Next Chapter: Jimena is heading to Whitman College on a full-ride scholarship to study Neuroscience! She is passionate about understanding the brain to better support and care for others, especially children.
Melisa Sadaoui
“Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are.” Guided by this powerful perspective from Kurt Cobain, Melisa has spent her high school years learning to recognize and trust her own unique strengths.
Through Colorado LiftED, Melisa discovered her capacity for deep perseverance. When faced with overwhelming moments or self-doubt, the encouragement of our community pushed her out of her comfort zone to face obstacles head-on—teaching her that setbacks are simply opportunities to grow stronger.
The Next Chapter: Melisa is heading to Colorado State University this fall! She is currently exploring her options to study either Architecture or Finance—fields that inspire her through creative design and economic growth. She is excited to embrace her independence, travel the world, and continue building connections as part of the Colorado LiftED community.
Omar Ibarra
“You have to love life despite all of that." Inspired by the poem The Thing Is by Ellen Bass, this philosophy serves as Omar's reminder to embrace and appreciate life through its hard, bland, or wonderful moments—a perspective that means everything to him as he prepares to graduate.
When Omar first joined Colorado LiftED, his most impactful moment was realizing he was surrounded by peers he would get to journey with for a long time. Through that community, Omar pushed out of his comfort zone, learning to speak up, trust his ideas, and recognize that he is capable of much more than he once gave himself credit for.
The Next Chapter: Omar is heading to Boston University to study Health Sciences! He plans to gain experience in professional healthcare settings while staying connected to the medical scene right here in Denver.