College Graduates and Employed

“ELK has helped me grow into a more aware person today. The average student in Montbello doesn’t go camping, fishing, or learn about wildlife biology. ELK teaches students about the real world, and we always have a great time. ELK has inspired me to chase after my dream of becoming an astronaut.”

-Chris Urias, ELK Alumnus, Daniels Fund Scholar

Environmental Learning for Kids Alumni List

ELK • P.O. Box 21679 Denver, CO 80221 • www.ELKKids.org • (303) 291-7553 • lpineda@elkkids.org

In 2004, ELK began tracking our alumni into college and beyond. Although ELK strives to maintain contact with our full cohort, it is not always possible. ELK successfully continues to keep in touch with 95 of our high school graduates into college and beyond. A full list of their post-secondary education and career track are listed below.

Name College Agency/Business Position

Simar Abdul-Mateen Florida State University Business Joseph Barnholt Colorado School of Mines Kahuna Ventures Natural Gas Preston Bryant Colorado School of Mines Bureau of Land Management Computer ScientistChiquita Cole University of Northern Colorado Denver Public Schools Graduate School - Speech PathologyCassie Davis Metropolitan State University OnCore Electronics BA SociologyJordan Davis-Powell Tuskegee University VCA West- Las Angeles Graduate School - Veterinary SciencePatricia Edel Univ. of Colorado - Boulder Blue Fly Guiding - Alaska Owner/OperatorRebecca Feder Metropolitan State University Thrillist.com Freelance ArtistCarlos Giron Let Em Have It Salon Owner/OperatorChristian Gonzalez Univ. of Colorado - Boulder College in Colorado Outreach and Access CoordinatorKurt Gross Sports Authority Store ManagerTim Gump Colorado State University Colorado Parks and Wildlife Aquatic BiologistBrittany Jackson Payne College - Georgia McCormick H.S. Teacher Biology, Secondary EducationNicole Jackson University of Phoenix Denver Parks and Recreation Maintenance TechJonathon Keisling Blue Quill Angler Fly Fishing GuideJamie Krebs-Archuleta Colorado State University Kids Haven Early Childhood EducatorApril Lea Sonic Erin Lea-Dougherty Metropolitan State University SOAR Charter School K-1st Artist EducatorDavid Maes Denver Parks and Recreation Joseph Martinez Westwood Tech Denver Aquarium Dwane Matthews Univ. of Northern Colorado Denver Public Schools Career Partnership CoordinatorAndre McGregor Brown University Federal Bureau of Investigation AgentNick Montez Metropolitan State University U.S. Navy - Honorable Discharge Susan Mudry McDaniel Fort Lewis College Camden Maritime Musuem Youth Services CoordinatorRichard Nguyen Cornell University Zayo Group Director, Global OperationsTim Nuanes U.S. Customs AgentAbenicio Rael University of Colorado University of Colorado Assistant Director College Prep ServicesKnesha Ramirez Community College of Denver Mile High Montessori East Ctr Stephen Ramirez Sprint Rod Ruybalid Colorado State University Colorado Parks and Wildlife District Wildlife ManagerJessica Sotelo Colorado State University Unify Sales SupportMelissa Sotelo Colorado State University City and County of Denver Aide, District 11Matt Steinhoff Metropolitan State University Eagle Claw Tackle Country Store ManagerStephanie Steinhoff University of Wisconsin M.S. Colorado Parks and Wildlife Terrestrial BiologistHugo Valdez Metropolitan State University Denver Museum of Nature & Science Partnership Programs Assist. Coordinator

Alumni Statistics: • 50% of ELK’s alumni are currently majoring or working in a STEM related field • 85% of these alumni are people of color • 45% are females• ELK has assisted our youth in accessing $802,470 in college scholarship awards

Science • Leadership • Careers

Name College / Service Branch Field of Study Ishan Allen Antioch College Undergraduate-AstronomyJenna Archuleta Univ.of Northern Colorado Undergraduate - PsychologyDavid Barboza Bowling Green University Undergraduate - BiologyNeftali Bardales Community College of Denver Undergraduate - BiologyRosario Barralaga Univ. of Colorado - Boulder Undergraduate- Biology Michelle Barraza Community College of Aurora Undergraduate - UndeclaredEddie Bracken Arapahoe Community College Undergraduate - BusinessMaya Burchette Tulane University Law SchoolLuz Castaneda Colorado State University Undergraduate - Sociology (Minor - Spanish)Courtney Copeland Metropolitan State University Undergraduate - Early Childhood EducationDiana Cortez Community College of Aurora Undergraduate - UndeclaredMarcus Cosby Aurora Community College Undergraduate - UndeclaredCarrington Dale U.S. Army Samantha Farrington U.S. Navy Jadrian Franklin Community College of Denver Undergraduate - Animal BiologyAbraham Giles CSU - Colorado Springs Undergraduate - Mechanical EngineeringSterling Gilmore Community College of Aurora Associates Degree - Writing and DirectingCandy Gonzalez Community College of Denver Undergraduate - UndeclaredGlendy Gonzalez Community College of Aurora Undergraduate - UndeclaredNancy Gonzalez Univ. of Colorado - Denver Undergraduate - Elementary EducationJezette Guiliana Community College of Denver Undergraduate - NursingJordan Hancock Atlanta Institute of Music Undergraduate- Music EngineeringLatreah Harper CSU Pueblo Undergraduate- PsychologyDaniel Hernandez Syracuse University Undergraduate -International Relations & Foreign LanguagesArleth Herrera Metropolitan State University Undergraduate - UndeclaredCody Jackson Univ. of Colorado - Boulder Undergraduate - UndeclaredJordan Jones-Potts SU Pueblo Undergraduate- General Exercise ScienceMitch Kaysi Univ. of Colorado - Denver Undergraduate - Aquatic BiologyChanthony Lee Univ. of Colorado - Denver Undergraduate - UndeclaredLizzy Lenard Univ. of Colorado - Boulder Undergraduate - Anthropology & Environmental ScienceClarissa Mendez Regis University Undergraduate - Biology Ivan Moreno Community College of Aurora Political Science Richard Nyguen Colorado School of Mines Undergraduate - EngineeringLuz Ortega Community College of Denver BusinessJohnsein Owens Metropolitan State University Undergraduate - UndeclaredMiguel Quezada-Munoz U.S Marine Corps Sasha Ramirez Everest College Surgical TechniqueZulia Reyes Colorado School of Mines Undergraduate - Environmental EngineeringJune Robles Syracuse University Undergraduate - Fashion and MerchandisingJeanette Roman University of Northern Colorado Undergraduate - UndeclaredJehu Saintjour CSU - Pueblo Undergraduate - Industrial EngineeringDeztani Sandoval Community College of Denver Undergraduate- Criminal JusticeDondre Smallwood Colorado State University Undergraduate - BiologyDwayne Smallwood Metropolitan State University Undergraduate - Environmental ScienceBrandon Smith Northeastern Colorado Jr. College Undergraduate - UndeclaredNick Steib Univ. of Colorado - Denver Undergraduate - UndeclaredAshley Stewart Colorado State University Undergraduate - ZoologyElijah Stewart Prairie View A & M Undergraduate - HistoryMonica Tran University of Colorado - Denver Undergraduate - Pre-medChris Urias Univ. of Colorado - Boulder Undergraduate- Aero Space Engineering and Astrophysics Eddie Valdez CSU - Pueblo Undergraduate - PsychologyMayte Valdez University of Colorado Undergraduate - BiologyNiko Verras Metropolitan State University Undergraduate - UndeclaredDaisy Villicana-Garcia Univ. of Colorado - Denver Undergraduate - EducationTrudy Vo Univ. of Colorado - Denver Undergraduate - BusinessJimmy Warram U.S. Army Ruel Wiles Community College of Denver Undergraduate - BusinessTavaris Williams U.S. Army Jasmine Wolcott Tuskegee University Graduate School - Veterinary ScienceAlysia Zarate Heritage Studying to be a Dental Assistant

Alumni Currently in College and/or Military Service