Posted May 12, 2025
Our incredible Angels have been awarded extremely prestigious and competitive scholarships this year. Read below to see these amazing accomplishments!
GPA: 4.00/4.99
Valedictorian Harper Young is a standout scholar, athlete, and activist. A state champion and national finalist in the We the People Constitutional Law Program, Harper also captains the swim team and holds multiple district and state titles. She founded the East High Reading Partners Club, leads youth environmental efforts with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, and has earned national honors, including AP Scholar with Distinction and National Merit Commended Scholar. Harper plans to study math and sustainability, ultimately becoming an environmental lawyer.
GPA: 3.33/3.99
Brooklynn Haggerty is a spirited student leader, an All-American cheerleader, and the founder of her own lash business. A passionate advocate for youth, she volunteers as an assistant manager at Star Girlz Empowerment and is active in Ladies First and Black Student Alliance. With over 100 hours of service and a strong interest in medicine and entrepreneurship, Brooklynn is on a path to become both a pediatrician and a business owner.
GPA: 3.44/4.10
Jaylen Tyler is a multi-sport athlete and class president who shines in leadership and academics. She captains varsity lacrosse and flag football, mentors through Unified Sports, and pursues her passion for engineering through robotics and a senior project building an acoustic guitar. Jaylen plans to study mechanical engineering and promote equity in STEM.
GPA: 3.43/3.80 | EFC: ($1,500)
Alejandra Ojeda Rojas has overcome language barriers to become a biliterate student-leader and community mentor. Involved in Convivir Colorado and Rising Higher Staffing Solutions, she supports Hispanic students and manages social media for Tech Nation Careers. Alejandra will pursue a degree in marketing and business.
GPA: 3.97/4.83
Cora Smith is a talented theatre technician and Head of Lighting for East’s stage productions. A four-year performer and technical lead, she’s also a member of NHS and a recipient of “Best Senior Project – Theatre.” Cora volunteers with local museums and brings passion and precision to every performance.
GPA: 4.0/5.1
Darius McGregor is a top-ranked scholar, STEM researcher, and mental health advocate. With experience at Carnegie Mellon and Children’s Hospital Colorado, he co-founded Boys to Men, supporting young men of color. He plans to become an orthopedic surgeon focused on equity in healthcare.
GPA: 3.45/4.29
Emori Cortez is a scholar-athlete and student leader. A varsity cheer captain and softball standout, She also served as Senior Class vice president and a Generation Teach AmeriCorps teacher. Through Speech and debate, service clubs, and cultural advocacy, she’s preparing for a future of impact in education and public service.
Congrats to Quade Marks and the incredible students who have been awarded the prestigious 2025 Boettcher Scholarship! Each will receive an $80,000 scholarship to pursue their dreams at Colorado colleges. Their dedication to academics, leadership, and service has set them apart, and we can’t wait to see the amazing things they’ll accomplish next!
From a pool of over 105,000 applicants nationwide, only 1,336 students were named Semifinalists. That number narrowed to 250 Regional Finalists, and now, just 150 students have earned the prestigious title of Coca-Cola Scholar—and East High School’s own Darius is among them!
This incredible honor recognizes Darius’s leadership, academic excellence, and dedication to making a difference. If you see him, be sure to congratulate him on this well-deserved achievement!
We’re thrilled to share that Haven has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Lillis Foundation Scholarship! Each year, this scholarship is awarded to Colorado students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and personal excellence.
A four-year Honor Roll student at East High School, Ebise Galato is a first-generation college-bound leader passionate about healthcare and community service. She served as co-president of African Students United for three years, while also teaching Youth Ministry and leading Vacation Bible School. Through the Medical Career Collaborative and a NICU internship at Denver Health, Ebise discovered her calling in biomedical engineering, aiming to expand access to life-saving medical technology. Her experiences navigating identity, leadership, and opportunity have shaped her into a compassionate, driven scholar ready to make a lasting impact.
Leela Yohannes is a senior at East High School and a QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship recipient, ranked in the top 10% of her class. A dedicated scholar and artist, she has completed nine AP courses and earned multiple acting awards with the East Theatre Company, where she also served as assistant director and music director.
Leela is Secretary General of East’s Model UN team, a member of the French Honor Society, and a Youth Council board member for mental health advocacy. She interned at Denver Health through the Medical Career Collaborative, earning top marks while exploring her future in medicine. With a passion for both the arts and sciences, Leela plans to pursue a career as a physician, inspired by the mentors and educators who helped her believe in her own potential.
Blake Elliott – Class of 2026, is being recognized for community service impact and as an inspiration for other students to get involved in their community. The 8th Annual National Community Service Awards connect student service activity and impact to the Global Goals. This year we have additional recognition for students working toward a world of Zero Hunger and Zero Waste.
We’re proud to celebrate Mattison as one of seven outstanding DPS students who have been named 2025 Daniels Fund Scholars! Selected from thousands of applicants across the region, these scholars were chosen for their exceptional leadership, service, character, and academic achievement.
The Daniels Fund Scholarship covers up to the full cost of college at partner schools in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—and provides a lifelong network of support.
Congratulations to Mattison—we can’t wait to see what you accomplish next!
Colorado’s Seal of Climate Literacy is an exciting new high school endorsement designed to empower students with essential climate literacy and green skills. Created through Colorado Senate Bill 24-014, the Seal is designed to magnify understanding how a changing climate impacts their community and inspires them to apply this knowledge to their passions and interests. For students, the Seal opens doors to understanding how a changing climate impacts their community and inspires them to apply this knowledge to their passions and interests.
Congrats to our very own Madeleine Senger and Noah Shurz! Click here to read through the program!
