COSLI June 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 COSLI Friends and Community,
Looking back as we enter the first month of summer break and spend time away from our educational activities, it seems that time simply blew by in the days of quarantine, online education, and graduation, as well as in a series of historical events in our nation’s history. However, more staggering is the reality of how our lives in communities, leadership opportunities, and positions of influence will forever be changed.
On June 16th, I have the opportunity to voice my rural perspective on the differences in educational settings between our post-pandemic world and the pre-pandemic world at the Colorado Department of Education’s Equity and Excellence Seminars. At first, it seemed simple preparing the realities of the mental health crisis, insufficient resources, and educational disengagement for many, but the truth is there are real, complex people with real stories behind the statistics of these subjects. I wondered just how difficult it would be in the upcoming school year to transition students from virtual learning to in-person settings. While the road ahead seems difficult, I am sure we are capable of walking it.
The very obstacles I will be discussing at the Equity and Excellence Seminars have factored into the rescheduling and molding of 2021 COSLI to meet proper safety guidelines. The most important part of the molding was to never stop and to continue through adversity with high hopes for the future. Truly, we are all at a crossroads in our paths as students, educators, and community leaders. While scrolling through Instagram the other day, I read a post emphasizing the need to seize the moment and not look back. Now is the time to do so.
Thank you and all the best,
Mohamed Ibrahim
COSLI Class of 2019
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
With the end of the 2020-2021 school year, we are looking forward to what we hope will be a unique (meaning only one-of-a-kind) summer. It is that time of emerging from an unexpected reality into a new reality We will be hybrid and have a jam-packed section of in-person learning ready for some teens who we know are craving this time--so are we. To our alumni, the kickball game is on! There will be two this summer and you'll be getting the email. That's one tradition that is not going to be abandoned.
It is also our biggest year of high school and college graduates-- we had 66 students who graduated from high school this year. One hundred percent of them were accepted to a four-year degree program. We are seeing acceptances to everywhere from CU Denver to Cornell to Tufts to University of Denver to Tulane to CU Boulder to University of San Francisco to Colorado State University to Ft. Lewis to Colorado College--and so many more. My own child, my biological one, is also a COSLI alumni. He was in the class of 2018. He has chosen South Dakota School of Mines. He also helps illustrate one of our important missions/goals. Are they remaining in or returning to Colorado for college and/or career? Are they helping us help the state conquer the Colorado Paradox? The answer is a resounding yes. The students who have chosen to enjoy undergraduate experiences out of state are coming back. One of our alum graduated from Willamette in three years and will begin graduate school in Denver this fall. Hagan, my son, knows exactly where he plans to end up and it's Colorado. I'm so proud of him and all our graduates as they navigate these next steps after a very hard couple of years. We hope you will seek out any graduates in your sphere and say, "job well done!" They have proven their grit and tenacity in a way that was not expected.
Best,
Celeste
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Lessons Learned
By Bryce Li
Sone of the most important skills in this day and age are effective collaboration and communication. These skills allow for mutual understanding, decreased animosity, and productive problem solving. Leaders of the future must be equipped with these skills. Unfortunately, much of society is currently losing these important skills. Not only has mutual trust decreased, but, as a result, hatred and divide have skyrocketed, hindering collaboration and communication within our communities, states, and country. Fewer problems are being solved simply because we are not understanding or listening to one another.
Thus, as a program designed to empower young leaders across Colorado to build a better future, one of COSLI's most important tenets is to improve communication and collaboration between people with a variety of beliefs, opinions, religions, thoughts, policies, and values. Due to interpersonal development, whether it be from spending week after week in collaboration with other students or from discussing business and politics with CEOs and State representatives, COSLI students have a distinct, transformative experience that bolsters students' emotional and academic development and, most importantly, prepares civically-engaged students for a world that needs improved collaboration and communication across the aisle.
Overall, each summer, COSLI builds leaders through its powerful residential program. Its alumni continue on to pursue competitive programs, attain astonishing accomplishments, and serve as leaders in Colorado's community. Given this tough year, we are so excited to welcome this year's students in-person!
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Student Features
Grace Schulte (2020) was given the 2021 CU Outstanding Colorado High School Student Award and received a $4,000 scholarship!
Izzy McCarty (2019) won the Elizabeth Education Foundation Scholarship. Congrats Izzy!
Ashley Solis (2020) received the “Kindness Counts” Superlative Award. Early last month, one of her papers won a history essay contest at a prestigious college! Plus, she made the Honor Roll for her high school.
Austin Chavez (2015) after graduating from CU Denver in December, is serving as the COVID vaccine coordinator for Conejos County...preparing to enter medical school. Future rural doctor!
Sheila Ta (2018) is a 2021 Hurliman Foundation Scholarship winner. She will be applying this honor toward her attendance at University of San Francisco.
Sophia Watkins (2019) has been accepted and will be attending Cornell University this fall. What an accomplishment!
Allison Thomas (2020) was chosen as CHSAA’s Academic All-State award in two sports: gymnastics and basketball! She was also selected for her high school’s Student Council. Amazing!
Sofia Casini (2019) received the Morehead Cain Scholarship for UNC Chapel Hill. Way to go, Sofia!
Ava Warren (2020) was accepted into the Medical Career (MC²) Collaborative Program at the Children’s Hospital Colorado and Denver Health!
Hagan Archer (2018) was chosen to serve on staff at HEB Foundation Summer Youth Camp in Leakey, Texas. He will be enjoying that honor before heading back to be a Jr. RA for COSLI!
Happy Birthday to our COSLI Alumni! May your day be full of smiles!
Love, your COSLI Family.
Sophia Martikonis - 6/1
Cole Swartz - 6/1
Sofia Casini - 6/4
Daniel Gonzalez Beltran - 6/5
Dulce Gonzalez Beltran - 6/5
Valerie Sepulveda-Gonzales - 6/10
Purevdorj Amarsanaa - 6/12
Thanbinh Nguyen - 6/14
Blen Abamecha - 6/15
Caleb Smith - 6/18
Naomi Lyle - 6/19
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 26th, 1882 - The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad reaches Denver.
June 19th, 1906 - Theodore Roosevelt signs an act creating the Mesa Verde National Park.
June 15th, 1941 - Rotary International celebrates the Grand Opening of Red Rocks Amphitheatre during their annual convention with 10,000 in attendance. An “informal dedication” was held the week before.
June 3rd, 1959 - The first class of the United States Air Force Academy graduates in Colorado Springs.
June 21st, 1970 - The United States Supreme Court orders the complete desegregation of Denver public schools in Keyes v. School District No. 1.
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!
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Alumni Feature: Emma Field
By Kaya Crawford
 Emma Field was a member of the COSLI class of 2017. The chance to be immersed into the political science program at CU Denver, to participate in National History Day, to meet students from across Colorado, and to have a month-long pseudo college experience were only some of the aspects of COSLI she looked forward to when she applied. The program did not disappoint, and Emma has no idea where she would be today without COSLI. She gained confidence and discovered her voice over the course of her month on campus, and the program informed the decisions she has made for her future. The field trips and guest speakers all had great influence on her, and she reflects fondly upon them even today. Along with the experiences she had, Emma reflects on the people who made the program amazing. She describes Kayla and Celeste as nothing short of amazing and says they are some of her greatest role models. On top of having some great role models, COSLI also provided Emma a network of alumni and friends with whom she is still in contact with today. COSLI even introduced Emma to her dearest friend, whom she keeps in touch with through letters. Because COSLI had such an influence on her, Emma cannot name a favorite memory, but she cherishes the laughter of the program.
Emma had tons of advice to provide for incoming COSLI students. Five pieces of advice, to be exact. The first being to sit with someone new each day: sit in the front row and engage in discussions with all kinds of people. This lesson has translated to Emma’s life well. For example, at the restaurant where she works, there is a regular who brings a new book every time he comes in. Emma always makes the point to discuss his book with him, and they often recommend one another books to read. In fact, due to their conversations, the man views Emma as a “generational enigma.”
The second piece of advice is to ask questions because we are curious beings; chances are that someone else has the same question. Her third piece of advice is to connect with an advisor and at least one guest speaker during your time at COSLI. Connections can range from an email thanking them for their time to a zoom call following up on something that really spoke to you. The fourth: turn assignments in on time and don’t procrastinate. This will give you more free time and less stress, as you aren’t trying to get things done last minute. The fifth and final piece of advice Emma has for incoming COSLI classes is to document the days to keep track of the memories made and the people met. She is thankful for the pictures she sees on Facebook, but wishes she had kept a journal to hold all her memories of the program.
Emma will be a freshman at Samford University in the fall, majoring in exercise science to begin her career as a physical therapist. College applications have been a long process for Emma, but she is ecstatic to begin her college education. Emma will also be a member of the Samford’s Micah Fellows Program, a four year, service oriented honors program based on the words of Micah 6:8. She looks forward to being able to give back to her community over the four years she will spend at college.
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COSLI Alums Testify on Marijuana Bill
By Ge'Swan Swanson
On May 18th, COSLI alumni Riley Cooper (2020), Hagan Archer (2018), Hailey Dennis (2017) and Ge’Swan Swanson (2016), along with like-minded Colorado citizens, testified alongside SMART Colorado for HB21-1317. The bill creates further data collection regarding the effects of marijuana on the human body during medical examination reports, in addition to decreasing the abundance of cannabis advertising directed to underage adolescents who do not use THC products without a medical cause. HB21-1317 left the House Committee on Public and Behavioral Human Services with a unanimous yes vote after their testimony. The bill has continued gaining waves of support from people passionate about working to better regulate marijuana concentrates in Colorado. In fact, the Senate voted unanimously as well, as a whole. For more updates on the bill’s progress, click here, and to become more involved with discovering ways to protect the leaders of tomorrow, check out the SMART Colorado’s One Chance to Grow Up website!
Ge'Swan is serving as an intern for SMART Colorado/One Chance to Grow Up this summer.
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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!
See what your COSLI alumni have been reading!
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Life Entrepreneurs by Christopher Gergen
Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith
Simply Wicca by Lisa and Anton Stewart
The Martian by Andy Weir
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Letter from Alumni
Hi everyone! My name is Sophia Truex, and I am from Crested Butte, Colorado. I am a COSLI alumni from 2018, and I have been the behind-the-scenes editor of the COSLI Newsletter since October, 2019. As I have just graduated High School this year, many wonderful things have come to a close just as new doors have begun to open. I had the privilege of not only attending COSLI, but also participating on the Student Board, leading a book club focusing on racial inequalities, and editing the newsletter.
Since I am now moving on and passing the torch to new COSLI members, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for my COSLI family, and particularly for Celeste Archer. Celeste is a one-of-a-kind person who extends her heart to every kid that goes through COSLI. She has not only guided me the past few years but she also wrote a recommendation that helped me get into my dream college, Tufts University.
The people I have gotten to meet through the camp, the Board, and the newsletter have opened my perspective and changed my life for the better. For that I am eternally thankful. Each month I have read insights of the complex minds of Colorado students through their writing. Through interviews of COSLI alumni, lessons COSLI members have learned, and opinionated editorials I have gotten to see the variety of writing styles, thoughts, and points of view that embody one of the goals of COSLI: to bring people from vast backgrounds together in a space where they can critically think and learn from each other.
It has been an honor to be a part of such an inspirational, diverse, and intellectual group, and while I am moving on from this chapter of my life, I know I will always have my COSLI family. It’s been wonderful, and I’m excited to see what COSLI does in the future!
Peace out!
Sophia
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Opportunities and Events: May 2021
The Indiana University Foundations in Math and Science Summer Courses are online programs through zoom done by the Indiana University College of Arts and Science. The programs give higher education and college preparation to students in math and science. More information here.
Student Sponsors for the Civics Secures Democracy Act: The Civics Secures Democracy Act is a bill introduced into congress to increase students’ education in civics and history. The YMCA is asking for student sponsors around the country to try to pass the bill and support the act. Information on the bill here and sponsorship nomination form here.
Next Generation Stewards is a free multi-day program for Colorado middle and high school students, teachers, and service leaders at the Colorado National Monument and Grand Mesa Country. Participants selected through a competitive application process are offered community service hours and full scholarships for all program costs, including meals, transportation, and lodging. The participants will, of the course of the program, explore significant historic properties, participate in hands-on learning activities, investigate interpretative approaches for National Parks and historic places, study preservation and archaeology, interact with other students and national and state leaders, and so much more. Apply here.
The Youth Summits are a program of Conservation Legacy, a national organization dedicated to supporting locally-based conservation, preservation and educational service programs that empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities, and the environment. The Youth Summits provide a diverse group of students with interactive, outcome-driven experiences to engage them in cultural heritage, archaeology, heritage tourism, and historic preservation at historic places of national importance. The target audience is middle and high school students, educators, and service leaders. Apply here.
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Nepal's Economy is at Risk: How Tourism, Hydropower, and India Can Help
By Sanyukta Lamsal
In 1950, economic relations between India and Nepal began as the countries signed treaties to signify friendship, trade, and commerce. National treatment that granted the right to buy property, be employed, or participate in any economic prospects was established between the two countries’ citizens in order to promote a strong relationship. The India-Nepal economic relationship was established in order to encourage sustainable economic development for both countries.
In 2006, a comprehensive peace agreement was signed between the government of Nepal and the Mao-ist Communist Party of Nepal to call for political, economic, and social change. A new Constitution was created in 2015, which succeeded in making a federal structure. Towards the end of 2017, several elections were held at the federal, state, and local levels. There is a greater sense of optimism for sustainable economic growth. The new federal structure, along with the current administration elected in 2018, presents unprecedented opportunities for Nepal in terms of development.
Despite this, roughly a third of Nepal’s population lived close to the poverty line prior to the pandemic. According to the Nepal Development Update’s estimate, 31.2% of the population are at high risk of falling into extreme poverty due to the pandemic. This is especially true for individuals who work in non-agricultural sectors. Additionally, the nation-wide lockdown from March to July 2020 damaged economic activity for the last four months of fiscal year 2020. Several important drivers of economic growth, such as wholesale and retail trade, tourism, transport, and associated services, were especially impacted. This economic slowdown stayed for the first half of fiscal year 2021 between mid-July 2020 and mid-January 2021.
Economic growth is projected to recover by fiscal year 2023 with the rollout of vaccines and continuation of international tourism. In order to reach sustainable economic growth and to lift individuals out of poverty with jobs, especially post-pandemic, Nepal must exploit its own economic opportunities by establishing stronger foreign relations with India, developing tourism infrastructure, and advancing hydropower.
As the world emerges from the COVID pandemic, Nepal needs to focus on its potential as a tourist destination and India needs to support these efforts. The importance of tourism in Nepal’s economy has been declining over the past 10 years. Indian tourists were attracted to Nepal due to the shopping and cultural tourism: enjoying the country and accessing lower-priced foreign goods. However, through the increased imports of Indian goods to Nepal, the major attraction of Nepal’s culture was removed for Indian tourists. Nepal was too similar to India for Indian tourists, which decreased their visits. Casinos were especially popular for Indian tourists; however, since the Indian government removed the ban on casinos, Goa (a state of India) raised the standards for this industry, leading to competition with Nepal. Nepal has been unable to improve their own casinos to be at the same level as the ones in Goa, which has diminished that aspect of Nepal’s economy as well. However, religious tourism has stayed consistent. A significant number of Indian tourists visit Nepal regularly for religious purposes. If there was development of the roads that are taken to get to the parts of the country that attract these tourists, there could be a considerable increase in the number of tourists coming into Nepal from India. Facilitating better roads and connectivity would increase tourist movement. Nepal’s natural beauty, with famous mountain ranges, temperate climates, ancient art sites, and natural sources, have not been exploited to Nepal’s economic benefit.
Due to the geographical proximity, Indian tourists are likely to travel to Nepal because it is inexpensive. Through further upgrading existing tourism infrastructure and possibly making new infrastructure, Nepal could create an image as a tourist destination. Additionally, Nepal has a large amount of ancient art and heritage monuments, which are able to increase tourism. Proper restoration and preservation investments could change the momentum of the finances received from tourists. The Indian government could continue the restoration projects that have already been put into motion, such as that of the Sri Krishna Mandir in Patan, along with the preservation of the murals in Bhaktapur and other sites in Lalitpur. Hindu and Buddhist religious sites in Nepal are abundant, which is attractive to members of those religions.
Given the unique opportunity that the new 2018 government provides, the top priority needs to be to evaluate how to maximize the hydropower capacity of the county: a benefit for both India and Nepal. Nepal has large potential for hydropower, with 83,000 MW that remain untapped (only 617.4 MW have been used). In fact, there is a power deficit; only a third of the country has access to electricity. In order to battle this problem, Nepal imports power from India. Additionally, Nepal has the highest cost of power in South Asia, with each kWh of electricity costing 9 cents. Through the development of hydropower, the cost of electricity will decrease, allowing accessibility to it for much more of the nation. India and Nepal have started several initiatives for hydropower but have not made much progress because of their inability to make legislative agreements. Some private initiatives exist, but they do not have sufficient investment, which has made it hard to start hydropower development. Despite the abundance of resources, there is no agency within Nepal which is responsible for implementing hydropower electricity. Nepal lacks clear policy on how land would factor into hydropower or on what requirements certain public and private institutions would have to meet in order to progress this economic prospect. If Nepal is able to develop consistent hydropower policy while also supporting private projects that are interested in hydropower, the country will be able to reach its full potential in this field. Developed hydropower would eliminate Nepal’s need to import power from India, and would actually let Nepal export it, allowing for improved economic relations between Nepal and India. It should be a priority for the two countries to come up with comprehensive legislation and plans in order to develop this sector. The development would help lower power costs in Nepal and, in order to establish good connectivity, bring an increase in employment. This is essential to lifting impoverished individuals into financial security.
Nepal is currently in its second wave of COVID-19, reporting about 20 daily cases per 100,000 people, which is about the same number as India two weeks ago. In the beginning of May, 44% of Nepal’s COVID tests came back positive. The rapid spread of the virus is worrying, as the coming outbreak could be as devastating as India’s recent resurgence. These challenges have made the development of the country more difficult, but the opportunity the new government provides should not be forgotten in the chaos. Through the propositions listed above, Nepal could sustainably develop its own economy with the aid of India.
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