In our schools, legacies are born.
“Students leaving their mark, brushstroke by brushstroke."
And as they step into the world, it's the school's legacy that guides them forward. A legacy isn't just about what we leave behind, but how it shapes those who come after us.
Centennial High School: Akaysha Cox | Mikey Hatch
Poudre Community Academy: Joslyn Schaeffer | Armando Granados-Porter
Fossil Ridge High School: Tyson Danford | Melissa Wong
Rocky Mountain High School: Sophie Bruno | Kyrstin Askew
Sophie Bruno
At Rocky Mountain High School, senior Sophie Bruno doesn't just capture footage; she's cultivating a community where everyone has purpose and belonging. Learn how Bruno leaves a legacy in Rocky's video room and how her school has given her meaningful life lessons.
Kyrstin Askew graduated from Rocky Mountain High School in January, but her impact at school lives on
Reframing her own struggles and negative experiences into a positive impact inspired Kyrstin Askew to talk to her classmates about eating disorders and start an Eating Disorder Alliance. She still visits Rocky Mountain High School weekly for club meetings while also taking classes at Front Range Community College, where she enjoys the flexibility of taking classes in art, psychology, and American Sign Language.
What was your high school experience like?
I was on the dance team for two years, which was a really good experience. I got to go to all the games and be part of the spirit leaders. Just getting to see how riled up Rocky students get about their school, it's empowering. I took a lot of art classes. I took AP Art and won a Gold Key Scholastic Portfolio Award for one of the pieces I did in class, which was really exciting.
How have you made an impact at your school?
Last year, I started giving a short, informational presentation about eating disorders to various classes in the school. I wanted to bring it into the community more and make it a bigger operation, so I started the Eating Disorder Alliance (EDA), a support group for people who struggle with food. That's been really, really meaningful to me. I feel like I've created a safe space for people to just talk about the issues that they have and seek support.
I’m hopefully encouraging people to have a more open mind about things that they don't understand, specifically psychiatric illnesses like eating disorders. All of that stigma stems from a place of not understanding. I hope that with the things that I've done for Rocky, and at Rocky, I am educating people and making it a bigger conversation.
What impact would you say Rocky has had on you?
The staff has had the most positive impact on me. I've made a lot of accomplishments in the past couple of years, and I really owe it all to Duke (teacher Jay Dukart) and the teachers and staff members that supported me and encouraged me to keep going with my goals.
I think that negative interactions at Rocky have also impacted me positively. Because just getting to experience firsthand what it's like to be bullied for an eating disorder, and for your body, and seeing how other people are treated really made me realize that none of these people truly have malicious intent. They just don't get it. That revelation, and those interactions with my peers really is what encouraged me to start educating people about eating disorders and talking about that kind of thing.
Another thing that's impacted me massively is the opportunity to go to a high school that has the best art department ever, in my opinion. None of the things that I've learned how to do with my art, and none of the things that I have accomplished would have happened if Rocky didn't have this amazing art program that allows students to have full creative freedom and really push themselves to grow.
How are you taking what you’ve learned from Rocky and your other experiences into whatever is next for you?
The kindness and community that I got to experience at Rocky is something that I'll carry with me forever. Just the ability to go into the library and go up to somebody and start talking. That welcomeness built my confidence, and it allowed me to put myself out there and talk to new people, and that's something that I'll carry with me.
What are you doing at Front Range Community College now that you have graduated, and what has postsecondary education been like so far?
I started at FRCC three weeks after I graduated high school in January. It's a rocky start, I'm not going lie – going into college right out of high school is tough. Everything gets really hard, really quick, but there's just something about college that's so freeing. Everybody who's there is there because they want to be, and they're interested in what they're doing and what they're learning about. That's been especially true for all of my art classes. All of the people that I go to those classes with have completely different styles, different skill levels, and I can learn and be inspired by everyone around me the same way I was in my AP art class.
What’s next for you?
I'm doing a TED Talk on May 1, and that's huge. The fact that I was able to have the opportunity to give those presentations for classes at Rocky is what got the attention of TEDx, and that's the reason that I have the incredible privilege of being able to give an actual TED Talk about my story.
I have gotten a lot of support from my teachers regarding my TED Talk. I have my public speaking teacher who's been helping me rehearse it and my English teacher who's been helping me revise it. The staff at FRCC is similar to at Rocky in just how supportive they are of their students.
I really hope that Rocky students go to (TEDxMountain Ave) because it's free for PSD students. That would be a big way, in my opinion, for me to leave a legacy here.
Tyson Danford
Being a Chick-fil-A restaurant manager while graduating high school wasn't easy, but Tyson Danford has supportive teachers and counselors at Fossil Ridge High School leading him to success.
See how Danford leaves his legacy by showing others they can do anything by working hard and asking for help.
Fossil Ridge High School senior Melissa Wong bridges STEM, liberal arts and community impact
Melissa Wong sees the value of community wherever she goes. From Fort Collins to Shanghai, to California, and back, she has learned many valuable lessons.
Active in academics at Fossil Ridge High School and the community as a volunteer, Wong is leaving a legacy by looking through the lenses of anthropology, biology, linguistics, history, and more to analyze the world and remind us that community matters.
What has your high school experience been like so far?
I'm mostly involved in academics. You can usually find me running Honor Society events or in AP classes. I also run (my school's chapter of the) National Social Studies Honor Society, Rho Kappa, and I'm a participant in Science Olympiad.
In those activities, I find myself taking up a lot of leadership roles through organizing activities to increase student engagement and, overall, giving other people the chance to experience what I did at school.
Outside of school, I'm a part of a lot of community organizations. I always try to find time to help people, to engage my community, or just learn something new. For example, one of my main commitments is tutoring Ukrainian students in English through ENGin. Through this program, I've made tons of new friends and explored my teaching skills. I'm also part of Make-A-Wish Colorado's Youth Leadership Council, co-founded a music program, Youth in Tune, for the Harmony Village Boys & Girls Club, and cater at weddings.
How would you say you are leaving an impact or legacy on your school?
When I was younger, I moved from place to place. I was born in Fort Collins, moved to Shanghai, China, lived in California, and now I'm back here.
I was really scared of living life to its fullest as a child. I was caught up in this transience of life, so I was afraid to join clubs or make friends because I thought they would go away.
From my travels, I've learned that ephemerality isn't something to be afraid of. Now, it's my second time (in Fort Collins), and I have another chance to leave my legacy. I want to be that person who can plant those seeds of growth for what can be.
As someone intrigued by the social studies, anthropology and archaeology especially, I don't find a lot of people to share these passions with. At school, I founded a social studies National Honor Society. Before I came to Fossil, I noticed tons of honors societies for all academic subjects, but social studies was left out. Students like me, who wanted to explore these fields didn't get that avenue through clubs, so I started the National Social Studies Honor Society, Rho Kappa, to encourage that passion for social studies.
How would you say that your school has had an impact on you?
Throughout my life, I've been involved in many different school environments. What I love about Fossil Ridge is that there are so many people to meet. Above everything else, this school has taught me about community.
There are many avenues that have opened up to me at Fossil. For example, at STEM Academy, it was highly encouraged for students to take up internships with local professors. I initially looked into the "sciency" stuff, but that would leave that passion behind for the liberal arts. Anthropology blends my interests in linguistics and how humans interact with each other. I stumbled upon a field called biological anthropology, and from there on, I took up an internship as the first intern for (Colorado State University’s) Anthropology and Geography Department. I cataloged shipments of human bone and primate casts over the summer with graduate students. I learned all about how anatomy intersects with anthropology. That sparked my interest in the social studies.
How did your internship inspire you to start Fossil's chapter of the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society?
I wanted to share this incredible experience I had over the summer at CSU while working in biological anthropology. So, I reached out to my AP Human Geography teacher, Emily Cooper, about starting my Social Studies National Honor Society. Mrs. Cooper has been a pivotal person in helping me achieve my goals and sharing my passion with other students at Fossil Ridge.
What is next for you after graduation?
My future lies in the intersectionality of all things. I love STEM, but I would never leave my passion for liberal arts behind.
I’m committed to (The University of Colorado Boulder) as a double major in Computational Linguistics and Biomedical Engineering, with a pre-med concentration. I’ve lived all over, but it’s time to finally call Colorado home.
The communities I've found in high school taught me that impact matters and people matter. Even when I go off to college, I will still find communities to fit into.
Within those communities, I can make that impact. Whether it's volunteering, becoming a leader, being a self-starter, or something that a community has never seen before.
Anything else you would like to add about your experiences?
Lessons from language: I’m Cantonese, and I speak Cantonese at home. I speak Mandarin. English and French too. I've dabbled in Latin and Spanish. Morse Code, if that counts as well. All these languages are distinct in their grammatical patterns and syntax, but they all come together under an umbrella of linguistics and how people communicate. That communication is an analogy for how there's common ground between everybody.
I grew up in an environment where there were so many cultures, different socioeconomic classes, and varying interests. This variety of people has taught me to treasure diversity in this world. I'm able to look beyond the superficial differences of race, socioeconomic status, and all sorts of things, to see that beyond that, everybody’s human and can use a little bit of your love.
Akaysha Cox
Senior Akaysha Cox has a deep connection to Centennial High School. From attending her mother’s alma mater to forging a legacy of her own, Cox has found a community where she thrives and finds the drive to conquer each day.
Centennial High School senior Mikey Hatch hopes his optimism and gratitude rubs off on others.
Mikey Hatch brings a smile and a positive attitude, with the goal of having fun, in all that he does. The Centennial High School senior hopes his outlook impacts his peers who he encourages to appreciate others and their own opportunities the way he does.
After not being in school for a while, Hatch arrived at Centennial determined to do well. He immediately embraced the school’s culture and has thrived with the connections he’s made with teachers and classmates.
Following graduation, he plans to continue working for the City of Fort Collins as a parks grounds worker and eventually would like to go to college. One thing’s for sure, whether it’s in school or his job, he looks forward to making the most of experiences and opportunities to come.
What has your high school experience been like?
I was homeschooled and there was a year where I wasn't doing anything. I just eventually kind of gave up. Then my boss was like you should try Centennial, I know a teacher there. And my supervisor came to Centennial as well. I was beyond ready at that point to come back to school. And I came here, and I devoted myself to it.
When you're not in school for a while, and then you go back, you appreciate it. It's weird. But you know, I like the work and the projects. There are a lot of opportunities to have fun like today I got to stand up in front of class and read my poem and everyone loved it. They laughed at it. That felt good.
What impact and legacy do you think you’re leaving at Centennial?
I try my best to kind of encourage my peers to look at school the same way I look at it - with having fun, you know, taking everything as it comes and not just seeing it as just work and drudging along. Rather seeing it as an opportunity to express yourself and have fun. I'm always trying to encourage other people. I want to show appreciation for people. I want more people to look at the school the way I see it.
How has your school had an impact on you?
The teachers love to build personal connections with their students. That’s a big help - to encourage people to even show up in the first place and do their best. I feel like without the encouragement and the friendliness I get from these teachers, I wouldn't be where I am and doing as well as I am.
When we thought Centennial was going to be closed, which might still happen, the teachers were looking out for me. I wasn't showing any signs of being distressed about it, except I was, and I felt like I could have used some sort of comfort. And Tom (a teacher) saw me walking past while he’s talking with fellow teachers. Even though I looked normal, and I was just stomaching it and was going about my business, he pulled me aside and gave me a hug, like he could somehow tell that it was on my mind.
How did you know that Centennial was the school for you?
The first thing that drew me in was the ‘no school on Mondays’ because then I could work on Mondays. But it was mostly my boss and my supervisor - both have so many great things to say about this school. They could tell that I am an alternative kind of kid and that I would probably do better here, and I took their word for it. Eventually it became more than just their word and the ‘no school on Mondays.’ It became this nice community. I enjoy it.
How are you taking what you've learned, and the impact you've had here, the impact that Centennial has had on you, into whatever's next for you?
Eventually I learned to get along with my peers because I couldn't at first. I was completely socially crippled. Now I can handle telling jokes, spending time with people, encouraging people and being encouraged by them. I genuinely enjoy being around my fellow students and being personable and that's a valuable skill to carry on into your life.
Can you tell me a little more about your job?
I love my job. It’s a big part of my life. I’m a city employee who is a parks grounds worker. It’s turf care and services like the bathrooms, cleaning, and repairing things that are broken down. Occasionally I work on irrigation or on ball fields. It's a really nice job. There are so many little aspects of it like vehicle maintenance, equipment maintenance, keeping the shop organized. It’s a job that seems simple but there are a lot of layers to it.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m going to stay in parks for a little while after high school. I want to go to college but I'm not going to college until I know what I'm going to college for.
Things I have thought about for college - maybe someday I'll become something akin to a museum curator. I am interested in that. Or a content designer in some form. I’ve been told a lot that I’m great in graphic design or my notebooks are nice and organized. But like I said, I'm going to stay at work for a while until I know.
Joslyn Schaeffer
As the first to participate in almost all of Poudre Community Academy's sports, athletics has shaped Joslyn Schaeffer into who she is and has made her feel more connected to the school.
See how Schaeffer leaves her legacy in the gym as one of this year's Grads at a Glance students.
Shooting for success: Armando Granados-Porter grows into a leader at Poudre Community Academy
After a rough start freshman year, Armando Granados-Porter chose to attend Poudre Community Academy. Being in and out of school due to the pandemic created big ups and downs in his high school career, but he met senior year with unwavering focus and is determined to make it to graduation.
By trying a new school and a new sport, he has grown as a leader on the PCA basketball team and an excellent student who helps others find success. As graduation nears, Granados-Porter is leaving behind a legacy of leadership in his sport and school.
What has your high school experience been like?
I’d say COVID was rough in the beginning. I went to [Fort Collins High School] before I came here, and I didn't really know a lot of people. It was too big of a school, and I wanted to try something new. At PCA, it immediately clicked. I met so many people that I connected with. The teachers help us a lot here. They’re all here for us.
Football has been my number one sport. I played it in middle school, but we haven’t been able to play here because it’s too small of a school. So, I tried something new by playing basketball. I never knew the basics of it. I always double-dribbled or couldn’t shoot the ball, couldn’t make it in the hoop. But now, I got the hang of it, and I’m way better.
What impact and legacy do you think you’re leaving on PCA?
That's a hard question. I've been playing basketball for three years now since I came here. As a team, we were not prepared when we started. I built up the courage to lead the team in my own way and help others become more focused in the sport.
My first year playing basketball, we didn’t win a lot of games. Every time we lost, it was just, “Oh we don't want to play anymore. We’re not having fun.” That was until we had one game where we beat them by, I believe, one point. Just one point. We went crazy about it. We won finally, and that just felt good.
Basketball has been that motivation, especially towards graduation because it helps keep my grades up and keeps me on the right path.
At the beginning of the year, I got cut from the basketball team because my grades were very poor. I wasn't keeping up with them and missed a lot of school. I thought it was a joke until I got cut from the team. I didn't start taking this seriously until my teammates started saying things like, “We need you to step up and be able to play in these games, so we have a chance at winning.” That's when I started focusing on my grades, and ever since, I just never looked back. I stepped up to become a leader.
How has your school had an impact on you?
It’s the connection we have. Not a lot of people think it’s a good school, but it really is. It's a great school in general and a great community.
When I first came here, I realized how small it was. I was expecting it to be much bigger and have a lot more students. That stood out, and I realized I liked it like that.
The teachers and the staff here do everything in their power to make sure you pass your classes and graduate. They really do love their students.
How will you take what you've learned at PCA into whatever is next for you?
I'll definitely use my leadership skills. I like to keep the kids in check. Whichever ones don't listen, I like to step up and make sure they're being respectful and listening to the teachers.
As for the rest, I don’t know about that yet. My grandpa has a landscaping business, and he’s about to retire, so he wants me to take over, but I want to go to college too.
I’m planning on trying Front Range Community College first, and if it doesn’t go well, I’ll try somewhere else. Right now, I'm taking a college algebra class so I can get college credit, and that will help me a lot.