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 Alumni Leader Profile: Omolayo Dada

High School: Overland High School

College Summit Workshop: University of Denver, 2008

Volunteer with College Summit : Alumni Leader, Regis University , 2010

University Attending: Norfolk State University

Major: Biology and Pre-Med

Lessons Learned: There's a lot of freedom and you have to learn to manage you time well, balancing both school with the social life. If you play athletics it is more difficult but not impossible [to balance both].

Scholarships: I have scholarship through Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation and an Honors Scholarship.

College Activities: Volleyball, Gospel Choir, Spartan Calvary, Honors Society

Engagement with College Summit:  I loved meeting other peers at the College Summit workshop. The workshop was fun and organized and I learned a lot about the college experience. I learned about different types of financial aid, how to be a leader, and how to be a step ahead of the game. The college essay that I wrote at College Summit helped a lot. I used it to apply for scholarships.

Why do you volunteer with College Summit? I want to give back to other students. College Summit was a great opportunity to get ready for college. I had to do everything [application process] on my own. My parents weren’t born here, so it was important for me to stay on top of it and help others. As an Alumni Leader, I help facilitate sessions at the workshop and let them know about all areas of college- academic, athletic and social; it is fun. I know that I was in their [students] position and I enjoy working with other College Summit staff members.

Advice to Other Students: Keep working hard. Success is in arms reach. However hard you work is the result you are going to get. If you work hard, you will get an awesome result. If you do mediocre work, you don’t get to stand out.

Alumni Leader Profile: Vanessa Quintana

 

High School: Colorado High School Charter

College Summit Workshop: University of Denver, 2008

College Summit Volunteer: Alumni Leader, Regis University, 2010

University Attending: Hastings College

Majors: Peace, Justice and Social Change along with Communication Studies

Lessons Learned in College: College has taught me to be accountable for my words and actions because what I do now will reflect my future.

Scholarships: I have a full-ride scholarship to Hastings College.  I am a Daniels Scholar and received the Rising Star Scholarship through Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

College Activities: Multicultural Student Union, Forensics, Alpha Delta Alpha, Uprising, and Cultural Awareness Events

Engagement with College Summit:  I really enjoyed my workshop experience.  The Rap Directors were inspiring and helped me overcome challenges. The session on obstacles motivated me to persevere through any adversity or setback. I witnessed many of my friends quit school after Manual High School closed. I had no desire to follow their footsteps because of my family as well as my neighborhood. I have two beautiful nieces that look up to me as a role model. I aspire to break the inherent hood cycle by becoming the first person to be successful from East Denver. College Summit has assisted me greatly with this. During the course of my workshop, I obtained leadership skills, completed a well-written personal statement, received knowledge on financial aid and got plenty motivation and support that has helped me to complete my senior year with many accomplishments.

Why do you volunteer?  It is my passion to help others and inspire people. It is important to give back to the youth and the community, especially in urban neighborhoods. There are countless problems and additional obstacles within inner cities that people encounter. I understand the struggles of those who reside in these neighborhoods, thus I want to inspire and empower my people. I aspire to establish self-improvement centers for the youth, low-income families and the homeless. I want to provide opportunities as well as support for others at these centers. These centers will provide assistance professionally (employment readiness skills and opportunities), personally (counseling and provide a food and resource bank) and recreationally (provide a gym as well as classes that appeal to the people’s interests: cooking, dance classes and sports). The youth will have additional support in school with scholarships, internships, tutoring and will be given opportunities to go on field trips, be involved in a mentorship, support with emancipation, given a hip-hop studio, and offered other various programs and recreational activities.

Advice to Other Students:  Be the best person you can be. Always believe in yourself. No matter the obstacle or task, know that you have the strength and will to overcome and accomplish anything. Be prepared to work hard for anything you desire in life. With commitment and dedication, anything is possible. Knowledge is power.

A few inspiring quotes:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we our powerful beyond measure.” ~Nelson Mandela
“You only know your limits by going beyond them.” ~Unknown
“Challenges can be stepping stones or stumbling blocks.  It’s all on your perspective.” ~Unknown