Ashlee's Story of Family Legacy, Love, and a Future in Pediatric Nursing
"It's pushed me to try and do something better for myself and for my family." — Ashlee, DSST: Cedar High School Senior
Seven Years in the Making
When Ashlee first walked through the doors of DSST: Cedar Middle School as a sixth grader, she couldn't have imagined the full journey that awaited her. Seven years later, she's stepping across the finish line as a high school senior — accepted into Regis University, where she'll pursue her dream of becoming a pediatric nurse.
But this story isn't just about one student. It's about a family building something bigger than themselves — one Cedar graduation at a time.
A Legacy Written in Two Chapters
Ashlee's older sister, Ashanty Adrover, walked these same hallways. She sat in the same classrooms, navigated the same college application process, and crossed the same graduation stage to receive a DSST: Cedar diploma. Today, she's preparing to begin her studies at the University of Northern Colorado this fall after participating in Cross Purpose. She is a first-generation college student charting a path that didn't exist in her family before her.
Watching her sister do it first changed everything for Ashlee.
"It influenced me to see if I can make my parents proud," Ashlee shared. "I really wanted to make them happy — and I wanted to also make myself happy with what I choose for my future."
This is what multi-generational change looks like in action.
The Road to Regis: Stress, Growth, and Self-Discovery
Ashlee will be the first to tell you — applying to college wasn't easy.
"The process has been kind of stressful because I always have that mindset, like, ‘what if I get in?, or what if I don't?’," she said. "But it's also been fun because I get to know more about the school and see what else there is to study."
Ashley was accepted into:
-
Regis University ✅ (Announcing at Senior Signing Day!)
-
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
-
University of Denver
-
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
-
Metropolitan State University of Denver
-
University of Northern Colorado
-
Colorado State University Pueblo
-
University of Colorado Boulder
-
University of Colorado Denver/ Anschutz Medical Campus
Through it all, DSST's college counseling team was in her corner. They helped her navigate financial aid, explore her options, and stay grounded in her goals.
"The college counselors — they've been really helpful. They've helped push me into a direction that's helped a lot when it comes to finances and everything.."
Finding Her Calling
Ashlee's path to pediatric nursing wasn't a straight line and that's what makes it so real.
She considered immigration law, inspired by family experiences. She thought about teaching. But at the heart of every option was one consistent thread: she loves working with kids.
That love became crystal clear through her participation in Balarat — a program where seniors serve as mentors and guides for younger students on outdoor learning experiences. Working with 9- and 10-year-olds, juggling the joyful chaos of field activities while keeping up with her own coursework, Ashlee found her footing.
"It's been stressful, but it's also been really fun to do," she said with a laugh.
Her Balarat experience even became the centerpiece of her senior project; a photo display documenting the transitions and activities she shared with the kids she mentored. It's a fitting tribute to a young woman who leads by showing up, heart first.
Regis University, known for its strong nursing program, will be the next place Ashlee shows up ready to become the pediatric nurse her family and community deserve.
