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Daniels Fund surprises students with scholarships

Daniels Fund surprised 15 Denver metro area students in person with scholarships Thursday afternoon. Among those students was DSST: Montview senior, Kidus Legesse. He had a 6.3% chance of getting into Cornell University. Despite the odds, he's going to be attending on a full ride this fall.

DSST: College View getting new home soccer field in huge win for community

DSST: College View has been trying to get a home soccer field since 2013, and after years of work and advocating for the campus, it was approved by Denver voters and a new field is officially in the works.

The nearly $2.1 million project is being paid for by bond funding approved by the voters, and the school is hoping it will be completed by the beginning of next year, according to Curt Slaughter, athletic director for CV HS.

According to legal documents, the funds will cover infrastructure and turf for a new soccer field on the newly acquired land located across the street from the school.

College View was one of the only middle and high schools in the district without dedicated playing fields, so this is a major win not only for the players, but for the community.

“The most exciting part for me in getting a new field is having more people at our games,” said Hector Contreras, DSST: College View junior. “I think the boys soccer team is the best and most successful program at the school and it’s about time we get this.”

Coach Jacob Quattrini said he has seen envy in his players when they go to games at other schools with quality facilities, so having a new field that players and community members can call home is an exciting opportunity.

“Having access to better facilities right next to the school will give access to so many more players who may have been deterred before,” Quattrini said. “Even students who do not formally participate in sports will now be able to play on the field during gym class or on the weekends.”

The boys high school soccer team has been among the top-ranked in the state, even without a home field. They just came off the most successful season ever after being ranked No.1 in the state and have remained successful even after taking a tough loss in penalty shots in the second round of the state playoffs, Slaughter said. The girls soccer team has also shown much success. According to Slaughter, they made the playoffs two years ago for the first time, taking second in their league.

“This field represents all of the hard work and commitment that every single one of our students have put in over the past seven years,” said Slaughter. “Soccer is such a huge part of the Southwest community and to have not just a field, but a high quality playing environment will continue to build pride in not just our athletic community, but our entire school community.”

DSST Mentor Teacher applications are now open

A post by Joah Chun:

How the Colorado Youth Congress is empowering high school students to fight for racial justice

The power of getting together, even through a Zoom, is a power Sam Battan wanted to unleash when he created Colorado Youth Congress in 2017. Battan recruits 40 students from high schools around the state for an after-school leadership program students and staff refer to as "CYC." Sammy Kidane is a senior at DSST: Byers Campus. He said that CYC has taught him how to be an organizer and how to connect with others on issues racial justice.

Chemist Fights Tuberculosis, Aids Future Scientists With Grant

John Latham, an associate professor in the University of Denver’s College of Natural Science and Mathematics, is hoping his research can slow this deadly disease. With the money from the CAREER grant, Latham can sponsor a collaboration with Denver’s DSST Public Schools, which focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

What to know about the DISCOVER DSST Fireside chat with Bill Kurtz and Dr. Aaron Griffen

Do you know someone who is interested in joining the DSST team?

DSST: GVR alum speaks with Pope Francis during virtual meeting

A DSST: GVR graduate and Regis University freshman was part of an intimate discussion with Pope Francis Thursday. Keiry Sosa was one of 16 college students from North, Central and South America and the Caribbean selected to participate in the virtual meeting as part of Loyola University Chicago's Building Bridges synodal encounter.

What to know about the Black Excellence Resolution & DSST Public Schools

What is the Black Excellence Resolution (BER)? 

Introducing the founding school director of AST High School, Kryszelda Mendoza

What you need to know about the staffing compensation updates

As a people first organization, we are deeply committed to valuing you as much as we possibly can. Compensation is one way we value you, and an important one as many of you have shared this fall. As a result, we are going to make our largest investment EVER in DSST history in teacher and staff compensation for the 2022-23 school year.