“I failed my first test ever, my trigonometry test, and I asked myself, ‘How am I going to come back from this?’” 

Sara Venegas, a senior at Early College Academy (ECA) who was a finalist for the prestigious Boettcher Foundation Scholarship, reflects for a moment and leans forward in her chair, "One little misstep doesn't define you. I don't always have to be the perfectionist. I can push forward and still do well."

The high school senior will be the first in her family to attend college after high school. While Sara's family did not have the first-hand knowledge to eventually guide her through the higher education system, they deliberately cultivated a supportive home environment and community that inspired her to pursue her academic goals. This emphasis on community became an integral part of Sara's value system, pushing her to excellence and molding her into the scholar she is. 

As an elementary student at Bella Romero K-8 Academy, Sara became involved in Student Council where she frequently served meals at a homeless shelter. After school, she also participated in three sports. Transitioning to Early College Academy, Sara was the only female student from her Bella Romero grade to take on the demanding challenge of earning both a high school diploma and an Associate's degree. Though it was nerve wracking, Sara found a new community in the Greeley Dream Team, National Honor Society, ECA Student Council, and the D6 Student Council of Representatives, where she represented student voices at official school board meetings. 

When asked what advice she would give younger students, Sara said, "Find community. Being first generation, I've always strived to be higher, but sometimes, I feel like I don't have a lot to offer. What has helped me not be doubtful is knowing that my community believes in me," Sara beams. 

Sara plans to continue giving back to her community after attending medical school at the University of Colorado Boulder. She dreams of becoming a gynecologist who can effectively relate to and treat her female and Spanish-speaking patients. Attending Early College Academy has given her a two-year head start for that dream. 

"I knew I wanted that Associate's degree, I knew I wanted those college classes, I knew I wanted to save money. For me, it was absolutely worth coming to ECA because I knew what I wanted."