2022 iInspire Awards Presentation and Nominations

Melany Enriquez-Sanchez has overcome adversity and inspired others to do the same by transitioning to a new country, while exemplifying true resiliency and kindness. At just 8 years old, Melany and her family came to the United States from Mexico to escape turmoil and to seek more opportunity. She’s dealt with discrimination and once considered quitting school. Despite those obstacles, she maintains a caring heart and is thriving in school. Now an 8th grader, she is in extra circular activities, plays basketball and is involved in peer-mediation at school. She has been recognized by teachers and was selected to speak with the Colorado National Guard.

Zoe Jackson has overcome adversity and inspired others to do the same by overcoming several life-altering events such as her personal diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and Scoliosis, keeping herself and her siblings safe from a home where drug addiction and an unsafe lifestyle were present. She bravely sought help from her stepmother and father to get herself and her siblings in a safe home. She suffered from depression, anxiety and PTSD and courageously accepted her father’s efforts to get her into therapy. Zoe is a senior in high school, attends PPCC in the Nurse’s Aide Health Program, maintains a 3.49 GPA and will graduate in May 2022.

Jadyn Leffler has overcome adversity and inspired others to do the same by overcoming addiction and persevering through trauma. Jadyn grew up in a home where there was substance abuse, conflict amongst family members and an absent father. She began using substances to self-medicate and eventually entered the juvenile justice system. After losing a friend and an overdose herself, Jadyn made the changes she needed to get sober. She now has a job, a vehicle, is married and is working on becoming a certified addiction counselor.

Zariea Patrick has overcome adversity and inspired others to do the same when she conquered a serious lung infection at a young age, she had surgery to remove a mass on her thyroid before starting middle school, she mourned the loss of a brother, a sister and a grandfather in recent years and during the pandemic online schooling, she felt the effects of lack of activity and childhood obesity. She now attends middle school where she is a multiple sport athlete, in Elevated Academy, Peak Education, Avid, National Honor Society and on Gold Honor Roll, Miss Juneteenth and featured in My Black Colorado Youth Trailblazers Magazine. She is strong and determined to succeed and always encourages her peers and teammates to do their best.

Dayne Solano has overcome adversity and inspired others to do the same by putting others first, stepping up as leader and excelling in all he does. Dayne has faced great loss from growing up absent his father to grieving the deaths of his aunt, cousin and two close friends in just a short time. Dayne used these experiences to work harder, get healthier and give back. He is a champion of his peers. He constantly encourages fellow youth to engage in school and sports. He  is a multisport athlete, volunteers with Hillside Connection, serves on the Panorama Park Youth Advisory Council and is in student government.

Mike Spar has overcome adversity and inspired others to do the same by persevering from a traumatic and unpredictable childhood. At the age of ten, he was sent to live with a relative he had never met, and then sent to live with his mother in Belgium, a foreign country with a language he didn’t understand. Mike was later sent to live with his father in France where he finally had stability. In 2019, his father was murdered by his mother. Following this tragedy, he came to the United States to live with his sister. Mike has excelled in school and life. He has a 3.8 GPA, works two part time jobs, volunteers, and is an advocate for mental health care. He’s been accepted to CU- Boulder and plans to become a doctor in his father’s memory.

Vincent Terry has overcome adversity and inspired others to do the same by persevering from the tragic loss of his baby brother, subsequent absence by his father and later his mother’s cancer diagnosis and almost four-month absence due to a bone marrow transplant. He is a rock for his family and example for his younger siblings. He was sidelined from his basketball team for a medical condition. He’s fought sadness and anger, while still thriving. He is a senior in high school and will graduate in May 2022. He is enrolled in a school to career program and works in the school’s office and kitchen. He attends and volunteers at a local church. He will attend PPCC in the fall while he awaits enlistment in the US Air Force.

Alycia Jensen (Teller County) has overcome adversity and has turned it into strength. She has been participating in the Communities that Care process to be a youth voice to create positive change within her community for young people in Teller County.

Izzy Frizalone was abandoned by parents in May of 2015. Izzy is excelling in school, friendships, and acclimating to family life with an adoptive family after living in group homes and residential facilities. Izzy will graduate this spring, is a volunteer at Camp Shady Brook and is involved with the choir. Izzy is a leader and exemplifies what it means to overcome the hardship endured during childhood.

Joey Littleton recently emancipated from the custody of the Department of Human Services where he spent many years as a result of abuse by his adoptive parents. Joey has inspired others by following his dreams of being a filmmaker and releasing his very first film. The film, “Musical Chairs,” depicts his time in foster care. He hopes to inspire young people in foster care to “take back the pen” and become authors of their own stories. You can view the film at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvfF6pCZga4

Diego Caraveo Hernandez lives in Colorado Springs with his grandparents. His parents live in Mexico, and he had not seen them for four years until he visited them at Christmas.  He is a role model in the classroom, he works hard at all subjects and translates for Spanish speaking peers. When this eighth grader was asked why he has such a good work ethic, he replied “to make my parents proud.” Diego is an inspiration.

Davon Brown has known food insecurity, neglect, and abandonment. Before being put out on the streets, he had been left for ten days to care for five siblings, including a two-week-old. Davon is completing his fifth year of high school, has completed the FAFSA and has been accepted to college. Davon is extremely special. His path could have been very different without his determination and his joy of life that invites people to be his friend.

Jamar Gonzalez has been in foster care and is now living with his grandmother. He has not had an easy road, yet he continues to choose to take the higher path and inspire others to do the same. He does not let setbacks become excuses for permanently getting of the path he wished to be on.