Sara Hagos (she/her)
Sara Hagos graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Ethnic Studies, along with certificates in Public Health and Peace, Conflict, and Security. While at CU Boulder, she led a four-year civic engagement project aimed at destigmatizing mental health issues within African communities on campus and in nearby areas. As a first-generation student, Sara relied on the support of her community to navigate the complexities of higher education, and she is passionate about helping others overcome similar challenges. Following graduation, Sara was awarded the Scoville Peace Fellowship and worked at Search for Common Ground in Washington, D.C. In this role, she focused on policy research, writing, and fostering partnerships within the global peacebuilding and conflict resolution sector. Becoming a Youth Advocate will allow her to engage in meaningful work within her community. In her free time, Sara enjoys reading, attending concerts, and traveling to new places.

 

Aariyah Johnson, she/they/ them
Aariyah is a 22-year-old community Activist and Youth philanthropist. Since graduating high school in  2021, she has engaged in public health and equity roles. She has pursued additional certifications, such as a Google Data Analytics Certification and an Overdose Prevention Certification. Currently, Aariyah is the Youth Voice Specialist with Youth Roots on The YouthScan project while an EYE For Prevention youth leader for Denver health, holding additional roles in public health and nonprofit work. She enjoys working in spaces centered around healing,expression, and equal opportunities in the workplace; she has recently spoken at the 2024  Colorado Department of Education conference and the 2024 Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) conference. She continues to seek out more opportunities in public speaking and continuing her journey as an “expert facilitator,” as she calls it. Aariyah intentionally integrates art into her day-to-day life. Grounding in the belief that art is healing, she finds peace in writing poetry and painting. 

 

Julianna Serena, she/her/hers

Julianna is a Political Science and Psychology student with a Spanish minor at Colorado State University-Pueblo. She is a Colorado native, born and raised in Pueblo. Jules is passionate about serving her community, sitting on various boards such as the TNAC committee, Bilingual Outreach, and District 60 Mental Health Matters. In her free time, she enjoys dancing ballet folklorico with her university, going to yoga (currently working on getting her certification), being outdoors, and baking new recipes! She is dedicated to prioritizing equal rights and opportunities for women, speaking out about the importance of DEI policies, and advocating for mental health in youth and young adults. 

 

Sierra Rodriguez, she/her/hers

Sierra Rodriguez, originally from Dallas, TX, and now residing in Boulder, CO, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from American University. While there, she earned certificates in Community-Based Research, Women, Policy, and Political Leadership, focusing mainly on youth engagement in politics. Sierra is pursuing her MA in Media and Public Engagement at CU Boulder, with a strong focus on how digital communications influence youth participation in public policy. Committed to fostering inclusive discourse and robust democratic participation, Sierra aims to develop systems that enhance the involvement of young people in democratic processes.

 

Stephanie Beltran, she/her/hers

Stephanie was born and raised in Colorado. She is a high school senior and plans on pursuing biology to become a veterinarian after graduating. In her free time, she dances Ballet Folklorico, enjoys going to the gym and hanging out with her friends. Stephanie’s love for science and culture influenced her passion for policy and advocacy. She is excited to continue learning through the Young Advocates program!

 

Khoa Nguyen, he/him/his

Khoa Nguyen is a proud, first-generation Vietnamese immigrant. He completed his Bachelor of Biological Sciences at the University of Colorado Denver with minors in Biophysics, Biochemistry, and International Studies. He is completing his MD/MBA at the University of Colorado School of Medicine | University of Colorado Denver Business School. His research varies the breadth of plastic surgery including reconstructive, craniofacial, health equity and disparities, and the business of medicine. Khoa is dedicated to addressing health disparities within the healthcare system, locally and internationally. His track record involves an extensive background of previous and current equity-oriented roles within medicine, business, innovation, and policy. As a future physician, Khoa is interested in clinical practice balanced with healthcare leadership, innovation, policy, and advocacy. In his free time, Khoa enjoys playing and composing music, collecting vinyl records and cassette tapes, cooking, pickleball, and fixing the chaos of his orange-tabby cat, Chonkers.

 

Mason Evans, he/him/his

Mason is a 19-year-old college senior studying public health. He was inspired to pursue a career in public health after serving the Colorado state legislature through a youth opportunity that allowed Colorado youth to write and propose legislation. Driven by a desire to transform personal struggles into social solutions, Mason is committed to using a holistic and community-based approach to create positive change. Whether through policy advocacy or grassroots organizing, he believes that collaboration is essential for progress. Mason’s passion for improving the world fuels his commitment to community-centered action.

Ashley Garcia Torres, she/her/hers

Ashley Garcia Torres is the policy fellow coordinator at the Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism (YAASPA). In addition to this role, she serves as a board director at AUL Denver and STRIDE Community Health Center. At Regis University, she is studying Politics with a minor in Sociology. She is researching the school-to-prison pipeline in Denver, CO. With six years of experience in public policy, she has developed a deep passion for civic engagement and strives to enact community-based, extensively researched legislation. Ashley’s commitment to her community drives her efforts to create meaningful change and improve the lives of those around her.

Nieves Aragon, she/her/hers

She is a 31-year-old mother living in Brighton, Colorado, and she is originally from Florida. Currently pursuing a diploma in Health Information Technology at Front Range Community College, she is determined to show her son that anything is possible with dedication. With a background in accounting, she decided to return to school and earned certificates as a Medical Administrative Assistant and an Application Specialist. As a type 1 diabetic who suffers from ADHD, she is passionate about working in health and technology. Her parents are immigrants from Central America, and her father, who holds a degree in IT and continues to study, is a significant inspiration for her decision to return to school. Nieves aims to help others in school or life, showing others that anything can be done with willpower.

 

Katherine Kim, she/her/hers

Katherine is a 25-year-old Integrative Healthcare major studying at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Born in South Korea and raised in a small town in northern Italy, Katherine was exposed to sustainable practices and food systems from a young age. This has informed her passion for nutrition, food justice, and sustainability. She aims to create change at the intersection of these areas through nonprofit work such as community health education and regenerative agriculture initiatives. Her experience includes working with culturally diverse populations to promote health through a holistic lens, implementing green infrastructure, and climate change advocacy. In addition to her work in sustainability and health promotion, she is a mixed-media visual artist whose work centers around spirituality and the human condition.

Stephanie Maldonado, she/her/hers 

Stephanie comes from a single-mother household. She has six siblings and is a middle child. Her family is very important to her. She is 18 years old and a sophomore at the University of Denver. She is majoring in political science and international relations to understand the complexities of the political world. From a young age, she has been fascinated with the inner workings of governments and the balance of power between the multiple branches. Stephanie’s passion for understanding how the government impacts people’s daily lives has motivated her to pursue a career in the law. She hopes to work in the nonprofit space to help create change for the community. She enjoys spending time with her girlfriend, reading books, and listening to true-crime podcasts in her free time.

 

Ashley Settergren, she/her/ hers

Ashley is entering her senior year at Vanderbilt University, majoring in Human Organizational Development. As a first-generation student, she is passionate about helping others access higher education and healthcare. With experience as a Leadership Foundation Intern at the Denver Chamber of Commerce and as an Ambassador for Talent Search, Ashley has worked directly with students to provide educational resources and mentorship. Through her leadership roles and hands-on experiences, she strives to empower others and address barriers in both education and healthcare.

 

Citlaly Quiroz, she/her/hers

Citlaly Quiroz is a 23-year-old from Fort Morgan, Colorado. She graduated from Morgan Community College in 2022 and then transferred to Hastings College in Nebraska, where she graduated in May 2024 with her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and Sociology. In 2021, Citlaly was crowned the Colorado State Fair Fiesta Queen, marking a historic achievement as the first individual from her town to earn this title. During her reign, Citlaly visited schools across northeast Colorado to promote higher education and accessible resources for low-income students. She made waves in intercollegiate forensics by becoming the second person to reach the final round at a national tournament with an all-Spanish speaking performance. Her outstanding leadership, community service, and accomplishments in forensics earned her the prestigious All-American title. Through her notable achievements in intercollegiate speech and her commitment to the Latino community and other marginalized groups, Citlaly has demonstrated her devotion to driving meaningful change through political and social advocacy.

 

Manuel Marquez-Avalos, he/him/his

Manuel is a first-generation college student at Colorado State University (CSU), majoring in Political Science with a passion for public policy, community organizing, and advocacy. As a returning Young Advocate, he has built on his experience in legislative affairs, student representation, and workforce policy to push for equitable opportunities in higher education and employment access. Through his work with Young Invincibles, Manuel has contributed to key legislative efforts, including creating a bill to break down systemic barriers for students seeking career and entrepreneurial pathways after graduation. His experience also includes serving as Vice Chair of the Legislative Strategy Advisory Board at CSU, where he plays a support role in advocating for student-driven policy initiatives at the state level. Outside of Young Invincibles, Manuel works on issues impacting immigrant and first-generation communities and serves as a Policy and Electoral Research Intern at the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC). His role at CIRC focuses on community organizing, education, and outreach, ensuring individuals are informed of their rights in response to federal actions targeting immigrant communities. Manuel is committed to expanding opportunities for young people and ensuring that policy solutions reflect the realities of those most impacted. He looks forward to continuing his advocacy work in the Spring 2025 cohort.

 

DaZha Creal, she/her/hers

DaZha is a 25-year-old resident of Colorado, originally from California, and moved to Colorado to pursue a Master’s in International Human Rights. During graduate school, she developed a passion for research at the intersection of human health and climate change. After completing her degree and earning a graduate certificate in Global Health Affairs, DaZha served as a Climate Education AmeriCorps member in Denver. She has worked to advocate for human rights and promote healthier, more resilient communities. She joined Young Invincibles to strengthen her understanding of public policy and apply these principles to the Colorado context. You can find her hiking, birding, crocheting, and reading in her free time.