Featured Student

Diana Silva is one of MESA's success stories.  Diana became involved with MESA as a junior at Skyline High School.  She was both a MESA advisor and MESA student.  Diana inspired MESA students at Spangler Elementary and Heritage Middle schools.  Through her work with MESA, Diana was introduced to the Aerospace Engineering program at CU Boulder and she is now in her second year in engineering.  Diana continued her work with MESA through CU's Aerospace Engineering Outreach Program, Citizen Explorer.

Diana’s MESA Speech

Hi, my name is Diana Silva. I am a junior at Skyline High School. It is a great honor to have this opportunity to speak with you today. Thank you.

This past year, I have had the pleasure of working with twenty 5th grade MESA students attending Spangler Elementary in the St. Vrain Valley Public School System. I am also a member of the Skyline High School Math, Science, and Engineering Achievement Program in Longmont, CO.

While working with the 5th grade students, I have learned the value of what MESA has to offer. Spangler is a chool that has a demographic makeup of 72% English Language Learners, 68% living at a poverty level, and a 70% mobility ratio. Based upon research, these numbers place the students in the high risk category and are less likely to attend college because of the lack of family financial and academic support. Many of the students never finish High School.

The MESA program has opened a window of opportunity for the children, which builds self-esteem, confidence, and a belief in a vision of what their future could be, in areas of study they never believed possible. While working with the children, in the beginning, I discovered many believed their future was limited. Many of them lacked the confidence to attend college and pursue a career. Today, they are a group of different children who have grown in courage and pride.

During this year in MESA, we explored numerous projects involving Science, Math, and Engineering. We performed experiments, interviewed professionals, and visited research facilities, for example we visited Amgen Chemical Labs, and this Monday, we will be visiting the Univ. of Colorado’s Aerospace Engineering Research Center. We have learned to use quantitative and qualitative data in developing an understanding of the basic principles of science and math.

I have discovered a group of very bright and energetic children, who love learning. They have gained appreciation and confidence in their skills, and have opened their eyes to a new world of opportunity. As their Advisor, my world has also changed as I realize the importance of being a role model and guide. I have learned that MESA provides connections internally as well as externally and that knowledge must be shared.

As a member of Skyline High School MESA, many opportunities have opened for me as well. I have made connections with adults in positions of influence. I have met professors, earned a summer internship at the Univ. of Colorado, made connections with professional scientists, and have gained a clear understanding of what opportunities are available for my future. In addition, these activities have influenced many of my friends to look in a different direction for their own future.

MESA is about influencing others to do their best and dreaming high. It is about vision and opportunity for others and sharing the knowledge of learning. I would like to see my Spangler MESA students have the same opportunities open up for them that have developed for me. For many of them, the only connection they will have with success is through MESA. There are so many bright minds that are lost because of the lack of opportunity.

So many potential discoveries have been lost because the discoverer never had the opportunity to develop their skills. Life is too precious to be wasted. The mission of MESA is serious and the responsibility is great. Those who fail to understand that MESA is about sharing knowledge, and guiding others, miss out on the internal rewards of the MESA mission. It is about developing leaders so the mission can continue and expand. It is about breaking through barriers that hold back brilliant minds from reaching their potential.

Commitment and dedication are essential elements for the success of the vision of MESA. The future of the world depends upon the success of all our children. The fun and excitement of discovery is a great motivation for learning, one that, MESA provides for everyone. But it is the individual who makes the difference, by paving a path that others can follow in the future. MESA has taught me responsibility for others, and it has helped me to understand the potential I possess, to go in any direction I choose to pursue. Thank you MESA for the opportunity to learn. Thank you.