Leyda Belmonte’s attitude is contagious. This 10th grade student at HOPE’s New Heights Academy in Federal Heights shows up to school each and every day with a smile on her face. In her first year at HOPE Online Learning Academy Co-Op, Leyda has worked hard and is getting good grades. Her academic progress earned her a position as a New Heights teacher’s aide.
“My goal is to attend college one day and become a criminal investigator because I like helping others,” said Leyda.
The fact that Leyda is doing well in school this year is only part of her story. This amazing young woman balances a lot between her home and school life. She is the oldest of five children in her family. Her mother works several jobs, and her father is bound to a wheelchair after a recent car accident. Leyda helps care for her brothers and sisters and manage household responsibilities.
“Leyda is mature well beyond her years. She is a bright star in our Learning Center,” said Ms. Sonia Silva, Manager at HOPE’s New Heights Academy.
Recently, Leyda received news that she is one of the 2015/2016 Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award recipients. This is an award given to young people, ages 13-19, “who have distinguished themselves by volunteering services to friends, family members, their neighborhood community, or by overcoming personal difficulties in their life.” Her nominator, Ms. Silva, received a similar award in her youth from the City of Denver.
“I’m really proud, and my mom is really proud of me,” said Leyda, wiping away tears of joy after attending a recognition event in Thornton on Friday night, Feb. 26th. “I’m setting a good example for my family.”
Leyda is planning to finish high school at HOPE’s New Heights Academy. She is thankful for the smaller community at the center, which she feels has allowed her to blossom.
“They support us here, I’ve made a lot of friends and gotten more social,” said Leyda. “Ms. Silva is amazing. She is always there to listen to everyone and help us solve problems.”
This year, a record number of young people were honored with the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. Recognition events happened around the county where the honorees were congratulated by local Mayors, Commissioners and members of the community. The Thornton event featured heartwarming stories of local leaders who had walked in similar footsteps to the honorees and persevered.
HOPE Online Learning Academy Co-Op is proud of the thousands of lives that have been changed during its 10 year history. There are nearly 30 HOPE Learning Centers throughout the state. Students attend Learning Centers five days a week and rotate between online lessons and face-to-face classroom instruction. HOPE offers an alternative education pathway to students who may be struggling in a traditional school setting. A recent research report prepared by Dr. Carolyn Haug with the University of Colorado Denver found students who stay with HOPE for more than two years improve their academic performance. In addition to academics, HOPE runs an extensive student activities and athletics program, which grows each year and positively contributes to the academic success of students. HOPE is a charter school of the Douglas County School District and serves 2,000 students in K-12th grade. Applications for the 2016/2017 school year are now being accepted. For more information, visit www.hopeco-op.org or call 720-402-3000.