2016 Journalism and STEM Camp Projects
Our Journalism and STEM was hosted in partnership with the Denver Urban Spectrum and CompuGirls. Campers spend 75 hours learning how to be young journalists, photographers, web designers, movie makers, and social justice leaders. We have 15 graduates, 4 leaders, 3 peer mentors, a sisterhood, lots of new friends, and a village of support!
Our 15 Extraordinary Girls
“I am Open Minded.” My name is Cheyenne Bridges-Farrow. I am 15 years old and multi-racial but I identify as an African American female. I joined Big Hair, Bigger Dreams to meet new people and learn more about journalism. At home, I grew up with my mom, dad, brother, and sister in a family that is very loving and supportive. I am from Denver, Colorado and I grew up in Aurora throughout my childhood. I’ve traveled to the Bahamas, Montana, Florida, Virginia, Las Vegas, New Mexico, and Wyoming. When I was little, I wanted to be a ballerina but then I decided to swim. I now live in Park Hill and I go to East High School. I like photography and I consider myself a very committed and successful black woman. In the future, I want to go out of state to Virginia, in order to pursue my dreams and do the best I possibly can.
Website on Defining Beauty:
“I am a Writer.” My name is Sydney Gabrielle Mayes and I am a fourteen year old Black American female. I was raised by my mother in Park Hill. I attend Denver School of the Arts and I’m in the Creative Writing department. I joined Big Hair, Bigger Dreams because I wanted to learn new things. I have been published in Calliope Literary Magazine and multiple online outlets. In the future, I want to attend either Northwestern or Stanford University, while double majoring in Creative Writing and Political Science! Someday, I want to work in politics in some capacity and publish a collection of my writing.
Website on the Representation of Black Women in the Media:
“I am an Actress.” My name is Cherie-Amor Ari Clemmons. I am 13 years old. I joined Big Hair, Bigger Dreams because I enjoy Journalism. I was raised by a single mother in Baltimore, Maryland. I moved to Colorado when I was 12. I want to go to Towson University and I want to study Theater. I want to be an actress when I get older.
Movie on Bullying:
"I am a Dreamer." My name is Jennifer Keown. I am 13 years old I was born and I am raised in Thornton, Colorado. I am an African American and Native American woman. I am the youngest of 3 sisters, and I live with my mom and dad. I am close to my dad, because we have lot of laughs together. My mom signed me up for this camp, and though I didn't know I was going unti 2 days prior, I wanted to learn more about journalism. I love music and I play three instruments, including the violin, the guitar, and the piano. Music has always been a big part of my life. If I had to sum up my whole life, it wouldn't be in words, it would be in a song. I also enjoy short films and poetry. In my future I hope to become a photojournalist/journalist for a magazine, such as the Rolling Stone Magazine.
Website on Beauty Standards:
“I am a Future Doctor.” My name is Arie Gosha and I am 14 years old. I joined Big Hair, Bigger dreams because I wanted to get better at writing and meet new people. I live in Denver, Colorado and I grew up with both of my parents. I love to play volleyball and dance. I have 5 sisters who are all really funny and full of different personalities. In the future, I want to attend college at UCLA and study health and sciences. My ultimate goal is to become a doctor.
Movie on LGBTQ Awareness:
“I am a Successful Black Woman.” My name is Tionna R. Denson and I am 14 years old. I joined Big Hair, Bigger Dreams because I have a passion for writing and because I wanted to make new friends, while ultimately becoming a better person. I love to read books, when I was a kid I was a cute, innocent and big dreamer. My mom is like my mother and father combined. I am blessed to wake up every morning and not have to worry about if I'm going to eat. In the future I want to become a lawyer and wife with kids , and never have to worry about struggling.
Movie on LGBTQ Awareness:
“I am the Future.” My name is Dereni Usman Yusef and I am 14 years old. I joined Big Hair, Bigger Dreams because I wanted to get to know new people. I am a dancer who expresses herself through music. My family members are the most important people in my life. I am the person I am today because of my family. Every time I spend with my family, I learn new things. With every new experience I get, I learn so much. In the future I want to become the best me I can be.
Movie on Embracing Yourself:
“I am a Future Lawyer.” My name is Tajahne Hobley, I am 15 and going into the 10th grade. I joined Big Hair, Bigger Dreams because I wanted to do something different and meet new people. I was born in Denver, Colorado. I live in Parkhill. I have 2 sisters, one is 2 years old and the youngest is 3 months. Before my 2 wonderful sisters came I was an only child for 13 years. When I was little I wanted to become a doctor. Now I want to be a lawyer. In the future, I see myself graduating high school, college, and then starting a family.
Moive on Self Confidence:
“I am New.” My name is Liyahnajah Pafford. I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. I would say my life has been a roller coaster, with many lessons learned. Big Hair, Bigger Dreams was a program I wanted to do in order to support my plan B in life as I move forward. I want to become a hard working, active, successful young black woman, which takes one step at a time.
Website on Sports Programs:
“I am Athletic.” My name is Rita Chiyenge. I joined Big Hair, Bigger Dreams to get to learn more about Journalism and to find out what I am made of and what I am capable of doing at this camp. Something about me is I am always happy. Growing up was good. My family is loving and caring. I lived in Denver, Colorado and traveled to Africa, Zambia. When I was little I wanted to be a doctor. My favorite subject is math and my favorite color is blue. I like to play basketball. The college I want to go to is UCLA. I want to study medicine. When I am 25, I want to be an entrepreneur. I am an Outstanding, Rapid, Powerful Woman.
Website on Sports Programs:
“I am a Future Business Woman.” Hi my name is Kaliah Brown. I’m 16 years old and I live in Denver, Colorado. I go to East High School. I joined Big Hair, Bigger Dreams Journalism and STEM Camp because I wanted to become better at writing. I want to travel to about every country and I’ve lived all over the country. I would like to create a private chef service when I grow up.
Website on the Danger of Sitck and Poke Tattoos:
"I am an Artist." My name is Paris Bankston and I am a 14 year old African American young woman. I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, we soon moved to North Carolina, and then to Denver, Colorado which is where I’ve lived since then. I grew up with a single mother and all of my life she has always been my role model. My mother is wise and smart and very very funny. My bird on the other hand hates everyone and will not hesitate to eat you! My dog is very sweet and loves attention but this doesn't mean he won't try to suffocate you with his size. I love to draw and paint and my favorite subject is history. I joined Big Hair, Bigger Dreams because I love working as a team and I love meeting new people. I never really knew what I wanted to be as a child, but now I can't decide if I want to be an artist or a forensic scientist.
Website on Defining Beauty:
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“I am a Believer”. My name is Maya Broomfield and I am a black woman who is 15 years old. I was born in Denver, Colorado but I spend most of my time in San Antonio, Texas. Luckily, I was raised by both of my parents. I signed up for Big Hair, Bigger Dreams because I was having a hard time dealing with changing while being in an all white environment. When I was little I wanted to be Beyonce and become a famous singer. Now I go to Lakewood High School and will be a 10th grader in the fall. I hope to one day become a journalist who gets to travel all over the world. I guess you could say I went from wanting to be Beyonce to wanting to be Oprah, AKA a billionaire.
I am a Dreamer Movie:
https://studio.stupeflix.com/v/MGjR9hwGBpkB/?ga_session=video-ready-email&autoplay=1
Camp Experince Movie:
https://studio.stupeflix.com/v/mnQE4B79smmD/?ga_session=video-ready-email&autoplay=1
Thank You Movie:
https://studio.stupeflix.com/v/3Wj24b43LesP/?ga_session=video-ready-email&autoplay=1
“I am a Shy Person”. My name is Aaliyah Gilmore and I am a 14 year old African-American young woman. Throughout my childhood, I grew up in a small neighborhood. I grew up with four siblings, all of which are my stepbrother, my two older brothers, and my older sister. When I was 7 years old, I wanted to go into the military like my father did. As I got older, I decided that I want to become either a doctor or a mechanical engineer. I now also realize that I can become a mechanical engineer or a doctor in the military. I joined Big Hair, Bigger Dreams because it's a fun organization that allows young women to learn things about themselves while conecting with other young black women. I go to DSST STP, and I am a sophomore with a 3.0 GPA. In the future, I wish to become a soldier in the military that is well known for the experiences that I’ll have.
I am a Dreamer Moive:
https://studio.stupeflix.com/v/MGjR9hwGBpkB/?ga_session=video-ready-email&autoplay=1
Camp Experience Movie:
https://studio.stupeflix.com/v/mnQE4B79smmD/?ga_session=video-ready-email&autoplay=1
Thank You Movie:
https://studio.stupeflix.com/v/3Wj24b43LesP/?ga_session=video-ready-email&autoplay=1
“I am a Risk Taker.” My name is Amy Davis, I am 15 years old and I currently go to Lakewood High School. I have always wanted to become a doctor and to get noticed big in life, whether that’s becoming rich and successful or to be noticed for helping out others. I was born and raised in Colorado and I haven't left the state since 2008. My heart has grown a passion for acting since I started High School and took an opening acting class. I joined Big Hair, Bigger Dreams to meet new people and to make new friends that I can call my sisters and it's nice being surrounded by people that look like me. In my past I was a really shy kid and I let people get to me whenever they tried to. Throughout the years I have grown stronger.
I am a Dreamer Movie:
https://studio.stupeflix.com/v/MGjR9hwGBpkB/?ga_session=video-ready-email&autoplay=1
Camp Experience Movie:
https://studio.stupeflix.com/v/mnQE4B79smmD/?ga_session=video-ready-email&autoplay=1
Thank You Movie:
https://studio.stupeflix.com/v/3Wj24b43LesP/?ga_session=video-ready-email&autoplay=1
Check out our final projects here.
Our Amazing Camp Staff
We would also like to thank our sponsors for making this camp possible!
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