I recently had the pleasure of meeting Horizons alumna Lesly Marin Lopez at a local coffee shop. When I arrived, I found her sitting at a table with her apartment roommate, deeply focused on a school assignment—an image of dedication that perfectly reflects who she is. Now in her first year at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Lesly is pursuing a degree in special education, a path shaped by her journey with Horizons and her passion for helping others.
Lesly’s roots with Horizons Colorado at Colorado Academy run deep, as both her older brothers were Horizons students, and her cousin, nephew, and niece are currently students in the program. Lesly grew up in West Denver, and attended Knapp Elementary, Horizons’ first partner school. She went on to attend middle and high school at Lincoln, and graduated last spring. During high school, Lesly was part of the very first cohort of Horizons graduates to complete four years of the Horizons high school mentoring program, where each student is paired with an adult mentor—many of whom are Horizons graduates themselves. These mentors provide guidance on academics, extracurricular pursuits, personal challenges, and life in general.
Outcomes like Lesly’s speak volumes about the results of the mentoring program. Of the 12 students who graduated last year, every single one is pursuing a post-secondary path of their choice: Ten are in college, one is enrolled in vocational school, and another has entered the workforce. When I asked Lesly about her mentor, she smiled broadly and explained that she met with her mentor 1–2 times each week, and she credits mentors with helping her through the college application and financial aid process, as well as “checking up on her.” She is still in frequent contact with her mentor.
Lesly’s story is a great example of the rich tapestry of the Horizons community as a whole. Beyond her lasting relationship with her mentor and her family’s connection with Horizons, Lesly has worked and volunteered in the Horizons summer program for the past four years. Through these experiences, she discovered her passion for teaching—specifically working with students who need additional support. She speaks about encouraging students in the classroom, as well as helping them learn how to swim. “It makes my heart happy,” she says with a smile.
Even in high school, Lesly was already making a difference. She volunteered in special education and music classrooms and became a trusted helper to teachers. Determined to further her education, she took full advantage of opportunities at Lincoln High School, earning 40 college credits before graduating. Her hard work paid off—she was awarded a full scholarship to MSU and is on track to earn her degree in just two years. She has stayed in close contact with her high school teachers and principal, and they are eager to bring her back as a teacher.
But her ambition doesn’t stop there. In December, determined to gain independence and embrace the full college experience, Lesly moved out of her family home. Balancing a full course load, she works 35 hours a week at McDonald’s and babysits to cover rent and personal expenses.
This summer, Lesly will return to Horizons as an assistant teacher in the Reading Specialist classroom. The students and Horizons team are fortunate to have her leadership and enthusiasm for another season.
Lesly’s passion and perseverance exemplify the profound impact of the opportunities and support Horizons provides for students. Ultimately, it is her dedication and hard work that are making her dreams a reality and opening doors to the pursuit of her career of choice.