Tell me your age, where you’re going to school, and what you’re majoring in?

I am 22 – and I currently attend the University of Colorado at Boulder. I am majoring in Environmental Design with a minor in Business. Environmental Design is a broad major but my focus is architecture, specifically architecture with an emphasis on sustainability. For example, I would focus on not only the structure of the building but also the impact it has on its location.

How did you find out about the All-Star Scholarship?

My social worker found it through some research and I am fortunate she did.

Can you talk a bit about what this scholarship means to you and your education?

This scholarship has had the largest impact on my life out of any help I have been given. It has made it so I haven’t needed to take out student loans. I wouldn’t have been able to follow my dreams and afford college without this scholarship. It relieved a lot of stress I had.

Why did you choose to go to the University of Colorado at Boulder? Did you look at different schools?

Josh with his Grandfather Having grown up in Boulder I looked up to this school, literally. It has always been an aspiration of mine to go here. There was no question in my mind where I wanted to go, but I wasn’t sure if it would be possible. When I was looking at colleges my aunt (now my adopted mother) had me apply to Colorado State University as a fallback in case I couldn’t get financial help. I am glad to say this scholarship helped me attend the school I have always wanted to.

Tell me about your family….How old were you when you were adopted, and what is life?

I was 17 when I was adopted. I have two younger sisters, Brianna and Hannah. One is a year younger and one is a junior in high school – 5 years younger. She lives with our mom. My aunt, my mother’s sister, adopted me, I was very close to her growing up. My sister and I were in and out of the foster care system a couple of times until our aunt adopted us.

I am close with my middle sister. She is going to the University of Boulder as well, following in my footsteps because she sees college can change your life. This is something that is important to know, especially for those of us who have been in the foster care systems and who have siblings, we have an opportunity to be a role model for younger sibling it has a much greater impact than just me.

Do you feel that being adopted gives you a different perspective on life in general?

Yes. My experiences in general offer a different perspective. I am more mature and can be more serious at times than some of my classmates. I had to grow up a little sooner than a lot of my friends so I definitely take things more seriously.

I think foster kids in general have a unique perspective on life. It is so important to provide us with a good education so we can make positive changes. I know a lot of other people that were in foster care want to make a difference in the world. If you don’t dream big you wont have a chance of making a change.