Aspen Academy Students Attend 2025 STAMP Conference at CSU Spur

On Friday, October 3, 2025, nine Aspen Academy students joined middle school peers from across Colorado for the annual STAMP Conference, hosted this year at the Colorado State University SPUR campus. The conference—whose theme, “Justice with Passion: Dive into Action,” called all participants to recognize that “Water Is Life”— inviting students to reflect on how they can take meaningful action to make progress in their schools and communities.

This year’s keynote speaker, André Robert Lee, inspired attendees to embrace courage, compassion, and curiosity as they work to build more just and connected communities. His message reminded students that change begins with awareness, empathy, and the willingness to lead with heart.

Aspen Academy’s delegation included eight members of our Student Inclusivity Leadership Club (SILC) and one additional seventh-grade student, all accompanied by School Counselor Mr. Skipwith. Together, they represented our community with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a commitment to both growth and learning.

Throughout the day, each student participated in three interactive workshops, all designed and led by high school student leaders from across the state. Workshop topics ranged from environmental justice (“Rooted in Knowledge”) to racial bias awareness (“See It, Name It, Stop It”), mental health advocacy (“Access Your Inner Self”), and social media responsibility (“Your Social Media Identity, It’s Not Your Enemy”). Each session encouraged students to think critically about identity, empathy, and how their daily choices can influence systems of equity and inclusion.

The conference opened with a vibrant welcome and a land acknowledgment in recognition of the Indigenous communities of Colorado—an especially meaningful reflection following September 30’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which honors children who never returned home from Indigenous boarding schools. This moment served as a powerful reminder that justice begins with listening, learning, and remembering.

As Aspen students return to campus, they carry forward the conference’s challenge: to learn more, care deeply, and make a positive difference. We celebrate their leadership and the ways they continue to live our school’s core values—Be Kind, Do Good, Work Hard, and Make the World Better.