Denver school to Stanford: 1st-gen student lands full-ride scholarship

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the current name of the school Kaylyn Noah attended.

DENVER ( KDVR ) — From DSST: Green Valley Ranch to Stanford University, a first-generation college student got a full-ride scholarship to pursue a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pathway this fall.

“Both of my parents did not have the opportunity to go to college themselves and that’s what really inspired me to take on the responsibility of being one of the first to go to college in my family,” said Kaylyn Noah.

Noah not only graduated top 10 in her class with honors recognition, a certificate in engineering and completion of STEM and music programs, but she’s also one of six DSST: Green Valley Ranch seniors named a QuestBridge match scholar. It’s providing her the opportunity of a lifetime.

“When I first found out, I screamed, I was so excited. I called my parents, I called my family right away and everyone was super happy for me,” said Noah.

According to the American Association of University Women , women make up only 34% of the workforce in STEM.

“Stepping into a male-dominated field is even more inspiring to me. If there is going to be someone who has to be the first, I don’t mind being the first person to do that,” Noah said.

During her time in school, Noah organized clothing and food drives, was a part of her school’s step team and participated in a STEM-based college access program for first-generation and low-income students.

“[HS]2 is just a really great opportunity for students to get to know themselves away from home and to find who they want to be when they do get to college,” said Noah.

She plans to use her freshman year at Stanford University to find out what specific area in the field she wants to specialize in.

“So, whether that’s medicine or engineering, which are both things that I am particularly interested in, I know that whatever I do is going to be able to support my community,” said Noah. “That’s my biggest goal.”

She has advice for other trailblazers creating their own path.

“I would tell any young girl that it is possible,” said Noah. “I mean I did it, there’s people before me that have done it. If there is anything that you really want, there is nothing that can stop you from chasing that dream.”

The Green Valley Ranch community where Noah grew up is designed and managed by local homebuilder Oakwood Homes, which also helped play a role in launching the Denver School of Science and Technology Green Valley Ranch through its nonprofit, the BuildStrong Education Foundation.

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