![Graduates](/puksta/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/article-image/26538752476_71d4dedc54_k_0.jpg?itok=bLyM2dqn)
The CU Boulder Puksta Scholars Progam held its second annual Puksta Passage event at the Koenig Alumni Center on April 20, 2016. We spent the evening celebrating graduated seniors and welcoming new scholars to the program. The scholars were joined by their families, as well as Chancellor Phil DiStefano, Dean of the School of Education and Distinguished Professor Lorrie Shepard, Director of CU Engage Ben Kirshner, Puksta Foundation Executive Director John Mulstay, Puksta Foundation Director of Development and Community Outreach NiChel Meis, and Puksta Advisers Roudy Hildreth and Elaina Verveer.
The highlight of the evening was hearing presentations by graduating seniors Danait Aregay, Jamal Kamal, Chris Klene, Nicollette Laroco, Dara Oloyede, Maria Ronauli, and Vincent Torres. Dylan Whitman graduated in Fall 2015 and was there in spirit. Each graduating senior received the coveted marble buffalo statue courtesy of the ֲý Foundation and a hand-woven Puksta graduation cord courtesy of NiChel Meis. We were also thrilled that our seniors could pass the baton, so to speak, to incoming scholars Fernando Chavez Arroyo, Aina “Scout” Azlan, Maria “Lupe” Lopez, Edwin Mendoza Olea, Rebecca Robidoux, Gabriela Solano Serna, Suyog Soti, and Helina Zemede.