Itzel Martinez
19-year-old Itzel Martinez is forging a bright future for herself. Itzel graduated in November 2024 with a certificate in Welding, and she’s ready to take her skills from the classroom to the job site. But Itzel’s journey is more than just learning to weld; it’s about breaking barriers and defying expectations in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Camila Sanchez
Camila Sanchez has accomplished a lot since moving to Colorado from Bogota, Colombia in May 2023. Now 27 years old, Camila is in the final stages of Emily Griffith Technical College’s Cosmetology program, where she has found a way to combine her passion for beauty with the incredible opportunities the College provides.
Issariana Chafino
Issariana Chafino’s journey into healthcare began with small, determined steps. In 2021, she graduated from Emily Griffith’s Medical Assisting program. Now she is preparing to graduate from Emily Griffith’s Practical Nursing program. Her story is a reflection of the opportunities Emily Griffith offers to those willing to pursue them.
Yusif Sardarzade
Yusif Sardarzade is a political asylee from Azerbaijan who peacefully fights for the rights of the Talysh people, an ethnic minority there. His activism put him at odds with the Azerbaijani government. Fearing for his safety, Yusif sought asylum in the United States. Discover how his passion for multimedia and support from Emily Griffith has helped shape his future.
Rommina Watson
Rommina Watson's journey is inspiring - from cleaning hotel rooms to excelling as a Relationship Manager at KeyBank. With determination, support from Emily Griffith, and relentless hard work, she transitioned from an immigrant learning English to a thriving professional in the banking industry and Accounting student.
Rachel Amodeo
Meet Rachel Amodeo, a barbering student breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry. Inspired by a friend's positive experience at Emily Griffith, Rachel transitioned from a disillusioning college experience to a supportive and affordable education. As she prepares to graduate in July, Rachel is eager to make her mark as a skilled and creative barber.
STERLING WALKER
Meet Sterling Walker, a passionate welder whose journey showcases the transformative power of education and community support. Overcoming numerous obstacles, Sterling found his path through the Emily Griffith Welding program, aided by scholarships and support from the Emily Griffith Foundation. Now on the verge of becoming a structural welder, Sterling's story is a testament to resilience and the impact of investing in individuals' potential.
Daniela Ponce Schaefer
Daniela Ponce Schaefer, an immigrant from Argentina, transitioned from the arts to healthcare to better support her family. Daniela's determination, bolstered by scholarships and financial support, led her to quickly complete the Nurse Assisting program and secure a fulfilling job as a Certified Nurse Assistant.
Omid Rawaan
Emily Griffith Technical College student Omid Rawaan fled Afghanistan when the Taliban seized control of the country last August.
His first name, Omid, means “hope” and he says it took a lot of hope for him to successfully escape his home country where he served as a security guard for the Afghan president.
“Refugees are those types of people who had many problems in their home country, and they come here, and they have many hopes,” he says.
Diana Schmitt
Diana Schmitt always dreamed of becoming a hairdresser when she lived in Ukraine.
It was a goal that seemed out of reach for the longest time, until she moved to Denver seven years ago and learned about Emily Griffith Technical College.
“I knew that I wanted to do hair when I moved here,” she says. “But, I wanted to learn English first.”
ESTHER PINALES
Esther Pinales’ journey with Emily Griffith began with her grandmother and now continues with her own achievements. After earning an Esthetician certificate, Esther is about to complete her Massage Therapy program, driven by her passion for helping others. With the support of Emily Griffith Foundation scholarships, Esther is poised to embark on a fulfilling new career, showcasing the transformative power of education and community support.
Joshua Moore
Joshua Moore graduated from Emily Griffith Technical College’s Multimedia and Video Production program in 2023, a program he chose as it is well aligned with his experience in the Army. Josh produced a video about his Emily Griffith journey - click below to read more and watch the video!
Franscelia Tineo
Franscelia Tineo was driving for Instacart before she started taking English Language Acquisition Classes at Emily Griffith Technical College.
Now, because of her improved English skills, she has a much better paying job as a graphic designer in Denver.
SAIFURAHMAN AYAR LEMAR
Saifurahman Ayar Lemar survived four assassination attempts by the Taliban, but his resolve to expose their brutality led him to journalism and supporting U.S. forces. After finding refuge in Denver in 2021, he enrolled in English classes at Emily Griffith. Saifurahman is now working as a case manager helping other refugees with the resettlement process while studying Multimedia & Video Production at Emily Griffith Technical College.
Eleni Fikremariam
Eleni Fikremariam moved from Ethiopia to Denver and found her confidence through Emily Griffith's English classes. With scholarships from Emily Griffith Foundation, Eleni overcame language barriers and earned her Nurse Assisting certificate. She is now happily employed as a Nurse Assistant.
Suleiman Kayita
Suleiman Kayita fled Tanzania due to political strife, and experienced some hardships upon arriving in Denver. Overcoming homelessness and financial hardship, Suleiman learned English and graduated from the HVAC program at Emily Griffith Technical College, with the goal of someday starting his own business.