Often the individual is recognized for achieving success. But if you look more closely, you will find an elaborate tapestry of people and organizations that contributed to the ultimate achievement.

Why did 21-year-old Blanca Trejo get involved in community organizing? One word: “Pizza.” She explains, “Gabriela Jacobo of Metro Organizations for People (MOP) came to work with students on school issues at West High School when I was a sophomore. I came to the meetings for the pizza. But when I thought about the many issues that existed, I was one of the first to sign up.”

Their first task was ensuring that school bathrooms had stall doors, soap, and toilet paper. From there Blanca quickly went on to bigger issues. “One of her strongest concerns was educational rights for undocumented students, something she is still working on today,” states Heidi Hursh, one of Blanca’s high school teachers.

Blanca is currently a senior at the University of Denver. Both a Gates and Boettcher Scholar, she supports her brother through college and facilitates Local Organizing Committees for high school students as a staff person at MOP.

According to Executive Director Mike Kromrey, “MOP started employing students with support from the The Denver Foundation’s Strengthening Neighborhoods Program as a way to engage youth. Blanca made the transition from youth leader to paid organizer. Now she’s behind the scenes, encouraging others to shine.”

“What keeps me going is seeing the future me’s,” Blanca says. She plans to obtain a Doctorate in Education and work on curriculum reform. Her dream is to incorporate student organizing in all public schools nationally, starting with Denver.

As she heads out to work with a new group of high school students, Blanca stops to order pizzas.

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