Future Leaders winner sees problems, becomes part of the solution in Colorado
CBS Colorado along with its partners, Chevron and Colorado School of Mines, honor high school students who excel in science, technology, engineering, and math. The Future Leaders Award comes with $1,000 and a profile on CBS News Colorado.
The most recent winner is Amy Xia, a junior at Cherry Creek High School. She is doing everything she can to make the world a better place.
As part of a Cyber Leaders Program, Xia teaches coding to fourth graders at Holm Elementary School.
"They are so fun to work with because I see a lot of myself in them," Xia explained.
Cyber Leaders was started by a previous Future Leaders winner, Bryce Hunter. It's a club that meets before school in which high school students teach elementary school students how to create the code that makes robots and other computer programs work.
"When I was in elementary school, we had a similar coding class except it was not engaging at all," Xia explained. "What I hope they take away from it is that computer science is for everybody."
In addition to the work she does with the Holm Elementary students, Xia is working on her own coding project. She's building an app called Kiwi Kares.
"So my inspiration for the app is based off my freshman year self," Xia said. "I ended up not taking care of myself at all. I realized I wasn't along in this. A lot of my friends were actually doing the exact same thing ... just pushing themselves way past the limit."
The app makes self care into a game in which teens can get points when they do things to take care of themselves. Xia hopes the app will serve as a gentle reminder that drinking water, getting enough sleep, and regular exercise are as important as school work and extracurricular activities.
"Plus Kiwis are super cute and fun," she added.
The pandemic was a tough time for Xia and her family.
"All four of my grandparents passed away in assisted living within a very short period of time, and this was during the COVID era, so I was unable to visit them and be there for them," she explained.
The loss of her grandparents inspired Xia to become a certified nurse's assistant, so she could work in assisted living facilities.
"I wanted to support people in that situation just to kind of make up for what I wasn't able to give my grandparents," Xia explained.
In the wake of the pandemic when there were hospital staffing shortages, Xia started volunteering at Swedish Medical Center. She recently became a Certified Cuddler.
"It's the cutest thing ever," she said.
She does most of her cuddling in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, holding and helping the tiniest, sickest babies.
"I started out as a very sick NICU baby, and I made it," she explained. "Kind of full circle moment just helping these other babies."
During the summer and breaks from school, Xia can be found in a research lab at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes.
"I'm very interested in the immune system in general. I have a long family history of autoimmunity and general immune failure.
Xia started out shadowing the researchers. Now she has her own project under her mentor Dr. Soojin Kim.
"We're just trying to model the disease in a cell line to better understand how it develops," Xia explained.
She's working among researchers who may one day find a cure for Type 1 diabetes.
"Just saying that this is going on ... actually happening in the lab is really cool to me, and also it brings some hope for the future," Xia said.
Xia is also providing hope for the future. When she faces a challenge in her life, she becomes a part of the solution for other people. That's what makes her a Future Leader.
If you know a high school student in Colorado who excels in STEM, nominate them for CBS Colorado's Future Leaders Award. We're accepting nominations through April 18, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
6 days ago
- CBS News
Aurora police use real time information center to boost officer, public safety
The Aurora Police Department has a new resource designed to enhance both officer and community safety: the Real Time Information Center. The Aurora Police Department's Real Time Information Center. CBS Housed inside police headquarters, the center leverages citywide technology like surveillance cameras, drones, license plate readers, and crime data into one centralized hub. From there, trained staff can monitor activity in real time and relay critical updates directly to officers in the field. "We want to make sure that we have officers on the ground. We also have eyes in the sky," said Agent Matthew Longshore. "Our techs can manipulate cameras, zoom in, scan areas, and provide officers with real-time details about suspects, vehicles, or activity tied to a call for service." For instance, if a stolen vehicle triggers a license plate reader, staff can quickly locate the car on nearby cameras, identify any unique features, and pass that intel to officers before they arrive on the scene. They can provide vehicle descriptions, behavior patterns, and even track suspects leaving an area. CBS Colorado's Tori Mason at the Aurora Police Department's Real Time Information Center. CBS "We want to make sure that we have knowledgeable, professional people in here who can do the job effectively. They are the first line of defense for our officers on the road. They're able to see things before the officers can see things," said Longshore. Aurora's upcoming Global Fest will be the largest event to date, and it will be supported by the Real-Time Information Center. Operators will be monitoring cameras throughout the festival grounds and the surrounding area. "We want to make sure that people attending, performing, selling things, our vendors, feel safe and supported," said Longshore. "We've increased our staffing, both seen and unseen. We're going to have our special units out there, some of them in plain clothes." While there have been no specific threats, Longshore says the department is proactively increasing security presence as a precaution. The Aurora Police Department's Real Time Information Center. CBS The department is still expanding the center's capabilities. Six stations are available inside, and staffing levels adjust depending on crime patterns and major events. Data is continuously being analyzed to determine the most effective hours of operation and deployment.
Tom's Guide
7 days ago
- Tom's Guide
How to watch 2025 ANZ Premiership Netball from anywhere - live streams, schedule, TV guide
▶ Full Schedule below• FREE — TVNZ 2 (NZ)• Worldwide — Netball Pass• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free The "2025 ANZ Premiership" takes on a different format this year and will consist of two full rounds over a 10-week period (previously three rounds) – a total of 30 round robin games leading into a two-match Finals Series to be played at the conclusion of the regular season. It promises to be an intense 12 weeks of netball following on from last year's league which produced its most competitive tussle for points since the ANZ Premiership's inception in 2017. Pulse will be in the mix again but will the Mystics go on to claim their third back-to-back crown? Read to the bottom for timings and fixtures. Here's where to watch 2025 ANZ Premiership live streams online and potentially for FREE from anywhere. Free-to-air TVNZ 2 will show every 2025 ANZ Premiership Saturday afternoon game throughout the regular season. They'll also be available to live stream on TVNZ Plus, which is also completely free to use. Outside New Zealand? Remember that Kiwis abroad can use a VPN to tune into TVNZ Plus while away from home. If you're keen to watch 2025 ANZ Premiership netball but you're away from home and the coverage is geo-blocked, you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do. Use a VPN to live stream "2025 ANZ Premiership" from anywhere. We recommend NordVPN. There's a good reason you've heard of NordVPN. We specialize in testing and reviewing VPN services and NordVPN is the one we rate best. Per our NordVPN review, it's outstanding at unblocking streaming services, it's fast and it has top-level security features too. With over 7,000 servers, across 110+ countries, and at a great price too, it's easy to recommend. Get 70% off NordVPN in the spring sale Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three... 1. Download and install a VPN – as we say, our top choice is NordVPN 2. Connect to the appropriate server location – open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select the appropriate location 3. Go to the broadcaster's live stream – so, in this case, just head to TVNZ Plus. As mentioned above, free-to-air TVNZ 2 and TVNZ Plus will show one "2025 ANZ Premiership" netball game each weekend. However, for comprehensive ANZ Premiership netball coverage, you'll need a subscription to Sky Sport, which is available as part of a range of pay TV packages. Subscribers can watch every game online using the country's Sky Go service, while cord-cutters and anyone else can try the Sky Sport Now streaming-only platform, which costs $24.99 per week or $44.99 per month. The monthly package comes with a 7-day free trial, so you can try before you buy. Anybody looking to watch the 2025 ANZ Premiership season unfold in the U.S. will need to subscribe to Netball Pass. A tournament pass comes in at $32. Alternatively, you can pick up a round-by-round pass which will set you back $6.45 for three matches. If you're a New Zealander away from home, use a VPN to watch ANZ Premiership netball free on TVNZ Plus from abroad. As in the U.S., netball fans looking to catch the 2025 ANZ Premiership in the U.K., will have to access Netball Pass. In Britain a tournament pass costs £24.95 while a round pass is £4.95. Traveling to the U.K. from New Zealand? Use a VPN to access your usual home streaming services. It's a similar situation in Australia. Netball Pass has the rights to show every game of the 2025 ANZ Premiership season, with prices coming in at just over AU$50 for the full tournament. If you're from New Zealand, use a VPN to watch ANZ Premiership netball free on TVNZ Plus from abroad. Northern Mystics - Based in Auckland, the Northern Mystics were formed in 2007 and represent the Netball Northern Zone whose geographical region stretches from Kaitaia to Waiuku. Effectively a merger between the two former National Bank Cup teams, Northern Force and Auckland Diamonds, the Mystics clinched their first-ever domestic silverware after a 14-year wait when winning the 2021 ANZ Premiership title. The Mystics' playing strip is predominantly blue while their home venues are The Trusts Arena, Eventfinda Stadium and Vector Arena. Stars - Based in South Auckland, the Stars became the newest elite level netball team in 2017 and joined the five other established New Zealand franchises to form the six-strong standalone ANZ Premiership. The Stars are named after the Matariki star cluster which also features on the team's logo, and incorporates their club colours of purple and silver with the Pulman Arena as their main home venue. Despite their short history, the Stars have quickly evolved into a quality team and have featured in three Grand Finals (2019, 2022 and 2023), finishing runners-up on each occasion. They have also built a strong and connected support base in south Auckland, representing one of New Zealand's largest communities. Avis Magic - Based out of Hamilton and Tauranga, the Magic were formed in 1998 and represent the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne regions. The oldest of the six New Zealand franchise teams, the Magic were formed following the merger of the Waikato Wildcats and Bay of Plenty Magic. The Magic are the only team from the Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup era to have retained their original name. From 2008-2016 they were the most successful New Zealand team, including being grand finalists on three occasions. With an alternate playing strip of red in previous seasons, the Magic have more recently played in black. Home venues for the Magic are, Trustpower Baypark Arena, in Tauranga, Globox Arena, In Hamilton and Energy Events Centre, in Rotorua. Te Wananga o Raukawa Pulse - Based in Wellington, the Pulse were formed in 2007 and represent the Netball Central Zone which embodies Hawke's Bay, Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki and Wellington Regions. Founder members of the ANZ Premiership in 2017, they broke their duck to win an elusive first-ever title at the elite level in 2019 and followed that up with further wins in 2020 and 2022, all under coach Yvette McCausland-Durie. Yellow and black are the Pulse's traditional colours but they also play in an alternative green strip, designed by their principal partners Te Wānanga o Pulse's home venues are TSB Arena, Wellington, Te Rauparaha in Porirua, and Fly Palmy Arena in Palmerston North. Trident Homes Tactix - Based in Christchurch and representing the Canterbury region, the Tactix were formed in 2008 and became one of the six teams to form the standalone elite New Zealand domestic league, the ANZ Premiership in 2017. They have finished runners-up in the 2020 and 2021 Grand Finals. The Tactix playing strip is in the traditional Canterbury colours of red and black. The team's main home venues are Christchurch Arena, MainPower Stadium Rangiora and Cowles Stadium, Christchurch. Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel - Based in Invercargill, the Steel were formed in 2007 and represent the Netball South Zone which embraces Southland and Otago. The Steel resulted from the merger between two former National Bank Cup teams, the Southern Sting and Otago Rebels and celebrated the introduction of the new elite ANZ Premiership domestic league in 2017 in style when claiming the inaugural title with a 16-match season unbeaten. They retained the title in 2018. The Steel's playing strip contains a mix of the burgundy/cerise and blue colours of Southland and Otago. The team's home venues are ILT Stadium Southland, in Invercargill and the Edgar Centre, in Dunedin. Round 5Saturday, 7 June (4:00 PM) - Southern Steel vs Mainland TactixSunday, 8 June (7:00 PM) - Central Pulse vs Northern MysticsMonday, 9 June (7:30 PM) - Northern Stars vs WBOP Magic Round 6Saturday, 14 June (4:00 PM) - Northern Stars vs Southern SteelSunday, 15 June (4:00 PM) - Mainland Tactix vs Central PulseMonday, 16 June (7:30 PM) - Northern Mystics vs WBOP Magic Round 7Saturday, 21 June (4:00 PM) - WBOP Magic vs Northern MysticsSunday, 22 June (4:00 PM) - Mainland Tactic vs Northern StarsMonay, 23 June (7:30 PM) - Central Pulse vs Southern Steel Round 8Saturday, 28 June (4:00 PM) - Southern Steel vs WBOP MagicSunday, 29 June (4:00 PM) - Central Pulse vs Mainland TactixMonday, 30 June (7:30 PM) - Northern Stars vs Northern Mystics Round 9Saturday, 5 July (4:00 PM) - Central Pulse vs Northern StarsSunday, 6 July (4:00 PM) - Northern Mystics vs Southern SteelMonday, 7 July (7:30 PM) - Mainland Tactix vs WBOP Magic Round 10Saturday, 12 July (4:00 PM) - WBOP Magic vs Central PulseSunday, 13 July (4:00 PM) - Northern Mystics vs Mainland TactixMonday, 14 July (7:30 PM) - Southern Steel vs Northern Stars Elimination FinalSunday, 20 July (4:00 PM) - TBC Grand FinalSunday, 27 July (4:00 PM) - TBC We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
CBS News
31-05-2025
- CBS News
Future Leaders winner is a young Coloradan searching for the secrets of the universe
Throughout the school year, CBS Colorado along with our partners, Chevron and Colorado School of Mines, celebrate high school students excelling in science, technology, engineering and math, STEM. The Future Leaders Award comes with $1,000 and a profile on CBS News Colorado. CBS Julia Gao is the latest Future Leaders winner. She's a rising junior at Fairview High School in Boulder. Beyond a tough schedule of Advanced Placement classes, Gao is doing internships with have her working on the college level. "I really like everything about space," she told CBS News Colorado. She works to preserve the light that we can see in space. "I joined Dark Sky to work on night sky conservation efforts and to minimize light pollution where we can so we can preserve the stars," Gao explained. She also revels in the mysteries of space. "One thing that I was really interested in was dark matter, which makes up 70% of our universe, but we don't know anything about its composition," she said. Through an internship at Colorado State University, Gao is working among the physicists who are searching for the sterile neutrino, which could explain dark matter. A neutrino is the most basic subatomic particle from which all things are made. "It basically carries no charge and very minimal mass so it's very hard to find. But, if we do find the sterile neutrino that could be evidence that our understanding of the standard model, which is the model for all subatomic particles is incomplete," she said. Gao is writing a computer program that uses machine learning to look for the signs of the sterile neutrino in images taken by a subatomic particle detector. "It's a really great honor to be part of such a big important global collaboration, and I'm glad to be doing my part," Gao said. In the summer of 2024, in a lab at the University of Colorado Boulder, Gao worked on a study of how oxidative stress impacts brain cells and leads to cancer. Oxidative stress is an imbalance in the body where there are too many unstable molecules called free radicals and not enough antioxidants to neutralize them. "So I was studying different types of biomarkers for oxidative stress and by looking at those biomarkers on MRI scans it could help doctors in the future diagnose brain cancer earlier," Gao told First Alert Meteorologist Lauren Whitney. CBS In addition to these amazing internships, Gao is president of her school's chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, a national math honor society. She's a member of her school's chapter of the Science National Honor Society, and she competes on her school's Science Bowl Team. "You are involved in a lot of things, so why get involved in these particular activities?" Whitney asked. "Because there are a lot of just straight up science clubs or ways to do science, but when you can combine that with helping the people around you, I think that's really impactful," Gao replied. In the 2025-26 school year, Gao and her friend will organize the first Mustang Math Tournament in Colorado. Mustang Math is a national organization that does tournament math competitions for middle school students. Gao hopes to recruit 100 middle school students to participate. "I hope we can inspire middle schoolers to keep pursuing math and not be as daunted," she explained. She also plans to continue her own research in physics and trying to unlock the mysteries of the universe. LINK: Future Leaders CBS Colorado, Chevron, and Colorado School of Mines accept nominations and pick Future Leaders winners from September to April every year.
