Congratulations to the 2021 Divorce Matters Scholarship Winner, Paola Gascot!

Divorce Matters is proud to announce Paola Gascot-Chinea as the winner of the 2021 Divorce Matters Scholarship. Although we had a lot of qualified applicants this year, Paola stood out among them. Our committee was impressed with Paola’s academic involvement, work ethic and abundance of extracurriculars that positively affect Paola’s community. Paola will be entering her second year at Denver University, majoring in Environmental Science.

Paola’s achievements and involvement in her community stood out above the rest. Some of her high school involvement includes the Student Equity Working Group, the Hispanic Latino Student Alliance, founding the Women’s Forum, playing tennis and running cross country, volunteering as a peer mentor at Our Turn (a non-profit bringing equality to education), and volunteering at the Children’s Hospital of Aurora. In college, Paola has joined a living learning community for environmental sustainability to dig into her interest in the environment. She has also joined the Pi Lambda Chi sorority for Latina students.

When asked what this scholarship meant to her, Paola told Divorce Matters, “This scholarship means everything to me. As I answer these questions, I feel emotional and I feel the urge to cry happy tears! I have worked so hard and I have gone through so much that it feels amazing to know that all of that hard work has paid off. It’s even more of a relief that I can focus on my studies and take it one day at a time. I don’t have to be rushing or finding ways in order to pay for my education, as I do pay for my own studies.”

It is our honor to award Paola with this scholarship. We wish her the very best in her undergraduate education, and in achieving her goal of applying her Environmental Science degree to making a difference in both low-income communities and communities of color. To everyone reading this, Paola would like to say that “anything is possible if you set your mind to it. At the moment it may feel like not much is going to happen but results don’t usually start showing until further down the road and it is more than okay to fail because that is how you learn. That is how you become a better person.”

We want to thank everyone that applied and wish you all the very best in your academic endeavors!

4 Ways to Enjoy The Great Outdoors This Summer

With most of the state re-opening after coronavirus, here is a list of four exciting things to do outdoors with friends and family all over the state of Colorado!

1. Hike to Hanging Lake

This scenic trail that is just about 3 hours west of Denver, near Glenwood Springs, takes you to a gorgeous canyon with a flowing river and gentle waterfalls. The scenic hike is just over a mile long but it is quite steep and rocky. Make sure to pack sunscreen, hiking shoes and lots of water! Visitors must purchase a permit online at https://visitglenwood.com/hanginglake/#toggle-id-4-closed before arriving.

2. Sloan’s Lake Recreational Activities

Whether you want to catch some fish, take a bike ride or watch a beautiful sunset, the largest lake in Denver has it all. It is open to the public and has some great facilities to take advantage of in the summer. With picnic tables, sports fields and a trail around the lake, there is something to do for everyone! Check out all that Sloan’s lake has to offer at https://www.uncovercolorado.com/public-parks/sloans-lake-park/

3. Weekend Camping Trip

Do you want to escape the hustle and bustle of your everyday life? Take the kids and get away for a weekend by going camping in the great outdoors! Pitch a tent, make a campfire, and relax in the Colorado wilderness. To find a campground and make reservations, go to https://cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/Reservations.aspx

4. Take a road trip

Want to explore new places you’ve never been before in Colorado or beyond? Hop in the car with your kids or some friends and set your sights on a new adventure. Whether it be the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, the gorgeous mountains in Estes Park, or out to the deserts of Moab, UT, there is always somewhere new to go and more beautiful to see!

We know life can get a little hectic, but it is always important to take some time to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors – especially when we live in a state as beautiful as Colorado!

Fall Into Fall

Step outside in the last week and it’s easy to tell that fall is finally here. The sun is starting to set earlier and the temperatures are beginning to drop. One doesn’t have to look too hard to find pumpkin spiced everything on the shelves of your favorite grocery store or in your favorite coffee shops. Here are five great ways to embrace the changing of the season and experience the best fall has to offer.
  1. Head up to the mountains and check out the changing of the leaves! You can see it starting to happen around your neighborhood, but there isn’t anything like seeing the foliage in full bloom up in the mountains.
  2. Gather everybody and have them over for a good old fashioned football viewing party. It’s a great way to catch up with everyone while getting to enjoy the game on Sunday.
  3. Find a pumpkin patch or apple orchard in your area. This is the perfect time of year to get out into the fresh air and pick these items yourself. When you get home, carve out that pumpkin, bake those pumpkin seeds, and turn those apples into an apple pie!
  4. Corn mazes are another great way to find something fun for you and the kids to do together and it’s also a chance to get outside and enjoy the cooler, more comfortable temperatures. They usually have all sorts of fun fall activities, such as hay rides, tractors your kids can explore, farm animals and of course – corn mazes!
  5. With such great weather approaching, it’s a great time to take your kids out on a fun autumn hike! Pack some water and apple cider, some snacks, maybe even a few slices of that apple pie that you baked from number three on our list!
We are all grateful for a break from the heat of the summer, but don’t let the best parts of fall get away from you. Carve out some time for yourself and try these five fun ways to fall into fall.