Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) Alumna Tamara Curry graduated in 2021 from University of Colorado (CU) Colorado Springs, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her last year of college was completely remote, and as a first-generation college student, she was disappointed that she wouldn’t be able to walk across the graduation stage with her friends and family cheering her on. Luckily, creativity runs in the Curry family. Tamara’s parents created a makeshift graduation “stage” at their house, and Tamara and her twin sister Sandra celebrated both their college graduation with loved ones and their futures as young professionals in Denver.
Being the oldest in her family, along with her sister Sandra, Tamara sees herself as a role model for future generations. Her parents moved to the United States from Liberia and were unfamiliar with the college application process in America. But Tamara says they supported her every step of the way, even if the process was a big unknown. By being the first in their family to go to college, Tamara and Sandra showed their younger siblings that college is possible and that it could be a reality for them as well. Tamara’s brother is currently a sophomore at Colorado School of Mines, and their youngest sister is going into 8th grade. Tamara tells them that college is an incredible new journey that is all about growth and laying out your legacy, which helps encourage them to pursue their educational dreams.
DSF Alumna Tamara Curry celebrating her college graduation virtually thanks to a homemade graduation stage!
Tamara graduated from DSST Green Valley Ranch in 2017 and enrolled at CU Colorado Springs to study marketing and entrepreneurship. During spring break of her junior year, the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools down, and classes went remote. Tamara says that moving home from campus during that time felt incredibly surreal, and remote learning was a challenge. As someone who is an in-person learner, Tamara had to pivot and adjust to a new type of learning. She says that her support system, including DSF, helped her continue to make strides towards graduation even through the challenges.
Tamara is grateful for the scholarship she received through DSF, saying that without the financial help, there would have been a bigger financial strain on her family. Her twin sister was also a DSF Scholar at CU Colorado Springs, and the two of them were able to support each other through hardships, as well as connect with other DSF Scholars on campus. Finding community helped Tamara achieve her personal and professional goals.
Tamara has always had a passion for entrepreneurship and fashion, which is why she recently started a women’s clothing line. Her brand, Moti’s House, strives to become a new go-to house of universal pieces for the office and evenings in the city. Inspired by her mother’s fashion sense, Tamara says that “Moti’s House is here to make women look and feel their best anywhere the day takes them.”
After graduation, Tamara started her current job as an advertising and marketing coordinator at DSF media partner 5280 Publishing, Inc. She is grateful for the supportive environment and is excited that this role lets her learn about the advertising, marketing, and event side of the business. Tamara gets to interact with the Denver community and supports 5280 events like Top of the Town. She credits her college experience, where she learned how to network, advocate for herself, and take advantage of opportunities, to her professional success.
Learn More About DSF
DSF is a nonprofit making college possible and building the educational and economic future of Denver by collaborating with Denver Public Schools high school students, families, and partners statewide to increase access and completion of post-high school learning and expand generational exposure to career and entrepreneurial opportunities.
DSF accomplishes this through its nationally recognized three-part program consisting of an evidence-based support system, actionable tools, and scholarships to help guide students to lifelong success.
Recognizing the challenges DPS graduates continue to face in enrolling in college, and those added on once enrolled, over the past 15 years DSF has built a comprehensive platform of continual student support, beginning in DPS high schools, and continuing throughout college in the State of Colorado.
DSF believes that a postsecondary education and financially self-sustaining employment is a fundamental right for every person. Ingrained in our organization is a commitment to and accountability for providing tools, knowledge, and resources needed to support under-represented students through educational pathways that lead to a life of freedom and choice. Since its inception, DSF has supported over 45,000 DPS students, and awarded $52 million in need-based scholarships and comprehensive support services to 8,272 DPS graduates. To learn more and hear additional student, DSF Scholar, Alumni, staff, and supporter stories, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
