Saffran Stevens was confronted with many challenges at a young age. Rather than let them overwhelm her, the Pine Creek High School senior has used them as motivation.

“My greatest challenge has been the people around me,” Steven said. “In fifth grade, I was told I was going to hell for not believing in Jesus, and in eighth grade … to ‘go to Auschwitz.’ Even as an 11-year-old I knew I deserved to be treated with respect, just like people of other religions.”

The antisemitism Stevens still faces has instilled a deep-rooted desire to champion social justice and equity, not only for Jews, but for everyone.

Stevens has become an active member of her community and a dedicated leader in her school. For four years Stevens has served on the student council, organizing a plethora of events from dances to community-wide service projects, homecoming and spirit week.

“Saffran Stevens is one of our school’s premier leaders,” said Stephanie Cornelio, a college career counselor at Pine Creek High School. “She has volunteered more to help others than any other student body leader. She gives unselfishly to other students, and her leadership makes a positive impact.”

Cornelio credits Stevens with saving the school’s Theatre Department multiple times after several changes in theatre leadership. When productions became smaller because of new theatre directors, Stevens ensured that those students who didn’t get a place in a production were still included. Stevens also educated herself on set and costume designer out of necessity.

Outside of school, Stevens serves on the Youth Activation Committee for Special Olympics Colorado and in 2023 led a youth forum for students to get involved with the election process.

In addition to volunteering with younger children at her synagogue, Stevens was also chosen to serve on the Police Chief’s Youth Advisory Committee for Colorado Springs to “champion diversity and advocate for those who may not be able to.

“I’m proud to have a deeper understanding of law enforcement in general and to have an opportunity to really be in a position where we have discussed everything from how the Black Lives Matter movement affected their policies and witnessing 911 dispatch in action,” Stevens said.

Stevens also took part in Colorado Girls State, a non-partisan government-in-action program.

“I am concerned about the lack of funding we have in the state of Colorado for things like education, infrastructure and homelessness,” Stevens said. “Understanding the intricacies of these issues is one of the reasons why I am so interested in politics. I’d like to impart positive change in the world be starting with wherever I am living.”

Stevens’ interest and passion for politics as well as her experience spending her formative years living in Germany has led her to attend the University of Edinburgh in Scotland in the fall, studying history and politics, with an aim to pursue a graduate program.

“I would love to delve deeper into these topics and further my understanding of their interconnectedness as almost every modern conflict and political choice has its roots in the specific history of a place,” Stevens said. “I find that hearing different evidence concerning policy decisions and the reasoning behind these decisions is incredibly enlightening.”

Cornelio says it’s hard to understand how Stevens does it all on top of maintaining a 4.56 GPA. Stevens’ parents, Jacob and Erin, said they also don’t know quite where to begin to express their love and appreciation.

“Being her parents has been a joy,” Jacob Stevens said. “She is not afraid to be herself even when that means standing apart from the crowd … We are grateful to be along for the ride and see how she ends up making a difference in the world and lives of others.”