Author: Rachel Stovall
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Investigating the issue of medical mistrust in Black communities | Rachel Stovall
Here’s the latest in the cultural wars. Colorado-based dermatologist Dr. Travis Morrell and nonprofit Do No Harm sued “Find A Black Doctor” this month. This was reported by Black Enterprise. Find A Black Doctor describes itself as …”is an internet directory of U.S. based black physicians and dentists in active clinical practice. Our mission is to be a partner which provides access, education and resources to improve health outcomes particularly…
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Best & Brightest: Aspiring engineer redefines success
Even for the Best and Brightest, Tikvah Koppisch is extremely successful. Her academic career – including 15 Advanced Placement Courses – causes school staff to describe Koppisch as “rigorous as she is curious.” A National Merit Scholar, she currently has a cumulative G.P.A. of 4.314. According to her college counselor at the Vanguard School, over the last 18 months, Tikvah has also read 291 books. Her interests are wide-ranging…
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Best & Brightest: A passion for computer science and art
Like many of the Best and the Brightest Winners, Sophie Zhou is an exceptional student. She anticipates attending Stanford this fall. Her twin passions for Art and Computer Science have carved out for her an art-activist niche that she can set her life in. She is also a member of the non-profit organization All In AI, which runs summer camps to teach underrepresented students about machine learning. Sophie is motivated by working with these students…
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Local area Cinco de Mayo efforts are noticeably unique | Rachel Stovall
Every year in May, the same question is asked across America: What exactly is Cinco de Mayo? For some, it is just an excuse for restaurant specials, margaritas, and themed parties. For others, it represents cultural pride, family traditions, music, dance, food, and the celebration of Mexican heritage and resilience. Increasingly, social media turns the holiday into a battleground over cultural appropriation, commercialization,…
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Best & Brightest: Dynamic leader values duty and service
The college counselor at Thomas Doherty High School recommended Sophia Melpakam for the Best and the Brightest award with the highest of praise. “I have worked with thousands of students, and Sophia is at the top of them all. I truly cannot express in words how amazing she is.” Sophia is the Doherty 2026 valedictorian and student body president. She also…
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Best & Brightest: A combination of academics and ‘pay-it-forward’ mindset
Best and Brightest Winner Trent Gregg “demonstrates exceptional leadership and commitment.” These are the words of his student council sponsor at Peyton High School. Trent currently carries a G.P.A of 4.25. As the President of the National Honor Society and Student Council, Trent is recognized as a leader. Whether on the basketball court, implementing clothing drives, mentoring students, or during his classes,…
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Avoid cancel culture, especially with kids | Rachel Stovall
Recently, several students at Harrison High School shared a social media photo involving balloons arranged to resemble a racial slur. The N- word. According to classmates, the balloons had originally been part of a graduation display that read “Congratulations Seniors” before being rearranged for the offensive image. When confronted, the students reportedly claimed the balloons spelled “Niger,” the African nation, and dismissed…
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Proposed law could have unintended consequences | Rachel Stovall
We know that companies collect data. It’s a frequent practice. The question in Colorado has become whether that data will be used to serve people or exploit them. HB26-1210, now before the Colorado legislature, aligns with a broader national debate over artificial intelligence, consumer privacy, and worker rights. The bill would designate certain types of individualized price or wage setting as deceptive trade practices under Colorado’s Consumer…
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End child marriage, don’t just manage it | Rachel Stovall
Let’s talk about Bill SB26-048. It allows children to marry adults. Why would any Colorado lawmaker support that? Practically speaking, marriage has changed. In 2026, we expect marriage to be an equal contract between consenting adults. But in many countries, cultures and over centuries, marriage was considered a family-governed social institution tied to property, inheritance, legitimacy, pregnancy, and parental authority over children. In other words, these people exploited their children for…
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Implications of Williams’ appointment as Chief of Staff | Rachel Stovall
The Mayor’s Office of Colorado Springs recently made the news. Wayne Williams was appointed chief of staff to Mayor Yemi Mobolade. You may remember that Williams was Mobolade’s 2023 opponent from the last Mayoral election. Mobolade has framed the hire as a unity-and-execution move, saying the city’s problems around public safety, roads, housing, and economic growth are not partisan and require…