FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts:
Mike Murad, mmurad@sandi.net, 619-925-4790
James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845
Ben Berliner, ben.berliner@aspeninstitute.org
SD UNIFIED STUDENTS PUTTING ON THEIR THINKING CAPS FOR SECOND YEAR OF ASPEN CHALLENGE; GRAND PRIZE-WINNING TEAM TO GET ALL-EXPENSES PAID TRIP TO ASPEN IDEAS FESTIVAL IN JUNE
Student-Led Teams to Draw Inspiration From Innovators and Leaders in the Professional World
SAN DIEGO (FEBRUARY 3, 2025) – Changing the world for the better is the goal, and finding a way to do it will be the task for more than 130 students from 12 San Diego Unified School District High Schools. For the second year in a row, the Aspen Challenge and San Diego Unified are partnering to empower students to address critical community issues.
On Tuesday, February 4 at Building 177 in San Diego’s Liberty Station, 2875 Dewey Rd, San Diego, 92106, student-led teams and educators will connect with “Expert Challengers,” leaders, and innovators presenting issues on key topics - including the unhoused community, discrimination against the LGBTQ+ population, ocean pollution, the overuse of technology as it relates to mental health, and more.
(Editor Note: The best time for media to arrive for a preview interview is 8 a.m. Click on these links to view videos of the 2024 Aspen Challenge, and the eventual Grand Prize winners in San Diego.)
After receiving their doses of inspiration throughout the day, teams will get their marching orders to come up with a concept, design it, and eventually showcase it at a follow-up presentation - just nine weeks later.
“Our students see the Aspen Challenge as a wonderful opportunity to make a difference,” said Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District Superintendent (Interim). “Perhaps it's finding a better way to provide resources for the unhoused, or developing a solution to reducing beach and ocean pollution. The future belongs to the next generation, and there’s never been an age limit on great ideas, so we have no doubt these groups of talented students will come up with many.”
After the February forum, teams will spend the next two months working on their solutions and will reconvene April 15 to present their projects at the Aspen Challenge Solution Showcase. A panel of judges will then select the Grand Prize-winning teams of students, who will then earn the right for an all-expenses paid trip to Aspen, Colorado in June to present their work at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
Last year, three winning teams earned the trip to Colorado: Madison High School for their efforts on reducing the consumption of single-use plastics; Mira Mesa High School for their youth-driven mental health web platform; and San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts for tackling chronic absenteeism contributors.
“Last year’s experience was incredibly enriching for our students,” Erin Richison, Ed.D., Senior Executive Director, Office of Graduation & High Schools. “They learned so many lessons that will last a lifetime, including the notion that they can impact their local community.”
2025 Participating Schools:
- Canyon Hills High School
- Clairemont High School
- Patrick Henry High School
- Logan Memorial Educational Campus
- Mira Mesa High School
- Mission Bay High School
- Mt. Everest Academy
- Point Loma High School
- San Diego High School
- San Diego Metropolitan Regional and Technical High School
- San Diego SOAR Academy (2)
- Scripps Ranch High School
- University City High School
Speakers include Jerry Troyer, Urban Street Angels; Aaron Ngan, The San Diego LGBT Community Center; Alex Ferron, Surfrider Foundation; Eisha Buch, Common Sense Media; Courtney Esparza, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The inaugural Aspen Challenge launched in collaboration with Los Angeles Unified School District in 2013. Since its inception, the Challenge has expanded to include partnerships with school districts in Denver, Washington D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Louisville, Miami, New Orleans, Brooklyn, and Boston.
To learn more about the Aspen Challenge, click here.
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Thanks,
Mike
Mike Murad
Public Information Coordinator
San Diego Unified School District
mmurad@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org
Mobile Phone: 619-925-4790
4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103
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