06/19/2025
A Legacy Beyond Borders 🇨🇷🇵🇦: The Best Year Ever
Two days ago—on June 17, 2025—we marked the final day of learning of what will forever be known as The Best Year Ever of Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design.
It was a bittersweet day, filled with pride, awe, and deep emotion. And how perfect that we closed this incredible chapter with the return of two extraordinary Ravens: Ray (Alumnus) and Malcolm (Sophomore), who completed a 9-day international learning journey to Costa Rica and Panama, accompanied by their principal (and proud chaperone), Dr. Evelyn Cruz.
Together, we soared—living out the global curiosity, courage, and love for learning that defined DSISD.
In Costa Rica, we:
🌊 Snorkeled in vibrant waters
🚣♂️ Whitewater rafted wild rivers
🌋 Stood at the edge of an active volcano
🐜 Studied rainforest ecosystems—observing leafcutter ants, waterfalls, and lush flora
💦 Relaxed in the Baldi Hot Springs beneath the rainforest canopy
In Panama, we:
🌎 Explored the Biomuseo and Panama’s remarkable biodiversity
🏄 Learned to surf the Pacific waves
🐒 Cruised Gatun Lake and observed tamarin monkeys, turtles, and tropical birds in their native habitat
🚢 Stood in awe at the Panama Canal and learned about its history and the engineering marvel it represents from renowned Panamanian engineer, Ilya Espino de Marotta—the first woman to lead its expansion.
💃 Closed the trip dancing to traditional music over an authentic Panamanian dinner
Ray and Malcolm didn’t just travel—they carried our mission into the world:
To learn deeply. Explore bravely. Lead with heart.
Their journey was the perfect culmination of our 2024–2025 school theme:
“Space for All, Empowered by STEAM.” 🚀
This trip was the exclamation point on a year filled with joy, resilience, adventure, and community.
Yes, saying goodbye to DSISD is hard. But this final journey reminds us:
We didn’t just close a school—we built a legacy. And it lives on.
Ray and Malcolm, thank you for placing the cream on top of this unforgettable year. You made us proud.
P.S. 🚀 Stay tuned! In December 2025, the student projects our Ravens created—under the instruction and coaching of Uplift Aerospace and Astrolab—will be sent to the moon. That’s right... DSISD is going lunar🌖