2009 Scholarship Winners Announced

Emily Squadra and Devin Kuh have been named this year's recipients of the Pat Patten Emily Squadra is an athlete who has overcome injury and balanced her strong academics with a successful Cross Country and Track & Field career at Boulder High School. Emily’s Track & Field accomplishments at the state level began in 2007, when her 4x800 Relay finished 12th at the 5A Colorado State Track & Field Championships. But last year, her running career nearly ended after a traumatic back injury made doctors question if she would walk again. The 2009 recipient of the “Tough as Nails Award” for Track & Field, Emily made a spectacular recovery, improving on her race times and earning Boulder’s #3 all time 300m hurdler. She had another strong race at the 2009 State Track & Field Championships, where she finished 14th in the 300m Hurdles. Emily’s performance in the 300m Hurdles also earned her a spot on the 2009 Front Range All-Conference Team.

Emily’s success extends off the track, as she remained on the Honor Roll from 2006-2009. Outside of school, Emily has been very active in the United Church of Christ Youth Group, through which she has attended mission trips to St. Louis, New Orleans and South Dakota, and served as the donation coordinator for a mission trip to Guatemala. Emily’s interests include traveling, cooking, camping, running, volunteering and listening to music. She plans to attend Boston University, where she has been invited to walk on their track team. Emily hopes to dedicate at least one semester to studying abroad in France. Her goals include joining the Peace Corps after college, traveling the world and committing to a lifetime of physical fitness.

In Emily’s words: “Cross country races have their ups and downs, just like our journey through life. When we get to those unbearable parts that drag on and on, it’s hard to believe that they will end. But they do. That finish line is always there, and after that is the best part. Endorphins flow through and make everything worth while. Without the painful times we wouldn’t be able to appreciate the amazing experiences that follow. I believe in cross country. This I believe.”


Devin Kuh has been one of Boulder High School’s leaders, both on and off the soccer field. Devin’s soccer career at Boulder started in 2005, when he was the only freshman selected for the Varsity team. As goal keeper, Devin’s performance earned him a spot on the Second Team All-Centennial League in 2006 and 2007, and in 2006 he was also named Boulder High Young Player of the Year. In 2008, Devin’s accolades included First-Team All Front Range League, Honorable Mention All-State and Daily Camera First Team All Region. He was named 2008’s Hardest Worker on the soccer field and was the only male chosen for the 2008 BHS Fall Sports Sportsmanship Award. As team captain both his junior and senior year, Devin was also an example to his team academically. He was selected for the First Team Academic All-State in 2007 and 2008, won the 2008-2009 BHS Senior Math Award and was named an AP Scholar with Distinction.

Devin’s leadership skills on the soccer field contributed to his success as a leader of Boulder High’s student body. Active in Student Council conferences and summer camp, Devin was sophomore class president, junior class vice president and student body president his senior year. He was the voice of Boulder High’s girls’ soccer games and the Panther mascot from 2006-2009. In addition to his volunteer work as a tutor and youth soccer coach, Devin enjoys any outdoor activity—especially alpine skiing and mountain biking. He plans to attend Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington where he intends to major in mathematics and play soccer this fall. He hopes to earn a masters in education and someday return to Boulder High School as a teacher.

In Devin’s words: “My personal goal in life is to just be happy. This happiness will come through living my life to the best of my ability in a way that will better those around me. Life, to me, is not about possessions but about the interactions we have on a daily basis and how we affect each other.”