Meet Boulder High senior Xiomara: Future pediatric nurse
Impact on Education scholarship awardee to study public health at CU Denver
4 min read
Xiomara Portillo has spent much of her youth watching the care and compassion of others make a difference in her family’s life. Now, she hopes to provide that same comfort to children and families navigating difficult moments of their own.
“I’ve always loved being around little kids and helping them feel cared for,” she said. “Because of my little brother, I grew up spending a lot of time at Children’s Hospital, and the nurses and staff were always so kind, not just to him, but to me too.”
Her younger brother has Down syndrome, and years spent accompanying him to appointments showed Xiomara firsthand the impact compassionate healthcare workers can have on families.
This fall, the Boulder High School senior will attend the University of Colorado Denver to study public health before applying to nursing school with the goal of becoming a pediatric nurse at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
“I’ve always loved being around little kids and helping them feel cared for. Because of my little brother, I grew up spending a lot of time at Children’s Hospital, and the nurses and staff were always so kind, not just to him, but to me too.”
A family tradition of hard work and helping others
The desire to care for others shows up throughout Xiomara’s life. At Boulder High, she volunteered through Panther Z Club, helping low-income families select holiday gifts through a local Share-A-Gift program. She also volunteered through her church as a teacher’s assistant.
“It mainly comes from my parents,” she said about giving back. “They’ve always taught me that even if you don’t have a lot, you should still give what you can and try to help other people whenever possible. That’s something I’ve carried with me.”
Xiomara’s parents immigrated from El Salvador more than 20 years ago and worked hard to create opportunities for their children. College was always part of the dream, but the financial reality was a concern.
“Money was definitely one of the biggest worries when it came to college,” Xiomara said. “Receiving this scholarship made me feel like I could finally breathe a little easier. It made college feel more possible, and it took away some of the stress for both my family and me.”
In recognition of her hard work, academic commitment, and dedication to serving others, Xiomara was named the 2026 recipient of the Earl and Barbara Bolton Scholarship through Impact on Education.
“When I found out I received [this scholarship], I was honestly so happy and shocked. My teachers were excited for me, my parents were proud and it just felt really emotional knowing that people believed in me and wanted to support my future.”
The Earl and Barbara Bolton Scholarship is one of several awards Impact on Education grants each year to Boulder Valley School District graduates, helping remove barriers to higher education for local students. The Boltons — a Boulder-born couple who shared a love for education, aviation, and service — left a bequest to Impact on Education that supports students like Xiomara. The $5,000 scholarship is renewable for up to four years, for a total of $20,000.
“When I found out I received it, I was honestly so happy and shocked,” Xiomara said. “My teachers were excited for me, my parents were proud and it just felt really emotional knowing that people believed in me and wanted to support my future.”
College and career preparation in action
The scholarship is one of many ways Impact on Education helps Boulder Valley School District students pursue higher education and future careers. In addition to scholarship support, Xiomara also participated in the Grad+ Summer Leadership Academy, a program funded in part by Impact on Education that helps students build career readiness and confidence through workshops, mock interviews, and internships.
For Xiomara, the experience helped her feel more prepared for the future.
“My parents worked so hard to give us opportunities they didn’t have. I want to make them proud, help support them someday, and show other kids like me that these dreams really are possible.”
“I’m really grateful for opportunities like Grad+ because they help students gain experiences and confidence that not everyone has access to,” she said. “The mock interviews especially helped me feel more prepared for the future and more confident in myself.”
As she prepares to become one of the first in her immediate family to graduate from college, Xiomara hopes her education will create new opportunities not only for herself but also for her family.
“My parents worked so hard to give us opportunities they didn’t have,” she said. “I want to make them proud, help support them someday, and show other kids like me that these dreams really are possible.”
BEFORE YOU GO
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