For more than 80 years, the Boettcher Foundation has invested in Colorado’s next generation, awarding over $110 million in scholarships to the state’s top students.

Each year, the foundation selects 50 of the most promising high school seniors from nearly 2,000 applicants across the state. Those chosen receive a full-ride scholarship to any Colorado university of their choice. The foundation partners with Colorado universities to split the cost of the four-year scholarship.

The program’s goal is to keep Colorado’s top students in-state, with the hope they’ll continue to contribute to their communities after graduation.

“Boettcher Scholars are selected for their academic achievement, outstanding character, and service and leadership in their schools and communities,” Boettcher Foundation President and CEO Katie Kramer said in a press release. “The Boettcher Scholarship is an investment in our state’s doers and difference makers. It not only recognizes their past achievements but their future impacts to the State of Colorado.”

This year, two of the 50 recipients are seniors at Glenwood Springs High School: Ty Hesse and Amanda Madden.

“I’m so proud to be even in the running,” Hesse said. “It still doesn’t feel real, just thinking back on the application process and how many people first applied. I just feel so grateful to be a member of this group of 50, and to be representing the Glenwood community.”

Hesse and Madden stood out for their dedication to serving their hometown. Both have shown an extraordinary commitment to improving the Glenwood Springs community in unique ways.

Hesse, a three-year volunteer with Sunlight Ski Patrol, has spent countless hours on conservation projects—building and maintaining trails, removing invasive species, and taking down barbed wire fences to allow wildlife to migrate more freely.

“I think the foundation took notice of how I am a Western Colorado kid,” he said. “I spend a lot of time outside, and I love to take the time to give back to my community. Growing up in Western Colorado is really unique, especially in Glenwood where we are so connected to the outdoors.”

Madden has made her mark in a different way. She’s a member of the state champion Glenwood Springs mock trial team, captain of the volleyball and tennis teams, a costumer for four consecutive high school theater productions, and the youth representative on the Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation Commission.

Along with strong academics and a long list of extracurriculars, Madden has also delved into professional tailoring. As part of Sew Chic for the past three years, she’s developed a passion for creating sustainable clothing. Inspired by her family’s military background, she donates 20% of her proceeds to the Western Slope Veterans Coalition.

“My dad and grandparents were in the Navy,” Madden said. “I’ve always wanted to help the veterans. I also work as their social media manager.”

Madden was also awarded a Navy ROTC scholarship, which offers a full ride to any college in the country. She received acceptance letters from Penn State University and Brown University, but after being named a Boettcher Scholar, she is leaning toward attending the University of Colorado Boulder.

“I was going to take the Navy scholarship, but after receiving the Boettcher, I don’t think I am going to take it,” she said. “The whole point of the Boettcher is to keep students in Colorado, and I think that is really important.”

Hesse, who also has military ties, has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Since academy students don’t pay tuition, he’s now deciding between the academy and CU Boulder.

“The fact that the two schools are so different makes this process fairly unique,” he said. “I know I can get a great education at both institutions, and I’m really grateful that we have such great schools in Colorado.”

He said neither school has emerged as a clear front-runner, as both offer strong communities and future opportunities.

“Having the Boettcher Scholarship program by my side, CU Boulder would supply a great cohort and community of scholars and that would be wonderful to go along with the alumni network,” Hesse said. “But there is a fairly similar community at Air Force, and the opportunities that being in the Air Force provide on its own are hard to ignore. Either choice will give me incredible opportunities.”

Both students first learned about the Boettcher Scholarship through family members.

Hesse’s mother was awarded the scholarship in the early ’90s, so he had been preparing for years.

“I’ve always known about it through her,” he said. “I figured once it got to be my turn to apply to those sorts of things, why not give it a shot.”

Madden said she wasn’t initially focused on applying, but was encouraged by her school counselor.

“My sister was a semifinalist when she was in high school,” she said. “I wasn’t even really concerned with it, but my school counselor said I should apply, so I did.”

Neither student has made a final decision on where they’ll attend, but both are expected to make a major impact wherever they go.