Jake Levinson, a 2020 graduate of Denver Academy and son of DA Director of Facilities Jim Levinson, will soon receive his college degree from Hastings College in Nebraska with a double major in criminology and history.  In late April, he received Hastings College's most prestigious award, the 2024 Bronco Award, which recognized Jake for his willingness to ask questions for greater understanding and for demonstrating the courage to expand himself in new areas. See a video of Jake accepting the award here.

 

Read on for a Q&A with Jake.

Without Denver Academy, it’s probable that I would not have been able to receive a high school diploma. Denver Academy lifted me out of a really dark place when I first started there in seventh grade back in 2014, as I had been treated rather poorly in the public school system.

I have been treated remarkably well at Hastings College, and I have been able to participate a lot in the campus community, including being an RA (resident assistant) for three years.

I learned about the importance of keeping and maintaining a healthy and safe community, which I have definitely kept with me during my time at Hastings College.

Joe Senne, Shelby Soto, Gary MacMillan, and Fred Miller.

The fact that I was completely safe while I was there from being treated badly for being different from other people.