Intern Biographies
We cultivate untapped talent - especially college and high school students.
These exceptional interns have all contributed to the success of SparqU and our growth and we thank them for all of their hard work and contributions they have made to our programs!
Are you interested in being an intern? See our available positions HERE!
LaTonya Curry was born and raised in Denver, CO. She is a proud graduate of Denver East High School and Langston University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Administration. LaTonya serves as a Teacher’s Assistant & IC3 Digital Literacy Tutor. She provides excellent customer service and office administration skills to our team.
Favorite Quotes:
I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13
“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” - Napoleon Hill
Anthony Alvarez is a Community College of Denver student from the valley of the sun, Phoenix, Arizona. He is a former gang member who reached into his inner geek side to join the tech side (I know, horrible Star Wars pun). He decided to change his life nearly ten years ago. Anthony is a Teacher’s Assistant, Tutor, and in-house Technical Support Specialist. He recently completed his certificate in computer networking from Emily Griffith Technical College.
Favorite Quote:
“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.” - Eric Thomas, The Secret to Success
Sean Quayle was our summer 2018 Internship Coordinator where he supervised 7 interns. He is certified in Entrepreneurship & Small Business with an Associates degree in Business Administration from the Community College of Denver. He brings an unquenchable passion for helping others and a personable presence to everyone he meets. He is now employed at Denver Workforce Services.
Oliver Martinez-Reyes was our summer 2017 Internship Coordinator where he supervised 7 interns at just 18 years old. He then transferred to the University of Denver after graduating from the Community College of Denver with an Associate degree in Business Administration just a few months after graduating high school. He has a passion for business and entrepreneurship and is always pursuing new learning opportunities. For the past 4 years, he has been actively involved in Junior Achievement, a non-profit that helps students K-12 become financially literate. He has spoken at the Colorado Business Hall of Fame for the last three consecutive years, as well as various events across the city. Oliver contributed a lot of experience and knowledge to SparqU. He has skills in marketing, operations, organization, and business planning to name a few. He recently completed his Master’s at the University of Denver from the Daniels College of Business for Accounting and Finance. He is now employed at the Walt Disney Company as a Financial Analyst.
Matt Hickson is a recent graduate of the Community College of Denver (CCD). He was a long-time Marketing Intern for SparqU and Digital Content Intern for BootUp Camps. Prior to that, he accomplished his dream of becoming an Olympic-level Long Track Speedskater. However, his career trajectory was threatened due to life circumstances. Nonetheless, Matt persevered and found his new passion in web page and marketing development. Matt was faced with circumstances, but his actions lead him to finding this internship. Moreover, his actions have even catapulted him to start his own web page development company. He believes you are defined by your actions not by your circumstances, and embodies this idea far beyond this text.
Christian Glassiognon is a Colorado Futuretek alum who loves computers and professional video gaming. He began his internship career at SparqU at the ripe old age of 15 and helped with social media, marketing, and event planning. He has gained experience in Aerospace Engineering, coding, UAV building, and (almost) earning his pilot’s license. He hopes to start his own technology business that generates a billion dollars in revenue in 20 years. He is currently a Software Developer in Test at Techtonic, creator of “Testing For Everyone,” and Software Developer for growing businesses and startups. He aims to develop and lead highly flexible software teams building products for his and other companies. Christian facilitated the transition from manual to automated testing when on contract at Techtonic, has grown a following writing software testing content on Twitter, and is trusted by several startups to build and test reliable and efficient software for them. He’s also a big fan of standup comedy and Formula 1. You can find him on www.linkedin.com/in/heyglassy or www.twitter.com/_heyglassy
Anna Righi is a student, class of 2018, at George Washington High School enrolled in the IB program and the Business CareerConnect Program that allowed her to intern for SparqU in the summer of 2017 giving her an opportunity to explore the adult world. Anna is part of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club at her high school and she is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. In her free time, she enjoys practicing sports, volunteering in her community, and cultivating her passion for photography.
Tashan Montgomery is a 20-year- old Black male born and raised in Denver Colorado. He is an alum of George Washington High School, and is now a junior at the University of Denver. He is a recipient of not only the Daniels Fund Scholarship, but many others as well. In his free time, he participates heavily in community service, as he is passionate about helping others. He also spends a lot of time practicing his photography skills. Studying at the University of Denver, Tashan majors in International Business and minors in Political Science. With these two studies, he wants to live a life that allows him to own his own business, while also advocating for human rights and communities of color.
Elijah Hawat is a 16 year old High School Junior at the Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST), Stapleton Campus. He has a wide range of talents and skills including heavy knowledge of computer hardware and robotics, as well as 3D design. He is also in his high school’s Mock Trial team, receiving the best attorney award from the Colorado Bar Association. Hawat joined the SparqU internship team because of his interest in entrepreneurship and his willingness to contribute his technological skills to the cause. He hopes to attend a university in which he can follow his dream and become a bio engineer, creating products for the betterment of humanity.
Frank Douglas attends the Community College of Denver (CCD) and is in progress to receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Information Technology. He is dedicated to giving his children a prosperous future despite the trials and tribulations he faced in the past with gangs. He grew up with a love for computers, but wanted to be an accountant. He rediscovered his love for computers when he worked as an IBM seller. Frank received his GED in 1993 and now excels in academics. Maintaining membership in Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society while holding a 3.8 grade point average, Frank Douglas is focused on driving his applying his love for technology into a job that he is passionate about.
Warren Stokes is a H.S. Junior at Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design (DSISD) going into the field of business and engineering. His passions are in the sport of hockey and using his hands to create wonders. He has experience in many fields such as engineering, entrepreneurship, sports, and even acting. All of these have helped him obtain the skills needed to accomplish his hopes and dreams. He eventually hopes to start his own business that focuses on all types of engineering and science to shape and change the world for the better.
Tyla Bryant is a storyteller that shares her fantastic original wolds with others in the form of art and animation. She has not only been drawing all of her life, but has thought up hundreds of characters and stories that keep her soul young at heart. She was born and raised in Colorado with a positive outlook for the future thanks to her amazing and supportive parents, family, and friends. She aims to make her parents and herself proud by becoming the “next Disney or DreamWorks studio” during her lifelong profession as an animator. She came to SparqU in order to gain experience, meet new people, and create memories that will lead her to the desired career path she has been looking for. SparqU has been an asset to her and will positively affect her life in the long run thanks to the numerous skills she has learned from them. She received an outstanding intern award from DPS CareerConnect for her work with SparqU and Innofinancial Business Services.
Manzer Montgomery is a 15 year old African American male from Denver Colorado. He is currently a sophomore at George Washington High School in Denver, Colorado. Although his first name is Manzer, he occasionally goes by Rashan, which is his middle name. He is very skilled in coordination and hands-on tasks. He has various interests, including puzzles, playing the piano, skateboarding, tennis, making music, and tinkering with electronics. For the beginning half of the summer of 2017 and 2015, he has participated in programs by non-profit Colorado Futuretek, where he learned about computing and was also able to teach senior citizens about basic computer skills. Manzer plans to attend the University of Denver and major in Film production.