Senior Ellie White has emerged as a young voice in Colorado's juvenile justice reform efforts. Appointed by Governor Jared Polis to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Council, Ellie is the youngest member of the council. Her focus on undiagnosed learning differences and unaddressed developmental disabilities in justice-engaged youth demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the challenges facing vulnerable young people.

Ellie's journey began with her involvement with the JJDPC  in the Emerging Leaders Committee, where she now serves as chairperson. Her passion for addressing systemic issues has led her to spearhead initiatives like a pilot program for developmental screenings and implementing a statewide hotline for justice-engaged students seeking educational support.

Ellie shares, "The most surprising thing I've learned is that kids in the juvenile justice system are not that different from SMirls. They want to go to school and learn, they want to have fun with their friends, they want to help their communities, and they want to have an interesting job where they can make a difference. They want to have hope for their future."

Looking ahead, Ellie will pursue American Studies or Political Science in college, with the goal of crafting public policies that address racial disparities in the justice system and ensuring equitable access to learning support for all students, regardless of their background.