Back-to-school items like binders, pencils and folders are popping up at local stores, and summer is nearing an end for students who will soon be back in the classroom.
Denver Public Schools students will be back in the district’s 207 schools on Aug. 22. As of October 2021, Denver Public Schools served around 90,250 students, according to the school district.
In honor of students returning to school and La Voz’ Special Edition on Education, we’re honoring alumni who graduated from Denver North High School — founded in 1883.
Denver North High School has a rich history in the area and was the first Denver public high school to officially use a directional name. About 11 years ago, the school got an updated look thanks to a $34 million renovation.
Though school architecture is important and historic to many people, the ongoing financial support from people via scholarships toward a student’s continuing education is a return on their investment.
Here is a look at some alumni from Denver North High School who have gone on to accomplish inspiring achievements after high school.
Barbara Martinez Casey
Graduation year: 1985
After graduating from Denver North High School in 1985 as salutatorian of her class, Barbara Martinez Casey attended the Metropolitan State University of Denver where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
Her career included time with the Colorado Department of Transportation where she served as its deputy finance/ budget director and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs where she worked as its director of financial services and control. Martinez became a CPA and is currently retired.
Yolanda Martinez
Graduation year: 1990
Yolanda Martinez finished high school at Denver North High School in 1990 and attended the Metropolitan State University of Denver shortly after where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance.
Today, she serves as a business manager at a Westminster nursing home for people in need of short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, or post-operative recovery.
Wally Ginn
Graduation year: 1944
Wally Ginn was known as Mr. Viking and served as the president of the North High Alumni Association. Denver North High School’s “Ginn Family” Library is named after Ginn’s family. His father served as an educator and Denver Public Schools school administrator.
Ginn helped found the North Side High School Alumni Scholarship Fund which provides over 25 scholarships to seniors at the school each year.
Jennifer Nuanes
Graduation year: 1989
Jennifer Nuanes helped anchor Denver North High School’s girl’s basketball team to a city championship in 1988 before she went on to play basketball at the University of Michigan. During her high school career, Nuanes once made 22 free throws during a game against George Washington and scored 40 points against Denver East.
After college, Nuanes went on to work in the field of criminology at Lookout Mountain Academy and as a probation officer with the federal court.
Cindy Velasquez Peña
Graduation year: 1975
Cindy Velasquez a graduate of North High attended Colorado State University at Ft. Collins (CSU) acquiring a degree in broadcasting. Velasquez was hired by KUSA Channel 9 working her way from sales rep to Station Manager. In 1997 she became Denver’s first Latina General Manager at KMGH, Denver’s 7. Velasquez has since retired and serves on various local and national boards. Velasquez is married to former Denver Mayor, former U.S. Secretary of Energy and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Federico Peña.
