Much of Clarise’s worldview is shaped by the summers she has spent in Ireland. She was able to learn about her ancestral roots and connect with her ancestral homeland, perspectives that made her passionate about using writing to advocate for an equitable and sustainable world. This passion led her to participate in Colorado Youth Congress, where she built community power for racial justice and mental health initiatives across the state. As a junior, Clarise collaborated with a peer to produce the Anti-Hero Film Festival, which was hosted by the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver and sought to uplift the narratives of those who have been forcibly erased by dominant culture. Clarise seeks to live into the film festival’s tagline “to tell your story is a sacred act” by sharing her writing and her knowledge of writing, particularly as a volunteer for the local organization, Denver Writes. Clarise is compassionate and determined, with a wacky sense of humor and a deep love of afternoon tea and cake. When she’s not writing or organizing, Clarise can be found reading library books with her cat, Rita.
Leadership:
- Denver Writes, Workshop Coordinator
- Sustainability Club, Secretary
- Denver Roller Derby – Major Turbulence, Member
