Tia Burt grew up without a father, suffered dyslexia and has been raising her 3-year-old son.

Five years ago, all she wanted out of the Educating Children of Color Summit was a laptop. Instead, she left with hope and ambition.

More than 1,100 students, parents and professionals crowded the Colorado College campus Saturday for the summit’s workshops, classes, discussions and lectures.

Burt is a living example of how the tools presented at the summit can changes lives.

The 19-year-old graduated high school on time and is attending college in pursuit of a nursing career.

She has worked to break statistics. Only 2 percent of teen mothers graduate from college, she said, adding that many teen moms don’t even finish high school.

“People tell me what I can’t do. The best revenge is to go and do it,” she said. “It’s the best feeling in the world.”

She is already an inspiration and superhero to one person, her sister.

“She’s my motivation to keep my dream alive,” said 16-year-old Devann Burt.

Devann said she has experienced racism at her mostly white school, but that doesn’t deter her.

“My education is more important than anything I go through.”

The daylong summit was aimed at high school students and those younger than 21, parents and those who work with students.

Will Wheeler, 20, wanted a chance at a scholarship. He especially enjoyed a session with Victor Villasenor, an acclaimed Mexican-American writer.

“It was a lot better than I expected,” he said.

The summit was founded in 2008 to dismantle the cradle to prison pipeline for children of color and in poverty, said Regina Walter, an El Paso County court judge, who helped found and organize the education conference.

The summit offers tools and inspiration for everyone, said 15-year-old volunteer and participant Karin Hernadez. It’s also a big help for minority students, she said.

“People are told they will never succeed,” she said. “They need the extra push and the motivation. They need to know that someone cares.”

The best lesson for Boris Ryatt, 18, was to always grab opportunities — and that goes for everyone, he said.

Ryatt, half El Salvadoran and half white, said he would have liked the summit more if it hadn’t focused so much on color.

“What’s a color now?”

Tia Burt grew up without a father, suffered dyslexia and has been raising her 3-year-old son.Five years ago, all she wanted out of the Educating Children of Color Summit was a laptop. Instead, she left with hope and ambition.More than 1,100 students, parents and professionals crowded the Colorado College campus Saturday for the summit’s workshops, classes, discussions and lectures.Burt is a living example of how the tools presented at the summit can changes lives.The 19-year-old graduated high school on time and is attending college in pursuit of a nursing career.She has worked to break statistics. Only 2 percent of teen mothers graduate from college, she said, adding that many teen moms don’t even finish high school.“People tell me what I can’t do. The best revenge is to go and do it,” she said. “It’s the best feeling in the world.”She is already an inspiration and superhero to one person, her sister.“She’s my motivation to keep my dream alive,” said 16-year-old Devann Burt.Devann said she has experienced racism at her mostly white school, but that doesn’t deter her.“My education is more important than anything I go through.”The daylong summit was aimed at high school students and those younger than 21, parents and those who work with students.Will Wheeler, 20, wanted a chance at a scholarship. He especially enjoyed a session with Victor Villasenor, an acclaimed Mexican-American writer.“It was a lot better than I expected,” he said.The summit was founded in 2008 to dismantle the cradle to prison pipeline for children of color and in poverty, said Regina Walter, an El Paso County court judge, who helped found and organize the education conference.The summit offers tools and inspiration for everyone, said 15-year-old volunteer and participant Karin Hernadez. It’s also a big help for minority students, she said.“People are told they will never succeed,” she said. “They need the extra push and the motivation. They need to know that someone cares.”The best lesson for Boris Ryatt, 18, was to always grab opportunities — and that goes for everyone, he said.Ryatt, half El Salvadoran and half white, said he would have liked the summit more if it hadn’t focused so much on color.“What’s a color now?”—Contact Kristina Iodice: 636-0162 Twitter @GazetteKristina Facebook Kristina Iodice