“I told them to use their hearts and minds instead of going into the challenge trying to win. Once it’s something that you are actually interested in, and you’re willing to make a change in the world whether you receive something or not, without a doubt you’ll have no problem with the solution.”
-Annyah Cush, Aspen Challenge participant and mentor’s advice to Aspen Challenge participants.

For Annyah Cush, the Aspen Challenge was more than just a competition. It was a chance to find her purpose and discover a passion for helping others. From her first experience as a high school participant in Brooklyn in 2023 to returning as a mentor in 2024, Annyah’s journey shows how the Aspen Challenge can open doors, inspire leadership, and empower young people to use their voices to inspire positive change.

Annyah’s journey began in an unexpected way. She didn’t sign up for the Aspen Challenge herself. Instead, it was her educators who picked her for the opportunity. “My teachers just chose me to be a part of it, and I didn’t even know what exactly I was joining,” Annyah remembers. “But I trusted them because I knew they wouldn’t steer me toward something that wasn’t going to benefit me.”

She stepped into the Challenge with an open mind, and it didn’t take long for her to see its impact. “I found my purpose, a passion in helping other teens, and that opened my eyes to other opportunities I can have for myself,” she says. The experience didn’t just teach her about leadership; it taught her how to work as part of a team to address real-world issues.

When Annyah’s 2023 Brooklyn Community Arts & Media High School team chose Kenya George’s Challenge on postsecondary opportunities, they knew they wanted to create something meaningful. “We all wanted to collaborate on our ideas and find something that everyone could contribute to,” she said. Their solution, “Project Black”, was designed to help teens navigate their postsecondary futures by providing mentorship and insights into different professions. “We held workshops where we brought in people from all kinds of professions to help guide teens,” Annyah explained. “It was about giving the teens insights on how they could improve or reach their goals.”

Of course, there were some bumps in the road along the way as Annyah’s team worked on their solution. One of the biggest hurdles her team faced was making sure their solution had lasting impact. “It’s easy to create an idea, but it’s hard to make sure it has real longevity and has an impact on every person you’re trying to reach.” But their perseverance paid off, and in 2023, Annyah’s team won the Aspen Challenge: Brooklyn.

In 2024, Annyah returned to the Aspen Challenge, but this time, she wasn’t just a participant, she was a mentor. “I did Zoom calls with a specific San Diego team that ended up winning Aspen Challenge as well and that showed me that I have the capability to make a difference. I told them to use their hearts and minds instead of going into the challenge trying to win. Once it’s something that you are actually interested in and willing to make a change in the world whether you receive something or not, without a doubt you’ll have no problem with the solutions.,” she said.

Since Aspen Challenge, Annyah has continued to pursue her passions by starting a nonprofit with her mom where she speaks to teens about their mental health and helps guide them to their purpose. “I took my experiences and decided to teach them entrepreneurial skills so that they can better themselves. I want to expand my nonprofit and get more involved with the community.” Annyah said. She’s been accepted to Grand Canyon University, where she plans to study behavioral health science with a focus on teens. Annyah has also been working with the Aspen Challenge community to collaborate and help other participants.