Community Impact & Youth Empowerment
Over a decade of leading charity events, building partnerships, and empowering communities through service.
How Community Work Shapes My Educational Practice
My approach as an educator and curriculum designer is rooted in the same principles that guide my community work: collaboration, authentic experiences, social responsibility, and empowering learners to lead. Organizing school-wide events, coordinating volunteers, and mentoring youth strengthened my ability to build high-impact learning environments and community partnerships that support student growth.
Connection to Career & Technical Education
Many of the same principles that define high-quality CTE—teamwork, project management, communication, and real-world application—are embedded in community engagement. My leadership experiences mirror the hands-on, applied learning environments I design in technical education settings.
Media Features
Who deserves praise and criticism this week in northern Utah?
“First-year engineering teacher Cory Ortiz… was overwhelmed by the students’ selflessness.”
Impact: Organized and led major student fundraiser for pediatric cancer research.
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Students shave their heads to support St. Baldrick’s Foundation
“‘Service has always been important to me,’ said Ortiz, who organized the school event.”
Impact: Led $6,000+ fundraising effort with strong student involvement.
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Ogden junior high raises $7,000+ for head-shaving cancer charity
“Organized by first-year engineering teacher Cory Ortiz… who was blown away by the generosity.”
Impact: Managed school-wide event raising $7,442 for St. Baldrick’s.
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Go bald — and help kids with cancer
“My favorite part is being able to honor all of the people affected by cancer.”
Impact: Public outreach and event promotion helped exceed fundraising goals.
Read ArticleLifetime Impact Summary
A decade of youth leadership, fundraising, and community partnership.
- Total Raised: $46,661
- Roles: Lead Organizer, Volunteer Coordinator, Mentor, Shavee
- Organizations Supported: St. Baldrick’s Foundation, local schools, National Ability Center, community nonprofits
Year-by-Year Contributions
| Year | Amount | Event Location | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,502 | Virtual | Shavee |
| 2022 | $806 | Virtual | Shavee |
| 2021 | $17,377 | National Ability Center, Park City, UT | Lead Organizer |
| 2020 | $918 | McMullan's Irish Pub, Las Vegas, NV | Shavee |
| 2019 | $635 | Copper Hills High School, West Jordan, UT | Lead Organizer |
| 2018 | $610 | Virtual | Shavee |
| 2017 | $2,403 | Highland Jr. High School, Ogden, UT | Lead Organizer |
| 2016 | $7,512 | Highland Jr. High School, Ogden, UT | Lead Organizer |
| 2015 | $8,112 | Mount Logan Middle School, Logan, UT | Lead Organizer |
| 2014 | $1,838 | Smithfield Recreation Center | Lead Organizer |
| 2012 | $4,650 | Salt Lake Community College | Lead Organizer |
What This Taught Me
Organizing community events strengthened my leadership, communication, planning, and outreach skills— the same human-centered competencies that guide my work in education, curriculum development, and consulting.
Interested in program or event design support? Let’s connect.