2004 POINT SCHOLARS

Justin Kidd 

University of California, Berkeley Law School

Public Affairs and Law

Justin faced significant challenges growing up in conservative Southern Colorado, but Justin has used these challenges as inspiration to excell in all aspects of his life.  Justin graduated valedictorian of his senior class and later graduated summa cum laude from the University of Denver. Justin, a Truman Scholar, Gill Scholar, Boettcher Scholar, and member of the USA Today All-American First Team, has worked, studied, and travelled in more than twenty countries. His favorite activities included facilitating summer camp south of Paris, studying Arabic History in the shade of the Alhambra, and teaching English in Bosnia. Justin also excels in the arts; he was selected twice for the Colorado All State Choir, winning state championship patches each year, and earned his Eagle Scout and varsity letters in choir, drama and academics.  He is a dedicated political activist; he is most proud of his work helping to elect the first openly gay city councilman and the first openly gay state legislator in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Justin intends to combine his masters degree from Carnegie Mellon University with a law degree from the University of California at Berkeley for a career in the public sector.

In Justin’s own words: “I know queer Americans have a long road ahead of us, but I also know, for the first time in my life, that equal rights will someday be mine . . . and that is worth the fight.”