Kachow. That’s the word Colorado Leadership Alliance (CLA) 2022 Student Leader of the Year Phillip “Flojo” Flores would use to sum himself up. The Student Leader of the Year award is given annually by the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation and the Boettcher Foundation.

In many ways, Flores sees similarities between himself and Lightning McQueen, protagonist of the animated film Cars and proprietor of the jazzy catchphrase, “Kachow!”

“When I think about Lightning McQueen, he is hardworking, and he likes to be on the front stage. But then he goes through a lot of change and [strives to positively] impact other people … That’s how I want to be remembered, as a person that is kind and cares about other people and has great friends,” Flores said.

Currently pursuing his master’s at CSU Pueblo in Mechatronics Engineering with a double major in Mechatronics and World Language Spanish – on top of being involved on campus – Flores has no shortage of activities going on. But he wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Humbled by his beginnings and proud of how far he’s come on his leadership journey, Flores feels he’s always been able to connect well with people. However, it was the passing of a close friend and the encouragement from a college advisor to join a leadership program that solidified his path to becoming a selfless leader.

“After my friend passed away, I really was looking into doing something positive to help me out during that sad time. Being a leader and recharging my batteries with other people was the best way for me. I enjoy the whole leadership aspect of uniting people towards a common goal, figuring out problems and figuring out where people fit best,” Flores said.

Flores looked up to past Student Leaders of the Year, and how intentional they were with their words, and feels everything has come full circle with his acceptance of this award. He finds it important to be a voice that reminds others that anything can happen as long as one is willing to continually learn, is truly passionate and believes in themself.

“I used to be the person at conferences that felt kind of out of place, like an imposter,” Flores explained. “It was very cool to go from being the student who didn’t think they could, to being the one that did it.”

A go-with-the-flow type of person, Flores answers to Phillip, Flojo and string of other affectionate nicknames given to him by family. The name most people probably know him by, Flojo – inspired after successful track star Florence Joyner – was given to him by his football coach in the sixth grade and stuck with him ever since, making the rest history.

“I kid you not, there used to be people who didn’t even know my real name in middle school!” Flores shared. From his principal to his peers, Flojo was a name – more importantly, a person – everyone just knew.

For Flores, being named Student Leader of the Year is more than a mere title. “To me, it means that there is real power in being genuine and being authentic. It means that when you have a dream and you work towards it and go about it the right way – not in it for immediate reward, but [for] creating relationships and experiences and building those connections – the possibilities are endless.”

Flores owes a great deal of his leadership development to the President’s Leadership Program (PLP), a program dedicated to building up students with transformative leadership skills and strategies. “With the support from PLP, I was able to see myself as [a leader] and grow into that role. I’m very grateful because I now realize that my favorite thing today, and what I hope to do in the future, is to connect with people and lead people towards something meaningful.”

Through CLA, Flores has learned lessons and gained memories that will last a lifetime. From ice breakers to dance battles to mentor walks, CLA taught him that the little things are what matter, and that anyone can be a leader. “Writing a note to someone, opening the door for someone, greeting someone with a smile, shaking someone’s hand. That is what truly makes a difference,” Flores said. “Because then that person goes and connects with another person, and it just keeps spreading.”

Flores will be recognized and share more of his story at the Leadership Foundation’s Leading Colorado luncheon on April 6.