Michael D. Montoya

Hardworking Student meticulous and detail-oriented with excellent observational, organizational and communication skills. Dependable and successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

I play a variety of musical instruments: Violin, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano, some banjo, other percussion instruments.

I have welded a statue for the community of Pueblo, to raise Suicide Awareness and Mental Health.

You Don't Stand Alone"

After the passing of my good friend and football teammate, Erric “Mikey” Lopez, in January 2023, I, a Central senior, became committed to honoring the memory of my friend while increasing awareness of mental health issues and suicide prevention services.
The sculpture would pay tribute to Erric while serving as a beacon of hope to those struggling.

To fund and promote the fabrication project, a youth-led committee, Erric’s Promise, was formed in partnership with El Pueblo History Museum. The 23-member committee, which includes 15 current Central students and graduates, worked diligently to raise $10,000 to pay for materials and labor, while securing required permits and a location for the sculpture.

To bring my vision to life, I partnered with local metal artist and fabricator Eric McCue. We began working from an action photograph of Erric taken during a gridiron contest at Dutch Clark Stadium.

In all, Eric and I spent 300 hours in Eric’s Iron E Art Studio on the piece, which was to be christened “You Don’t Stand Alone.”

Plans call for the piece to be permanently erected above the Central Wildcats mural along the Pueblo Levee, in the shadow of Dutch Clark Stadium.

El Pueblo History Museum- Youth Kickback program-

• Mental Health Awareness
• a safe place for youth 13-21yrs
• provides a monthly gathering opportunity
• access to counseling and guidance from professional therapists

Pueblo Central National Honor Society-Community activity during school year

Governor Jared Polis' Press Conference-

Was selected to offer remarks at Governor Jared Polis’ “Boosting Colorado’s Workforce and Economy” press conference at the State Capitol. The foundation of this campaign is a legislative package designed to connect hardworking Coloradans with the skills and training they need to thrive, saving people money on advanced training and education, and filling Colorado’s in-demand jobs.

And support in the form of a $1,500 “flexible scholarship” will be awarded to every member of the Colorado Class of 2024 to help with postsecondary education and training and zero-cost credential programs for in-demand jobs.

You Don't Stand Alone

Pueblo Central High School senior Michael Montoya was looking for ways to raise awareness of teen suicide while grieving the loss of his late friend and teammate, Erric "Mikey" Lopez.

"You Don't Stand Alone," a life-size steel statue of Lopez, was unveiled during a "Youth Kickback" event at El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Ave., on Jan. 13. Montoya welded and fabricated the statue with professional artist Eric McCue of Iron E Art Studio.

Montoya and 14 other Central students also partnered with El Pueblo History Museum to form the "Erric's Promise" committee. Erric's Promise raised $10,000 to cover the statue's material and labor costs.

The statue is now visible above the Central Wildcat mural along the Pueblo Levee, in the shadow of Dutch Clark.