High School STEM Scholars Recognition 2022
June Arnold April 24, 2022
Our 22nd annual STEM Scholar Recognition program was one for the history books. It has been an honor to chair this program the past 4 years. I cannot thank all the AAUW-Seattle members enough for the participation and engagement to make STEM Scholars Recognition happen.
As a branch, we hosted upwards of 175 guests and 37 of our 43 STEM Scholars personally attended with their friends and families. We were all treated to an entertaining and fascinating presentation by Dr. Emily Leveques, an Astronomy professor at the University of Washington. She truly embodies everything we hope to impart to our Scholars – perseverance, humility, humor, integrity, and a willingness to serve the world.
The AAUW Seattle team presented the awards to each of the students and they were asked to share a little on how they were inspired or encouraged to pursue STEM. It was moving and enjoyable to hear them speak. Parents were definitely the most inspiring, as well as aunts, grandparents, and siblings. Many thanked their current teachers in math and science. One student even gave a shout-out to her first grade teacher for paving the way. You never know where inspiration comes!
This was a larger than normal class of STEM Scholars with this being our transition year from honoring graduating high school seniors to rising seniors (spring juniors). This new approach will now allow our Scholars to leverage this recognition as they apply to colleges and scholarships next fall. I believe this change only enhances the reach of this program and the brand of AAUW. There should be no doubt our STEM Scholars Recognition has an impact on the lives and future of those we honor based on the feedback we receive from both the students and families.
And special thanks to Tonna Kutner for presenting the history of AAUW and Pay Equity to our audience during the program.
2022 Junior STEM Scholars
2022 Senior STEM Scholars
