Tech Trek Campers announced

Provided.

Valeria Casas, Jessica Cookson, Rillie Duce, Elin Jones, Annabelle Nemila and Isabella Stock.

The mission of American Association of University Women (AAUW) is "to advance gender equality for women and girls through research, education and advocacy." One of the ways in which the Tehachapi Mountain Branch does this is by sponsoring local girls to attend Tech Trek, a residential science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) camp.

The camps are designed to develop interest, excitement and self-confidence in young women who will enter eighth grade in the fall. They are run entirely by AAUW members, and feature hands-on activities in math, science and related fields. All sleeping, eating, instructional and recreational facilities are located on a university campus where camps are held.

We are proud to announce that the following six girls from Jacobsen Middle School have been selected to attend Tech Trek Camp at either Fresno State or Whittier College this summer: Valeria Casas, Jessica Cookson, Rillie Duce, Elin Jones, Annabelle Nemila and Isabella Stock. All of the girls were required to submit applications, which included an essay explaining about an area of STEM that they were most interested in, and what they were most curious about. They were nominated by their science teachers, who agreed that all of the girls were great students with wonderful attitudes. Other common attributes that they shared were their eagerness to learn and their ability to work with others.

The girls were introduced at a special Tech Trek recognition event on June 1, along with their families and guests. They were presented with certificates and goody bags for camp, as well as personal notes of encouragement from branch members. Special guests were two former Tech Trek campers, Caitlyn Chitwood and Kennedi Clark. Caitlyn attended camp in 2019, and is graduating from high school this year with several honors. She spoke about her camp experiences and her future plans, which include attending UCLA in the fall. Kennedi also shared her memories from Tech Trek, assuring the new selectees that they would have a great time. Kennedi is going to be a Junior Counselor for virtual Tech Trek camp this summer.

This will be the first time that many of the girls have been away from home for any length of time, but they all look forward to the experience of living in a college dorm, and bonding with like-minded girls their age. There has never been a camper who did not speak of the experience with great enthusiasm. The girls will be sharing their Tech Trek adventures at an AAUW meeting in the fall.

Our branch Tech Trek team would like to thank our corporate sponsor, BHE Renewables, as well as local AAUW members who made the camperships possible. We would also like to thank Chelsea Geber and the other JMS science teachers for supporting the Tech Trek program by nominating worthy students each year.

AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research. Membership is open to both men and women with an AA degree or higher. For more information see www: tehachapimountain-ca.aauw.net/.