This year, GiveTeens20® was fortunate to award three graduating high school seniors with the “2018 Femme 4 STEM Scholarship”. The recipients were presented with the check on Tuesday, June 18th at the GiveTeens20® office. We interviewed each recipient so that you can get to know them better! Before that, here is an introduction to the three young women and a fun question and answer session with one of the three winners!
GT20 president and Executive Director, Kathy Laidlaw with our generous sponsors, Bonnie and Gary, the winners Ayuri, Joan and Emily’s father
- Ayuri K., 17 years old, Washington High School. Ayuri will be attending UC San Diego in the fall with a major in Pharmacological Chemistry
- Joan O., 18 years old, Newark Memorial High School. Joan will be attending UC Davis in the fall with a major in Microbiology
- (Not pictured) Emily C., 17 years old, Mission San Jose High School. Emily will be attending UC Davis with a major in Animal Science.
GT20: What made you choose STEM?
Ayuri: I was interested in chemistry since I took AP Chemistry from my junior year. My teacher recognized this and recommended that I pursue it further. From there, I took it more seriously and soon, a passion for science followed.
GT20: What do you hope to do with this major?
A: Pharmacological Chemistry is the study of how drugs interact with each other in the body. So, different pharmacy companies pay attention to this before producing and prescribing new medications. I am hoping to pursue a career in Pharmacalogical Chemistry and research for drugs for illnesses that are uncured.
GT20: What are you looking forward to in college?
A: I’m looking forward to to meeting new people and I cannot wait to get involved in extracurriculars and clubs.
GT20: How was your college apps experience? Do you have any advice for future applicants?
A: It’s a very thorough process that has a lot of parts. When asking for recommendation letters, let your teachers know very much in advance. That way they can become familiar with it and know what to write. Your personal statement is also a key part as helps set you apart from the other applicants so pay more attention to it.
GT20: Do you have any advice for girls who are planning to pursue STEM or on the edge about it?
A: Understand your passion. We live in a society where people are pushed with the expectation and pressure to study in this field. If you have the drive to do it, it will be easier to trudge through it.
