how have they grown? checking in with the 2021 high school scholarship Recipients
By Maureen Haeger
Spring is in the air; things are starting to bloom, and there is evidence of growth all around us. We are also right around the corner from graduation season, where we will see students' growth on display as they celebrate their accomplishments and head off to begin their next chapter.
Each year at this time, I connect with the scholarship winners from the past year to check in and find out about their first year in college is going. I had the pleasure of recently talking with Riley Young, the 2021 Elizabeth Brauer Scholarship Winner, and Mridula Srivathsa, the 2021 STEM Forward Southeastern Wisconsin Scholarship Winner. After my conversations, one thing is obvious; both women are doing amazing things in their first year in college! Read on to learn how each of their journeys has progressed as they wrap up their first year in college.
When asked what the biggest challenge was for a college freshman, Riley shared that navigating a balance between academics and social is hard in the first year. Both girls mentioned that managing your time effectively is difficult and learning time management skills is essential. Mridula advised not to procrastinate and keep a detailed calendar.
When asked what the biggest surprise was about transitioning to college life, here is how Mridula responded,
“We know going to college is a pivotal moment, but I didn’t realize how true this statement was. This is your first independence step, growing in so many ways. College is a great chance to grow as a person.”
Riley making new friends and exploring Seattle!
What advice do they have for high school seniors? "Embrace how difficult it is, and don't put too much pressure on yourself," advises Riley. Change can be hard, but knowing this gives a person the strength to jump in and embrace it. Riley is studying computer science at Seattle University with hopes of doing software development for a non-profit and being involved with the community after graduation.
How were Riley and Mridula inspired to seek a STEM degree? Mridula said that she's always been a person who enjoys science. She points to a pivotal moment in middle school. In her 8th-grade science class, her teacher was very influential and encouraged Mridula to be curious and made her believe she could be a scientist.
Riley also became interested in STEM at a young age. She credits going to Discovery World Summer Camps. Her favorite camps were STEM-related because they involved hands-on fun activities. Riley also loved problem-solving, which led her to take Project Lead the Way (PLTW) classes in middle school. After middle school, her interest in Computer Science drove her to choose to attend Rufus King International High School (MPS) which has a strong focus on academics, activities, and diversity.
Another inspirational moment was when Riley attended a Code The Way Summer Program. She was part of a team to design new interfaces for The Gathering, a local food bank. This program included nine weeks of collaborative problem solving, creative design, computer programming, and presenting.
These are great reminders to spark a child's interest early, encourage their talents often, and allow them to dream big!
When asked who she looks up to, Mridula credits Rachael Carson, who wrote the book called Silent Spring. In this environmental science book, the author demonstrates bravery in documenting the adverse environmental effects caused by the indiscriminate use of pesticides. Carson accused the chemical industry of spreading disinformation and public officials of unquestioningly accepting the industry's marketing claims. This made a large impression on Mridula and her concern for the environment.
Mridula enjoying a Badger Football Game!
If you wonder how winning the scholarship impacted them, Mridula said she didn't have to get a part-time job at school and instead could devote the time to join Wisconsin in Science Education Research (WISER) a student organization aimed at connecting undergraduate women in STEM fields to research opportunities and preparing them for careers in science At the meetings, different female professors share their journey. This gives the club members insight into the various paths for research. The club also incorporates professional development such as resume building and interviewing skills. Mridula says it is great to be surrounded by a community of STEM women. Through these experiences, Mridula decided to add on a major in Data Analytics after learning how critical analytics is for the research field.
“Winning the scholarship was confirmation that I was on the right path. It reconfirmed that this is what I am interested in and that I want to pursue software programming. ”
How can we inspire the next generation of STEM talent? Expose children at a young age to STEM, encourage their involvement in STEM programs and support the young people to help them to chase their dreams.
Another fun way is to attend the STEM Forward 17th Annual Golf Outing Scholarship Fundraiser at Morningstar Golfer's Club on August 11, 2022, to raise money for local STEM scholarships. We hope you can join us!
Posted on May 11, 2022 by Maureen Haeger. Communications & Program Manager
