Aravis Sandven
Ascha Skye-Chinnery
Evelyn Hess
Georgia Salazar
Lexa Juhasz
Siobhan Ryle
Aravis Sandven
Ascha Skye-Chinnery
Evelyn Hess
Georgia Salazar
Lexa Juhasz
Siobhan Ryle
Six Walla Walla middle schoolers have been tapped to attend the week-long Tech Trek Washington STEM camp July 14-20 on the Pacific Lutheran University campus in Tacoma.
Aravis Sandven, Evelyn Hess and Lexa Juhasz from Garrison Middle School and Ascha Skye-Chinnery, Georgia Salazar and Siobhan Ryle from Pioneer Middle School received Tech Trek scholarships from American Association of University Women Walla Walla.
Students Alice Rudin and Talia Kim-Leavitt will serve as alternates for the camp.
Funds for this experience are raised through the annual AAUW Fall Kitchen Tour and AAUW Book Sale in February.
Member Judy Peasley said to be considered for Tech Trek, girls must submit an application and essay, be nominated by a science or math teacher and, if selected, undergo an in-person interview.
AAUW-Walla Walla covers all expenses of $1,600, except a $50 registration fee paid for by each family. Transportation to and from camp is also provided, with the Walla Walla cohort flying to Seattle. The girls will be accompanied to and from camp by AAUW member Mimi Brown. Walla Walla AAUW member Ginette Raygor will work in the camp clinic for the duration.
Tech Trek started in 1998 on the Stanford University campus in California. After seeing how effective the program is, AAUW expanded Tech Trek to four more states including Washington. It now operates in 2024 at 22 different sites around the nation, notes aauw.org.
At Tech Trek, girls are immersed in a world that empowers and encourages them to think about themselves as future scientists, engineers, mathematicians and computer specialists, Peasley said in a release.
Over seven days, the camp features hands-on science and technology classes with opportunities to meet inspiring women role models and share a unique college campus experience. The program’s goal is to provide an environment in which girls can learn about opportunities open to them in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math educational and professional fields.
AAUW-Walla Walla’s mission is to advocate for equity, education and opportunities for local women and girls to achieve their full potential.
“We welcome and invite all interested girls in the seventh grade to apply for this unique STEM opportunity,” Peasley said.
Tech Trek WA 2025 applications open in January. For details about AAUW Walla Walla, see aauwwallawalla.org; and for Tech Trek WA, see techtrek-wa.aauw.net. For general questions, contact Judy Peasley at jcolepeasley@gmail.com.
Retired editor/journalist Annie Charnley Eveland freelances the Etcetera column and stories for the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Full disclosure, she is a member of AAUW. Send contact name, daytime phone number, news and clear sharply focused photos as .jpg attachments to acereporter1979@gmail.com or call 509-386-7369.
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