MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement) members along with STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering Programs) members and members of SWE (Society of Women Engineers) have been awarded scholarships from some well know organizations.
Each awarded student will receive a $1,000 scholarship towards any school.
The scholarship reception was held at the SLCC Miller Campus in the Karen Gail Miller Confereence Center on Monday, April 11. There was an average of 200 people in attendance. 44 scholarships were awarded by organizations such as Intermountain Healthcare, ATK Aerospace, Questar, University of Utah Math Department and Salt Lake Community College. They are members of the Industry Advisory Council, which is part of the MESA/STEP program.
By donating scholarship money, Industry Advisory Council members host company tours for jr. high and high school students and provide speakers to interact with these students in after-school clubs.
Cindy Spangler is a STEP member who is attending Salt Lake Community College. Spangler plans on transferring up to the Uof U to study mechanical engineering. She was awarded her scholarship from Intermountain Health Care.
“I’m very excited, this will help with education costs,” Spangler said.
MESA is an after school educational program for jr. high and high school students. These students involve themselves through clubs and classes. STEP is for College and University students. MESA/STEP offers an opportunity for the state to home-grow engineers, doctors, nurses, drafters and other professionals of technology.
Kaly Mayombe is set to attend Utah State University next fall to study engineering.
“I’m excited to get out of high school and get into the real world,” Mayombe said.
Dinh Vo is a MESA recipient who’ll be studying electrical engineering at Utah State this fall.
“I’m pretty excited, pretty happy about all this,” Vo said.
The evening began with a Hors d’oeuvre reception, accompanied by live music. Dr. Clifton Sanders, Dean of Science, Mathematics and Engineering at SLCC gave the welcome from Salt Lake Community College. He spoke about the success of MESA/STEP.
Advisory Council Chair Christina Siwachok then gave the Advisory Council welcome. She stated that since MESA/STEP started, $689,000 has been given out in scholarships. Siwachok told the audience how 86 students applied for the scholarships and 44 were awarded. She also introduced the keynote speaker by informing the audience of her accomplishments.
The keynote speaker for the reception was Dr. Brenda Burrell, who spent her career working in education. She counsiled the students to go to class every day and study hard.
She told the recipients, “Some people succeed because they are destined to, most people succeed because they are driven to.”
“My advice to you tonight is hold on to your dreams,” Burrell said.
The scholarship winners sat at tables with their respective scholarship rewarding organizations.