List of 6 items.

• A robotics role model:

  "Robotics is one of the things that drives me to work in my community. I used to be someone who was a little bit scared of trying to make a difference, but once I found my passion I was able to really go out there and implement changes. At school, I help mentor Ellis’ First Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team. It’s a really great experience to use my knowledge to work with and support them.”

• On trying something totally new:

  "I joined lacrosse my freshman year, and it was the first time that I’d ever picked up a lacrosse stick. The team needed a goalie, so I just went for it! It was definitely an interesting progression because I went in there with no experience, but everyone on the team was very supportive. I’ve been the goalie for three years now, and it’s been great fun!”

• Her new student experience:

  "I joined Ellis at the beginning of ninth grade. I was really excited about the chance to explore new things. I kind of felt boxed in at my old school, like I could only do literature or STEM and I had to choose one or the other. So I was excited about Ellis providing more interdisciplinary opportunities. I was also worried at first that I would come in and people would have already made friends, but everyone was extremely welcoming and provided space for new friendships to form.”

• On being a changemaker:

  "Ellis has taught me that I can go out and solve real-world problems. I’ve been working on the Buzz Band with my Girls of Steel team; it’s a therapeutic device we invented to help people with autism [when they] exercise. It’s been going strong! We won a $10k grant from InvenTeams, and we’ve also filed for a utility patent. I’ve been able to take that drive to go out and do something when I see something and really implement it.” 

• On Ellis’ all-girls environment:

  "When I’m looking at colleges and see something like only 15% of their mechanical engineering students are female, it’s a bit of a shock. But because I’ve been in an all-girls environment, I have these confidence skills and a sound belief in my knowledge; I don’t have to second guess myself. I can go into any environment and use those skills to make it an environment that’s more supportive for me. That’s something that I think is really hard to teach, but Ellis provides a community that builds it automatically.”

• Her favorite subjects:

  "I’m a math person. I take AP Calculus. It’s difficult, but my teachers have been there every step of the way. It’s really empowering to have that support to keep pushing. I also really enjoy art history. It’s thought-provoking; there are no set answers. A painting could mean 20 different things to 20 different people.”